2011-06-01 outlook columbus by Outlook Media, Inc

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outlook june 2011 • vol 16 issue 1

inside: Urban Acupuncture Burt Logan Edward Albee owen keehnen trippin’ out to vegas Ride the Fairy Wheel 30 years of pride history Pride holiday 2011 guide Malcolm Riggle & Local celebrity Scott

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june 2011

The Continental Baths was arguably the most successful bathhouse in America, with 2000 lockers, 400 private rooms, and a waiting list nearly 24 hours a day.

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june 2011

Katharine Lee Bates, best known for writing the lyrics to the song America the Beautiful, was a lesbian!

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Sweatin’ at Skully’s Friday night. Other events have changed date and/or location like the Pride Art show opening June 2 is at Spinelli’s Deli Downtown location; The HRC Gala Dinner is a week earlier on June 4 and moved to OSU’s Union Hall (Go Gay Bucks!); and outlook is further back in the parade bringing up the rear (enter your own quip here).

Happy Pride Month Everyone! Time to dust of the unicorns, crack open a fresh can of rainbows and party like it’s 1981 again. That’s right, Columbus Pride turns 30 this year (Go Gays!) and to celebrate Cbus is chock full of events for both your political and playful pride selves. Check out the outlook Pride Guide starting on page 63 for the 411 on happenings in town, in Ohio and our neighboring states. Some things are of course the same; Network Columbus’s Out with our Elected Officals: the Political Kickoff to Pride is Wednesday June 8th at the Santa Maria (free food and booze!); Pride Festival is two days starting Friday, June 17 at 3p at Goodale Park; the Pride Parade kicks off at noon on Saturday (6/18) by the State House and heads into the Short North; and the Pride Brunch and Bat-n-Rouge are that Sunday. Some things are new like the 45 foot tall outlook Ferris Wheel, which will be at our compound on the corner of Goodale and Park; Pride Fest Friday Happy Hour from 3p-8p featuring reduced drink tickets (good all weekend, so stock up); and The Big Gay Dance Party featuring DJ Moxy brought to you by outlook &

If you haven’t heard yet, we will be closing the parade with 100 ft pride flag that we’re inviting everyone to help carry. We’ll need at least 100 people, so plan to jump in, lend a hand and march with us to the festival. If you preregister to help carry the flag at outlookcolumbus.com, we’ll give you an outlook T-shirt to wear! How great is that? The flag is a section from the record breaking Key West Pride flag that spanned the gay Mecca in 2003 when Pride Flag Creator Gilbert Baker was commissioned to produce a giant flag marking the 25th anniversary of the flag itself. Dubbed “Rainbow 25 - Sea to Sea” the project entailed Baker and a team of volunteers to create a mile-and-a-quarter long flag utilizing the original eight col-

ors and spanned Key West from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf Coast Sea. The flag was cut up afterwards and sections sent to over a hundred cities worldwide. We are borrowing Key West’s section. Being that Pride is celebrating it’s 30th anniversary, we focused our feature on things to be proud of in our 30+ years of Ohio gay history. You’ll read about the moments, places and people that have gotten us to where we are today in our continued fight for equality. Read it, be inspired and then take action to help make real change for our community. Being ranked last in GLBT equality, Ohio has a long way to go to become a place that everyone is comfortable calling home. Let’s celebrate this month, and then let’s get back to work. Let’s make it happen. Happy Pride, Chris Hayes & Michael Daniels Co Publishers

• 5

you are here

30 complete the circuit

55 trippin’ out: vegas

94 f: mayor proclamation

f: malcolm banner 115 sponsor

snapshot

32 gayatri

56 savage love

welcome letter 96 f:swc board & staff

116 f: center programs

hey!

35 two

celebrity 58 local & scopes

99 f: support stonewall /

download The 2011 outlook pride mix by DJ Moxy free at outlookcolumbus.com

pride costs

14 qmunity local

37 transpicuous

60 gohi event calendar

101 f: trailblazers

17 qmunity national

38 super mario world

62 about town

102 f: volunteer with swc

then come

Jam Out with your clam out!

19 small pond

41 not that kind of girl

63 pride guide

104 f: pride safety

20 open kimono

42 creative class

65 f: cbus pride events

f: parade map & 106 sponsors

Rock out with your cock out!

22 insightout

47 deep inside hollywood

66 f: ohio pride events

107 f: parking / beer

25 equality now

48 interview

69 f: neighboring state prides

Black out with your rack out! 108 f: friday entertainment

27 general gayety

51 fashion forward

70 f: 30+ years of pride

110 f: sat entertainment

28 rall report

52 food drama!

92 f: city proclamation

113 f: brunch & BNR

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

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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

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jon Dunn , Erin McCalla, Wayne Besen, Regina Sewell, Gregg Shapiro, Romeo San Vicente, Jack Fertig, Simon Sheppard, Dan Savage, Ryan Harris, Mette Bach, Chris Hayes, Michael Daniels, Phillecia Cochran, Mackenzie Worral, Siobahn Tuck, Mickey Weems, Tara Macenzie Allister, Mario Pinardi, Ed Mullen, Leslie Robinson, Ted Rall, Mette Bach, Chad Frye

as outlook & sweatin’ bring you the big gay dance

party w/ DJ Moxy Friday, June 17th at skully’s!

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This is the beginning of the next 35 minutes of your life. Happy pride and happy reading.

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 ©2011 by Outlook Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

june 2011

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NOKA’S HOLY SHIT SHOW APRIL 24, 2011

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Can you repeat the question?

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Give me back that crown!

I would like to thank the academy, duct tape, God, and...

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CCAD FASHION SHOW MAY 12, 2011

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I do my little turn on the cat walk.

Is that David David?

june 2011

In 2009, Outlook Media and Ohio State University made history with Jim Tressel’s first-ever Division I coach interview with the gay media.

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In 1994 Dawson’s Creek’s Jack McPhee showed us how real men kiss. HOT!

june 2011

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OSHA Turns 40 To the Editor: In the 40 years since the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was created, the agency has led the way to historic declines in workplace fatalities, injuries and illnesses. Today OSHA continues to make a difference in the lives of all workers by ensuring that businesses provide safe and healthful conditions for their workers. At the turn of the 20th century, death in American workplaces was all too common, working conditions were dreadful and few laws existed to protect workers. Through efforts by individual workers, unions, employers, government agencies, and others, significant progress has been made in improving workplace conditions. Since OSHA’s inception in 1970, workplace fatalities have been cut by more than 65 percent and occupational injury and illness rates have declined 67 percent. At the same time, U.S. employment has almost doubled and now totals over 107 million workers at 7.6 million worksites. In 1970, on average, 38 American workers were killed on the job every day. That rate has now fallen to just over 12 workers per day. That’s an outstanding collective achievement. But there is clearly much work to be done to ensure that all workers can be productive and safe, while looking forward to a retirement free from disabling occupational disease and injury. In the Columbus area, our inspectors have identified falls, trenching accidents, and grain handling hazards as serious issues in many investigations. These are hazards for which there have long been common sense OSHA regulations in place. These protections are designed to keep workers safe and earning a paycheck, while also allowing businesses to continue to operate without the tragic interruptions and high worker retraining, insurance and compensation costs that accompany workplace tragedies. In 2010, there were 42 fatalities throughout Ohio. These were preventable situations that don’t need to be repeated, as long as employers and workers are committed to safety. Recently in the Gallipolis area, our compliance officer was performing a worksite inspection of a trench when he directed an employee to exit the trench, believing collapse was imminent. Within five minutes the trench collapsed and could have buried the worker under 6 to 7 feet of soil. The employer was issued willful and serious trenching violations with a penalty of $63,000. This year grain handling inspections have increased as a result of more than 25 workers being killed nationally in 2010. At a grain facility in West Jefferson, our inspectors found 22 health and safety violations with a penalty of $171,000. Over the past four decades, America’s workers across all industries have benefitted from common sense government standards and greater awareness of workplace safety practices brought about by OSHA. Workers in high hazard industries such as construction and manufacturing have especially benefitted from OSHA’s efforts. OSHA has had a positive impact in the lives of all Americans. However, until every worker can return home safely, free from harm at the end of the day, we must celebrate cautiously and never lose sight of the fact that no job is a good job unless it’s also a safe job. Deborah Zubaty OSHA Area Director for Columbus and southeast Ohio.

june 2011

President Obama Earns His Nobel Peace Prize Although the “peace” partisans would never say so, I salute you Mr. President for SEALing Osama’s fate and committing his body to the deep. You’ve now earned your Nobel Peace Prize.

But Winston Churchill would have understood. As a young British cavalry officer, he took part in the campaign against the Dervishes. In the Sudan in 1898, Churchill braved direct fire from these Muslim fanatics. And he killed many himself. But he drew the line You may find it strange that your conservative critics at desecrating the grave of their leader, the Mahdi. are hailing your dispatch of the world’s most danger- Churchill said it was wrong for the British not to show ous terrorist. And it may seem to you, sir, that it’s respect for a dead foe. Churchill always said, in vicstranger still to be saluted as a peacemaker for doing tory, magnanimity. so. But the Bible is quite clear on this. In Romans, St. Paul tells us the state does not bear the sword for I am hopeful, President Obama, that this experience nothing, but that he is to be a “terror to evildoers.” will cause you to reconsider a wound in the soul of America. Every day, thousands of unborn children The Nobel Peace Prize committee has too often conhere are killed and their bodies disposed of like trash. fused peace with pacifism. They gave the Peace Prize Trucks filled with “medical waste” ply our nation’s to Frank Kellogg and Aristide Briand in the 1920s for highways, headed for the crematoria. their pact that “outlawed” war. I hope the ladies and gentlemen of the Nobel Committee can explain to us Can you now support an effort to give these slaughhow that one worked out? They also gave their presti- tered innocents a decent burial? Are the thousands of gious prize to Henry Kissinger and North Vietnam’s Le these little victims not entitled to the same last rites Duc Tho for their peace “accords.” Within just a few you gave to the world’s worst terrorist? Are the beliefs years, North Vietnam trashed the agreement and con- of millions of Christians less deserving of your respect quered South Vietnam. I presume that Dr. Kissinger is than those of Muslims? too embarrassed to display his Nobel Prize. You came to office with great hopes for change. You You were also right, Mr. President, to bury Osama’s invoked the image of President Lincoln, your great Illibody at sea. There is good historical precedent. In nois predecessor. It was Abraham Lincoln who said 1943, American fliers intercepted the plane carrying that “nothing stamped in the divine image was sent Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, the planner of the attack into the world to be trod upon.” on Pearl Harbor. They shot down the Japanese naval strategist over the South Pacific, but did not wait Mr. President, with all respect, are not unborn children around to give him any Shinto rites. President Rooso stamped? Shall we continue to tread upon them? sevelt had characterized Pearl Harbor as “a day of in- These are important questions. They are no longer famy.” The attacks of 9/11 were even worse. above your pay grade. Some have criticized you for according this heinous mass killer any respect in death.

Robert Morrison Senior fellow for policy studies at the Family Research Council

The Gay Softball World Series was named by Experience Columbus as one of the City’s most successful events of 2010.

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Thankfully 2008 brought us Lady Gaga and every club dance song we will ever need. Just dance!

june 2011

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10 june 2011

Best gay politician quote ever: Barney Frank – “I'm used to being in the minority. I'm a left-handed gay Jew.”

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Liberal Progressives Hate This... But Minorities Make the Most Money in the US To the Editor:

Re: Apple’s Censorship: Rotten to the Core, by Peter Sprigg, Senior Fellow for Policy Studies at the Family Research Council Washington, D.C., May 2011

sorption, credit card debt, multiple sex partners, and Marxist perspectives, the Asian family is With the passing of “Asian-American Heritage largely held together by values that other AmeriMonth,” it might be appropriate to enlighten a few cans gleefully discarded beginning in the mideconomic realities. 1960’s with the Sexual Revolution.

To the Editor:

America has 167 different ethnic groups in its population according to the US Census Report. Amazingly, the highest income-earning ethnic groups per capita are five that eclipse the wellknown performance of the Jewish-American group, who are only ranked 6th overall. And, the premier ethnic group of them all is the Asian-American group! They earn more income per capita in the US than any other group. And liberals don’t like to talk about it too much because this reality does not support their narrative that AmeriKKKa is a bigoted racist hell-hole that marginalizes minorities with hate crimes and exclusion.

Back then, there was no Will and there was no Grace. The L word was not spoken in our house, and there was certainly no Trevor Project to tell me It Gets Better. There was only me, my parents, and my toddler brother navigating through a very painful and confusing time.

The five Asian ethnic groups who earn the most money are Indian-, Chinese-, Japanese-, Korean-, and Vietnamese-Americans. To people in Peoria, diminutive Asians don’t look like traditional Americans, but economically and academically they tower above the rest of our society.

One can certainly see the stark difference between Asian socialization in America compared to all other ethnic groups by reading Amy Chua’s New York Times bestseller “Battle Hymn of the Tiger Moms,” a controversial tome that questions how other American mothers raise their children. For in Asian-American culture, there is little emphasis on “self-esteem studies,” “diversity studies,” “Marxist social theory,” or the “liberal arts”. Instead Asian-American children are rigorously prepared to study advanced medicine, engineering, international finance, mathematics and other hard sciences compared to the “soft sciences” in which other American students overindulge.

Asian American performance has dominated US academies and income earning standards ever since the early days of Ronald Reagan. So much so, that Time and Newsweek magazines have heralded them as “America’s Model Minority” on their According to the investment journals who recom- front covers as much as 30 years ago. Many aumend the East-West Bancorp stock (EWBC), a thors have celebrated Asian-Americans as the bank in California that caters to Asian-American “New Jews” because of their entrepreneurial customers, Asian-American families have an av- tenacity and their formidable self-discipline. For erage income of $36,000 compared to all other US even the poor among Asian-Americans are far less families at $25,000. And investment advisers say self-destructive and much more frugal compared that the bank’s stock is a safe bet because Asian to the rest of America’s poor. Yet, alas, the Amerifamilies don’t go bankrupt like other Americans. can culture has continued to decline, and it no Others have asserted that per capita income by longer leads the world in science and mathematAsian-American is $40,000 compared to other ics! Sadly, it seems to be losing the ability to Americans who are well below $30,000. maintain it’s supremacy as the most dominant economy in the world. When progressives are asked to explain this phenomenon, they often cringe when comparing this With all the political and cultural contortions that elitist standard with other minorities. Their exAmericans guiltily go through to absolve their socuses are often laughable. Asians never allow called “race relations,” and the resultant national their lives and families to be torn apart like, for in- decline in public education and economic growth, stance, African-Americans. Moreover, Asians have it would seem such documented realities would never faced systematic discrimination. alarm our best minds to focus on the dynamics within the Asian-American culture to find the valOh, is that so? How unenlightening! Have we for- ues that would repropel a true “American Renaisgotten about World War ll, the Korean War and the sance!” Rather, they turn to counter-productive Vietnam War? Are liberals still trivializing mass solutions such as: “income redistribution stratemurderer Mao Ze-Dong of Communist China who gies,” “racial hiring quotas” and “sensitivity killed tens of millions of peasants to create his courses” in detrimental efforts to save and to reegalitarian society? Has the paternalistic white make the nation. liberal forgotten the old phrase, “You don’t stand a China-man’s chance”? And how about liberal icon Asian-Americans are among the multitude of New Franklin D. Roosevelt whose presidency forced Americans in the 21st Century, but it is their Japanese-Americans into internment camps? steadfast adherence to older, often ridiculed, proven family and economic values that other In fact, many Asian-American roots in US society Americans have so thoughtlessly and liberally jetare from the insular ghettos known as “Little tisoned. This is what makes them exceptional. And Saigons and Chinatowns.” this is the reason that they deserve appreciation and emulation. And while mainstream American society promotes permissive values like divorce, substance abuse, Matthew Chen fatherless children, welfare dependency, self-ab-

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I was 16 years old when 60 Minutes aired a special about gays in the military during family dinner. I remember my father muted the TV to tell us about the “pillow party” beatings he and his buddies gave suspected homosexuals during his US Marines enlistment. He found out I was gay when I was 17 years old, and that’s when things got really ugly.

Residing in the Christian faith, my parents turned to our United Church of Christ minister to ask his advice and counsel. He provided it by telling them there was nothing wrong with me, and that in God’s eyes I was normal. Unswayed, my parents began taking me to weekly one-on-one sessions with a minister from the Methodist church who showed me all of the reasons why I was not normal, and why I would indeed be going to Hell unless I stopped being gay. In between these sessions, we attended lectures sponsored & hosted by Exodus International where we watched men and women speak about suppressing homosexuality with prayer. The lecture I remember most clearly was about masturbation being a sin. It was given by a lisping man who owned a dance studio, and his heavy set wife who wore black combat boots. Together, they delivered their solemn message with heavy souls, fooling themselves into a life of shame and promising the same for young men like me. That night, I had another argument with my parents over how preposterous I thought these lectures were. It was clear to me that Exodus International was feeding on guilt and self-loathing to sustain itself, and that the organization was horrible for presenting itself as a reputable and viable alternative to confused and scared families like mine who should have been going to PFLAG. The argument ended with my mother turning to me, with tears in her eyes, to say, “You make me sick” before leaving the room. That night, I thought about the best way to kill myself, and then I cried myself to sleep. Again. So you see, Mr. Sprigg, if you believe my signing a petition to remove the Exodus International app from the Apple app store is aggressive and intolerant, well...you’re goddamned* right it is. This isn’t about differing viewpoints or counterpoints, this is about ending access to an organization designed to perpetuate lies and suicide, however “mild” it may claim to be. Exodus International can put whatever they want on their website - their smoke and mirrors didn’t fool the 158,315 people who signed the petition with me. They can use the word “healing” all they want - but they have yet to heal the scars they gave me and my family. Wake up. Exodus International is least of all “offensive to large groups of people.” Exodus International is a dangerous, vicious and disgusting group that preys on the confused and has no place in our global market. There is no shame to be had in reminding Apple of their corporate responsibility to remove such an app. We did the right thing. Lastly, even if your claim of Apple’s double standard bears some truth (hypocrisy is part of the human experience, after all), well...I guess I’d much rather our community taste a rotten Apple every now and then than choke to death on a poison one. Respectfully, Matthew R. Dyer Columbus, OH

Pedro introduced The Real World to openly gay and HIV positive in February 1994.

june 2011

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Obama Lurches to the Reagan Right To the Editor, It is certainly interesting to watch Barack Obama’s rightward lurch to the center these days compared to his 2008 “Change We Can Believe In” campaign. As a candidate, he provided us with soaring rhetoric and blistering critiques of the Bush tax cuts and the Global War on Terror. According to exit polls, 65-70 percent of Gays voted for the man, although roughly one-in-three Gays chose the lackluster John McCain. Obama promised to end the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, close down the Guantanamo Bay Prison and terminate the Patriot Act. Our liberal progressive community cheered wildly.

Commerce Secretary. Remember when the Clinton Administration hijacked the Gingrich Agenda and did more to complete Ronald Reagan’s agenda of Free Trade Acts, balanced budgets, lower capital gains taxes and not launching any new spending programs? Clinton was more of a Republican than his predecessor, George H. W. Bush. Obama’s new Chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisors is the CEO from Goldman Sachs, and the new Chair of the White House Job Creation Council is from General Electric. Meanwhile, he promises to sign at least three GOP Free Trade Acts with South Korea, Panama, and Columbia to allow US corporations to invest in cheaper overseas labor with more to be signed in the Asian region.

He also took on Wall Street as greedy and corrupt, despite taking three times more Wall Street campaign money than John McCain. And he certainly assured us, relentlessly, that anybody making more than $250,000 a year would have their taxes raised.

As far as Iraq and Afghanistan go, Obama is running those wars on Bush’s terms and Bush’s timetables. No change there, just a continuation of Bush’s time-lines for withdrawal. He even calls Army Private Bradley Manning, who helped Wikileaks expose alHe promised huge and monumental changes. leged US atrocities, “a danger to America”. What a difference two years makes! He squandered his super majority in both congressional chambers and in two years spent more money than Bush did for the entire Iraq War.

Guantanamo Bay Prison will never be closed, and even Dick Cheney expressed approval of Obama’s deference to existing Bush policies. Soon the Patriot Act will be renewed with only pretentious cosmetic changes.

In a televised Chamber of Commerce speech this week, Boy Obama abandons and rebukes the American Left. He robustly endorses American capitalism and a GOP pro-corporation, Wall Street agenda, including reductions in the corporate tax rate, regulations and entitlements.

None of this is insignificant. After all, Obama’s Press Secretary told us that Obama read a Reagan biography during the Christmas holidays, just before he made the deal to extend the Bush tax cuts. And he hired Reagan’s last Chief of Staff, Ken Duberstien, as a liaison to the new Republican House. And don’t think it is NOT calculated to have TIME Magazine run a front cover issue of Obama and Reagan arm-in-arm - nearly kissing. Is this what the gay community was anticipating?

He articulated so many ideas (conspicuously lifted from the GOP platform and right-wing think tanks) that he sounded like an echo of Newt Gingrich. No surprise, Obama’s new theme for the next two years and his re-election is “Winning the Future,” the exact title of the former Republican Speaker’s book. This follows last month’s decision by the “Change” President to extend all the Bush tax cuts for two years, only to have them expire in time for his re-election campaign. How timely! Will he then again use the issue to disingenuously rally his liberal base and the GLBT community once again?

This is not the change the Obama majority in the GLBT community voted for. The Obama transformation makes it look like the 2008 candidate was dressed in political drag, mouthing speeches that titillated his chanting, adoring audiences; only to go back stage, disrobe, and come out on FOX News before the largest-ever Super Bowl audience and say that he has always lowered taxes - and thinks that Bill O’Reilly and his crew are good for America.

After all, hasn’t he turned his Oval Office over to corporate America’s Fortune 500 CEOs right Peter Ryskewecz in front of our eyes? His new Chief of Staff will Retired Michigan School Teacher be Bill Dailey of ATT and the former Clinton

12 june 2011

Where is the Death Certificate, Mr. President? To the Editor: by Jimmie L. Foster Osama bin Laden is dead. Of that, I have no doubt. To question this statement one would have to question the skill and bravery of the Navy SEALS and believe that the master terrorist who occasionally appears in propaganda videos and audio recordings is capable of perpetually eluding all human and technological intelligence. The unparalleled success of the mission makes President Obama’s decision to not release the bin Laden “death photographs” especially confounding. When an event organizer cut off the sound to candidate Ronald Reagan during a debate with George H.W. Bush, Reagan famously said, “I paid for this microphone!”

original “offense.” Where does the First Amendment include exception clauses for cases that might incite radical Islamists? Mr. President, they hate us anyway. My organization, The American Legion, does not rejoice at any death. But let us remember what bin Laden has wrought. He is the reason more than 6,000 U.S. military families have buried loved ones lost in combat since 9/11. He is the reason our children are now groped in airports by security officials. He is the reason that the level of mistrust between the overwhelming majority of peaceful Muslims and those of other faiths exists. It is not about gathering trophies or “spiking the football,” as the president mischaracterized it. It’s about showing a replay to season ticket holders who were barred from entering the stadium.

Well, Mr. President, the American people paid for those photographs. More than a trillion dollars, in fact, if you factor in the cost of the Department of Homeland Security, two wars, and the care for more than 40,000 veterans who have been wounded in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The photos are no doubt bloody and graphic. But do you know what else is painful to see? The burns on the faces of patients at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Or the eyes of Michael Nordmeyer, the father of 21-year-old Zach Nordmeyer, a soldier and member of The American Legion who was killed in Iraq two President Obama said that “given the graphic years ago. It still pains most of us to look at nature of these photos it would create a naimages of firefighters running into the World tional security risk.” I respectfully disagree. Trade Center for the very last time. Radical Islam creates the national security risk. There were no photographs that prompted the attacks on 9/11, the missile strike on the USS Cole or the bombing of the U.S. Marine barracks in Lebanon. Does anyone seriously believe that the terrorists will hate us less if the photos are not released than they already do now? Will the “death to America “chants that have existed since the Iranian hostage crisis suddenly morph into love sonnets? The American people are tired of walking on eggshells to placate a violent ideology that respects neither innocent civilians nor the amazing humanitarian work performed by our soldiers every day. The problem is not blasphemous cartoons or even misguided pastors burning Korans. It’s the people who react with barbarous acts of violence usually inflicted on innocents who had nothing to do with the

Only two members of the original Village People were gay – the Indian and the Cowboy. Hmmmm.

There will be some who doubt the official version of bin Laden’s death whether the photographs are released or not. But not releasing this evidence would surely be adding steroids to these nonsensical conspiracy theories. Some say the photographs will bring closure. Others see it as a need to satisfy a thirst for vengeance. I prefer to think of them as symbols of justice. The raid on bin Laden’s hide-out is a truly great moment in American history. Mr. President, release the photographs. We paid an enormous price for them. Jimmie L. Foster Commander of The American Legion Anchorage, AK

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COMMUNITY RESOURCE PAGE

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The Fab Five taught us how to tszuj on Queer Eye in 2003.

june 2011

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New Writers’ Group For Queer Fantasy Donald Kirby is starting a writers' group for Queer fantasy -urban fantasy, other worlds, ect (non-erotica)- writers. The group is called 'South and Central Columbus Fantasy Writers' in Yahoo Groups. This group is not for profit, but rather a group that will meet twice a month to critique and give positive feed back for writers, whether for publication or just for fun.

Senate. As a result we have to begin again. Yesterday's efforts by citizens was the first step towards a new beginning for the EHEA.

Participants ended the day with many stories about interesting conversations during the day. This was our first opportunity to talk with most of the new legislators who needed to hear our stories about non-discrimination as well safe schools. Support from those who voted yes on EHEA in 2009 as well as those who pledged to vote yes in the Senate remains strong, and we had conversations with many about reconsiderEquality Ohio’s Lobby Day a ing their no vote in the future. Legislators heard Success from citizens about the need for improved antibullying and harassment policies in our schools On May 18th, hundreds of fair-minded Ohioans to provide a safe school environment for all were in Columbus for the sixth annual Lobby Day Ohio's children. for Equality. More than 200 citizen lobbyists met with 122 legislators (out of 132 - only 10 were Three safe schools bills are currently being conunwilling to hear from lobbyers). All 33 Senate sidered in the House Education Committee. districts were lobbied, and 31 of those districts Watch for opportunities to encourage legislators were lobbied by constituents who live in the dis- to support passage of HB 116, HB 155 (and its trict. 155 additional people lobbied from home, companion SB 127) and HB 208. sending 318 messages to 89 legislators. More than 100 people attended the closing reception, Thanks go out to all who attended Lobby Day or including dozens of legislators and legislative lobbied from home. It is because of the work you aides from both parties. do that support for pro-equality legislation continues to grow. Save the date now for next year's Lobby Day, Wednesday, May 16, 2012. At the reception, Executive Director Ed Mullen delivered a speech about the pro-equality moveMerger to Strengthen ment in Ohio and how we can make Ohio a home HIV/AIDS Services for for everyone: “We stand tonight in the Ohio Statehouse Atrium. This is supposed to be the peoples’ Ohioans house. It is supposed to be, but today, in 2011, it Columbus AIDS Task Force and AIDS Resource is not yet the house for all people in Ohio. In 2004, our representatives in this house voted to Center Ohio are delighted to announce that, to pass a “Defense of Marriage Act.” Seventy-three enhance their services and make the most efrepresentatives and eighteen senators voted for fective use of their resources, CATF and ARC Ohio will be merging, effective July 1. The decithis Defense of Marriage Act, which said that Ohio will only recognize a marriage between one sion follows a thorough, year-long, assessment supported by The Columbus Foundation, The man and one woman and that it is against the strong public policy of the state of Ohio to recog- Dayton Foundation, and the Toledo Community Foundation. nize marriage between two people of the same sex. We were told by our representatives in this As you know, these are difficult times for the house that our love, our relationships, and our families are not worthy of recognition under the nonprofit sector. This is no less true for AIDS law. That the love of people like Ron and Bill who Service Organizations (ASOs), which, across the are here tonight and have been together in a lov- U.S. and Ohio, are struggling to retain services ing and committed relationship for 7 years - they and keep their doors open. But as you also know, even got married at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church challenging times can present new opportunion Broad Street here in Columbus - is somehow ties-opportunities to focus on excellence, longterm stability, and strategic vision. We are not as valid as the love between Britney Spears and Jason Alexander, her husband of 24 hours, or confident that our merger will create an organization able to achieve a mission greater than eithe love between Newt Gingrich and any of his ther agency could do alone. It brings together three wives. Not only can’t we get married in complementary administrative and program exOhio, but Ohio also will not recognize same sex marriages performed legally in other states and pertise, enhances our service capacities, and will not extend any of the benefits of marriage to strengthens our long-term viability. same sex couples in Ohio." In the words of Sam Rinehart and Bobby ThaxOhio Supreme Court Justice Yvette McGee Brown ton, board chairs of ARC Ohio and CATF, respecfollowed with a stirring speech about the power tively, "the merger is a proactive, strategic and sound business decision made by both governof one person to make a difference. During the ing bodies, in whose hands the wellbeing of our day, the citizen lobbyists met with their legislators to urge them to pass the Equal Housing and services have been entrusted." Employment Act and a Comprehensive Safe Schools Act. The Equal Housing and Employment Bill Hardy, director of ARC Ohio for more than 18 Act (EHEA) was passed by the Ohio House of Rep- years, will serve as CEO of the merged organizaresentatives in 2009 but was ignored by the Ohio tion, which will carry the name AIDS Resource

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Center Ohio. CATF's current CEO, Peggy Anderson, LISW, will oversee all programmatic operations, providing HIV care, testing, prevention and advocacy throughout more than 60 Ohio counties. This decision creates Ohio's largest ASO, enabling us to lead the fight against HIV/AIDS in Ohio through awareness, advocacy and care. With offices in Athens, Chillicothe, Columbus, Dayton, Lima, Mansfield, Newark, and Toledo, we will provide linkage to care and supportive services to more than 2,500 Ohioans living with HIV/AIDS in 60-plus counties. Thousands more will be reached with evidence based prevention and HIV testing. This is an exciting decision that will benefit thousands of Ohioans living with, or at risk of, HIV infection. Both organizations are deeply grateful for your important part in the history and mission of their organizations, and thank you, in advance, for your continuing support.

National SBA Recognizes OSDC For Hard Work In Creating Change In Ohio The US Small Business Administration (SBA) awarded the Ohio Statewide Development Corporation (OSDC) the coveted “2011 Large Certified Development Corporation of the Year” during their National Small Business Week awards ceremony on May 20, 2011. According to Tom Mueller, District Director for the Columbus District Office of the SBA, nominees were chosen based on five risk benchmarks set by the SBA. Additional criteria was based on the number of businesses assisted (loans), the number of jobs created/retained, the growth in loan approval volume from the previous year, the growth in underserved markets and satisfactory risk rating from the Office of Credit Risk Management. “OSDC has always been one of our top three 504 loan providers here in Ohio. They are extremely knowledgeable about the 504 program and are obviously the best in the nation according to the SBA,” stated Mueller.

As of today, OSDC has a 504 portfolio of 198 loans totaling $64 million and an Ohio 166 Regional Loan Portfolio of 19 totaling $2.3 million. In 2010, OSDC processed 38 loans, which assisted in creating 240 jobs and helped retain in 94 jobs in Ohio. Since OSDC began in January 2000, over 1,300 jobs have been created and over 1,100 have been retained. Recently, OSDC worked with businessman Larry Tipton to finance the construction of a new Golden Corral restaurant in Lancaster. The completion of the restaurant created 85 new jobs. “Our goal is to provide lending opportunities to quality companies in our region. We know that SBA lending is a complicated process and we partner together to provide our clients the best way to ensure that their company and our region continues to grow and prosper,” stated Allen. “We are truly honored that the United States Small Business Administration has recognized our entire organization for their hard work and dedication to lending here in Ohio. I have always believed our staff is uniquely dedicated to partner with our clients and institutions to ensure the best quality service while maintaining the necessary standards in 504 lending.”

Limited Brands LGBT Associate Resource Group Launched The Limited Brands Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Associate Resource Group (ARG) made its official debut last week. The LGBT ARG kickoff event rendered a crowd of nearly 70 Limited Brands associates across Columbus and a New York group, joining via video conference. “The event was great,” said Gary Aliff, co-leader of the group. “We had some very interactive dialogue. It was more about getting to know each other than anything else.”

Donning the name, EvolvE, which represents the continued growth and evolving process that the LGBT community shares; the group will focus on four initiatives: community awareness and involvement, education, networking and recruitThe award comes over a decade after OSDC sep- ing. arated its operations from the Ohio Department of Development (ODOD). In January 2000, ODOD The group’s mission is to offer a positive, open reviewed all of its lending programs and deter- and welcoming community that provides supmined that the privatization of OSDC would pro- port to the LGBT community and friends, which vide Ohio small businesses a more efficient way will in turn serve as a resource to the company. to access and work with the SBA 504 Loan Program. Michael DiPerna, OSDC Board of Directors “We started at a grassroots level and really saw President, recounted how “the organization was some potential for something bigger. That’s at a critical point of either ceasing operations or when we looked for an executive sponsor,” said investing its resources to become an independ- Julie Beckman, EvolvE co-leader. ent entity. We hired Dianne Allen as Executive Director and set a five year goal to reach Jane Ramsey, executive vice president of human self sufficiency. OSDC reached that goal in half resources, gladly filled the role. the time.” “I was honored to be approached as an execu“When I started, OSDC had 40 loans with an tive sponsor and I’m excited to see what journey outstanding balance of $10 million,” stated lies ahead for this group. It’s all about building a Allen. meaningful community where people can evolve and thrive,” said Ramsey.

k.d. lang was not the first country music lesbian to come out – she was, however, the first to break her CapsLock key in the reverse position.

