O&AN May 2011

MAY 2011

VOLUME 10 I ISSUE 5

THE 'WRIGHT' STUFF Singer-songwriter

Chely Wright

BUILDING BLOCKS OF BUSINESS

marks the oneyear anniversary of her coming-out announcement with the new documentary,

Read all about Tennessee GLBT-owned businesses including...

Nashville Entrepreneur Center BNA Talent Group GLBT Computer Repair

"Wish Me Away"

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MAY 2011

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The ‘Wright’ stuff Filmmakers Bobbie Birleffi and Beverly Kopf create Wish Me Away, a new documentary featuring country singer Chely Wright

by BLAKE BOLDT, MANAGING EDITOR bboldt@outandaboutnewspaper.com

Country music singer-songwriter and out lesbian Chely Wright will serve as a main attraction at this year’s Nashville Film Festival. The festival will screen a sneak preview of the feature-length documentary Wish Me Away on April 15 with an encore presentation on April 17.

From the documentary website: Over a three-year period, award-winning filmmakers Bobbie Birleffi and Beverly Kopf followed Chely’s struggle - some of which was recorded on private video diaries - and her unfolding plan to come out publicly. Using interviews with Chely, her family, key players in Nashville and her management team, the film goes deep into Chely’s back story as an established country music star and then forward in various scenes as she prepares to step into the media glare to reveal that she is gay. Finally, the film chronicles the aftermath of that decision in Nashville, her hometown and within the LGBT community.

In an interview with Out & About Newspaper, the filmmakers explain the inspiration behind their new project.

What was the most compelling part of Chely’s story to both of you?

Beverly: What stands out the most to me is just the sheer courage that it took to allow us to follow such a painful and intimate process in the way that she did.

Bobbie: And for me, what’s the most compelling part of her story, and it’s actually shown in the film, is how deep her hiding went. We have archival footage where you actually get to see her trying to pass as a straight person. It’s rare to ever have a celebritiy talk about to this, and to have the footage on top of that, it’s mindblowing.

Beverly: A lot of people, especially in our business, don’t understand initially the difference between coming out here and coming out in Nashville. In the film, we show how the courage to do that is incredible, and even why she was the first to do so. It’s sort of layered: there were so many parts of her story that were telling to us.

Bobbie: The film lays out how it could be so stressful, not so much Nashville as a people, but within the music industry.

What did you learn about Nashville and the music industry specifically during the making of this film?

Beverly: I will say that I really had no idea how complex Nashville is. It’s not just the music industry; it’s not just these incredibly creative people that live there; it’s not just fans and country radio. It’s the combination of all of them and how they each play off each other. We came to understand that it’s a business and that country music is marketed to a conservative fanbase.

Bobbie: To an extent, the industry is selling to a conservative, working-class population. It’s mostly white, working-class and some might even say Christian people. It’s not exclusive, but it’s enough that it drives the marketing image. In terms of the gay issue, it felt like Nashville is a closed place for that. It may be opening now as a result of Chely’s story. But mostly it’s “don’t ask, don’t tell.”

Beverly: Fletcher Foster is one of the co-producers, and we really spent a lot of time talking with him. There are a lot of gay and lesbian working in the industry. But when it comes to the packaging of artists, it’s a very different story. What we try to do in this film is to try and understand Chely, but you also have to understand what she was up against. One of the things that Bobbie and I have been thinking about is that we made this film for Chely’s audience, for the heartland audience, for the Christian audience..

Bobbie: We made it for all these audiences: heartland, Christian, Nashville, gay. The thing about this film is that it’s very fair and thought-provoking without getting heavyhanded or preachy in the way we present it.

Though this film discusses Chely’s coming-out process, it’s not all dark and depressing either.

Beverly: We wanted to make a positive film about someone choosing to live an authentic life. When you look at who Chely is now, it’s beyond our wildest dream what she would accomplish in a year. We believe that this film is not just about being gay, but about people who hide their authentic selves. So I think it’s resonating with audiences on that level.

Bobbie: There is a lot of laughter and a lot of tears. It’s a very funny film. I don’t want to give away much, but it’s a private story and how we follow it includes some of her family. But it’s very intimate and funny. The music is so entertaining. We had people that don’t know who Chely was, and when they watched the film, they go directly to iTunes and they want to know more. The music is a character in this film.

Beverly: The film followed her coming-out process, but it’s a much deeper, richer tapestry. We went back to Wellsville (Kansas) where she was born, and then we followed the aftermath.

This whole filming process was about three years?

Bobbie: Three years ago, yes. She confided in us. We met through mutual friends in the business. She wanted to write a book and we said “No, no, this is a film.” It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to tell this unfolding story. It’s pure gold. For two solid years, we were building trust. It didn’t happen overnight; it came out in little bits. The process of following Chely is also the process of discovering stuff about herself.

Beverly: She’s a certain kind of person. At her core, she wants to do good in the world. She knew that this film would help people, and especially young people. She felt that it was important that she do it correctly.

Bobbie: It was so important for us to come back to Nashville. Our hope is that, at least in Nashville, it goes beyond Chely and her story.

Beverly: It was great that we have these insiders who spoke with us. We have Clarence Spalding, Tony Brown, Bill Cody and of course Rodney Crowell. We got people that are very well-respected (in the industry).

When i was talking about the audiences, the point I was trying to make is that the business will change when their fanbase changes. It won’t happen overnight, but it’s a transformation that’s happening.

More Chely on page 7

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MAY 2011

Building blocks of business

Nashville Entrepreneur Center develops city’s startup companies

by BLAKE BOLDT, MANAGING EDITOR bboldt@outandaboutnewspaper.com

In January, the Nashville GLBT Chamber of Commerce hosted their monthly mixer in the Nashville Entrepreneur Center, a thriving business development organization that may prove essential to the city’s financial future.

Before attendees shared cocktails and business concepts, president and CEO Michael Burcham used his introduction to emphasize a key problem that plagues the economic climate in Middle Tennessee. Of the 154 candidates that have sought the organization’s help since its inception, few minorities are in the mix, and none are identified as gay or lesbian.

In a conversation shortly after the event, Burcham revisits that moment and expresses Michael Burcham, president and CEO of Nashville a motivation to stir the GLBT community into Entrepreneur Center, expresses a desire to see more action. potential business leaders from the GLBT community.

Photo provided.

