THE CAMPAIGN
Beginning in September, I--and my alter shego GINA PERFORMA--will be entering a 9-month Masters degree program in Gender Studies at Central European University (CEU) in Budapest, Hungary. The subject of our research is: Homosexual Practices in Budapest Bath Culture.
You might be curious about what that is, exactly. Well, Budapest is the self-proclaimed "Thermal Bath Capital of Europe," and, as such, the city has a very active culture of recreational public bathing. On occasion, men go to the baths to find other men to have sex with. Some baths have intentionally used gender desegregation to prevent these practices. Conversely, there are baths and night clubs that openly provide spaces for gay men (and the closeted men who love them) to seek out sexual partners. It's a whirlwind of desire, regulation, architecture, gender identity, public and private policy, recreation, and mineral water. And that's what we'll be studying. At the end of the program, we hope to have a thesis that is fierce, inventive, well-researched, and fun.
While we're happy to announce that CEU covers the cost of tuition and housing, it does not cover personal expenses or costs related to our research. We hope to raise $5,000 so that, even as we starve our way through nine months of graduate school, our research will not be impeded by a lack of financial resources. The money we raise here will go toward the following:
- Food, aka, sustenance
- Transportation (metrocard - campus is 40 minutes away from the dormitory)
- Books
- Computer (software subscriptions, maintenance, emergency situations)
- Digital equipment (photo and video cameras, cables, tapes, CDs and DVDs for projects)
- Paper, printing and photocopying expenses
- Lessons in speaking Hungarian
- Bullshit administrative fees (amiright?!)
- Admission into the thermal baths
- Other incidental expenses that are bound to pop up out of nowhere
Please, fund our research and help me--and GINA--make the most of this amazing opportunity to learn something about people, and sex, and public baths!
Performance Party + Benefit
Anyone who contributes $25 or more gets admission to the THE STARVING ARTIST, a performance, party and benefit all rolled into one, hosted by GINA PERFORMA, and featuring performances by various artists that we love (soon to be announced)!
PERFORMANCE PARTY + BENEFIT
Thursday, August 9
7pm-9pm (performances begin around 8pm)
The Abrons Arts Center, 466 Grand Street, New York, NY 10002
For everyone else, admission will be a suggested donation of $15. Bring your friends! Bring your wife!
"Hot Mess" Walks
In honor of the disgusting New York summer, GINA PERFORMA is excited to present HOT MESS, a sultry heat-based walk designed to submit to the oppressive mid-summer radiation. Be sure to wear active clothing, because we will be moving.
Walk #1 - Wednesday, August 1 - 7pm
Walk #2 - Wednesday, August 15 - 7pm
Walks are limited to 12 people per walk and will last approximately 1 hour depending on how fast we move.