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The first semi-regularly recurring gay character to appear, on The Corner Bar, in 1972.

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The music industry galvanized around the issue of AIDS before many other groups, spurred by the deaths of Queen’s Freddie Mercury and NWA’s Eazy-E.

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Gay Civil Rights History on Display at Library of Congress Two original documents of major historical significance to the movement for lesbian and gay civil equality in the United States are now on public display in the Thomas Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. Gay civil rights pioneer Frank Kameny’s Petition to the U.S. Supreme Court (1961), and a letter to The Mattachine Society of Washington, D.C. (1966) from U.S. Civil Service Chairman John W. Macy, Jr., have been added to the Library’s popular exhibition on the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, “Creating the United States.”

John W. Macy, Jr. was appointed by President Lyndon B. Johnson to head the Sixties-era predecessor of the Office of Personnel Management, and then known as the U.S. Civil Service Commission. Macy reported directly to President Johnson, though often through Johnson’s Special Assistant Bill Moyers. Macy’s so-called “revulsion” letter to the Mattachine Society (Washington, D.C.’s first gay civil rights organization formed by Frank Kameny) is “steeped in a special animus toward gays and lesbians as a class, while denying they are one,” writes Charles Francis in an article published by “The Gay & Lesbian Review” (January, 2011). “For years, this letter, carefully crafted by Macy and his Commission Counsel Lou Pellerzi, was the “landmark policy statement on homosexuals” (Macy personal papers, LBJ Library), the policy basis for all federal employment discrimination against gays and lesbians, declaring homosexuals ‘unsuitable’ for federal employment,” Francis said.

“Creating the United States” has been seen by more than 1.5 million people since it was first opened in 2008, and according to the Library, the exhibition “demonstrates that the Declaration, the The two gay and lesbian history documents are Constitution, and the Bill of Rights are living instruments that are central to the evolution of the now publicly exhibited in “Creating the United States,” displayed at the Thomas Jefferson BuildUnited States.” ing of the Library of Congress until October, 2011, according to the Library curatorial staff. For details The two artifacts were donated to the Library of Congress in 2006 on behalf of the Kameny Papers on the exhibit itself as well as visiting information, please see: HYPERLINK "http://www.witeckcombsProject (HYPERLINK "http://www.witeckcombsmail.com/l.jsp?d=466.20679.324.0r2B2_g..A"ww mail.com/l.jsp?d=466.20680.324.0r2B2_g..A"htt p://myloc.gov/Exhibitions/creatingtheus/Pages/De w.kamenypapers.org). fault.aspx “The history of gay and lesbian Americans, for the first time, is included by the Library of Congress in AT&T Recognized For Inclusion the story of the Constitution and its evolution as a Of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual And living instrument of freedom,” said Charles Fran- Transgender Professionals In cis, a founder of the Kameny Papers Project. Bob Its Workforce Witeck, a co-founder of Kameny Papers Project, said, ”Telling America’s story and creating a more The inclusive AT&T workforce is being recognized perfect union are impossible without sharing by two national and state organizations. Gay & these testaments to our nation’s gay civil rights Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) story." The two documents on gay and lesbian his- honored AT&T with the "Corporate Leader Award" tory are displayed accompanying the first rendiat the GLAAD Media Awards, while Garden State tion of the Constitution for blind readers; a Equality, a LGBT civil rights organization in New suffragist’s scrapbook with material about Susan Jersey, named AT&T an "Equality Company of the B. Anthony; and a drawing of African-Americans Year 2011." registering to vote on the steps of the Selma, Alabama courthouse. GLAAD recognized AT&T's LGBT-inclusive policies, including protection against discrimination, proThe Library of Congress exhibition states, “Frank viding enhanced healthcare benefits access for Kameny, a founder of the American gay rights legally recognized partners and transgender emmovement, was the first person to file a petition to ployees, providing enhanced retirement plan opthe Supreme Court for a violation of his civil rights tions to recognize legally recognized partners as based on sexual orientation after being fired by qualified survivors, and family and medical leave the Army Map Service in 1957. Although Kameny for gay and lesbian employees. These items exargued that the government’s actions toward gays tend to all employees in formalized relationships, were an “affront to human dignity,” his petition such as registered domestic partnerships, civil was denied by the Supreme Court.” unions and same-sex marriages. The Library’s curator describes the 1966 letter from federal official John W. Macy, Jr. to The Mattachine Society of Washington, D.C.: “In the letter, Macy justified the Civil Service’s discrimination by citing ‘the revulsion of other employees by homosexual conduct’. In January, 2010, this letter was introduced into evidence in Perry v Schwarzenegger, an action to overturn the California referendum on same-sex marriages,” the Library of Congress also explains.

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GLAAD also recognized the role of LEAGUE at AT&T, the Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, Transgender and Allies Employee Organization at AT&T. Founded in 1987, it is the oldest LBGT employee resource group in the United States. Its members have supported such important projects as HYPERLINK "http://www.glaad.org/page.redir?target=http%3 a%2f%2fwww.att.com%2fgen%2fpressroom%3fpid%3d2631&srcid=18260&srctid=1&erid=2861350"AT&T Aspire, and since

1996 have donated over $145,000 in scholarships to college-bound LGBT students. Partnering with the HYPERLINK "http://www.glaad.org/page.redir?target=http%3 a%2f%2fwww.att.com%2fgen%2fcorporate-citizenship%3fpid%3d17722&srcid=18260&srctid=1&erid=2861350"AT&T Foundation, LEAGUE at AT&T has also provided GED Attainment scholarships to help address the rising LGBT high school drop-out rate.

Campus Pride Announces List Of National Speakers

Campus Pride announced the list of national speakers and artists to be featured at its fifth annual summer leadership camp, affectionately known as “Camp Pride.” Keynote highlights will include nationally ranked slam poet Kit Yan, Daniel Hernandez, Jr, the young gay college student credited for saving U.S. Representative GLAAD's award also recognizes AT&T's support in Gabriel Giffords life in Arizona shooting; Bleu the fight against HIV/AIDS. In the mid 1980s AT&T Copas, an Arabic translator discharged in 2006 became one of the first major U.S. corporations to from the U.S. Army under Don’t Ask Don’t Tell; TJ help tackle the epidemic by making an unprece- Jourian, as seen on Logo’s show “TransGeneradented change to include HIV/AIDS in its strict tion,” Mara Kiessling, President of the National non-disease-specific charitable guidelines. This Center for Transgender Equality; Shane Windbold move helped break the stigma then associ- meyer, best-selling national author and Executive ated with the disease, thus paving the way for Director of Campus Pride; and Robyn Ochs, Bi-Accountless other corporations to follow suit. AT&T tivist, Trans Advocate & National Public donations and thousands of employee volunteer Speaker.Among the list is the who will be a feahours have been invested in raising awareness. tured entertainer for the second year sponsored by OUTmedia. AT&T is a supporter of the Human Rights Campaign, Victory Fund, The National Gay and Lesbian Camp Pride is the only leadership camp of its kind Task Force, GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Ed- for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and ucation Network), The POINT Foundation and ally college students from colleges and universiLambda Legal. Since 1998, AT&T has been a ties across the country. The camp will take place proud sponsor of GLAAD and supported various from July 19 to 24, 2011 and will be hosted on the grants including GLAAD's Fellows Program, which campus of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. trains and prepares young adults for future proRegistration is available online at HYPERLINK fessional success by providing hands-on experi- "http://www.CampusPride.org/CampPride"http:// ence working with GLAAD staff and other media www.CampusPride.org/CampPride. professionals.

Catholics for Equality Calls

To explore career opportunities at AT&T visit HYSexual Abuse Study a Step in PERLINK "http://www.glaad.org/page.redir?target=http%3a%2f%2fwww.att.jobs&srcid=1826 the Right Direction 0&srctid=1&erid=2861350"www.att.jobs. Catholics for Equality, a national organization of Catholics who put their faith into ethical and efLBGT Groups Urge Orbitz to fective political action on behalf of the LGBT comPull Ads from Fox News Over munity and their families, calls a new study to be Anti-Gay Rhetoric released by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) a step in the right direction for adMedia Matters kicked off its DropFox campaign dressing the serious institutional problem of today by urging online travel site Orbitz (OWW), to sexual abuse scandal. The one year study, "The pull its ads from the anti-LBGT Fox News network. Causes and Context of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Three high-profile gay rights organizations Catholic Priests in the United States, 1950-2010," GLAAD, Courage Campaign and Equality Matters conducted for the USCCB by the John Jay Re- signed the letter to Orbitz CEO Barney Harford search Company found no statistical evidence asking that the company no longer support Fox that gay priests were more likely than heterosexual News through ad revenue. priests to sexually abuse minors. The study also found that the rise in the number of gay priests Media Matters' multi-issue DropFox campaign from the late 1970s onward actually corresponded aims to hold Fox News accountable for its hate with "a decreased incidence of abuse-not an inspeech, misinformation, and other alarming devi- creased incidence of abuse." ations from the usual standards of a news organization. This campaign includes an online ad Catholics for Equality also calls on anti-gay politicomponent to raise awareness about Orbitz's fi- cal operative Bill Donahue, President of the antinancial support for Fox News. gay conservative Catholic League, to issue formal "Orbitz risks alienating gay and lesbian customers apologies to New Yorkers and to the nation for by giving ad dollars to Fox News, a network that using the sexual abuse scandal to demonize gay blatantly promotes an anti-gay political agenda," people. Donahue in April 11, 2011, commissioned said Ilyse Hogue, Senior Adviser at Media Matters. a full-page ad in the New York Times, asserting "Orbitz customers who value equality can and will that homosexual priests were the root of the sextake their business elsewhere, and this is just the ual abuse scandal. The timing of the ad coincided tip of the iceberg. Any company whose customer with the introduction of legislation to make civil base values the diversity, civil rights, and journal- marriage legal for gay and lesbian couples in New istic standards should recognize that doing busi- York. ness with Fox will only cost them in the long run."

Wilson Cruz was the first openly gay actor to portray a gay character on My So Called Life in 1994.

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Abbacadabra is to ABBA what Cheez-Wiz is to Camembert.

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Community Acupuncture in a Group Setting by Jon Dunn The practice of acupuncture dates back to China over 5000 years ago, and was passed down by families through generations as a method of creating balance in the body. As it progressed through the centuries it became adopted in different countries and cultures, combining with Western physiology. It gained more notice and acceptance as part of the “New Age” culture that filtered from California across the United States in the latter half of the last century. A desire to bring these techniques to a unique local setting found fellow practitioners Steve Drugan and Sue Bowlus planning an urban sanctuary almost hiding in plain sight on North High Street. The result of their vision is the Urban Acupuncture Center, which finds Old World techniques in a modern setting. “We really wanted a location in Clintonville, because it’s such a cool neighborhood and we could fit in there, and then finally found a space that worked,” Sue explains. “It made sense to share the space together, because it’s easier for us to collaborate and to combine our talents, while sharing the expense,” adds Steve. They opened in September of 2010, with the concept and business growing steadily as customer awareness continues to increase. “It’s been picking up very quickly,” says Steve, “The idea can sell itself now, because of the accessibility and convenience. And I think Columbus really needs something like this.” To help provide the contemporary setting for the ancient techniques, Sue and Steve partnered in the center with Dr. Linda Cheung, MD, who provides medical acupuncture for them. They all rotate hours in the center with each other and consult about patients and the business they share together. A licensed nurse, Sue is calm and confident, a naturally reassuring person who makes you at ease right off the bat: an excellent quality for one who places needles on others bodies. Yet she does have her wilder side as a singer and songwriter who’s actually got some real road miles on her guitar. “When I was living in Florida, I fronted an all-girl lesbian Sublime-feel band dubbed ironically So Sue Me,” Sue says with a happy laugh. “I played guitar and sang, and we had the best time. It was a lot of close friends, and nothing is better than playing, there is no better connection.” She still sees her old band mates when visiting Florida and keeps her hands loose by playing acoustic guitar and singing on stages here in C-town.

he’s lived in Columbus for over 13 years. How did he end up in Columbus? ”I guess because of my wife, she’s from here.” A licensed acupuncturist for five years, he worked in private practices, but always thought about a different business model. “Acupuncture can have this elitist stigma about it, so I wanted to have a really different practice that focused on providing affordable treatment to more people,” Steve explains. “If we could see more people, we could charge less and still make it profitable for us.”

Carefully inserted at strategic locations along the body, the needles are stimulating various nerves. Locations such as the wrist and inside thumb area of the hands, the forehead and top of Their model takes cues from both traditional Chinese and ‘new- head, along with the rims of the ear and the ankles, to name a age’ West Coast concepts, modified to fit the Columbus market few, all have unique and overlapping healing powers. So while and the current local economy. “I’m really excited about this, there’s some basic patterns used, each layout is designed we’re the first practice like this in Ohio, it’s very timely, and we specifically for the symptoms to be treated. provide a unique service,” he says proudly. “You don’t place the needles where the pain is,” Steve offers, Urban Acupuncture Center occupies a storefront at the corner of “it’s a sot of ‘mirror image’ concept: if the knee hurts, place North High Street and North Broadway that’s easily accessible them at the elbow, if its the wrists, place them at the ankle, and from either road. Sue and Steve found an ideal location that en- so on.” courages walk-in traffic and plenty of parking. You enter a small reception area from the street and check in with the staff. Treatments generally last from 15 to 30 minutes; enough time to for you to relax and for the stimulation to go to work. The effect is After completing a survey that seeks to isolate problem areas, both immediate and cumulative, like a massage. It can provide the acupuncturist delves a little deeper based on your responses, some immediate relief and is often more noticeable a day or two asking questions about the symptoms. It’s a holistic approach, later. At the end of the session, the needles are removed and diswhere they check your pulse, then look at your tongue (which re- posed of in medical sharps containers. Depending on the nature veals a surprisingly large amount of information) and check your of the issues being treated, treatments can be as frequent as general condition for clues about what might be the cause of weekly or received on a per request basis. Scheduling an appain. The information they gather provides details for a treatpointment is easy, as is the payment method for the service. ment plan and how they will apply the technique. A unique aspects of the business is the sliding scale of payment, Unlike massage, there is no disrobing for the sessions, you are which ranges from $15 per treatment to $40 at the high end of only asked to remove your shoes and socks, then stow them be- the scale. “This way, we can offer the treatments to a larger neath the bench you’ve been sitting on. With that, its time to number of people; in many cases the payment is less than a enter the treatment room. copay for some insurances,” offers Steve, “It also encourages more people to seek the treatment they need.” Sue concurs with The treatment room is based on a Chinese model, with eight sta- Steve, “We both wanted to make this available to everyone, withtions lined four to either side. It’s all about creating a private out the high stress of cost.” They all find the same satisfaction space among the company of others seeking the same. The in finding people who need help and seeing their patients get large room is closed off from the reception area and the bustle of better. The blend of Old World practice and modern approach High Street falls away as soothing music cancels out the din. find a balance for everyone involved. Discreet lighting fosters a mellow ambiance, and courteously, voices are lowered to near whisper levels. The large, comfortable “It’s a labor of love, a passion that we all share about this, we recliners are spaced equidistant from each other and you start to want to help people.” Sue offers. “It’s like a community service relax by just sitting down. Artwork from a local artist provides that we’re doing; it really feels that way to us.” focal points along the walls, a gallery setting to gently distract Urban Acupuncture Center is located at 3389 N. High St. in Clintonville. Visit one from the treatment.

Steve is originally from Kent and graduated from Kent State, but Those who are not fans of needles will have little to worry about.

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The needles themselves are far thinner than their inoculation or blood-drawing brethren. And the ‘puncture’ is much less invasive than either of those procedures. They do enter your skin, but only deep enough to let them stand in place. The sensation ranges from a small tingle to a slight prick, with some not even causing any feeling at all.

their website at www.urbanacupuncture.org and on Facebook, where you can find out more and schedule an appointment. You can also call them at 614.725.2488. (Confirming hours with them)

April 1997, Ellen DeGeneres came out on her sitcom Ellen in “The Puppy Episode” and in real life “Yup, I’m Gay”

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Burt Logan is currently the Executive Director and CEO, of the Ohio Historical Society, Columbus, OH. In this role he serves as the State Historic Preservation Officer and represents the Society throughout Ohio and elsewhere. Additionally he oversees that staff who manage the day-to-day operations at the Ohio Historical Center, Columbus, and the 58 sites around the state of Ohio. He came to OHS from Charlestown, MA where he served as the President of the USS Constitution Museum. In his tenure there, he was recognized for transforming the Museum from accepting the status quo into a dynamic organization. There, he received the National Award for Museum Service from First Lady Laura Bush who said, “The Museum’s educational outreach programs are a model for other national symbols that seek to inform and educate our citizenry about our nation’s past.” Prior to that position, Logan was the Director of the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, Manitowoc, WI. Logan is a West Point graduate.

500 historic districts. This puts Ohio 3rd in the highest number of listings (by state) in the country. • 1,500 historic buildings rehabbed with over $2 billion in private investment utilized to rehab the buildings. Ohio’s use of the federal historic tax credit has been consistently among the top five states. • Historic and archaeological inventory documenting over 144,000 properties. This information has been digitized and is available online. • 33 seasons of the Building Doctor program with advice on how to take care of historic buildings delivered to communities throughout the state through “house calls.” There have been thousands of people served throughout Ohio by this program alone.

MD: In 2006, we at Outlook Media partnered with you at OHS to create GOHI - the Gay Ohio History Initiative. How has this partnership benefitted OHS, and how important are such partnerships in securing and collecting the history of various niche groups in the State? BL: These partnerships are essential in collecting from niche audiences. GOHI created their own collecting plan based on what they felt was important for the GLBT community to know about itself and what was important for the straight community to know in order to understand the perspective of GLBT Ohioans. In addition, the partnerships add a level of legitimacy that works both ways. People donating to the GOHI collection see OHS’s name and know that their items are being added to the narrative of Ohio history and As an organization, we are strengthened by proj- will be available for research. For us, having a ects that take us into the communities through- community group helps build trust between the out the state, be it working with any of our 58 community and our institution. The GLBT commusites around Ohio, or with Historic Preservation nity trusts Outlook and knows that you are not As this year marks the 30th anniversary of a GLBT Office, or working with any of the hundreds of his- going to lead them astray; it is this partnership Pride celebration in Columbus, I was curious to tory organizations. that enables GOHI to grow. get Logan’s take on Ohio history, and Gay Ohio History in particular. MD: What are the biggest challenges that you On a more basic level, GOHI adds another level of see for OHS in the next 30 years? support for our operations. GOHI completes the Michael Daniels: What are the biggest sucBL: The need to preserve and tell the lessons of initial assessment of potential donations, so by cesses that OHS has achieved in the past 30 the past remains a constant; its value cannot be the time the potential donation makes its way to years? overstated. People without knowledge of the past OHS it is very close to the last step in the apBurt Logan: The Ohio Historical Society is over are like people with amnesia; they have no under- proval process. This alleviates some of the strain 125 years old. We have seen many significant standing of what has gone before – the trials and on the OHS curators and allows us to accession milestones in our history and we are confident challenges, the innovations and breakthroughs, more items into the collection. that there will be many milestones to come. the triumphs and failures – they are unable to make sense of the present and have no founda- The mission of the Ohio Historical Society is to One accomplishment that may not be the most tion for making decisions. In addition the richhelp people connect with Ohio’s past in order to visible is the success of TIMELINE magazine. ness of life from hearing the stories of those who understand the present and create a better fuSince its inception in 1984, TIMELINE has devel- have come before is not a part of their lives. ture. Part of what we do to achieve that mission oped into a remarkable history magazine for reginvolves working with collections. And part of the ular folks with an interest in history, as well as So the need for and value of maintaining history collections of Ohio include artifacts, objects, docacademics. With articles by outstanding writers is constant. However the ways in which history is uments, stories and related to GLBT Ohioans. such as Stephen Ambrose and David McCulrecorded and disseminated, as well as our lough, the magazine has well-developed stories thoughts as to what is relevant, need to stay nim- MD: What is the most surprising thing that has and excellent photographs about history in Ohio. ble enough to keep in touch with the times and come from the GOHI collaboration? TIMELINE has received numerous national the communities we serve. BL: Most surprising is the transition of GOHI from awards; among them are the American Associaa group focused solely on collecting objects and tion of Museums Award of Merit and American Keeping Ohio’s history relevant, and figuring out archival materials to add to the collection at OHS Association for State and Local History Award of how to engage a diverse population is at the core to a group that is focusing on education and outMerit. of what we do. For example, in May we were hon- reach on GLBT history in Ohio. While we had anored to host the naturalization ceremony for the ticipated the collection being helpful for Another initiative with major impact in the U.S. is United States District Court for the Southern Dis- researchers, at that point we had not considered National History Day. This event started in Ohio, trict of Ohio. Over 125 people from more than 32 the immense outreach and education potential. and now it has more than half a million students countries took the oath for citizenship. They The Natalie Clifford Barney Ohio Historic Marker is participating throughout the country. OHS proudly ranged in age from 19 to 78. Their ages and an example of this. It brought together OHS, GOHI administers History Day in Ohio. I served as a countries alone represent a notable representa- and the Dayton GLBT community to create the judge this year, and it was profound experience to tion of diversity. The people of Ohio are constantly first GLBT marker in Ohio. The exhibits on famous see the intelligence, ingenuity and depth of inter- changing and evolving and new history is being GLBT Ohioans and the history of Pride in Ohio est in history by these young people in Ohio. created each day. So staying relevant and meet- travel to events around the state, increasing the ing the needs of a diverse population are two of awareness of both GOHI and the GLBT narrative. Another success that some people may not even the biggest challenges. be aware of as a part of OHS is the Ohio PreservaIn addition, OHS’s work with Outlook and the GOHI tion Office. It’s the official historic preservation MD: Why is Columbus GLBT history important, collection has garnered attention in the field of office for Ohio, and since 1967, it’s been a vital and how does it fit into the broader context of public history. Our colleagues around the nation component of the Ohio Historical Society. Part of Ohio history? are seeing the positive outcome that this partnerits work is to identify historic places, such as ar- BL: Ohio’s story is at its richest and most authen- ship has created. We are being contacted by other chaeological sites or historic buildings. Part of its tic when it includes the narratives of all Ohioans. cultural organizations for ideas on incorporating work is to nominate eligible properties to the Na- Diversity in communities, in any form, means that GLBT stories into their own efforts. Since this is a tional Register of Historic Places. Part of its work different stories and different points of view exist. connection that is less frequent for a state historis to share knowledge with people on the appro- It is not our role to edit the voices, but to preserve ical society, as opposed to for example, black hispriate care of their historic buildings through the stories. GLBT stories have not traditionally tory or military history, our partnership with workshops, publications and other public probeen a part of collections or other programming Outlook and GOHI has helped positioned us as a grams. There are many more assignments, but in mainstream history museums, historical leader in an important element of public history here are a few of the accomplishments over the houses, or on historic site tours. Yet there is a today. last 30 years in the Historic Preservation Office. growing understanding that this perspective is For more information, visit www.ohiohistory.org and • Over 3,800 listings of properties on the National an important part of the overall history of our www.gohi.org. Register of Historic Places with listings of over state.

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Anyone remember “Boom Boom (Let’s Go Back To My Room)” from 1987? If you don’t know who Paul Lekakis is, think Sam Champion as a singing rentboy.

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In July of 1997, Harvard University became the first major university to allow same-sex couples to hold commitment ceremonies in the school's main chapel.

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Reason to Celebrate by Regina Sewell

orientation. Last fall, six LGBTQ teenagers committed suicide because the harassment they experienced was too much for them to Flashback to 1977. Fast forward to college. bear. According to the National Center for Transgender Equality, “Transgender and gender non-conforming people face discriminaI’m in the seventh grade and it seems that all the girls I hang out I still date guys and assume that the lack of chemistry has to do tion at every turn: in childhood homes, in school systems that with are obsessed with boys. I can’t relate but put pictures of Leif with not having met Mr. Right. I read the findings of the Kinsey Re- promise to shelter and educate, in harsh and exclusionary workGarrett in my locker in an attempt to fit in. They are also obsessed ports and decide that it is statistically unlikely that I am in the ten places, at the grocery store, the hotel front desk, in doctors’ offices with kissing boys. Kissing is the mark of having arrived - of being percent of the population that is completely heterosexual. Statisti- and emergency rooms, before judges and at the hands of landa teenager - and I don’t get the point of kissing at all. Enter Valerie cally, it’s much more likely that I am among the 80 percent of the lords, police officers, health care workers, and other service Bertinelli and Mackenzie Phillips (Barbara and Julie, respectively), population that is bisexual. I keep this information to myself. I providers.” on the TV sitcom One Day at a Time. Julie is teaching Barbara how watch my peers harass the students who founded the campus gay to kiss. She explains the mechanics of kissing and then demonand lesbian student group and read letters to the editor in the col- Even so, things have changed. GLBTQ teenagers are aware of opstrates on a pillow. Barbara takes the pillow and practices kissing lege paper lambasting them. I celebrate their courage but no way tions that eluded many of us even a generation ago. Lesbian, gay, it. When I see Valerie Bertinelli kiss the pillow, something clicks. am I signing on for this kind of abuse. Besides, I’m only theoretibisexual and even transgendered characters regularly show up in Kissing makes sense. I can imagine kissing when I think of Valerie. cally bi – that is, until I meet Laura in a Gender and Society class. movies and on TV. Lesbian and gay families shop at the local groMy heart flutters every time she says something. I find excuses to cery store and make cupcakes for PTA bake sales. Politically, we I don’t realize that I have a crush on Valerie Bertinelli. It doesn’t talk to her during breaks and after class. She is completely off lim- have made huge inroads as well. Not only has President Obama even occur to me that having a crush on a girl is an option. This its. Not only is she the “wrong sex,” she’s also my boss’s daughter. acknowledged that we exist, he has argued that we should have sort of thing is simply not discussed in the small Texas town I live the same basic human rights as any other group. He announced in. It’s as if the idea of two men or two women together is so I begin to wonder if the lack of sparks has to do with the gender that soon, gays and lesbians will be able to openly serve in the heinous, it’s unspeakable. I hear the word “homosexual” for the pool I’ve been dating in. This terrifies me. I push my sexuality down military. He even called the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) first time on the nightly news. Anita Bryant is campaigning and pour all my energy and frustration into my school work. And “legally indefensible.” And even though I can’t marry my partner in against an anti-discrimination ordinance protecting gays and les- just in case Laura was a passing phase, I date a few more guys. I the state I live in, the District of Columbia and five states (Iowa, bians in Florida. She’s carring a sign saying, “Save our children don’t accept the fact I’m wired to be more strongly attracted to Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Hampshire) allow from homosexual recruitment” and is revered as a hero. I’m not women until I’m in the middle of writing a paper on anti-LGBT vio- gay marriage. Many school districts have enacted anti-bullying sure what homosexuals are, but I understand that they are bad. lence. Not only do I discover a rich gay and lesbian history, I come laws designed to protect all students, including those who are across countless vivid descriptions of violence directed against GLBTQ. We are even welcomed with open arms by some churches Fast forward to high school. people who are attacked because they love or desire someone of and synagogues. So even though we clearly have work to do, we the same sex - people I now recognize as being like me. I resign have plenty to celebrate. Take time out this Pride and have a good I have forgotten about Valerie Bertinelli. I date boys. I kiss boys. I myself to a life of rejection, harassment and possibly even viotime! don’t feel the kind of fireworks my friends describe, but at least I lence. To ask Regina a question, propose a column topic, read about her approach to fit in. The guys on the football team have discovered homosexualcounseling, or check out her books and other writing, go to: ity. They brag about going into town and bashing “fags” on the Fast forward to today. www.ReginaSewell.com. You can read her blogs at www.ReginaSewell.Wordweekends and insult each other with the epithet, “fudge packer” press.com, http://visionscounseling.wordpress.com, and http://possumcrosswhich my boyfriend on the football team explains to me. I underAccording to the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Projects, last ing.wordpress.com. Her most recent publication, “Sliding Away” can be found in stand that I am to be disgusted by the idea of men having sex with year, twenty-two LGBTQ people were killed because of their sexual Knowing Pains: Women on Love, Sex and Work in Our 40s, edited by Molly Rosen.

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men. Mostly, I am horrified by the cruelty of the name calling.

Males 18-25 are most likely to practice safer sex amongst all gay people.

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The District of Columbia and 47 states have anti-hate crime laws, however only 24 states and the District of Columbia include sexual orientation in their legislation.

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24 june 2011

Vermont was the first state to give same-sex couples the right to enter a “Civil Union,” conferring virtually all of the same benefits accorded to heterosexual marriages.

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Celebrating My Pride I attended my first Pride event and parade in 1989 in New York City. It was the 20th anniversary of the Stonewall riots, so the event was even bigger and bolder than usual.

nati City Council Chris Seelbach are demonstrating that LGBT people can be successful politicians. I am proud that Amanda Simpson was recently named the first transgender Presidential appointee and Vicky Kolakowski became At that time, the LGBT group at my college (which I chose the first elected transgender judge in the country. I am in part because it was supposed to be LGBT-friendly) was proud that Greg Louganis, John Amaechi, Rosie Jones and small and not very visible. People studiously avoided wear- Martina Navratilova have come out in the often times hoing jeans on “Gay Jeans Day” and my freshman year room- mophobic world of sports. mate - yes, my roommate - got in trouble for putting up a flier around campus that said “Save the Hamsters, Shoot I am proud that we see LGBT people and storylines on TV the Fags.” There were few, if any, openly LGBT role models from Glee to Desperate Housewives to reality shows like in entertainment, politics, sports or anywhere in the public Survivor and Amazing Race. I am proud that we see LGBT eye, and there were few legal protections for the LGBT people in mainstream movies from Brokeback Mountain to community. In fact, at that time, states could, and many The Birdcage, and that we see popular LGBT musicians did, outlaw sodomy. The AIDS crisis was young, and peofrom Melissa Etheridge to Rufus Wainright to Tracy Chapple, especially in New York City, were dying at an alarming man. rate. As a person struggling with my sexual orientation, there were few role models to look up to, and I faced an I am proud that our community has led the struggle uncertain personal and professional path. against HIV and AIDS, and that HIV and AIDS are no longer an immediate death sentence. I am proud that same sex Yet, I was amazed and moved by the pride parade in New couples can get married in Massachusetts, Iowa, DC, and York City. It stretched miles and miles, and it included all other states. I am proud that gays and lesbians will soon of our community - drag queens, go-go boys, PFLAG, LGBT be able to serve openly in the military and that our Presiprofessionals, sports groups, and any other group you dent and Attorney General have decided not to defend the could think of. There was a sense of celebration, as well Constitutionality of the anti-gay Defense Against Marriage as, a political aspect of the parade demanding civil rights Act. I am proud that 21 states and a number of cities and advances and attention to the AIDS crisis. It was the first counties in Ohio have passed non-discrimination laws to time I really understood how large, diverse and potentially protect the LGBT community against discrimination in empowerful the LGBT community is. ployment, housing and public accommodations. And I am proud that the LGBT community has strong national orWe have come a long way since 1990. I am proud that en- ganizations like HRC, Lambda Legal, National Black Justertainers as diverse as Ellen DeGeneres, Rosie O’Donnell, tice Coalition, National Center for Lesbian Rights, Neil Patrick Harris, and Chris Colfer have found the GetEqual and National Center for Transgender Equality; courage to be openly and proudly LGBT. I am proud that statewide organizations like Equality Ohio and TransOhio; Don Lemon is now an openly gay broadcaster. I am proud and local organizations like Equality Toledo and Stonewall that politicians such as U.S. Reps. Barney Frank and Columbus. Tammy Baldwin, Houston Mayor Annise Parker, our own Ohio State Rep. Nickie Antonio, and candidate for Cincin- I am proud of the more than 200 people - LGBT people and

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our allies - who traveled to Columbus in May for the 6th Annual Lobby Day to tell our legislators their stories, and to advocate for pro-equality legislation. I am proud of the more than 150 people around the state who called or wrote their legislators from home on Lobby Day and sent an additional 300 messages to our legislators supporting proequality legislation. I am proud of the people in Ohio and around the country who have stood up one by one and said that LGBT people are worthy of all of the same rights and responsibilities as our straight brothers and sisters, that we deserve to live our lives with dignity and respect, that we deserve to be full and equal participants in public life, that we have the right to a job and a home, that we have the right to a safe education, and that Ohio should not treat us as second class citizens. I am proud that I have found my way - through a very circuitous path - to be a leader in the struggle for LGBT equality. I am proud of the people in my life who have accepted me for who I am and supported me in my efforts through the years, even if they do not fully understand the path I have chosen. I am proud of those whose shoulders I stand upon and of those who stand beside me in this struggle. And I am very proud of the work Equality Ohio does through its staff, board and volunteers. This month, I will celebrate my pride in all of these things about the LGBT community and our allies. Next month, I will again write about what we need to do to move forward and the injustices we still face. But for today, it is appropriate (and pleasant) to sit back and reflect on how far we have come. And yes, to be proud of that. Ed Mullen is the Executive Director of Equality Ohio, our statewide nonprofit organization founded in 2005 that advocates for the Ohio LGBTQ community. For more info: EqualityOhio.org

The first Pride Parade, commemorating the Stonewall Riots, occurs in NYC and LA in 1970!

