2010-09-01 outlook: columbus by Outlook Media, Inc

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outlook sept 2010 â&#x20AC;˘ vol 15 issue 4

inside: GSWS Snapshot Reed Arts Jim Arter Arlington Cafe what makes an arts district Wonderland Penny tration pin up agenda trippinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; out to wisconsin astro forecast & Local celebrity brian

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sep 2010

When playing flag football, be sure not to put the flag in one of your back pockets unless your well aware of the hanky code.

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CUPS, CORN AND THE CREATIVE CLASS Welcome to the Creative Class edition of outlook: columbus! After standing tall and playing ball all last month, September is all about sitting down and enjoying some good creativity. With the cooler weather comes the Fall Arts Season, and inside we give our picks for some interesting queerish events. You can check out a complete list on our website (www.outlookcolumbus.com). If you haven’t checked out the new site yet, do it right now! It’s got ten times the content of the print edition with new postings everyday. Plus, it gives us the opportunity to give you longer versions of articles and interviews that appear in the paper. Starting with this issue when you see a bug at the bottom an article, you know there is an extended version or accompanied articles online. See how we’re making you go to the website? Clever, eh? It’s nothing new… just new for us. Being our arts issue and all, this issue is packed with great arty people like GCAC’s Jim Arter, Tim O’Neil from Reed Arts, artist Brian Reaume, musicians Jim Maneri, Jordan Martin and the Indigo Girls, and author/playwright Frank Anthony Polito. Plus there are great arty things like Art for Life, Condom Couture, and the Short North Arts District. All that doesn’t even include our regular

arts and entertainment columns. Bam! Take that Emeril! We think you’ll enjoy it. Either way, let us know! We like to say thank you to everyone that came out to outlook Night at the Clippers. We exceeded the park’s expectations and we’re already planning next year’s event. We’d also like to say a big thank you to everyone that helped out, participated in, supported, watched or hooked up with anyone or anything that had to do with the Gay Softball World Series. It was an incredible week of events and Columbus definitely showed NAGAAA how great our city and our citizens are. We were honored to be a part. Thanks and congrats to Dallas, Brian, Sammy and the whole GSWS team for not just pulling off, but producing the best World Series ever! You rocked it! When we doing it again? ; ) We hope you enjoy this edition and the last weeks of summer. I know I’m going to be enjoying every corn fest I can sink my teeth into (seriously, check out the calendar)! Yum! Yours cornely, Chris Hayes Co Publisher / Editor-in-Chief

outlook: giveaway SHADOWBOX TICKETS! As the air gets crisp and the leaves change colors, the metaperformers of Shadowbox are ready to indulge in their darker, mischievous side with a brand new show, Nightmare at Shadowbox Visit www.outlookcolumbus.com to enter for a chance to win.

the creative class issue: vol 15 #4 • here’s what’s corn-tastic in this issue: 3

you are here

open kimono

28 earthopolis

not that kind of girl

23 frames per second

62 fashion forward

snapshot

polisigh

insightout

super mario world

creative class

food drama!

hey!

oh dem gays

transpicuous

45 feature: arts preview

music is the answer

trippin’ out

qmunity: local

complete the circuit

35 map

46 feature: short north

deep inside hollywood

savage love

qmunity: national

general gayety

pin-up calendar

feature: wonderland

bookmark

local celebrity

small pond

truth wins out

about town

feature:art for life

fashion forward: condom couture

astro forecast

outlook columbus is published and distributed by Outlook Media, Inc. the first day of each month throughout Ohio. outlook columbus is a free publication provided solely for the use of our readers. Any person who willfully or knowingly obtains or exerts unauthorized control over

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more than 5 copies of any issue outlook columbus with the intent to prevent other individuals from reading it shall be considered guilty of the crime of theft. Violators will be prosecuted. The views expressed in outlook columbus are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the

views, policies, or personal, business, or professional practices of Outlook Media, Inc. or its staff, ownership, or management. outlook columbus does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness or reliability of any interpretation, advice, opinion, or view presented. Outlook Media, Inc. does not investigate or accept re-

outlook night at the clippers was a huge success. Plan on attending next year!

sponsibility for claims made in any advertisement. Outlook Media, Inc. assumes no responsibility for claims arising in connection with products and services advertised herein, nor for the content of, or reply to, any advertisement. All material is copyrighted ©2010 by Outlook Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

sept 2010

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#) OUTLOOK LAUNCH PARTY AUGUST 5, 2010

OUTLOOK LAUNCH PARTY AUGUST 5, 2010

Hmmm, I wonder if I should come out?

Gurl, I got something to tell you... I’m hungry.

Hehehe, he said Gurl...

NETWORK COLUMBUS AUGUST 11, 2010

Banker by day, assassin by night.

Tanning anyone?

Sorry Jerry there wasn’t enough room.

Because bald(ing) is beautiful

GSWS WELCOME PARTY AUGUST 14, 2010

SOFTBALL!!! AHHHH!!!

Their heads are magnetic.

Dallas in the house!

GSWS is about team, friendship and threesomes.

GSWS OPENING CEREMONY AUGUST 16, 2010

OMG! It’s really the Captain!

The People’s Houese meets Scarlet & Gay.

I’m Coming Out!

NETWORK COLUMBUS AUGUST 11, 2010

Want my weiner?

sep 2010

Forecast looks good. So does Marshal.

There are lots more where these cam e from. head to outlook:columbus fan page for party pics.

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Know what else is refreshing? How incredibly cohesive our community is in Columbus. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like skiing naked.

sep 2010

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OC NITE - CLIPPERS AUGUST 17, 2010

We know who carries the balls in this relationship.

Why when I see these t wo do I want to go to the park and or run?

Who says ball games aren’t political?

Box seats rule!

COMMUNITY SHARES AWAR DS

COMMUNITY SHARES AWARDS

outlook wins 2010 Social Justice Reporting of the Year

We are the champions...

yeah, and Paula won something too.

DJ Chuck span us right round.

BAREFOOT WINE POOL PARTY

AUGUST 19, 2010

COORS LIGHT POOL PARTY AUGUST 20, 2010

Pool Party!! Pool Party!!

The winner of the hot bod contest. HOT!

Cubs?

Hey Jarrodd, have you seen gaydrinking .com?

SPONSOR PARTY @ AXIS AUGUST 20, 2010

Candi’s midnight snack, Freesia Balls.

The Barefoot Wine guys and someone shirtless guy drunk on Barefoot wine.

AUGUST 18, 2010

COORS LIGHT POOL PARTY AUGUST 20, 2010

Ba ba ba ba ba John Barber

sep 2010

AUGUST 18, 2010

COORS LIGHT POOL PARTY AUGUST 20, 2010

Men in Black... fur.

COMMUNITY SHARES AWAR DS

AUGUST 18, 2010

Not in the magazine this time? Did you tip the photographer?

BAREFOOT WINE POOL PARTY

AUGUST 19, 2010

outlookcolumbus.com

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…or how “Vogue” is just another Madonna song.

sep 2010

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ERA: Three States and Nothing More To the Editor: When you’re competing against the clock for the Grand Prize, you may not win, but at least you’re entitled to your previous winnings. Not so with the Equal Rights Amendment. Congress gave women the nod they were due, but their blessing came with a seven-year hitch. Constitutional Equality was an all-ornothing proposition to be achieved within seven years. Considering it took 72 years to obtain a right to vote, a time limit for all other rights was doomed to fail. ERA was first introduced in 1923 by Alice Paul, a Republican, lawyer and courageous suffragist – who was imprisoned, tortured and force-fed to obtain the vote for women. ERA was essential to acquire all other legal, economic, social and political privileges that were customarily the birthright of men only. “Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.” Forty-seven years of stagnation prompted 20 courageous Pittsburgh NOW members to disrupt a Senate hearing with homemade signs demanding immediate action on ERA. Civil disobedience could have led to their arrest but ultimately freed ERA from congressional stalemate by an overwhelming majority in 1972. ERA attracted over 450 organizations. People from all walks of life lobbied, petitioned, raced, marched, rallied, picketed and boycotted for its passage. It was favored by a majority of Americans, scoring an impressive 67 percent in a nationwide survey. Women’s groups pressed for an extension but were granted only three more years. Despite 35 states approving ERA, it fell three states short of becoming the 27th Amendment. On June 30, 1982, the campaign launched by Congress was ended by Congress. Does a human’s right to equality expire? My friend’s husband told me he supports ERA as long as he doesn’t lose his “perks.” ERA doesn’t apply to the private lives of individuals or business. ERA would eliminate sex discriminatory laws while expanding beneficial laws to both sexes equally. It guarantees that the full range of opportunities exist for all individuals based on their talents, capabilities and preferences, and not limited by gender or

OWNERS AND PUBLISHERS Michael Daniels & Christopher Hayes HEADQUARTERS Outlook Media, Inc. 815 N High St, Bsmt Ste ii Columbus, OH 43215 614.268.8525 phone 614.261.8200 fax www.outlookmedia.com SUBSCRIPTIONS & DISTRIBUTION Call 614.268.8525

sep 2010

BUSINESS DIRECTOR Michael Daniels: mdaniels@outlookmedia.com

ADVERTISING DEADLINES Reservations by the 15th of each month. Art in by the 20th.

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Phillecia Cochran pcochran@outlookmdia.com

ADVERTISING ACCOUNT REPS Chad Frye cfrye@outlookmedia.com

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF & ART DIRECTOR Christopher Hayes hayes@outlookmedia.com

Mary Malone mmalone@outlookmedia.com

MANAGING EDITOR Jon Dunn jdunn@outlookmedia.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Collin Burton, Wayne Besen, Regina Sewell, Gregg Shapiro, Romeo San Vicente, Jack Fertig, Simon Sheppard, Dan Savage, Ryan Harris, Mette Bach, Mickey Weems, Adam Lippe, Michael Daniels, Chris Hayes, Jon Dunn, Tara McKenzie Al-

NATIONAL ADVERTISING Rivendell Media - 212.242.6863

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stereotype. ERA would ensure that sex discrimination is guaranteed the same protection as race discrimination. It expands individual freedom by limiting government interference. Will women earn equal pay for equal work? Will public policies provide greater flexibility for parents struggling to balance work and family? Will government be held accountable to eliminate sex-based hate crimes such as rape and domestic violence? At what point will the FCC & FTC determine that violent, hate-filled images and lyrics directed at women and girls crosses the line of entertainment and free speech to jeopardize peace and security? ERA is the foundation to begin to address these questions. In exile for 27 years, ERA is finally making a comeback. Congress needs to listen. Citizens did not abandon ERA in 1982 - you suspended our campaign. In case you’re unaware, women are working 24/7 both inside and outside the home. We are making daily sacrifices for our country, our families, our education, our careers, and our communities. We simply don’t have the freedom to organize in our own interests. We’re too busy caring for everyone else’s. In 2009, Illinois, Arkansas, Missouri, Florida and Louisiana reintroduced the federal ERA. All five attempts were defeated. How can a handful of legislators control the interests of 157 million women? Behind closed doors with no media attention. Article 5 of the Constitution grants Congress the power to amend the ratification process. Will Congress hit the reset button on ERA and require all 38 states again or use its powers to jump start the ratification process for the final three states needed? With an economy struggling to get back on track - beginning a nationwide ERA campaign requiring 38 states is both unrealistic and unnecessary. Give women a head start and a fighting chance by accepting the 35 states that have already approved ERA and allow us to target the three last states necessary to take that victory lap in 2015. Ready. Get Set. Game On! Sincerely, Carolyn Cook Founder of United For Equality, LLC and the DC representative for the ERA Campaign Network Copyright (C) 2010 by American Forum.

lison, Marcus Morris, Chad Paul Frye, Elliot Fishman, Erin Phelan, William Ashley, Leslie Robinson, Deb Steele, Mackenzie Worral, Phillecia Cochran, Ted Rohl, Mario Pinardi CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Robert Trautman, Dominic Presutto, Chris Hayes, Heather, Marcus Morris (Cover Image)

INTERNS Dominic Presutto, Mackenzie Worrall, Sam Malone CYBERSPACE http://www.outlookcolumbus.com http://www.outlookmedia.com http://www.networkcolumbus.com http://twitter.com/outlookcolumbus facebook @ outlook: columbus

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Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to redesign my smile to be just like Nateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s!

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Oberlin, OSU Get Highest Honors in Survey of LGBTfriendly Campuses

Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus Hires Interim Artistic Director

As thousands of students return to their college or university campus, and as many step onto campus as a new student for the first time this fall semester, they now have one complete and comprehensive national resource ranking for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) inclusion and friendliness. The Campus Pride LGBT-Friendly Campus Climate Index lists over 230 publicly available campus climate reports online at www.campusclimateindex.org. The nationally-praised Index takes an indepth look at LGBT-friendly policies, programs and practices. Colleges are ranked from one to five stars, depending on their answers to a detailed, voluntary questionnaire submitted to Campus Pride, a national non-profit working to create safer, more LGBT-inclusive colleges and build future LGBT and ally leaders. In development since 2001, the Index has become a staple in student and faculty research, campus organizing efforts and benchmarking for LGBT student safety and inclusion on campus.

On August 17, the Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus (CGMC) announced the hiring of Dr. Timothy Sarsany as interim Artistic Director. Dr. Sarsany is CGMC’s third artistic director, succeeding Mr. David Monseur.

Each summer, university officials are encouraged to fill out new questionnaires and update their Index profiles. This year, the Campus Climate Index is proud to announce five-star rankings for 19 colleges and universities - the most ever achieving the Index’s highest ranking since the its inception in 2007-08. Among those select few, Oberlin and The Ohio State University. “The rising number of campuses across the nation willing to stand up and speak out for their LGBT students is a testament to the growing recognition that educational environments should be safe and inclusive of all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity,” said Shane Windmeyer, Campus Pride executive director and creator of the Campus Climate Index. “Although not all schools earn a five-star ranking, their voluntary presence and participation in the Index shows they are committed to ‘coming out’ for their students and creating truly equal and impactful communities of higher learning.” To learn more about Campus Pride programs and services, please visit www.CampusPride.org or email info@campuspride.org.

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Dr. Sarsany is currently in his 13th year with CGMC, having served as Assistant Director for the previous 12 years. He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in conducting from The Ohio State University, as well a Master of Music degree in choral conducting and a Bachelor of Music degree in music composition. He served on the faculty at The Ohio State University Marion Campus for seven years, where he taught chorus and voice. As a doctoral student in conducting, Tim was the conductor of the University Chorus and taught undergraduate conducting, as well as serving as assistant conductors of the Chorale and Men’s Glee Club. He is also an accomplished composer and arranger, and continues to receive commissions from high school, collegiate, professional groups and other GALA choruses nationwide. On his new role, Dr. Sarsany said, “I am looking forward to working with a great group of musicians and happy to continue my relationship with my chorus family. We have a terrific season planned and I am honored to have a leadership role in it.” Dr. Sarsany will serve in this capacity for one year, during which time the board of directors will conduct a national search for a permanent artistic director. “We are thrilled to have Tim as our interim Artistic Director. He has been an important part of our organization and artistic staff for many years, and we welcome this opportunity for him to showcase his talent on a larger scale,” said CGMC Board President, Neal Hauschild. Rehearsals for CGMC begin September 12 and the first concert will take place in December.

Volleyball Tournament Hosts Largest Tournament in a Decade The Columbus Alternative Volleyball Enthusiasts welcome 34 teams from across the country for the 18th edition of the Labor of Love Volleyball Classic. This year’s tourney is being held at the Buck-

eye Volleyball Center at 6810 Oak Creek Drive in north Columbus near the intersection of Schrock Road and Cleveland Avenue on September 4th and 5th. Spectators are encouraged to attend to see three divisions of teams play from 8a 6p each day. Saturday is pool play and Sunday is the double elimination tournament.

more than 200 clients living with AIDS. Ms. Rivera has a wealth of experience in the education field and spent nearly two decades at The Ohio State University, Moritz College of Law where she is credited with laying the foundation for creating many of the university’s policies addressing equality for the LGBT community.

But don’t forget about the social events over the weekend. Saturday night is the seeding party at Trafik and Sunday is the closing party at Axis. Sponsors of this year’s tournament include Coors Light, Axis/Union, Level, Trafik, Corbin Fisher, Pjur Group USA, Cavan, Instinct, TLA Video, Wet International, Compete and other local businesses and organizations.

She will be officially inducted into the Hall of Fame on October 14, in the Statehouse Atrium.

For more info about the tournament, please go to www.laborofloveclassic.com. Come out and support your favorite team and hang out with them at a local bar over the weekend!

Longtime Gay Rights Activist Inducted Into the Ohio Civil Rights Hall of Fame Rhonda Rivera, the “matriarch” of the LGBT rights movement in Ohio, is well known as a prominent legal scholar who effectively created “sexual orientation law” as a recognized field of legal study and practice. Her seminal article published in 1979 in the Hastings Law Review called, “Our Straight-Laced Judges; The Legal Position of Homosexual Persons in the United States,” was a testament to the history of discrimination and oppression faced the LGBT community. This article was not only recognized for forming the basis for the current social justice movement for the national LGBT community, but also for advancing a movement and creating a new area of law and legal practice. Ms. Rivera served as the President and Executive Committee Chair of Stonewall Union (now Stonewall Columbus) and was successful in advocating for the state’s first executive order banning sexual orientation discrimination in state employment signed by Governor Celeste. Ms. Rivera also worked tirelessly with political leaders in the City of Columbus to eventually pass an ordinance prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in 1990. She also served the residents of Ohio as the first practicing attorney in the state to advertise as a “gay” attorney and represented over 400 gay and lesbian clients and

We just transition from one gay sporting event to another. Can’t wait for Gay Hockey season!

West Side Couple’s Home Broken Into, Men Beaten Steve Copeland and Chuck McCrory were asleep in their home when four men woke them and held the pair at gunpoint. After beating the couple, two of the burglars held the couple hostage while the others raced to the bank with their ATM cards and PIN numbers to withdraw cash. At this time, the perpetrators used language that now has police treating this as a hate crime. The men got away with their money, their cars and televisions. The case continues to be investigated.

Dissolution of LinkOUT As of August 16, 2010, the Central Ohio organization LinkOUT was officially dissolved. Founded in 2008, LinkOUT looked to meet the ongoing needs of Central Ohio’s LGBT community of young professionals through the use of programming, social events, and various volunteer opportunities. Despite efforts to obtain membership through partnerships, shared resources and to increase awareness of the organization, LinkOUT’s membership saw a steady decline. The dissolution of the organization comes after much review and debate, as well a unanimous vote by the Board of Directors. With the dissolution of LinkOUT, the Board of Directors elected to terminate web presence including the organization’s official website and Facebook page and release all members from their membership status. In addition, the remaining funds in the organization’s operating account will be donated to Kaleidoscope Youth Center.

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Surprisingly, this is how Chad Frye looks in his undies. Another reason his brother is jealous of him.

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NAGAAA Gay Softball World Series Champions After a week of games and afterhours fun, the NAGAAA world series came to a close. The following teams placed in their brackets: A Divison Bracket - 1st Place: L.A. Vipers and ORL Force (Co-Champions), 3rd Place: PHX Roscoes Coors Light HP2 Toros, 4th Place: S.F. Club Hit Men; B Division Bracket - 1st Place: DAL T K O, 2nd Place: L.B. Rounders, 3rd Place: ORL Broadway Crush, 4th Place: L.A. Killer B’s; C Division Bracket - 1st Place: AUS Shady Ladies, 2nd Place: DAL Round Up Fuse, 3rd Place: ORL Gaypages Shock, 4th Place: BOS 5 Star Diablos; D Division Bracket 1st Place: BOS Ramrod Machine, 2nd Place: DAL Thunder, 3rd Place: COL XXX Threat, 4th Place: FTL Matty’s Marauders. Congrats to all the players on a great week!

Poll in Rhode Island Shows Most Voters Support Gay Marriage A recently released poll shows that a majority of Rhode Island voters support marriage equality. The study, released by the Rhode Island Marriage Coalition, found that of the registered voters they polled, 59% said they supported granting the right to marry to same-sex couples. The results of the poll show that voters who support marriage equality are up a staggering 10% from just 2008. While Rhode Island has not legalized gay marriage, the state does recognize same-sex marriages that have been performed in other states. Kathy Kushnir, executive director of Marriage Equality Rhode Island, said, “This poll makes clear that there is no reason why we can’t enact a marriage equality law in Rhode Island within the next year.” She went on to say, “Rhode Islanders are ready to allow loving, committed same-sex couples to gain the dignity and respect that marriage brings, along with all of the legal rights and obligations that marriage brings.” This study was released on the heels of a CNN poll that showed that 52% of Americans think that the people of the LGBT community “should have a constitutional right to get married and have their marriage recognized by law as valid.”

Prop 8 Rebuked in Court U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker ruled to lift the stay on California’s Proposition 8 on August 18 at 5p PDT. GLAAD is working with sister organizations to share the stories of these couples with Americans in both English and Spanish-language media and is monitoring media coverage of the court’s latest decision. “Lifting the stay does one thing: it provides gay and lesbian couples across California the protections they need to take care of each other,” said GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios. “Once Americans see these couples marry, understand the barriers they faced and the protections they deserve, our

sep 2010

country will move closer to full equality. “We urge media to highlight the California couples whose stories of love and commitment are at the heart of today’s decision.”

Stop the Hate Announces Training Opportunities For The 2010-2011 School Year Is your campus a safe place for students to learn and staff to work? Hate has no place at school and Campus Pride would like to help you learn how to prevent hate crimes and bias incidents from happening on your campus. Their three-day Stop the Hate Training For Trainers Program prepares faculty, administrators, and student leaders to present bias and hate crime prevention workshops and activities on your campus. Participants receive a 250+ page manual containing twelve different learning modules and will come back to your campus with an action plan in hand. Over 2000 members of college communities from around the country have completed this highly acclaimed program. The next two forums are 1) Stop The Hate - East Coast Charlotte, North Carolina - December 6 - 8, 2010; and 2) Stop the Hate - West Coast Napa Valley, California - March 31 - April 2, 2011. Campus Pride is also offering their Learn How To Develop And Implement A Bias Incident Response Team webinar November 17, 2010 from 3p-4:30p (EST). This special webinar will explain the function of a Bias Incident Response Team and how it can help a campus prevent hate crimes and bias incidents. Bias Incident Response Teams support campus police and administrators when a hate crime does occur by providing trained personnel to support victims and the campus community. You can also bring Stop the Hate to your campus! They are now accepting dates for their three-day Stop the Hate Training For Trainers Program for the 2010-2011 School Year. Campus Pride offer two options for hosting a program at your college or university for a variety of audiences sizes. For more information contact our National Program Coordinator, Greg Miraglia at 707.253.3035 or by email at greg@stophate.org. Learn more at www.stophate.org

National Aids Fund Announces Availability Of $1.5 Million In Grant Support For Public Policy And Advocacy Activities Through Southern Reach Initiative Deadline to apply for organizations based in nine Southern-U.S. states is October 11, 2010 The National AIDS Fund (NAF), with support from the Ford Foundation, has announced the opportunity for grant support through its Southern REACH (Regional Expansion of Access and Capacity to Address HIV/AIDS) grantmaking initiative. The overall goal of the Southern REACH initiative is to protect and advance the health, human rights and

dignity of persons most affected by HIV/AIDS in the Southern United States. Organizations located in Alabama, Arkansas, Northern Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee are eligible to apply for a Southern REACH grant, which will support strategic HIV/AIDS policy and advocacy activities led by community-based organizations, advocacy coalitions, and other allies with public policy and advocacy experience. Successful applicants will receive up to $100,000 in grant support, along with consideration for technical assistance, for a one-year grant period. Interested applicants should visit www.aidsfund.org for a copy of the request for proposal and application details. Applications are due no later than 5p (Eastern Time) on Friday, October 15, 2010. “We are thrilled that our collaboration with the Ford Foundation once again enables the National AIDS Fund to invest strategically in building the capacity of community-based organizations to develop HIV-focused public policy and activities in the Southern United States,” said NAF President and CEO Kandy Ferree. “We expect to award approximately $1.5 million through Southern REACH for these targeted activities.” According to Ferree, this significant investment in policy advocacy activities is unique among funders from both the public and private sectors. “The Ford Foundation continues to demonstrate its unparalleled - and expanding - commitment to fighting the disease in the U.S. Southern region, where almost 50 percent of the 56,000 new cases of HIV/AIDS occur annually,” she said. Southern REACH was launched in 2007 to strengthen community capacity to address HIV/AIDS across a nine-state Southern region. Since its inception, Southern REACH has supported more than 60 organizations serving historically disenfranchised populations that are disproportionately impacted by HIV/AIDS. Through this initiative, NAF has awarded over $4.6 million in grants over a three-year period. Through Southern REACH, The National AIDS Fund and the Ford Foundation intend to generate significant impact on HIV/AIDS public policy and advocacy in the Southern U.S, with particular focus on the disproportionate impact of HIV on Latino populations and emerging legal issues. Emerging legal issues include: the criminalization of HIV exposure and transmission through sexual contact in 12 out of 14 U.S. Southern states; heightened criminalization of sex workers; and HIV-based segregation, exclusion and discrimination. Terry McGovern of the Ford Foundation said, “If we want to reduce the devastating and disproportionate impact of HIV/AIDS in the South, we must move quickly to engage and empower the people whose lives are most impacted by the disease. Our work with the National AIDS Fund helps us support the most effective, community-driven activities that make more people aware of the realities of HIV and promote the human rights of people affected by the disease.”

