Sorry I couldn't post this before her memorial on Sunday. I wanted to, in case any of you were friends with her, but it would have taken more energy than I had. It was a very different kind of memorial, attended by dyke daddies and sex workers. Ivi was a kickass burlesque and exotic dancer, and I was fortunate enough to have worked with her for a spell.
Ivi "Ramona" Monroe
Becka St. James, known to her fans and loved ones as RocknRoll Ramona, Ivi Monroe, and Bella Donna, went to the Big Rock Show in the sky on April 22, 2009. Sadly, it was suicide.
Born June 8, 1961 in Columbus, Ohio, she made a name for herself in San Francisco as a pioneering lesbian feminist stripper who was one of the first gay women in the sex trade community to be out of the closet and outspoken in the sexual politics of a changing era.
Mo put her freckled face, red hair, and beautiful voice in early issues of On Our Backs and other lesbian original productions of the 1980s. Many of us remember her fierce charisma and inspirational dancing from the Mitchell Brothers, The Baybrick BurLEZk, Chez Badunkadunk and her own club, Lez Burlesque. In 2001, she organized The Stripper's Ball. The same year she recorded her first album, She's Dangerous.
Becka leaves behind many admirers and loved ones, including her lover and partner Diane Melrose, her dog Frankie and their kitty Patrick.
A memorial and celebration of life for our dear friend is being held Sunday, May 17, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the The Blue Macaw, 2565 Mission St, San Francisco. Copies of her book will be available for sale and donations will be accepted to help defer funeral expenses.
Ivi "Ramona" Monroe
Becka St. James, known to her fans and loved ones as RocknRoll Ramona, Ivi Monroe, and Bella Donna, went to the Big Rock Show in the sky on April 22, 2009. Sadly, it was suicide.
Born June 8, 1961 in Columbus, Ohio, she made a name for herself in San Francisco as a pioneering lesbian feminist stripper who was one of the first gay women in the sex trade community to be out of the closet and outspoken in the sexual politics of a changing era.
Mo put her freckled face, red hair, and beautiful voice in early issues of On Our Backs and other lesbian original productions of the 1980s. Many of us remember her fierce charisma and inspirational dancing from the Mitchell Brothers, The Baybrick BurLEZk, Chez Badunkadunk and her own club, Lez Burlesque. In 2001, she organized The Stripper's Ball. The same year she recorded her first album, She's Dangerous.
Becka leaves behind many admirers and loved ones, including her lover and partner Diane Melrose, her dog Frankie and their kitty Patrick.
A memorial and celebration of life for our dear friend is being held Sunday, May 17, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the The Blue Macaw, 2565 Mission St, San Francisco. Copies of her book will be available for sale and donations will be accepted to help defer funeral expenses.
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