Velvetpark
Encyclopedia
Velvetpark - Dyke Culture in Bloom, is a lesbian
arts and culture site
that regularly features music, literature, theater, fine arts, film, television, and social activism as it impacts queer culture
. Velvetpark also hosts a social network and dating community for lesbians and queer identified women.
Headquartered in New York City
, Velvetpark magazine was launched nationally in 2002 as a print magazine. Velvetpark was founded by Grace Moon. In 2005 Moon hired former On Our Backs
editor Diana Cage
. By 2006 Velvetpark Magazine was read on five continents and in nine countries. In 2004 Velvetpark applied for the trademark
including the by-line "dyke culture in bloom". The United States Patent and Trademark Office
rejected the mark on the grounds that the word "dyke" is "immoral and scandalous". Velvetpark amended its application in 2005 in an effort to have the USPTO recognize the word "dyke" as an accepted and welcomed signifier by the lesbian community. "Velvetpark, Dyke Culture in Bloom" trademark passed in April 2006.
In June 2007 Velvetpark produced its final print edition and became an online magazine, hosting text base and media rich content.
In 2009 Velvetpark launched "Velvetpark Mate" an interactive online dating site that marries social networking and custom built dating features.
Lesbian
Lesbian is a term most widely used in the English language to describe sexual and romantic desire between females. The word may be used as a noun, to refer to women who identify themselves or who are characterized by others as having the primary attribute of female homosexuality, or as an...
arts and culture site
Site
A site is the location of an event, structure, object, or other thing, whether actual, virtual, abandoned , extant, or planned.*For a building site, see construction.*For a site on the World Wide Web, see website....
that regularly features music, literature, theater, fine arts, film, television, and social activism as it impacts queer culture
Sexuality and gender identity-based cultures
Sexuality and gender identity-based cultures are subcultures and communities composed of persons who have shared experiences, background, or interests due to a common sexual or gender identity. Among the first to argue that members of sexual minorities can constitute cultural minorities as well as...
. Velvetpark also hosts a social network and dating community for lesbians and queer identified women.
Headquartered in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, Velvetpark magazine was launched nationally in 2002 as a print magazine. Velvetpark was founded by Grace Moon. In 2005 Moon hired former On Our Backs
On Our Backs
On Our Backs was the first women-run erotica magazine and the first magazine to feature lesbian erotica for a lesbian audience in the United States....
editor Diana Cage
Diana Cage
Diana Cage is an American lesbian-identified author, essayist, radio personality, cultural critic, and performer. Her work examines sexuality, feminism, and LGBT issues.- Career :...
. By 2006 Velvetpark Magazine was read on five continents and in nine countries. In 2004 Velvetpark applied for the trademark
Trademark
A trademark, trade mark, or trade-mark is a distinctive sign or indicator used by an individual, business organization, or other legal entity to identify that the products or services to consumers with which the trademark appears originate from a unique source, and to distinguish its products or...
including the by-line "dyke culture in bloom". The United States Patent and Trademark Office
United States Patent and Trademark Office
The United States Patent and Trademark Office is an agency in the United States Department of Commerce that issues patents to inventors and businesses for their inventions, and trademark registration for product and intellectual property identification.The USPTO is based in Alexandria, Virginia,...
rejected the mark on the grounds that the word "dyke" is "immoral and scandalous". Velvetpark amended its application in 2005 in an effort to have the USPTO recognize the word "dyke" as an accepted and welcomed signifier by the lesbian community. "Velvetpark, Dyke Culture in Bloom" trademark passed in April 2006.
In June 2007 Velvetpark produced its final print edition and became an online magazine, hosting text base and media rich content.
In 2009 Velvetpark launched "Velvetpark Mate" an interactive online dating site that marries social networking and custom built dating features.