I think it’s going to take the month of September for my liver to recover from the Gay Softball World Series. Good Times!

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If you had a key to a bank, and new youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d never get caught, would you rob it?

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The last Network Columbus event had Sugardaddyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s brownies. See what youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re missing?

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KEEPING THE IMAGE IN THE FRAME by Jon Dunn

Tim finds that making the customer feel at ease is an important part of the service Reed Arts supplies.

Tim O’Neill is a collector. He collects art. It surrounds him. In his home, his workplace and even his own skin. The owner of Reed Arts in GrandWhat’s the secret to handling someone else’s view believes passionately that art is not a lux- art? “Treat everything as if it’s irreplaceable, like ury, but a necessity. it’s the Mona Lisa! To the customer, its invaluable, so that’s the way we treat it,” advises Tim. A familiar name in the central Ohio arts commu- The staff applies this philosophy whether it’s a nity since 1978, Reed Arts has been in business customer’s single photograph or an exhibit’s and Tim is the third owner. He started working worth of pieces from Andy Warhol or William there 18 years ago and immediately knew that Wegman. Creating this level of trust in the comhe wanted to run the store someday. “I was munity takes time, but the results are worth the brought in as a shop manager and then sort of effort. “To me, the highest compliment is when a ‘groomed’ for the part by the owner and when museum or gallery recommends work to us,” he the opportunity presented itself, I jumped in.” says, “I am very proud of that.” Tim purchased the store in 2003 and has been on a mission to contribute to the community and Tim is also particularly proud of the breadth of make the business of presenting art an art form experience Reed Arts can offer. “All told, we have in itself ever since. over 100 years of experience across the staff members and myself.” This experience exhibits “Reed Arts is all about the framing,” Tim exitself in the quiet but efficient flow of pieces and plains. We’ve been around long enough that frames that occupy every spare space in the people expect us to have a variety of options. store. The showroom boasts thousands of That keeps the pressure on us to keep finding frames and framing options, many displayed new and exciting pieces.” While many pieces of with unique art to suggest the possibilities for art adorn the frame samples and give a gallery individual displays. “Selection is our selling ambience to the showroom, Tim finds that fopoint,” Tim offers. cusing on framing rather than selling art has provided a healthy balance. “I offer some pieces, He credits the current success of Reed Arts to but I really didn’t want to be competition for keeping the business highly visible in today’s local galleries.” marketplace. “The audience changed and moved away from the DIY aspect of framing,” The client list ranges from local galleries, the Tim explains. “There was suddenly less competimuseums and private collectors, to individuals tion, so I felt it was important to keep reinventfrom around Ohio looking to preserve their items. ing ourselves and be proactive. I wanted to keep This provides a range of pieces for his staff to the name out there through marketing, social handle and then craft the required display networking and the Internet. I think it’s working frame. Tim and his staff work closely with the because Reed Arts is one of the first results that client to determine the desired effect and then come up when Googling custom framing,” he ofbegin the process of fitting and making the dis- fers. Tim couples the online presence with local play. While services range from simple matte visibility in publications and even a billboard. and framing to full restorations of pieces, each The building itself also acts as a display. “We repiece is treated with the same amount of care. modeled the front of the building so that it was outlookcolumbus.com

really eye-catching and unique,” Tim says. Tim’s passion for the arts comes partly because he feels that he’s a “frustrated artist,” but that gives direction to his collecting and appreciation of the finer things. “My partner, Mark, is an art teacher and a graphic artist. Sometimes we put our heads together and choose pieces,” Tim says, adding “but we often choose on our own. It usually works out because we have similar tastes and complement each other.” And while his personal style is eclectic, he tends to favor “expressionist stuff, I am not really into realism.” His eclectic nature is found in the variety of artists and galleries he buys from. “I think it makes the purchase more meaningful,” he explains, ‘because of the relationship I’ve developed with the artist, it becomes a one-on-one thing.” He also has a soft spot when it comes to kids and the arts. “All you have to do is mention kids, and I’m a big pushover. When the economy falters, the first thing to be cut is the arts,” he laments. In their own way, Tim and Reed Arts try to do what they can to help. “We participated in a project with outlook last year at the King Arts Complex, and provided some materials for the kids,” Tim says modestly. The “Art From Waiting Hearts” project was in cooperation with Franklin County Children’s Services and the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption and featured the art created by 25 children who were eligible for adoption. The pieces were then displayed at the King Arts Complex and the Dave Thomas foundation headquarters. “Tim did more than an amazing job,” says Michael Daniels, co-publisher and co-owner of this publication, which sponsored the event. “He and Reed Arts took each piece then matted and framed them for display. They went far beyond just donating some supplies.” Tim said he also donates leftover and scrap materials “to a long list of teachers in the city schools.”

Is this what you’d call a ‘frame’ story?

His last name, O’Neill, is just one of many indicators of Tim’s Emerald Isle heritage, which is also evident in his easygoing smile, his reddish hair and a conspicuous collection of Celticthemed tattoos that have begun to cover his arms, among other locations. “You could say I’m a bit of work in progress,” he laughs, pointing to a partial sleeve that has been outlined, but awaits coloring. A crumbling Celtic cross on his calf was inspired by a ruin Tim encountered on a visit to Ireland. In tribute to Tim’s father, the tattoo artist created the image from photographs Tim had taken, giving Tim the lasting legacy to carry from now on. As for other artistic realizations, Tim is a founding member of Knot Fibb’n, an Irish folk music group that plays locally. “We’ve played at the Dublin Irish Festival, some of the pubs and clubs around town,” he says proudly. The lineup consists of a guitar, flute, accordion and Tim plays percussion and sings. The band’s moniker is something Tim says, “that we knew no one could spell!” By keeping the level of creativity high in both his personal life and his career, Tim is achieving the artistic balance he’s sought for many years and has become the artist he always wanted to be. His masterpiece may well be Reed Arts. The store is flourishing despite the economic climate and has gained a high profile in Columbus and beyond. Tim is always trying to keep Reed Arts on the cutting edge of inventory, services and visibility. “While framing is our business, I look at the store as an ‘object d’art’ - a piece of art in itself,” Tim says, “the one that I will keep working on forever.” Reed Arts is located at 909 W Fifth Ave and is open M-F 9a5:30p, Sat 9a-4p, closed Sun. Contact them at 614.291.0253, info@reedarts.com or http://www.reedarts.com.

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sep 2010

Have you ever seen the film Memento? A man, suffering from short-term memory loss, uses post-it notes to solve a murder...

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open kimono

From GCAC to “Gum Wrapper” Jim Arter Does It All by Michael Daniels Attend any function in the GLBT or arts community – and I mean any function – and you’re sure to find Columbus’ most recognizable and honored artist, Jim Arter. A talented, enthusiastic visual artist, Jim has been a tireless advocate for the health, welfare, safety and creativity of children for the past 25 years, and an advocate for the GLBT community for even longer. He is one of the original designers of Art for Life, an art auction that benefits the Columbus Aids Task Force, and has been a contributing artist since the first auction in 1989 – and in 2007, he was awarded the Critic’s Choice Award for his piece “Standing Gum Wrapper” which now is proudly displayed in Chris Hayes’ home. Jim has pioneered art programs for children, especially young people who need safe and creative after school and out of school activities. He now serves as the Greater Columbus Arts Council’s associate artist for the Community Arts Education Program, which pioneered the award-winning Children of the Future program in 1994 and now works with the Art in the House program, a partnership with Columbus Settlement Houses. His awards include the 2009 Ohio Art League Centennial Anniversary Honoree, in recognition of 100 People for their outstanding contributions in support of the visual arts in Ohio, the 2009 Forte Award from the Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus “for an individual whose life has been dedicated to the arts and to making the community a better place for all to live and work,” South Side Settlement House 2005 Arts Freedom Award awarded to “those who have utilized their talents to elevate the human condition through art,” the 2004

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Governor’s Award for Arts in Education for the State of Ohio, the 2004 Director’s Award from the Columbus Aids Task Force, the 2000 Ohio Art League’s Outstanding Contributions to the Arts Award, and the Honored Artist Award from the Arts Foundation of Old Town for his “dedicated and untiring efforts to better the community through the arts.” I caught up with Jim recently to discuss the arts in Columbus from his unique perspective. Michael Daniels: The arts in Columbus encompass a lot of territory. What are some of your personal favorites? Jim Arter: Although I am primarily recognized as an arts educator and visual artist (painter, sculptor & landscape designer), I am fortunate to enjoy all art disciplines. When I moved to Columbus in August 1972, the arts scene in Columbus was far more limited than it is today. Now I indulge myself from a diverse menu of the arts including, but not limited to, the many arts festivals, outdoor concerts & gallery openings, BalletMet, Broadway Series, Columbus Dance Theater, Carpe Diem String Quartet, Columbus Jazz Orchestra, Columbus Museum of Art and CMA Garden Club, Columbus Symphony Orchestra, CATCO, The King Arts Complex, Opera Columbus, performances in Schiller Park, the Short North Gallery Hops, the Wexner Center, and lots of movies at the Drexel, our theater complexes and the CAPA Summer Movie Series. When I really think about it when do I find time to sleep? HA! MD: The GLBT community has a long-standing reputation of being on the forefront of the arts, as both patrons and artists. Can you comment on the importance and involvement of the GLBT

community here in Columbus and our impact on the arts community as a whole? JA: WOW, another big question with so many possible answers. I agree the GLBT community throughout history has been heavily involved in the arts. But I will focus my answer on just three examples in which I have personally been involved. First let’s look at the Columbus Aids Task Force’s Art for Life Fundraiser. Members of the GLBT community in tandem with many straight friends decided to harness the energy of the visual arts & artists to raise funds, via arts auctions, to support the work of CATF. Over the years, Art for Life auctions have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to better the life of the entire community through the work of CATF. The Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus is another great example of the GLBT community embracing the arts, this time using vocal music and showmanship to celebrate diversity and build bridges to the broader community. Third, just look at how the arts, a large segment of the GLBT population and others turned the Short North from a struggling at risk neighborhood into a vibrant gem of Columbus. I believe collaborations between the gay and straight community are the key to success and no matter where you fall within the spectrum of diversity, “WE ARE FAMILY!” MD: You are quite an accomplished and recognized artist yourself - what drew you to the arts, and what keeps you inspired? JA: Two things immediately come to mind regarding what drew me to the arts. First I was very fortunate to attend Granville Elementary School. From kindergarten through the fourth grade I participated in dance, music, theater and the visual arts. I was in my element! The arts helped build my self-confidence, enhanced my self-esteem,

Michael is secretly a budding artist. He designs coffee cups made of dreams (and clay, but mostly dreams).

incorporated making choices, developed critical thinking skills and best of all I had fun…thus I looked forward to going to school. I was also drawn to the arts by the great films of Hollywood’s Golden Era frequently shown on the “little screen” in the early years of television. MGM, RKO, Warner Brothers and 20th Century Fox showcased the best of the visual and performing arts and I had my own seat front row center in our living room. What keeps me inspired is working in the arts with children and fellow artists, nature, travel, attending arts events and staying open to the world around me. MD: What’s your favorite resource for finding out what’s going on in the Columbus Area arts scene? JA: Easy… ColumbusArts.com has just about everything related to the arts scene in Columbus. I also enjoy browsing through the many free papers around town and the Weekender section in the Thursday edition of the Dispatch. The ArtZine programs on WOSU-TV provide valuable in depth information about the arts in Columbus. And of course I never miss an issue of outlook:columbus! MD: What are a few of your “can’t miss” arts events in Columbus? JA: The Greater Columbus Arts Festival (one of the best in the nation)… next summer is the 50th Anniversary! I always participate in the Hot Times In Old Towne Festival in my neighborhood, the second weekend in September. I never miss a Gay Men’s Chorus performance. And it wouldn’t be summer without the Doo-Dah Parade… not sure if that qualifies as art but it sure is creative.

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Wikifaucets by Ted Rall “An appalling irresponsible act.” That’s how General James Mattis, fresh at the helm of U.S. Central Command, characterizes the release of more than 76,000 classified Pentagon reports released by the website WikiLeaks. You may recall that the Pentagon, headquarters of the Department of Defense, is the same outfit that loaded $24 billion in $100 bills onto shrink-wrapped pallets and loaded the cash onto C-130 transport planes bound for Iraq - guarded by enlisted men who earn $20,000 a year. Not one of those Benjamins has ever been heard from since. Which, given that the money was supposed to be paid to corrupt tribal sheikhs, is just as well. Don’t be surprised if you see contractors installing one of those great new gunite pools at the house belonging to your recently discharged veteran neighbor. So anyway, when a Pentagon biggie calls someone irresponsible, take them seriously. These guys know irresponsibility. Speaking of behavior that falls short of the highest ethical standards (and is highly amusing), the involuntarily declassified material contains some real gems. My current fave - there will, no doubt, be others, for I am fickle and the material is vast - comes from an August 2007 report that explains some of the ways Pakistan uses the billions in U.S. tax dollars Bush and Obama send it.

Haqqani assassins to kill Indian road engineers and workers in Nimruz province, in western Afghanistan. Going rate: $15,000 to $30,000 each. Hey, the Haqqanis still have their houses. No doubt with gunite pools. The coolest and weirdest ISI-Haqqani business deal concerns 1,000 motorcycles. The ISI shipped the bikes to the Haqqanis for use in suicide bomb attacks in Khost and Logar provinces. Let’s hope they at least had the decency to buy cool, American-made Harleys so that some of our dough makes its way back here. Besides, who wants to spend the afterlife tooling around on a moped? So, back to the issue of irresponsible behavior. U.S. government, meet kettle. It has been pointed out that the WikiLeaks documents don’t reveal much that is new. We already knew that Pakistan was our frenemy. We knew that drone planes kill more wedding guests than terrorists. We didn’t want to admit it, but we already kind of knew we were losing. The starred headline involves the likelihood that the Taliban have surface-to-air missiles. But the Wikileaks leaks are nevertheless a game-changer. They confirm what those few of us who opposed this war from the start have been saying all along. They prove that the military sees things the same way we do. So that’s the end of the debate. The war is an atrocity and a mistake. Everyone agrees.

Based in Waziristan in Pakistan’s western Tribal Areas, the Haqqani network is a neo-Taliban-affiliated Islamist organization led by Sirajuddin Haqqani and his father Jalaluddin Haqqani. Officially, the Haqqanis are American targets because they harbor members of Al Qaeda and are involved in weapons smuggling across the Afghan border. Unofficially - on the ground, as they say - things are different.

Public support for the war was already waning. Just 43 percent of the public still backs “the good war.” The leaks mark the beginning of the end of one of a stupid country’s countless stupid misadventures. I don’t see what else might have accomplished the same thing so quickly.

Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence agency (its equivalent of our CIA), is supposed to help the U.S. arrest and/or kill the Haqqanis. That’s why the U.S. pays the ISI. Instead, the ISI pays the Haqqanis. With U.S. money.

Thanks to the leaker, thousands of lives will be saved in Afghanistan. Hundreds of U.S. soldiers will live out normal lives. Billions of dollars will stop pouring into the pockets of the Pakistanis. If that’s irresponsible, well, call me a fan of irresponsibility.

Which is why, when you lose your house to foreclosure, the only help you get from Obama is a feigned expression of vague concern.

Ted Rall is in Afghanistan to cover the war and research a book. He is the author of The Anti-American Manifesto, which will be published in September by Seven Stories Press. His website is tedrall.com.

Anyway, the ISI hires the Haqqanis to carry out interesting projects. For example, Pakistan used your money to hire

sep 2010

Consult your doctor if you are experiencing excessive wikileakage or wikidischarge.

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Mmm. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get me started on balls and footlongs.

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EVEN

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Hello September. It’s hard to believe, but Election Day is only two short months away <gulp>. Even more difficult to believe, Early Vote - which is the equivalent of “Election Day, every day” - begins September 28th <double gulp>. We Ohioans have the luxury of casting our vote as early as 35 days prior to Election Day (the first Tuesday in the month of November). This means you can either vote early in person at your county Board of Elections or vote early by mail (request your ballot at: www.fightforohio.com) and still partake in the process of voting, but without standing in line on the morning of Tuesday, November 2. With incredibly close elections shaping up here in Ohio and the start of Early Vote only four weeks away, the LGBT community’s immediate involvement in the electoral process couldn’t be more important. This year, we have hundreds of thousands of undecided voters, which give our community an opportunity to greatly impact the elections through our volunteerism. Here’s where I need your help in order to accomplish a massive Democratic win in the next eight weeks. You are about to read my Caucus Field Plan… buckle up, gay Columbus. Oh, and please forgive the less-than-creative event titles. Send me an email to be plugged into any of these activities: cburton@ohiodems.org. BIG GAY PHONEBANKS (August 1 – October 31) For three months, the LGBT Caucus will be filling shifts at phone banks in seven cities across the state with a goal of making 10,000 calls to voters. Phone banking gives our community the opportunity to come together and speak to voters about our candidates. In Central Ohio, the LGBT community will be making calls every Sunday from 4p-8p at the AFL-CIO headquarters, located at 395 E Broad Street in Columbus. BIG GAY CANVASSES (September 1 – October 31) During the last two months of the campaign, when the weather cools and the campaigns heat up, we will hit the streets in Ohio’s gayborhoods to speak to voters about the candidates and the Early Vote process. There will be Big Gay Canvasses across the state on weeknights and Saturdays, so even if you’re not in Columbus, you can find an event in your area. With your help, we will speak to more than 10,000 Ohio voters at their homes during the most crucial two months of the campaign! This is a great opportunity to grab some friends and work together to make a difference for Ohio’s LGBT community.

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GAYBORHOOD SMALL BUSINESS OUTREACH (September 1 – November 1) Gay-owned and gay-friendly businesses in our gayborhoods will be asked to participate in the Party’s LGBT outreach program. Business owners will learn about the Democratic candidates and will be encouraged to discuss the election openly with their employees and customers. Some businesses will be registering voters and some will be offering pledge to vote cards for customers to fill out. The primary goal of this program is to ensure all customers and employees are correctly registered and ready to vote. The secondary goal is to drive volunteerism. Watch for LGBT-specific signage in business storefronts; and stop in to update your voter registration or to be plugged into the Party’s volunteer efforts! “COME OUT AND VOTE” (October 9 – October 17) During the week that overlaps with National Coming Out Day (October 11), the LGBT Caucus will be sponsoring a week of activism and voter outreach that is focused on encouraging Democrats to come out and vote early. Caucus members will be asked to coordinate carpools to their Board of Elections and participate in additional phone banks and canvasses. With the help of the LGBT Caucus in Ohio’s major cities, the Party’s Early Vote program will be a massive success! We are the Party of the people because we work hard to ensure equality for all Ohioans, but there is no way either will be successful in this election without you. This fall, every single one of us has the opportunity to help elect pro-equality men and women by doing our part. While on a visit to NASA headquarters during the space race - a time when the entire country came together to work toward a common goal President Kennedy accidentally bumped into a janitor in the hall. “Excuse me, I’m sorry,” said Kennedy as he helped the janitor steady himself, “What do you do here?” The janitor looked the President in the eye and said, “I’m helping put a man on the moon.” Whether you’re phone banking, canvassing or educating your friends about the election, every bit of ourselves that we commit - no matter how much or how little - is helping advance our candidates and our cause. Collin Burton is LGBT Caucus Director with the Ohio Democratic Party. Visit www.ohiodems.org/volunteer or e-mail him at lgbt@ohiodems.org to get involved. “Together,” Burton says “we are going to own the summer and have a blast doing it.”

Collin is an early adopter of the resurgence of chat lines.

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Does anyone else know this song: “One misty moisty mornin’, cloudy was the weather, I chanced to see an old man, clothes all of leather...”?

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sep 2010

Thank you NAGAAA and all the players for a great time!

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complete the circuit

Tzniut by Mickey Weems In my studies of LGBTQ people, I’ve been looking for language.

propriate time and place, especially if it is done with the intent to insult, or with complete disregard for the feelings of others. On the other hand, revelation can leave us vulnerable, open to attack and humiliation thus may be seen as humbling.

We are a community in flux; one based more on trend than tradition. A major goal for many of us is to be the most avant-garde. We will buy the latest phone, wear the most fashionable clothes, and even change addresses so we have just the right zip code. But our obsession with such things betrays a weakness. We are fashion victims, slaves to the opinions of those who cater to the wealthy.

A topless woman on a hot summer day during Pride is not a declaration of lust or arrogance rather, she is doing something that men do on a regular basis. As such, her actions are not immodest because she is confronting a double standard that has roots in the oppression of women’s bodies. And in doing so, she is vulnerable.

Scholars in the Gay community often fall in the same trap, announcing over and over again that we are (or should be) “post-gay.” The problem with fashion-based obsession, be it phones, clothes, zip codes, or academic buzz-words, is lack of stability and sustainability. We leave the next generation nothing they can call their own without fear of being ridiculed as passé. The end result is a community with no roots.

Jewish law is abundantly clear when it comes to helping others in times of distress: the quicker one breaks the rules in favor of aiding those in danger, the better. Topless women in the carnivallike space of Pride send a bold message of women’s affirmation in the face of very real oppression and violence against their bodies. It would only be arrogant if they insisted that all women remove their tops, right then and there. Twinks in Speedos

To address this problem, I’ve been going back to the classics. Besides reading up on Aristotle and Abhinavagupta, I’ve been looking at Rabbi Hirsch’s take on derech eretz, the way of the world. Simon Bronner, a folklorist at University of Pennsylvania and a true friend to our people, mentioned the importance of tzniut (modesty) in the context of derech eretz. Modesty can be distilled into a simple maxim: we should walk humbly before G-d. (Feel free to replace “G-d” with “Universe.”) The first reaction most of us will have with the word “modesty” in the Gay community is one of amusement. Just think Pride parades: topless women, dancing twinks in Speedos, men in buttless chaps, and outrageous drag personalities who cuss like sailors. But we must realize that Pride-as-dignity is not the opposite of humility. Modesty (especially tzniut) is more than simply the avoidance of scandalous appearance. Let us apply these concepts to an important Gay ritual. Within the context of a Pride parade, what counts as immodest behavior?

Part of what constitutes modesty is awareness of the consequences of one’s actions as insulting. Young men cavorting about on a float and wearing skimpy swim gear represent more a species of silliness than obscenity. They seek to be fabulous, fun-loving and daring, not insulting. Young men in Speedos are dressed in culturally appropriate ways, but in an unorthodox setting the middle of the street rather than the pool or beach. Since Pride is often a summer celebration, and summer is bonded to pool and beach in the American psyche, twinks in swim gear are not terribly transgressive.