“I think members of our community are so used to hitting the ceiling in the churches, in the universities, in businesses,” says Burcham, a current faculty member at Vanderbilt’s Owen Graduate School of Management. “But now with all of these angel investors and the economy being so depressed, there’s an opportunity there for them and for everyone. Things are opening up.”

The goal, then, is to uncover opportunities to speak with these potential business leaders.

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“My question is ‘How do we have that conversation with the community?’

Burcham admits. “Part of it is, I haven’t seen a lot of active participation (by the GLBT community) in some of the places I’ve gotten to speak. Our goal is to bridge the gap between the GLBT community and the rest of the community.”

The Entrepreneur Center, launched as a Web site in September 2009 by the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Nashville Technology Council, provides a place for training, relationships and resources to cultivate economic development and serve as a catalyst in the city’s business endeavors. Quite simply, the burgeoning organization helps potential business leaders achieve everything they ever dreamed of in a professional setting.

The Board of Directors elected Burcham into his current role last May, and his passion has been honed by years of professional experience. A former health care executive, Burcham is a fierce advocate of taking control of your professional destiny. (“I thrive on starting and creating businesses,” he says.) For those distressed by their daily grind, he preaches the power of creativity.

His fellow contributors, the center’s five-person staff, are fluent in a number of industry fields. Potential clients present a wide range of business ideas---bicycle repair, handbags and photography, among them---and are encouraged to explore any pursuit. The organization, though, focuses on four prime industries: technology, social enterprise, and digital media & entertainment.

“I know your odds of success are greater in those fields,” Burcham says. “Those all have an enormous pent-up demand. Those are the industries that have the most success in Nashville and they’re what the city is known for.”

BURCHAM continued on page 9

MAY 2011

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Casting a wider net

BNA Talent Group challenges the norms of the entertainment business

by BLAKE BOLDT, MANAGING EDITOR bboldt@outandaboutnewspaper.com

Even as local and national economies have struggled in recent years, Nashville’s Josh Robbins decided to jump into the fray of the entertainment business head first. In a short span, he’s built a reputation as a respected entrepreneur with a clear vision for the industry’s future.

Robbins’ company BNA Talent Group, which promotes itself as the first LGBT casting division in the region, is one of the few agencies outside of New York and California that specializes in finding LGBT people for LGBT parts in advertisements, film and TV. Robbins opened BNA Talent Group in September 2009, and the company has since developed into one of the leading agencies in the region. He feels a responsibility to improve the business climate from the front lines.

“I view our current struggles as a nation as tremendous opportunity for entrepreneurs like myself,” Robbins says. “As business owners, we have the opportunity to create and re-create business models to solve our client’s problems first.”

The ability to consistently form new strategies might seem like an intimidating task, but Robbins enjoys the challenge that his position presents.

“In actor and talent management, innovation is key,” he says. “I love opportunities to change and develop my business model at BNA Talent Group, attempting to more effectively and efficiently represent my clients and proactively create opportunities.”

Last summer Robbins was involved in Amtrak’s new multimedia campaign targeted toward GLBT customers. The campaign, which included print ads in GLBT publications, was the first for this demographic. Robbins believes that the spending power of the LGBT community and its deep commitment to trusted products is a huge boost.

“I forget I carry a label of being a gay business owner sometimes because like every categorized business, we all have similar opportunities and problems to solve,” he says. “LGBT individuals statistically have higher brand loyalty, so I assume that could potentially lend itself to gay business owners’ loyalty to other LGBT businesses.

I still just admire successful entrepreneurs who make decisions, take risks and remain engaged-LGBT-owned or otherwise. Nashville has some incredible LGBT entrepreneurs.”

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MAY 2011

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by JESSICA GIBSON, CONTRIBUTING WRITER jgibson@outandaboutnewspaper.com

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Or maybe you need some favorite correspondence from a, ahem, loved one, to be accessible to you but hidden from other prying eyes using the same system as yours.

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I asked the owner, Tabitha, why we should choose her over one of the bigger computer repair/ big box companies that specialize in in-home computer service calls.

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For those fully out and wanting to support Or maybe you are setting up a new computer GLBT-owned businesses, GLBT Computer system and network for your business and you want to support other business owners in the GLBT Repair is owned by “family.” The staff is trained community. to accommodate customers who are needing a Whatever your need, and whatever your professional to diagnose and treat any type of reason, GLBT Computer Repair is willing to assist computer system break down, or who are looking with a variety of services. to upgrade your system capabilities for a highly competitive price.

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Out & About Newspaper strives to be a credible community news organization by engaging and educating our readers. All content of Out & About Newspaper is copyrighted 2008 by Out & About Nashville, Inc. and is protected by federal copyright law and shall not be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. All photography is licensed stock imagery or has been supplied unless otherwise credited to a photographer and may not be reproduced without permission.

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A movie of memories

Chely Wright discusses the genesis of her new documentary ‘Wish Me Away’

by BLAKE BOLDT, MANAGING EDITOR bboldt@outandaboutnewspaper.com

It must be a brave thing to expose yourself in such a public forum.

I’m not going to say “Aw, shucks, it was nothing.” I know the courage it took for me to come out and write the book. Allowing the filmmakers to follow me in the time that I just wanted to be alone and handing over my video diary, it’s a big monster. It will keep you up at night. I just gave them all of my video diaries and let them work.

I’ve never been one in my career to go on TV and tape it and watch it back. There are a few things that I had never seen and didn’t remember. At one point in the film I was being interviewed by Dick Clark---I’ve been friends with Dick for over fifteen years--but I never remembered any part of that. In some ways, the film was really fun to look at and see the early arc of my career. It’s a sweet encapsulation, aside from the fact that I see these crazy outfits and hairdos. Lauren was watching back one day and asking me “What you were wearing?”

I remember photos from the night you won your Academy of Country Music award (1995) with that big wall of hair.

In an interview with Out & About Newspaper, Chely Wright discusses Wish Me Away and the opportunities that have opened up for her in the last year.

First of all, congratulations on your engagement (to gay-rights activist Lauren Blitzer).

Thank you. Sometimes I can’t even believe all of these wonderful things are happening in my life. We’re trying to wrap our heads around it right now. We’re just a few months away now. I’ve been busy with my job and Lauren’s been busy with her job, so we’re falling into bed each night at midnight with wedding details in our heads and laughing at ourselves. But we think we’re gonna have a fun time with family and friends. The wedding date is August 20, so I’m sure it’s gonna be hotter than the dickens. Actually today we have a tasting with the caterer in Manhattan.