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Openly gay Harvey Milk was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977. During his tenure, Milk helped raise visibility for gay issues.

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Karger Has A Shot by Leslie Robinson If you haven't heard of Fred Karger, you have an awful lot of company.

think he will run, and then inexplicably start speaking like his brother. After saying in a debate something like, "I believe the American people are embettered for our alien rights, and other nations should immolate us," he'll check into a speech facility.

Karger is a retired political consultant from California. He's also a gay activist, and he's running for the presidency. As a RepubliSarah Palin could meet a wolf that shoots can. back. Clearly this is a fellow who fancies adventure.

Tim Pawlenty, the former Minnesota governor, is described as nice and oh-so bland. Hence it isn't hard for me to imagine him disappearing from the race. He might still be in it, but we just won't be able to see him.

Does he stand more than a Popsicle's chance in hell? Yes, actually. Karger, the first openly gay Republican presidential candidate, could win his party's nomination under certain circumstances. In March Gov. Mitch Daniels of Indiana proposed Republicans call a truce on social isEvery other candidate has to drop out. sues. Daniels holds socially conservative views, but believes the budget is too pressIt could happen. The acknowledged candi- ing to get sidetracked. dates, the possible candidates, and the waiting-till-later-to-make-a-grand-enSpeaking of tracks, social conservatives will trance candidates could all find themselves see that he gets tied to them. out of the campaign for one reason or another. Lately Mike Huckabee has been feuding with fellow Fox host Glenn Beck. This Newt Gingrich, for instance, who converted prompts me to picture a campaign-busting to Catholicism in 2009, might decide he'd scenario where Huckabee tells a reporter, "I rather run for pope. still don't believe in evolution, but I'm convinced Glenn Beck was sired by monkeys." Don't scoff. As a serial adulterer who trumpeted family values, he's got a leg up on fi- Jon Huntsman has resigned his position as nessing hypocrisy, which comes in handy in President Obama's ambassador to China. Rome from time to time. The fact that he worked for Obama means GOP primary voters would sooner choose One of the Republican frontrunners, Mitt Pee Wee Herman. Romney, could similarly decide he'd prefer to head up his Mormon church. But I think Rick Santorum, Ron Paul, Michele Bachit more likely he'll leave the presidential mann, Herman Cain, John Thune, Rudy Giufield after he and Texas Gov. Rick Perry get liani, John Bolton—for a variety of reasons, in a shouting match over who has better they all could drop out or be booted out of hair. the Republican campaign. Tea partiers already harbor reservations about former mega-lobbyist and Washington power broker Haley Barbour, currently the governor of Mississippi. In February Barbour flew to Washington in a luxury jet paid for by Mississippi taxpayers to deliver a speech on the need to cut costs.

Fred Karger might be the last man standing, in which case the nomination will be his. The Republican forces will be led into battle by an openly gay man who five years ago campaigned to save the Boom Boom Room, a historic gay club in Laguna Beach.

Diehard Republicans won't find this part of When he takes that jet to a Tea Party rally, his resume inspiring. But if he's all they he'll be pelted with Lipton and lose all fond- have, they'll learn to live with it. ness for caffeinated tea, as well as all Leslie Robinson loves saying "Boom Boom Room." Efondness for caffeinated campaigning. Jeb Bush has denied he'll run in 2012. I

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mail her at lesarobinson@gmail.com, and check out her blog at www.generalgayety.com.

Mexico City hosts the biggest Pride celebration in Central America, attracting over one million spectators.

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What If Right Made Might?

Reimagining the Assassination of Bin Laden by Ted Rall

lized we are, how important it is that everyone follow the rules. For example: "We're a nation of laws!" Obama recently exclaimed. "We President Obama murdered Osama bin Laden. I am surprised that don't let individuals make their own decisions about how the laws the left has been so supportive - not of the end result, but of the way operate." it was carried out. He wasn't talking about himself. This was about PFC Bradley ManImagine if the killing had gone down the same exact way, but under ning, the soldier accused of supplying the big Defense Department Bush. Armed commandos invade a foreign country, storm into a data dump to WikiLeaks. Manning has been subjected to torture insuburban neighborhood, blow a hole in a house and blow away an cluding sleep deprivation and forced nudity - treatment ordered by unarmed man in front of his 12-year-old daughter. The guy is a Obama. murder suspect. Mass murder. But there's no attempt to arrest him or bring him to justice. They spirit his bloody corpse out of the coun- Truth is, the Constitution, our treaty obligations and our stacks of try and dump it into the ocean. legal codes are worthless paper. We're not a nation of laws. We're a nation of gun-toting, missile-lobbing, drone-flying goons. Osama bin Laden was suspected of ordering one of the most horrific crimes of the decade. He might have been taken alive. Yet U.S. officials do whatever they feel like and then dress up their Obama's commandos killed him. A big part of the puzzle - the key to brazenly illegal acts with perverse Orwellian propaganda. "I authorthe truth, who might have led us to other people responsible for ized an operation to get Osama bin Laden and bring him to justice," 9/11 - is gone. Obama claimed, as if blowing away an unarmed man in a foreign country was the moral equivalent of filing an extradition request Barack Obama is our Jack Ruby. with the Pakistani government and putting him on trial before 12 unbiased jurors in a court of law. Liberals would be appalled if this had happened four years ago. They would have protested Bush's violations of international law Justice is a legal process. It is not a military assault. and basic human rights. They would have complained about killing the Al Qaeda leader before questioning him about possible terrorist When considering the legality or morality of an act it helps to conplots. They would have demanded investigations. sider different scenarios. What, for example, if Pakistan had military power equal to ours? Last week's lead news might have begun But this happened under Obama. Which means that even liberal something like this: lawyers who ought to (and probably do) know better are going along. At a panel discussion at the Justice Institute at Pace Law "Pakistan has intercepted four U.S. helicopters over its airspace, School, University of Houston law professor Jordan Paust asserted: forced them to land, and taken 79 "heavily-armed commandos" as "You can [legally] use military force without consent in foreign coun- prisoners. According to Pakistani military officials, the incident took tries." place about 100 miles from the border of U.S.-occupied Afghanistan. 'They didn't stray across the border accidentally. This "At some point a sovereign state [such as Pakistan] that's harbor- was a deliberate act,' said a Pakistani general. President Asif Ali ing an international fugitive loses the right to assert sovereignty," Zardari has asked Pakistan's nuclear weapons infrastructure has added Robert Van Lierop. been placed on high alert as the parliament, the Majlis-e-Shoora, considers whether to issue a declaration of war…" Paust and Van Lierop are, respectively, a leading opponent of torture at Guantánamo and a former UN ambassador known for his acOr let's assume a different reimagining. What if the United States tivism on climate change. Both are "liberal." really was a nation of laws? In the U.S., conservatives and "liberals" agree: Might makes right. Then the news might look like the following: America's military-intelligence apparatus is so fearsome that it can deploy its soldiers and agents without fear of retribution. "Bipartisan demands for Congressional investigations into the assassination of alleged terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden Might makes right. quickly escalated into demands for presidential impeachment after reports that U.S. forces operating under orders from President In 2007, for example, U.S. Special Forces invaded Iran from US-oc- Obama invaded a sovereign nation without permission to carry out cupied Iraq in order to kidnap Iranian border guards. It was an out- what House Speaker John Boehner called 'a mob-style hit.' Standing rage. In practical terms, however, there was nothing the Iranians at Boehner's side, Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi decried Obama's could do about it. 'cowboy antics' and said she had received numerous phone calls from the relatives of 9/11 victims furious that true justice had been The United States' 900-pound gorilla act might go over better if we denied. Meanwhile, in New York, U.N. secretary-general Ban Kiweren't a nation that constantly prattles on and on about how civi- Moon moved for sanctions against the United States…"

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In fact, no one knows whether Osama bin Laden was involved in 9/11. They suspect. They feel. They don't know. For what it's worth, he denied it: "Following the latest explosions in the United States, some Americans are pointing the finger at me, but I deny that because I have not done it," bin Laden said in a statement released on 9/16/01. "The United States has always accused me of these incidents which have been caused by its enemies. Reiterating once again, I say that I have not done it, and the perpetrators have carried this out because of their own interest." Why should we believe him? Why not? He admitted his responsibility for the East Africa embassy bombings in 1998. Interestingly, the FBI never mentioned 9/11 on his "wanted" poster. There was the famous "confession video" - but it was translated into English by the CIA, hardly an objective source. Arabic language experts say the CIA manipulated bin Laden's discussion of what he had watched on TV into an admission of guilt. For example, they changed bin Laden's passive-voice discussion to active: "[the 19 hijackers] were required to go" became, in the CIA version, "we asked each of them to go to America." "The American translators who listened to the tapes and transcribed them apparently wrote a lot of things in that they wanted to hear but that cannot be heard on the tape no matter how many times you listen to it," said Gernot Rotter, professor of Islamic and Arabic Studies at the Asia-Africa Institute at the University of Hamburg. Other OBL communiqués appear to take credit for 9/11 - but there's a possibility that he was trying to keep himself relevant for his Islamist audience. Anyway, a confession does not prove guilt. Police receive numerous "confessions" for high-profile crimes. They can't just shoot everyone who confesses I'm not angry that Bin Laden is dead. Nor am I happy. I didn't know the guy or care for his ideology. I'm angry that, without a trial or a real investigation, we will never know whether he was guilty of 9/11 - or, if he was, who else was involved. Our Jack Ruby, Barack Obama, made sure of that. Ted Rall is the author of “The Anti-American Manifesto.” His website is tedrall.com.

In Berlin in 1919, Magnus Hirschfeld produced the first film depicting positive images of gay life, Anders als die Andern (Different from the Others).t

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D.C. Comics has produced a four-book miniseries, Metropolis S.C.U. (Special Crimes Unit), in which the main character is Captain Maggie Sawyer, a lesbian superhero.

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rdigital photography

Pride 2011: Fails, Wins and One Epic Win by Mickey Weems In a year filled with natural disasters and human-generated catastrophes, the Gay community is steadily making progress. Here is a list of the fails and wins for us, our adversaries, and the American people. Fails The end of the world came and went for Reverend Harold Camping (gotta love the last name!) and his conned-gregation: No Rapture on May 21. On the one hand, it was a financial win for Camping, a man who amassed millions of dollars from the gullible. That wealth will still be available to him even though the world did not end, unless he blew all in a mad tipping streak at the local titty bar on May 20.

Speaking of politicians in fail mode, Illinois Congressman Aaron Schock flaunted his abs on the cover of Men's Health, proving what gossips have been saying about him for years: Gay-GayGay. He claims he is promoting anti-obesity. But “confirmed bachelor” Schock is cruising for much, much more than props for supporting Michelle Obama’s pet project. It should be clear by now that the cover shot is actually a photoshoot of Aaron’s closet.

The “It Gets Better” campaign, telling our youth that life will improve once they get out of high school, allowed older LGBT people to feel good about themselves. But the slick videos and clever marketing didn’t do a damn thing for our suffering youth. We really should have a “Stop Killing Your Queer Kids” campaign instead. When the house is on fire, you don’t tell children On the other hand, there is the ridicule (and un- trapped inside they’ll feel much better after fortunately the poverty) that his followers must years of therapy in the burn trauma center. You face on the day after wishing the rest of us either fight the fire or get them the fuck out. would be engulfed in unspeakable suffering while they floated away on Spaceship Jesus. It is FTW, Baby! just another nail in the coffin for fanatical Christian ignorance, including the virulent ho- Major win goes to potty-mouth comedian Lisa mophobia that infects so many of our churches. Lampanelli, who was inspired by Westboro BapWestboro Baptist was not created ex nihilo. tist Church to donate $50,000 to Gay Men’s Health Crisis after the haters picketed one of her Scott Walker, the Wisconsin governor who has shows. Lisa wanted to give $1000 for every prodedicated his heart and soul to dismantling tester. 48 showed up, so she rounded it out to workers’ rights, met serious resistance to his fifty grand. College groups have used WBC as a policies as he seeks to make the rich richer. So fundraiser for a while now, donating the funds he took a page out of the Karl Rove playbook of in the name of Westboro Baptist and sending dirty politics and attacked The Gays. Walker Fred Phelps thank-you cards. wants to deny us hospital visitation rights. If anything proves that the man is nothing but Nothing but love for rapper Lil B and the title of leftover santorum (thank you, Dan Savage!) on his latest album, I’m Gay. His strong stance for cheap motel sheets, this is it. Mark him as a our community, revealing hypocrisy in the hiptotal fail in terms of responsible leadership. hop community at the risk of his own neck (both

30 june 2011

professionally and physiologically) is awesome. NBA players take note: real men defend the helpless. You promote further attacks against our people by throwing around “Faggot!” every time somebody pisses in your cornflakes. We have a wonderful new icon in Glee as Santana (played to the hilt by Naya Rivera) develops her character as the closeted mean-spirited “Lebanese” cheerleader. Out only to a few people in the story’s narrative, she is gloriously Lezcampy to the audience. Best line: “The only Straight I am is straight-out bitch.” In just a few episodes, Santana became the most interesting character in the series, especially when she used her dark powers to protect nelly-boy Kurt.

legislature has done for our community by proposing the “Don’t Say Gay” rule. This trifling piece of nonsense forbids teachers from teaching homosexual-related topics to elementary and middle school students. Once again, the squares are making us irresistible to young people. Epic Win: Osamacare Have you heard of Osamacare? It is the President’s new health initiative: a vaccine against terrorism. The government will even deliver shots to your compound.

Osama bin Laden and his Al Qaeda henchmen sent America into a tailspin as rabidly rightAnd if anything proves how late the extremist wing politicians forced us into an ill-executed Conservative talk-show hosts are in post-Dubya war after 9/11. They used the attacks on NYC America, Glenn Beck has done it. He pulled a and DC to authorize torture, and in their macho Scott Walker and warned America about how zeal, doubled their own attacks against us, the Glee subverts family values. Subtext: it’s too Gay community. Extremist Christian patriotism queer. Since Glenn represents everything un-hip, was wedded to intolerance of Muslims, witchhis attack against the Fox network show (the hunts against LGBT people in the military, and same network that dropped his ass like a hot useless repetitive legislation denying us the potato) can only make Glee even more popular, right to marry. and prove how out of touch the likes of Beck, Rush Limbaugh, and Michael Savage are. For their part, many supposedly Progressive Democrats did nothing to stop the madness, with Another sign of the times is the message sent the notable exception of then-Senator Barack by enlightened New York Conservative powerObama. brokers to homophobic Republicans: Quit attacking LGBT rights or we will not fund you. The death of Osama during Obama's watch as Thanks, Straight rich White guys! And another Commander-in-Chief is a blow against all those feather in NYC’s cap: the New York Times feawho hate Obama's policies, including homotures an interactive site called “Coming Out” so phobes who go ballistic every time our President that teenagers can contribute their stories. refers to us as his fellow Americans, and who Rather than giving youth empty promises about continue to hound our people in uniform. a shiny future, give them a voice today. Happy Pride! We cannot overlook the big favor the Tennessee

French writer Andre Gide (1869-1951) was the first out-gay man to receive a Nobel Prize for Literature. The prize was awarded to him in 1947.

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Illinois was the first state in the US to decriminalize homosexuality! Hoorah!

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History of Pride in the Churches by J Eric Peters

orientation and “insist[ing] that all persons are en- churches left the UPCUSA to join the PCA. titled to have their human and civil rights ensured.” Church history and queer history have been inter1988: Methodists’ General Convention (UMC’s G.C.) twining since even before Stonewall. And San Fran- 1973: The UCC Executive Council, the denominaissued a statement including the language first cisco has been the heart of it all. tion’s governing body made up of church leaders recommended by the 1972 study committee. elected by associations all over the U.S., voted to On about August 9, 1966 in the fabulous Tenderloin recommend that associations not consider sexual 1996: UMC’s G.C. called for the U.S. military not to District of San Francisco, a cop grabbed a drag orientation when considering candidates for ordina- exclude persons from military service “solely on the queen sitting in the Compton Cafeteria, and she tion. basis of sexual orientation.” threw her coffee in his face. A riot ensued. Today the place has a historical marker, and the documentary 1973: The Presbyterian Church in America formed 1999: The Rev. Phil Hart, a defrocked Methodist Screaming Queens‘s co-director historian Susan after 250+ congregations split off from the PCUS minister, founds Sanctorum in relationship with Stryker (whose history PhD came from Berkeley) and sent delegates to a convention in Birmingham, First Congregational Church (UCC). makes it sound like the birthplace of transactivism. AL. More than half came from Mississippi, Alabama Los Angeles had already had its first gay riot in May and South Carolina, representing the Deep South’s 2000: Broad Street Presbyterian Church held a 1959 at a little place called Cooper’s Donuts, situ- Bible Belt, once part of the Presbyterian Church in Service of Holy Union, the request for which ated between two seedy gay bars, where bad cops the Confederate States of America. Their actions prompted development of the church’s Statement of showed up and, instead of getting donuts, hafollowed the Pittsburgh presbytery declining to orInclusion: “[A]ll sacraments, celebrations, privirassed people. dain an individual candidate who refused to supleges and responsibilities of church membership port the ordination of women. Rigid insistence on shall be available to each member of Broad Street On October 6, 1968, the Metropolitan Community biblical inerrancy, as well as, conservative takes on Presbyterian Church. . . . As a church, we are comChurch held its first service in a borrowed space social issues such as race, the Vietnam War, mitted to living together in such a way that we give after founder Troy Perry’s suicide attempt following poverty, marriage, divorce and sexuality affected witness to Christ’s sacrificial life, saving death and a failed love affair. In attendance were several of those conservatives; they also opposed ordaining glorious resurrection, by extending to all people the Perry’s friends and three strangers answering his women. kind of hospitality exemplified in Jesus Christ our church advertisement in the Advocate. They dediLord” (emph. added). Today both More Light Presbycated their own building in 1971. Now MCC has 1976: The Episcopal Church (USA) (ECUSA) through terians and GayChurch.org list it as a welcoming 250 churches spread across 23 countries. its General Convention passed a resolution affirm- church. ing that lesbian and gay people should have full In April 1969 the United Church of Christ (UCC) civil rights, but deferred a resolution on ordination 2000: UMC’s G.C. issued a Social Principle affirmCouncil for Christian Social Action, a national body, pending a church commission’s report of its study. ing their belief in the human rights and civil liberpassed a resolution that opposed all laws criminalties of gay men and lesbians and expressing a izing private, consensual sexual conduct between 1976: Some PCUSA presbyteries asked about orcommitment to support those rights. gay and lesbian adults. They also denounced the daining homosexuals, but, instead of following that, exclusion of gays from the military. the General Assembly called for further study. 2003 (June 7): The Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire elected the Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson, the first The notorious June 1969 Stonewall riots have a spe- 1977: The Episcopal Diocese of New York ordained out - and partnered (to Mark Andrew) - gay bishop cial place in history. Obviously not our first riots, the first openly lesbian Episcopal priest, the Rev. in modern Christendom. The August 2003 General folks often credit them as the beginning of our Ellen Barnett. Convention confirmed him, and anti-gay conservamovement. Prior to 1962 every state had a law tives made death threats on Robinson to show just making sodomy a felony. Only 14 states - including 1977: The UCC ordained an out lesbian, perhaps how pro-life they really were. Although a small Texas - had such laws in 2003 when the U.S. that denomination’s first, the Rev. Anne Holmes. number (proportionately) of local parishes and a Supreme Court declared them unconstitutional. handful of the ECUSA’s more than 100 dioceses 1978: A PCUSA committee issued a report titled have developed strained relationships with the rest It’s funny how folks treat history. Everybody remem- “Church and Homosexuality.” Its majority report of the church, some of those leaving the denominabers Stonewall. Hardly anyone mentions Cooper or said sessions and presbyteries should not consider tion, the ECUSA has also gained new members who Compton. “Cooper Columbus” or “Compton Desexual orientation a bar to ordination, but instead sought an inclusive, open and progressive church. mocrats” would sound funny. So it is with the rest the General Assembly (G.A.) adopted the minority of this article. An attempt to construct a time line report. Both reports called for protection of civil 2003 (June 14): The Shepherd Initiative presented a for Presbyterians for an article that distracted me rights. powerful conference, “Amazing Grace,” bringing tofrom working on this one when it took off on its own gether more than 300 people at the Adams Mark started it. Feel free to write to Outlook or directly to 1981: Columbus, Ohio’s first pride parade. Hotel. me (J_Eric_Peters@yahoo.com) about what I’ve left out. 1983: The UCC General Synod, its national assem- 2003 (June 26): Two days before Stonewall Columbly, which has the power to pass more authoritative bus celebrated Pride, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Despite unintended but (under the circumstances) resolutions than can the executive council, passed in Lawrence and Garner vs. Texas that sodomy laws inevitable omissions, there’s plenty to celebrate! a resolution that associations should not consider violated the Constitution, perhaps influenced by an sexual orientation in selecting candidates for ordi- amici curiae brief submitted by significant religious 1972: The San Francisco area’s UCC Golden Gate nation. organizations including the American Friends ServAssociation (like a diocese or district or presbytery) ice Committee, the American Jewish Committee, ordained the Rev. Bill Palmer, an openly gay man. 1983: The Presbyterian Church (USA) (PC(USA)) the Commission on Social Action of Reform Juformed from merging the UPCUSA, which had daism, the ECUSA (through its presiding bishop), 1972: A United Methodist Church (UMC) committee, grown to have churches in all 50 states and had the Methodist Federation for Social Action, the after four years of study, recommended the UMC not lost substantial membership, with the Southern UCC’s General Synod and the Unitarian Universalist adopt a Social Principle, which it eventually did, af- PCUS , which had already lost members and Association. firming equal “sacred worth” regardless of sexual churches. On the eve of the merger, several

32 june 2011

LDS Church's Joseph Smith shares anti-homophic sentiment at the funeral of friend Lorenzo Barns.

2003 (December): Analysis of multiple records identified 12 welcoming churches in Central Ohio and 68 throughout Ohio. 2004: Stonewall Columbus presented an interfaith forum and published a directory of local GBLT-welcoming groups focused on beliefs, ethics and community. 2006: Integrity USA, the national organization of GBLT Episcopalians, celebrated Eucharist in a service at Trinity Episcopal Church (on Capitol Square) during the denomination’s 75th General Convention held here. 2007: ELCA Lutheran delegates to their national meeting, by a 503-490 vote, rejected a motion that would have allowed both ordination of non-celibate GBLT candidates and the blessing of same-sex unions. 2009: ELCA Lutherans’ national Assembly voted by a 559-451 margin to allow ordination to ministry of non-celibate GBLT candidates. This convention also passed a motion instructing its leaders to develop a ritual for blessing same-sex unions. 2009 (July): Episcopalians’ General Assembly approved several resolutions. One permitted ordination, without regard to sexual orientation, to any ministry in the church (including that of bishop, priest or deacon). The second instructed a key body within the church - the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music - to develop rites and pastoral resources for the blessing of same-gender relationships. The third gave individual bishops and dioceses leeway to move forward with blessing holy unions of same-sex couples. 2009 (November): The Rt. Rev. Thomas E. Breidenthal, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio (including Columbus), announced that he had lifted the local prohibition on blessing same-sex unions. 2010 (right after Easter): Columbus ‘s St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church and University Center hosted a holy union of two men, Warren MacPherson and Mike Hardin, blessed by the Rev. Dr. George Glazier with significant media attention. 2010: The Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles elected and installed the first openly lesbian bishop in their church and the worldwide Anglican Communion, the Rt. Rev. Mary Glasspool. 2011: GayChurch.org listed 53 welcoming churches in Central Ohio, reflecting more than 300 percent growth since 2003. 2011: The Presbyterian Church (USA) removed its denomination-wide bar on the ordination of gay and lesbian elders and clergy. Predictable ending: Gee, I can’t wait to see what the next 30 years bring!

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The Advocate (a gay magazine) was started in1967

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34 june 2011

The national support group, PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) was formed in 1982.

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Conservatism: From Fuddy-Duddy to Nutty Buddy by Wayne Besen When I first started fighting for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality in 1989, the mission seemed quite clear. We were working to educate and change the minds of traditionalists who had virtually no experience with LGBT people or issues. These individuals had grown up with stereotypes and misconceptions that could be proven false by the coming out of friends, coworkers, neighbors, or family members.

Equally mystifying is the traction serial adulterer Newt Gingrich is getting from social conservatives. In a recent presidential straw poll taken by attendees at the religious right’s Awakening 2011 conference, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich placed third with 21% of the votes. Maybe I’m missing something, but how is Gingrich dumping his first wife while she was recovering in the hospital from cancer “conservative”? How do these “traditionalists” rationalize Gingrich leaving his second wife for a young staffer while leading the charge to impeach Bill Clinton?

Today, defining our opponents is not so easy, and sometimes vexing, because their values are so vacant and vacuous. Back in the day, a true conservative was defined by how one lived – not necessarily how one voted. But today’s soulless, corporate conservatism has nothing to do with the way one lives and everything to do with lazy political labels and one-size-fits-all prefab positions.

Help me figure this out. My parents have been happily married for 41 years, yet are considered liberals because they are pro-choice, pro-gay Democrats. Barack Obama and Bill Clinton are still with their first wives, but are portrayed as anathema to the “family values” crowd. Yet, these moral scolds champion sleazy candidates like Gingrich and Trump who played musical wives.

Conservatism has now become a country club that offers membership to those who support a handful of policy issues. To join, one has to repudiate (or refudiate) abortion, marriage equality for same-sex couples, and the idea that global warming is man made. One also has to irrationally hate Barack Obama and favor tax cuts for millionaires.

In my view, you are not socially conservative unless you truly live that way. Where you stand on social or sexual issues during the day is less important than where you actually lie down at night. Candidates not practicing what they preach are phonies, while conservative pastors who endorse sordid candidates are puritanical poseurs who only care about political power.

If you deviate from the “conservatively correct” prefab platform – you are out. However, if you pass the standard “issue test” you are in – no matter how libertine your actual lifestyle is. This creed of “it’s about what you say, not how you live” is becoming rather evident as the GOP presidential nomination process heats up.

It is also time for the media to stop calling crazy people conservatives. When Maryland-based anti-gay activist Bishop Harry Jackson recently said that attempts to win LGBT marriage equality were “a satanic plot to destroy our seed,” it’s just paranoia, not a political philosophy.

For example, Franklin Graham – the son of famed evangelist Billy Graham – offered his glowing approval of Donald Trump’s campaign, before the Trump decided TV was more exciting than running the country.

When televangelist Pat Robertson claimed this week that liberals support reproductive health rights in order to make lesbians feel better about not being able to have children (they actually can and often do), he’s unbalanced, not simply right of center.

“When I first saw that he was getting in, I thought, ‘Well, And how about Democratic Jacksonville City Council this has got to be a joke,’” Graham told ABC’s Christiane candidate Kimberly Daniels? Here is what she said Amanpour. “But the more you listen to him, the more you about Halloween: say to yourself, ‘You know? Maybe the guy’s right.’” The danger of Halloween is not in the scary things we As Truth Wins Out’s Evan Hurst pointed out, Trump is see but in the secret, wicked, cruel activities that go on known for his “revolving door of trophy wives.” Whether behind the scenes. These activities include: Sex with it is conspicuous consumption or sexual morals, no one demons; Orgies between animals and humans; and Anican reasonably claim that Trump is genuinely “conserv- mal and human sacrifices. ative.” Daniels belongs in a butterfly net, not on a butterfly balYet, under the contemporary definition, Trump can join lot. Unfortunately, she represents a strain of acceptable the club because he is suddenly questioning whether modern conservatism that has overtaken the GOP and Barack Obama was born in the United States and pos- has even found its way into a few conservative Demoing as a great defender of “traditional” marriage. cratic circles. “I’m not in favor of gay marriage,” Trump cynically said, I’ve never been a conservative, but at least I understood just in time for his GOP presidential bid. “They should it before it transformed from “fuddy-duddy” to “nutty not be able to marry…I just don’t feel good about it. I buddy.” don’t feel right about it. I’m against it… I’m opposed to gay marriage.” Wayne Besen is founder of Truth Wins Out. For more info: Truthwinsout.org.

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The largest women's summer music festival is held in Michigan

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36 june 2011

The Civil Service Commission removed Eisenhower's ban on federal employment for homosexuals in 1975.

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Thirty Years and Still Dropping the T by Tara McKenzie Allison

believable. Forty-one percent (compared to just 1.6% for the general population) of the transgenThe theme of Pride this year is “30 Years of Pride,” der population attempts suicide, due to the which celebrates the 30th anniversary of Stonewall stresses associated with “being trans.” We all Columbus Pride Holiday. The Stonewall Center of know how difficult is to get to that point in your life Columbus, of course, is named after the riots at the where you reach a level of self-acceptance that alStonewall Inn, in the Greenwich Village neighborlows you to live at peace with yourself – where you hood of New York City, in June of 1969. Those riots no longer care who knows your “secret.” Then, after are considered the beginning of the modern “gay reaching that point, we must face the rest of socirights” movement. Yet despite the central role ety. We spend the rest of our life being discrimiplayed by transgender individuals at the Stonewall nated against, mocked, ridiculed, abused, and in riots, even today, transgender folks are often left the worst of cases, physically assaulted…just for out of the LGBT discussion. being ourselves. What do I mean? Well, the omission can range from the complete and intentional omission of legal protection for transgender folks (as in the deletion of those protections from Governor John Kasich’s executive order covering nondiscrimination of gay and lesbian state workers)…to the politically expedient choice by the HRC to support the omission of protections from the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, a few years ago…to minor, innocent oversights of the transgender population by LGBT groups, like this selection that I found, of an on-line description of the Columbus LGB“T” population:

Second, we are all part of a small, visible minority that is deprived of some very basic liberties by the majority. It’s perfectly legal to discriminate against anyone gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender. We can be fired from our jobs just for “coming out.” We can be evicted from our housing or denied housing in the first place. We can be asked to leave stores, restaurants, or any other public place (and not return)…simply because we are LGBT. It’s all perfectly legal. Up until recently, we couldn’t even serve openly in our country’s military (wait…transgender folk still can’t do that one). As part of that small, minority, we have a choice. We can associ“Ohio’s capital city, known as one of the most gay- ate with each other and pool our political power, or and lesbian-friendly destinations in the U.S., is we can splinter into even smaller, less powerful, making final preparations for its Columbus Pride separate groups. Considering that we have a comFestival, which attracts more than 100,000 visimon goal – equal treatment under the law – it tors.” seems silly to make the job harder, by reducing our (http://www.stonewallcolumbus.org/blog/2011/05/ effectiveness. 01/pride-in-the-news-columbus-pride-turns-30/) Third…let me ask this… As a male-to-female Where’s the “T”? I’ve been to a few Columbus Pride transsexual, if I have sex with a woman, am I gay Festivals; I’m sure I’ve seen a “few” transgender or straight? What if I have sex with a guy? Gay or folk in attendance. straight? To be honest, I don’t know either. Hmmm…ok, maybe it does have a little something Maybe I’m being too sensitive, but how often have to do with sexual orientation after all. we heard the discussion as to whether or not the transgender community should even be a part of My point is this; the “T” belongs with the “LGB.” the LGBT rights dialog? I know I’ve been a part of We share so much in common – our historical pothat discussion a number of times (always defend- litical roots, our life experience, our lot in society, ing, of course). I’ve listened to the argument that and our common political goal (and maybe even being “trans” has nothing to do with my sexual ori- our sexuality). As in any marriage (wait, I mean entation; it’s about my gender identity – my innate “partnership”), we need to remain loyal to and sense of my own gender. So besides the historical supportive of each other, in order to accomplish our connection of transgender folks and Stonewall, why common goal. So, on the thirty-year anniversary of should the “T” be included in LGBT? our Stonewall Center, let’s put to rest this discussion of whether or not the “T” belongs with the Why? Well… LGB. Let’s move forward together, so that thirty years from now, we’ll have long accomplished our First, part of the reason is that we are pretty much goals! in the same boat. We live in a society that doesn’t accept us for who we are. We spend a portion of our Tara McKenzie Allison, Esq., is a transgender attorney, who resides and practices law in Columbus, Ohio. She has served as a lives hiding “in the closet” because we know (or at Board Member and Legal Counsel to TransOhio, a nonprofit orleast, we’re told) that that part of us (be it sexual ganization serving the transgender community of Ohio. She curorientation or gender identity) isn’t acceptable to rently serves on the Board of The Legacy Fund of The Columbus the rest of society. We live with fear, self-loathing, Foundation. She is an active speaker on transgender and legal issues, providing educational, informational, and legal services isolation, and loneliness. We dread that anyone will to the general public. She can be contacted by e-mail at discover our “secret,” knowing that our lives would tara_m_allison@hotmail.com. be ruined if that happened. The statistics are un-

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Vermont was the first state to recognize same-sex “Civil Unions” in 1999.