Buttless Chaps and TNT

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On the other hand, those of us observing such displays do not know the motivations driving each man to engage in such remarkable self-revelation. It may in some cases be silliness, pushing the boundaries as to entertain others. It could be any number of other causes, selfish or otherwise: attempts to find kindred sexual partners, purposely create discomfort in others to give oneself sexual pleasure, a means of bonding with other men similarly dressed, psychologically therapeutic in ways that I could only guess, or in the case of TNT (Totally Naked Toronto, a small cadre of men who strut about in nothing but socks and boots), dedication to an ethic of human bodycomfort. But there is also humility in not pointing out the faults of others. If somebody behaves in such an immodest fashion, calling them out for it then and there can actually be the more arrogant behavior. People concerned with ethics such as myself would do well to avoid presenting ourselves as overly righteous in public. We may end up revealing ourselves as ass-holes. Drag Queens and Kings Cussing

The sin of immodesty falls more squarely on the shoulders of those who think inappropriate thoughts about those young men. And “inappropriate” goes beyond simple lust - it is more a matter of disrespecting the dignity of others. The greatest crime we can commit against one another is when we see a fellow human being as the object of our own pleasure or disdain, with no regard as to whether that person deserves (or desires) to be so relegated. Too many older Gay men use younger, less experienced men as playthings, and the burden of arrogance is mostly theirs.

Topless Lesbians If we look at rules concerning modesty in the Jewish tradition, they are primarily concerned with how, how much, and when we should reveal ourselves. Walking humbly before G-d is directly correlated with being humble before humanity. When we show ourselves, what are our motives? Selfrevelation is a double-edged blade. On one hand, any revelation can be offensive if done in an inap-

pieces, etc., such gear takes one’s sex life to the streets when worn in public. What is immodest about extremes in dress is not so much the body but rather the person, since often the amount of skin shown is less than that of the average scantily clad twink. When taken too far from public propriety, open advertising of one’s sexual desires is akin to public gluttony - we really do not need to see it if we did not ask to see it. As such, it is far from humble, and is too often an exercise in arrogance, much like purposely farting loudly in an elevator or using a cell phone while standing in line. It may not seem so bad to you, but think about other people than yourself.

Men in buttless chaps create a more complex issue. The question is this: how much should we reveal about ourselves in a public setting? Clothing that is directly associated with sex, such as a leather harness on a shirtless torso, leather chaps with nothing under them, leather cod-

We’ve all seen them on stage and parading about in the clubs. Most are gracious, all are sassy, and some can be real bitches. But there is an inherent humility that comes with face: the drag queen especially is a lightning rod for condemnation and catty remarks. Drag personalities, both queens and kings, risk violence from homophobes when they take their craft out of the clubs and into the public sphere. They are the champions of our people precisely because they draw the worst venom from those who hate us. I rarely have a problem with foul-mouthed kings, queens, empresses, dukes, princesses, or emperors. Usually they reserve inappropriate language for moments when people “get it,” when the crowd buys into the humorous frame that they set up.

I can hear you drooling over this new Scrabble word.

Do No Harm Sometimes it is best to leave others with their sins, lest we lose our own humility as we presume to judge them without knowing all the facts. But there is also the sin of not speaking out when we see something that is wrong. In a community setting such as Folsom Street Fair in San Francisco or the semi-privacy of the NYC Black Party, skimpy leather gear and nakedness does not carry the same negativity as a Pride parade because those who attend expect it. I will caution, however, that venues with areas for unregulated and unprotected group sex betray callousness and mutually-agreed upon disrespect that I cannot condone, regardless of people’s willingness to participate. I fear that the vulnerable are encouraged to believe their lack of humility or concern for the health of their fellow human beings is somehow virtuous. Immodesty has so much less to do with what is done than how it is done. I know some guys whose greatest fantasy is to be plowed by thirty guys in a row, no questions asked. The lack of modesty that most men show in realizing this fantasy is a refusal to walk humbly before the Universe, but not because getting plowed by so many is necessarily immodest. Desire or taiva is not wrong in itself, but derech eretz includes respect for one’s own body as well as the bodies of others. Only if the willing recipient of a gang-bang can guarantee everyone will scrupulously engage in safer-sex behaviors or that he is not HIV+ beforehand, that participants will not seroconvert each other in the process of doing him, and that he is willing to undergo the rigors of preventive treatment immediately after, could the scenario be considered within the bounds of tzniut. No doubt many rabbinical authorities would dismiss my application of Jewish theological concepts as woefully uninformed. They are correct. And there will be Leathermen who will find my opinion too judgmental. That’s OK with me - I like most rabbis and Leatherguys just the way they are (no doubt there are some rabbis who don the harness now and again). I find Leatherfolk’s use of BDSM to be potentially healthy and good for society, since it gives those with dark desires the means to act them out in ways that do not blow up buildings or result in serial killings. I do not presume to claim authority in Jewish theology, but I do see wisdom in knowledge gathered over the course of at least three thousand years. The LGBTQ community can only be enriched in engaging traditions, our own as well as classical ones, even as we chase after the latest trends.

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Gay Real Estate? But the only hot property I own is this fabulous ass!

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You’re Outta Here! by Leslie Robinson Even if you don’t like baseball, you’ve probably seen video of a manager vociferously arguing a call with an umpire. The manager might throw his cap. He might throw a base. He might throw out his back throwing a base. Brent Bowers, skipper of a minor league team, performed an unusual physical maneuver and delivered a scalding tirade during a confrontation with openly gay umpire Billy Van Raaphorst. Bowers now has a place in baseball history, but it will only get him into the Hall of Shame. On July 31, Bowers’ Edmonton Capitals played the Orange County Flyers in Fullerton, CA. Van Raaphorst, of Irvine, CA was the crew chief. In the first inning, another umpire called a close play at first base. Bowers and some of his players pointedly objected to the call. Van Raaphorst warned them. When Bowers and two players continued beefing, Van Raaphorst ejected them; the second day in a row he’d tossed Bowers in the first inning. Bowers promptly benched his brain. Outsports.com obtained the official report Van Raaphorst gave to the Golden Baseball League in which the umpire provided his account of what happened next. Bowers ran over to him and screamed, “You know what I heard? I heard you are a fucking faggot . . . So what do you do you fucking faggot? Do you take it up the fucking ass you faggot?” Bowers bent over and grabbed his ankles, apparently fearful the umpire hadn’t understood his words and a visual aid was in order. This leader of men screamed into Van Raaphorst’s face, “What’s the matter, did your fucking boyfriend fucking cum on your face today, is that how you like it you fucking faggot?” It was a fine, family-friendly day at the ballpark. Bowers threatened, “I ought to kick your

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ass you faggot.” The plate umpire came over and Van Raaphorst walked away. Bowers screamed at the plate umpire, “I know he is a faggot, I was told by [two prominent people in the league] that he is a fucking faggot. I know he is a faggot!” Whew. Van Raaphorst, who stands 6’4”, did well not to knock him into the hotdog stand. There are several possibilities here. The first is clear: This manager can’t manage his anger. As to the second and third possibilities, his rant was so extreme and so primal, Bowers either is a poster child for the testosterone-soaked ethos of pro sports, or he’s gay. My bet is the former. The very idea of the latter probably makes him want to throw bats out of the dugout, preferably with me in the way. The Golden Baseball League responded to the homophobic tirade by suspending Bowers for two games. Yup, a whole two games. That decision was the foulest of foul balls. Fortunately, Van Raaphorst’s fellow umps were incensed over this slap on the wrist, and threatened to walk off the job. The league then suspended Bowers for the rest of the season. Bowers, who admitted to the tongue-lashing, resigned. The guy without a job said he regrets what he did. “I’ve grown up more in three days than ever before,” said Bowers. That still makes him only about 14. The league president said, due to this incident, all 10 teams would be required to go through diversity training. Now that is a grand slam. Kudos goes to Billy Van Raaphorst, who managed to endure an appalling situation. I don’t know if there’s a blessing for baseball umpires, so I’ll make one up: May your calls be accurate, may your temper be slow, and may a line drive never land in your teeth. Leslie Robinson lives in Seattle. E-mail her at lesarobinson@gmail.com, and read other columns at www.generalgayety.com.

The only one bending over after Bowers tirade was Bowers. Talk about a messy bottom!

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Porno Pete’s Truth Academy Bombs by Wayne Besen Anti-gay activist Peter LaBarbera billed his three-day “Truth Academy”, that took place in a Chicago exurb last week, as “one of the most thorough pro-family, educational seminars on homosexuality ever held in the United States.” The event was heavily promoted for weeks on right wing websites, such as World Net Daily, which had an article headlined, “Exposed: Gay Brainwashing of America’s Youth.” On the eve of his hate seminar, LaBarbera got a gift from God. Judge Vaughn Walker ruled that Proposition 8, which prohibited marriage equality in California, was unconstitutional. Surely, a spontaneous outpouring of rage against this socalled “gay activist judge” would swell the ranks of angry conservatives at the Truth Academy. My organization, Truth Wins Out, sent a “spy” to document what we expected - based on the hype - to be a large event. The thrust of the conference was to teach an army of young culture warriors how to beat back the gay agenda. These students would then return home equipped to turn back the clock on gay rights in their communities. What we found, however, was an event that looked more like a poorly attended condo board meeting than a youthful resurgence of the anti-

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gay movement. The crowd vacillated between 20-30 people, who were considerably older than the “students” the conference claimed it was trying to reach. I’m not sure how LaBarbera plans to win his culture war, when he can’t even fill one buffoon platoon. “Since how we are born clearly does not justify all behaviors. For example, what if someone is born a gay basher? Instead of diverting our attention and focusing energy how homosexuals are made and born, wouldn’t it be more effective for us to instead concentrate on explaining why homosexual activity is wrong and explaining how homosexuals may be born is ultimately irrelevant?” LaBarbera asked during a panel discussion. A few years ago, I dubbed LaBarbera “Porno Pete” because of his bizarre fascination with naughty gay magazines and his penchant to go “undercover” at leather events and photograph naked men. It seems the sodomy obsessed LaBarbera’s strategy is for anti-gay activists to talk explicitly about gay sex and why it is an unbecoming, immoral “behavior” that undermines society. To bolster his argument, Porno Pete hosted a slew of professional gay bashers who would say just about anything to make LGBT people appear depraved. One Truth Academy lecturer was Greg Quinlan, the President of Parents and

Friends of Ex-Gays (PFOX). This organization is particularly dangerous because it teams up with conservative legal organizations to threaten schools with lawsuits if they do not provide students with “ex-gay” propaganda.

who remain in the gay lifestyle also do a lot of body building,” said Goldberg. “They will be in the gym a lot trying to build up their pecs...Because they have these body image issues and don’t feel they are masculine enough.”

“I was questioning the homosexual lifestyle. It looked like a dead end to me,” explained Quinlan. “It looked like something that was so ugly. Here we are, you go to the bar, you hook up, this back and forth stuff, it just seems so shallow. So lust filled, so immature. But I was there and too prideful to do anything about it. So I stayed there for a little while.”

Of course, an anti-gay seminar would not be complete without the old canards tying LGBT people to communists and child molesters.

Quinlan explained how he went from gay-tostraight, and found support from an Assemblies of God Church who accepted him because he allegedly was not effeminate. “I wasn’t your flaming faggot, you know,” the effete Quinlan told the chuckling crowd. “I can say that because I’ve been there and done that. You know, the one’s whose wrists are so limp that when the wind blows they slap themselves in the face. I wasn’t one of them.” In the same vein as Quinlan, convicted felon and co-founder of Jews Offering New Alternatives to Homosexuality (JONAH), Arthur Abba Goldberg, offered a few stereotypes of his own.

“It’s consensual (sex with minors) if you don’t believe in the age of consent, which they don’t,” said Accuracy in the Media’s Cliff Kincaid. “This is the mentality of the Marxists who are a significant component and work with elements of the gay rights movement.” Even as these anti-gay activists were harkening back to smears of the past, key conservatives were stepping into the future. Decidedly nonMarxist, Ted Olson, was defending marriage equality on national TV and the gay conservative organization GOProud announced that commentator Ann Coulter would keynote the group’s annual event. This broad societal shift towards acceptance is the hard truth that those at the “Truth Academy” aren’t willing to acknowledge and certainly don’t seem prepared to handle.

“By the way, did you notice that a lot of gays

But who will amuse us when all of the Fundamental closet cases come out?

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Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s end office segregation.

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Don’t Forget to Wear Your Green by Deborah Steele There is no doubt about it, being green is in fashion. Unfortunately climate change is such a serious issue it should rise above that of being fashionable, but people are busy and it is worth catching some people where they are. As I’ve said before, the term ‘green’ implies such a range of technologies and personal habits that the term should hardly be used, and some companies are eager to hijack the term to promote what is truly a dirty dangerous energy scam, such as the dirty lie of “clean coal.” But this problem is not going away in my lifetime, so it is best to get informed and participate in the solutions. And I, for one, am not going to feel bad about looking good while doing so. When designers were developing the second generation of the Toyota Prius, they wanted to create a car that people knew was a hybrid car. In the first generation designers were afraid consumers did not want to stand out or look strange but they soon realized something very basic about human behavior; we want credit from each other for doing good things. This newer, obvious hybrid design was so popular and perhaps functional that competitor Honda’s Insight bears a striking resemblance. In Toyota’s

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third generation of the Prius, they stuck with the overall concept. Luckily we do not have to spend an extra 10 thousand or so dollars on a car to be seen as an environmentalist. For those who want to help or at least be less damaging to the environment, I propose you get a water bottle. Reusable beverage containers offer an outlet of creativity and individual expression while showing off your environmental awareness. I think baristas enjoy knowing customers are less likely to walk away with the wrong mocha, too. I carry one for water or cold beverages and one for coffee; the best of materials tend to break down if they go through extreme temperature changes. In this same vein are reusable grocery bags, and almost every store sells bags with their logo on it. I‘ll admit it is hard to remember to keep them with you when going shopping, but these bags are more functional than plastic. I can’t speak to who has the best logo on a bag; I prefer to turn them inside out most of the time. While I am happy and often amused by green fashion statements, I have to be real here. Unfortunately, I’ve had to check my activist assumptions about strangers wearing environmentally minded T-shirts. In the past when I Do anti-environmentalists have Green-is Envy?

have sought signatures for various environmental issues, I’ve learned that not everyone who wears a recycle symbol cares about clean air, for example. I am speaking from experience; this is about more than someone who really does not have time at that moment. This is probably more a statement about our disconnected society than an individual’s mindset. We are better consumers than citizens much of the time. And while I do not doubt there are definitely huge ways we can help the environment by recycling or buying locally grown food, it is just sad when people assume being green is only done in the consumer realm. Our elected officials are bought and sold by dirty energy companies, and here in Ohio there are numerous culprits from both parties who take enormous campaign contributions from companies like First Energy or American Electric Power. Until we as voters hold them more accountable and we ourselves do not fall into the false dichotomy of the environment vs. jobs, this cycle will continue. So I do wear lots of T-shirts with environmental messages, but more importantly I often take action, even if I do not always look cool doing so.

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LOW (od

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Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like a vacation for your face; both of them!

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Rewriting Your Script by Regina Sewell “If men define situations as real, they are real in their consequences” W. I. Thomas Curled up on the couch, beverage and snacks within easy reach, and armed with the remote control, life is easy. You can escape the never-ending stories spinning around in your brain by focusing your attention on the characters on the screen. Your endless ToDo list, the unbalanced checkbook, conflict at work, tension between you and your partner, and your general sense of loneliness disappear as Dorothy, Sophia, Blanche and Rose deliver one punch-line after another. And when you can’t take another moment of Rose’s endless St. Olaf stories on the Golden Girls, click a button and poof, she’s gone. From the couch, having a remote control means you can change the story playing on the screen. Unfortunately, the stories spinning around in our brains are more persistent. We tend to take the “life stories” we learned in childhood and apply them to every situation we come across later on. These “life stories” consist of our basic paradigms or ways to understand and make meaning of the world. Some of them are rooted in our culture. For example, American culture gives us the Horatio Alger stories which brain washes us to believe in the myth of the self-made person. We are fed examples of individuals who pulled themselves up by their bootstraps. When we succeed, we glory in our hard work and accomplishments. When we fail, we learn to blame ourselves and focus on our shortcomings. Rarely do we recognize how timing, location, and network connections, or lack thereof, affect us. Others are rooted in spoken and unspoken family beliefs, stories and rules. For example, I learned from my parents that in order to get rich, you have to lie, cheat and steal so that wealth was somehow an indication of corruption. Not surprisingly, I kept my fiscal moral purity in place and became a counselor. Other messages are rooted in our personal experiences. For example, my grandfather molested me when I was young. Among other things, I learned that people hurt you if you let them get close.

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26, 26-30, 30-35, and so on. Whatever their source, we take these “life stories” and apply them to all of our experiences. For example, I graduated with my counseling degree into a saturated market. Using the Horatio Alger “life story,” when I couldn’t find a job, I blamed myself. Because of my family’s “life story” about money, I lost money for the first year of my private practice because it somehow seemed corrupt to profit from someone’s pain so I charged far less than the going rate. Similarly, my first serious relationship slid into the murky field of, if not exactly rape, then at least extreme boundary-violating sexual encounters because I equated love with abuse. It never occurred to me to declare my “no” with substance or to leave when my partner crossed one boundary after another. Our “life stories” provide the filter through which we process our experiences. They shape the priority, weight, tone and meaning we give to our experience. They also influence what we expect to find in the future and filter out or distort those experiences that don’t fit the general plotline. They can become self-fulfilling prophecies because they affect how we respond to situation, and how we remember it. In the example I gave above, I believed that if I let someone get close, they would hurt me. It never occurred to me that I had the right to set firm boundaries or leave. And I got hurt. In contrast, loving behavior is hard to take in. I panicked when, after dating for a month, my current partner offered to give me her recently deceased grandmother’s cell phone. I thought she was trying to control me. It took a lot of reassurance on her part and both of us getting huge cell phone bills that I got that her offer was about saving money (she was paying for that phone anyway) rather than control. The good news is that we can rewrite our life stories and in doing so, rewrite our lives. One way to do this is to play with the stories you tell yourself about your life. Start out by creating a time line of significant events in your life, beginning with your birth and ending with your current age. It may be helpful to break the line into the following segments: 0-3, 3-5, 5-7, 7-12, 12-15, 15-18, 18-22, 22When the first three fail, your fourth lifestory is a tale of unicorns.

For each time segment, write out the significant events without explaining them, judging them, or giving them meaning. It’s a good idea to leave some space in every segment in case you remember something you’d like to add later. Once you have the basic events laid out, use the timeline to write the story of your life from various perspectives. When you’re writing the stories, it’s OK to add in true events, highlight some and ignore others but it’s important in this exercise to stay honest. This might take awhile, so it’s OK to do this in chunks, perhaps over the course of a week (or a month) giving yourself 15 minutes to an hour to do each part. The first time around, write the story of you, the protagonist, as a total victim. Maximize this, making the horrible things that befall the protagonist more dramatic, more awful, more unfair, and more unjust than real life could have ever possibly been. Make the reader feel really sorry for you. The second time around, write your story as a comedy. Make the reader laugh at the life circumstances and your responses to them. The third time around, write the story of your life as a drama painting yourself as the resilient hero, intrepidly overcoming the obstacles that life has put in your way, noting the silver linings of the obstacles that you faced and the strengths you have displayed. When you’re done with all three versions, read over them and see how each reflects or challenges your “life stories.” Also notice how each version affects how you feel about yourself and about your future. And when life happens, see if you can pick out the “life stories” that are shaping the way you interpret the experience and stop telling the stories that are no longer serving you. Regina Sewell is a mental health counselor. To ask a question, propose a column topic, read about her approach to counseling, or check out her books and other writing, go to: www.ReginaSewell.com . Her most recent publication, Sliding Away can be found in Knowing Pains: Women on Love, Sex and Work in Our 40s, edited by Molly Rosen.

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Even if you suffer in silence, you can still make your voice count.

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I got a little too excited when I thought this was an ad for the band, The Village People.

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Switching on the “Shopping Gene” by Tara McKenzie Allison, Esq. My girlfriend, Laura, who lives in that forsaken land to the north of us, visited Stephanie and me for yet another weekend of fun. Among our weekend activities, I can almost always count on Laura’s eager participation in a day of shopping. It’s no great secret; I love to shop. I’m not talking about the quick trip to the local Walmart, to pick up a few things; I’m talking about the “how-many-malls-can-we-hit-in-a-single-day” kind of marathon shopping. It’s the kind of shopping that would leave most men seriously contemplating divorce. Laura shares my passion for shopping, whereas my partner Stephanie would prefer an anesthesia-free root canal. She doesn’t have the “shopping gene.” So, when Laura’s in town, I’m usually able to get enough of a “shopping fix” to get me through to her next visit. Shopping has been much more than just a passion for me; it’s also been a necessity. When someone transitions from one gender to the other, there comes a day, when they’ve completed most of the prep-work, they’ve come out to almost everyone they know, they’ve built their courage and self-confidence to a reasonable level, and they finally decide to start living “full-time” in their true gender. As with everyone who goes through this process, when I transitioned, I had to transition every aspect of my life, including my wardrobe. With my fast approaching “transition day” looming in the very near future, the need to shop for a new wardrobe became one of the most pressing issues of my new life. I worked as in-house counsel, in a corporate office; not only did I need a casual, day-to-day, wardrobe, but I also needed a sharp, professional one, as well. I needed a wardrobe, and, even before that, I needed to learn about women’s fashion - a subject that most men never have an opportunity (or even the slightest interest) to learn. What goes with what? (I think that’s called “coordination.”) What clothes are appropriate for each season or situation? How does one “accessorize?” (Ånd why is that a verb?) What about make-up? Jewelry? Shoes? Shopping for a complete women’s wardrobe seemed like a daunting task, to me. How does a “guy” go about buying women’s clothes for himself, without getting publically humiliated or even arrested? What size women’s clothes fit me? Most guys can tell you their sizes… in “guy’s sizes.” Ask any man about women’s sizes and you’ll notice a look of total incomprehension sweep across their face. Online or

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catalog shopping certainly was an option, but it’s a very slow process, and it doesn’t afford the opportunity to try on your purchase, before spending the money for it. Catalogs gave me a ballpark idea of what size would fit me, but as every woman knows, clothes - even of the same size - fit differently. The issue is even more compounded when you try to adapt the cut of women’s clothing to a masculine frame. The only sure way to know if something will fit is to try it on. I had to try everything on - from bras to dresses, tops, slacks, and shoes - and I had to just suck up my fears and find a way to do it in the stores.

my girlfriends. I’ve learned a great deal about what appropriate attire is for any given situation - and what it isn’t. That’s a hard lesson for most trans-women; it’s a lesson that comes from years of observation and socialization. To master fashion, it’s almost imperative for trans-women to befriend and socialize with as many women as possible female friends who are not afraid to lend constructive criticism (and give a helping hand). I often tell other transwomen who are just beginning their transition, “You can’t learn how to be a woman from another trans-woman who’s trying to figure it out herself. You need girlfriends.”

Initially, I found a few trans-friendly consignment shops. The proprietors were known among the local trans-community to be supportive, caring, and helpful. Consignment shops were, generally, far less crowded than other retails stores, and they also had the added benefit of affordability. My wardrobe dollars went a lot farther purchasing secondhand, name brand clothes than they would have at the “name brand” stores. The proprietors of these stores were more than happy to provide a “safe” place for me to shop, try on different sizes, and spend my hard-earned dollars.

For the most part, in my day-to-day activities, I try to dress to “blend in.” A trip to the mall requires jeans, a tee or tank top, and sneakers; four-inch high heels don’t “blend” well. Bobby socks and pig-tails never “blend in” - anywhere but unfortunately, many trans-women, after spending so many years wearing boring men’s clothing, seem to swing the fashion pendulum so far to the feminine that they make a caricature of femininity out of themselves. It can be very difficult for some to fight this urge, but a strong, opinionated cadre of female friends will do much to help avoid this unfortunate mistake.

Slowly, I began to develop a small wardrobe of clothing that fit me moderately well, but as most women know, you can only base so much of your wardrobe on consignment shop treasures. With the need for newer, nicer clothes, shoes and accessories, I soon realized that I needed to make myself as presentable as possible, then head to the local mall for some serious shopping. Previously, I had purchased a few unremarkable pieces of clothing, make-up (the application of which I had been desperately trying to master), and a few pieces of jewelry, a purse, and a pair of women’s sneakers. On a sunny Saturday morning, in November 2007, I got dressed in a pair of women’s jeans and a cute, but nondescript top, and prepared myself for the day ahead. It was the first time in my life that I ever walked out of my front door and presented “Tara” to the rest of the world. I was as terrified as I was determined, to finally walk through life as my true self; I pressed forward. First, I stopped by my friend’s wig shop. I knew that I could count on Pam for an honest assessment of my appearance. My feedback was immediate, in that it took several seconds for Pam to even recognize me. She was glowing in her approval, and in no time, my confidence rose to a new level. I spent the rest of my day visiting friends, shopping at the mall, and going out to a local nightspot. It was a whirlwind first day.