We’re just trying to to cram in all this wedding stuff when we can. I see why everyone gets worried about weddings, but our mantra is “No stress.” We’re both pretty humorous people and our families are funny, so we can’t see how we’ll mess it up. It’s an exciting time.

How does it feel to see this new film come to the light of day? Anxious, excited, relieved?

I never saw the film until about a month ago. Through the course of the entire filming, I didn’t see one frame of film. I felt like that would be too close and it might effect how I react. It’s not my film; it’s the filmmakers’. They had the editorial say, so what was the point of my watching it and being upset? When it was time, we went to the filmmakers’ apartment and it was all of those feelings you just described. It’s a very emotional film; it does chronicle some of my tough times. I mean, nobody’s pretty when they cry. (laughs) I think it’s the untold story. A lot of people read my book, but this shows all that went into my deciding to come out. It was a really interesting time. I hope that the film will be helpful and give people a glimpse into the experience. I’ve known and felt fine about being gay for a long time, but this was my coming to terms with telling the world. Whether you’re a high school teacher or you work at Walgreen’s, there are a lot of criticisms and judgments that go along with doing that. It takes a pretty steeled person to (come out).

When I look at it, I say “Why did I have a ball gown on?” It just shows how country music has changed. When I got into it, that was before we became more like pin-up girls. In the late Nineties, the women started to get noticed in ways of fashion.

When I first got into country music, we were very covered up and very conservative.

That’s a big difference from when I did my FHM photo shoot (2002) and I’m scantily clad!

WRIGHT continued on page 18

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The art of hair

Shana Michelle Taylor’s Nashville shop offers the latest and greatest styles

by JESSICA GIBSON, CONTRIBUTING WRITER jgibson@outandaboutnewspaper.com

For those of you (well, most of us) who feel that hair style is an important part of the look and expression of who we are-there is Shana Michelle Taylor.

Shana Michelle Taylor is a force of nature. She is the driving force behind Hair

by Shana Michelle Taylor, a salon located in downtown Nashville.

Born a poor child in the projects of Jasper, Ala., she first started doing hair at the age of three. That was when her grandmother-Memaw-started paying her to roll and style her hair. Then, she would take the money her Memaw had given her to the goodwill store and purchase dolls so she could cut and style their hair.

After graduation, Shana tried a couple of different things at college, but nothing clicked with her until a distant cousin, Helen Davis, took Shana under her wing and gave her a scholarship to her beauty academy in Jasper.

Within a couple of years, she moved to Los Angeles. There, she honed her skills and styled the likes of Kristy McNichol-the actress from Empty Nest-and worked on a music video with Robert Palmer.

So, in November 1999, Shana moved back to Jasper to take care of her Memaw who had been recently diagnosed with cancer. While in Jasper, Memaw gave Shana one last gift: she financed Shana’s first official business. And so, Illusions Hair Salon, Shana’s first business, was born. And this savvy entreprenuer hasn’t stopped since. (http://shanamichelletaylor.com) Sadly, in August of 2000, Memaw passed. Shana then moved to Birmingham for 3 years before coming to Nashville. Shana is passionate. About her life. About meeting new people. And of course, about hair. “The journey of becoming me has been scary, painful, exhilarating, promising, and triumphant!” Shana says.

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MAY 2011

Paving the way

Vanderbilt University gay-straight alliance Peabody Queeries advances campus equality

by BLAKE BOLDT, MANAGING EDITOR bboldt@outandaboutnewspaper.com

In recent months, Nashville’s stance on LGBT rights has become national fodder.

One positive result of this discussion is the renewed commitment by the LGBT community and their allies to press forward in the face of discrimination.

As is often the case, institutions of higher learning are often an epicenter for discussion on social issues. Peabody Queeries, based in Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College of Education and Human Development, is a key member in the movement to secure LGBT rights on a larger scale. The Queeries, who serve as the official gay-straight alliance for graduate and professional students, bring these parties together to participate in activities surrounding LGBT interests.

“As a whole, in our college we think about learning and development at a lot of different stages,” says Jasmine Ma, treasurer of Peabody Queeries. “And as graduate students who do a lot of research about education, we sort of have a different view on LGBT issues than other parts of Vanderbilt. We study the enterprise of the university and want to work on community-building. Our goal is to open up some dialogue and create positive change about how people talk about LGBT issues.”

Vanderbilt University features a variety of programming and resources focused on these issues. The Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex Life acts as a cultural center for those interested in the study of gender and sexuality. And recently the School of Medicine hosted LGBT Health Week, an event that drew awareness to the unique health concerns facing the LGBT population.

The desire of the Queeries to discuss these important issues has been made easier

by the university’s support of their projects.

“The climate is really growing in a fantastic way,” says Ma. “We’re growing the community and this educational system and we’ve started to see a lot of great programming and great resources (concerning LGBT issues).”

Moving beyond the boundaries of the Vanderbilt campus is the crucial next step, according to Luke Garton, president of Peabody Queeries.

“The ultimate goal would be to have a relationship with the Middle Tennessee community,” he says. “As a university we have a lot of resources, and we’re hoping to build up and out. All of our events are open to the public. It gives people who might not otherwise deal with these issues a venue and the opportunity to do so. The graduate school is its own entity. We don’t make it a Peabody thing. We want it to be unique to our expertise and the issues that we cover.”

The art of learning doesn’t end in the classroom, so the goal of the Queeries is to deliver impactful messages that will last a lifetime. By studying both local and national news, they discuss how the LGBT community works with the mainstream.

“We’re really focusing on how education and human development are related to LGBTQUI issues globally and at Vanderbilt in general,” Garton says. “The university has made so much progress. I think that speaks a huge amount about the progress here. They’re not just tolerant, but fully accepting of the LGBT community.

For additional information contact them at peabodyqueeries@vanderbilt.edu or visit their Facebook page.

MAY 2011

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A scary good time with ‘Young Frankenstein’ Mel Brooks-created musical to be featured at TPAC May 10-15

by BLAKE BOLDT, MANAGING EDITOR bboldt@outandaboutnewspaper.com

Winner of the 2008 Outer Critics Circle Award and the Broadway.com Audience Award for Best Musical, Young Frankenstein is based on the 1974 film of the same name.

