This past Thursday I went to see one of my favorite bands of all time. I hadn’t seen Ours since way 2019 while I happened to be on tour in Chicago and had a night off and they just so happened to be playing about 20 min away. I first started listening to them in the spring of 2001when I was in college in Boston and I have had the pleasure of seeing them many, many times. This time was extra special though.
The first show I saw them at was at a venue called The Paradise Rock Club and I ran into a few friends from college there. I don’t quite remember if I knew they were fans or found out then… The band wasn’t well known but it’s one of those that whenever you meet a fellow fan it’s almost as if a magical bond is made and you instantly feel understood and that you’re not alone. Anyway, it was a magical show where they played their debut album “Distorted Lullabies” in its entirety.
Fast forward to a few days ago, 2023… 22 years after that iconic show, I went to the world famous Viper Room on the Sunset strip in Hollywood. The place was packed. I walked around to try to find a decent place to watch the show from, since I’m 5′ 7″ and need unobstructed views wherever I go 😂. I make my way all the way around towards the bathrooms but the view just sucks. I give up and make my way back towards the bar, which I’m hesitant about because I don’t drink and I don’t wanna just stand there. But as I’m gently pushing my way through the crow I see 2 old friends and my heart almost exploded. Not just any 2 friends, but 2 of the friends I saw Ours back in 2001 with. It was so emotional to be there in and of itself, but to watch the show with them, all those years later, was truly magical for me.
These friends of mine were among the first members of the LGBTQ+ community that I had ever met. I was 19 years old, had just left Caracas and was living on my own in a different country and was exposed to so many things. These 2 friends were part of an amazing group of people that were truly unique and unapologetic, authentic, kind, loving na just badass women. I fell in love with the idea of supporting them and their struggles and I related much more to them than other people. No, I’m an NOT saying that my “struggles” could compare to those of the community, no no no. What I mean is that I liked them much more and because I did I wanted to be there for them, and back then I didn’t even know I was doing it. Those formative years, core memory years, cemented my love for the LGBTQ+ community, and to this day its a massive part of who I am and why I love what I love.
How does this relate to Arsenal Women? I’m about to tell you. And actually there are 2 ways.
On one hand, I am guilty of gatekeeping in a way. The idea of the growth of the women’s game is something I absolutely love and want to happen. At the same time, I have this stupid apprehension of us singing American players just so that we have a new massive fan base. It’s dumb… it doesn’t bother me when other nationalities sign. But anyway… that might be because of the USWNT beating The Netherlands in the WC final but anyway…. I feel that as a fan of certain bands, like Ours, I’m also guilty of gatekeeping. Its like they are MY band, my own little secret…
The main reason is what I mentioned about embracing diversity. Me being open all these years have made me be so open to being a part of the women’s football world. I’d like to think that even without my friends at the Ours show all those years ago, I would still love my gay, lesbian and trans friends, and they just added to that. And I love them and I love it.
d ❤
THAT ARSENAL WOMEN PODCAST on:
A very subjective look into AWFC 
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