For those who are “follicly-challenged,” it’s essential to find a good wig shop, with a proprietor who is willing to take the time to find the “look” that is right for you. I also learned that the best way to learn how to apply make-up is to sit in the chair at a make-up counter and let them show you how to do it. They are amazingly helpful in the selection of color combinations and product applications that work best for each individual. A great hair-style and flawless make-up application can go a long way to helping a transwoman “pass” seamlessly in public. In the end, it’s the help from others that has gotten me to the point where I can successfully navigate my day without drawing any scrutiny to myself. Bluntly-opinionated but caring girlfriends, as well as trans-friendly shop owners and merchandisers (that I took time to befriend) have all had a hand in shaping the “me” that revels in day-long shopping trips through the Columbus malls and shops. I owe them so much for their patient assistance, and I thank each and every one of them. Tara McKenzie Allison, Esq., is a transgender attorney, who resides and practices law in Columbus, Ohio. She also serves as a Board Member and Legal Counsel to TransOhio, a nonprofit organization serving the transgender community of Ohio and providing educational and informational services to the general public. She is an active speaker on transgender and legal issues. She can be contacted through the TransOhio website, at www.transohio.org.

Since that first day, I have spent many hours shopping with

They don’t make Men’s 13 stilettos, do they?

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Art for life is a great event, mark it on your calendar right now!

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Center, 6810 Oak Creek Dr, www.laborofloveclassic.com: 34 teams converge on the volleyball center for this GLBT sporting event. Support your favorite team at the tourney, or just hang out with them at bars (sounds like NAGAAA week all over again). Opening party Saturday night at Trafik. Tournament held Saturday and Sunday. 8a – 6p; free.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 THE RIVER… THE RIVER… THE RIVER’S ON FIRE WaterFire @ Genoa Park, www.waterfirecolumbus.com: Final burn of the season! And it’s like a two-for (there’s also one on the night prior). The Ladies of Longford perform we don’t mean drag-ladies, we mean LADIES. 7:30p; free. SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 IT’S NOT TRESPASSING IF YOU’VE GOT CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP Short North Tour of Home and Gardens @ Short North, www.shortnorthcivic.org: Get a glimpse into the glamorous lives of people living in houses (that’s right - not apartments!). See their gardens, their lives! Embrace the voyeur existence. 10a - 6p; $15 $250. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 EDDIE GEORGE ACTING – THE CLOSEST WE’LL COME TO HIM SWITCHING SIDES Topdog/Underdog @ The Pythian Theatre, King Arts Complex, 867 Mt. Vernon Ave, www.thekingartscomplex.com: Former OSU star and NFL great, Eddie George performs in Suzan-Lori Parks’ Pulitzer Prize-winning play. Two brothers living in a tiny compartment carry out their sibling rivalry. 7p; $40. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 NOT FOR YOUR INNER (OR OUTER) LUSH Columbus Food & Wine Affair Grand Tasting @ Franklin Park Conservatory, 1777 E Broad St, 614.645.8733, www.foodandwineaffair.com: Come down and taste from almost 400 award-winning international and domestic wines. And the Grand Tasting benefits local charities. If only drinking could be this charitable all the time. 6:30p; $125. REMEMBER DRESSING UP IN YOUR MOTHER’S GOWNS? “A Night of Different Faces” Masquerade Ball @ The Grand Valley Dale Ballroom, 1590 Sunbury Road, www.newsoulmanagement.com: Put on your happy face (aka a mask) and dance the night away. Who doesn’t love masquerades? Who is Prince Charming disguised as tonight? Is he in the Batman outfit? 9p - 2a; $15 adv, $20 door.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 ART & FUNDRAISING Art for Life 2010 @ Sullivant Hall, 1813 N High St, www.catf.net: Live and silent auctions of local and national art to benefit the Columbus AIDS taskforce. Plus an after party for the socialite in us all. 6p; $75 - $125. SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 BUT ONLY IF YOU’RE GOING 88 MPH Back to the Garden @ Shadowbox Cabaret, Easton Towne Center, 614.416.7625, www.shadowboxcabaret.com: It’s time to go back to the garden… again. For its third (or fourth?) run, the hit Shadowbox musical returns to delight your hippie memories. 7p; $30. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 DAVID SEDAR-ESQUE David Rakoff @ Columbus Performing Arts Center, 549 Franklin Ave, www.thurberhouse.org: Radio and literary personality, David Rakoff, will read in conjunction with the Thurber House. He is promoting his new collection of essays, Half Empty. 7:30p; $18. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 HE’S GAY! ENRIQUE IS GAY! Legally Blonde the Musical @ Palace Theatre, 34 W Broad St, www.capa.com: Elle is here on her pre-law school tour. And if we’re lucky, she’ll judge a tighty-whitey contest while she’s in town. Enjoy all of the blonde antics (which are strikingly similar to your own life). Through October 3. 8p; $22.50 - $62.50. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 PINK IN THE GEEK Jason Mraz @ The LC, 405 Neil Ave, www.promowestlive.com: Everyone’s favorite eater of raw vegan-ish foods. Oh, and he’s pretty. I mean – pretty talented. Let’s settle for both. 7p; $35 (advance), $38 (door). THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 AM I THE ONLY ONE WHO THINKS ‘PLOTTER’ SOUNDS DIRTY? Summer Quarter Exhibitions Reception @ OSU Urban Arts Space, 50 W Town St, www.uas.osu.edu: Work by Charles Csuri (the infamous plotter) and Alan Price are on display at the OSU Urban Arts Space. The contrasting exhibitions deal with environment and preserved time. 6p; free.

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 filmgeekthankyounextreel Friends of the Drexel Gala @ Drexel Theatre, 2254 E Main St, www.drexel.net: It’s a red carpet film premiere of Happythankyoumoreplease (2010) with the director and star, Josh Radnor, in person. Meet a Hollywood actor! Also in attendance will be Jesse Hara and Jaymay. 5:30p; $125 - $2500. SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 INSTEAD OF ALCOHOL & FUNDRAISING, ICE CREAM AND FUNDRAISING Equality Ohio and Bakery Gingham’s Ice Cream Social @ Bakery Gingham, 189 Thurman & 647 N High, www.bakerygingham.com: Get some ice cream at either Gingham location. Use your coupon from www.equalityohio.org or get one in the store and Bakery Gingham will donate a dollar to Equality Ohio. All day; going rate for ice cream.

two-hour twilight bus tour of Cakes @ Ohio Expo Center, Columbus. Rediscover the his- 717 East 17th Avenue, tory of our great city while net- 888.OHO.EXPO, www.ohioexworking. 5p; $11.75-$17.50. pocenter.com: Food Network’s stars return to this year’s Fall FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 home & garden show. They will MORE LESBIANS THAN YOU CAN talk about their experiences on SHAKE A STICK AT… OH WAIT TV and answer questions, then Ohio Lesbian Festival @ Fron- later judge the amateur caketier Ranch, www.ohiolba.org: decorating contest. 11:30a, The 21st Annual lesbian and 2:30p; $5. queer womyn event, promoting womyn’s art and community. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 Two days of camping and per- FRITZ LANG IS NOT A GERMAN DRAG QUEEN formers. $60 (two days), $65 Wex at the Gateway: Metropo(three days). lis (1927) @ Gateway Film Center, 1550 N High, THINGS THAT GO UP Pride Night at King’s Island @ www.wexarts.org: The complete King’s Island, Mason OH, Metropolis, newly restored from www.visitkingsisland.com: Feel rediscovered footage in a vault free to wear an LGBT themed in Brazil, returns to Columbus hat, then lose it on the coaster. for one week only. This restoraIt’s so easy to cruise when you tion includes footage originally have a view of the whole park censored by the German gov(even if only for half a second). ernment. Sep 10 - 16; $5-$7. 6p; $40 adv, $45 gate. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 SAME IDEA AS BAR TO BEDROOM ARE PEOPLE LOCALLY GROWN? Field to Table Dinner @ Tuesdays w/ “The Hot 17” @ Franklin Park Conservatory, The Treehouse, 887 Chambers 1777 E Broad St, Rd, www.treehousecolumbus.com: 614.645.8733, www.fpconser- Bring in your 3-4 song playlist vatory.org: Enjoy cocktails and of local music and the house appetizers before a stroll will play it! Each week also through the park to a candlelit features a different local band. meal. A dining experience like 8p; cover. no other restaurant can provide! 6p; $300. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 ALWAYS MORE BIG FISH IN THE SEA SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 Networking Tradeshow @ ‘LANDSCAPING’ – A CLEVER PUN ON Brookshire, 405 Greif Parkway, THE WORD ‘MANSCAPING’ www.bigfishnetworking.com: Best of Fall Home Show @ Networking, light appetizers! Ohio Expo Center, 717 E 17th Show up and be automatically Avenue, 888.OHO.EXPO, qualified for door prizes. The www.ohioexpocenter.com: This most fun you’ve ever had while season’s festival of home imnetworking (except at Network provement, décor and landColumbus). 5p; free. scaping. The experts here offer creative solutions for any lawn- THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 related disaster; so don’t be THEY WON’T LET YOU WALK ALL OVER afraid to trim that bush into THEM something beautiful. Pavement @ The LC, 405 Neil 10a-8p; $5. Ave, www.promowestlive.com: The indie rock band of Slanted FIGHT BAD VAMPIRE MOVIES and Enchanted fame puts in an Cleveland Garlic Festival @ appearance in the cow town. Shaker Square, Cleveland, See them before they break-up 216.751.7656: Spend a week- again. 7p; $32.50. end eating garlic. Don’t plan on kissing anybody, but know that FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 it’s completely worth the absti- GOOD OL’ FASHIONED DREAM-COMEnence. Live music for the week- TRUE end includes jazz, 60’s surf Matt and Kim @ Newport music and zydeco - my favorite Music Hall, 1722 N High, folk-fused Creole music form www.promowestlive.com: (not even kidding). 1p - 10p Columbus loves us some Matt Sat, 12p - 8p Sun; $10. and Kim. Probably because they’re on CD101 all of the time. They’re my favorite Vermonties. 7p; $16 adv, $20 door. SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 FACE FULL OF FROSTING Geof Manthorne and Mary Alice Fallon Yeskey of Ace of

• • • • • • • • • • • about town • • • • • • • • • • •

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 UNLIKE THE TIME YOU HAD TOO MUCH FREAK Nightmare at Shadowbox @ Shadowbox Cabaret, Easton Towne Center, 614.416.7625, www.shadowboxcabaret.com: Yup, it’s Halloween season again. So while the malls are putting up Christmas decorations, Shadowbox is still going to make you wait in anticipation for the Santa Babies. Through November 13. 7:30p; $30.

SADLY NOT THE KNIGHT BUS YPC Historic Bus Tour @ Columbus Historical Society, 51 Jefferson Ave, www.ypcolumbus.org: The Young Professionals of Columbus are going on a

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 I WONDER IF THERE’S PAINT-PLAY INVOLVED Shared Spaces @ Canzani Center Gallery, 60 Cleveland Ave, www.ccad.edu: Visit the opening reception for Shared Spaces, an exhibit of work by the CCAD faculty and visiting artists. Mingle with the faculty and enjoy free refreshments. 5p - 7p; free.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 WINE IS MY FAVORITE KIND OF HOLISTIC HEALTH Network Columbus @ Signature Wines, 3816 April Lane, www.networkcolumbus.com: Enjoy a wine tasting while hearing Kim Kalfas speak about holistic health. And networking is soothing for the soul. 6p; free.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 MEN IN FORM-FITTING PANTS! LAST HURRAH FOR ARTS FESTIVALS WaterFire @ Genoa Park, Upper Arlington Labor Day www.waterfirecolumbus.com: Arts Festival @ Northam Park, Aw damn, it’s an Arts event. 2070 Northam Rd, Performance by BalletMet on www.uaoh.net/artsfestival: the riverfront for this week’s Enjoy a temporary al fresco arts WaterFire. And just because it’s space and the last arts festival a festival and there’s fire does- of the season. Granted, a new n’t mean this is a book burnseason begins in a couple ing. 7:30p; free. weeks with it’s own festivals. Live music and poetry. 10a 5p; free. THIS MOVIE IS ABOUT WHAT I’D DO ON A FRIDAY NIGHT ANYWAY OUTTakes: Is It Just Me? (2010) @ Gateway Film Center, 1550 N High, www.gatewayfilmcenter.com: Join Stonewall and the Gateway for the next film in the OUTTakes series. This one’s about Internet dating for gays, and the hilarity that ensues after chatting with someone under your roommate’s profile. I wish I could say this is a documentary about me. Sep 2 & 3; $5.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 NOT SO MERRILY ANYMORE Merrily We Roll Along @ Studio One, Riffe Center, 77 S High, www.avltheatre.com: A deft revival of the 1994 version of Sondheim’s 1981 musical, adapted from the 1934 play. Available Light closes their show tonight, so get your hands on this commodity while you can. 8p; pay-what-youwant. LABOR? I HARDLY KNOW HER! Labor of Love Volleyball Tournament @ Buckeye Volleyball

12:00 PM Dollar Days @ Flex 1:00 PM Happy Hour @ Tremont 4:00 PM $2 Bitchy Mondays @ Club D 5:00 PM Happy Hour @ Blazers 8:00 PM Karaoke Monday @ U 8:00 PM Martini Monday @ Havana 9:00 PM Service Industry Night @ Level 10:00 PM Karaoke @ AWOL 10:00 PM Trivia & Comedy @ Q

12:00 PM Dollar Days @ Flex 1:00 PM Happy Hour @ Tremont 4:00 PM $2 Bitchy Mondays @ Club D 5:00 PM Happy Hour @ Blazers 8:00 PM Martini Monday @ Havana 8:00 PM Karaoke Monday @ U 9:00 PM Service Industry Night @ Level 10:00 PM Trivia & Comedy @ Q 10:00 PM Karaoke @ AWOL

10:00 AM Upper Arlington Labor Day 12:00 PM Dollar Days @ Flex 1:00 PM Happy Hour @ Tremont 4:00 PM $2 Bitchy Mondays @ Club D 5:00 PM Happy Hour @ Blazers 8:00 PM Martini Monday @ Havana 8:00 PM Karaoke Monday @ U 9:00 PM Service Industry Night @ Level 10:00 PM Trivia & Comedy @ Q 10:00 PM Karaoke @ AWOL

9:00 AM SRJNG Tuesday Tune Up @ Espresso Yourself Cafe 4:00 PM Karaoke @ Q 5:00 PM Top Shelf Tuesday @ Havana 7:30 PM 3 Olives with Jazz Mary @ Club D 8:00 PM Legally Blonde the Musical 8:00 PM Cheap Date Night @ Slam! mers 8:00 PM Team Trivia Tuesdays @ Level 10:00 PM Strippers @ Exile

9:00 AM SRJNG Tuesday Tune Up @ Espresso Yourself Cafe 4:00 PM Karaoke @ Q 5:00 PM Top Shelf Tuesday @ Havana 7:30 PM 3 Olives with Jazz Mary @ Club D 8:00 PM Cheap Date Night @ Slam! mers 8:00 PM Team Trivia Tuesdays @ Level 10:00 PM Strippers @ Exile

9:00 AM SRJNG Tuesday Tune Up @ Espresso Yourself Cafe 4:00 PM Karaoke @ Q 5:00 PM Top Shelf Tuesday @ Havana 7:30 PM 3 Olives with Jazz Mary @ Club D 8:00 PM Team Trivia Tuesdays @ Level 8:00 PM Cheap Date Night @ Slam! mers 10:00 PM Strippers @ Exile

Tuesday

12:00 PM CMC Lunch Forums @ Ath! letic Club of Columbus 4:00 PM Biker Bear HH @ Tradewinds II 4:00 PM LevelTini Night @ Level 7:00 PM Trivia & Karaoke @ Score 7:00 PM Fiesta Night @ U 9:30 PM Karaoke Bingo @ Exile 10:00 PM Boy Night @ Wall St

12:00 PM CMC Lunch Forums @ Ath! letic Club of Columbus 4:00 PM Biker Bear HH @ Tradewinds II 4:00 PM LevelTini Night @ Level 7:00 PM Fiesta Night @ U 7:00 PM Trivia & Karaoke @ Score 9:30 PM Karaoke Bingo @ Exile 10:00 PM Boy Night @ Wall St

12:00 PM CMC Lunch Forums @ Ath! letic Club of Columbus 4:00 PM LevelTini Night @ Level 4:00 PM Biker Bear HH @ Tradewinds II 5:00 PM Big Fish Networking Trade Show 7:00 PM Fiesta Night @ U 7:00 PM Trivia & Karaoke @ Score 9:30 PM Karaoke Bingo @ Exile 10:00 PM Boy Night @ Wall St

9:00 AM BNI Group One-to-Ones @ Panera Bread (Bethel) 12:00 PM CMC Lunch Forums @ Ath! letic Club of Columbus 4:00 PM LevelTini Night @ Level 4:00 PM Biker Bear HH @ Tradewinds II 6:00 PM Network Columbus @ Signa! ture Wines 7:00 PM Fiesta Night @ U 7:00 PM Trivia & Karaoke @ Score 9:30 PM Karaoke Bingo @ Exile 10:00 PM Boy Night @ Wall St

12:00 PM CMC Lunch Forums @ Ath! letic Club of Columbus 4:00 PM Biker Bear HH @ Tradewinds II 4:00 PM LevelTini Night @ Level 5:30 PM Friends of the Drexel Gala 7:00 PM Trivia & Karaoke @ Score 7:00 PM Fiesta Night @ U 9:30 PM Karaoke Bingo @ Exile 10:00 PM Boy Night @ Wall St

Millersport Sweet Corn Festival

Wednesday

4:00 PM 3 Wise Men @ Exile 4:00 PM Leather & Fetish @ Flex 4:00 PM $3 3 Olives Night @ Level 6:00 PM Summer Quarter Exhibitions Reception @ OSU Urban Art Space 8:00 PM CW & HipHop @ Wall St 8:00 PM Disco Night @ Martini Park 8:00 PM Long Island @ U 10:00 PM Trafik Jam @ Trafik

4:00 PM Leather & Fetish @ Flex 4:00 PM $3 3 Olives Night @ Level 4:00 PM 3 Wise Men @ Exile 8:00 PM CW & HipHop @ Wall St 8:00 PM Disco Night @ Martini Park 8:00 PM Long Island @ U 10:00 PM Trafik Jam @ Trafik

4:00 PM Leather & Fetish @ Flex 4:00 PM $3 3 Olives Night @ Level 4:00 PM 3 Wise Men @ Exile 5:00 PM Shared Spaces@Canzani Cen! ter Gallery 8:00 PM CW & HipHop @ Wall St 8:00 PM Disco Night @ Martini Park 8:00 PM Long Island @ U 10:00 PM Trafik Jam @ Trafik

Marion Popcorn Festival

4:00 PM $3 3 Olives Night @ Level 4:00 PM 3 Wise Men @ Exile 4:00 PM Leather & Fetish @ Flex 7:30 PM Nightmare@The Shadowbox 8:00 PM Disco Night @ Martini Park 8:00 PM Long Island @ U 8:00 PM CW & HipHop @ Wall St 10:00 PM Trafik Jam @ Trafik

Thursday

4:00 PM Get Your Mojo @ Level 7:00 PM First Friday @ Wall St 8:00 PM Flirtinis @ U 9:00 PM Live Bands @ Havana 10:00 PM College Nite @ Wall St 10:00 PM DJ Fierce Tease @ Axis

4:00 PM Get Your Mojo @ Level 6:30 PM Columbus Food & Wine A"air Grand Tasting @ Franklin Park 8:00 PM Flirtinis @ U 9:00 PM Live Bands @ Havana 10:00 PM College Nite @ Wall St

4:00 PM Get Your Mojo @ Level 8:00 PM Flirtinis @ U 9:00 PM Live Bands @ Havana 10:00 PM College Nite @ Wall St 10:00 PM DJ Fierce Tease @ Axis

4:00 PM Get Your Mojo @ Level 6:00 PM Pride Night @ King's Island 6:00 PM Field to Table Dinner 8:00 PM Flirtinis @ U 9:00 PM Live Bands @ Havana 10:00 PM College Nite @ Wall St

Ohio Lesbian Festival

Clinton County Corn Festival

South Vienna Corn Festival

4:00 PM Get Your Mojo @ Level 7:00 PM First Friday @ Wall St 7:30 PM WaterFire@Genoa Park 8:00 PM Flirtinis @ U 8:00 PM OUTTakes-Is It Just Me? 9:00 PM Live Bands @ Havana 10:00 PM DJ Fierce Tease @ Axis 10:00 PM College Nite @ Wall St

Friday

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8:00 PM Margaritas @ U 8:30 PM Best Ass Contest @ Exile 10:00 PM Dance Your Ass O" @ Axis 10:00 PM Lesbian Dance Night @ Wall St 10:00 PM DJ Jeremy James @ Level

6:00 PM Art for Life 2010 7:00 PM Back to the Garden@Shadow! box 8:00 PM Margaritas @ U 10:00 PM Dance Your Ass O" @ Axis 10:00 PM Lesbian Dance Night @ Wall St 10:00 PM DJ Jeremy James @ Level

7:30 PM WaterFire@Genoa Park 8:00 PM Margaritas @ U 10:00 PM Lesbian Dance Night @ Wall St 10:00 PM DJ Jeremy James @ Level 10:00 PM Dance Your Ass O" @ Axis

8:00 PM Margaritas @ U 10:00 PM DJ Jeremy James @ Level 10:00 PM Dance Your Ass O" @ Axis 10:00 PM Lesbian Dance Night @ Wall St

7:00 PM Virginia West's Goddess @ Axis 8:00 PM Merrily We Roll Along @ Ri"e Center 8:00 PM Margaritas @ U 8:30 PM Best Ass Contest @ Exile 10:00 PM DJ Jeremy James @ Level 10:00 PM Dance Your Ass O" @ Axis 10:00 PM Lesbian Dance Night @ Wall

Labor of Love Volleyball Tournament

Saturday

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photography by robert trautman

www.outlookcolumbus.com dramatically different

11:00 AM Brunch & Showtunes @ U 11:00 AM Broadway Brunch @ Level 8:00 PM Sunday Night Players @ Wall St 9:30 PM Strippers @ Score 10:00 PM Strippers @ Exile 10:30 PM Strippers @ Havana 11:00 PM Strippers @ Tradewinds II

10:00 AM Short North Home&Garden Tour 11:00 AM Brunch & Showtunes @ U 11:00 AM Broadway Brunch @ Level 8:00 PM Latin Dance Night @ Wall St 9:30 PM Strippers @ Score 10:00 PM Strippers @ Exile 10:30 PM Strippers @ Havana 11:00 PM Strippers @ Tradewinds II

11:00 AM Broadway Brunch @ Level 11:00 AM Brunch & Showtunes @ U 8:00 PM Latin Dance Night @ Wall St 9:30 PM Strippers @ Score 10:00 PM Strippers @ Exile 10:30 PM Strippers @ Havana 11:00 PM Strippers @ Tradewinds II

Ohio Lesbian Festival

Clinton County Corn Festival

South Vienna Corn Festival

11:00 AM Brunch & Showtunes @ U 11:00 AM Broadway Brunch @ Level 8:00 PM Latin Dance Night @ Wall St 9:30 PM Strippers @ Score 10:00 PM Strippers @ Exile 10:30 PM Strippers @ Havana 11:00 PM Strippers @ Tradewinds II

Equality Ohio-Bakâ&#x20AC;Śm Ice Cream Social

Labor Day

11:00 AM Broadway Brunch @ Level 11:00 AM Brunch & Showtunes @ U 6:30 PM Wicked (closes) @ Ohio The! ater 7:00 PM Virginia West's Goddess @ Axis 8:00 PM Mary Ann Brandt @ Wall Street 8:00 PM Sunday Night Players @ Wall 9:30 PM Strippers @ Score 10:00 PM Strippers @ Exile 10:30 PM Strippers @ Havana 11:00 PM Strippers @ Tradewinds II

Labor of Love Volleyball Tournament

Monday 29

Sunday

Bars-Clubs

Networking

Special Events

US Holidays

Corn Festivals

September 2010

T W

S M

August 2010

Penny Tration never worries about her seams!

