January 2019
Established by Founder Marie de Menthe, WTFemme!? was created to help better answer the question “What does being Femme mean?” With a limited personal knowledge and experience, Marie set out to meet creatives, members of the queer community, and a few allies who could perhaps help provide her the answer. What she found was something even more. Everyone possesses and presents a different version of Femme. No two Femmes are alike. And so, the path to knowledge grew and grew.
April 2019
After recording an episode and a series of conversations, WTFemme!? grew from one, to two. Enter Birdie Holly, co-host and now Partner of the show. With an equally rivaled passion for knowledge, meeting others, and heart for advocacy, this dynamic duo combined forces to create an even more in depth, dynamic show.
Present Day
Today, you can catch these vivacious Femmes interviewing guests and growing their ventures from the comforts of Stoke Coworking, located in the heart of Downtown Denton. You can also enjoy their Femme-isodes, which address a different topic each episode, with a little bit of pop culture, French language, and personal updates from the hosts themselves.
Who We Interview
Our goal is to interview Creatives who identify as Femme or other marginalized, genders, as well as Allies. Our hope is that we are able to uplift the voices of these communities, while also educating those who seek to learn more about who people are and their own journeys. A few terminology introductions:
Femmes
An identity or presentation that leans towards femininity. Femme can be an adjective, a verb, or a noun. Although commonly associated with feminine lesbian/queer women, it’s used by many to describe a distinct gender identity and/or expression, and does not necessarily imply that one also identifies as a woman or not.
Marginalized Genders
People who experience marginalization due to their genders.
Allies.
An ally, straight ally, or heterosexual ally is a heterosexual and/or cisgender person who supports equal civil rights, gender equality, and LGBT social movements, and challenges homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia. An ally acknowledges that LGBTQ people face discrimination and thus are socially disadvantaged. They aim to use their position as heterosexual or cisgender individuals in a society focused on heteronormativity to counter discrimination against LGBTQ people.
Meet the Co-Hosts
Marie de Menthe, Founder, Co-host
Since entering the creative scene in Denton back in 2010, Marie has participated in a multitude of creative ventures under her legal name, from humble beginnings as a DIY house show venue operator and promo queen, to big ups including serving as Local Talent Buyer for Oaktopia Music Festival, and Marketing Specialist for Hand Drawn Records, now HDR and Hand Drawn Pressing. From 2014 to 2019, Marie spent time off and on fronting psychedelic funk rock band Class Action, who managed to perform across Texas alongside greats such as Pearl Earl, Quaker City Nighthawks, Felt and Fur, and more. Between down months of 2017, Marie dove headfirst into the world of burlesque and hasn’t looked back. Today, you can find her serving as Digital Marketing Coordinator for her day job, while moonlighting as a member of the Promotion and Development team for Glitterbomb Denton and Salty Lady Burlesque.
Birdie Holly, Partner, Co-Host
From burlesque artists to photographer, Birdie Holly has spent the last six years in Denton crafting and honing in on a pathway that’s lined with accolades including 2018 DAM Awards Best Burlesque, performances, publications, and more. Rocking treetops all night long since 2017, Birdie has graced several notable stages across Texas and the surrounding U.S., including stages such as Vivas Lounge, Salty Lady Burlesque, Texas Queerlesque Festival, and Big D Burlesque Festival. You can also find Birdie behind the lens as a published creative photographer, with an expanding repertoire of models from DFW’s premiere creative industry, including published works during her time as a staff photographer for Austere Magazine ca. 2013. Nowadays you can catch this little bird of prey serving the local wellness community by day, and staying close to the grind of her artistic ventures at night.
Meet the Team
Kurt Van Zandt, Producer and Network Daddy
Hobbyist, enthusiast, Producer, Podcaster, Comedian, Actor, Artist, Barista, Network Daddy. who loves being busy. Big Stink Productions became his project in 2019, when he noticed a lack of support for local artists in the realms of comedy, improv, art and podcasting. His artistic project Drive Thru This joins his love of garbage food and learning about the lives of his friends. He lives to ride and rides to live and loves you very much.
Juniper St. Butcher, Digital Content Coordinator.
Creator with a goal to normalize queer self-expression. Artist, photographer, filmmaker, and content producer extraordinaire. They started their career working at a television station at 17 and now devises all sorts of content for numerous brands around the area. Advocate for all things erotic, gay, and radically nude. Aims to uplift marginalized voices and destroy taboos.
Contact Us
Looking to be interviewed, or have someone in mind that should be on our show? Feel free to reach out and we’ll keep the conversation going.