This inspired re-imagining of the Frankenstein legend follows bright young Dr. Frankenstein (that’s Fronkensteen) as he attempts to create a monster -- but not without scary and hilarious complications.

The Tennessee Performing Arts Center production next month (May 10-15) will include such entertaining numbers as “Transylvania Mania,” “He Vas My Boyfriend” and “Putting on the Ritz.”

Three-time Tony winner Mel Brooks, who wrote Noah Aberlin is a cast member in the Mel Brooks-created the music and lyrics and co-wrote the book, developed musical "Young Frankenstein," playing next month at Tennessee Young Frankenstein along with his record-breaking team Performing Arts Center. from The Producers: five-time Tony-winning director and Photo provided. choreographer Susan Stroman and three-time Tony-winning writer, Thomas Meehan.

Noah Aberlin, who has performed in the national tours of The Wizard of Oz, The Producers and Contact, is an ensemble member of Young Frankenstein and the understudy of Dr. Frankenstein. He discusses the early stages of his career and his central role in this “fun, fast-paced and bawdy” production with Out & About Newspaper.

How’d you get inspired to live the life of a performer?

I kind of have this story like an A Chorus Line story. I would go with my mom to pick up my sister from dance class when I was young. My mother saw that I was inspired so they enrolled me in dance classes as well and I just didn’t stop. Being a boy in the dance world has its advantage: you’re usually solo so it’s just you and a bunch of girls dancing. I was given a lot of attention at that age which I loved. Then I got into high school and started to do the high school musicals. Just from that I thought i would look into the degrees in theater. I went to Syracuse University in their four-year BFA program for musical theater. I graduated in 2004 and I’ve been performing in and out of New York City ever since.

What are your experiences with Nashville?

It will be my second or third time in Nashville. I was there for Wizard of Oz. The last time i was there I visited the Country Music Hall of Fame. That was really awesome. I grew up in Brooklyn so I don’t know much about country music. The museum is on the newer side of museums. But I always enjoy walking around Broadway and getting some barbecue. It’s nice sitting and listening to the performers just do their thing.

BURCHAM continued from page 4 By fostering an environment of inclusiveness, Burcham is hopeful that he will develop a more well-rounded roster of clients. All aspiring entrepreneurs are treated to the same rigorous process.

“If you’re not prepared, then you won’t last long here,” Burcham admits. “This is a very intensive program. If you’re ready to do the work, I can get you out in front of so many people in the community.”

Upon graduation, fledgling business leaders are further supported by the organization. The Entrepreneurship Center hosts monthly mixers for alumni to interact with each other, along with a few educational events each month to further enhance the business acumen of their clients. An on-site research lab contains informational materials, with a catalog of business and professional resources within the Nashville area.

Any favorites in country music?

I like the older stuff. We went to Memphis, too, so I like the rockabilly music as well. When I was growing up, my sister would always play Dixie Chicks, so that’s always in the back of my mind.

What’s it like to be a traveling artist, and specifically with this show?

It’s been pretty awesome to do the show; it’s a fun show to do and it’s a fun show to watch. Comedies are easier for when you’re really tired and you get into this routine. When you hear the audience laughing, you pick up the lightness of the show and feel the energy. We also have a great cast, and we have fun both onstage and backstage. We hope the audience picks up on that.

What can the audience expect from this performance?

It’s a Mel Brooks show, which kind of speaks for itself. It’s funny, fast-paced and bawdy. It stays true to the movie, but it (the production) definitely brings a little more life to the movie. When you’re transforming a movie into a musical, you have more of the songs and dances and that heightens the reality of it. And because it was a movie, it jumps from scene to scene and so you have a lot of different set pieces and crazy characters being introduced. We try to make it one big laugh after another; we try not to stop the audience from laughing. It’s an adult show with adult humor, but people of all ages seem to enjoy it.

For those that don’t know, it’s the story of Dr. Frankenstein’s grandson who lives in New York and would rather not be known for the fact that his grandfather brings dead bodies back to life and even goes so far as to change the pronunciation of his name to Fronkensteen. Then his grandfather passes away and he goes to Transylvania to work out his father’s property and will and testament. He starts realizing who he is and tries to recreate one of his grandfather’s monster. Of course, that just snowballs into craziness. The big part is “Putting on the Ritz,” which we’ve made into a seven-minute dance extravaganza with everyone dressed up as the monsters and tap dancing.

Not only are you a member of the ensemble, but you’re an understudy for the lead role as well.

Yes, I’m a member of the ensemble. I play, I believe, nine characters throughout the evening and I end up changing voices and accents. That’s what I do most every night. I’m also an understudy for Dr. Frankenstein which is pretty demanding. You have to be ready to go on at the drop of a hat. I’m also understudy for Igor who is his right-hand man. The actor who plays Igor went on vacation recently, so I was able to perform his role for two weeks. He is 5’4” and I’m about 6’0”, so that’s hunching down for two and a half hours. It was physically demanding but emotionally rewarding. My parents and my boyfriend were able to come out and see me. It was well worth the backache.

A number of members choose to maintain their full-time jobs due to financial need, devoting their nights to tightening their business plans. The mere thought of steering their own career spurs enthusiasm within his protegees.

Business owners can expect to see their idle time dwindle as soon as they open their doors. If they can handle those heavy demands, the payoff is powerful.

“If you have the energy and you’re willing to invest the time, it will happen,” Burcham says. “Entrepreneurship is a learned art form. Money is not the reason that people can’t do it. If you’re willing to devote 10-12 hours a day, then we’ll find a way to get you the money. It’s a matter of perseverance and passion.”

The new year has brought good news to the burgeoning enterprise. Nashville Entrepreneur Center recently announced its partnership with the Nashville Music Council, and in 2011 a new location will open at Rolling Mill Hill near downtown.

The site will feature space where startup companies can occupy for up to a year.

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MAY 2011

Community Marketing to conduct 5th annual LGBT Community Survey

Survey reports key information on social and economic habits of LGBT individuals

by BLAKE BOLDT, MANAGING EDITOR bboldt@outandaboutnewspaper.com

The 5th annual LGBT Community Survey, the largest market research report ever conducted for LGBT people, will be available to the public on May 1. This national survey offers extensive insight into the lifestyles of Out & About Newspaper readers.

The survey statistics assist marketers in making

educated decisions about their strategies and tactics, an effort designed to better serve the LGBT community.