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Tuesday

Millersport Sweet Corn Festival

Wednesday

Marion Popcorn Festival

Thursday

4:00 PM Get Your Mojo @ Level 7:00 PM First Friday @ Wall St 8:00 PM Flirtinis @ U 9:00 PM Live Bands @ Havana 10:00 PM College Nite @ Wall St 10:00 PM DJ Fierce Tease @ Axis

4:00 PM Get Your Mojo @ Level 6:30 PM Columbus Food & Wine A"air Grand Tasting @ Franklin Park 8:00 PM Flirtinis @ U 9:00 PM Live Bands @ Havana 10:00 PM College Nite @ Wall St

4:00 PM Get Your Mojo @ Level 8:00 PM Flirtinis @ U 9:00 PM Live Bands @ Havana 10:00 PM College Nite @ Wall St 10:00 PM DJ Fierce Tease @ Axis

4:00 PM Get Your Mojo @ Level 6:00 PM Pride Night @ King's Island 6:00 PM Field to Table Dinner 8:00 PM Flirtinis @ U 9:00 PM Live Bands @ Havana 10:00 PM College Nite @ Wall St

Ohio Lesbian Festival

Clinton County Corn Festival

South Vienna Corn Festival

Friday

Page 1/1

8:00 PM Margaritas @ U 8:30 PM Best Ass Contest @ Exile 10:00 PM Dance Your Ass O" @ Axis 10:00 PM Lesbian Dance Night @ Wall St 10:00 PM DJ Jeremy James @ Level

6:00 PM Art for Life 2010 7:00 PM Back to the Garden@Shadow! box 8:00 PM Margaritas @ U 10:00 PM Dance Your Ass O" @ Axis 10:00 PM Lesbian Dance Night @ Wall St 10:00 PM DJ Jeremy James @ Level

7:30 PM WaterFire@Genoa Park 8:00 PM Margaritas @ U 10:00 PM Lesbian Dance Night @ Wall St 10:00 PM DJ Jeremy James @ Level 10:00 PM Dance Your Ass O" @ Axis

8:00 PM Margaritas @ U 10:00 PM DJ Jeremy James @ Level 10:00 PM Dance Your Ass O" @ Axis 10:00 PM Lesbian Dance Night @ Wall St

Labor of Love Volleyball Tournament

Saturday

24 25 26 27 28 29 30

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26 27 28 29 30

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photography by robert trautman

www.outlookcolumbus.com dramatically different

Ohio Lesbian Festival

Clinton County Corn Festival

South Vienna Corn Festival

Equality Ohio-Bakâ&#x20AC;Śm Ice Cream Social

Labor Day

Labor of Love Volleyball Tournament

Monday 29

Sunday

Bars-Clubs

Networking

Special Events

US Holidays

Corn Festivals

September 2010

T W

S M

August 2010

Penny Tration never worries about her seams!

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• • • • • • • • • • • about town • • • • • • • • • • •

SADLY NOT THE KNIGHT BUS YPC Historic Bus Tour @ Columbus Historical Society, 51 Jefferson Ave, www.ypcolumbus.org: The Young Professionals of Columbus are going on a

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Kaleidoscope Youth Center is the only organization in Ohio solely dedicated to supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth.

sep 2010

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Even Better than the Real Thing by Mette Bach No matter what pocket, branch or contingent of queerness we belong to, there is one thing all queer folks have in common: our dating pools are small. Since most of us are also on social networking sites, chances are we have access to most of our dating pool at our fingertips. Sure, maybe the mysterious ones are lurking in the corners as friends-of-friends but, chances are, they’re somewhere in cyberspace, a mere click or two away. I guess that’s why I relished having my mystery crush, a woman I knew for a while in a time before Facebook. I knew her name and I knew her mom and all sorts of wonderful stuff about her. We flirted and got along splendidly. Okay, I confess: I was her barista. I didn’t know her all that well and we didn’t hang out. It’s just that she would linger and chat each time she ordered her hazelnut latte and I took that to mean we had a deep spiritual connection. Then, one day, she came in and announced that she was moving away. We sat down together - yes, I took my break right then and there - and she told me about her drive for adventure and her yearning for something larger than the world she had created here. If I could have ridden off into the sunset with her, I would have. But instead, fifteen minutes later, I put my apron back on, we hugged each other goodbye, she kissed my cheek and that was that. I pined for her for years, wondering what had become of her, where she had ended up. None of my friends knew her, which only added to her mythic appeal. No matter what relationship crisis I was going through, I could always comfort myself by thinking about the one that got away and how, one day, maybe we’d see each other again at the Grand Canyon or in Paris or the Great Wall of China. Instead, fate took a different turn… a mere eight years after that rainy afternoon that she walked out of the coffee shop. One of my five gazillion Facebook “friends” who I barely know said something in her status about how wonderful her exes are and how much she loves them. It just so happens that I’d had a curious thought the day before. I thought about that very Facebook friend who I barely know and I wondered whom she had dated. Why did I wonder? I don’t know. I can’t control my curiosity; perhaps it was fate.

sep 2010

Since I don’t have to control any curiosity on Facebook, I was able to read all of the comments beneath this status update from the various exes sending their regards. That’s when I stumbled upon a familiar name. What was that doing there? One nanosecond later, I was face to face with a digital image of the dream lover who got away. I actually stepped back from the computer. Too weird. Too soon. This wasn’t the Grand Canyon and I wasn’t even showered or anything. I ran off and fixed my hair, and told myself there must be some mistake that those two people couldn’t possibly have been in a relationship. Considering I barely know either of them, it’s weird that I felt entitled to have an opinion about this but there I was. Click, click. And it turns out she had not adjusted her privacy settings so I could see all of her many, many photos. Yep, that was her alright – making out with a girl in Mexico, then with another girl at a club in L.A. and another girl on a ranch somewhere in Montana. There were close-ups of her tattoos and even a few wedding photos. She had changed her hair. She had followed her artistic ambitions and become a sculptor. She had had an opening at a gallery. It appeared she also had a bit of a drinking problem and she smoked and I didn’t really care for the way she dominated all of the posed photos, trying a bit too hard to look tough and cool. In fact, the most remarkable part of this reunion was that as soon as I finished scrolling through her many, many photo albums, I was over her. I know this seems a bit unfair. I gave her no opportunity to show me her real self. Not only had we not had a real conversation, I hadn’t even added her as a friend. This was completely a one-sided relationship and she did not even know it had taken place. As fate would have it, my ex-dream-lover came to town a couple of weeks later to see her real-life ex. At least, this is what I understood when I ran into them at Pride and casually said hello. It felt like some kind of horrifying scene right out of Gossip Girl - that I knew so much and so little. I wondered if this was what stalking was like. I creeped myself out a bit, actually. Not for being curious. Not even for following through with my curiosity, but for having an eight-year unrequited crush followed by a ten-minute non-relationship. As I walked home from the Pride party, I reminded myself that it could have been a lot worse: it could have been a real relationship. Thank God for Facebook.

Mette has a new book out calling Off the Highway. You should buy it today!

outlookcolumbus.com

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R. Crumb was inducted into the comic book industry's Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame in 1991.

sep 2010

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sep 2010

Spirit of the Wind Rooibos and a dash of MatĂŠ wakes you right up.

outlookcolumbus.com

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super mario world

Fashions Fade, Style Is Eternal by Mario Pinardi I never wanted to be a fashionista, and I am not a fashion victim. I like to view myself as an appreciator of style. Style is a vague concept to most, including me sometimes, but I like to draw upon some famous definitions of style for some help: from fellow homo Yves Saint Laurent, “Fashions fade, style is eternal,” and from fellow homo Tom Ford, “When you come down to it, style without substance isn’t worth anything.” Style, to me, is truly two concepts: sustainability and eternal. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love to “window shop” to see what new items come out each season and then reflect about the reality of owning these items for myself. I am a “Rubenesque” guy, so finding fashion that is age and weight appropriate can be challenging. And, there is no “gay” fashion that looks reasonably decent on me. Most new homo couture that comes out is not probable for me (and most), or is too “young” for me. Here are some examples of the “not probable”: the Von Dutch/Ed Hardy trend - trucker hats and over embellished denim. This trend was so not me. Most boys should not have a bedazzled ass and the trucker hat was just too country for me. The sad part is that it took years for the trucker hat trend to leave Columbus! For the ladies, it was the Abercrombie & Fitch, American Eagle, or Aeropostale young teenage boy jock look. Most of the ladies I see wearing these clothes are 1) not young and 2) are buying the wrong sizes. Ladies: seek a gay friend to help you, if you wish to sport this look, and stop wearing the teenage boy look if you are over 40. It is not becoming, and it makes you look older. Lycra is another fashion item that tends not to be wearable by all (and me). Dress shirt and suit designers have been adding Lycra into their designs for the last seven years, which have been eaten up by the homos. I mean, gays love Lycra (go back to the 70’s and you’ll get it), but if your waist is pushing over a 34” then Lycra is not your friend, unless you wear Man Spanx. Shorts are often up for debate, too. Lately, I have been seeing the cut-off at the knee look. This is a modest and affordable look for both homo boys and girls, and it is a “green” look because outlookcolumbus.com

you are recycling old pants. However, I have been seeing a lot of the 70’s boy short roaming around our city and it isn’t pretty, especially on the super hairy homos. The boy short is often too short for most and is not made to wear in public (unless you are at the Y in 1974), and the boy bush peeking out of the boy short should not be shared while I am having a cocktail at my local homo tavern - share your “boy Brillo” only with your fellow, not the entire restaurant. Speaking of boy bush, underwear is always an amazing fashion item for me. I mean for most folks, underwear is not a fashion statement. Most people purchase basic undergarments at mass retailers, and do not spend more than $20.00 per package of three. In the gay universe, this is a travesty. We have to have overembellished, hyper-designed underwear that will cost you a mortgage payment. I have seen men’s’ briefs for $70-$100 per pair. Crazy? If you stand back and think about it, what does underwear do for us? It protects our “bits” from our clothes, and our clothes from our “bits.” Do I really need to spend $70+ dollars for that? My favorite new gay underwear trend is the “assless” briefs. The image of my fat ass in a pair of those had me laughing hysterically. Since gay boys are obsessed with their butts, what a perfect design - “ass-less.” You don’t even have to pull your briefs down to poop! Easy stuff? Style is not dictated by what you wear, only by how you wear it. If you examine those we label as “stylish,” you will notice a theme. The clothes and the “look” that they are wearing are both sustainable and timeless. Stylish folk are not ultra trendy and do not have many expiring fashion items. I label my personal style as relaxed and classic. I do not wear a lot of clingy fabrics or a bright color because I feel my body type is not conducive to this (and I do not want to be a topic of conversation while I am out). My tip to you is to think before you buy trendy items or items that have a short shelf life - invest in quality items that are timeless and invest in fits that flatter your body. As for that “ass-less” underwear, only purchase those if you are truly a seasoned slut – booty love will be easier. Remember to never be a fashion victim, and always be a fashion survivor.

Oddly reminiscent of John Ruskin’s Victorian essay of Gothic architecture that redefined style.

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If only the cats would walk/run 5K.

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FALL (AND BEYOND!) ARTS PREVIEW by Mackenzie Worrall

Topdog/Underdog at the King Arts Complex.

Recently, someone politely informed me that Columbus is the indie art capital of the world. Maybe, like most indie things, he liked Columbus before we were cool. I won’t pretend that we have a nurturing audience that supports the arts, but what we do have is a population of burgeoning artists who bring interesting things to our (sometimes lackluster) arts scene. And even though companies like ETC are suffering, they are still dedicated to producing only plays that have never been performed in Columbus. The Wexner Center continues to bring innovative artists and programs to Columbus, and without your patronage, this won’t continue to happen. Even though times are tough, see at least one show or presentation. Venues like The Wex have free gallery admission days, and Available Light continues their pay-what-you-can policy for every performance. There are so many exciting things coming this year, that, I guess what I’m saying is, you have no excuse.

Fall brings a wide selection of gay interest pieces (Sondheim’s music, etc.), but fewer things deal specifically with LGBT themes. The Wex is screening a documentary, Stonewall Uprising (2010), followed afterward by a talk with gay rights scholars. Also, CATCO tackles Doug Wright’s documentary-esque I Am My Own Wife (winner of the Lambda Literary Award for Drama, Drama Desk’s Best New Play, Tony Award for Best New Play and Pulitzer Prize). The author shows his conversations with real life German antiquarian and transvestite, Charlotte von Mahlsdorf, and how she survived both the Nazi and Communist regimes.

The buzzword this year is ‘multi-medium,’ as in pieces that use multiple forms of artistic expression, usually to combine in some geeky and badass way. I mean BalletMet and Shadowbox are performing the joint show 7 Deadly Sins… Hello? Who won’t be clamoring for tickets to that? But there’s some intellectual crosspollination for everybody. You can start with some good old-fashioned mixed mediums: comics. Art Spiegelman (Maus: A Survivor’s Tale) and Matt Groening (if you don’t know him by now, I can’t help you) are both giving talks at The Wex in October during the 2010 Festival of Cartoon Art. Let that simmer for a few months, and then go see Available Light’s production, Skyscrapers of the Midwest (adapted from the graphic novel). If you’re not a visual learner, check out the audio heavy ‘film’ Utopia in Four Movements at The Wex (it’s classified as a film, but the experience also involves live music and storytelling), CATCO’s It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play (anything with a Foley artist is fun live), or the audio play Susurrus as you wander the botanical gardens at Franklin Park. To really cause your brain to short circuit, see former OSU running back Eddie George in the modern classic outlookcolumbus.com

On top of being excited for all of those, I’ve picked just seven more to blab about (it was a struggle). Coming in January to the King Arts Complex is Homage to Bearden: Piecing it Together. Check out this exhibition on collage art by accompanying artists and rare works of the insightful Romare Bearden, brought out from private collections. His art, of course, is one of the major influences on the late literary legend August Wilson and the civil rights movement. Faye Driscoll’s breakthrough 837 Venice Boulevard comes to The Wex in November. This dance piece explores and helps her put to rest events from her own childhood, while keeping it light with absurdist tendencies. The Wex also brings us experimental troupe, The Rude Mechanicals performing The Method Gun and Anna Deveare Smith’s Let Me Down Easy. Speaking of visiting artists, Alison Bomber of the Royal Shakespeare Company (!!) will direct Othello in OSU’s Winter Season. Maybe she’ll see what Columbus can do when Available Light edits and rearranges a Shakespearean classic for The Life and Death of Richard the Third. And (just in case I was getting too artsy), The Wex has a retrospective on horror master Joe Dante for which he’ll also be introducing his films in person. My personal pick? 1993’s Matinee, satirizing small town America’s fear during the age of cold war and sci-fi B-movies. Mackenzie Worrall is an editorial intern and part of the great ginger outlook takeover of 2010. For an extensive listing of upcoming Creative Class events, visit us online at www.outlookcolumbus.com. Just pull up this article and scroll to the end.

The Wex was designed by architects Peter Eisenman of New York and the late Richard Trott of Columbus.

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What makes the Short North an “Arts District?” by William Ashley Shakespeare once wrote, “The object of art is to give life a shape.” Arguably, this was never more true than in the case of Columbus’ premier arts district, the beloved Short North. History tells the tale of this decrepit, derelict area named not-so-fondly by Columbus police because of its location - short of The Ohio State University and north of Downtown Columbus. Yet, the district took a turn for the better and gentrification began once the artists and art galleries moved in during the 20th century. Cheap rent and lots of space made the perfect location for these cash-strapped bohemians. Fast-forward to the early 21st century and the Short North was urban, progressive, popular, and pricey. It was, quintessentially, the place to be. Along with art galleries, numerous watering holes and restaurants lined High Street and, as loyal outlook readers know, the GLBT population moved in for the makeover. The monthly Gallery Hop brought out the locals and brought in the visitors in staggering numbers, and annual events such as High Ball, Pride and ComFest gave the area an image of gutsy, relentless fun. Shakespeare was oh-so right: art eventually gave a shape to life in the Short North. Then, it hit: The Great Recession. The year 2008 saw an end to luxury living of all sorts for varying income classes, and priceless pieces of art were among the first to go on many lists of expenditures. The art galleries started to leave the Short North and a little color went out of our cheeks. “Going Out of Business Sale” signs permeated High Street and the air was heavy with the severity of the national economic collapse. A diminishing of the art galleries, a halt on the production of architecturally stimulating housing facilities, a void of large

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music venues... what “artistic” elements are left in the Short North after the recession struck? Its inhabitants and visitors are forced to wonder, What exactly makes the Short North an “arts district?” If the district lost its art and its shine, then will it have a shape in the Columbus community? “This is something we ask ourselves often,” said Maria Galloway, owner of PM Gallery in the Short North. “The galleries, at the core, are what make an Arts District. However, they cannot do it alone and that is where the Short North is strong. Every business has an artistic essence, from salons and restaurants that hang and sell original art to the artistic flair visible in the clothing stores and specialty retail. The events, like Gallery Hop, Art al Fresco, and High Ball, all have art at their core. The ‘feel’ of the neighborhood is essential.” The “feel” of the neighborhood, eh? Galloway’s argument is strong, especially after taking an observational stroll down High Street. Skip the hot boys, the restaurant signs with drink specials, and the visiting suburbanites with their Cup O’ Joe in one hand and a leashed poodle in the other. Instead, take in the paintings sprawled across the sides of buildings, the details in the famous Short North arches, and the jovial nature of the faces inside the store windows. You’ll see what Galloway is talking about: there’s an underlying sense of art in every brick building and crack in the cement. Jami Goldstein, vice-president of marketing, communications, and events for the Greater Columbus Arts Council, expanded on Galloway’s notion of the more-than-physical nature of the Short North’s artsiness. “From my experience and travels, the [arts district] is not just created through a measure of how many galleries an area has, but a combination of a number of factors that include the attitude and ambiance of the area, the willing-

The Nosferatu mural is an outlook favorite.

ness of businesses to work cooperatively and to display local artists work, even if they are not a gallery. Certainly this is true, to a great extent, in the Short North...restaurants, hair salons…many different kinds of businesses support local artists by displaying their work. In addition, places like Surly Girl host artsy events such as Crafty Cotillion. There are festivals, public art, and murals and concerts in Goodale Park to consider, as well,” she said. Art, itself, has a flexible and controversial definition. Is it just a physical manifestation of someone’s creativity, or is it an indefinable, natural essence? In the case of the latter, then the recent loss of some art galleries won’t have an effect on the artsy feel of the Short North. We can chalk it up to a cyclic economic disaster, one that comes and goes in time. Goldstein said it best: “While it’s always unfortunate to lose a gallery, there is the general economic business climate to consider presently.” So, what’s in store for the Short North? Some say that further gentrification will ruin the aura of the area. Galloway disagrees, saying that the economic recovery might usher in a new emphasis on unique restaurants over galleries. “My fear, back in the early days, was that the galleries would be replaced by chain stores and t-shirt shops going after the conventional trade. That has not happened. Instead we have seen a steady advance of the restaurants, but not chain restaurants. Almost every one is unique and owner operated, just like all the other retail and galleries in the Short North. What we may be seeing is the birth of a Restaurant Row, which is a hallmark of a major city. Time will tell, of course,” she concluded. William Ashley is a contributing writer for outlook: columbus, as well as, our ginger in the field and #2 ginger in the great ginger take over of 2010.

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Next Stop Wonderland by Phillecia Cochran photo by Dominic Presutto

Enter Wonderland.

In this uncertain economic climate, Columbus seems to be doing what it can to strengthen our local economy. And the focus on our local economy isn’t just behind government doors - residents are doing the same. Whether that means shopping at local businesses or eating at local restaurants, a lot of us are trying. And with that, a lot of attention is being given to the arts. A tour of Wicked, just came through, and with all the hubbub surrounding it, it surely did not endure disappointing ticket sales. And there are many more productions to come for the new season.

When the Wonder Bread factory on 4th Street shut down last year, it resulted in a vacant 65,000 square foot space. That empty factory is now being turned into Wonderland - a non-profit space that will give the public access to artist studios, shared workshops, exhibition spaces, a performance venue, rehearsal space, office space with conference rooms, and retail spaces. And on top of that, food and drink will be available with an expected bar in the music venue and coffee shop in the common areas.

Now picture this. You’re a high school student immersed in a hobby - ceramics. Ceramics requires materials, oftentimes expensive items such as a potter’s wheel and kiln. Both of those things, you have access to at school. But what happens when you graduate? You’re not pursuing art as a career, and realistically, either you shouldn’t or can’t put the time and money into that kind of hobby anymore.

Rather than turning Wonderland into a for-profit business, Wonderland is currently seeking a non-profit status. In doing this, they can seek grants that they wouldn’t be able to otherwise in a private business. Making Wonderland non-profit also has the added benefit of keeping rent costs lower.

Now pictures this. You’ve just graduated from college with a degree in art with a concentration in photography. Your goal was to one day be a photojournalist, but your post-graduation earnings mean you’re renting an apartment. Not totally out of the norm, right? With renting an apartment and bringing in “post-graduation earnings” (nicer words for “not a lot”), you don’t exactly have the resources you need to build your own darkroom or set up your own studio. The arts are expensive. And oftentimes, until you become fairly established and find your own market, there isn’t a huge financial payoff. So what if Columbus had a place that gave artists, and those just feeling particularly creative, the opportunity to explore that creativity? A place where that person interested in ceramics or photography could rent a small space to use as a studio. Or attend workshops. Or catch a concert. Or go shopping. Or even just grab a cup of coffee.

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One of the visionaries behind the project, Adam Brouillette, said Wonderland wouldn’t be just for the artist. “The requirement for Wonderland will be to build a diversity of tenants. Varied levels of education, experience, race, sex, orientation and artistic medium will be part of the equation.” Wonderland’s Board Chair, Brady Konya, said this idea wasn’t the result of a lengthy study. “We’re creating a facility that meets an unmet need. There was no 5-or-10-year study of what it was going to take to keep people in Columbus excited about what was happening here. It was the result of a consulting project. It was organic with five or six visionaries aware of that need.” Konya also explained that Wonderland isn’t necessarily just meant for the artist, but also the consumer. “We’re developing something that is commercially viable - an economic engine that will contain a unique blend of emerging merchants, new stores, as well as, established local stores to which people already have an existing loyalty. Wonderland will offer original of-

Not affiliated with Neverland.

ferings that people will, whether that is purchasing goods or services, tickets to see a show, or buying a work of art. What’s great is that patrons can immerse themselves in creative contribution.” While Wonderland isn’t expected to be open until the end of 2011, Konya expects that opening day will be one to remember. “It’s going to be crazy and exciting and a relief that it has finally come to fruition. When people not building the project see all of these elements coexisting - artist studios, flex space, exhibit space, workshops, merchants - they will understand what a unique element the space is for Columbus. On that first day, after all our work, there will be something very serendipitous about it. Plus, with the city turning 200 in 2012, we think Wonderland will play a crucial element in how the city will think about the bicentennial. It’s going to be a fantastic year.” Though day one may be a while into the future, they’re already getting the community involved. On their website (www.wonderlandcolumbus.com), there is a contact form to express an interest in being a tenant, neighbor, enthusiast, or of assistance. In addition, at press time, Wonderland was asking the public to submit t-shirt designs for the project, which the public will vote on. After a final vote, the winning design will be sold online with proceeds benefitting Wonderland.

And there’s no lack of public interest. Back in April, a crowd of nearly 1,000 people was present at the former Wonder Bread factory for the first public glimpse into Wonderland. At press time, Wonderland had more than 900 followers on Twitter, and more than 5,500 fans on Facebook. No part of Wonderland is yet open to the public. You can find out more through Facebook, Twitter, or read the latest on their website at www.wonderlandcolumbus.com. Phillecia Cochran is Editorial Assistant for outlook: columbus. She is not a ginger and may die in the revolution. Though she very well may get a pass because of her fair complexion.