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Glitter and a Bottle of Lube by Mario Pinardi

weekend was becoming old for me – K.Y. does not smell pretty in 90 degree heat. I also have been Pride, for me, is synonymous with another five-let- thinking about how I prepare for a Pride weekend. ter word: tired. Everything hurts on my body by At one time, I was the minimalist boy – money, a Monday morning – my stomach, my liver, my ass, small bag, a small card carrier for my I.D. and my lips, my feet and even, my dignity. I find Pride bankcard, and condoms. Now, I carry a backpack, celebrations empowering, but yet, hilarious & exwhich is full of items, such as a change of volunhausting. I know shame on me and bring on the teer shirt(s), antacid, camera, water bottle, pain hate mail. Pride celebrations are a dichotomous medication, lotion, and trail mix bars. I cannot eat mixture of gay stereotypes and not-so gay stereofestival food much anymore otherwise I will be extypes, and then add in our “straight, but not narpelling “rainbows and flames” all weekend – not row” brethren - it’s a comedic writer’s dream and sexy at all. And, of course, I have to bring a camera very bizarre party to watch. And, I embarrass Hubby to capture all of the festival wackiness on film, inat least twice during Pride, due to my lack of filter- cluding my friends’ not-so-flattering moments. ing and the need to engage in direct questioning techniques. It is hard to keep my yap shut with a Pride in the 21st century has become a big busicelebration that includes topless women and ema- ness venture for many companies. Instead of seeciated boys in over-priced underwear skipping ing booths populated by small businesses and local around the park, and me, in over-priced underwear, artists, you will see Pride celebrations dominated is not something to expose the public to at all. by large companies, such as Bank of America, Miller-Coors, Anheiser-Busch, Nationwide, and J.P. Columbus Pride is 30 years old this year, however, Morgan Chase are just a handful of companies that the very first Pride celebration in the U.S. was on have a presence at Pride. While I think it is great June 28, 1970 (I was still hibernating in my that these companies are proud to be fair-minded, I mother’s womb) and it went 51 blocks from Christo- also think that we still need to remember the small pher Street to Central Park in New York City. This businesses and local artists that boosted our first was more of a political march and celebration Pride celebrations all over the world. I mean how fused into one big gay parfait – “we’re here, we’re many “stress balls” with a corporate logo do we requeer (and we are wearing denim booty cutters)!” ally need? I usually avoid the corporate doo-dads at The images of these men and women still amaze Pride and buy catnip to benefit the local pet shelter. me, and their bravado cannot be compared to any My kitties are stoners. Plus, my backpack already Pride I have attended in the world. Now, when I was weighs enough! old enough to understand Pride and old enough to booze it up, Pride was less political and not austere As you mentally & physically prepare for Pride this for me at all, and it was more about finding a year, and as you get your homes ready for all of the “rainbow fuck” instead of finding a political cause. guests you will be hosting, take an opportunity to I was a terrible cruiser and at Pride, I ended up read up on what Pride celebrations used to be and finding men who would appreciate my directness, remember, as you are celebrating you and your plus thank God for the volunteers who passed out community that many people and much pain was condoms at the Pride festivals that I attended. I endured in order to create an environment in was a happy, sexed out, glitter-covered princess in Columbus where we can have a weekend of celemy youth (and I still like a little glitter, now and bration and giving back. Every year, I hope to meet then). As matured, Pride became more about giving new friends and love to see old friends that I do not back to my community. I started to become interget to see too often. I will be out there celebrating ested in political issues affecting me and my com- with all of you, but without the glitter and the bottle munity. Instead of my ass and lips hurting, my feet of lubricant. And, remember to always be a survivor were hurting from all of the time I spent passing and never a victim. This year, I am going to pack out literature and other assorted items at Pride. I Beano in my backpack, I really want to partake in started to enjoy this new found volunteerism a lot funnel cake and French fries, without farting a “My more, plus wearing “eau de personal lubricant” all Little Pony”-sized rainbow. Happy Pride, kittens!

38 june 2011

In 1986, William Hurt became the first actor to win an Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of a gay character. The film? Kiss Of The Spiderwomen.

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"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was enacted by President Clinton in 1992.

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40 june 2011

Massachusetts was the first state to legalize gay marriage in 2004

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Ice Skating I could barely breathe, I was so nervous. This wasn’t just a date; it was an adventure – a foray into the unknown – she asked me to go ice-skating. I know, I know. Cute, right? Totally adorable. I mean, who even goes ice-skating on dates anymore? Right after she asked me, I had said, “You know I can’t skate, right?” “That’s okay,” she had winked, “You can lean on me.” Later that night, I called my best friend from childhood who knows me better than anyone. “Seriously?” she had asked in disbelief. “You’re going ice-skating? This woman must be pretty special.” “She is. So what do I do? How do I get out of this total disaster I agreed to?” “Tell her to wait six to eight weeks. Meanwhile, enroll yourself in some classes.” So that was pretty much useless advice since I had no intention of waiting any longer to go on this date. After many months of celibacy and abstinence from all things complicated, I was ready to get back on the horse that is lesbian dating. I had given myself almost a year of time off and time to reflect on my issues, the issues of others and issues in the news. I wasn’t about to wait for two more months just to save face. After all, this date had come up in the strangest way and, like every cliché I’ve ever

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heard it was true to the idiom; when I least expected it, there was a moment. This precise moment involved a winter cough and a package of Fisherman’s Friend Throat Lozenges. I was at a busy intersection with my ex, my neighbor and my walking buddy. There was nothing particularly romantic about the moment except that when my walking buddy offered me a throat lozenge, I said yes and her hand touched mine as she shook a Fisherman’s Friend out of the bag. Our eyes met while our fingers touched and then the light turned and the moment disappeared as we crossed the intersection like nothing had happened. Only something had.

had been about seven months since I started and I hadn’t stopped. Still, I carry around all kinds of memories about being chosen last for every team sport, for wiping out on roller blades and for screaming all the way down a mountain with my feet strapped to downhill skis.

Another month went by with me experiencing an unspoken crush and basking in the private joy of liking her. This was someone who saw me regularly in track pants, someone who was used to putting up with my moaning and whining when hills were too steep or the weather was too cold. This was someone who had seen me in make up and a dress…um…never. I had been filling her in, slowly, while speed walking, about my decisions to retire from dating, about my plans to meet my soul mate at age 60 and not worry about settling down until then. So it came as a surprise when one day, after the Fisherman’s friend incident, after I knew I had a crush on her, she asked me how long I was going to wait before dating again.

She believed in me and I didn’t have the heart to tell her that I didn’t.

“Listen,” I began, “I can walk and I can play badminton but I’m not exactly athletic. I’m not sure if I can do this.” “You don’t have to unless you want to but I think you can do it and it would be nice to try it together.”

We met up at her place. My heart raced and my palms were sweaty. She reached for her big equipment bag.

But before I knew it, she had my head in a helmet and was skillfully snapping it together, lightly brushing against my cheek as she pretended to fiddle with the clasp. “You look adorable,” she said. “And you can totally do this. Let’s go.” With that, we were on the ice. Nestled between the outer ridge of the rink and her hand, I could almost convince myself that I’d be able to stay upright without any support. Very, very slowly we circled the rink. She offered some pointers.

“What’s that?” I asked. “My skates.”

“Don’t look down,” she said, “In fact, don’t look anywhere you don’t want to go. Just keep focused on what’s in front of you.”

“You have your own skates?” She just laughed. “I grew up on skates. I’m from Manitoba, remember?” Oh, brother. The stakes were getting higher.

That’s how I wound up freaking out about skating and my inability to do it. But I talked myself into it for two reasons – she was worth it and I have surprised myself before. I didn’t think I’d be able to stick to a strict exercise plan but it

My date rummaged through a giant bin by the lockers to find a helmet that would fit me. Maybe she was starting to suspect, much like I did, that I would crack my skull open. I wanted to ask the sixteen year old at the front desk if I could use one of those metal bars that I used to cling to when we were forced into ice-skating in elementary school.

We got to the ice rink and I rented skates. We sat down on a bench and got our skates on. So far, so good. At least my lacing was convincing.

Over 600,000 march in Washington, to demand equality for gays in 1987.

Around and around we went and I’m shocked and pleased to say that I lasted an hour and a half on the ice and that I let go of my date’s hand several times and didn’t fall. I also learned that ice-skating had a lot to teach me. Staying focused on what is in front of you and on where you want to go is sound advice long after you take off the skates, ease your feet into your shoes, and remind yourself to step instead of glide.

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Columbus Arts Festival Embraces Local Artists by Jami Goldstein

vals who can help them navigate the unfamiliar terrain. From little things like: I need duct tape for what?! To bigger issue such as: this buyer wants to commission a piece for a lot of money So the Columbus Arts Festival is 50 this year!! Can you believe it??! 50 and FABULOUS…as the and they want it in two weeks, what do I do?!!! lovely Miss Molly Shannon would say. And at 50 the Festival is bigger and better than ever. From the very beginning on the Statehouse lawn back in 1961 to the many years on the downtown To help with these kinds of questions GCAC also hosted two boot camps for emerging artists, riverfront and the past three years in the Discovery District, the Columbus Art Festival has atboth those who are participating in the Festival this year and those who applied and want to tracted arts fans far and wide to its diverse and eclectic mix of artists, music and performapply in the future. The goal is to help artists who want to present at festivals build the skills ances. they need to compete successfully on the national festival circuit. GCAC is very proud of this year’s emerging artists and we look forward to continuing this program in future years. The Columbus Arts Festival, presented by Time Warner Cable, is the largest free arts festival in the Midwest, and with more than 1100 artist applications for only 240 spots it’s an extremely But our efforts to reach out to the community don’t end there - the Columbus Arts Festival is not competitive festival for artists. Artists from across the nation, and internationally, apply each just about presenting great art and music and food. It’s very much about engaging the particiyear for these few coveted spots - because they know that Columbus is a town with many arts pation of everyone in the city and showing them how amazing the arts are in our city. So when patrons who appreciate and value their work. we thought, in honor of the 50th anniversary, what can we do that’s really fun, creative and, ok, we admit, maybe a little crazy?? What we decided was ask a lot of people - nearly 100 of them But the very nature of what makes the Festival nationally known has also led to some controfor a pretty big favor. We asked them to let us splatter them with paint - a lot of it actually - and versy in the local community. The question is often raised why more local artists aren’t reprecapture it all on video. sented in our hometown festival. First and foremost we should remember that while Columbus is extremely rich in talented artists in all mediums, not all artists are festival artists. Many of The response was, well, pretty overwhelming. Pretty much no one said no. Even though they reColumbus’ artists are doing very well in their own studios, with Web sites, and in galleries both ally didn’t know what they were getting into (and neither did we really!). The result is an incredihere and in other cities. Not all artists want to participate in festivals. Doing festivals can be a bly fun and delightful testament to how much people love and support the Columbus Arts REALLY challenging endeavor and not all artists choose it. First an artist has to be willing to en- Festival, and the arts in our city. dure long days, hot (and sometimes really bad) weather, spend their own money to travel…and having a booth at a festival also means an artist must be willing to hear anything and everyFrom local celebrities Angela Pace and Jerry Revish, to arts leaders like Denny Griffith of CCAD thing that people say about their work, good and bad. But the patrons and buyers, both here and Nanette Maciejunes of the Museum, to colorful characters like Mike Brown and Jim Coleand in other cities, can be wonderful and generous as well. So both the risks and the rewards man, and a myriad of artists, musicians and groups like Small Business Beanstalk, Columbus can be great. Young Professionals and COTA, the final video truly captures the creative spirit of Columbus and the Columbus Arts Festival. The Greater Columbus Arts Council produces the Columbus Arts Festival and a key part of our mission is to encourage and foster the creative talent of our local artists. The Festival is comThe final video, set to music by local bands Maza Blaska and the Phantods, is online at pletely privately supported by sponsors and vendors - there is no public money in the Festival. www.columbusartsfestival.org. We hope you enjoy watching the fun everyone had in honor of the But that doesn’t mean our mission doesn’t still apply. While there have always been Columbus 50th Anniversary of the Columbus Arts Festival. and Ohio artists in the Festival, we wanted to encourage more participation from local artists. So this year we established an emerging artist program specifically to bring more Central Ohio So come join us in person June 3, 4 & 5 and have some fun of your own checking out the art, lisartists into the Festival. Our goal was to give artists, with no national festival experience, an op- tening to the music and poetry and participating in the hands on creative activities - especially portunity to show their work, and to put them in a position where they could compete - and get Friday and Saturday night 6p-10p in the an adults-only All Hands On Art area with Art Carnival into - other national shows. The festival circuit is rich and varied and for an artist who wants to games presented by the local independent artist groups including Couchfire, Wild Goose, ARbe a part of that, it can be a very lucrative part of their career. Tillery and others, and a Signature Bar offering the 50th Festival Signature Belvedere vodka drink. See you at the Festival!! This year 10 emerging artists, all from Franklin and surrounding counties, will be a part of the Festival. Each is paired with a mentor - an artist with a lot of experience participating in festi- Jami Goldstein is with GCAC, a member organization of the Columbus Arts Marketing Association. For more information, visit www.camaonline.org. Read weekly columns by CAMA members online at outlookcolumbus.com.

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1994 the first gay kiss was scheduled for Melrose Place but it was edited out and left us waiting and wafting.

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OMG The Crying Game in 1992, need we say more?

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An Interview with Edward Albee I discovered the work of Edward Albee through The Goat, or Who is Sylvia?, his 2002 Tony Award winning play. Subtitled “Notes toward a definition of tragedy,” the play focuses on a middle-aged architect at the peak of his career, who has been cheating on his wife with Sylvia, a kindly goat.

Just getting in touch with my mind. There are people in a room, and I am fascinated by them. Why are these people there? I start with people. I need to find out why they’re in my head. Concentrate on that. If I focus on what it’s about, I walk away until I’m over that bit.

you are you gay writer!” Don’t think like that. And that got me in trouble some years ago at a conference, OutWrite. I got up in front of everybody and protested the whole concept. Being gay does not make you a gay writer. How does one do that anyway? Think with my dick? Is that it?

MW: What is your proudest moment, writing related or otherwise? Afterward, I fell in love with the work of this true, EA: Probably when I wrote my first play, The Zoo American genius. Albee has been writing for theStory. I spent years writing bad poetry and worse ater since his debut in 1958 with The Zoo Story, fol- novels. And then there was finally this moment of lowed a few years later by his most known work, writing something and thinking: “My god, that’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? He has won the Tony good. Edward, maybe you do have talent. Not bad.” for best play twice, won three Pulitzer prizes, two That was the first time I was pleased with what I Drama Desk awards, and numerous lifetime wrote. No, ‘pleased’ isn’t right. It was fucking good. achievement recognitions. His revolutionary voice changed American theater, and each new play con- MW: My experience with most of your plays is readtinues to be fresh. Albee doesn’t allow himself to ing them, I’ve only seen a handful of productions. settle for one thing that ‘works’ – his writing EA: Reading is better. You have to be careful when changes with the decades. And, maybe more than you see a play. The production is what the actors any other author, he has changed the way I see the and director interpret. It can misinform. world and interact with others. MW: And you have a reputation for keeping producWhile between plays, I had a chance to talk with tions of your work in line with your original vision. Edward more about his career in theater. EA: Of course. It’s my play.

I am a writer, who is gay. It’s one of my many minorities. I am also white, educated, and I live in a theoretical democracy. These are all parts of me. It’s not my responsibility to be a gay writer.

It’s absurd. But completely realistic.

Mackenzie Worrall: My favorite line you’ve ever written is from The Play About The Baby. “If you have no wounds, how can you know if you’re alive?” Edward Albee: In your original letter to me asking for this interview, you quoted the more thorough line from the play: “If you don’t have the wound of a broken heart, how can you know you’re alive?” I like the Boy in that play. He has the same sensibility and sensitivity as the boy in The Goat. One is gay, one is straight, so they’re not the same. But they have the same sensibilities.

MW: Yet, you recently – well, relatively recently, 2009 - added another act to the front of The Zoo Story. Why the change? Have you always wanted to add another act? EA: I simply added what was already there.

I was aware there was more. There was that moment of thinking it was pretty good, but I knew I had a three-dimensional and a two-and-a-half-dimensional character. So there was also that moment of “Edward, you’ve got to fix this sometime.” I don’t believe in revisions later. Sure, I make cuts MW: What are your wounds? when there’s a new production or I’m directing one EA: Here we get into a tricky area. What you take of my plays or whatever. I knew how to finally write from life. I’ve never written about me specifically, it 50 years later. And it was quick and easy. I added I’m not a dramatic subject. Interesting, yes. But not a new character, but I remembered her so easily. dramatic. So I’ve never written about me - except She was still alive up there. the guy who doesn’t speak in Three Tall Women. That’s me. MW: You didn’t save any old notes? EA: I don’t keep notes. When you use notes, you feel I’m glad you reminded me of that. I remember writ- obligated to get to the next part you’ve outlined. ing that line. That’s good there. I hit something. For me, there is no difference between imagining and MW: One of the many things I appreciate about experiencing. your style is that if you write a character as a woman, you intend her to be a woman - not a gay MW: I view writing as a type of exorcism. And I man. This hasn’t always won you fans in the literknow you said you don’t write about yourself, but ary world. have your plays been useful to you? To get issues EA: Poor Tennessee. Look what happened to him. out that you want to talk about? Or do they keep Any writer - straight, gay, bi if there is such a thing coming back? - if you write a woman, you have to become the EA: No, I don’t think in issues. When there’s a play other gender. If you can’t, don’t write the character. in my head, I want to get it out so I can go about my life. I know this anguish and shit we’re supMW: What’s it been like to be an ‘out’ writer since posed to go through; I don’t. the 60’s, but also to not always fit into the gaudier stereotypes? I love the experience. There’s no exorcism, no worry. EA: I don’t wake up and think “Hello Edward, there

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MW: How is working in theater now different from when you got started? EA: Commerce hadn’t raised it’s ugly head yet. In 1960 we did The Zoo Story and Beckett’s Krapp’s Last Tape Off-Broadway for $2000. Now it would cost half a million to produce! Playwrights are facing that now. And this ties back into the gay thing. I never felt oppressed. I am who I am. Why should I fret about it? Yet some critics have criticized me for being gay. They’re hiding from themselves. People have been having relationships from salamanders on. Sometimes they’re homosexual, but that’s not always the case. No one shoots salamanders because they’re gay. MW: And here I am being a bit narcissistic, but what advice do you have for young writers? EA: Be sure that’s who you are. Really. It’s a tough racket. It’s nice if you’re talented. If not, you’ll still enjoy it though. And never lie. Even if you’re writing comedy, it should hurt a little. But still enjoy it. MW: What next? What do you need to write about next? EA: I’m in the middle of a play. It’s about two months from being done. I’ve been thinking about it for a couple years. It’s about… these people. [laughs] I don’t talk about what happens. MW: Are you excited about it? EA: Excited? Yeah, I like it. I enjoy writing it a lot. This one might be useful. The Goat is preposterous. This one is, too. If people can accept that it’s complete realism with a preposterous idea, it’ll do well. After one performance of The Goat, an old woman approached me and asked what the goat was a metaphor for. I told her, “Lady, you can’t fuck a metaphor.” Edward Albee is an American playwright best known for The Zoo Story (1958), Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1962), Three Tall Women (1991), and The Goat, Or Who Is Sylvia? (2002). He has won the Tony Award for Best Play twice, received an additional Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement, three Pulitzer Prizes, and three Drama Desk Awards.

1996’s The Birdcage had Nathan Lane and Robin Williams flamboyant and fabulous.

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Are you tweeting about Glee, then you are Glittering

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“My name is Harvey Milk and I'm here to recruit you!”

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PAPERBOY DELIVERING MCCONAUGHEY AND EFRON Two high-profile gay filmmakers collaborating on a sexy thriller? That’s the news with The Paperboy, a feature being produced by Pedro Almodovar and directed by the officially-way-overbooked Lee Daniels (Precious). Based on the 1995 Pete Dexter novel of the same name, it’s set to star Tobey Maguire, Zac Efron, Modern Family bombshell Sofia Vergara and Matthew McConaughey (who’s sticking with the thriller scripts for now in spite of The Lincoln Lawyers’s so-so box office). The plot concerns a Miami Times reporter who returns to his Florida hometown to investigate a story involving a death row inmate. This could turn out to be great; Almodovar knows style and Daniels knows real-life grittiness, so the end result will be interesting to look at, at least. And wouldn’t it be cool if Efron or Vergara were the one playing the person on death row? OK, maybe “cool” is the wrong word. “Refreshingly weird” then. How’s that? KAT DENNINGS: FROM THOR TO BROKE She smart-alecked her way through Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist and she’s currently doing it again in Thor, which can only mean that Kat Dennings has wisecracking sitcom queen written all over her. And if comic Whitney Cummings and Sex and the City’s Michael Patrick King have their way, she will be when Two Broke Girls hits TV screens later this year. Dennings will star alongside newcomer Beth Behrs as a couple of New York twentysomethings – one formerly rich and one who’s never known money – who work in a diner. You can call it Sex and the City for women who have to work two weeks to earn what a part of Louboutins cost or a modern recession-based Laverne & Shirley. Whatever you do, don’t call it cancelled after one episode. That kind of broke isn’t funny. GLEE: FACT AND FICTION It’s not a fresh new week without something Glee-related happening somewhere and this week’s installment is a good one. If it’s true, that is. But widely-discussed rumor has it that Daniel Radcliffe, currently appearing on Broadway in a revival of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, might wind up on the still-under-wraps season finale that takes place in NYC. No one will confirm or deny what’s really going on, but his IMDB page already lists the credit and, even if it’s not true, it succeeds in maximizing Glee mania until the airdate. Meanwhile, it’s definitely true that Max Adler, who plays everyone’s favorite terrified gay jock/bully/prom king Dave Karovsky, will appear in the upcoming horror comedy Detention of the Dead. A Breakfast Club-meets-zombies tale, it takes place at a high school where the only people who haven’t turned undead are the ones locked in detention. The smart money is on the survival of whatever character is most like Molly Ringwald. PROJECT RUNWAY TO SPAWN MORE PROJECT RUNWAY Still going reasonably strong after a couple of dud seasons and a lawsuit (and whatever Models of The Runway was), Project Runway is about to give birth to fraternal twins. Two new competition shows, Project Runway: Masters and Project Runway: Accessories are heading to Lifetime, presumably in the hopes of continuing to rebuild the Runway brand after its shaky landing at the network. Masters seems the most promising because it will pit established name designers against each other (dream battle: the Rodarte girls versus the Olsen Twins in a hipster cagefighting match). But what will Accessories do to fill an hour after each designer has already created a really big scarf? Let’s just hope Heidi Klum is available to crack the whip for all three shows. They might need it. Romeo San Vicente thinks those little fedora-style hats are automatic dealbreakers. He can be reached care of this publication or at DeepInsideHollywood@qsyndicate.com. Read new Deep every week at outlookcolumbus.com.

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In 2005 Brokeback Mountain made us want to be cowboys, yeehaw!

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Leatherman’s man: an interview with Chuck Renslow’s biographer Owen Keehnen by Gregg Shapiro

views with so many people. But what’s interesting a lot of times is hearing the tales from a lot of different perspectives. I’ll put it this way, he’s a good storyteller, but you can bring up a story, and it will be like the craziest most insane scenario you can imagine. And he will go, “Oh, I completely forgot about that.” And it would be that sort of thing where you’d go like “Oh my god, how could you…” when for you it’s like, “Geez, that would be like a defining point in my life.”

Chuck Renslow is a living legend in the LGBT community. Now in his 82nd year, Chicago-based Renslow has lived a full life, including being a bar owner, photographer, political activist, newspaper publisher and more. But Renslow’s social and cultural influence stretches far and wide, beyond the borders of Chicago. Just ask any of the thousands of people who flock to Chicago every May for International Mister Leather (IML). So it makes sense that Renslow’s story be told. I spoke with Owen Keehnen, co-author of GS: But he’s probably someone who had a lot of defining points. Leatherman: The Chuck Renslow Story (Prairie Avenue Productions, OK: Oh, yeah. This was so fascinating, because every single day of 2011), shortly before the publication of the book. working on this project I would either gasp or laugh or just say, “Oh, this is really cool.” It wasn’t like, I never had a day of reGregg Shapiro: Owen, when we spoke prior to this interview, you searching him where it was like, oh you know, just another boring mentioned having interviewed Chuck Renslow years before this story from Chuck. It was never like that. biography project. Is there something that you can recall about that experience you want to share? GS: As Renslow’s biographer, what were some things that you Owen Keehnen: It was probably, I think, fifteen years ago that I in- were surprised to learn about him? terviewed him. It was for an online leather blog that someone was OK: There’s the issue of you have this vibrant business man and doing. What struck me actually, in interviewing him that time, was leather man who is out and he’s himself and he’s very aggressive the scope of his experience. That he had done the (Kris) physique and he’s known as the dominant-dominant top, and at the same photography studio, that he’d done the Gold Coast, that he’d been time he also is an amazing gourmet cook, raised orchids, and for involved in politics, that he’d been involved in the (news)paper, it all his sort of ways, he has this amazing paternal side. Like he alwas just basically the scope of what you were talking about. A lot ways is wanting to protect and take care of people. I’d say probably of times when you interview people, you have so much that’s just his loyalty is really the most defining characteristic. People he conabout one thing, and with him it was more like there was one siders close, he’s like a daddy bear. question or two questions about a lot of different things. GS: Are there things about Renslow that you think readers will GS: He was someone who had done a lot of living over the years. be surprised to learn? OK: Oh yeah, a lot. Capitalized, italicized [laughs]! OK: Oh God, yes. That’s the amazing thing, too, with doing all of these interviews, is so many people will know a lot, but so many GS: Why do you think that the time was right, right now, for a people will know half, and those are the people that will know a lot Chuck Renslow bio? because there’s all these things going on simultaneously. There’s OK: I think the time was right because, for one thing, Chuck was this stuff with the leather scene, and there’s this stuff politically born in 1929, so on a basic level it’s like you have this huge reser- that’s going on, there’s this stuff with the paper, there’s this stuff voir of information that is this man, who’s 81. And on another level, with the bars, and at the same time he’s having this spiritual life I think because of his age, too, so many of the people from that that’s going on, that’s very important. And then over it all is this era, which just was this amazing, vibrant…the 60’s, the 70’s, gay what’s called the Family, which is this created family he had of liberation, all of that stuff, there aren’t a whole lot of people left. friends and lovers that were amazingly important to him, they had It’s a very finite resource, and it was a population that was decithis incredible home life. So, all that’s going on at the same time. mated by AIDS, and now it’s sort of a population that’s threatened Some people might know more about the Family part, some might by a lot of other things. And it was just important for this story to know more about the spiritual part, and some people might know a be preserved. lot about the political or the bar part. But there are so many facets to him that not a lot of people…I mean, I think people who are GS: Was Chuck a willing subject and participant in the process? close to him are even going to be surprised by a lot of this stuff. OK: Oh yes, yes. Chuck approached us to write his life story. He wanted to tell it warts and all. The good thing was he approached GS: Who do you see as the audience for the book? us, because of that ‘warts and all’ thing we didn’t really want to OK: I see people interested in the history of leather, the Leather censor a lot that came out and he was very willing about that. Archives and Museum crowd. I see people interested in gay history, I see people interested in political history. I see people who are just GS: Would you describe Chuck as a raconteur? interested in a really good story, where you read it and say, “Oh my OK: Yes. What’s interesting is that in this book we include interGod, that’s living.” I think the thing that makes this book so excit-

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ing is that it really is bigger than any sort of marketing niche you can put it in. When it started, I thought of it as more like that, and as it got bigger and bigger, I was like, “Oh this is bigger than the leather crowd,” and then “this is bigger than the gay history crowd,” and then I think it just makes a good story period; very illuminating on a lot of different levels. GS: Prior to the Chuck Renslow bio, you wrote a series of Starz books in which you interviewed gay male porn stars. Do you think that the Renslow book will have an appeal to that readership as well? OK: Well, one of the members of Chuck’s extended Family is (porn star) Jeff Stryker. And there are connections with porn stars from dancing at Man’s Country, from the sexual atmosphere at The Gold Coast and the Eagle, so I think that would appeal to that set, and IML. But I think this is a lot deeper. You’re capturing is an era more than like a sexual snapshot, that really is evocative of gay life in the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s, and up to the present, but especially those sort of lost eras. GS: Would you say that the Starz books were good preparation for this book?’ OK: I think more than the Starz books were probably just doing journalism interviews for years, a lot of times in local and then national history. I interviewed a lot of writers and things like that, but I think it kind of keyed me in to the importance of capturing an era. Because I was a journalist during the decimation of AIDS, I think it made me adopt kind of a personal value of seeing the need in preserving history. And that was like a big, big part of my motivation for working on the book, because it was just so important. And like I said, his life kind of straddles so many different areas that by telling his story you’re telling a much bigger story at the same time. GS: Have you begun work on your next book project? OK: Yes. I’m working now on organizing a bunch of those interviews that I did with writers and different people from the ‘90s. I’m going to call that We’re Here, We’re Queer. By doing this (Renslow) book it made me really see how important it is to have those primary resources out there for people to be able to use. There are interviews with people like Samuel Stewart and Quinton Chris, and Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon, the Daughters of Bilitis, or Harry Hay, where people who want to do research in the future will be able to look at this and have direct quotes of what those people said, rather than have them just be interpreted. And then I also have a novel that’s planned for October, I say October in quotation marks, from Lethe Press, and that’s called The Sand Bar. I’m excited about that, that’s sort of like my smutty art novel. Well, it’s not sort of, it is my smutty art novel. And then I want to do more history, I’m going to keep going. I’m working with the Legacy Project here in Chicago, too. That sort of dovetails really well with this need to preserve history and get our stories out there.

Before ‘gay’ homosexuals were called ‘Urnings,’ coined by German sexologist Karl Ulrichs (1860s) which referred to a "third sex", a female spirit trapped in a man’s body.

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Pantscamp was founded 2002, and those crazy kids, they've been drunk ever since.

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ACT UP (Aids Coalition to Unleash Power) is the national coalition formed to lobby government and corporations for support in the fight against AIDS

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Does Size Really Matter? by Ryan Harris Does size really matter? Of course it does. Clearly everyone is obsessed with size in one way or another. While some are biggie sizing their combo meal, or wanting a bigger diamond, others are buying smart cars, or trying to minimize their pores. Either way, big or small, the size of things clearly matter. However, when it comes to fashion, or at least looking your best, size undeniably matters, but equally as much so does your shape. Knowing your shape and understanding how to dress yourself doesn’t have to be a mystery. It isn’t confidential information known only by stylists or designers. Although, it may only take one evening of “people watching” to cause you to disagree with that statement. Some fashion mishaps only need to brush up on what is the right style or cut for their body shape. Others... well they just need a better grasp on the size chart. Come on folks, sizes run the full scale most everywhere, and you will look much better if you are wearing the correct size. Just because the tag on your shirt may say small, doesn’t mean to you are... well, you know where I am going with this, right? It takes acceptance by you of your true size and body shape to truly be proud and confident in the way you look. Once you stop sucking it in, or swimming in that Mumu you call a shirt, you will without a doubt look and feel your best! After all, it is Pride, so be proud of your shape! Start by identifying your shape. Everyone has their own style, but the garments you choose to wear must fit your body correctly for any style to be achieved successfully. Here are the basic body shapes for both men and women. Most everyone will fit in one of these categories. Select the one that best describes you, and see if your wardrobe could benefit from a “sizable” makeover.

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The Hourglass shape is known as the perfect body shape. You have the Hourglass shape if your hips and bust or shoulders are the same width, and your waist is well defined. This applies only to the ladies, and the queens of course. The Trapezoid is the most desired body shape for men. This means your chest and shoulders are broad and your waist and hips are medium width. You may more commonly hear this shape referred to as athletic. Considered by many as the second best female and male body shape, the Inverted Triangle is identified by a proportionally large chest or shoulders, and narrow hips and waist. The ladies would have a defined waist.

upper body and lower body are equal in length. Hopefully you were able to identify your body with one of the shapes above. Now let’s discuss how to dress your shape. You may not have the perfect body shape, many of us don’t. However, you can create the illusion of a perfect body shape by choosing garments to create the appearance of perfect proportions. It’s all about balancing your perceived shape to the perfect or desired shape.

Next would be the Diamond shape. Also referred to as an Apple shape, your waist is undefined and you carry the majority of your weight in your mid section. This applies to both men and women.

Here are some tips. If you have a Triangle shape, wear garments that will give your shoulders the appearance of being broader, more proportionate to your hips, leaving your waist to appear smaller. Or if you have an Inverted Triangle shape, try more A-line skirts or boot cut and flared pants to balance your bottom half with your top half. This will leave your waist to appear as the smallest section of your body. Trapezoids should be looking for more tailored garments (not tight!) and Apple shapes should select garments that draw attention upward to the face and away from the mid-section, such as mid to low neck lines, and wide legged or boot cut pants. If you are a lady with the Rectangle shape, you will need to build up and out on the top and bottom to achieve a more feminine look.

And the last common body shape is the Rectangle. Mostly referred to as a Boy shape, the chest, shoulders and hips are about the same width and you have very little waist definition. This body shape can apply to both men and women.