Last year’s LGBT Community Survey received an unprecedented 45,000 survey respondents nationwide, a 50% increase over 2009. Included in that tally were 570 Out & About Newspaper readers.

Respondents are derived from 100+ partner organizations such as international LGBT events, community centers and business associations; and a wide variety of global LGBT print, Internet, mobile, blog, radio and TV media.

The survey, which includes more than 50 questions, is performed by Community Marketing, Inc., an NGLCC-Certified, gay-owned, independent market research company, founded in 1992, and based in San Francisco. With this in-depth examination of the social and economic habits in the LGBT community, Community Marketing explores a number of demographic segments: seniors, young adults, gay and lesbian families, ethnicity, and household income.

According to the Community Marketing, Inc. website: The resulting Gay Consumer Index and Lesbian Consumer Index reports include ground-breaking quantitative data and deep insights on demographics, psychographics, purchase behavior and motivations, and social and political perspectives. These indices will guide LGBT development and effective outreach communications for years to come.

Everyone who completes the survey by June 15 will be entered into a drawing to win one of five $100 cash prizes, or if you win, you can designate a charity to receive the $100. The survey will launch on May 1.

Utilizing quantitative and qualitative market research methodologies, Community Marketing helps companies better understand and more effectively reach the LGBT community. Their consumer panel provides insights through online surveys, focus groups, intercepts and more.

With nearly 20 years in business, Community Marketing has developed a research panel of more than 50,000 LGBT consumers. They have partnered with media outlets and LGBT oriented organizations and events throughout the country and around the world to recruit a qualified panel that’s geographically representative of the LGBT population.

According to Community Marketing, the LGBT population owns more homes and cars, travel more, spend more on electronics, and have the largest disposable income of any market. The organization notes that LGBT consumers make up 5-10% of the U.S. consumer market.

MAY 2011

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What is happiness?

Answers may vary, but happiness can only be defined by you

by MICHAEL KIMMEL, CONTRIBUTING WRITER mkimmel@outandaboutnewspaper.com

Happiness: what a topic! Most of my clients want to be happier...they want more happiness and less suffering in their lives. Who doesn’t? But, what is happiness? We all know it when we feel it, or do we? Is it feeling good, joyful, optimistic, healthy, alive? Or is it a deeper sense of pleasure, satisfaction, well-being? A colleague of mine claims that “the happiest time of life for men is ages 60-69 and the unhappiest period is ages 20-29.” Is this true?

Happiness is self-defined: your happiness may not look or feel like mine. The things that make your partner happy may not make you happy, and vice versa. Happiness is experienced not only in our neocortex (where our thoughts reside), but also on a total body level: a happy body is full of energy, flexibility, aliveness and strength. It can take you almost anywhere and recover quickly from difficult situations. Let’s define what happiness is for you. Complete this sentence: For me, real happiness is _______________________.

I recommend that you complete the sentence several times and write down your answers: your answers may “deepen” the more you think about it. In my work with clients, I often use elements of Buddhist psychology to help clients identify and eliminate the sources of their suffering and locate the source of their happiness. For example, if you hook your happiness onto someone else (e.g., your partner) or some event happening in a certain way (e.g., your boss being kind to you), your happiness is shaky. A more solid, lasting happiness has got to come from a lasting source...a source that you can control. The only thing you can control is your mind and body...and that’s a challenge in itself.

For some people, this is where spirituality comes in. God or Spirit is seen as the only unchanging source of happiness and, in theory, we need to align with this essence or presence in order to have a continual pipeline to happiness. Well, all you spiritual folks out there, how easy it THAT to pull off? Quite difficult, isn’t it? It doesn’t matter whether you have a spiritual belief system or not, happiness has got to come from within. There’s nothing else we have guaranteed access to: money, your partner, your job, your house, it’s all temporary and can be here today, gone tomorrow.

In an effort to avoid a cookbook mentality, here are some possible ways to experience more happiness: Identify what historically has brought you happiness and unhappiness.

Study people that you think are happier than you are. What do they have that you don’t? If you can, ask them about themselves and how they find their happiness.

Quiet your mind: any activity that brings you more

peace and quiet is setting the stage for happiness.

Find ways to let yourself be more spontaneous, e.g., more yourself: do you need to spend a day hiking, an afternoon playing golf, an evening dancing your ass off until the club closes? How can you loosen up more?

Live more in the moment. Notice when you’re off in future hopes or dreams and kindly bring yourself back to this moment. Happiness is only available NOW. Read more at outandaboutnewspaper.com

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MAY 2011

CAN-DO bill: A flawed Republican rationale

Rep. Glen Casada’s statewide legislation threatens to overturn Nashville’s non-discrimination ordinance

by VICTOR STEPIEN, CONTRIBUTING WRITER vstepien@outandaboutnewspaper.com

Shortly after the so-called ‘’CAN-DO’’ bill in Metropolitan Nashville was passed, Rep. Glen Casada (R-Franklin) seemingly vowed to repeal it via a statewide legislation that would remove sexual orientation and gender identity from anti-discrimination policies. While the main argument Rep. Glen Casada has – a concern for the economy – introduced legislation in the Tennessee state government appears to be a noble one at a that would nullify Metro Nashville's nontime of financial turmoil, it runs discrimination ordinance. counter to mainstream ideas about an openly gay workforce, as analyzed by Kirk Snyder in 2006’s The G Quotient: Why Gay Executives are Excelling as Leaders... And What Every Manager Needs to Know.

Christian Berle, the Deputy Executive Director of the Log Cabin Republicans, a GOP-affiliated, probusiness LGBT advocacy organization, suggests Rep Casada may be fighting a losing battle. For Berle, Romer v. Evans (1996), a Supreme Court decision that banned any city, town, or county in the state of

Colorado from using the ‘’special rights’’ argument against LGBT people, serves as a precedent to hamper Casada’s effort. However, Dr Carol Swain, a socially conservative Professor of Law and Political Science at Vanderbilt University, and the faculty adviser for the Christian Legal Society, opines, ‘’I believe it is constitutional because it does not single out or unfairly burden any particular group.’’ Indeed, the bill does not explicitly mention the stripping of rights for a protected class. Instead, it shrewdly attempts to redefine protected classes for the entire state of Tennessee, encompassing Nashville without focusing on it.