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Art Saving Lives by Elliott Fishman Art for Life organizer Joel Diaz is out to make this year’s September 25th event “a true celebration of our lives.” He’d like to save a few of those lives, too. Diaz, 29, is a driving force behind the all-volunteer-led art auction and fundraiser, benefitting the Columbus AIDS Task Force (CATF). As CATF board presidentelect, Diaz thinks the September 25 mega-event - at Ohio State’s Sullivant Hall - is the perfect opportunity to let the LGBT community know that “AIDS is still a critical issue in our community, and CATF is more relevant than ever.” Other community leaders seem to agree. The Ohio State University’s president, E. Gordon Gee, has signed on as honorary chair, and a range of LGBT community leaders and allies are serving as event co-chairs and patrons. “President Gee has been incredible,” said Diaz. “He immediately agreed to be our honorary chair, and he even hosted a reception for our leaders and sponsors at his home.” Since the first Art for Life in 1989 - housed in the Battleship Building just south of the North Market - Art for Life has been a rallying point for the fight against HIV and AIDS. Diaz’ biggest concern, however, is that members of Central Ohio’s LGBT community no longer think HIV/AIDS is a critical issue, and many “no longer think CATF is a relevant institution in our community.” Nothing could be further from the truth, says Peggy Anderson, the agency’s CEO. Close to 70 percent of the task force’s case management clients are gay, and of the people tested for HIV through CATF, over 90 percent of those testing positive were men who have sex with men (MSM). “I think a lot of people in the gay community would be surprised to know those statistics,” said Anderson. “There’s something of a myth out there that gay men aren’t as affected by HIV as they once were.” The truth is, HIV/AIDS has expanded into other communities, such as women and people of color, but here in central Ohio, the majority of cases are still in the LGBT community. Anderson pointed out that over 40 percent of those gay men testing positive were in the 19-24 age range - a fact that Diaz says makes the prevention and care work of CATF all the more important. “Young people in our community don’t think AIDS affects them, and they take too many risks,” he said. “It is our responsibility to educate them and prevent more people from getting sick.” At the same time, the Columbus AIDS Task Force has faced a number of financial challenges, according to Anderson. Because of the state’s fiscal shortfall, Anderson said she believes at least $800,000 will be cut from the Department of Health’s prevention budget. In addition, federal funding cuts have resulted in a substantial loss of funds for the Ohio Drug Assistance Program (ODAP), which provides free and low-cost medications for HIV patients who are uninsured or can’t afford them. And, largely due to high unemployment, the number of people who are coming to agencies like CATF for these services is on the rise.

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Both Anderson and Diaz said that CATF is continuing to retrench and be fiscally responsible. As a case in point, Anderson said that by the end of August, CATF would move from its East Long Street building to new offices at 4400 North High Street. “We have a six-year lease in which we will realize very large cost savings.” Anderson also said that the agency “has no plans” to reduce prevention or other staff - assuming no drastic increase in funding cuts beyond what is currently anticipated. “We made budget this year, and we hope we can get to the point where we can have enough of a reserve to withstand the cycles of budget cuts without reducing services.” All of this, said Diaz, is why Art for Life is more important than ever. “We’re in the business of saving lives.” Organizers hope to raise $500,000 from the event. Even more important, in Diaz’ eyes, is the opportunity Art for Life presents “to reconnect with our community, with people who have supported us over the years.” As in years past, area businesses have stepped up and donated their goods and services to help the event’s bottom line, Diaz said. “Barcelona Restaurant is again donating the food, which is wonderful, Grange Insurance is doing all of our printing, and some 18 other businesses have come together to support this event.” Of course, said Diaz, it is the artists who truly make Art for Life a success. “The incredible thing about this event is the willingness of the artists to donate their work. Especially in this economy, it’s a real sacrifice for artists to do this.” Artwork from more than 175 artists will be represented in the juried show. Thirty pieces will be selected for the live auction - an exclusive event for about 125 patrons and donors. Other works will be for sale in the silent auction, in which all attendees can participate. A new element this year is that all of the artwork can be viewed online prior to the event. Diaz said that photographs of the items for sale - which run the gamut of media from paintings to sculpture to photography and multi-media - will be online around September 1. The online galleries, as well as ticket and patron sales, can be accessed at www.catf.net/artforlife. In addition to the art auctions, the Teeny Tucker Band will provide musical entertainment. Moreover, longtime CATF supporters will want to be there for a special tribute to founding CATF Executive Director Gloria Smith, who will be traveling from Florida for the evening. “Sullivant Hall is going to be a fantastic venue,” said Diaz. “And of course, we’ll have an incredible diversity of people there - including civic leaders, arts patrons, LGBT community members, and everyone else who wants to support CATF and have a great time.” “It truly is a celebration of life.” Art for Life, the biennial benefit for the Columbus AIDS Task Force, will take place on Saturday evening, September 25, at OSU’s Sullivant Hall. For more information and tickets, go to www.catf.net/artforlife.

The number of reported occurrences of HIV in Ohio in 2008: 949 (a 24% increase).

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TOO GAY OR NOT GAY ENOUGH by Mikey Rox Sixteen years ago, actor/playwright Travis Michael Holder embarked on a cathartic journey that has finally come full circle. His original, semi-autobiographical play, “Surprise Surprise,” - about a closeted gay actor with a much younger, disabled lover and an estranged teenaged son - is now a full-length feature releasing on DVD Aug 31. In a recent interview, Holder - along with the film’s director, Jerry Turner - discuss the filmmaking process, what parts of the plot were plucked from real life, and why this gaythemed film got snubbed for not being gay enough. MIKEY ROX: Your new movie, “Surprise Surprise,” is based on an original play that you wrote and starred in, in 1994. You’re quoted as saying that it’s “based on more autobiographical shit than I’d care to admit.” Please, make my job a little easier and spill the beans now. TRAVIS MICHAEL HOLDER: A lot of it is fiction; a lot of it is about my life. My partner Victor and I did raise the real David, at least through his teen years. His grandmother was then secretary to the head of casting at NBC and his mother was indeed confined to a convalescent hospital unable to speak or feed herself after a horrific accident when [David] was 4 years old. Ironically, his grandmother died just after the play was first written and his mother passed away the week it premiered. David and his wife Linda were at opening night and, needless to say, it was a tremendously emotional journey for him. MR: Are you happy with the outcome? Is the film true to the vision you had of it on screen? TMH: How can I say this… I am thrilled with the outcome, and, yes, it’s fiercely true to my original vision. The one thing Jerry, who by the way is straight as an arrow, insisted all along was that we make a film about three people trying to get to know one another and redefine what a family is in this age of social inequality and Tea Party rednecks and Prop 8 haters. My disappointment with the outcome, however, is in how that perception has been received. Jerry had suits interested in taking on the film if we went back to the house and had Jason drop his towel. They complained that no one kissed and no one got naked. Film festivals turned down screening it because it was a gay story, which it isn’t. It’s a family story. Gay is a plot point. Truly, the real David could not have been less homophobic, but making the character homophobic furthered what I was trying to say about life today and relationships. So now that the film is being promoted as a “gay” film, gay festivals have turned it down because it isn’t gay enough. If Den had been a hot young man or Jason’s towel had dropped, they would have been interested. And I find that very sad. We as a community fight every day to be taken seriously as just people like everyone else, people deserving of respect. The fact that the film isn’t titillating enough to qualify to show at gay film festivals breaks my heart. JERRY TURNER: I love this guy, and I couldn’t be happier that you feel the film stayed true to your vision. I really struggled with the whole “if you wanna sell it, show me some skin” thing. I think a couple of directors were fired from the play version for the same reason. They wanted the power of the penis. I can’t be naïve as a producer and say I

outlookcolumbus.com

Burlesque will suffer the same dilemma: too gay or not gay enough?

don’t understand the logic. It’s business, but it also seemed gratuitous. It was never meant to be a video cut on Mr. Skin’s website. It does hurt that the community I was rallying for doesn’t see our film worthy of their festivals, but I do think society at large will see it and respect what we were trying to say. MR: Even though this film is fairly heavy – there’s a lot of drama and crying – there’s also a lot of humor, and it’s actually funny. How do you find the right balance between the darkness and the light? TMH: Story of my life, right? If it wasn’t for my sense of humor, I would have jumped off the friggin’ Hollywood sign decades ago. As Den tells David in the movie, “Son, if there’s one thing I’ve learned in my life, it’s that behind every cloud… there’s another cloud.” JT: Light and darkness: can there be a balance? “In life, we are constantly moving through positive and negative experiences.” I think I heard a yoga instructor say that once, or was it an evangelist from one of those far-out Christian channels? Anyway, one of the reasons I was so compelled to make Travis’ story come to life was the truth behind those words, no matter who said them. “Surprise, Surprise” told the human condition better than most scripts I’ve read. Great actors help, too. MR: I’ve watched a lot of gay films over the years and most of them are crap – terrible plot, excruciatingly painful “actors.” I dread watching the films before an interview because I know it’s 90 minutes of my life that I’ll never get back. But I can honestly say that the acting in “Surprise Surprise” is rather good. So I guess my question is, how do you know when you’ve got a scene that doesn’t suck? TMH: Remember, “Surprise Surprise” had already been a pretty successful play, so Jerry and I already knew what worked and what didn’t. But most importantly, I’d say, don’t cast by “look.” Hire actors like John and Luke and Deborah and Mary Jo and Jesse and watch the scenes flow like a fine wine into a crystal goblet. We did one master shot when David and his grandmother Winnie first arrive in Den’s home that lasted about 12 minutes. Jerry told us he wanted to try to film it in one long take and we all gamely said okay, let’s go for it. The crew applauded when we were done. It was a major thrill in my life to be on that set and listen to actors of such precision actually saying my words and telling my story, the story Jerry and I set out to tell from the beginning of the dream to make it into a film. JT: Thank you for saying that. I’m glad you don’t want your 90 minutes back. That means a lot to us. I knew that because of the small budget and, therefore, production time constraints I would need actors with strong theater backgrounds. It may seem like an antiquated notion in these times of quick pace and quicker cuts, but I needed actors that were okay without hearing “cut” after only a few lines of dialogue. In a film with only one location as a backdrop, if the plot is terrible and the actors are excruciating, you will hold the audience’s attention for as long as it takes the opening credits to end. I knew in the first week of editing that the formula worked. Now I hope that people watching the film will want to watch the ending credits as well. Mikey Rox is an award-winning writer/journalist and the principal of Paper Rox Scissors, a marketing and advertising company in New York City. He can be reached at mikey@paperroxscissors.com. Read the entire interview online at www.outlookcolumbus.com.

more online

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Howl by Adam Lippe Recently, I interviewed Noah Buschel, the director of The Missing Person, for a podcast on the various ways the independent film world works and how it has changed over the past 10 years. Noah would know better than most about this subject, because he made three films in three different eras of independent films, always having to change his approach to selling the film to potential financiers and eventually getting distribution (or not). One of his films was Neal Cassady, a fractured biopic about the titular figure who was the inspiration for Jack Kerouac’s Dean Moriarty character in On the Road. Not knowing much about that era of writing, or beatniks, or Ken Kesey (author of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest), I was going in to Neal Cassady practically blind on the subject matter. And to Noah’s credit, he did not dumb his movie down for the mass audience. As a result, I had no idea what was going on for most of the 80-minute film, as there’s no, really, no way in for an outside party, and I complimented him on sticking to his guns and making a movie I had no way of understanding.

Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman’s Howl about Allen Ginsberg’s controversial poem that became the subject of an obscenity trial, threatened to leave me in a similarly excluded lurch. Ginsberg was both inspired by and was a lover of Cassady, and as with Kerouac, Ginsberg employed a rambling, self-indulgent style of writing. Identifying with his themes of anger, confusion, and bottled up sexuality is helpful to your potential enjoyment of Howl, but the movie is made in such a way as to alienate both fans of Ginsberg and those who are novices of beat poetry. Friedman and Epstein (who made The Times of Harvey Milk on his own and The Celluloid Closet and Common Threads with Friedman,) had intended to make a documentary on the trial but couldn’t find enough footage to justify a feature. So, instead of making a short subject, they were forced to cobble together an 85-minute mix of staged court footage and Ginsberg, played by James Franco, explaining the origins of Howl¸ accompanied by computer generated animation (a typewriter morphs into a jazz musician) to further break down the sexual imagery (“alcohol, cock, and endless balls”). The scenes in court are stiff and have no power, which is not helped by the overqualified actors playing lawyers (David Straithairn as the DA, Jon

Columbus Gets a Taste of Cajun

Hamm as the defense attorney, Bob Balaban as the judge) and witnesses with literary pedigrees (Jeff Daniels, Treat Williams, Mary Louise-Parker in glorified walk-ons), but especially because the public context of the obscenity trial isn’t explored. We never know how this trial affected any writer or politician outside of those in the courtroom or how obscenity laws and trials were changed because of it. It’s funny that one of the interpretations that is harped on is, “literary value sometimes is a book which will survive any test of time,” and yet the movie doesn’t evaluate its own subject in that manner.

There are issues that could have been explored other than the time-honored “what is obscenity?” such as Straithairn’s specious argument that if you don’t understand the meaning of something, it must be obscene or how the entire notion of deAnd since these scenes in the courtroom termining public decency is based on proare limited to the lawyers asking a ques- tecting a theoretical person. It’s a tion and the witnesses simply reciting their condescending notion that still goes on personal analysis of Howl, the movie turns today (“I don’t find it into a Cliffs Notes version of the poem. racist/homophobic/xenophobic, but the Franco’s performance, which considering public might”), but in Howl, it turns out it’s the photos of Ginsberg shown throughout just a legal device, not intended as anythe film, isn’t nebbish enough, except for thing other than a transparent attempt to his attempt to play the part as if he were sway the judge in absence of real evidoing a half-hearted impression of Jeff dence. And since the judge ignores it, why Goldblum (Flight of the Conchords’ Jeexactly should I care? maine Clement would be best suited for If you’d like to read more of Adam’s reviews or listen the role, since Goldblum is now a bit too to his podcasts, you can find them on Rotten Tomaold for the part). It’s not that Franco has toes or on his website, RegrettableSincerity.com. Osmuch to do anyway; he’s either on stage cilloscope Pictures will release Howl in theaters and reading his poem, or explaining it to an VOD on September 24. unseen reporter. There’s no deliberate irony

importance of preserving their distinct musical language. Cajun music has fiddle player Michael Doucet and BeauSoleil. Doucet’s by Erin Phelan story is fascinating. Growing up in Lafayette, Louisiana, Doucet began to notice that as the older generation died, so did the culture The gulf coast has certainly seen its fair share of tragedy over the they carried with them. After college, Doucet toured France past few years. From the devastating hurricanes in 2005 to the im- that with his then group, the Bayou Drifters - a trip that ended up lastmense destruction of the recent oil spills, the people of the coastal ing six months. Doucet admits, “When I came back, my duty was to regions continue to face a tough road of clean up and rebuilding. bring this music back to the younger generation because it was so And they do it with a spirit and strength that I can only begin to vastly disappearing.” wish I had. Where do these instincts come from? Strong roots in family and community? Sure. But I also believe that they derive a started BeauSoleil in 1975. Eleven Grammy nominations lot of their courage and perseverance from their history and culture. Doucet and three awards later, the band still does what it does best - intraditional Cajun melodies with contemporary elements which Cajun. A word that evokes images of Mardi Gras celebrations, jam- fuse ultimately creates a timeless homage to a very special piece of balaya and of course, the lively, at times uplifting and at times sor- Southern culture. rowful music that has been at the root of Louisiana culture since the Acadians were exiled from eastern Canada in 1750. Preserving culture is also important to CityMusic - a local nonEvery culture has its musical champions; those who believe in the profit arts organization that has presented both a classical Cham-

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in this choice either, despite the fact that the entire trial appears to be based on the objection to individual words and profanities, intending to remove them from their context. Did Friedman and Epstein not notice that by having Franco reveal the meaning of each word and phrase, they’re just as bad as the district attorney who filed the case?

ber Music and World Music series in Columbus for the past 27 years. For us, it goes beyond the idea of the traditional arts notion of high culture. We connect people to their heritage and open the doors of the world to the community. Our concerts are meant to be interactive and relaxed. Ensembles are encouraged to talk about their music, their inspiration and their worlds. Cajun. A word that evokes images of Mardi Gras celebrations, jambalaya, and of course, the lively, at times uplifting and at times sorrowful music that has been at the root of this culture for centuries. The CityMusic 2010-2011 World Music Series kicks off on Wednesday, Sep 15 with a performance by BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet. The concert will take place at the Lincoln Theatre and will begin at 8p. General admission tickets are $26 (adults), $21 (students) and $11 (seniors) and can be purchased at all Ticketmaster locations, the CAPA box office, or by calling 614.223.3093. For more information about all things CityMusic visit www.citymusiccolumbus.org. Erin Phelan is Executive Director of CityMusic a member organization of the Columbus Arts Marketing Association. For more information, visit www.camaonline.org.

Though this moive is named Howl, it was nothing to do with werewolves or vampires... or does it?

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Dumpster diving is known as skipping in the UK.

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$72 billion per year is spent on weddings with an average budget of $20,000

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Jordan Martin and Jim Maneri - Just Trying To Find The Song by Jon Dunn The life of a musician is not always a chosen path, it’s often chosen for you. Something stirs the desire to find a voice and share that voice with others, no matter how soft or how loud. From three chords to a symphony, music is an autobiography written with notes instead of words. And even if we share the same notes, just like words, it’s how you arrange them that make them your own. This month, we talked to a pair of out musicians in Columbus and found that even with such different backgrounds, both musicians shared more than just a love of music. Jordan Martin Columbus native and aspiring songwriter Jordan Martin has a simple philosophy: just try to find the song. Catching up with her at The Stonewall Center on High, the 17-year-old is carrying a wellthumbed copy of The Jungle by Upton Sinclair and remarks that the book is actually only a month or so old; she’s just hard on them. “It’s for school, and oh my God, what a horrible story!” Books have always had a big influence on her. “I have a tendency when I read a book, to become that book, acting like the characters and imagining I’m in wherever the book takes place,” she offers. She thinks that books and TV may be where her artistic endeavors began. “I was always acting out TV shows, cartoons, I just loved to perform.” Eventually the performer in her sought out music, which led to her experimentation with musical instruments. “I would set my little keyboard to ‘demo’ and then make up songs around that. My cousin and I would sing all of this nonsense, just whatever we thought of and we called ourselves The Cookies.” She developed a love for instruments and found that experimenting with them gave her creative license to make what

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she found her own. “I started out with an old acoustic guitar and I just started moving around on it until I found sounds that I liked,” she explains. “I didn’t know the name of chords or stuff, I just moved my fingers until it sounded right,” she offers, smiling. “This way everything sounded new to me, like I made it up. Everything I find on the guitar is mine.” And while this posture may seem like she doesn’t quite know what she’s doing, her hands move across the guitar’s fretboard with assurance and ease. Some of the chords are jazzy and sophisticated, belying the “no formal training” aspect of her technique. Jordan does admit to having a friend act as a guide in her travels along the strings, offering advice and some chords to mess around with. Even though she is still learning, Jordan has already begun to branch out, citing the electric guitar as her current favorite. “Because it lets me make noise!” she laughs. “I’m really into noise music and random sounds and it’s just fun to play loud and make noise. I also like punk music.” Her songwriting approach also finds its way through simple experimentation with various styles, instruments and random rhyming of subjects and words. “I take a thought and then try to express it in a genre that fits,” she explains. A veteran of the Girl’s Rhythm and Rock camp, a program sponsored by Stonewall Columbus, Jordan credits the camp with fueling her artistic pursuits and making her feel part of a larger community. “It was sort of magical,“ she says of the experience. “I brought my girlfriend and we met all sorts of hilarious people. They put you together with other girls to form a band and at the end of the camp, we had a big show for everyone.” Jordan also feels comfortable with other out artists and musicians and hopes to keep finding that acceptance. “I’m going to study performance in college, so I hope to fuse music and art into something, I just don’t know yet. But I can’t wait to start!”

Jordan will be performing with the Girlz Rock and Rhythm Camp group at the Hot Times Community Arts and Music Festival on September 11 at 12p on the main stage. (The festival runs from September 10 through 12 at Main Street and Parsons Avenue) Jordan admits to being a little nervous, but that playing with everybody else will make it easier. “Besides,” she adds with a wide smile, “I’m always looking to put on a show!” Jim Maneri At the other end of the spectrum is Jim Maneri, another Columbus native and professional musician for over 30 years; Jim knows the life of a musician and trying to make it in the world of music while being openly gay. Since turning pro in the late 1970s, Jim has accompanied a number of famous jazz and popular musicians on the road and in the studio. Though he spent nearly two decades on the road, he explains that he was “one of the last working musicians to make a living on the road playing jazz, up until the early 1990s,” but by then the touring had become sporadic and Jim found another calling by producing music for film and commercials. I do most of my composing now at the computer,” he laughs, “but for a living its not always easy to be creative NOW; on demand like that.” Jim splits his time between Columbus and New York, and deals with the commute pragmatically. “Most of the work is in New York, but it is so much cheaper to live here!” he says. He does some work here and plays in several local bands. “I’m currently working on an Ohio Public Television show about German Village,” he explains “and its combining bier hall music with 20th century dissonance. I try to be careful to it from being too specific, so that you don’t stop watching the film to listen to the music.” A lifelong musician, Jim was inspired to play jazz music from many influences. “Like everyone else, I lifted solos from Bill Evans, Herbie

I couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket.

Hancock and the rest, but Art Tatum was a huge influence on me,” he explains. As he worked his way into the jazz musician’s circle and lifestyle, he had to adjust to working in an environment where his sexuality had to remain a secret. “Jazz music was especially homophobic. For gay musicians, there was really no tolerance in the jazz community at all,” he explains. “Even though there were gay musicians, all of us stayed closeted for fear of losing a gig because of it; it was very rough.” Even today, Jim feels that the jazz scene is still a semi-hostile environment for a gay musician. “There are plenty of musicians, many of them famous, who are gay but still won’t come out to the fans or the musicians; it’s still pretty closeted.” In the Columbus music scene, he finds being gay is much more accepted. “In my local band, Hairplane, the target audience is gay! The scene is so much more happening here, much more accepting. Things have begun to turn 180 degrees from 20 years ago; people aren’t as uptight about someone’s orientation. It’s more about the music.” Though these two musicians are separated by a lifetime of experience and different backgrounds, an invisible but tangible thread connects them. Jordan doesn’t read music or know theory, but she can still write her story in notes and words. Jim has a master’s ability to read, write and compose in the language of music, yet he finds more mystery in music everyday when he creates something new. The thread that winds around and between them is the creative muse that drives them to express themselves in one of the oldest but most vibrant art forms. Sitting at the piano or holding a guitar gives them the promise that someone’s beauty and character is best exhibited through their art. And that all the labels people use to describe them will fade beneath the sound of their stories.

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music is the answer

Brilliant dreamers: an interview with Indigo Girls Amy Ray and Emily Saliers by Greg Shapiro It’s been 15 years since out duo Indigo Girls released their live set, 1200 Curfews. With more than enough material from which to draw, six studio albums including 2009’s Poseidon and The Bitter Bug, Amy Ray and Emily Saliers have released the exquisitely packaged double disc concert recording Staring Down The Brilliant Dream (IG Recordings/Vanguard). The 31 tracks pick up where they left off and once again reinforces that the duo is among the best live acts currently performing. I had the pleasure of speaking with Amy and Emily shortly before the release of Staring Down The Brilliant Dream. GS: The live tracks on the concert disc Staring Down The Brilliant Dream are from 2006-2009. Why the shows from this period? Emily Saliers: It’s kind of like the most recent retrospective. And we have a sound man who’s very good at capturing live recordings. We started that process of recording them back in 2006. It felt timely and we haven’t released a live record in a long time. Amy Ray: With how much we had recorded we worked at trying to take up where we had left off with (1995 live recording) 1200 Curfews. GS: It had been a long time between albums. AR: Yeah, we kind of said, why have we not put out on a proper live record that we wanted to put out? ES: We had a good bunch of tracks to choose from and now that we’re independent, we can do whatever we want whenever we want to (laughs).