So my darlings, I have given you the basics. This little bit of information can change your life and your wardrobe! Go ahead and give it a try. If you still need help, this city is full of fashionistas that can lend a hand...just ask!

In addition to these horizontal body shapes, you must also consider your vertical body shape. Everyone fits into one of three categories, regardless of your height or vertical shape. First is the ‘a short leg with a long Torso’, then ‘long legs with a short torso’, and finally ‘balanced,’ which is just what it sounds like - your

Make Everyday a Runway, and Happy Pride!!

The most common body shape is the Triangle. Often referred to as a Pear shape, your bust and shoulders are narrower than your hips and thighs, but you still have a well-defined waist. This applies mainly to the ladies but not always.

“My name is Harvey Milk and I'm here to recruit you!”

Ryan Harris is a fashion consultant\stylist for Wardrobe Therapy LLC, and the owner of RH Model Mentor. Contact him at www.rhmodelmentor.com, or for more style info visit www.wardrobetherapyllc.com.

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Food is dramatic - Life is delicious. Episode 617 : The Hung Jury

by Miss Informed

June could always be a little salty, but her pop culture references were spot on.

With the Big Dicks America convention in town at the same time as the Daughters of the American Revolution, my friend June was torn. Should she worship at the altar of WASPian glory with those who could trace their lineage back to colonial times, and lived and breathed the felicity of their genetic lottery win, or should she hang out with the Daughters of the American Revolution.

As we entered The Jury Room, Eddie greeted us at the door with a charming and devilish smile. “Well if it isn’t my favorite ladies.” The way he said ladies made it sound like a joke. Which of course, it was. Though I’m really femme.

As she always did when she was conflicted, June developed a very healthy appetite. With the DAR Convention at the Westin, and BDA convention at the newly opened Franklin County Courthouse, June’s only choice was to venture to a neutral location to plan her next move. Liz Lessner’s newest endeavor, The Jury Room, was the very obvious choice. The Jury Room was Columbus’ oldest restaurant, which paid homage to the DAR girls, and it was run by Eddie Shepherd, which speaks for itself. June was always one to carefully consider a plan. I was sitting in my office responding to angry letters, making collections calls, and reading up on post-rapture analysis, when my phone rang, and June proposed an outing. Who was I to refuse? No sooner had I hung up my phone, than June and I were taking the Cota to The Jury Room. “I heard from an old tranny named Sonja that there is a treasure hidden somewhere inside of the Jury Room,” I said as June and I shared a very cramped Cota seat. “How very The Goonies,” said June dismissively “Let’s not believe everything every old tranny says.”

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“Table for two and a half?” offered Eddie, as he grabbed our menus. “Oh really, Eddie Shepherd?” asked June. “Shouldn’t you be getting me a beverage?” As soon as we were seated, I glanced to my left and discovered that we were not alone. It was Like Macey, the well-endowed entrepreneur and treasure hunter, and his trusty sidekick-stand, Steve Macey, who did all of the work and got none of the credit. The two were sharing a delicious plate of Chicken Parmesan and pouring over an old-timey map of the bar. “Well if that isn’t a brain trust, I don’t know what is,” said June as she pulled out her family photos and began arranging them on the table in front of her. June liked an audience when she ate. As we perused our menus, I couldn’t help but overhear Like and Steve discussing their plans. They were convinced that several trillion dollars in loose coins were hidden somewhere in the restaurant, and in order to solve some of their financial woes, it would be necessary to locate said treasure. Trying to ignore this obviously silly conversation, I looked at my menu and selected a few items. The Baked Artichokes to begin, the

French Fries with Truffle Oil and Parmesan, and the half and half – a mixture of delicious marinara and alfredo served over the Jury Room’s fresh, Columbus-made pasta. June selected the Pepperoni-wrapped filet and the Scungilli Salad to begin. Our order was taken by an efficient, tall, and very attractive fellow in a gingham shirt. This tall drink of water sold us immediately on trying a few cocktails. June got the Mound Street Mule (the Jury Room’s take on the Moscow Mule), and I got the Hasselhof Juice, which was delicious and reminded me of those youthful days when the thought of Baywatch thrilled me. Our food came very quickly, the fries arriving first. They were crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, with the Parmesan chips giving them a delightful saltiness, and the truffle oil giving this earthy root vegetable an even earthier quality. The baked artichokes were tender, and swimming in a creamy and garlicky sauce, which I shoved into my mouth using pieces of crostini. I ordered more crostini.

was perfectly cooked, pairing nicely with the savory and slightly sweet alfredo, and rich and hearty marinara. I kept thinking to myself that Liz must have a pact with the devil to be able to make food this good, AND attract the talents of Eddie to run the place. As we finished our food, there was a loud noise from the front of the bar. Like had picked up a table, and was in the process of haphazardly throwing it into the elegant bar. The bartenders scattered as glasses, glass, booze, and wood splintered in every direction. When the dust had settled, the only sound in the room was my heavy breathing, and the sound of coins trickling out of an alcove that had been hidden by one of the bar mirrors. Coin after coin tumbled out of the hole, slowly filling the area behind the bar with metallic currency. “We’re rich, we’re rich!” screamed Steve Macey, as he tried to move away from Like, the thought of wealth and freedom engorging him with passion and hope.

June seemed to be enjoying her salad, made from conch, herbs, olive oil, lemon, celery and capers.

“You aren’t rich, you dick. Those are New York City bus tokens,” said June, as she picked up one of the coins, looked it over, and threw it away unceremoniously.

“I love a good conch, and I love a good caper,” said June, as she continued to eye the activities of the Like and Steve warily. They had begun examining the baseboards of the establishment, trying to feel for air leaks that might betray a secret passage.

“Eddie, I’m going to need this to go,” said June as she gestured at her leftover food, then at Like and Steve, and lit a cigarette.

We watched them and ate our salad and appetizers until our entrees arrived. June’s steak was cooked medium rare and wrapped in a enormous slices of pepperoni served with a side of fried and breaded Gnocchi. June’s silence betrayed her love of the dish. My pasta

“I was so close to being free,” said Steve, crying ever so slightly. “I was so close…” “We all live in cages of our own making,” said June. “Check please. I’ve seen enough dick for one day, and it’s time to put some uppity bitches in their place. It’s time they kiss my ring.”

Julius Caesar was often described by his detractors as "every woman's man, and every man's woman" And so was Chad Frye.

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Erectile dysfunction drugs have annual sales of more than $3 billion.

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The Hall–Carpenter Archives founded in 1982 are the largest source for the study of gay activism in Britain, following the publication of the Wolfenden Report in 1958.

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Diva Las Vegas or What I Did On My Post-Christmas Vacation, Part One by Chad Frye

It’s no secret that the Chad Frye and the Chris Hayes have a taste for the finer things, so when considering where we wanted to stay Wynn Las Vegas (wynnlasvegas.com) was the obvious choice. Wynn was built in 2005 as the penultimate hotel offering from Steve Wynn, the man who single handedly has changed the nature of sin city. It’s hard to top your own accomplishments with hotels such as the Mirage and Bellagio under your belt, but Wynn truly is one of the nicest, prettiest, and best run hotels I’ve ever seen. The devil is in the details in hospitality, and Wynn doesn’t disappoint; Our rooms were immaculate (two miniature suites with the softest and best bed I’ve ever slept in), the service was perfect, the casino was Monte Carlo-esque, and the food…well, the Chad Frye is a stickler for the food, and Wynn is definitely a foodies paradise. If it wasn’t the perfectly steamed and authentic Asian pork buns I was eating ravenously from RED inside of the casino, or amuse bouche

after amuse bouche from the incredible Botero, it was the restaurant adjacent to Wynn’s golf course, The Country Club. Jazz Brunch on the patio of The Country Club at Wynn is not your typical Vegas buffet, unless you know of a buffet that has a foie gras slicing station (and if you do, I’m going to need to know about it) and a real, mustachioed New Orleans blues man who serenades you as you eat your weight in cavier, lobster, and champagne. I’m not kidding, this brunch made me feel like a fortune 500 CEO, or at the very least, some manner of rapper. Wynn gets every single detail right, from the smiling doormen who remember your name, the incredible and serene spa at Wynn and Encore (Wynn’s sister hotel, adjacent to the property who’s spa was recently awarded best new spa in the world), to the perfect interiors. Chris and I fortunately get to stay in quite a few nice hotels, but Wynn, was without a doubt the nicest yet. Ever. And if easily being one of the best hotels in the world, Wynn loves the gays. Michael Bertetto and Stephanie Rosel, marketing manager and VP of Human Resources respectively at Wynn, spoke with us at length about Wynn’s commitment to the GLBT community. Rosel and Bertetto, both out at work, explained that Wynn has since the very beginning offered domestic partnership benefits for employees, and the hotels have identified the GLBT community as a growing and very important part of their business. “It’ a great place for families, and often couples will bring their children there because it’s a safe and elegant, said Rosel. “Mr. Wynn has always believed that people are people, and it’s been our policy from the beginning that any person who steps foot on our properties is a guest, and should be treated with respect.” Bertetto, who is a veteran marketing exec who joined Wynn in 2007, was quick to add, however, that the family set isn’t the only thing Wynn is trying to attract; Wynn and Encore’s joint venture, Flaunt is a

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In public high schools, 97% of students report regularly hearing homophobic remarks from their peers.

It was the day after Christmas, and I was sitting in the kitchen of my grandmothers place in Florida when my boss, friend, and frequent partner-in-crime, Chris called with an interesting proposition; what he described as a quick, six day-long jaunt to Las Vegas, the city that sleep forgot. We’d have a few drinks, see a little Cher, I’d meet with some advertisers, Chris would celebrate his birthday, and both of us would leave with what we envisioned would be thousands of dollars in winnings. Oh, best laid plans… To visit Las Vegas, one must give oneself over the concept that no matter what you do or how hard you try, no matter your intentions regarding sobriety or relaxation, or spendthrifty-ness, you will be getting drunk and losing tons and tons of money. Tons of it.

GLBT party hosted at Encore’s exclusive Beach Club periodically throughout the year. A beautiful pool, immaculately appointed cabanas, and liquor that flows like water are the elements that bring this beach party well above your average day at the pool – plus, it’s the little details like bringing in DJ’s like Calvin Harris, who after finishing off his tour with Riahnna, stopped in to spin. Impressed? You should be. Everything about Wynn and Encore is impressive. But man cannot live on food and gambling alone. The Chris Hayes loves him some Cher, so of course since that old bag was playing Caesar’s coliseum, we had to see her. Though there were some issues getting ourselves boozed before the show, it’s obvious this venue knows how to handle large crowds. There wasn’t a bad seat in the house, and Cher still knows how to do a big show. The show began with her being lowered from the ceiling in a neon facsimile of the sun, dressed like hooker-Cleopatra. As she stepped from her sun-mobile, they handed her a mic and she began. “Do you know why I don’t like teamsters?” asked the half-breed who has redefined faming and aging gracefully, “Because if they’re mad at you when they are helping you on stage, while you’re performing, they’ll kidnap one of your gays, chop him up, and bury him in the desert.” Yikes! Regardless of the initial crazy talk, the Cher still has it. She sang her heart out for almost two hours at a frankly dizzying pace, with nearly fifty costume changes, and a very touching tribute to her ex-husband and former business partner, Sonny. The show has, unfortunately, closed, with Celine returning to the venue, but if Cher ever tours again (and we all know she will), get your tickets. She was definitely worth it. As our trip continued, the Hayes and I met up with our friends Silver Cat, Underoos, and Piranja (names have been changed to protect the privacy of our compatriots). We bar hopped all over Las Vegas, taking in the sights, smells, and

booze. We visited the infamous Krave nightclub, with its insanely good DJs and very, very hot Latino strippers, and the locals bar, Piranha. Both places were packed with good looking men and women, and it was striking to me how well integrated Vegas’ GLBT population is – lesbians and gays mixed freely, and it reminded me of home, actually. As our journey continued, we met a man who looked like a fishing lure who offered us bath salts (seriously), explored old Vegas (charming in a carny way), and I was even propositioned by a lady of the evening; “You got an old lady?” she asked demurely. I shook my head “no.” “What about an old man?” Even the hookers are GLBT friendly in Las Vegas, apparently. Which brings me to my point about this place. Las Vegas is always touted as the haven of the heterosexual – a perennial favorite for the bachelor and bachelorette party, but what is often lost on the rest of us, is that this is a wonderful city for the gay traveler. Las Vegas is a city that has monetized excess and the fulfillment of ones desires, so naturally it would make sense that a live-and-let-live mentality would emerge from this cultural ethic. This is a city that likes to have fun, whether that means taking your family to incredible shows like Wynn’s aquatic masterpiece La Reve, spending the day in a spa like Encore or The Bathhouses at The Hotel at Mandalay Bay, putting hundred dollar bill after hundred dollar bill into slot machines (You’re welcome, Wynn), or dancing your ass off at clubs like Revolver at The Mirage, there really is something for everyone in Las Vegas. After six days of living off of energy drinks, booze, and world-class food, I was near exhaustion. And since we’ve returned, all Chris and I keep talking about is when we’re going back. And that’s the point about Las Vegas – it’s a place to let your hair down and just have fun. And oh boy, was it fun. Like being water boarded with fun.

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by Dan Savage I am a bi woman happily married to a straight man, and we both “participate” in hot sexy times with other women during threesomes. It’s hard to find hot 30ish bi girls where we live, but the encounters we’ve had were for the most part excellent. Everything was great until three weeks ago, when we had a miscarriage. We’d been trying for almost two years, so the recovery is not just physical but emotional for both of us. We were only recently given the go-ahead to have sex again. We have a well-rounded sex life - kink, BDSM, toys - and both of us have said that, just for right now, we’re not looking for anything more than just us. I went to the computer this morning to find that my husband had left his e-mail open. His inbox was filled with replies to recent queries sent to girls looking for couples to hook up with. His e-mails to these girls ask what gets them hot and when/where we can all hook up, and they state that his wife is really excited about f-ing her. I’m probably overreacting due to all the extra hormones, but he’s lying to them, and I’m not sure what he’s doing to me. Confused & Hormonal I’m so sorry for your loss, C&H. A miscarriage when you’re trying to conceive is an utterly heartbreaking experience. My heart goes out to you - both of you. Two things in your letter leaped out at me: “It’s hard to find hot 30ish bi girls where we live” and “Both of us have said that, just for right now, we’re not looking for anything more than just us.” And one thing that isn’t in your letter leaped out at me: You found no evidence that your husband was planning to meet up with any of these girls alone. He isn’t cheating and wasn’t planning to. He was making very tenta-

56 june 2011

tive, vague plans for the three of you to get together at some point in the future. And that isn’t gonna happen - that can’t happen - until you’re ready, right?

And your loving, kinky, considerate husband replies, “Hey, that’s great. I’ve been chatting with a few hot 30ish bi girls online I thought you might like. You wanna see their pictures?”

So here’s what your husband is guilty of: He is looking forward - too soon and too eagerly - to the time when you’re ready to start having threesomes again. And it looks like he was trying to dig up one of those “hard to find” hot 30ish bi girls so that when you were ready for “more than just us,” a hot 30ish bi girl would be all lined up.

You probably wouldn’t have said, “YOU ASSHOLE! You weren’t even supposed to be LOOKING until I said so!” I’m thinking it’s much more likely that you would’ve said something like “My husband is the best.”

Was that a shitty thing for him to do? Perhaps. But again, C&H, all you discovered was evidence that your husband was making plans for sexy times at some indefinite point in the future. And are you sure he understands that just looking is out-of-bounds? Perhaps when you said, “We’re not looking for anyone else right now,” he heard, “We’re not sleeping with anyone else right now.” As upsetting as it was to find those e-mails, I think your husband deserves some credit for being… considerate. Your miscarriage was no doubt upsetting for him, too, C&H, but it didn’t impact his sexual interests or needs the way it impacted yours. But he didn’t push the issue. He didn’t put any pressure on you - he didn’t even bring the subject up. All he did was put some feelers out and do a little online flirting and planning. Half the fun is to plan the plan, as Mrs. Lovett once said, so he probably enjoyed those e-mail exchanges. But he didn’t tell you about them because there was no way to talk about them without making you feel pressured. So let’s pretend that you never ran across those e-mails, C&H. Let’s imagine that six months or a year from now, you’re starting to feel the urge to have some sexy times with a hot 30ish bi girl. And you go to your husband, who has been patient and understanding, and you say, “I think I’m ready to have a threesome again.”

I’m about to move in with my boyfriend of four years. He’s still very attracted to me, but my attraction to him has faded. I think the anxiety of finally moving in together caused something to snap. I went out for innocent drinks with a colleague and ended up back at his place. I love my boyfriend, but I’m still giddy from the hot sex with my colleague. I’m confused! Especially because I don’t feel guilty - I feel great! I have no plans to tell the BF, a man I love very much and don’t want to hurt. What do I do now? Girl Hot Tin Roof Unless you’re planning to put your boyfriend painlessly to sleep in the very near future, GHTR, there’s no way to avoid hurting him. You’re not really in love with him, you’re not attracted to him, and the longer you drag this relationship out, GHTR, the greater the hurt will be once you finally screw up the courage to dump him, or more likely, once he discovers the truth on his own. I would tell you to DTMFA, but you’re the MF in this scenario, not him. End it. w THE CHOICER CHALLENGE: Last week, the leader of British Columbia’s Conservative Party, John Cummins, told a radio interviewer that gay people shouldn’t be covered by the BC Human Rights Act because being gay is “a conscious choice.” Like truthers (9/11 was an inside job!), birthers (Barack Obama was born in Kenya!), and

President Eisenhower banned all gays from federal jobs in 1953. We do NOT like Ike.

deathers (Osama bin Laden is alive and well and living in West Hollywood!), choicers would appear to be just another group of deranged conspiracy theorists who can’t be dissuaded by science or evidence or facts. And John Cummins isn’t the only choicer out there. We have lots of choicers right here in the United States (Tony Perkins, Rick Santorum, Stephen Colbert, et al.). But what if the choicers are right? What if being gay is something people consciously choose? Gee, if only there were a way for choicers to prove that they’re right and everyone else is wrong… actually, there is a way for choicers to prove that they’re right! I hereby publicly invite - I publicly challenge John Cummins to prove that being gay is a choice by choosing it himself. Suck my dick, John. I’m completely serious about this, John. You’re not my type - you’re about as far from my type as a human being without a vagina gets - but I have just as much interest as you do in seeing this gay-is-a-choice argument resolved once and for all. You name the time and the place, John, and I’ll show up with my dick and a camera crew. Then you can show the world how it’s done. You can demonstrate how this “conscious choice” is made. You can flip the switch, John, make the choice, then sink to your boney old knees and suck my dick. And after you’ve swallowed my load, John, we’ll upload the video to the Internet and you’ll be a hero to other choicers everywhere. It’s time to put your mouth where your mouth is, John. If being gay is a choice, choose it. Show us how it’s done. Suck my dick. Find the Savage Lovecast (my weekly podcast) every Tuesday at thestranger.com/savage. mail@savagelove.net

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Metropolitan Community Church was founded by Rev. Troy Perry, a Pentecostal minister til 1967, when he was excommunicated refusing to denounce his homosexuality.

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by Jack Fertig How much are those doggies in the window? Sorry kids, this month’s local celeb isn’t selling his Bijons, but Torso owner Scott Rousku will sell you something cute for your closet and your home. Originally from the far west side of Detroit (no he doesn’t know Eminem - I asked), Scott started his adult life in the sunny isles and Intracoastals of Fort Lauderdale. One of the original Copa Girls, he waited tables at the famed Copa Night Club and worked his way up the Copa ranks to running Wiz, the club’s clothing boutique (sans Diana Ross, Michael Jackson and Nipsey Russell). The taste of being a clothing retailer lead him to the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale where he majored in art and fashion, and was a student ambassador, whereas, in exchange for a free trip home at Thanksgiving, Rousku would pimp The Art Institute to his hometown high school students. Talk about working the system. If school and school liaison wasn’t enough for this go getter, Scott simultaneously started working for the women’s fashion chain Petrie Stores doing visual merchandizing, covering the South Florida territory from West Palm to Miami. Recognized for his awesomeness, he was put through the company’s management training program and was promoted to relief manager where he was one of only two men managers in the company. His job: fill in for pregnant/post pregnant women while they were on maternity leave. Is that me or is that sexist? Post art school, he was recruited by mall art and framing super store Art Explosion (we all bought a print of Starry Night or Sistine Chapel cherubs there for someone) where he reigned as regional manager in the early 80s. When the company was purchased by a group in Columbus, Scott was asked to do visuals for all their stores, and when he accepted, they moved his ass up here. And that’s how he ended up in our fair town. Traveling 3 weeks out the month, Scott went from visuals to season buying to being in charge of store openings. He opened 33 stores in one year, managing fixture designs, construction, hiring, training, and stock the locations. Can we see where all this is going? After that he had his own company doing visual merchandising and was then recruited by Functional Furnishings where he was for 12 years. That may be where you all had your first real encounters with him... with the lights on at least. J/k

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Working for the man so long, Rousku was ready to branch out on his own, and when while standing in his closet looking at all his cool clothes, none of which had been purchased in Ohio, a light bulb went off: Columbus needs a men’s fashion boutique. And so Torso was born. Opening June 1998, Torso hit the scene just in time for Pride.

that ask. “My partner jokes I can’t say no!”

And when not do-gooding or taking over the Ohio retail world, Scott enjoys gardening, his Bijons Gigi & Cody, attending community events, cooking, and spending time with Craig, his mate of 16 years, whom he married at the old COSI in 1997. “We had our commitment “That is one of my best memories from ceremony in the theater in Old Town the past 30 years,” he tells me. “ We with play bills as programs,” he gighad a huge float that closed the parade gles. “Afterward a white carriage with that year. It was totally decked out and horses took us to Out on Main where we had a killer sound system. I remember christened the event space, filling it to turning around and looking down High capacity and featuring a four-foot wedStreet and there was just a sea of peo- ding cake. Hey, if you’re going to do it, ple following us singing and dancing. It go big is what I always say!” was incredible. And then we won best float that year so, yeah, it was great!” And I think that says plenty about your husband. Congrats to you Scott! You’re Torso has grown and evolved over it’s 13 a lucky man. years from being the only men’s shop in the Short North, to now preparing to open a third location in Cleveland. You’ve undoubtedly, at one time or another, been in one of the many incarnations or off shoots of Torso. Whether that’s been the flag ship men and women’s store on High Street; Torso Pop Culture, which resided upstairs at the Eagle; Torso Leather and Fetish which was inside the now defunct Tradewinds; or Torso Leather and Fetish currently upstairs at The Exile. Cool jeans, sexy undies, a Venetian mask, leather chaps, a sundress or poppers, you know there’s at least one item in your home or wardrobe that Scott’s help you pick out. And soon you’ll be shopping at Torso on Clifton in Cleveland in Lakewood (next to Big Fun & Flower Child, and across from Twist). “Oh Spud! I'm a chain!” Another way you might recognize our celeb du jour, was from his stint as Ohio Drummer Boy 1998, which he won right before the store opened. His platform broke the mold on traditional boys/submissives, whereas he campaigned that boys could have there own voice and make change in the community. Winning the title he did just that. Scott created a traveling military themed party to promote safe sex and raise money for CATF. “There was no info in any of the bars like the major cities have, so I created a party to raise money to fund CATF’s safe sex campaign.” His efforts paid off, raising $25k to pay for posters, flyers, ads and condoms.

scot t

That spirit of philanthropy is still strong in him today. Torso rarely does anything just for torso. Every event is in support of someone and they always donate to charities

Sing out, Pisces! Mercury squaring Neptune in Pisces while entering Gemini inflates wonderfully imaginative notions. Jupiter entering Taurus could ground them and find profitable applications. Jupiter in Taurus for the next year _should_ be good for the economy. It will be good for bankers at least.

some questions and confusion. Keeping communications clear and aboveboard could be a small challenge. The rewards are well worth it.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 – December 20): Job opportunities are opening up for you. Have faith in yourself. If familial encouragement is unrealistic, don’t worry about letting them down by “setGEMINI (May 21- June 20): It’s tling” for what’s in the real time to get creative. You have world. If you’re happy, they some big challenges coming will be too. up in the next year. Your intuition is now unusually sharp to CAPRICORN (December 21 – see how you can turn those January 19): Usually better fointo opportunities. Spiritual cused, you’re way too open to guidance can be especially distractions and thus, accihelpful now. dents. Mediation, poetry, music and/or art will help you CANCER (June 21- July 22): get back into balance. Take Dreams can lure you too eas- classes in any of those fields. ily into never-never-lands of You need new ways of seeing fantasy and escape. Sharing the world. some of those phantasmagorical reveries with friends can AQUARIUS (January 20 – Febhelp you find some practical ruary 18): Financial investoutlet for them. ments are especially risky now. If something feels just LEO (July 23 – August 22): Re- right it could win big, but member the difference bedon’t put in any more than tween dreams and goals! you can afford to lose. First Friends encouraging you to ask yourself, what would chase after your dreams offer mother advise? Then ask, is some helpful inspiration, but her advice reliable? a little of that can go a long way. Don’t let them distract PISCES (February 19 – March you from practical, achiev19): Sing ou st, Louise! Whatable aims. ever you have to offer, make it heard and known! Your VIRGO (August 23 – Septem- family will back you up in your ber 22): Your brain is buzzing endeavors, but you really with schemes for success. need to be very clear on who Your partner is likely to enyou are and what it is you’ve courage all your wildest got. ideas. Sweet, but wrong! You need a leveler head with a bit ARIES (March 20 – April 19): of critical distance to give Your recent lucky spree will you pragmatic advice. now focus more on financial fortune. How? Mad dreams LIBRA (September 23 – Octo- and inspirations offer some ber 22): Expansive, fortunate clues. Talk out your crazy noJupiter is starting a year in tions with your friends and your house of sex and other find a way to bring them to profound challenges. The the bank! deeper you go the greater the rewards. Don’t be shy on eiTAURUS (April 20 – May 20): ther count. Neither is without Recent hard times are about risks, but Jupiter is good to to turn around. How to cash in have on your side! on your good fortune? You can turn your friends’ craziSCORPIO (October 23 – Noest suggestions into practical vember 21): You and your ideas. Inspirations now can sweetie are due for a bit of point the way to future fulfillfrolic. That could open up ment of your dreams. 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,

French writer Andre Gide (1869-1951) was the first out-gay man to receive a Nobel Prize for Literature. The prize was awarded to him in 1947.

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Best gay politician quote ever: Barney Frank – “I'm used to being in the minority. I'm a left-handed gay Jew.”

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10:00 AM Comfest @ Goodale Park 11:00 AM Brunch & Showtunes @ U 11:00 AM Broadway Brunch @ Level 7:00 PM Karaoke @ Club Diversity 8:00 PM Sunday Night Players @ Wall St 10:00 PM Strippers @ Exile 10:30 PM Strippers @ Havana

11:00 AM Brunch & Showtunes @ U 11:00 AM Pride Brunch@Columbus Athenaeum 11:00 AM Broadway Brunch @ Level 3:00 PM CLGSA’s Bat n’ Rouge @ Dodge Park 7:00 PM Karaoke @ Club Diversity 8:00 PM Latin Dance Night @ Wall St 10:00 PM Strippers @ Exile 10:30 PM Strippers @ Havana

… Karaoke @ Club Diversity 1:00 PM Happy Hour @ Tremont 4:00 PM Bitchy Mondays @ Club D 5:00 PM Happy Hour @ Blazers 6:00 PM Social Media Business Con! nection @ TECHColumbus 8:00 PM Martini Monday @ Havana 8:00 PM Karaoke Monday @ U 9:00 PM Service Industry Night @ Level 10:00 PM Karaoke @ AWOL

… Karaoke @ Club Diversity 1:00 PM Happy Hour @ Tremont 4:00 PM Bitchy Mondays @ Club D 5:00 PM Happy Hour @ Blazers 7:00 PM Eating Green: Practical Cook! ing Class with Chef RB @ Wild Goose Creative 8:00 PM Martini Monday @ Havana 8:00 PM Karaoke Monday @ U 9:00 PM Service Industry Night @ Level 10:00 PM Karaoke @ AWOL

11:00 AM Broadway Brunch @ Level 11:00 AM Brunch & Showtunes @ U 12:00 PM Mahoning Valley Pride 7:00 PM Karaoke @ Club Diversity 8:00 PM Latin Dance Night @ Wall St 10:00 PM Strippers @ Exile 10:30 PM Strippers @ Havana

… Karaoke @ Club Diversity 1:00 PM Happy Hour @ Tremont 4:00 PM Bitchy Mondays @ Club D 5:00 PM Happy Hour @ Blazers 5:00 PM Pride 30th Anniversary Party @ Hubbard Grille 8:00 PM Martini Monday @ Havana 8:00 PM Karaoke Monday @ U 9:00 PM Service Industry Night @ Level 10:00 PM Karaoke @ AWOL

9:00 AM 30-Year Ride: Honda's OhioMade Motorcycles @ AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum … Karaoke @ Club Diversity 1:00 PM Happy Hour @ Tremont 4:00 PM 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 Karaoke @ AWOL

and 2 more…

10:00 AM Blooms & Butterflies @ … Karaoke @ Club Diversity 1:00 PM Happy Hour @ Tremont 4:00 PM Bitchy Mondays @ Club D 5:00 PM Happy Hour @ Blazers 8:00 PM Martini Monday @ Havana 8:00 PM Karaoke Monday @ U

Monday

11:00 AM Broadway Brunch @ Level 11:00 AM Brunch & Showtunes @ U 7:00 PM Karaoke @ Club Diversity 7:00 PM Robyn @ The Lifestyle Com! munities Pavilion 8:00 PM Latin Dance Night @ Wall St 10:00 PM Strippers @ Exile 10:30 PM Strippers @ Havana

Old West End Festival @ Toledo, OH

Miami Valley Pride @ Dayton, OH

and 2 more…

11:00 AM Broadway Brunch @ Level 11:00 AM Brunch & Showtunes @ U 7:00 PM Karaoke @ Club Diversity 8:00 PM Sunday Night Players @ Wall

GrillMasters Festival @ North Market

Feast of the Flowe…n @ Chillicothe, OH

Velvet Ice Cream Festival @ Utica, OH

Walleye Festival @ Port Clinton

Moonshine Festival @ New Straitsville, OH

Sunday

Bars-Clubs

Ohio Festivals

Pride Holiday Events

Networking

Special Events

June 2011

9:00 AM SRJNG Tuesday Tune Up @ Espresso Yourself Cafe 4:00 PM Karaoke @ Trafik 4:00 PM Technicolor Movie Night @ Club D 5:00 PM Top Shelf Tuesday @ Havana 7:30 PM The British Invasion @ Grand! view Heights Public Library 8:00 PM Team Trivia Tuesdays @ Level 8:00 PM Cheap Date Night @ Slam! mers 10:00 PM Strippers @ Exile

9:00 AM SRJNG Tuesday Tune Up @ Espresso Yourself Cafe 4:00 PM Technicolor Movie Night @ Club D 4:00 PM Karaoke @ Trafik 5:00 PM Top Shelf Tuesday @ Havana 6:30 PM Culinary Class: Red, White and Bleu @ Franklin Park Conservatory 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 Technicolor Movie Night @ Club D 4:00 PM Karaoke @ Trafik 5:00 PM Lips On Fire Fundraiser @ Park St Cantina 5:00 PM Top Shelf Tuesday @ Havana 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 @ Trafik 4:00 PM Technicolor Movie Night @ Club D 5:00 PM Top Shelf Tuesday @ Havana 6:30 PM Island-style Happy Hour @ The VolleyPark at Sequoia 7:00 PM Taylor Swift@ Nationwide Are! 8:00 PM Cheap Date Night @ Slam! 8:00 PM Team Trivia Tuesdays @ Level 10:00 PM Strippers @ Exile

9:00 AM SRJNG Tuesday Tune Up @ Espresso Yourself Cafe 2:00 PM New Event 4:00 PM Karaoke @ Trafik 4:00 PM Technicolor Movie Night @ Club D 5:00 PM Top Shelf Tuesday @ Havana 6:00 PM Yelp Wine Tuesdays @ Camelot Cellars Winery 8:00 PM Cheap Date Night @ Slam! 8:00 PM Team Trivia Tuesdays @ Level 10:00 PM Strippers @ Exile

Tuesday 1

29 12:00 PM A LITTLE RIVALRY NEVER HURT NOBODY Columbus Clippers vs. Toledo Mud Hens @ Huntington Park 12:00 PM CMC Lunch Forums @ Ath! letic Club of Columbus 4:00 PM LevelTini Night @ Level 5:00 PM Prime Timers "Boys Night Out" @ Club D 9:30 PM Karaoke Bingo @ Exile 10:00 PM Boy Night @ Wall St

7:30 AM Matthew Morrison @ Palace Theatre, 12:00 PM CMC Lunch Forums @ Ath! letic Club of Columbus 4:00 PM LevelTini Night @ Level 5:00 PM Prime Timers "Boys Night Out" @ Club D 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 5:00 PM Prime Timers "Boys Night Out" @ Club D 9:30 PM Karaoke Bingo @ Exile 10:00 PM Boy Night @ Wall St