While the repeal of those anti-discrimination tenets may appear malicious to some, Rep. Glen Casada himself claims this is solely a pro-business move on his part. He explains, ‘’The goal is to create a uniform environment across the state, similar to what the interstate commerce clause does for our country.’’ Dr Swain echoes him when she adds, ‘’it is a reasonable response to the activist (sic) nature of local governments that have passed legislation that imposes a greater burden on private businesses than what existing state and federal laws require.’’ She goes on to explain, ‘’it

Pho

is designed to bring local governments into conformity with existing state and federal laws.’’ Asked about whether Rep Casada, who attends Brentwood Baptist Church, drew inspiration from the Bible, particularly 1 Corinthians 5:9-13, a passage that encourages tough love for so-called ‘’immoral’’ members seen as bad fits for a given group by repudiating them, he dismisses this with a simple, ‘’this bill was drafted on my belief in limiting government mandates upon businesses and not my interpretation of scripture.’’ Dr. Swain adds, ‘’The proposed bill is not designed to punish homosexuals.

If anything, it is designed to protect small businesses from what they see as burdensome and possibly unconstitutional regulations that affect their ability to remain competitive in the marketplace.’’ Still, the bill is supported by the Family Action Council of Tennessee, an organization that claims to ‘’promote and defend a culture that values the traditional family.’’

Dr. Barry Bruce, a Vanderbilt Professor of Management and Sociology, and author of Speechless: The Erosion of Free Expression in the American Workplace, seems to suggest this may be much ado about nothing. He reminds us that while the bill ‘’puts a requirement on city contractors to have non-discrimination policies regarding Back with new surprises! sexual orientation and gender identity, it doesn’t make discrimination itself illegal.’’ Moreover, he does not see equal workplace protection under the law spread to all and sundry businesses any time soon, given the upcoming metro elections when legislators may shy away from ‘’controversial’’ issues. He adds, ‘’Discrimination is often very difficult to prove in any form (race/gender/ religion).’’ Thus a given business may have an anti-discrimination code of ethics and choose not to enforce it, so long as it is too difficult for employees to defend themselves. Furthermore, as the bill does not require ‘’Christian’’ businesses to subscribe to the new requirements, only – The San Francisco Chronicle time will tell whether regular businesses will choose to rebrand themselves as ‘’Christian’’ or not.

Perhaps the answer to this conundrum TPAC’s Jackson Hall would be to amend the United States tpac.org/stomp • 615-782-4040 Constitution with ‘gender identity’ and TPAC Box Office ‘sexual orientation.’ After all, if those (Downtown or inside The Mall at Green Hills) Groups of 20 or more call 615-782-4060 two tenets are seen as too burdensome on businesses, so should other criteria like race, color, national origin, age, or sex.

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MAY 2011

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Lisa Howe honored by National Center for Lesbian Rights Former Belmont soccer coach receives Justice Award for courage and perseverence

by O&AN STAFF REPORTS

The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) has recognized former Belmont soccer coach Lisa Howe for her recent fight for equality. She will be honored during the organization’s annual celebration in San Francisco on May 21.

The NCLR is a national legal organization committed to advancing the civil and human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their families through litigation, public policy advocacy, and public education. They commemorate their anniversary each year by presenting awards to individuals who have made a difference in the history and future of the LGBT community.

In December 2010, Howe announced that she was resigning from her post after a mutual agreement with the university. Just days prior to her departure, Howe had acknowledged her homosexuality with the team and shared that she and her partner Wendy were expecting a baby.

Howe will receive the NCLR’s Justice Award. The Justice Award honors an individual who has shown the courage and perseverance to fight for justice and sacrificed to make broad social change for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community.

“This is a huge honor for me,” Howe says. “To be included in an award ceremony

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with these three (honorees) is a privilege. I never imagined I would be recognized by the National Center for Lesbian Rights, such a well known and well respected organization that has pursued and provided justice, fairness, and legal protections for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community for over 30 years.”

According to the board of directors, Howe has offered an important voice to the GLBT community on both local and national levels: Because Lisa has stood strong in the face of ignorance and bigotry to show not only her players and students, but this country, that living authentically and loving your family knows no shame. Because she has helped to put a face on the continued need to fight for employment discrimination protections in every corner of this country. Because she has helped to transform the hearts and minds of her community and colleagues in a profound way that moved them to act on her behalf and change the non-discrimination policies at the university at which she formerly worked.

After experiencing a whirlwind six months, Howe is especially grateful for the opportunity to meet leaders who have provided a platform for her message. She expresses her appreciation for the NCLR’s considerate attention to LGBT matters.

“None of this would be possible without my Nashville attorney, Abby Rubenfeld,” Howe says. “She immediately reached out to the NCLR in December.

The NCLR is brilliant, compassionate, and powerful. It has been a pleasure getting to work with all of them.”

Read more at outandaboutnewspaper.com

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outandaboutnewspaper.com

Don’t waste your valuable time

MAY 2011

Getting a better view

East Tennessee Counseling center A View from Within offers hope to the LGBT community

by ERIN MANNING, CONTRIBUTING WRITER emanning@outandaboutnewspaper.com

After the opening of A View From Within Counseling Center-a counseling center aimed toward gay, bisexual, lesbian, and transgender clients in Blount County, Tenn.Kathleen Puckett not only has a private practice, but a mission as well.

“Our goal [as the GBLTQ community] is to become part of the community and normalize who we are. People just haven’t been around us, or aren’t aware of us; civic responsibility is what it’s really all about.”

The original impetus for starting AVFWCC was a fire incident-a presumed hate crime directed at a lesbian couple-which took place last September in nearby Vonore, Tenn. This prompted Puckett to move to Maryville from Connecticut several months later to start her business.

The grand opening of AVFWCC, which took place on January 19, showed a positive and surprisingly healthy turnout of around 50 people, including the mayor of Maryville, who has, “openly accepted the counseling center,” according to Puckett.

Since then, Puckett has been pounding the pavement in hopes of attracting more clients.

Even with the positive response from the community, and the absence of any “negative energy” thus far, the task of creating a presumably safe place for people to talk is still a challenge. Puckett believes it is also important to offer services to the friends and family of the GBLTQ community, arguing that, “...the ratio is huge of those [family members and friends] who need resources.

PUCKETT continued on page 21

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Love and other songs

Singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles continues her confident journey to stardom

FIND

by BLAKE BOLDT, MANAGING EDITOR bboldt@outandaboutnewspaper.com

Singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles is a pretty young ingenue with a knack for matching pop hooks with powerful stories. She’s emerged as one of the promising female talents of her generation, earning that praise for her impressive pipes and growing abilities as both a songwriter and instrumentalist.