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GS: That must feel good. ES: It’s awesome. GS: What does it mean to the Indigo Girls to be part of the line-up for the revived Lilith Fair? ES: It’s an honor. I always hoped that they would resurrect Lilith and people talked about it a lot. Then we started to hear rumors that it was coming back and we kept our fingers crossed hoping that we would be invited back. That first Lilith, those few years, they were highlights of our career. It was fantastic and fun singing and playing together. We’re excited about it and looking forward to it and honored to be invited. GS: In addition to the Lilith dates, Indigo Girls are doing some shows with Coyote Grace opening. How did that come to pass? ES: We work with this guy named Luke, who works with Honor The Earth, our indigenous environmental group. He gave us a CD of their music. AR: He said, “You might like this band.” ES: And we both loved it a lot. Amy got to know them and we invited them to open shows for us. Our crowd just loves them. They sell a ton of CDs. Joe’s got one of the most beautiful voices around. We became friendly and they opened for us and we continue to do dates together. AR: Every now and then there’s a demo or something that we hear and we really love it. It resonates in this way that it’s one of those things that we just know that we should ask them to sit in and see how it goes from there. That was one of those bands.

GS: This has been a big year for coming out in music – from Latin music heartthrob Ricky Martin to country superstar Chely Wright to Christian musician Jennifer Knapp. As out musicians, what do you think about that? ES: I think that it’s harder for somebody who’s as famous as Ricky Martin was to come out at the height of his fame. I think there’s a lot of fear. Some of it’s based in reality. I personally wish that people could come out more freely and sooner than they do. But I feel like it’s a sign of more open-mindedness. It’s safer, generally speaking, to come out now than it was 10 years ago. I think that people are just wanting to live their lives openly and out. Chely is a personal friend of mine. It’s very difficult to be out in the country world. That demographic can be brutal in terms of how conservative it can be. She just wanted to be true to herself as a person and her life. I fully respect that. AR: All three of those communities or genres of music are the hardest places to come out. It’s super brave. ES: I think it’s awesome. It’s a good sign that more artists are coming out. I mean, I laughed when Ricky came out. I was like, “Really? He’s gay?” (laughs). We had a good laugh about that. But it’s good for our movement, good for our rights, good for our straight friends and those straight people who don’t think they know any gay people. It just helps. I’m encouraged by it. I think we’ll see it more and more. AR: Even though I think younger people and people that are just coming up, the new generation, they don’t really care what you are, unless it’s a certain group of kids that are more conservative or fundamentalist or maybe driven more by a

Not to be confused with femme strippers, the Indigo-go Girls.

faith-based morality in a negative way. That still exists. I live in a rural area. But it seems to me, even with the kids that I know that are Christian and church is really important to them, a lot of them are really open, and that’s great. But I think the media and the old school and the gatekeepers are still so homophobic and imagebased that it’s still a risk for Rick Martin or Chely Wright to come out. But I think it’s brave. They see an opening, a glimmer of support out there for them, and it’s important for them to make a statement. They see that they can really effect change in their audience. It’s really amazing and uplifting. GS: Finally, Amy, have you started work on a new solo album? AR: Yeah, I’m writing and I have an arrangement practice session with Melissa (York) and Greg (Griffith) who produced my last record. We’re getting together in a couple of weeks for four days and we’re going to arrange four or five songs. And then we’re going to get together later and do the same thing (laughs). I’m going to try to record in the fall. And then Emily and I have a holiday record that will be out in late October or November. It’s called Holiday Happy Days. It’s a mish-mash of traditional and ecumenical and Jewish and solstice and everything songs (laughs). Then we’ll probably start working on a record of original material soon. Lots of stuff going on. To read the entire interview, head to www.outlookcolumbus.com.

more online

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If you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know your status get tested today.

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deep inside hollywood

by Romeo San Vicente Photo Credit: Universal Pictures ROSIE’S TV ALLIANCE WITH OPRAH Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. OK, maybe that’s not what Oprah Winfrey’s upstart cable network, OWN, has in mind by teaming with Rosie O’Donnell and picking up her new talk show for syndication. But it makes a lot of sense anyway. Back in the 1990s Rosie was Oprah’s main competition for daytime ratings, so if she wants to come back to TV after leaving The View why not form an alliance where Oprah still gets to be the queen bee? Word is that the new show is all about being uplifting and that the angry political Rosie people have come to know and love/hate might take a backseat to her former “Queen of Nice” reputation. Can she go back? Do we want her to? Can’t we have both at once, like the way you get with actual non-TV personality human beings? Find out when the show debuts in 2011.

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE TO PLAY GAY - AND BOOGER

TYLER PERRY HAS A TASTE FOR OLD SPICE GUY

LAW & ORDER’S PROP 8 SLATE

Does anyone have fond memories of the flop Lance Bass romantic-comedy On the Line? Does anyone even remember it? Well, if you do, you might also remember his fellow boy-band pal Justin Timberlake’s cameo as a “flamboyant” makeup artist. It was a mercifully brief appearance and goes down the very road you think it does. Well, now Timberlake has a chance to play another gay character (and hit other notes besides the most generic sassy ones) on The Cleveland Show. He’ll lend his voice to the animated series as the boyfriend of Jason Sudeikis’s (30 Rock) character Terry. In the same episode, Timberlake will also play a singing booger belonging to Cleveland’s stepson. As there is no precedent for the nasal mucus role, Romeo is sure that whatever approach the pop star takes will be just fine. The episode is scheduled for February 2011.

When Tyler Perry makes a decision that affects your life, sometimes he doesn’t even bother to tell you about it at first. That’s what just happened to Old Spice commercial overnight sensation Isaiah Mustafa (the man on the horse) when Perry cast him in a small role in his upcoming adaptation of the play For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow Is Enuf. The director then changed his mind and decided to upgrade Mustafa to the leading man role in his latest man-in-drag comedy Madea’s Big Happy Family. No word on what sort of leading man role this is, but based on past Perry films, it’s a safe bet that Mustafa will play the no-good, mean, cheating husband or the poor-but-honest Christian laborer who saves the beleaguered heroine from the nogood, mean, cheating husband. Perry, as Madea, will then hit someone with a frying pan. It’s going to be hilarious.

It’s been settled (ish) in real life; now it’s Prop. 8’s turn to get its day in court on episodic television. As you may or may not be aware, California’s Proposition 8 removed the rights of gay and lesbian citizens to marry, thanks to a ballot measure popular vote and a lot of Church of Latter Day Saints cash. Recently it was overturned, allowing Californians once again to live in the blissful state of marriage equality. And thanks to its history of ripping stories from the headlines, the latest Law & Order franchise, Law & Order: Los Angeles, will explore the issue in an early episode when the series debuts this fall. The big names in the regular cast are, so far, Skeet Ulrich, Alfred Molina, Terrence Howard and Regina Hall. Which one of their characters will be most personally affected by the plotline? Tune in this fall and listen for that “chunk-chunk” sound to find out.

JANE WIEDLIN, DANIELA SEA JOIN CASSEROLE CLUB

GOLDEN GIRLS GETS NEW LIFE … IN SPAIN REVEALED: THE 90210 ‘TEEN’ COMING OUT IS…

IT’S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA’S GAY MARRIAGE It was time for the funny, under-appreciated and politically incorrect sitcom It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia to attack the subject of marriage equality, so it’s going to chew on both sides of the issue in its upcoming season’s first two episodes. Rob McElhenney’s character, in love with a transgender woman named Carmen (played by Brittany Danke), finds out that she has not only finished her surgical transition but that she is also marrying another man. And because this is a sitcom about self-centered apolitical people, he goes ahead with a court battle about Carmen’s “gay” marriage out of sheer jealousy. Meanwhile, straight characters marry on a whim and chaos ensues. And McElhenney personally knows the score on marriage equality: his own lesbian mother and her partner helped raise him. See the comedic skewering of this culture war when the new season premieres in September on FX.

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Filmmaker Steve Balderson isn’t playing it traditional in casting his upcoming feature The Casserole Club. Instead, for his period 1960s suburban dramedy about “desolation, unspoken desires” and the hosting of elaborate dinner parties, he’s bringing together a group of actors that includes Jane Wiedlin of the Go-Go’s and former L Word co-star Daniela Sea. Wiedlin’s been exuberantly entertaining in a few films, like Clue and Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure but has usually chosen to focus more on being the rock star she is. Sea has been in several bands, but is known for playing male on L Word. Wouldn’t it be cool if they played a hetero couple here and Sea was the girly-girl and the pixie-ish, bisexual Wiedlin had five o’clock shadow? It would, but that’s probably not how it’s going to work out. In fact, there’s no word at all on who their characters are, but shooting is scheduled to begin this fall. All will become clear soon enough. The film’s website has some great cocktail and casserole recipes to distract you in the meantime.

Not long ago, the creative minds over at the new 90210, realizing that Degrassi: The Next Generation had already beaten them to the punch a few years ago with a gay teenager storyline (they’re already working with a transgender plot, that’s how much more progressive they are in Canada), decided it was time to lumber forward into the present and provide the kids at West Beverly a chance to forge new understandings about human sexuality. Enter Trevor Donovan’s character, Teddy Montgomery. And he’s already a part of the cast; we just weren’t made aware that he was checking out the guys instead of the girls. In the new season Teddy will go public with his orientation and fall for an equally impossibly handsome student played by Kyle Riabko (the young man who took over for Jonathan Groff in Spring Awakening on Broadway). Mutual shirtlessness is bound to ensue.

Look at your magazine, now back to me, now back to your magazine.

You Golden Girls superfans probably already knew this, but were the rest of you aware that other countries have already taken the “funny senior ladies living together” storyline and run with it? In the U.K. there was Brighton Belles; in Russia, Bolshie Devochki; and in Greece, Chrysa Koritsia. Well now it’s Spain’s turn to reinterpret the Girls with Chicas de oro (literally translated: Girls of Gold). What’s sure to interest some gay fans is the presence of longtime Pedro Almodovar muse Carmen Maura as one of the four friends. The others are Spanish stars Concha Velasco, Lola Herrara and Alicia Hermida. Now, unless you’ve got some kind of super-satellite TV system that broadcasts international channels directly into your home, you’ll have to wait until the DVDs hit the Spanish market to see this thing. And then need an all-region DVD player. But really, what devotion! Romeo San Vicente thinks Betty White should guest star on this new show, and he’s already setting up a Facebook page to lobby for it. He can be reached care of this publication or at DeepInsideHollywood@qsyndicate.com.

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Greg Giraldo has a nice view of that ballet dancer.

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bookmark

Profligate Romances: Frank Anthony Polito’s Drama Queers! by Mackenzie Worrall “Poor Mom… She thought Lady Z was really a lady. Or she pretended to. I doubt she would ever point out something as obvious as a man wearing a dress. That would be rude.” (Drama Queers! by Frank Anthony Polito, Kensington Books, 411 pages, $15 paperback) Previously, In the Lambda Award-winning Drama Queers!... Best friends Bradley Dayton and Jack Paterno have a falling out at the beginning of their senior year - because they both know Jack is gay! So is Brad, but he doesn’t mind. In fact, it’s his calm charisma that gets him nominated into Hazel Park High’s Top 25, class of ’88, and a fact that Jack does not take in stride. Along with preparing for an audition at Julliard, Brad has his eye on a budding drama queer: Cute Sophomore Guy (aka CSG, aka Richie Tyler). But is Richie really in love with Brad, or is he just acting? Frank Anthony Polito captures the spirit of the age of Dynasty in his high school romance. The storytelling has all the focus of a toddler attempting to file his tax return, but the jumps after each dramatic cliffhanger flesh out the teenage voice that’s recounting these misadventures. Each moment is dramatic while it’s happening, but two days later it’s all old news. By the time something actually traumatizing happens, the students of Hazel Park are too shocked to blow it out of proportion. It’s the under-reaction of the student body that marks their growth. Trivial fights that seemed important before are put to rest, and mundane moments are remembered more fondly. And in all that, we see a young man inducted into the world of gay bars (which is somehow less drama-filled than his high school). Instead of another high school coming-out novel, Polito presents a confi-

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dent novice gay trying to make sense of the world, instead of himself. I had a chance to talk to Frank Anthony Polito about the world of Drama Queers! and his first novel, Band Fags! Mackenzie Worrall: Your tale of two BFF’s seems like an odd couple story at times. Jack is the closeted high school gay boy, and Brad is (occasionally) out and proud. Writing from another character’s point of view allowed you to explore a different side of the story. Did you discover anything new about your characters by writing as someone who, in many ways, is the complete opposite of Jack Paterno? Frank Anthony Polito: For me, I’d enjoyed writing from Brad’s POV much more than Jack’s. When you write autobiographical fiction, there is the fear that anything my character (Jack) does, people will believe I did – whether it’s true or not. So in writing Brad, I was able to break free from any constraints, and allow his character to do and say things I/Jack would never. (Or if I would, no one would think it since I’m technically not Brad.) And it was so much fun to imagine what it would be like to be in a drag show - something I’ve never done before (nor has my real-life best friend, to my knowledge!). MW: Are you Team Bradley or Team Jack? FP: Interestingly enough, I’m totally Team Bradley, as are most of my readers. I think what makes him so lovable is his mantra: “To thine ownself be true.” Even when he strays from it, there is the sense that he’ll come around. Readers really identified with Brad’s strength as a young, gay protagonist, and a positive role model. The character of Jack may be more “realistic” (especially for anyone growing up in the ’80s), but “realism” isn’t always fun to read! MW: Word on the street is that your first novel (Band Fags!) is based on a play that was origi-

nally produced here in Columbus. Did we catapult you to fame? FP: Columbus has been very good to me. Sadly, I don’t know how well received Band Fags! the short play was when produced at Stoney Shorts in 2007. I’m told that people enjoyed it. I hope the success of the novel will provide an opportunity for the full-length version of the play to be seen in Columbus, and give me a chance to finally come and visit. MW: When Brad goes to New York to audition for Julliard, he panics about being gay and in theater - that he wouldn’t ‘make it’ in the 80’s. While many people see gays and theater to be synonymous now, do you (as a theater professional) see any vestiges of this attitude floating around? FP: Unfortunately, I still think there’s “you can’t be gay and famous” attitude floating around. Not so much in the Theatre, but among actors who aspire to “greater” things - like film and TV. I know a few Carnegie Mellon actors (where I got my MFA in Dramatic Writing) who were gay in school, but no longer are. Thankfully, we have Cheyenne Jackson and Neil-Patrick Harris and Jonathan Groff, who are proving people wrong. MW: Why do you think so many LGBT high school students are attracted to both band and theater programs? FP: I think, for starters, because so many LGBT youths are “creative-types” just by nature. And for kids who aren’t into athletics (like me), being in band and drama is the equivalent of playing on a sports team. They are both “ensemble” groups where you learn “team-work,” and you get to have FUN! Who wants to sit in yet another math class, when you can be making music or acting? I also think the non-gay kids in band and drama are, by nature, more “understanding” and don’t mind being around the LGBT kids.

I’m currently producing the first set of Team Brad/Team Jack T-shirts and Product.

MW: “To thine ownself be true” appears throughout the novel. I think it’s some of the best advice you can give to a high school student struggling to find who they are. Did you hear this often as a kid? FP: I did, though not in this context. (I don’t recall ever reading Hamlet until college.) I do remember one teacher, who I base the teacher-character of Ms. Lemieux in Band Fags! on, telling me that I shouldn’t worry about being “different.” One day, I would grow up and “all this” wouldn’t matter anymore. She, herself, was a creative-type, and a lot of the other teachers didn’t seem to care for her. Though not gay, I think she could totally relate to my plight! MW: Plugs, Book Recommendations and Fashion Advice? FP: Plugs: I just finished writing my first YA novel, tentatively titled Lost in the ’90s. The plan is for it to be on shelves in April 2012, which is when the story is set, in-part. The rest is set in 1994. Book recommendations: I just picked up a copy of my gym-buddy, Nick Burd’s A Vast Field of Ordinary which came out last year to critical acclaim. I look forward to starting it soon. Fashion advice: I’m the worst dresser! Only because I hate to shop (and have no $!) Give me a comfy pair of jeans and a navy blue T-shirt from H/M and I’m all set. Frank Anthony Polito is a Brooklyn-based actor and playwright. He can be seen in the films One Angry Man, One True Thing and Hitch. On stage he has worked off-Broadway, and regionally in Washington, D.C., Hartford, CT, and Rochester, MI. Frank’s first play, JOHN R is the basis for his debut novel, BAND FAGS! His play Another Day on Willow St. premiered at the New York International Fringe Festival in 2007 where it was named “Outstanding New Play” by Talkin’ Broadway. Other plays have appeared at Bailiwick Repertory Theatre in Chicago, Mill Mountain Theatre in Roanoke, VA, and at The Dayton Playhouse in Dayton, OH.

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I wonder if that awesome camo jacket is from Dissident apparel.

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Condom Couture: Return of the Rubber by Marcus Morris It’s that time of year again. No, not the influx of ‘straight’ guys in OSU t-shirts ending up at Axis, but the return of the wildly successful Condom Couture fashion show on Thursday October 7th. The lovely folks at Planned Parenthood of Central Ohio organize this awesome event, and I am looking forward to seeing some ‘rubber’ wear. In 2008, a study was released stating that one in four teenage girls have a sexually transmitted infection (STI). This disturbing statistic motivated Planned Parenthood of Central Ohio Board President Lonni Thompson to figure out a way to share this information to the masses. Thus, in 2008, the PPCO Condom Couture Fashion Show was born. After the previous two years of wonderful talent, and a fab event, the excitement about this show is quite major. The students at CCAD usually receive an email at the beginning of the semester about the event. If they choose to participate, they must begin the exciting process of creating a garment out of hundreds of latex condoms. Many of the garments are quite chic and the condoms look like rusched fabric instead of ‘johnson jackets.’ The show is a chance for many of the fashion students to present a finished garment to the public for the first time, and gives the students an opportunity to be part of a runway presentation. The first place winner of the show wins $1000 cash, with second and third place each winning $500. Last year, we saw clothes made from a plethora of colors, and accented with silk and tulle. I saw ballerina inspired cocktail dresses, cute separates, and a brightly colored men’s suit that you could see from a mile away. Each contestant managed to not only make a dress or outfit, but also tried to include their personal voice, which was evident in the variety of looks. Many of the designers used the ring at the base of the condom as a design element, and the ring created beautiful patterning in the dresses, and a great texture. Another thing I loved was the open condom, which when not filled with a penis, sort of looked like a feather. When you use several hundred of those together, it looks like a fetishized version of Yves Saint Laurent. A panel in the vein of Project Runway judges the clothes. In fact, Kelli Martin, a

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former contestant of Project Runway, and Columbus resident will be a judge. Her shop, Black Market, which used to be a few doors down from Jack and Benny’s at High and Hudson, was a destination for well-curated vintage. Other judges include Don’te Young, one of the cofounders of Columbus Fashion Week, and Nathalia Hudina, fashion editor of 614 Magazine. Hopefully one of the judges will get Heidi Klum-like and talk like Minnie Mouse. Was Minnie Mouse German? Thursday October 7, 2010 is the night of the exclusive show at BoMA. When I say exclusive, I mean it! These fucking tickets go fast! For those hoping to attend, the event has options for viewing the show at many levels. At $45, you can purchase a standing room ticket, and enjoy the cash bar and snacks from the balcony level. A Silver ticket ($125) gets you entry to the open bar and hors d’ oeuvres, and seating in the first floor bar area. The Gold ticket ($350) and Platinum ticket ($500) are pretty swank with an invite to the patron reception, a reservation at the fashion show, and listing in the event invite and program. With the Platinum option, you receive table service for your drinks and hors d’ oeuvres, and premiere seating around the runway. Also, the Platinum ticket gets you VIP parking. This option is very Anna Wintour. There is a message to this shindig, which is ‘prevention.’ It’s so easy to prevent STIs. Obviously, safe sex practices are the best method. Use a condom. It’s pretty simple. Besides, condoms also help prevent babies, which is something I’d like to not get infected with. I’d wear 5 condoms if it meant never having to be woken up to the sound of a crying kid. Lucky for me, two boys do not make a baby, and I am sure my husband does not have a uterus. He had better not have a uterus. Get your tickets through the PPCO Condom Couture website: www.condom-couture.com. You will be helping Planned Parenthood help our community fight the good fight. Plus, it will be fun! The host of the event is Andrea Cambern, who we all adore. Also, the lady herself, Miz Nina West will be werqin’ it for the show. Definitely a plus! Don’t be jealous of her boogie. Condom Couture will be held Thursday October 7 starting at 6p. at BoMA, 583 E Broad Street. Check out www.condom-couture.com and www.barofmodernart.com for more details and to purchase tickets.

Remember latex condoms provide protection during sex, condom clothes provide protection during a Gallagher show.

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Horses that are put down are often said to have been sent to the "glue factory".

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Fall 2010 Wants You to

Put Up Your Dukes! by Ryan Harris Yes, Dukes! The Fall 2010 Trends have brought back the Bo and Luke Duke shirt as one of this seasons must haves among a collogue of fifties, sixties, and seventies inspired looks. There is no way I can even begin to cover them all, so allow me to highlight some of my favorites for this upcoming Fall season. Guys, when it comes to the seventies influence, the fitted plaid shirt is absolutely going to be the most versatile piece in your wardrobe. Under a blazer or over a tee, paired up with your favorite old jeans or khakis, the brown leather lace up loafer or my favorite, the Chukka boot, this staple piece can go anywhere, anytime, so you better make sure you have more than one. For the ladies, I’m loving high waists, wide legs and soft silk blouses. Flowing dresses in fun floral prints and metallics are definitely a way to dress it up for a seventies look. Largely thanks to Mad Men, the fifties and sixties are also steaming hot. So hot that the ladies are dropping their skirts - to the knee that is. With this era of fashion comes an infatuation with the hourglass figure, so with that you will find lower hem lines, higher waisted belting, cropped jackets and fitted sweaters. Tight pencil skirts, sheath, and poufstyle dresses are also a total trend. The sixties Mod look is also walking the runways this fall, so go ahead, raise that hem line back up and grab that tunic and your tights!! Loving this look for the ladies all day long. The Rat Pack inspired suiting is holding strong yet into another season. The slim fitting black, navy and gray suit along side the skinny tie and tie bar on a crisp white fitted shirt and polishing it off with a pocket square, naturally, is the demanding trend by far. And Hello Mr. Herringbone, you are looking lovely these days! Muted tone wool and tweed two and three

button suits are also taking a stand. Just check out any designer’s collection and you’ll see what I mean. But what about all of the heavily influenced military wears that have been so demanding over the past several seasons? Don’t worry; they are still on the list, just a little subtler this time around with a smidge of transition. The 1950 Bomber Jacket is going both ways this season, so ladies and gentlemen, get your own! This look is over the top hot, so grab your Aviator glasses and be seen, already. But the Military influence isn’t totally up in the air. It does remain an identifiable trend in most collections, leaning more towards sedulity by the use of color and fabric. Let’s just say more about influence rather than imitation…and yes, the answer is still no to camouflage…yes, I said no. With that let’s talk color. The palette for fall is earthly soft with a few punches of bright, exotic shades. Nature tones such as moss, sand, flax, honey and rose will rule at first, with deep plum, all shades of gray and mocha jumping into the mix taking us into the colder months. From deep to bright shades of yellow, blue, teal and reds will also be tagging along. And (I think this goes without saying) black, of course. Textures and prints are the leader of fall fashion in 2010. Wool, Cotton, Tweed, Herringbone and Flannel create the base, while rich leathers, velvet, and faux fur create the look. And what can be sexier than leather, velvet and faux fur? Nothing this season really. The prints (for me anyway) are like the voice of the look. A solid is shy, but a metallic floral or animal print is screaming out to us all this season. Mixing gingham with wool or flannel says something completely different than if it were a solid. Or a fun silk blouse with high-waisted, wide-legged, tweed trousers and a faux fur wrap for the ladies. So this season don’t hesitate to play a bit with your textures and prints. When you are playing the “which fall

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coat is in?” game this autumn, you can pick behind door number one, two or three and not be disappointed with any of them. First, the classic trench is without a doubt the coat of eternity. It is looked upon as classy, any way you wear it. Second is the long camel coat. A heavier option to the trench, this coat can go royal to casual and will not only keep you warm but also give you that finished look you are always striving for. And finally the third, as expected, the leather coat or jacket. Leather can take the shape of a bomber jacket, as mentioned above, to a trench, sports coat or even a preppy “Members Only” look. Hey, if it’s leather, it’s wearable this season. Just promise me to think outside the box when adding it to your wardrobe! The world of accessories is certainly not letting me down either this fall. Leather bags are still the only bag to carry, and guys, suspenders, bow ties, tie bars, cuff links, pocket squares and - are you ready for this? Broaches! I’m seeing this more and more, and it is exciting. Clearly I’m not talking about your grandmothers broach (which is totally a hot trend for you ladies, vintage and understated while making a statement all at the same time). Also don’t be afraid to pile on the rings either. Layering rings, bracelets and necklaces are a hot and heavy trend this fall as well. Aviator, Jackie O, and oversized seventies inspired tinted shades also make the list as a perfect compliment to any look this season. Oh my…I am getting way too anxious for Autumn to arrive! Fall is the most exciting time in fashion in my opinion, and like I said, there is no way I can cover it all. So let’s mix and match, layer it up, break out some vintage and simply look fabulous Columbus!! Make Everyday a Runway! Ryan Harris is a fashion consultant/stylist for Wardrobe Therapy LLC and the owner of RH Model Mentor. Contact him at rhmodelmentor@yahoo.com, or for more style info log onto www.wardrobetherapyllc.com.