9:00 AM BNI Group One-to-Ones @ Panera Bread (Bethel) 11:30 AM Business 2 Business Net! work Expo11 @ Greater Columbus 12:00 PM CMC Lunch Forums @ Ath! letic Club of Columbus 4:00 PM LevelTini Night @ Level 4:00 PM Parenting: From Thumb Cov! ers to Tiger Moms @ The Ohio Histori! 5:00 PM Prime Timers "Boys Night Out" 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 New Event 4:00 PM LevelTini Night @ Level 5:00 PM Prime Timers "Boys Night Out" @ Club D 9:30 PM Karaoke Bingo @ Exile 10:00 PM Boy Night @ Wall St

Pride Art Show @ S…li’s Deli Downtown

Wednesday

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30 4:00 PM $3 3 Olives Night @ Level 4:00 PM 3 Wise Men @ Exile 6:00 PM The Actors’ Theatre of Colum! bus: A Midsummer Night’s Dream @Schiller Park 8:00 PM CW & HipHop @ Wall St 8:00 PM Long Island @ U 9:00 PM Tom Crumley at the Piano @ Club D 10:00 PM Trafik Jam @ Trafik

23 4:00 PM $3 3 Olives Night @ Level 4:00 PM 3 Wise Men @ Exile 6:00 PM Kid Only Zone!: All About Burgers @ Franklin Park Conservatory 8:00 PM Long Island @ U 8:00 PM CW & HipHop @ Wall St 9:00 PM Tom Crumley at the Piano @ Club D 10:00 PM Trafik Jam @ Trafik

4:00 PM $3 3 Olives Night @ Level 4:00 PM 3 Wise Men @ Exile 8:00 PM Long Island @ U 8:00 PM Mary Ann Brandt's Songs Gays like @ Level 8:00 PM CW & HipHop @ Wall St 9:00 PM Tom Crumley at the Piano @ Club D 10:00 PM Trafik Jam @ Trafik

4:00 PM $3 3 Olives Night @ Level 4:00 PM 3 Wise Men @ Exile 8:00 PM Long Island @ U 8:00 PM CW & HipHop @ Wall St 9:00 PM Tom Crumley at the Piano @ Club D 10:00 PM Drag Special @ Level 10:00 PM Trafik Jam @ Trafik

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Friday

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4:00 PM Get Your Mojo @ Level 7:00 PM First Friday @ Wall St 9:00 PM Live Bands @ Havana 9:30 PM Live Music @ Club D 10:00 PM DJ Fierce Tease @ Axis 10:00 PM Traxx: Columbus @ Out! lands 10:00 PM College Nite @ Wall St

24 4:00 PM Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus/ VOX @ Ohio Statehouse 4:00 PM Get Your Mojo @ Level 9:00 PM Live Bands @ Havana 9:30 PM Live Music @ Club D 10:00 PM Traxx: Columbus @ Out! lands 10:00 PM College Nite @ Wall St

4:00 PM Get Your Mojo @ Level 9:00 PM Live Bands @ Havana 9:30 PM Live Music @ Club D 10:00 PM Traxx: Columbus @ Out! lands 10:00 PM College Nite @ Wall St 10:00 PM The Big Gay Dance Party @ Skully’s

17 Columbus Pride Holiday @ Columbus, OH

4:00 PM Get Your Mojo @ Level 7:30 PM Paula Poundstone @ Capitol Theatre 9:00 PM Live Bands @ Havana 9:30 PM Live Music @ Club D 10:00 PM Traxx: Columbus @ Out! lands 10:00 PM College Nite @ Wall St

Park Street Festival @ 511 Park Street

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Akron Pride @ Arkon, OH

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8:30 PM Best Ass Contest @ Exile 9:30 PM Live Music @ Club D 10:00 PM Dance Your Ass O" @ Axis 10:00 PM DJ Jeremy James @ Level 10:00 PM Lesbian Dance Night @ Wall St

25 5:00 PM Dayton Pride Dinner @ Dayton, OH 9:30 PM Live Music @ Club D 10:00 PM Lesbian Dance Night @ Wall St 10:00 PM Dance Your Ass O" @ Axis 10:00 PM DJ Jeremy James @ Level

Cleveland Pride @ Cleveland, OH

12:00 PM Pride Parade @ Downtown 8:00 PM FCKH8 Dance Party @ The LC 9:30 PM Live Music @ Club D 10:00 PM Lesbian Dance Night @ Wall St 10:00 PM Dance Your Ass O" @ Axis 10:00 PM DJ Jeremy James @ Level

7:00 PM City Hop Party 9:30 PM Live Music @ Club D 10:00 PM Dance Your Ass O" @ Axis 10:00 PM DJ Jeremy James @ Level 10:00 PM Lesbian Dance Night @ Wall St

Rainbow Festival @ Bowling Green, OH

6:00 PM HRC Columbus Dinner @ Ohio Union 8:30 PM Best Ass Contest @ Exile 9:30 PM Live Music @ Club D 10:00 PM Dance Your Ass O" @ Axis 10:00 PM DJ Jeremy James @ Level 10:00 PM Lesbian Dance Night @ Wall St

Colors of Pride Art…t Community Bank

Old West End Festival @ Toledo, OH

Saturday

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12:00 PM Toledo Civil Rights March for LGBTQ Equality 4:00 PM Get Your Mojo @ Level 7:00 PM First Friday @ Wall St 9:00 PM Live Bands @ Havana 9:30 PM Live Music @ Club D 10:00 PM DJ Fierce Tease @ Axis 10:00 PM Traxx: Columbus @ Out! lands 10:00 PM College Nite @ Wall St

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4:00 PM 3 Wise Men @ Exile 4:00 PM $3 3 Olives Night @ Level 7:00 PM “The New World” @ The Wexn! er Center for the Arts 8:00 PM Long Island @ U 8:00 PM CW & HipHop @ Wall St 9:00 PM Tom Crumley at the Piano @ Club D 10:00 PM Trafik Jam @ Trafik

Thursday

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FRIDAY, JUNE 10 Paula Poundstone @ Capitol Theatre, 77 South High Street, 614.469.9580: More sexually ambiguous than Queen Latifah and attire that would make Larry King blush, this comedian is here and ready for business. Leave your kids at home, though. 7:30p; $35.

Park Street Festival @ 511 Park Street, www.parkstreetfestival.com: Food, music, games and fun.

something to do each day this month

about town

IT’S A SWANGIN’ Swingin’ Tuesdays @ The Shrunken Head, 251 W 5th Ave, 614.467.0102, www.swingcolumbus.com: Each Tuesday, SwingColumbus brings you a culmination of great bands and DJs spinning the best in New Orleans, blues, rock & roll and Jazzy classics to get your swinging swag in at 100 percent. 7:30p; $3-10

COVER UP YOUR PRIDE WITH MASCARA CLGSA’s Bat n’ Rouge @ Dodge

SUNDAY, JUNE 19 363 DAYS ’TIL PRIDE, BITCHES Pride Brunch @ Columbus Athenaeum, 32 N 4th St, 614.222.6338, www.columbusmeetings.com: So you have a twoday hangover. You know what cures that? BRUNCH. And mimosas. And denial. 11a to 1p

SATURDAY, JUNE 25 Dayton Pride Dinner @ Ponitz Center, 301 W. Fourth Street, Day-

FRIDAY, JUNE 24 EAT YOUR HEART OUT, GLEE! Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus/VOX @ Ohio Statehouse, 1 Capitol Square, www.ohiostatehouse.org: Singing gay men. Does anything else need to be said? 12p to 1p; Free.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1 FUN!!! 10a-6p; Free What more could you ask for a WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15 Park, 667 Sullivant Ave, ton, OH 45410, 937.274.1776, ‘PRIDE’ AND ‘PASTRAMI’ HAVE SOMEfestival? Through 6/11. Free. HUMP DAY HAPPY HOUR www.clgsa.net: Baseball and drag www.pridedayton.com: The Center THING IN COMMON - THE LETTER ‘P’ SUNDAY, JUNE 5 Wyandotte Winery Happy Hour @ queens. Two of America’s favorite is celebrating its 35th anniverPride Art Show @ Spinelli’s Deli THE SECOND COMING SATURDAY, JUNE 11 Wyandotte Winery, 4640 Wyanpast times. COVER sary by once again hosting the Downtown, 50 N High St, Robyn @ The Lifestyle Communi- _____ FOR PRIDE! dotte Dr, 614.476.3624, annual Pride Dinner which it has www.spinellisdeli.com: Exactly ties Pavilion, 405 Neil Ave, Jaeger Walk/Run for Pride @ www.wyandottewinery.com: MONDAY, JUNE 20 done for a number of years. This what it sounds like. What does 614.461.LIVE (5483), www.proGoodale Park, 120 W Goodale St, There’s simply no reason to not MEATLESS MONDAY year there will be a Dayton fa‘Pride’ mean to you? What do mowestlive.com: Rescheduled at www.columbuspride.org/events/ru drink discounted wine on a Eating Green: Practical Cooking vorite Suzanne Westenhoefer and other people have to say about it last! Robyn has not forsaken us. nforpride: You’ve danced for Wednesday. They also boast the Class with Chef RB @ Wild Goose are featuring Dayton Police LGBT in artistic form? All day; FREE. Don’t miss this Swedish goddess Pride, you’ve slept next to a toilet happiest hour out there. 5-7p. Creative, 2491 Summit St, liaison Sgt. Wendy Stiver to act as with special guests Diamond for Pride, and now you can look www.wildgoosecreative.com: In keynote speaker. The evening THURSDAY, JUNE 2 Rings and Natalia Kills at The LC. ridiculous in short-shorts for THURSDAY, JUNE 16 effort to help the environment and ends with the annual Big Gay raf“The New World” @ The Wexner All previously purchased tickets Pride. Although the race is for se- WHIP IT! improve heart health, Wild Goose fle drawing for many prizes. 5p; Center for the Arts, 1871 N High will be honored. 7p; $15. rious competitors, I’m not sure Devo @ The LC, 405 Neil Ave, is promoting to eat vegetarian $45 tickets St, 614.292.3535, how seriously I can take anyone in www.promowestlive.com: Put on one day a week. At this cooking www.wexarts.org: Take time to re- MONDAY, JUNE 6 those shorts. All participants reyour Durka Durka hoodie and hel- class taught by Chef Laura SUNDAY, JUNE 26 visit your Disney years, but not lit- VROOM VROOM ceive Pride Dog Tags. 9:30a; $30. met and whip it, bitch. 80’s group Robertson-Boyd, you can learn to TAKE OFF YOUR TOP AND BUY A NECKerally. This is an 30-Year Ride: Honda’s OhioDevo is bringing their dance make vegetarian and earthLACE earthbound-yet-metaphysical Made Motorcycles @ AMA Motor- WHAT YOU ALWAYS DO AT PARTIES, NOW party-worthy hits to the LC. Their friendly meals like Tofu with Comfest @ Goodale Park, Park St retelling of the 17th-century set- cycle Hall of Fame Museum, WITHOUT THE GUILT website boasts a way for you to Spicy Korean Garlic Sauce with & Buttles Ave. www.comfest.com: tling of the Jamestown colony and 13515 Yarmouth Dr., Pickerington, City Hop Party @ Several differ- lose 10 lbs in 5 minutes, check it Wheat Berries and Veggies. Yum. We know pride was last weekend, the romance between Captain www.motorcyclemuseum.org: ent condominiums downtown, out at www.clubdevo.com 6:30p; 7-9p; $35. but you’ve surely recovered. Put John Smith and Pocahontas. 7p; Come discover your inner hoss at 614.221.4508, www.columbus$38 on your Ray-Bans and buy a huge $5-$7 this exhibition of Honda motorcy- landmarks.org/cityhop/the-party: TUESDAY, JUNE 21 beer. It’s fun, it’s ComFest. It’s all cles; all made right here in the The perfect opportunity to come FRIDAY, JUNE 17 THIS AIN’T BOONES’ FARM AND VELVEETA weekend and as always, it’s free. FRIDAY, JUNE 3 heart of it all. Adults $10/ Stuinto stranger’s homes and eat IT’S PRIDE, BITCHES Culinary Class: Red, White and DANCE, MY PRETTIES! DANCE! dents. 9a-5p; $3. their food. It’s like “Wedding Pride @ Goodale Park, 120 W Bleu @ Franklin Park ConservaMONDAY, JUNE 27 Dance For Pride @ Wall Street, Crashers” without the wedding. Goodale St, tory, 1777 E. Broad St, Social Media Business Connec144 N High St, 614.464.2800, 7p to 10p; $75. www.columbuspride.org: Bust out 614.645.5923, www.fpconservation @ TECHColumbus, 1275 Kinhttp://www.wallstreetnightclub.co TUESDAY, JUNE 7 the rainbow beads! Gentlemen, tory.org: At this culinary class, you near Road, Columbus, OH 43212. m: Stonewall Columbus will reIT’S NOT BEYONCE. SORRY, KANYE. SUNDAY, JUNE 12 take off your shirts. Ladies, you can learn to make your get toHave any special skills that you ceive the $5 cover charge and do- Taylor Swift@ Nationwide Arena, SUNDAY FUNDAY: INDIANA JONES-ISH too. Conveniently, you can wear gethers a little classier. It’s not want to show off? Head on over, nations for Pride 2011. First 25 your birthday suits under your like a case of Natty and some meet new people, and make your200 W. Nationwide Blvd, www.na- Adventure: Valley of the Unpeople will receive goodie bags self known. It’s all the social nettionwidearena.com: Come see known @ COSI, 333 W.Broad St., business suits. And as Pride kicks Pringles isn’t the bomb, it’s just full of prizes including your Pride crossover country-pop superstar off at 3p, you can come straight you are 29. Increase your enterworking you do on the Internet, www.cosi.org: Come on out to entrance dog tag! 8p to10p; $5. taining a notch by learning wine except it’s real life. 6p, Cover. cutie Taylor Swift perform her sin- COSI and sharpen up your archae- from work. Oh, and did I menand cheese pairings and three gles “Mine” and “Fifteen”. It’d be ological skills (or develop some...) tion... Ferris Wheel? 3p to 11p; SATURDAY, JUNE 4 $10 (for entrance dog tags/wrist- simple dishes to accommodate TUESDAY, JUNE 28 better for the kids and community If you can crack the code of the ‘PRIDE’ AND, UH... ‘FINANCIAL SOLbands). any palate. 6:30-8p; $30-35 “TOMORROW MAY RAIN, SO I’LL FOLLOW in general if you left any of your Observatory using your wits and THE SUN...” VENCY’ HAVE... SOMETHING IN COMMON cocky rapper friends at home. 7p; creativity, you’ll complete your WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22 Colors of Pride Art Show @ First $72.20 quest. Your friends might call you LET’S GET SOAKIN’ WET The British Invasion @ GrandGLEE HOTTIE? IN COLUMBUS? Community Bank, 647 N High St, Island-style Happy Hour @ The a nerd but you’ll just know they The Big Gay Dance Party @ view Heights Public Library, 1685 www.firstcommunitybank.com: No VolleyPark at Sequoia, 5501 San- have an inferiority complex given Skully’s, 1151 N. High St, Matthew Morrison @ Palace The- W. First Ave, 486.2951, matter how much debauchery dalwood Blvd, www.cypclub.com: that your intellect is greater than 614.291.8856, www.skullys.org: atre, 34 W. Broad St, www.ghpl.org: Although it is more Pride involves, you gotta be reEnjoy a night of tiki island fun. that of their own. Brush off the Paired up with Sweatin’, we bring 800.745.3000, www.ticketmasthan just a Beatles tribute, many spectable the rest of the year. And Free rum, so come get your Capdust and haters and decipher an you a big awesome gay dance ter.com: We all love him; Mr. of their hits will be covered. Also, the first step toward that is fiscal tain Jack Sparrow on. 6:30p to ancient code. Adventure is $3. party. DJ Moxy on the decks spin- Schuester himself is taking a songs by other English 60’s responsibility. All day; FREE. 9p; $5 Regular admission is $13.75. nin’ your favorite dance hits. This break from his tour with NKOTB groups will be performed. Fun for one is sure to go down in history. and the Backstreet Boys to come the whole family. 7:30-8:30p; Human Rights Campaign Colum- WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8 MONDAY, JUNE 13 10p; $5-20 see us Gleeks in Cbus. 7:30p; FREE. bus Gala Dinner @ Ohio State Business 2 Business Network 30 YEARS? ISN’T THAT THE PEARL $53.85-$76.85 University, Ohio Union 1736 N. Expo11 @ Greater Columbus NECKLACE ANNIVERSARY? SATURDAY, JUNE 18 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29 High St Convention Center, 400 N High Pride 30th Anniversary Party @ IT’S STILL PRIDE, BITCHES THURSDAY, JUNE 23 A LITTLE RIVALRY NEVER HURT NOBODY Columbus, OH 43201, St, 614.827.2500. This expo alHubbard Grille, 793 N High St, Pride @ Goodale Park, 120 W DROP OFF THE KIDS FOR A FEW Columbus Clippers vs. Toledo 614.436.1234, www.hrccolumlows consumers to talk face-towww.hubbardgrille.com: I’d like to Goodale St, Kid Only Zone!: All About Burgers Mud Hens @ Huntington Park, busdinner.com: Black tie optional. face with business owners about say it’s just one last hurrah for www.columbuspride.org: Okay! @ Franklin Park Conservatory, 330 Huntington Park Lane, Save the date and be a part of their practices. Consumers, let the dusty muff, but I’d be lying. You drank yourself silly last night, 1777 E. Broad St, 614.645.8733, 614.462.5250, www.clippersbaseEquality! 6p; Free-$175 your voices be heard! 11:30aPride and us? We’re in it for the but it’s still the weekend. And www.fpconservatory.org: We all ball.com: Columbus’ own minor 6:30p; free. long haul. Gaga help us all. 5p to there’s still kegs and kegs of alknow kids love burgers, at this in- league Clippers take on their riJUNE 4-5 8p; COVER. cohol to get rid of. Take a hit for formational and delicious “experi- vals from the north, the Toledo Miami Valley Pride @ MJ’s Café, AN INFORMAL HOW-TO the team. 10a to 8p; $10 (for en- ment”, Franklin Park offers a Mud Hens. If you go to one Clip119 E Third St, Dayton, OH 45402, Parenting: From Thumb Covers TUESDAY, JUNE 14 trance dog tags/wristbands). healthier alternative to fast food. pers game this season, this is the 937.223.3259, www.mjscafeday- to Tiger Moms @ The Ohio Histor- IF YOU CAN’T TAKE THE HEAT... Kids will learn the difference be- one. Hot dogs and beer and a litton.com: At MJ’s Café there will be ical Center, 1982 Velma Ave, Lips On Fire Fundraiser @ Park LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, CHAD PAUL tween turkey burgers, traditional tle old school rivalry, sounds fun, a breakfast that will begin at 9a 614.297.2300, St Cantina, 491 Park St, FRYE hamburgers and veggie burgers. huh? 12p; $6-20 and then a Parade following www.ohiohistory.org: This conver- 614.245.5115: Obliterate your Pride Parade @ Downtown, This could be the answer to avoid thereafter at noon. Proceed to the sation will focus on parenting, in- taste buds on pepper at a time in www.columbuspride.org: This is stepping on bitchy fast food toys THURSDAY, JUNE 30 Pride Festival at Courthouse cluding current controversy that the hot pepper eating contest. All actually a test to see if you can and having a sluggish kid. Also, it BETTER THAN A MIDSUMMER’S NIGHT Square and then there will be a has swirled around different approceeds support events for indi- walk in a straight line. Parade could just give you a few hours to SCREAM... family picnic Sunday. A weekend proaches to parenting. 7p; FREE. viduals with disabilities. 5p to forms at 10a downtown, step-off hit up happy hour without the lit- The Actors’ Theatre of Columof family fun and great food, what 10p; Donations. at 12p; Free. tle ones. 6-8p; $25 bus: A Midsummer Night’s Dream more could you ask for?; Free @Schiller Park, 1069 Jaeger St, 614.444.6888, www.theactorstheatre.org: One of Shakespeare’s best comedies, this production is a debut for the Actors’ Theatre of Columbus. So come on out, funny face: Big Willy Style’s all in it. Continues through July 31. FREE JUNE 4-5 Old West End Festival @ W. Central Avenue and Monroe Street, Toledo, OH, 419.259.5233, www.oldwestendtoledo.com. Come celebrate Toledo’s 40th Anniversary Old West End Festival. Art Fair, House Tours, Parade, Entertainment, Beer Garden, Yard Sales, Food, Children’s Activities, 5K Run, informal porch parties,

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Ride the Fairy Wheel! Ladies, gentlemen, and everyone in-between, welcome to this, your guide to the 30th Pride Holiday in Columbus, presented by Stonewall Columbus on June 17th and 18th and other Pride activities all month long. It’s probably not a secret to our readers that our humble little Pride Holiday is a huge deal – it’s one of the top ten in the nation, attracting nearly 200K people over two days, contributing significantly to Columbus’ economy. We are going to beat that Arnold Classic in economic impact one of these days!

We have made enormous progress in the last thirty years, but it’s so important that as we celebrate where we’ve been, we consider where we are heading. We must continue to stand together as a community to win the equality we so richly deserve. It’s easy to get caught up in the merriment, and we encourage the making of merry, but while you’re knocking back eleven beers or spending time with your family in the park, or whatever your chosen celebratory mood/vehicle, we invite you to pause and reflect about where we need to be, and what we need to do to get there. Give to those entities working for your equality, write to your Funds raised at this event support Stonewall Columbus, in its pursuit of elected officials, make your presence know. equality, fairness, and safety for the entire gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender communities. SWC serves the Central Ohio LGBT commuNow that we’ve gotten the heavy stuff out of the way, take a look at the nity by providing a center offering programming and services that enPride guide, make your way to the festival, see the great acts Suzie hance the well-being and visibility of our diverse community through Simpson has booked for you, and make sure you spend some time on discovery, affirmation, and celebration. our Ferris wheel! We have to pay for the damned thing somehow! On this, our 30th anniversary it’s important to reflect on where we’ve been. Pride in 1981 was not what it is today, with far fewer attendees and many attendees hiding their identities in a myriad of ways.

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Much Love, The Boys and Girls of outlook

Amsterdam, the only city whose Pride literally floats on a river - takes place on 100 decorated boats that sail through the city on the Prinsengracht River.

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Thank you Queer as Folk for this jewel! You're a dyke, you're marrying a Jew, and you're a registered Democrat. Need I say more?

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Thursday, June 2nd

High St, www.outlookcolumbus.com: Join outlook at gallery hop to pick up your pride edition, sign up to carry the pride flag in the parade (you get a free T-shirt), and throw some bags. 4p-10p; free.

to Buttles, http://www.columbuspride.org/parade: Nothing say Pride like riding on a float for the whole world to see! Bigger than ever, this parade Monday, June 13th fills up high street. Highlights this year include Stonewall Columbus Pride 30th Anniversary Columbus Spirit Brigade bringing their Acrobatic Party @ Hubbard Grille, 793 N High St, columbuspride.org/anniversary: Join us as we celebrate and high-spirited performances and outlook’s 30 years of Pride in Columbus and help us kick off 100-foot pride flag. outlook closes the parade this Pride Week. Light appetizers and cash bar. 5p-8p; year and invites everyone help carry this piece of the historic Key West Pride flag as we march it $10 or free with Center on High member card or down High Street to the festival. Pre register as a 2011 Pride dog tag/wristband. participant at outlookcolumbus.com and get a free T-shirt to wear! Lineup 10a, step-off 12p; Thursday, June 16th free. Mary Ann Brandt’s More Songs Gays Like @ Level Dining Lounge. Join Columbus’ original it Day Two of the Pride Festival @ Goodale Park; girl for a Pride cabaret celebratin’ the gay! With http://www.columbuspride.org/festival: Enjoy the Dusti Hymen, Demonica Hunter, Betty Cracker, day being entertained by ChelseaMae, Illicit Kitty, Showeena Domore, Tula Tubesucker, Ashley Columbus Women’s Chorus, Columbus Gay Men’s O’Shea, and June Bugg. Shows at 8p and 10p. Chorus, Columbus Stompers, Color Columbus, Call ahead for seating 614-754-7111! Capital Pride Band, Vanity Theft, Hunter Valentine, HITM ENT presents Homage to HipHop, DJ Sean, Rachael Sage, Namoli Brennet, Gaye AdegFriday, June 17th balola and Roddy Barnes, Eric Himan, Zrazy, FabDay One of the Pride Festival @ Goodale Park; ulous Johnson Brothers , Nina West, Katie Todd http://www.columbuspride.org/festival: Yes the Band, Wayne Smith as Cher, and headliner Chely festival is Friday too! And it’s better than ever. New this year includes Friday Festival Happy Hour Wright with Band. Also Pride Spirit Teams providing pre-parade entertainment, more beer, food where you can stock up on $3 drink tickets and and of course the 44 foot Fairy Wheel to ride. 10aride the outlook Ferris Wheel for $4. Oh yeah, 8p; free. there’s a Ferris Wheel. Stop by the outlook compound at Goodale and Park, and get spun right FCKH8 Party @ Promowest. Come help us FCKH8 round on the 45ft Fairy Wheel! Also new are shaded dining areas on the festival grounds, an and dance for equality in a very activist sort of way. Featuring Hairplane, Colton Ford, Chris Salexpanded family area, and Prides going greener with expanded recycling benefiting disabled vet- vatore, Lea Lorein and DJ Mickey Freidman. Booze, erans. Party into the night with entertainment by schmooze, dance, repeat. Pretty simple, just good gay fun. 8:30p, $15 general admission, $30 VIP. Pride Karaoke Idol hosted by Stawn, DJ Tony C, Namoli Brennet, Steve Reeder, DJ Tony C, World Famous Weed Eaters, Diana Chittester, Columbus Sunday, June 19th Community Drummers, Unecc with Kei Mari, Eric Stonewall Columbus Pride Brunch 2011 @ The Himan, Gaye Adegbalola, Katie Todd Band, Wayne Columbus Athenaeum 32 N 4th St, columbusSmith as Cher, Levi Kreis, and Bitch. 3p-11p; $5. pride.org/brunch: Join us as we honor our Parade Grand Marshals - Our Trailblazing LGBT Senior The Big Gay Dance Party @ Skully’s Music Diner, Adults. Featured Entertainers include Gaye Adeg1151 N High St, balola, Roddy Barnes, and Vox - CGMC’s Premier http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=168662 Small Ensemble. 11a-1p; $35 (reserve early 539860484: Welcome back DJ Moxy to town and seating is limited!) dance the night away at The Big Gay Dance Party brought to you by outlook & Sweatin’. Opening Columbus Lesbian and Gay Softball Associasets by Wonder Doug and Scottie Niemet. Visuals tion’s Bat n’ Rouge @ Dodge Park, Franklinton, by VJ Oz. Feeling VIP? VIP service available featur- 70 & 315, http://www.clgsa.net: The annual drag ing private sky lounge and select premium drinks. softball extravaganza. 3p; cover. Be as big a gay as you want! 10p-2:30a; $5-$8 21+, $10 21-, $25 VIP. Monday, June 20th 12p; driver $15 / passenger $10.

Pride Art Show Opening Reception @ Spinelli’s Deli Downtown, 50 N High St, columbuspride.org/artshow: Artwork by five local gay and lesbian artists - as well as free food, wine, and beer. DJ Max will spin dance music. Ex- HRC Gala Columbus 2011 @ Archie Griffin Ballroom, The Ohio Union. For the 28th year, the hibit runs through June. 5p-7p; free. Columbus HRC community will gather together to continue the work of equality for all citizens inPride Movie Night @ the Gateway Film Center, 1550 N High St, columbuspride.org/movie: Come cluding gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans. At this time, more than ever, we ask watch the film Making the Boys. Before Prop 8, that you let no excuse keep you from joining the Milk or Will & Grace, before the AIDS epidemic, gay pride parades or the Stonewall uprising, The fight for equality. Black tie optional. 6p; $175. Boys in the Band changed everything. The film explores the drama, struggle and enduring legacy of Wednesday, June 8th the first-ever gay play and subsequent Hollywood Network Columbus presents Out with Our movie - successfully reach a mainstream audiElected Officials - the Political Kickoff to Pride ence. Light appetizers and cash bar. Benefiting @ the Santa Maria, 25 Marconi BLVD, downtown, Stonewall Columbus and the Columbus Interna- http://networkcolumbus.com: Join the members of tional Film+Video Festival. Reception at 7p, Film Network Columbus, central Ohio’s progressive at 8p; $6 GLBT networking group, for the political networking event of the year in the GLBT community - Out With Our Elected Officials. Come see, be seen, Friday, June 3rd Dance for Pride @ Wall Street Nightclub, 144 N and be heard! This year’s OWOEO is on the deck of Wall St, columbuspride.org/danceforpride: Boogie the beautiful Santa Maria your way into Pride month at this kick off party for Everything is free: catering by Hoggy’s, wine by Menage A Trois wines, and coversations with our Pride festivities. First 25 people will receive a Pride entrance dog tag! Stonewall Columbus will local officials. 6p-8p; free. receive the $5 cover charge and donations for Saturday, June 11th Pride 2011. 8p-10p; Stonewall Columbus Jaeger Run for Pride 5k @ Goodale Park, columbuspride.org/runforpride: The Saturday, June 4th Run for Pride 5K Run/Walk is organized by Colors of Pride Art Show @ First Community Bank, 647 N High St, columbuspride.org/colorsof- Stonewall Columbus and Premier Races. It will start and finish at Goodale Park in the Short pride: Gallery hop reception for artwork by local North. This event is for both serious and recreLGBT artists. 8p-10p; free. ational athletes and benefits the Stonewall Columbus Center on High and Pride 2011! Each 5th Annual TransOhio Unity Picnic @ Goodale participant will receive a race packet and ComPark, memorative 2011 Stonewall Columbus Pride Dog http://www.transohio.org/wordpress/?p=2025: Tag which gives you admittance into the Pride The annual Unity Picnic is open to the entire GLBTQI & allied community regardless of sexual Festival on June 17-18 as well as discounts at many neighborhood restaurants and stores in the orientation and gender identity! Food, games, conversation, community, prizes, and more! It’s a Short North. The top ten (10) overall male and female finishers will receive a medal as well as a wonderful opportunity to hang out, relax, enjoy surprise gift from one of our sponsors. 9:30a; $30 some great BBQ and picnic-style food, friends and conversation! Please bring a chair and a pic- entry fee (with additional pledges welcomed). nic-style dish to share, and your own drinks (alcoPride Ride Poker Run @ Starts at Club 20, 20 E hol is not permitted in the park). TransOhio Duncan St THEN Cookout @ Club Diversity immeprovides hotdogs/hamburgers/chicken. If you’re vegetarian or vegan please bring your own ‘main’ diately following the ride, 863 S High St; columentrée - they’ll make sure that grill space is avail- buspride.org/pokerrun: Grab your motorcycle, your sidecar and your pride and head out on this able for you! 11a-7p; free. around the city poker match. Join the fun, the memories, great prizes and giveaways! Route to Saturday, June 18th – outlook’s Cornhole in the Courtyard @ GreyPride Parade @ downtown from the State House stone Court Apartment Building Courtyard, 815 N be announced at Club 20. Meet 11a - Bikes leave outlookcolumbus.com

The first Gay Olympic Games were held at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco, CA

Pink Monday: Stay home and rest…

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Get Your Pride On All Around Ohio Columbus isn’t the only Gay Town around here. Celebrate summer break, warm weather or anything worth celebrating by hitting the road! Travel around our glorious state to celebrate our community and your Pride with everyone. One benefit of being in the heart of it all - you can pretty much get to any of Ohio’s larger cities in two hours. That time frame is not guaranteed, however, if you follow the posted speed limits. So load up the cooler, your friends and fire up a good old-fashioned mix tape (a CD will suffice. Just don’t use the iPod. Too new school).

CLEVELAND PRIDE - SATURDAY, JUNE 25 Help the great city of Cleveland celebrate its LGBT progress by attending their Pride celebrations. Cleveland’s 23rd annual Pride festival will take place Saturday, June 25, so no worries - it won’t interfere with Columbus’ Pride. Two weekends of celebrating! With the theme of “Equality for All: Celebrating Our Allies,” this year’s festival and parade is hoping to include a partnership with surrounding area college and high school gay straight alliances.

TOLEDO CIVIL RIGHTS MARCH FOR LGBTQ EQUALITY - FRIDAY, JUNE 3 Celebrate International Gay Pride Month and let Toledo know we still do not have our civil rights. Bring banners, posters, your family and friends and your pride! Step off at noon at One Government Center.

The official festival will take place from noon to 8p. Like last year, Pride will be celebrated at Voinovich Park located behind Cleveland’s famous Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The parade itself will begin queuing at 11a. The route itself will go north on W 3rd St, east on West Lakeside Ave, then north on E 9th to Voinovich Bicentennial Park behind the Hall of Fame.

Friday, June 3 Toledo Civil Rights March for LGBT Equality meet at One Government Center, 640 Jackson St, at 12 noon, march proceeds on Erie St. to Monroe St., then to Summit St. back to One Government Center for a rally; 224.221.9213, toledoglbtq@yahoo.com.