Bareilles’ path to stardom began at age 18 when she moved to Los Angeles in pursuit of a music career. After graduating from UCLA’s Communication Studies program, she performed at open-mic nights and local festivals.

In 2005, Bareilles inked a deal with Epic Records that resulted in her first full-length album, Little Voice. Buoyed by the success of its ubiquitous single “Love Song,” the album hit the top ten on Billboard’s Top 200 albums chart. “Love Song” would eventually sell more than three million copies and earn a nomination as Song of the Year at the 2009 Grammy Awards.

Her second album, 2010’s Kaleidoscope Heart, debuted at Number One and spawned the Grammy Award-nominated “King of Anything.” In an interview with Out & About Newspaper, she discusses her burgeoning career.

What’s the best part of performing in Nashville?

I think the Nashville fans are just awesome. It goes without saying that Nashville is a big music community, so you’re going to find real music lovers there. There’s such an investment and energy with the audience, and they have such a devotion to the artist. At every show that we’ve had there, it’s just been an amazing energy exchange that has been so palpable. We always try to have a day off there because it’s such a fantastic city. I love being down by the river and being all “touristy.” I like going to the honky-tonks, or going to Robert’s and getting a hamburger and a Bud Light in a bottle.

It’s great because a bunch of our crew and my bandmates live in Nashville, so there’s a hometown feeling. So we’ll

probably have a cookout at somebody’s house. You have a real communal family experience there. I think it’s such a beautiful city, and so safe and comfortable to me. When my parents want to come see me on tour, I always say “You’ve got to come to Nashville.”

Of course, the reason we’re speaking is your performance at Vanderbilt University. How have you developed as a live performer since your debut?

It’s been a constant process of testing my own boundaries and trying new things. Some of them work, and some of them don’t. I love when there’s mistakes on stage because sometimes you can stumble across a great idea. There was a show one time when I invited the opening acts out for a finale and I got stuck behind the piano and couldn’t go anywhere, so I jumped on top of the piano. That became a part of the show.

It was something I’d never even considered doing before.

So it’s a constant trial-and-error. I love the freedom (of live performances) and love and appreciate the audience. We work hard to give them a great show.

So much is made about the dreaded “sophomore slump,” but Kaleidoscope Heart debuted at Number One and nabbed you a Grammy nomination. What were your goals going into the recording process?

It was a real battle between me and my fear and my own expectations. And then I started thinking about other people’s expectations and what they thought the second album would sound like BAREILLES continued on page 21

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WRIGHT continued from page 7 Things are a little different now.

There’s been a changing of the guard in country music. It’s down to 3-4 companies really. There are fewer artists and fewer opportunities. There are few who are crossing over into pop culture, like Carrie (Underwood), Taylor (Swift) and Miranda (Lambert). It’s a smaller, pared-down field now.

MAY 2011

big valley in what I was going through. It’s not hard to play that part in the show and sing those songs. For three-and-a-half minutes, I can get into it. The only song that was hard for me for a while was “Like Me.” People have been wanting me to do it on TV shows and things, and I couldn’t. The day we recorded it, it was just Rodney and I facing each other, and we recorded it in one pass. Now I do it, and I don’t mind exploring my emotions.

What I think gets lost in this shuffle is this wonderful album you made, Lifted Off the Ground. Do you feel the music has been overlooked because of your message?

It was a slippery slope, this decision. We felt that we had made the record of my lifetime. There’s no doubt that this is a pivotal time for me artistically.

With all this talk of my book---I didn’t have a ghostwriter---people forget that I wrote a whole album by myself except for the song I co-wrote with Rodney (Crowell, Wright’s producer). Not a lot of artists are sitting down for three years and writing an entire album, so it’s a milestone just for me artistically. But I did know that in my decisionmaking, the story would likely eclipse the music.

When I’m dead and gone, and people choose to look back on my body of work, I hope they say “Oh, that was a great album.” But I had to make a But I had to make a decision to let the chips fall where they may. You pick your battles.

Every show we are doing is selling out, and I’m slowly rebuilding the fanbase. Some fans have remained and there are new opportunities, so I’m trying to ingratiate them with my music and it seems to be working.

How is it to perform the songs from Lifted Off the Ground being removed from that difficult time in your life?

That’s a good question. It’s not unlike my entire body of music that I perform every night. I’ve got songs that chronicle different times in my life. Connie Smith told me early in my career to not record a song that you don’t love because that’s the one that will become your biggest hit. I feel really good about all the songs that I’ve recorded in my career. Lifted marks a very melancholy time in my life, a

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And I’m sure the emotions of people who have shared their stories with you.

It really is an exchange of emotions, and that’s woven into my psyche as well when I’m playing and singing. I’ve gotten hundreds of letters and I’m touched by the stories that I’m hearing. This music is for anyone who is hiding anything or who’s maligned by society. I had a dark, lonely time, and it’s been a shock really to hear these stories. This is not a gay record; these are not my songs about being gay. It was just me saying that I can’t hide and I can’t suffocate anymore. Once I made it past the moment, once I got back on my bicycle and let reality seep in, I said to myself “What the hell am I gonna do?” I really felt that I was being whispered to by God. I’d been trying to control everything and manage my secret. These songs are from my rock bottom and come from my heart.

When can we expect new music?

I’m still trying to manage the parts of my life. I could do advocacy work seven days of work; I have a longing for it; I feel God is calling me to do it. I want to get everything done and finding time to write is hard, especially when I’m on a plane 4-5 times a week. That’s the challenge. I landed at JFK (airport) last week and the first thing I did when I came home was pick up the guitar. You’ve got to just hold the guitar and let yourself and be creative. Right now I’ve got six songs that I really, really like.

This last album has been done since 2008, but it really felt like it was part of a narrative, and then there was a book, and then the film. It all had to work together.

There was a huge balance sheet that I had to reconcile when I came out. I knew that my public profile would be, to a certain degree, forever shifted.

I knew my record sales would fall. But I believe I’m going to meet my maker one day, and the bulk of my life I’d been doing a lot for me to maintain and make sure my world was OK. One day you look in the mirror and really think about what you can do for others. I’m a tough person, tougher than I ever imagined. But now I’m a healthy, 40-year-old gay woman out and about and talking about my truths. So if I can stand up and make an easier for path for someone, I really feel good about that.