Man + Purse = Murse. Bro + Broach = Brooch?

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High Street didn’t ‘become’ gay, it was gay all along.

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food drama

Food is dramatic - Life is delicious. Episode 231: Foxy Brown Ain’t Got Nothing on My Belle by Long Feng Wei During a summer stint working at Haiku, I had made friends with some Gaysians who came in frequently for dinner. What had started as a casual waiter-patron relationship developed into something much more. We weren’t an Asian street gang, but we were close to it. There was me, Long Feng Wei, a professional kick-boxer, Mao Tse Fun, a cruise ship director, and Alistair Filibuster-Wong, a financial planner and professional organ harvester. It had been several weeks since me and my “crew” of Gaysians had been out on the town for drinks and dinner, and so we had decided to set aside a Thursday night to engage in the usual bit of epic tom-foolery. We had deliberated for hours about where to go, but we found our decision made for us when Long Feng Wei’s mother, Loreta, called and uttered the following; “You go Ar-rington Café, huh? L word girls go there last week. I see see side-lip kissy-kissy’s watch famous resbians from Terevision. Girl fight happen - I bet girl fight happen again!” After several minutes, I deciphered that this meant that the girls from The L Word were at The Arlington Café last week, and their sheer Vaginic energy still lingered in the air, which of course meant violence was certain to occur. Never one to miss an opportunity to see a girl fight, faster than you could say “ming-na-win, chow-pao-tao”, me and my gaysians hopped in our rickshaws, and made our way to le Café.

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“No thanks, girl” I said looking at my menu, “I have Quesadilla on the brain, and I won’t rest until I see a girl fight and eat some meat and cheese-filled tortilla!” As though on cue, our waiter arrived and took our order, which was large and varied. Eggrolls, quesadillas, surf and turf, chicken cordon bleu, and a large grilled portabella mushroom. Just as we finished ordering, the relative calm of the VIP area was disrupted. “What we got over in dis hizzy! Whats with all the Asians in this piece? Looks like yellow fever, bitches!” said the cause of the disruption loudly. The disruption was female. She was dressed in a hot-pink mini skirt which did little to hide the fact she was obviously going ‘commando’, and was carrying a purse that looked like it had been a cigar box as recently as yesterday. Her lips had a Maria Garrison-esque quality to them, and her long, stringy blond hair was pulled back in wide piece of fabric that touched the top of her very large forehead. As though by magic, the ubiquitous Kasra appeared. “Ma’am, this area is for VIP’s only,“ said Kasra, kindly but firmly.

The Arlington Café was nestled in the larger Arlington Complex, a combination dance club, restaurant, sports bar and banquet facility. When we arrived, the charming bar manager Kasra conducted us through the large crowd, and took us directly to the VIP section, bringing us two bottles of Grey Goose and assorted mixers, and ceremoniously placing menus in our hands. “Dis place fancy, huh?” said Long Feng as he perused the menu, stroking his long and luxurious Fu Manchu beard.

“You wan cocktail?” Asked Mao as he pulled a chopstick out of his topknot, and used it to stir the vodka he’d just poured himself.

“But I am VIP, bitch!” screamed the disruption, as she reached into her purse. Kasra winced for a moment, obviously concerned that the woman might have a gun. She did not. “I got green!” she said, as she pulled a large wad of cash out of her purse, and threw it into the air screaming “I’m makin’ it rain, I’m makin’ it rain!” Kasra, chivalrous as ever, bent over and began to pick up the money the disruption had thrown into the air. As he picked up the money, he looked con-

fused. He held one of the bills up in the subdued lighting and frowned. “Ma’am, with all due respect, The Arlington Complex only accepts American currency - these are moldy and say ‘Confederate States of America’. Do you have anything else with which you might pay? Something preferably not from a defunct state, or over 50 years old?”

“This cordon bleu so good, I could commit seppeku and be happy!” said Mao Tse Fun as he used his chopsticks to tear open the chicken breast, revealing cheese and a large piece of what looked to be very good quality ham.

The disruption looked at Kasra as though he’d just eaten a baby. “We gonna have trouble?” she said menacingly, reaching into her purse again. Before she could dig much deeper into her cigarbox bag, Kasra spoke.

Just as I bit into the large and juicy portabella, there was a loud noise from the front of the bar. Glancing around the corner, I saw the familiar sight of a pink mini skirt. The disruption had returned, but this time with a bullhorn in one hand, and a large group of very angry looking men in Civil War era military uniforms. They had rifles, bayonets, and something that looked like a t-shirt cannon mounted on wheels.

“Ma’am, I’m going to have to ask you to leave.” Kasra motioned to the bouncers at the door, who walked over, picked her up, and carried her toward the door. The disruption did not go quietly, but go she did.

“Civil War re-enactment participants” said the disruption into the bullhorn. “Today, this establishment refused the true currency of the Republic. Let’s show these bitches that the south will rise again! Charge!”

“I’ll be back bitches, and imma gonna get into that VIP!”

It was a hurly-burly of hands and feet, as the Civil War re-enactment people engaged anyone and everyone they could. Alistair punched a man dressed like General Lee in the mouth.

With the disruption gone, and order restored to the Café, our food arrived. I took the quesadillas, which were filled with steak, peppers, and gooey cheese. The tortilla was perfectly browned and each bite filled my mouth with hot, savory goodness. Long Feng took the surf and turf, which was made up of large, perfectly cooked steak medallions and huge shrimp covered in a buttery sauce. This was nestled on a bed of garlic-mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus spears. Long Feng’s chopsticks worked quickly as he shoveled bite after bite into his tiny mouth, barely stopping to breathe. Alistair winced as he bit into his large, plump pork eggrolls, burning his mouth slightly, but not stopping for an instant. “Dis dericious,” said the Hong Kong fuey master, as he juggled the eggrolls and snatched them from out of the air with his mouth.

In the middle of all of this, the disruption walked into the VIP section. “Harvey Wallbanger, please” she said to the confused Kasra. She handed him a toaster-sized Chinese stone coin with a hole in the middle. The man paused for a moment, and then shrugging dejectedly, Kasra accepted the coin, and motioned to a bartender. The disruption, for the first time, smiled. Looking at her, I had only one thing on my mind. I wanted to be with that moxy-filled nutjob. And that’s how I met my wife.

The Confederate States of America issued a total of seven issues of currency during its existence dating 1861 - 1864.

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COMMUNITY RESOURCES SPONSORED BY MALCOLM RIGGLE & CMR INC.

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Somewhere among the 40 services listed above you should be able to find help with just about anything.

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Would you like the blue or red pill Neo?

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Homo in the Heartland by Chad Frye If I’m being honest, Wisconsin wasn’t always at the top of my list of fun places to travel. I mean, Chad Frye loves beer, cheese, cows, and snow. I also enjoy accents I perceive as funny, and people who dress in green and yellow on Sundays, and wear dairy productshaped foam hats. All of those things are charming, but you see, this is the problem; people who’ve never visited Wisconsin never learn that Wisconsin is so much more than dairy and football. It’s diverse, beautiful, historical, and chock-full of art and artists. It’s also so extremely authentic. More on that in a moment, but know that I might never have known these things myself, were it not for the nagging of a certain theatre professor in the tiny town of Platteville, Wisconsin. Let me spin you a yarn. For years, Dr. Ann Farrelly of the University of Wisconsin Platteville has been trying to get me to come see the Heartland Theatre Festival (www.theheartlandfestival.com), and for years I’ve been saying no. It’s not because I’ve not been interested, but rather because it’s been hard to find the time - I’m very important, you know. Dr. Farrelly’s ability to stay on message however, greatly outweighed my sense of self-importance, and so, as if by magic, I found myself driving through the rolling green hills of Wisconsin, on my way to see the Heartland. The Heartland is a 10-year-old festival of theatre and art that is operated by the University of Wisconsin Platteville. It gives members of the community, University, and auditioned summerstock actors an opportunity to hone their theatrical skills, and perform to a live, and very large audience - the community support for this festival was never more apparent to me than when the grandmother of one of the lead actors arrived, bringing two packed buses of her friends. As for the quality of the actual productions, let it be known that though I have seen my fair share of summerstock theatre, this tiny little festival in Wisconsin touched me more than some of the stuff I’ve seen in places like Stratford and Berkshire. I saw an incredible “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”, which Dr. Farrelly was proud to inform me, she directed. I was so impressed by this festival, I’ve already booked my trip for next year. But man cannot live on theatre (no matter how good) alone. Since I was in the area for the Heartland, I decided a trip to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin and nearby Mineral Point was called for. Mineral Point (www.mineralpoint.com) is a tiny mining town, which got its name from the large lead deposits that brought the town

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One of these cheeses is made of with truffles. Chad is known for his truffle shuffle.

much financial success before the Civil War. Once the lead dried up, the town found itself shopping for an identity, and found it in the artists community of Shake Rag Alley (www.shakeragalley.com), which later became a charming and beautiful cultural arts center, that draws an abundance of craftsmen - people working in glass, iron, and ceramics, turning out some of the most beautiful and unique crafts I’ve ever seen. During the summer, the streets of this charming town are packed with beautiful, historic pre-Civil War homes, independent shops and art galleries. The real gem in the crown of Mineral Point however, is The Mineral Point Opera House (www.mpoh.com), a 700-seat vaudeville beauty that has just recently undergone a two million dollar renovation. The theatre serves as a multi-use space for the community, playing host to theatrical performances, and an independent film series that boasts several world premiers. If you’re in Mineral Point, a trip to the state Historic Site of Pendarvis (pendarvis.wisconsinhistory.org) gives you the opportunity to learn more about the town’s mining past. And nearby to Mineral Point is Frank Lloyd Wrights farm and what is basically the world headquarters for Wright-heads, Taliesin (www.taliesinpreservation.org). This sprawling estate served as Wright’s home for many years, and was truly the test kitchen in which the great man tested his revolutionary ideas that changed architecture, as we know it. Wright was born nearby, and chose the Taliesin spot to build his home because the property was home to his favorite hill growing up. It was on this hill he built the main residence, and myriad outbuildings including a studio, a theatre, and all manner of educational facilities. It was incredible to see the evolution of the man’s work in a real, structural way, and I highly recommend this site to anyone who has even a passing interest in architecture. I do a fair amount of traveling, and while I love the bright showiness of the big cities I go to, there is something so real, charming, and authentically American about the part of Wisconsin where I spent the majority of my time. And the cheese - I didn’t even mention the cheese! I had a piece of cheddar from The Brewery Creek in Mineral Point (www.brewerycreek.com) that may have changed my life - that’s all I’ll say about it right now, for fear of crying. Wisconsin may be full of cheese (thank God), but there’s nothing cheesy about it. Though for the record, that line was cheesy. These guys will let me write anything. For more information on these, and other places in the great state of Wisconsin, visit www.travelwisconsin.com

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Does anyone know this Paul guy ?

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by Dan Savage

relax, experiment, and enjoy.

I lost my virginity last night.

And no more death grip - period. When you masturbate, use your nondominant hand, a lighter grip, and perhaps a Fleshlight.

ing some kick-ass, boundary-pushing sex. Enjoy.

I’m a 28-year-old straight guy. I’m also five feet six and 124 pounds. I know, I know - I’m hardly microscopic. But I always feel like I’m a lost kid when I’m I’m herpes-free, but I found out today at a bar or club, with people my age or that my roommate has contracted it. younger towering over me. So that, He has a sore but won’t see a doctor right away, is a confidence killer when about it because he says he’s embar- trying to meet women. But here’s the rassed. We share the same bathroom, real kicker: I like tall women. In fact, I so I knew I would have to be diligent prefer somewhat butch women - Hilary about that. But now I am freaking out: Swank in Boys Don’t Cry, Geena Davis I am left this morning with more confu- Not long after he shared this informa- in A League of Their Own - and this sion and trepidation about my relation- tion, my 7-month-old puppy runs into leads to the ancillary problem that ship with my new girlfriend than I had his room and proceeds to cover my many of the women I’m attracted to going in. I suppose this is normal, but I roommate’s face in kisses. I’ve called are lesbians and thus are not interdon’t see last night as some victory or the vet and my medical provider, and ested in me. But even the tall, butchy a “bonding moment,” and I am afraid while they both agree that my pup can- straight/bi girls tend to go for guys who that is a bad sign. I also find myself not contract the STD, they cannot rule are taller than them. Most women I talk being extra critical of my partner’s out the pup passing the infection on to to about why they fall for tall guys have performance, which, as a virgin, I am me. Please advise. I would like to know a common theme: They are looking for not in a good position to judge. She has how to best handle this situation. someone who makes them feel secure. never been a particularly good kisser and her blowjob technique was less Scared To Death That’s what I want! Is it so damn wrong than spectacular. Although it was a to want a woman to be protective of pleasant experience, I feel like it Wouldn’t it be great if being paranoid ME? I want to be held by a strong pair lacked passion or a spark, which is about contracting herpes was the only of lady arms! No, I’m not into superprobably just normal for a first time, way to contract herpes? muscle women, nor am I into hardcore but I am concerned. dom/sub stuff. Why is my vanilla kink Look, STD, lots of people self-diagnose such an obstacle? What am I to do? I feel like an asshole for even having themselves with herpes when all they these thoughts. Is there something have is an innocuous little cut or sore Below Their League wrong with me and/or am I an asshole? near their mouth or genitals. People who are too embarrassed/ridiculous to go see Most women prefer taller men - not tall One Potential Asshole their doctors are highly likely to arrive at men, just men who are taller than they a herpes misdiagnosis. So calm the fuck are. It’s a sad, unavoidable fact, BTL, P.S. I have attached some photos in down. one you’ll have to accept (just as I had to hopes that you will respond. accept that most men prefer women), Even if your roommate does have herpes, and you’ll have to search longer and There could be something wrong with STD, you’re not going to get it from shar- harder for the lady/lady arms of your you, OPA, and you could be an asshole. I ing a toilet - unless you and the roomdreams. Not much else you can do about can’t rule either possibility out after mate have invented a novel new way of it. quickly reading one e-mail and thortaking a dump. And you’re not going to oughly examining three nude photoget it from your damn dog. For his own I’ve got some space to kill, so here are a graphs. sake, your roommate shouldn’t allow few Savage Love programming notes: My your dog to lick his open sores (who does recently announced celebrity crush - SteIt’s possible that your girlfriend is a bad he think he is? Job?), herpes-related or fon on SNL as portrayed by Bill Hader - is kisser/blower. Just because you’re a vir- not, and if you’re really freaking out no longer operative. My new celebrity gin - or were a virgin - doesn’t mean about your promiscuously affectionate crush is Branden Hayward, the actor who you’re going to automatically click with new dog, well, you can make up your plays the cute-but-dim young husband the first woman who volunteered to put mind to refrain from kissing any animal in those Rhapsody commercials. Sigh. your dick in her mouth. It’s possible that, that drinks out of toilets, licks its own however much you like this girl, you’re ass, and laps up vomit. Ever wanted to be a porn star for a weekjust not sexually and/or chemically comend but not for the rest of your life? Ever patible. But sex is a skill that takes time I have a new girlfriend. She likes me to wanted to win large cash prizes? Go to and practice to acquire. It may take a lit- eat her cream pie after we have sex. thestranger.com/hump to learn more tle time and some experimentation for She does get off again and squirts about HUMP!, my annual amateur porn you to discover what works for you. most of the time when I do it. No one festival that’s now in its sixth year. Hardhas ever asked me to do this before core, softcore, erotica, animation, robots, And if you give her some time, you may her. Is she crazy? Or am I for doing it? zombies, virgins, cream pies, lady arms find that she works for you. everyone and everything is welcome at Not A Cream Pie Lover Yet HUMP! The deadline for entry is October If she didn’t know you were a virgin, OPA, 15. Go to the website for contest details, tell her. And tell her that it wasn’t nerves Why does someone have to be crazy? A release forms, and dates. that prevented you from getting off, but cream pie isn’t my preferred post-orthe unfamiliarity of the sensations you gasm snack - I much prefer a Creamsi- And finally: Khia’s new album? My goodwere experiencing and, perhaps, a mas- cle - but if it turns your girlfriend on and ness. turbatory style that desensitized your gets her off, and if doing this for her dick. Tell her it might take you a little doesn’t leave you curled up on the bath- Find the Savage Lovecast (my weekly podcast) every Tuesday at thestranger.com/savage. while to get there, but with her help and room floor in the fetal position, then mail@savagelove.net patience - and mouth and pussy - you’re you’re not crazy and neither is she. She’s sure you can get there. And then try to kinky, you’re GGG, and you’re both enjoyI’m a straight male in my early 30s, so it was about time. It wasn’t awkward, and we had a good time. However, I didn’t climax during sex, which is a result of years of death-grip masturbation. (Thanks for the warning, Dan, I’m sorry I didn’t heed it.) She took it personally but seemed satisfied when I said it was only nerves.

outlookcolumbus.com

Someone get that dog a Greenie! He’s got the worst breath.

sep 2010

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by Jack Fertig

n a i r B by Chris Hayes Repurposing comes natural to this month’s local celebrity since he’s been repurposing himself for years. Newport, MI native Brian Reaume made his way to Columbus ten years ago when he decided to move in with his brother in Cow Town rather than an apartment in NYC. Shocking even to himself, he liked our town so much he stayed. Thank goodness!

You should also get over to Mindless Matter where Brian now works with Nancy in her shop peddling his repurposed wares. You know the shop. It’s the cool knick-knack furniture store in the Greystone Apartment Building in the Short North. And what makes it even cooler is that we’re just down the hall! It’s like going to Disney!

When he’s not sourcing or painting, Meow Meow (a nickname) Brian’s a man about town(s), so I’d loves to hang out with friends, take be surprised if you don’t know him, catnaps at his Lustron house in or of him, already. I first met Brian Kenmore Park and spends time when we were bartenders together with the family he’s created here. at Bretz in Toledo (ahhh, the good Like an episode of Queer as Folk, old days), so maybe some of you Brian helped his lesbian couple Mud Hens know him from there. friends Shawna and Tracy have a Townies will recognize our celeb as son. They are all parents of beautihe’s most likely served you one ful Thadeus. Let’s hope they never time or another through his move to Canada. tenures at Torso, The Eagle, Havana, Piece of Cake or the alley off I don’t think we have to worry of Pearl (j/k). about that, as our celeb loves this town. Brian says that one of the Today this sexpot is best known for best things about our capital city his painting and repurposing. His is that Cbus affords working company, Birchwater Studios reartists the opportunity to show sides over in Junctionview, and their work, get good feedback and produces large works of art, mind constructive criticisms, and even provoking installations and repur- sell some pieces. That being said, posed furniture and textiles. he wants more people to realize Brian’s first show was at the old how affordable art is here. “In this Union Station in 2005. The abtown you can get original works of stract works he showed there art for what you would spend for eventually became more solid fig- reprints at Target,” (which, aren’t ures and his birch tree paintings we supposed to boycotting them were all the rage. Since then he’s anyway?). shown his work in town and beyond at such places as Lemon So after you buy some of his art Grass, Hotel Salon Lily, Junctionand his furniture, go on and buy view, C Pop Gallery (Detroit), L’Ate- our celeb a drink - make it a shot lier Gallery (NYC), Short North of Wild Turkey or Old Granddad. In Tattoo, U Café, Mod Mōd, and Mar- return he’ll tell you how he’s going cia Evans Gallery. He’s returned to to use his newfound celeb status Marcia Evans this month with a to buy the Middle East and repurthrowback to his abstracts in a pose it… or refurbish it. Either show that he says is about “recov- way, at this point it can’t hurt, ering from darkness while mainright? taining ones self.” The pieces are can view Brian’s current work at Marcia purposefully more muted than pre- You Evans Gallery, 8 E Lincoln St, T-Sat 11a-5p vious works and focus on moveand by appointment. Mr Reaume can be ment. We suggest you move your reached at birchwaterstudios.com. Mindless Matter is at 815 N High St. butt over and see them.

sept 2010

“Just be yourself, Virgo!”

but something at the heart of your argument is wrong. Invite Venus and Mars dancing criticism. Open discussion and through Libra while opposing testing your premises can help Eris boost competition and con- you figure out where the flaw is. flict. Mercury retrograding past the Sun in Virgo brings egotisti- PISCES (February 19 – March cal miscalculations into the 19): Money and sex are the two picture. Go slow, easy and biggest issues for couples to careful. Be the tortoise, not the deal with, but first get ego and hare! miscommunications out of the way. Humility and admitting VIRGO (August 23 – September mistakes is necessary on both 22): Let others plan your birth- sides, but you can only do for day party. You’re having too yourself. much trouble managing details and they’ll fall all over each ARIES (March 20 – April 19): other trying to make your bash Strive for your best without everything you deserve. Trying comparing yourself to colto look sexy is sure to backfire. leagues. Can you be the best at Just be yourself and they’ll teamwork? Even efforts to cocome running. operate will highlight your ego, but as long as you’re your own LIBRA (September 23 – October sharpest critic, that can be 22): Worries about your relagood for you. tionship are at least exaggerated and likely unfounded. Go TAURUS (April 20 – May 20): Too over them carefully, preferably often you feel your best isn’t with your partner, strip away good enough. Your efforts are the needless fears, and get a appreciated. Why do you shortclearer vision of real problems change yourself? Playfully exyou can work on. aggerating those feelings – and whatever comes up with them – SCORPIO (October 23 – Novem- can help you get clarity. ber 21): Friends are too eager to help, but listen politely, if GEMINI (May 21- June 20): “The briefly. There might be some family that plays together slays good suggestions in all that each other?” That’s not how it meshugas. Competing with col- goes, but maybe you should leagues can drive you crazy. find your fun outside for now. Focus on doing your best. You’ll Either way, remember that accomplish more. standing in your community is based more on cooperation SAGITTARIUS (November 22 – than being “the best” at anyDecember 20): Your long-range thing. plans are not looking good. Normally you would roll with that CANCER (June 21- July 22): Slips and adapt. Now it looks more of the tongue reveal what you serious. That’s just worry, but really think about your roots yes, some revisions need to be and your current job and tramade. Analyze problems now; jectory. Pick your company solve them next month. carefully, being sure to have a confidante you can trust. Also, CAPRICORN (December 21 – use these accidental insights to January 19): Work is looking revise your plans. good if you can only keep your mouth out of the way. Absorb LEO (July 23 – August 22): Be information and others’ pervery careful of your facts and spectives now. Take time to fig- figures. You’re likely to exagure that out before responding. gerate the humiliation of being Even if by negative examples, caught in a mistake, but the fiyour family offers excellent les- nancial costs of errors can be sons for building your future. much more real than the cost to your ego. AQUARIUS (January 20 – February 18): You may be able to convince everyone you’re right, Jack Fertig, a professional astrologer since 1977 teaches at the International Academy of Astrology www.astrocollege.com. He can be reached for personal or business consultations at www.starjack.com,

Besides the art on the wall behind him, BJR also has a bunch of art on his body. Check out the outlook archives for pics of Brians tattoos. Or just ask hin to see them.

outlookcolumbus.com

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outlookcolumbus.com

I know quite a few drag queens that would want those high heels.

sep 2010

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