While admission to the festival is free, your donation at the gate will help offset festival and parade costs as well as supports Cleveland’s Stonewall Democrats. There is a suggested donation of $10 - $20.

as well as churches, community service organizations and nonprofit organizations. More information about these events can be found as details become available at www.equinoxcincinnati.com. DAYTON PRIDE DINNER - SATURDAY, JUNE 25 If you’re in desperate need, as we all will be, to relax and try and stave off that hangover you’ve had for a week now’s the perfect time to celebrate Pride in a little less extreme way. The Dayton LGBT Center is celebrating its 35th anniversary by hosting the annual Pride Dinner. This year, the center has invited comedian Suzanne Westenhoefer to speak and has enlisted Dayton Police LGBT liaison Sgt. Wendy Stiver to act as keynote speaker. The Dayton Pride Dinner will take place at the Ponitz Center located on the campus of Sinclair Community College. The evening will begin at 5p with a business and non-profit exposition that will feature hors d’oeuvres and cocktails. The dinner will begin at 7p, which is followed by awards and recognitions, the keynote speech and Westenhoefer’s comedy show. The evening will wrap up with the annual Big Gay Raffle Drawing.

Information regarding hotel accommodations, parking, entertainment and more can be found over at www.clevelandpride.org or by calling 216.226.0004. Tickets for the dinner are available for $45, which covers a chicken or vegetarian dinner option. Tickets and more information can be CINCINNATI PRIDE - FRIDAY, JULY 8 - SUNDAY, JULY 10 found at www.daytonlgbtcenter.org. It doesn’t hold a candle next to our flaming CBus, but Cincinasty still provides a pretty good time, hence its given nickname. The TOLEDO PRIDE - SATURDAY, AUGUST 27 city’s restaurants and abundance of things to do in the area - you Join the wonderful people of Toledo in celebrating the first Toledo can’t go to Cincinnati without going to Jungle Jim’s International Pride Parade in more than two decades! The parade route will be Akron Gay Pride Picnic, We Are Family Too, 11a to 9p, Ohio Market - make this a great place to travel to so you can get your released this month, but the time of the event is already schedSportsman’s Park, 1775 Jacoby Rd, Copley (Akron); www.akronnon-Columbus Pride on! uled. Those participating in the parade will begin assembly at wearefamilytoo.com. 11:30a, with the parade itself taking place from 1p - 2p. You can Sponsored by Equinox Cincinnati, Pride take place over the week- even still sign up if you have a group or organization and would Dayton Gay Men’s Chorus, pride concert featuring shows from the end of July 8. Pride will begin with a pub-crawl. The annual event like to be in the parade. 1950s to today, 8p, Victoria Theater, 138 North Main St, Dayton; will take place beginning at 9p and will last until 3a. Those partici937.228.3630. pating in the crawl will be able to ride one of three shuttles being Immediately following the parade is the Community Connection provided. The shuttles will make 15 stops at 19 different bars. Carnival. With the location still to be announced, the carnival will Saturday and Sunday, June 4 and 5 last from 2p - 7p. This carnival is an annual LGBT community We Are a Family, Pride concert by the Cincinnati Men’s Chorus, Saturday, July 9 will be the day you can enjoy the official Northern awareness event, which aims to bring together local residents, special appearance by Muse, Cincinnati’s Women’s Choir, bring a Kentucky Pride, while Cincinnati Pride will take place Sunday, July families, community leaders and area business owners. This outpersonal care or cleaning item for Caracole and get a free CD, 10. door, family friendly event along with live entertainment and food 8:07p Saturday, 3:07p Sunday, $20 advance, $25 door, Mayerson will ensure you will be entertained the entire afternoon. Theater, School for the Creative and Performing Arts, 108 West The parade to take place, as part of Cincinnati’s Pride will travel Central Parkway, Cincinnati; www.cincinnatimenschorus.org. six blocks along 5th Street. It will start at Sentinel and end at Race This event is free and open to the public. So bring your friends and St. Staging for the parade begins at 11:30a with step off happen- family and celebrate your love and pride! Sunday, June 5 ing at 1p. Following the parade, Fountain Square will become host Dayton LGBT Family Picnic, volleyball, croquet, food, games, 2p, to a variety of activities. These activities include a dance floor, enMore information about this year’s Toledo Pride events can be Ernst Park, 1030 East David Road, Kettering (Dayton); www.mv- tertainment state, full service bar and plenty of seating. The area found at www.toledopride.com. gaypride.com. will also be lined with booths from various food and retail vendors

Saturday, June 4 Dayton Pride Parade and Festival line-up 11a at Cooper Park, Second and Patterson Sts., step off at noon, march to festival at Courthouse Square, Third and Main with second stage in “gay quad” parking lot a block away near Second and Jefferson, 10a rededication of historical marker for Natalie Clifford Barney; www.mvgaypride.com, 937.697.1190.

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In the U.S., 75% of students have no state laws protecting against harassment and discrimination in school based on sexual orientation.

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1978, Harvey Milk asked his friend Gilbert Baker to design a unifying symbol for the gay community and San Fran’s Pride, the rainbow flag born. Rainbows ever since.

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The pink triangle first appears as a symbol used to identify homosexuals in the Nazi Holocaust. It’s later reclaimed as an empowering symbol of gay identity. outlookcolumbus.com

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PRIDE OUT OF STATE And Ohio isn’t the only place you can celebrate Pride. Feel free to shake your groove thing in our neighboring states too. Here are some Prides that are right next door!

Pennsylvania Philadelphia - http://www.phillypride.org/ June 11 and 12 – LGBT Parade and Festival – Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing The annual festival kicks off at Noon on Sunday at the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing. There’ll be food, entertainment, Health Zone, Family Zone, Dance Area, five hours of entertainment, all the Philly gay organizations and a very special headliner! You’ve seen her in movies, on TV and the stage, now come and meet her in person!

& 6th Street. Pride is a celebration of diversity in the Pittsburgh region and this year you’ll find many fantastic events starting with our kick-off rally, to the Pub Crawl, to Pride in the Street featuring R&B superstar Patti Labelle and culminating with the Pride March and day-long family friendly PrideFest. Order a Pride Pass for only $30 and get one ticket to the Pub Crawl, one General Admission ticket to Pride in the Street, and admission to the PrideFest Beer Garden. Get 3 tickets for the price of 2, but these are only available online at (www.pittsburghpride.org). It all kicks off Saturday at 10p on Liberty between 9th and 10th streets.

Don’t sing yourself hoarse because on Sunday, the Pride Parade starts promptly at Noon at the forming grounds at Locust and 13th streets. Judges will be positioned at Market between 5th and 6th streets, with several performance points along the route. There’ll be floats, bands, entertainment and several celebrity judges. On both nights, the Ben Franklin Bridge will be light with rainbow lights to celebrate Pride.

June 12 – Pride Awareness March – 10a at Court Place between Ross and Grant Street. March starts at: Grant & Boulevard goes down Boulevard of Allies makes at RIGHT on to Wood Street and a LEFT on to Fifth Avenue and finally a right on to Liberty ending at PrideFest entrance at Liberty & 6th Street. Grandstand will be located at PrideFest Entrance of 6th St & Liberty.

Admission to the festival is $10 and you can learn more with a visit to www.phillypride.org.

Michigan

Pittsburg - http://pittsburghpride.org/ June 10 – Pub Crawl - We call it a crawl because, well, we think that’s really sexy, but it’s actually a chauffeured tour of the city’s coolest clubs, bars, and lounges. Busses will be dropping off and picking up approximately every 20 minutes from 8p – 2 am. Tickets are $20, in advance, or $25, at the door. Order your tickets before May 15 online and get $5 off all Pride tickets. June 11&12 – PrideFest : Pride in the Street – Takes place on Saturday and Sunday at Liberty outlookcolumbus.com

Lansing - http://www.michiganpride.org June 10- White Party 2011 Bringing Miami Vice up a bit north. 4 bars, 1 ticket! 9p-2a. Come to Grand Café, Spiral, Chrome Cat and Esquire for fun, drinks, dancing and music. Admission for all four bars is just $10. Don’t forget to wear your white digs. June 11 – Rally at the Capitol - There are countless issues that affect Michigan’s LGBT Community. During the Rally statewide leaders will deliver powerful and inspirational speeches to help us all focus our efforts in the next year. If you believe all people in Michigan deserve

equality, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity you NEED to stand up and make your voice heard! Join us at the largest annual event held on Michigan’s Capitol steps. Rally begins at 1p. June 11 – Pride Parade - Michigan Pride, Motor city Pride, the former Michigan equity and the former Triangle Foundation have Teamed up to challenge you and your organization to show your Pride at the march and Rally in downtown Lansing, June 11th! Kick off at 12p. Let your voice be heard by displaying your organization’s float with artistic flair and creativity. If it floats your boat, the Float entry fee is $25, visit www.michiganpride.org to sign up. For more information contact Krista at parade@michiganpride.org. Time to shine your own Detroit Iron! Ferndale - http://motorcitypride.org/ June 4- Bring the kids! Bring the grandparents! Bring everyone for Family-friendly fun at the Pride Family Picnic on Saturday, June 4, 2011 from 12p-2-p; Music, games and activities are on deck at the Hart Plaza. The fun starts at 12p With sack races, bean and ring toss, and gripper parachuting, there’s something for everyone - big and small! Pack a picnic, pack up the family and meet us at Hart Plaza for some early fun. When you’re done, why not continue your day at the Family Area at Motor City Pride? Let’s show Metro Detroit what we already know LOVE is what makes a family.

Indiana Indianapolis - http://www.indyprideinc.com/ June 5-11 - The Circle City IN Pride festival has grown every year, and to accommodate that growth, they’ve moved the festival to the American Legion Mall, located at North Street between Pennsylvania & Meridian. This new location provides a large grassy area in front of the stage, it will be much more accommodating to the large

The Mattachine Society was formed in 1950's in LA to address police harassment of gays.

crowds and those who want to bring a blanket or chair and enjoy the all day entertainment. Speaking of entertainment, they’ve lined up Jennie Devoe, God-des and She, and gay bar favorite Kaci Battaglia. The entertainment starts at 11:30a on Sunday and the headliners hit the stage starting at 4:30p. With the new venue, there is also a new parade route. As always, the parade will step off at the corner of College and Mass Avenue and proceed down Mass Avenue to Michigan Street. The parade will turn west onto Michigan Street and proceed on Michigan passing the front of the War Memorial Building then will turn north onto Meridian Street and end at the corner of Meridian and St. Clair Streets. There are 222 sales and non-profit informational booths and 17 food vendors. The organizers say that space is still available, but it is going fast. Indy Pride will have one LARGE beverage tent located at the center of North St between Meridian & Pennsylvania. Once again, the tent will feature Coors and Absolut. Cheers!

West Virginia Charleston - http://www.pridewv.org June 3-12 - West Virginia Pride Parade and Festival The 15th annual West Virginia Pride Parade and Festival is celebrating on June 12th with the Parade followed by the Festival in Haddad Riverfront Park. The parade steps off at 1:30p on Sunday. The Festival opens with a Sunrise Prayer Service at Lee and Capitol streets at 9a. Have a couple of Bloody Marys and get your pooch ready to shine for the 3rd Annual Big Gay Dog Show at 11a in Davis Park. There’ll be prizes awarded in different categories, so you might want to watch Best in Show to get you both in the spirit!

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30 years of Pride by Erin McCalla

positioned on well-lit streets instead of shady back alleys.

To celebrate the 30-year anniversary of Stonewall Columbus and statewide Pride festivals, Outlook has compiled a time line list of various proud, important and educational moments concerning Ohio gay history, legislation and people. But even before 1981, Ohio was making strides in equality and acceptance.

With the GLBT civil rights spark of New York’s 1969 Stonewall Riots, Ohio has kept the movement ablaze statewide and nationally for over 30 years.

Prior to the modern gay liberation movement, the GLBT community was mainly underground and they resigned themselves to gathering in seedy bars, on selective nights if they wanted to meet in public. 1964 spawned the first supremely secret Berwick Ball, a Halloween costume bash. To avoid police raid, the venue was confidential until the day of the event when ticketholders called an anonymous payphone to receive the address: a vacant American Legion hall on North High Street. The location was on lockdown during the party, enabling attendees to comfortably drink, dance and enjoy drag while safely inside. Year after year, the Berwick Ball became a more lavish ordeal, and it eventually became sponsored. The annual gathering lead to the inception of other large circuit raves, such as the famous Red Party founded by Columbus-based artist Corbett Reynolds in 1977. The last Berwick Ball was held in 2000, while the annual Red Party ended after Reynolds’s death in 2001. Thanks to these party pioneers, the queer-friendly watering holes and restaurants we frequent today are proudly

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Every year, Pride becomes a bigger production, and therefore makes a louder statement. Dance parties and drag shows are among the many fixtures of the weekend-long festival. We’ll even have Ferris wheel rides this year! (No, that’s not a euphemism.) Outlook Media and the Gay Ohio History Initiative are teaming up to help break Pride records by creating the largest pride flag to hit the streets of Columbus. With volunteers helping to carry the extensive symbol, it will be an outstanding feature to end the parade. Within months of the Stonewall Riots, national organizations such as the Gay Liberation Front and the Gay Activist Alliance were formed. Columbus’s own G. Donn Teal co-founded the GAA, and continued to be a guiding voice in gay activism publishing pro-GLBT articles in the New York Times, Village Voice, The Advocate and many other notable magazines and newspapers. Teal most famously wrote the first history of the gay liberation movement: The Gay Militants. He made his home in New York, but when he passed away in 2009, Columbus became his final resting place. In 1975 and 1979, respectively, the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland and the Gender Program of Central Ohio

were created to provide local support to those not covered by the national organizations’ umbrella. The community center celebrates the inherent worth and dignity of every person regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, and inclusive of class, race and ability, while the GPCO serves the needs of individuals who may identify as intersexual, transgender, genderqueer, gender questioning, crossdresser as well as transsexual. The Miss Gay Ohio America pageant was fearlessly founded in 1973. This empowered female impersonators to strut their stuff in a talent and beauty competition. Miss Gay Ohio America is one of the oldest running and largest preliminaries to the Miss Gay America Pageant, and has had 25 contestants capture the most coveted crown. The pageant continues to thrive, and will take place at Axis Nightclub on July 8, 9, and 10th. Continue reading for a history lesson of the last 30 years; there is much to be proud of in Ohio. Three decades is a lot to process, so we won’t be offended if you don’t get through it in one sitting. As a community, state and nation, we should remember how we got here politically and socially. We still have a long way to go. I look forward to the positive changes the future will bring. Think we’re missing something? Check outlookcolumbus.com for a more in depth timeline of Ohio gay pride!

Emily Dickinson may lived alone in that room, but we're pretty sure she was a daughter of Sappho.

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King Henry VIII passed the Buggery Act, making homosexual acts punishable by death in 1533.

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Life's 14-pages on gay life in America brings queer culture to non-urban gays in the 60's.

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played a part in the GLBT liberation movement in his own way by bringing gay humor into millions of living rooms as the center square on the popular game show, Hollywood Squares.Below are some hints by Erin McCalla at his sexuality, delivered as one-liners with a wink during his reign Our goal of taking on 30 years of Ohio notable gay history, legislation on the show between 1968 and 1981: and people starts with honoring Stonewall Columbus, the premier non-profit organization that serves the GLBT population of our capi- Peter Marshall: What do you call a man who gives you diamonds and pearls? tal city.Originally named Stonewall Union, its moniker was inspired by the Stonewall Inn in New York City where the infamous riots took Paul Lynde: I'd call him "darling!” place in 1969, starting the modern gay liberation movement. Peter Marshall: According to legend, who looks better, a pixie or a The birth of Stonewall Union in September of 1981 was actually a re- fairy? action to Jerry Falwell’s attempt to establish a Moral Majority Head- Paul Lynde (in deeper voice): Well, looks aren't everything! Well, I quarters in Columbus. To combat Falwell’s narrow-minded nonsense, guess I would say...I would have to go with the fairy. Stonewall Union was organized and shortly after, received their first Peter Marshall: Who are more likely to be romantically responsive: donation. women under thirty or women over thirty? The early goals of newly formed center were political lobbying, com- Paul Lynde: I don’t have a third choice…? munity building and education. In essence these goals are still true Although most of these zingers were written for him, the way Lynde today, as Stonewall Columbus’s mission has grown to include its core values:health, diversity, faith and art. The center supports good delivered the joke with perfect timing and flair, the writers could easily push the envelope when crafting his words. health in mind, body and spirit.

1981

Now, Stonewall Columbus is the leading organization on GLBT issues in the Central Ohio area and provides a wealth of programs and services to the queer community ranging from ballroom dancing and book clubs to AA meetings and “coming out” support groups. All programs and services presented at the Center on High Street align with at least one of its core values. Stonewall Columbus arranges the events for the annual Pride festival that includes a rally and parade, a Sunday brunch, and the annual Bat n’ Rouge softball game where the Drag Queens battle the Dykes. Rain or shine, the festival is one of the most attended events in the city. The center is not only proud to be continually celebrating diversity and inclusion, but it’s own 30th year anniversary in serving the Central Ohio GLBT community.

But Lynde was best in small doses as a supporting character actor or as a frequent guest on variety shows starring Dean Martin, Carol Burnett, and Donny and Marie Osmond. When carrying his own Paul Lynde Show on his shoulders, it seemed that a little Lynde went a long way, and was cancelled after one season. Paul Lynde is now a gay icon and his comedic talent unlocked the gates for mainstream characters like Cameron and Mitchell on Modern Family, programs like Will & Grace, and Networks like LOGO. In 2005, authors Steve Wilson & Joe Florenski published the first biography of Paul Lynde titled, Center Square: The Paul Lynde Story.

1983

While 1981 was a monumental year for the Columbus GLBT community, the nation was going through traumatic time regarding the health of what seemed like only gay men. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control recognized the first cases of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, AIDS, on June 5, 1981. This new disease was found to progressively reduce the effectiveness of the immune system and leave individuals susceptible to opportunistic infections and tumors.

1983 was a groundbreaking year concerning legislation in Ohio. In his first year as governor, Richard Celeste issued Executive Order 8364, which prohibited discrimination in state employment on the basis of sexual orientation making Ohio one of the only states to have an order protecting gays and lesbians in State Government.

Even with the advent of modern medicine, AIDS is a pandemic and still does not have a cure or a vaccine, although treatments have shown to effectively slow the course of the disease. Worlds AIDS day is observed on December 1st every year and is dedicated to raising awareness of AIDS caused by the spread of HIV infection.

This was undoubtedly celebrated at the first Ohio Human Rights Campaign dinner that was held in Columbus. While it costs $175 to attend the HRC gala on June 4 this year, the first dinner held was $50, that most paid in cash to avoid writing the name of a gay organization on a personal check.

1982

The Human Rights Campaign, nationally founded in 1980, is the largest LGBT advocacy group and claims more than 750,000 members and supporters. The HRC’s priority is to advance health and safety in all matters concerning the LGBT community and their straight allies.

by Erin McCalla Maybe you remember Paul Lynde from singing “Kids” as Ann-Margaret’s father in Bye Bye Birdie, or you’ve been sucked into a Bewitched marathon on TV Land where he appeared as Samantha’s prankster Uncle Albert. In whatever role you remember the comedic supporting character, Paul Lynde was an iconic gay actor, born in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, who paved the way for the mainstream GLBT-friendly programming we watch today.

by Erin McCalla

The HRC has volunteer-led steering committees in more than 30 communities nationwide. These committees are in charge of organizing local events and participating in pertinent political campaigns. This year, the Columbus HRC community will celebrate its 28th dinner at the Ohio Union at the Ohio State University.

Dying from a heart attack at age 55 in 1982, Lynde left a legacy of Celeste was on the right path in 1983; hopefully soon we can get one-liners behind. Although he never publicly confirmed that he was back on it and gain a little speed. gay, his sexual orientation was something of an “open secret.” Lynde

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Erectile dysfunction drugs have annual sales of more than $3 billion.

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1984

1986

by Erin McCalla

by Phillecia Cochran

Both CATF and ATGC provide service through prevention, education, support, advocacy, counseling and weekly testing schedules. Thanks to organizations like CATF and ATGC, we are aware Arts and activism make 1984 an important year in Ohio gay his- of the different ways HIV can be transmitted. In turn, CATF and tory. ATGC ask that each person hold themselves accountable, educate others, get tested and to remember and honor their mission Music makes us feel connected where different races, ages, sex- statements. ualities and alternative lifestyles come together on the same treble clef. For more information, to volunteer your time or donate monetarily, visit www.catf.net for the Columbus AIDS Taskforce and Catherine Roma felt the same way when she formed MUSE, www.aidstaskforce.org for the AIDS Taskforce of Greater CleveCincinnati’s Women’s Choir. Roma and 23 women made their land. debut on International Women’s Day (March 8), after only six weeks of rehearsals, performing folk, peace and social justice songs. by Erin McCalla It should be said that MUSE is not a lesbian choir, but rather a In 1985, the Gay People’s Chronicle, Cleveland Ohio’s longest feminist choir of 60 sopranos and altos of all sexualities, ages running publication geared to the Ohio LGBT community, was and races, all dedicated to musical excellence and social founded. Dr. Charles Callender, a Case Western Reserve Univerchange. They are women loving women, united in song. Today, MUSE performs in over 30 venues each season and is highly re- sity Anthropology professor, started the free tabloid where he served as editor and publisher. The content focused mainly on garded nationally as well as in the Cincinnati area. Cleveland interests and events. But Cincinnati wasn’t the only Ohio city to broaden its arts horizon in 1984. Columbus hosted its first Gallery Hop, changing the A year later, Callender died at the age of 58, and the publication went on a short hiatus. After reorganization, the newspaper reneglected Short North into the thriving neighborhood we all sumed with bi-weekly installments with a statewide focus. The know. Maria Galloway, owner of pm gallery, helped found the Gay People’s Chronicle has paid subscriptions across the Buckmonthly block party after recognizing the potential of the High eye state, and can also be found in neighboring Northern KenStreet neighborhood. tucky, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The Short North, known as Columbus’s “gay neighborhood,” is a The paper pays homage to its founding father by featuring the collection of independent restaurants, boutiques and art galcleverly titled “Charlie’s Calendar” on their website, listing upleries, and plays the perfect host to the trendy scene that is coming Ohio non-profit LGBT events. Gallery Hop. Held on the first Saturday of each month, shops stay open late and sometimes provide entertainment or booze to entice patrons as they fill up the sidewalks, enjoying the specta- Prior to the Chronicle, High Gear, a newsletter dedicated to providing local and national news, was circulated among the cle. Cleveland LGBT population. It was started by the GEAR FoundaEven if you don’t care about art or fashion, the Short North dur- tion in 1975, but due to financial and organizational difficulties, ing Gallery Hop is one of the most popular places to socialize in the newsletter met its demise in 1982. Providing a free read can Columbus. Sit down with a cocktail at one of the many restau- be a tough business, and the longevity and reputation of the Gay rants and bars, or mingle with the street performers and musi- People’s Chronicle is respected and influential to other Ohio queer publications. cians that set up to play. New friends are ready to be made.

1985

The city of Dayton had its first Pride celebration in 1986 and its first rally in 2001, but it wasn’t until 2002 that the first parade for the city took place. Participants in the parade gathered at Cooper Park to march toward Courthouse Square. Churches, bars and other LGBT owned or allied businesses marched in the parade, which included 200 participants, while an estimated 150 people looked on. The parade was not met by a single protester. The theme of that year was “True Colors, Shining Through,” which emphasized the heroes and victims of the events that took place on September 11, 2001.

1987 by Erin McCalla While 1987 was a quiet year for notable Ohio GLBT legislation, history made noise in a different way. On May 28th, music filled the newly opened Wall Street in Columbus, Ohio, the largest lesbian dance club in the Midwest, making it the top place for women to meet women. But, Wall Street isn’t only for the ladies. Every Wednesday night is dedicated to a booty-shaking Boys Night.

1988 by Erin McCalla It’s always a proud moment when an Ohioan makes a national difference. In 1988, Cleveland-raised Jean O’Leary helped establish the first National Coming Out Day, a day for gay men and women to publicly declare their sexuality.

O’Leary wanted to “make an impact on the world,” and therefore joined the Sisters of Holy Humility immediately after high school and became a nun. In 1971, she left the convent to pursue a doctorate in organizational development and joined the fight against gay discrimination. O’Leary soon founded the Lesbian Feminist Liberation after leaving the Gay Activists’ Alliance. She felt the male-dominated group didn’t give women the voice they deserved in a conversation that involved the entire gay and lesbian community. for 12 years, eight of which was on the ExecuBut the social commentary of 1984 isn’t complete without men- The Gay People’s Chronicle is dedicated to providing up-to-date, tive Committee. equal coverage to both men and women in every issue. tion of Ohio’s biggest AIDS organizations. Both the AIDS TaskJean O’Leary died at 57, in 2005. She was survived by a pioneerforce of Greater Cleveland and the Columbus AIDS Taskforce ing legacy in gay rights activism, and her partner Lisa Phelps. were formed that year to serve those living with HIV and AIDS.

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AIDS was pushed to the forefront of our community in 1980. A name and face were put to epidemic that stole a generation from our community.

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The Republic of Florence established The Officers of the Night, to root out gay lovers. My how things have changed. Take that Savonarola!

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On October 1, 1991, the group held their first practice. Shortly after, they held their first community performance “The Tidings of Pride and Joy” at First Unitarian Church in Avondale. Since then, the group by Erin McCalla boasts many memorable performances. In 1992/1993, the group In March of 1989, the World Health Organization estimated 400,000 combined with the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra and the Columbus cases of AIDS around the world, and that 5-10 million were already Gay Men’s Chorus for a trifecta of harmony in their performance of the premiere of When We No Longer Touch. In 1997/1998, the group infected with HIV. paired with Grammy-Award winning gospel singer Andrae Crouch, In response to the emerging increasing numbers of HIV/AIDS, the an- and teamed up with the Detroit Together Men’s Chorus for a performance of Naked Man. The following year, the group released their nual John T. Carey Memorial AIDS walk was founded. The walk was debut CD. Each year, the group has had made great strides in the held in Cleveland’s University Circle neighborhood, and named in singing community, the gay community and the Cincinnati commuhonor of one of the first Cleveland doctors to treat AIDS patients. nity. The walk is the single largest fundraiser to support the Northeast Ohio AIDS Service Organizations who provide essential services for the tens of thousands of Northeast Ohioans infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. by Siobhan Tuck

1989

1992

Over the years the AIDS walk raised over a million dollars. But the goal is not only to raise money but to also raise community awareness about HIV/AIDS, the disease that has taken the lives of more people than any other in the history of the world.

1990

1992 was a big year for Cincinnati, and Ohio in general. It was the first time an ordinance banning discrimination against the GLBT community was acknowledged in Cincinnati. Stonewall Cincinnati and GLMA/ACT (Gay & Lesbian March Activists/ACT UP) participated at every level to get the ordinances passed. Many documents were gathered from the groups to display anti-queer discrimination.

by Erin McCalla

The Ordinance was a giant step for Ohio civil rights. Not only did it ban discrimination based on sexual orientation, it also banned disLike in 1984, Ohio had another big year of arts and activism in 1990. criminating based on religion, gender, race, age, disability, marital status and ethnic origin. It is hard to believe that in 1991, these facThe Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus was formed to foster increased tors were not already considered for this ordinance. recognition, understanding and acceptance of gay men, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender persons through song. The chorus is open Meanwhile nationally, Gov. Bill Clinton was elected President. This to all people regardless of “vocal talent, musical abilities, race, gen- brought gays to tears of joy. For the first time, a politician running for der, religion, age, physical abilities, sexual orientation or economic president really pushed the gay agenda. Gays danced in the streets means.” With their mission: Voices Raised, Lives Changed, The of D.C. as though it were the Castro district or a Hollywood boulevard. CGMC is committed to providing high quality performances, while This was finally a step for national gay rights. Along with each ordireaching out to the community. nance and the passing of laws protecting homosexuals happening in the individual states, this was the national adhesive that gave the And there was definitely reason to sing in 1990. When the Ohio GLBT community hopes of acceptance. For years as governor, Bill Supreme Court was asked to find that a lower court abused its dis- Clinton bravely backed the homosexual political agenda, when few cretion when it granted an adoption to a gay man, the court ruled others would. that there was no evidence that the lower court’s “attitude was unreasonable, arbitrary or unconscionable.” Thus permitting single LGBT individuals to adopt children, and laying the groundwork for by Siobhan Tuck many happy adoptions to come.

1993

1991 by Siobhan Tuck In 1991, the Cincinnati Men’s Chorus started with a mission to harmonize as both a musical group and community liaison for peace and acceptance. Throughout their 20 years, they have done just that. With both gay and straight male members, the intrinsic dichotomy of the group suggests a strong sense of acceptance and community. After all, they have a very specific mission: Through our music, we strive for excellence; support and nurture our members; entertain our audiences; and work for justice, inclusion and harmony between the gay community and the community at large. In addition to providing the community with brilliant performances, the group maintains its wholesome image by making contributions to the Greater Cincinnati community. While keeping busy with the production of performances, the group participates in community events like the Stop the Aids Walk, upholding their status as a community adhesive.

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In 1993, Article XII passed in Cincinnati. Unfortunately, this was a pretty large step back for the community in terms of acceptance. The Article was proposed after the 1992 ordinance that protected gays from discrimination. With this article, the anti-discrimination act still stands protecting essentially everyone except the GLBT community. In the 90s, the GLBT community was finally recognized during civil rights talks. Article XII denied GLBT citizens of what it claimed as “preferential treatment.” Which leads us to the question: Since when did non-discrimination qualify as “preferential treatment,” as opposed to basic civil rights? At any rate, Article XII was a major disappointment for the gay political agenda. After the shining light of acceptance that the 1992 ordinance proposed, this little dagger jabbed hard in the hearts of GLBT citizens. The passing of this article led to Cincinnati not hosting pride parade events for three years, as they were very disappointed in the city. This order was finally repealed in 2006.

Kevin and Scotty on Brothers and Sisters wed and Chris Hayes wept!

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CJ on LA Law gave us a hot smooch on prime-time TV, which shocked sponsors in 1991.

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Ellen is recruiting gays and you get a free toaster!

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benefiting the state’s immediate matters, thus rendering it a useless clause.

1994 by Siobhan Tuck Kaleidoscope Youth Center was founded in 1994. GLBT youth had an immediate need for a place to communicate with others and escape the ostracism that came along with being a gay youth in Central Ohio. Beginning with a few events to provide support, Kaleidoscope eventually became able to lend a few drop-in hours ran by community volunteers. Also, the help from social workers and counselors from surrounding areas helped Kaleidoscope evolve into what it is today. Special mention is made of Patty Daniels, who prior to moving to California, lent ten years of expertise to KYC.

1996 by Mackenzie Worrall 1996 was a year of openings. Outlook Publishing, Inc. released its first issue of the wildly popular bi-weekly newspaper, outlook. That’s right. Not only is it Stonewall’s 30th, but it’s our 15th, bitches. So forgive us if a lot of gay history in Ohio has been covered (or made) by us.

From bi-weekly, to weekly, to monthly magazine, outlook has been the gay news and lifestyle source for Ohio. Yes, we are the state’s premier KYC has had many locations where they called “home”. It was origiLGBT and urban progressive magazine. Yes, we have won a handful of nally located in the Lennox Center, where the large space gave way to a nifty awards for our work – from editorial to marketing. And (my perlibrary, after-school program and a recreational space. However, it has sonal favorite), we have garnered national attention for Columbus and since moved to a storefront on High St in the Ohio State University Dis- Ohio’s gay scene by hosting The Advocate, being reprinted by ESPN, and trict. This move provides greater accessibility for people. Especially with by giving keynote speeches at gay and lesbian journalism conventions. being a youth center, being accessible by public transit is a great benefit for the center and the community. This location provides a room for Also new to Columbus in this year is the Buckeye Region Anti-Violence drop-in hours, a cyber center, a creative arts center, as well as a Organization (BRAVO), which is a formally organized group that set out kitchen. “to eliminate violence perpetrated on the basis of sexual orientation and/or gender identification, domestic violence, and sexual assault As a community youth service center, Kaleidoscope makes sure to pro- through prevention, education, advocacy, violence documentation, and vide information regarding AIDS, safer sex and other pressing issues survivor services, both within and on behalf of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexprominent to GLBT youth. What KYC has evolved into has proven to be a ual, and Transgender communities.” Little did they know how eventful great asset to the Ohio gay community. their first few years would be. 1994 also gave birth to another very important organization pertaining to the GLBT youth. Camp Sunrise is Ohio’s only summer camp specifically catering to children affected by HIV/AIDS. In the 17 years that by Mackenzie Worrall Camp Sunrise has been in its existence, it has provided a community experience for up to 100 campers to, even for a week, escape the nega- When Elton came out, it was a big deal. When Ellen came out… televitivity and stigma that surrounds the HIV/AIDS virus. sion would never be the same. On The Oprah Winfrey Show, in front of the whole country, Ellen DeGeneres came out publicly in 1997. Weeks Camp Sunrise stresses that HIV/AIDS not only affects those with the later, her character on the sitcom Ellen also came out. While the show virus, but also family members. Camp Sunrise opens its doors to any- suffered after that, we had a lesbian sitcom for a beautiful moment. one with or impacted by the virus. Feedback from the youth attendees Now there’s more than one channel devoted to gay content. In 2010, has been nothing but positive. On its website, Camp Sunrise has more LGBT characters than ever before graced the screen, from the quotes from many campers expressing how the activities at the camp lighthearted (Glee, Modern Family, Ugly Betty), to the bros (Greek, Sparmakes them feel. One camper sums it up perfectly, “When you have tacus), to the fantastically awesome (Torchwood). AIDS, you have a feeling of being separate and no longer part of the world. At Camp Sunrise, everyone belongs; everyone has a home. No Yet the year did not fare as well for lesbians in Ohio as it did for Ellen. one goes an hour without a hug or someone cheering them on.” Longtime feminist bookstore Women’s Words, previously known as Fan The Flames, went out of business. In spite of a tremendous push of The camp also boasts a free of charge policy. The inability to pay is support in the final days, the owners chose to close the shop anyway. never a factor for camp attendees. As long as a child is an Ohio resident between ages of 6-17 and is either aware of their positive HIV sta- Much more visible in the community was the murder of Columbus resitus or directly impacted by the virus, they are welcome to attend the dent, Glen Brown. The episode quickly became a trial for the gay comcamp. munity. There was much suspicion that his killer was someone Brown met that night at Tremont, where he was last seen. In the first few weeks, the Columbus Police Department (CPD) reassigned the case to numerous detectives, leading to the thought that the case was not a by Siobhan Tuck high priority. Brown’s sister, Darlene, believed it was because Brown was gay and black. Coupled with the similarity to unsolved murders of In 1995, Toledo held its first gay pride parade, and continued to host other gay men leaving bars in the years prior, community leaders grew pride parades until 1998. 1995 proved to be a very active year for the tense and upset with the police. gay community. Although most events occurred nationally, Ohio is the heart of it all, as our state motto boasts. The situation led to initiatives to improve police relations with the gay community in Columbus. By 1999, the police were fighting for us inTennessee ruled that the state’s sodomy law actually violated the state stead. constitution. This was a very large step for gay rights, as Tennessee was not previously regarded as a GLBT friendly state. With this passing, More than two years after the attack, Michael DeWitt Belcher was found another step towards progress was made for Gay America. guilty of aggravated burglary and involuntary manslaughter. Thanks to the efforts of the fledgling BRAVO, who offered a $1000 reward for inSupreme Court case Romers v. Evans eventually led to the overturning formation leading to an arrest, the case was picked up again and of Amendment 2, the amendment that banned gay rights in the state quickly closed. By the 2000s, we would have a strong relationship with of Colorado. The case specifically legitimized the amendment as not the police, and BRAVO would have made a name for itself.