Chely Wright’s Top 40 Singles 1997 2001 #14 - "Shut Up and Drive" #26 -"Never Love You #39 -"Just Another Heartache" Enough" #23 - "Jezebel" (No. 23) 1998 #36 - "I Already Do"

1999 #1 - "Single White Female" #11 - "It Was"

2004 #40 -"Back of the Bottom Drawer" #35 - "Bumper of My SUV"

MAY 2011

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outandaboutnewspaper.com Birthday

APRIL 18, 1989 Current Town

BRISTOL, TRAVELING Profession

NASHVILLE

CUSTOMER SERVICE Zodiac ID

ARIES Hometown

KINGSPORT, TENNESSEE

ANDREW EDWARD SKELTON

One item (other than your cell phone) that you're never without: I am not a very materialistic person, so that is a tough question... I would have to say mints, because hygiene is important!

I feel most confident when: I am blasting music through my workouts.

Your pick for celebrity best friend: R.I.P. Joan Crawford Favorite way to burn calories: Swimming Boxers or briefs: Whatever pays the most!

If you won $1 million (tax free) and had to give half of it away, who'd get it: I would divide it through to my family for everyone to finish school and each have a home!

More from EDWARD I am a diverse guy, temporarily living back home in the hills. Right now I work for Sprint as a Customer Service Representative in Bristol. I live a healthy, active lifestyle.

When I’m not working in the call center, I am in the gym or traveling. Some of my favorite places I’ve visited are Las Vegas, New York City, and Bangkok! I plan to move to New York City early next year to pursue my modeling career!

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MAY 2011

Lady Gaga fan dies, brought back to life at Nashville concert

by O&AN STAFF REPORTS

For 33-year-old Crystal Thornton, of Lyles, Tenn., Tuesday evening's Lady Gaga concert in Nashville was one she had looked forward to for five years. As she and her best friend, Christina Tugman, settled into their seats in section 103 at the Bridgestone Arena, they were enjoying the opening act when Thornton suddenly began to experience what appeared to be a seizure.

Tugman frantically waved down an usher who immediately paged the onsite medics. Jerry Jones, EMT-IV supervisor with Vanderbilt's LifeFlight Event Medicine program, was at her side within a minute.

"The patient was unconscious with no heartbeat," Jones said.

Jones and paramedic Shane Clark used a portable automated external defibrillator (AED) for more than five minutes to get her heart to begin beating again. Along with paramedics Rich Delmotte and Jonathan Webb they restored her heartbeat and transported her by ambulance to Vanderbilt University Medical Center's Emergency Department.

"Without an AED, this patient would not have survived. It restored her pulse," said Leigh Sims, EMT-P, manager of Event Medicine for Vanderbilt.

Upon arrival at Vanderbilt, physicians immediately began the therapeutic hypothermia protocol to cool Thornton's body temperature to between 93 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit because she was at risk for anoxic brain injury due to prolonged lack of oxygen. Covers containing circulating cold water were placed over Thornton's body and around her head. A machine slowly and carefully lowered the body temperature and maintained it for 48 hours.

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"The patient received incredible care from the moment she experienced problems at the Bridgestone Arena," said Jared McKinney, M.D., medical director of LifeFlight Event Medicine. "It is only through a coordinated team effort that her successful outcome was possible."

She was transported to the cardiovascular intensive care unit under the care of cardiologist John McPherson, M.D., where she continued to undergo the cooling therapy for two days before slowly and carefully being restored to her normal body temperature. Thornton regained consciousness, and her neurologic status has improved daily. Her physicians ran a battery of tests to figure out what happened and why she suffered a cardiac arrest at such a young age.

"It appears that she may have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or an enlarged heart," McPherson said. "This is a genetic condition that, unfortunately, has no warning symptoms and often results in an emergency situation like Thornton experienced."

Thornton will undergo surgery on Monday to receive an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) that will automatically restore her heartbeat should she ever experience another cardiac arrest.

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BAREILLES continued from page 17 It ended up being an essential growth experience for me. I just tried to dig deep and let go of competing with myself. The only way I got through was to allow this to be like a photo, a snapshot of who I am. So that thought really gave me a lot of freedom.

Ultimately this music matters so much to me, and I love it dearly.

It’s interesting that the lead single, “King of Anything,” is a bit of a departure from your earlier work.

It actually came about in a very similar way as “Love Song.” I was still building up my armor. When I was getting feedback on this round of songs, I realized I was really sensitive still to all the opinions and advice. Sometimes you just want to say, “Who do you think you are?”

I’ve tried in the past, but there’s usually too much stimulation on a bus. With 11 people, there’s not a lot of privacy or alone time. It works best for me when I have space and quiet to sift through my thoughts and get organized.

And you have to accumulate life experiences in order to write...

Yes, there are a bunch of ideas that tend to go home on a Rolodex. (laughs) Have you begun thinking about the third album?

We’re just beginning to talk about (a third album). Right now I’m still so devoted to this record and we’re only just now touring it. I’m not quite ready to move on, but I’m excited for the prospect of the third record. I think I’ll feel even more freedom and liberty than even this last one. It will be a very unique experience.

How does the writing process work for you during a tour?

PUCKETT continued from page 9 They need to grieve and re-image a dream for who their loved one was. The world is so closeted around [the south]. Families suffer a great deal and don’t want any help...because they’re not the ones who are ‘sick...’”

Getting them through the door is the challenge. It’s almost like they’re the ones in the closet,” Puckett added with a chuckle.

Clients of AVFWCC have the option of phone consultations or Skype sessions if they would prefer, and Puckett is also willing to meet at locations other than the office.

“I’ve even had a meeting at McDonald’s,” she joked, realizing that for some, it is a concern to even be seen entering a GBLTQ-affiliated establishment.

In addition to counseling sessions, Kathleen Puckett also speaks to women’s and senior citizen’s groups, and offers workshops and presentations at conferences around the country. She presented her series, “It’s Hard to Dance When You’re In the Closet,” in Chapel Hill, NC last month. In this series, she addressed a variety of topics and questions, including, “How does the GBLTQ community move from the back of the bus to the front? What does it look like when we break down the closet door and dance in the larger community? How do we no longer live within the chains of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell,’ in the business world and beyond?”

If you would like more information on A View From Within Counseling Center, you can visit the website at www.aviewfromwithincounselingcenter.com.

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