1997

1995

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Despite popular consensus Chris does not look like the guy from Modern Family.

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1998

hosts information sessions to recruit members of the LGBT community on to the force. Not only are we a surprisingly gayfriendly city, we’re rather well protected.

by Mackenzie Worrall

1999

As you may have noticed, I do the literary thing here at Outlook. And any respectable and well-read queer literary critic is just secretly comparing every author to Virginia Woolf. And how by Mackenzie Worrall could Woolf become any more of a gay icon? Enter Michael Cunningham. Let’s party like it’s 1999 (again), shall we? Oh yes, Mr. Cunningham is a Cincinnati native. Not only a famous author from Ohio, but a gay one! And they say there’s no artistic heritage here. Our artistic ‘style’ is a history of attempt to escape Ohio. Okay, he grew up in Pasadena; I’m going to take what I can get. Being born in Ohio has a kind of… inescapable feeling to it. Anyway, in ’99, Cunningham won the Pulitzer Prize in Fiction for The Hours, a contemporary interpretation of Woolf’s well-known novel, Mrs. Dalloway. Thus joining the ranks of other famous Ohio authors, such as Nikki Giovanni, Toni Morrison, Sherwood Anderson, James Wright, Ambrose Bierce, Rita Dove and James Thurber. I know, I bet you’re surprised by some of those names. Sure, most famous people from here escape Ohio (except Dave Chappelle, gods bless that man). But we still have Cunningham. And even though he dislikes being called a “gay writer,” he is not alienating us or throwing the press off of his own sexuality. Rather, that’s just not what he wants to be known for. He is one of many writers establishing themselves as gay and a writer, not a gay writer.

Remember all of those technological ‘advances’ we made? Those clamshell iBooks? The Sega Dreamcast? Episode I: The Phantom Menace? Don’t worry. Me neither. I’ve repressed those memories. And yet, I can’t help but feel like this year has a lot in common with 1999. How will we look back on the iPad in twelve years, when we have holographically projected computers installed in our eye sockets? And this year’s mind-blowing announcement that, next spring, the biggest disaster since Episode I will hit movie theaters everywhere: Episode I 3D. Or that time when then Governor Taft let former governor Celeste’s executive order expire. You know. The one that protected Lesbian and Gay people in state offices. Hm. Why does that sound so familiar? Oh yes. Our current Governor.

To be fair, the climate has changed in the past twelve years. Taft let it expire with little ceremony. Then Strickland put into place one that covered LGBT people. But that’s not the change. The shift comes when Kasich lets the order expire, and we raise such hell about it, that he feels obligated to reinstate it. Granted, he left out trans people in a giant ‘fuck you’ to the Also in ’98, the Columbus Police and the gay community worked community. And he signed this order late on a Friday with no together to improve relations, and set five major goals. 1 - Train audience, no speech, and no press – in contrast to Strickland’s the police force on gay, lesbian, and transgender issues, with LGBT rights extravaganza. input from the community. 2 - Establish a component of the Strategic Response Bureau to service the community. 3 - InBut the glorious point of all this is that we now live in a world crease communication. 4 - Host forums to discuss issues. 5 where people like the Governor have to give us some rights in Encourage the LGBT community to participate in police proorder to disguise how they really feel. It’s not hard to tell how he grams. A far cry from the villainous police of the Stonewall feels if you look for that lost ‘T’, though. Or in the response of Riots. Kasich’s spokesperson, Rob Nichols: “The governor is opposed to discrimination in state employment and has made that clear The initiative could’ve only been in response to Glenn Brown’s in this executive order in the way that he feels is most approprimurder the previous year, which there was still no headway on, ate.” To be fair, Kasich took a step back for everybody when he and no conclusion to the episode would be reached until 1999. appointed an all-white cabinet. So, at least we know it’s not us; Sometimes tragedy leads to success. Today, the CPD specifically it’s progress he doesn’t like.

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Flash back to 1999. Back then, Taft didn’t renew any part of the order. There was no hell-to-pay from LGBT rights groups. Maybe a little hell-to-rent, or even some hell-to-pay-over-six-equal-payments-of-$19.95, but nothing like now. For some people (aka ‘the youth’), the fact that Governor Celeste issued an order with LG protections when he was elected in 1983, may be a little surprising. Not that we’ve had sunshine and lollipops since. It’s been an LGBT rights tug-of-war, but we are pulling harder than those with closedminds now. In anti-hate news, Matthew Shepard’s killers are sentenced for their brutal crime in Laramie, Wyoming.And in a dual moment of Pride/setback, Ohio bans the flying of any flag other than the state flag from the Statehouse. In an excited June 18th letter from Stonewall Columbus to the community leaders, then Executive Director Jeff Redfield invites them “to be with us on this special occasion as we raise the Rainbow Flag at the Statehouse for the first time in Ohio’s history.” On Pride Sunday, June 27th, 1999, Chuck Spingola (wearing a “Got AIDS yet?” T-shirt) climbed the Statehouse flagpole, removed the Rainbow Flag, and burned it in front of the Pride gathering, news, and police. It was the first time in Ohio and only the second time in the nation that the Rainbow Flag had been flow with official state sanction. City Attorney Janet Jackson levied Columbus’ ethnic intimidation law against Spingola and accomplices, Donald Richardson and Toni Peters. In response, a new Ohio policy was adopted that only U.S. and state flags can be flown on state property. But before the banning of non-state flags, we reacted that day. Within an hour of the burning, a handful of reasonable people raised a second Rainbow Flag, and this time, no one touched it. At Bicentennial Park, after the parade, Jeff Redfield became our own homegrown activist. As the crowd began the Pledge of Allegiance, another Rainbow Flag was raised. “Where one flag is burned,” he told them, “we will hang two.” There will always be setbacks down the path to equal rights. But each time we’re pushed back, we take two steps forward. Raise another flag.

The Sacred Band of Thebes was a group of Greek-love practicing soldiers who served as the elite forces of the Theban army. Take that, John McCain!

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Homosexuality was decriminalized in China in 1997.

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The first mayor to ban a city’s Pride Parade was Yuri Luzhkov in Moscow, Russia in 2006.

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2000

2002

by Mackenzie Worrall

by Phillecia Cochran

A new millennium. And Cincinnati celebrates by holding their first Pride Parade!

It seems 2002 was a bit of a slow year for us in the United States. Baby steps are still steps. In New York, sexual orientation becomes protected from discrimination in the private sector, while up in Alaska, Governor Tony Knowles issues an executive order banning sexual orientation discrimination in the public sector.

For the second time. You see, after 1995, they gave up on it. The Center still held Pride Night at King’s Island. There was just no visible, public event. And what they really needed, was something public. Chris Good, recently out, single-handedly organized the Pride Parade, and attributed the lack of momentum to Issue 3, passed in 1993 in Cincinnati.

Network Columbus Founded Network Columbus acts as the city of Columbus’ gay chamber of commerce. Network Columbus is a group for LGBT-owned and allied companies as well as LGBT and allied business professionals. These professionals can use Network Columbus to offer networking events, The Issue forbade any law to be passed that protected LGBT people. educational programs, business advocacy and linkages with other After such a huge defeat, the gay community spirit sputtered out in a businesses and professional organizations. Network Columbus helps couple years. So the city did indeed have to hold a first Pride for the lead these businesses to support economic growth within the central second time. Ohio LGBT community. Currently, Network Columbus has a database of more than 6,000 members, making it one of the fastest-growing Rather than in the ghost town of downtown, the committee chose to business and professional organizations in the state of Ohio. Free hold the Parade in booming gay district of Hoffner Park. "There’s networking events are held every month on the second Wednesday of nothing like a good visibility campaign,” remarked Doreen Cudnik, each month. Network Columbus is also known for its “Out with Our executive director of Stonewall Cincinnati. “There’s nothing like a Pa- Elected Officials” annual event. Members get together with Ohio’s rade.” And how right she was. All additional funds raised were put politicians to celebrate the official political Pride kick off every June. toward future celebrations, and there seems to be no end to the momentum now. Ohio Supreme Court Name Decision In 2003, the Ohio Supreme Court reversed a lower court’s decision. It ruled that a same sex couple may adopt a last name of their choosing. While this decision gives no extra legal rights to either person in by Phillecia Cochran the relationship, the decision became more of a symbolic victory for many LGBT couples. This step forward not only allows a couple to While a cloud will always shadow 2001, the year also brought about share a name much like a married couple, but would give any chilmany changes in the law benefiting the LGBT community. Early in dren the couple will have a name identical to his or her two parents. the year, two states took steps forward with their discrimination policies. The state of Rhode Island banned gender identity discriminaThree Ohio Newspapers Print Same-Sex Notices tion in the private sector, while the state of Maryland banned On October 20, The Columbus Dispatch announced it would begin discrimination based on sexual orientation, also in the private sector. printing notices alongside wedding, engagement, anniversary and Indiana Governor Frank O’Bannon also issued an executive order birth notices that announce the commitment ceremonies of samebanning sexual orientation discrimination in the public sector. Also, sex partners. At the time of the announcement, two other Ohio daily the city council of Fort Wayne, Indiana passed an ordinance adding papers – the Cincinnati Enquirer and the Cleveland Plain Dealer – sexual orientation to its municipal anti discrimination laws. were already printing commitment ceremony notices. The Dispatch said the decision came down to fairness. The paper felt it was unfair Census Data Shows Ohio Same-Sex Households Quadrupled to include heterosexual marriage announcements and not commitIn 1990, the number of same-sex households in Ohio to check “un- ment ceremony announcements, while still listing partners as surmarried partner” was at less than 4,000. With the release of the vivors in the obituary section. The decisions by the Columbus 2000 census data, that number increased to almost 19,000. The Dispatch and Cincinnati Enquirer to run commitment ceremony nodata also found a very close split between the number of same sex tices came after the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation households headed by women and those headed by men. Ohio’s in- spoke with both papers in an effort to increase the number of papers crease of more than 400% was shown to be on par with a national printing such announcements. trend – many states’ numbers increased with some reaching more than 700% and the country overall increased by 314%. The results Ohio Academy of Family Physicians Support Gay Parenting also showed that every county in Ohio had at least 15 same sex Joining its New York and national counterparts, the Ohio Academy of households, while in 1990, 24 of the state’s 88 counties reported Family Physicians passed two LGBT-friendly resolutions at the annone at all. The country’s data said that same sex couples were now nual members’ assembly in August 2002. The resolutions came after living in 99.3% of the nation’s counties and in every legislative dis- the American Association of Pediatrics put their support behind gay trict. The 2000 census was the first attempt to count same sex un- adoption as well as second parent adoption. The first resolution married partners. states that the organization is supportive of policies that promote a safe and nurturing environment for children of adoptive parents, regardless of the parent’s sexual orientation. The second resolution states that the children and parents in gay headed households shall enjoy equal legal rights and benefits as established under the law.

2001

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California legalized gay marriage in 2008, but we all know how that turned out...

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2003 by Phillecia Cochran Gay rights advocates celebrated in 2003 with the ruling of a landmark Supreme Court case. With the ruling in the case of Lawrence v Texas, outdated sodomy laws were repealed. The majority ruling said that sexual conducted between two consenting adults was part of the freedoms protected by the fourteenth amendment of the United States Constitution. The ruling invalidated similar laws throughout the country as well as the ability to apply sodomy laws to heterosexual sex. Previously, acts of sodomy had been legally referred to as “crimes against nature” or “unnatural acts.” While punishments for those found guilty of sodomy varied, often times it included heavy fines and/or prison sentences. In fact, in some states, other rights were denied if found guilty of sodomy (for example, Illinois denied the right to vote in the 1800s).

“Flag Wars,” was released in 2003. The documentary was filmed over a period of four years in Columbus, Ohio. The movie sought to show the conflict between two communities during the gentrification of Olde Towne East. Linda Goode Bryant focused on the conflicts that came about when black low and middle class families were faced with a tremendous amount of white, gay, soon-to-be homeowners. Because the movie was filmed as it was happening, the director was able to focus on the growing tensions between the two communities. The film focuses on the changes in the community. Much of the change was brought on by various code changes or implementations. Certain areas of the neighborhood were designated a Historic District, thus creating housing codes that had more restrictions than before. This led to an increase in complaints regarding code enforcement as well as efforts to reduce low-income housing in the area.

Advocating for the repeal of the States’ sodomy laws dates back many decades. In fact, sex researcher Alfred Kinsey was one of the first well known supporter of reforming criminal laws regarding sodomy. It wasn’t until the 60s that the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) took its first case regarding the laws.

The film introduces a handful of real people heavily affected by the changes seen by Olde Towne East. One such person is Baba, the founder of the community gallery, which takes up two floors of his three story home. Because he now resides in the Historic District, the sign that hangs above his porch is in violation of the new codes because it is carved in an African-style relief. The film also introduces The lawsuit came when two adult men were having sex in an apart- the audience to Jim, a gay man working two jobs to buy a Victorian ment belonging to one of them, when a deputy entered the aparthouse in the area. Because of the new housing codes, he must risk ment after having been called on a false report of a weapons his financial future making renovations to the home. disturbance. “Flag Wars” won several awards in 2003, and was nominated for The 2003 ruling makes clear that two consenting adults having sex an Independent Spirit Award and an Emmy in 2004. in a private location is not against the law. Cleveland Heights Gains Domestic Partner Registry In 2003, a group called Heights Families for Equality submitted enough signatures to the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections to create a domestic partner registry. The registry is not only the first of its kind in the state of Ohio, but also the first in the nation to be created by means of a ballot initiative. Heights Families for Equality explained to potential petition signers that a domestic partner registry allows a committed couple the opportunity to create a legal record of their relationship. Often times this can be used to obtain health care benefits through a same-sex partner. David Caldwell of Heights Families for Equality stated, “Domestic partner registries provide a frame work for public, private and legal institutions that want to treat these families as families. Employers that want to provide domestic partner benefits or equal access to pensions and survivor benefits, hospitals that want to provide visitation right and schools that want to allow a partner to participate in a child’s education can use registries to make it easier to grant those benefits in a way that’s clear and fair for everyone. Courts considering wills, child custody and support agreements, or other legal arrangements between partners can use registries to help establish that domestic partner relationships exists.”

2004 by Phillecia Cochran While some were weeping into their pillows over the loss of “Friends” and “Sex & The City,” (I was one of them), others were celebrating something big. Something huge. On May 17, 2004, Massachusetts became the first state in the Union to fully recognize same-sex marriages. The ruling came down during the case of Goodridge V. Department of Public Health that it was in violation of the Massachusetts constitution to allow only heterosexual couples the right to marry. Massachusetts’ Governor Romney ordered clerks to begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples six months after the ruling. In Cambridge, Massachusetts, applications began being processed just one minute after midnight as a crowd of thousands cheered outside of City Hall. It is documented that the first same-sex marriage in America was issued to Tanya McCloskey and Marcia Kadish of Malden, Massachusetts in the early morning of May 17.

Ohio’s Issue 1 Passes The state of Ohio had already defined marriage as a union between one man and one woman. The defense of marriage amendment (“Issue 1”) that was proposed in 2004, sought to reiterate that fact The registry also benefits seniors. Many retirees don’t remarry due to and to acknowledge there would be no recognition of out of state the costs associated with getting married and because they risk same-sex marriages or civil unions. The amendment specifically losing Social Security survivors benefits. With a domestic partner stated, “Only a union between one man and one woman may be a registry, they can prove the existence of a committed relationship. marriage valid in or recognized by this state and its political subdivisions. This state and its political subdivisions shall not create or “Flag Wars” Released recognize a legal status for relationships of unmarried individuals Directed by Linda Goode Bryant, the American documentary film that intends to approximate the design, qualities, significance or ef-

84 june 2011

"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was enacted by President Clinton in 1992.

fect of marriage.” With an issue like this on the ballots, it was inevitable that it was going to be a heated debate. Many opponents of Issue 1, swept the idea of same-sex anything aside, and argued that framing the amendment in such a way was harmful to seniors, unmarried heterosexual partners and the economy. As a result, millions were spent all over the state in anti Issue 1 advertising. It seemed that while opponents argued for reasons other than just same-sex marriage or unions, those that supported Issue 1 argued specifically that – that marriage is between one man and one woman; it’s not for two men or two women. No mention of the loss of benefits for unwed straight couples. In the end, Issue 1 passed with 62% of the votes. So what is there to be proud of about Issue 1? A lot. A direct response to its passing was the formation of Equality Ohio. Since its inception, Equality Ohio has fought tirelessly to achieve equal rights for everyone in Ohio. They have a presence throughout the state and have adopted a proactive, rather than reactive, take on getting legislation passed in the state. Equality Ohio has confronted battle after battle for the passing of anti-discrimination laws whose language includes sexual orientation and gender identity. In the years since the passing of Issue 1, Equality Ohio has also made a goal of getting equal employment and housing legislation passed. Issue 1 could be a blessing in disguise – without it, who knows if such an organization as Equality Ohio would even exist? Miami University 2004 was a good year for Miami University. Their steps and support toward equality should be used as examples for colleges and universities everywhere. In February, Miami University President James Garland sent a letter to then Governor Bob Taft expressing his disdain toward Ohio’s pending Issue 1. He expressed that the “Super-DOMA” bill would deny civil rights to all LGBT people in the state. Also in February, members of Miami’s gay straight alliance, Spectrum, organized a student rally at the Ohio Statehouse to show their opposition of Issue 1. The crowd included members of Spectrum, representatives from Ohioans for Growth and Equality, Stonewall Columbus and many more. In April, Miami University’s Student Senate voted almost unanimously to offer domestic partner benefits for the partners of Miami employees. The vote came down to 33-2 with four abstentions. That following June, the University announced that beginning July 1, they would officially offer health and dental care as well as other benefits to the same-sex domestic partners of Miami faculty and staff. President Garland announced, “It is clear to me that domestic partner benefits have important practical implications for the university and, specifically, for our ability to recruit and retain talented employees. I have no doubt that this modest change in our benefits package will be a tangible factor as we recruit new people to the campus in the coming years.”

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Armistead Maupin published "Tales of the City" in 1976.

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also attends or facilitates a number of events around the state including meetings for seniors, Stonewall Democrats of Central by Phillecia Cochran Ohio, Equality Happy Hour where proceeds benefit Equality Ohio, various gay/straight alliance meetings including the Westerville Years ahead of its southern neighbor, the part of North America GSA, PFLAG meetings, LGBT chamber of commerce meetings we like to call Canada, took a huge step forward in 2005. In Feb- and many more. Equality Ohio offers its supporters a number of ruary, Canada’s prime minister introduced the Civil Marriage ways to get involved. The organization offers an internship proAct. The Civil Marriage Act provided gender neutral language gram, the opportunity to become a member, the option to donate when defining the term “marriage.” After its introduction, the on a one-time or recurring basis and many opportunities to volbill was passed by the House of Commons in June. The bill then unteer. went on to the senate in the middle of July where it passed again. The next day, on July 20, 2005, the bill received Royal Assent. Prior to the Act, eight Canadian provinces had already legalized same-sex marriage: Ontario and British Columbia in by Phillecia Cochran 2003, Quebec, Yukon territory, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan and Newfoundland and Labrador in 2004 and If nothing else, 2006 was a slow – though not empty – year for New Brunswick in 2005 before the passage enacted the law in advances in the gay rights movement. No monumental federal the rest of the country. legislation passed, no huge strides in Ohio law toward full equality. One state, however, in December 2006 was making TransOhio Founded progress. Earlier in the year, the New Jersey Supreme Court TransOhio is a non-profit organization that serves the Ohio struck down a domestic partnership arrangement and instead, transgender and ally communities by providing services, educa- voted 4-3 to allow the legislature to pass civil unions, rather tion, support and advocacy. Their mission is to promote and im- than allowing gay marriage. In December, the New Jersey Legisprove the health, safety and life experience of the Ohio lature passed a bill that provided for civil unions while also rectransgender individual and community. TransOhio’s ultimate vi- ognizing civil unions performed in other states. sion has many components: act as a bridge to other communities, offer real, tangible support to the Ohio transgender and ally Gay Ohio History Initiative Founded community, promote opportunities and networking that increase Early in 2006, Outlook Columbus’ predecessor Outlook Weekly awareness of transgender needs, increase understanding and and The Gay Ohio History Initiative formed a partnership with cultural awareness amongst those outside the transgender the Ohio Historical Society. The partnership’s intentions were to community, make sure that Ohio’s educational programs and preserve, archive and curate the LGBT history and culture from services are inclusive of transgender issues and concerns, pro- right here in Ohio. The LGBT history project has been moving forvide all inclusive social activities and foster Ohio transgender ward since then thanks to a committee of volunteers and comcommunity pride. TransOhio offers several support groups both munity leaders. To ensure that this project remains in tact, an in Columbus and around that state of Ohio. These include a endowment fund was created so people may make contributions support group located in Akron, Columbus and Toledo. They also to help preserve Ohio’s LGBT history. GOHI collects a huge range offer a support group geared specifically toward transgender, of items that can be donated by anyone. These items may ingender non-conforming, and questioning youth from ages 5 – clude letters, pictures, documents, one dimensional items, two 11, as well as a gender-scope youth meeting, and a partners’ dimensional items, three dimensional items, oral histories, local discussion group. In 2008, TransOhio offered the 1st Annual entertainers, celebrity memorabilia, rural history, urban history, TransOhio Transgender & Ally Conference. The conference is estates and videos. The GOHI library can be accessed at the open to the public and features a huge variety of workshops and Ohio Historical Society. GOHI also maintains a presence at Pride presenters to discuss issues in the transgender community. This parades throughout the state. year's 4th annual conference will be held in August at The Ohio State University Multicultural Center at the Ohio Union. Ohio Democratic Party LGBT Caucus Founded The Ohio Democratic Party’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and TransEquality Ohio Founded gender Caucus was founded in 2006 with the mission to devote As a direct response to the passage of Issue 1 in Ohio, which de- itself to the advancement of equal rights for all people regardfined marriage as between one man and one woman, Equality less of sexual orientation or gender identity. According to the Ohio was formed. The organization envisions an Ohio where Caucus, “It draws its strength from a statewide network of leseveryone feels at home; living in families and communities bian, gay, bisexual, transgender and straight Democrats who where equality, diversity and inclusiveness are universally val- are working to realize the Party’s overall mission.” In 2009, the ued; and where government protects all people and responds to LGBT Caucus supported 13 candidates in municipal elections, their needs, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity seeing 10 of them become elected. The LGBT Caucus works to or expression. In an effort to achieve their vision, Equality Ohio not only find rising LGBT stars to become candidates for office, acts as an advocate and champion for fair treatment and equal but to educate them as well as those already in office and the opportunity, facilitates a greater understanding of our common general public. The Democratic Party and Ohio’s LGBT commuhumanity, engages and empowers individuals, families and or- nity have a common goal, a goal that the Caucus feels can be ganizations, and collaborates with other organizations and gov- achieved by fostering a relationship between those two entities. ernment agencies using a non-partisan approach. Equality Ohio The LGBT Caucus works closely with the Democratic Party’s

2005

2006

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Logo, the gay TV channel was launched in 2005

other caucuses (African American, Women and Next Generation Democrats) to ensure that community members and candidates all have frequent and comfortable access to each other. Cincinnati Passes LGBT Rights Ordinance After 13 years, Cincinnati's city council voted 8-1 to restore “sexual orientation” to its human rights ordinance, while also including gender identity in the amendment. In 2004, voters repealed Article 12 of the city charter, which prohibited a measure such as this. The measure addresses protections against housing, employment and public accommodation discrimination on the basis of religion, gender, race, color, age, disability, marital status, ethnic origin, national origin and Appalachian regional origin. Reports indicated that nearly 100 people attended the committee hearing. Twenty people spoke in favor of the ordinance, while two spoke against it. Of the two, one was a landlord concerned with being forced to rent to gay people, while the other was a Black Fist group member saying that gay people don’t do anything to help black people. Despite having no federal or state protections at the time that included sexual orientation or gender identity, the passage of this ordinance made Cincinnati Ohio’s 13th city to include such protections. The other cities to offer one or both protections are Cleveland, Columbus, Toledo, Youngstown, Athens, Oberlin, Yellow Springs, East Cleveland, Cleveland Heights, North Olmsted, Lakewood and Westlake.

2007 by Phillecia Cochran In 2007, several states took huge strides toward full marriage (well, civil union) equality. The state of New Hampshire legalized civil unions, while Oregon and Washington legalized domestic partnerships. No, we still didn’t achieve full marriage equality, but slow and steady wins the race right? It was also in 2007 that some light was shed on the topic of international same-sex couples. It was later in this year that Vietnam’s first ever foreign gay wedding took place in Hanoi when a Japanese and an Irish national married each other. Toledo And Dayton Gain Domestic Partnerships On November 21, Toledo’s Mayor Carty Finkbeiner signed a citywide domestic partnership registry into law. The registry gives unmarried couples proof of partnership for eligibility of employment benefits specifically when it comes to health insurance. Supporters lobbied for the registry saying that handing out domestic partnership cards would give couples the opportunity to up their chances of being able to visit each other in the hospital. The only other city to have offered a domestic partner registry was Cleveland Heights, which started in 2003. As Toledo was approving a domestic partnership registry, Dayton was also making strides. Dayton passed a citywide nondiscrimination law. Residents of the city had new-found protections from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Dayton became one of 16 Ohio municipalities to protect citizens against sexual orientation discrimination.

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Homosexuality was removed from "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual" listing mental disorders in 1973.

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The NCBLG (National Coalition for Black Lesbians and Gays) was founded in 1979

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2007 continued Ted Strickland Elected Governor of Ohio Oh where to begin, Teddy. Comparing Strickland’s administration to the Taft-era, or even the still infant Kasich-era, it’s like the LGBT community won the lottery. Strickland’s achievements and advances toward LGBT equality are lengthy. Let us count the ways (NOTE: Not all of these specifically occurred in 2007, but without Governor Strickland’s election in ’07, none would have been possible.). Governor Strickland issued an executive order in 2007 prohibiting discrimination in state employment. Language in the order included sexual orientation and gender identity. The executive order addressed employment decisions made by Ohio’s cabinet agencies, state boards and state commissions.

2009

projected shortfall. The money also allowed life-saving medications to be provided to those Ohioans living with HIV/AIDS through the end of the fiscal year. by Phillecia Cochran And finally, in 2010, Governor Strickland expanded state employee benefits to include bereavement leave for same-sex couples. The new policy gave the opportunity to nonunion state employees to take sick or bereavement leave in the event that their domestic partner of same- or opposite-sex, have healthrelated problems.

2008 by Phillecia Cochran

In trying to relate a national event in 2008 to create a sense of reference for what was happening here in Ohio, the first thing I In 2009, Governor Strickland signed insurance reforms into law. thought of was Prop 8. That’s not exactly one of the “things to These changes provided state income tax benefits for the pur- be proud of” for the LGBT community, but it certainly was a chase of employer-based healthcare coverage for members of a huge event. So let us create a frame of reference using sometaxpayer’s household. Same-sex partners were included in the thing a bit more positive – LADY GAGA. Our dearly beloved language. Mother Monster released her first single, “Just Dance,” in 2008 and she hasn’t been quiet since. Love her or hate her, you can Governor Strickland supported various anti-discrimination leg- not deny her passion for not only her music but for full equality islations, including the Equal Housing and Employment Act. for the LGBT community. She has been an activist since day one That Act passed in the Ohio House of Representatives before and hasn’t slowed down. She not only campaigns for full equalstalling the Senate. The Act would have prohibited discrimina- ity, but was a staunch supporter of the repeal of “Don’t Ask tion in housing and employment based on sexual orientation Don’t Tell.” If she wasn’t strutting her stuff on Logo’s and gender identity. NewNowNext Awards, she was singing “Imagine” at the Human Rights Campaign dinner while changing the lyrics to address Governor Strickland appointed the state’s first openly gay cabi- the death of Matthew Shepard, or she was wearing raw meat net director in 2007. Serving as the Director of the Ohio Depart- claiming if we don’t stand up, we’ll have as much rights as the ment of Insurance from 2007 – 2011, Mary Jo Hudson was meat on our bones. Maybe her music isn’t your thing, but her among many people Strickland appointed who openly identify message should be. as members of the LGBT community. OUT Traveler names Short North as a Featured Destination Governor Strickland, in addition to appointing an openly gay In the Fall 2008 issue of OUT Traveler, the travel guide for everycabinet director, also appointed Mary Wiseman as a judge in thing gay, named the Short North the toast of Columbus’ art the Montgomery County Common Pleas Court – the first judge scene. Having been named in 2007 by The Advocate as one of appointed in Ohio to openly identify as part of the LGBT commu- the 10 best off-the-beaten-path US cities for LGBT people, nity. In 2009, Strickland continued suit by appointing Gerald Columbus has since become a gay haven in Ohio – even the Larson as judge in the Akron Municipal Court. Midwest, according to OUT Traveler. The Short North was praised for being a quirky, bohemian arts district that’s been While in office, the former governor continuously turned down shedding its rough-and-tumble skin since the mid-80s. The federal funding that supported abstinence-only education – a Short North was also given a big thumbs-up for its sense of dibranch of sex education, which often eliminates talk of safe sex versity, having prominent LGBT organizations like Stonewall practices for the gay community altogether. He instead opted Columbus live in harmony with all those hetero frat bars along for comprehensive, age-appropriate education, which teaches North High. But really, what didn’t OUT Traveler have to say health, safety and abstinence. about our beloved ShoNo? Everybody has to love the arches, the parks, Gallery Hop, the live entertainment, friendly locals and There is always some serious competition amongst major cities queer-welcoming heart. to host the Gay Games – an event that has the potential to bring in more than $60 million in benefits to the local economy. Proposition 8 Finds Protests in Columbus Strickland partnered with Mayor Frank Jackson of Cleveland For being a state-based issue, it seems everyone had someand the Cleveland Synergy Foundation to bring the 2014 Gay thing to say about Prop 8. Columbus was no exception. Over a Games to Northeast Ohio. Cleveland beat out Boston to host the dreary November weekend, tens of thousands of people from event, which will be among the largest events to ever be hosted the LGBT community of our state’s capital and all over, took to in the state of Ohio. the streets to express their disdain over the passage of such discriminatory legislation. Events were being held all over the In 2010, the state of Ohio received federal Medicaid funding, country, including right here at home where gay rights advocacy which Strickland directed toward three programs including the groups and advocates gathered at the Ohio Statehouse. Right Ryan White Part B/Ohio HIV Drug Assistance Program. The near Gay Street. $12.8 million in funding was intended to help eliminate the

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Logo, the gay TV channel was launched in 2005

So 2009 didn’t miraculously give us full marriage equality, a complete end to discrimination, or you know, any of those other things we fight for every day. While we don’t expect full equality in one giant victory, we do relish the smaller victories we come across whether it’s a single school district imposing new discrimination language that includes the LGBT community, or something on a larger scale. That larger scale event in 2009 may have been when on June 17, President Barack Obama signed a referendum. This referendum would allow the same-sex partners of federal employees to receive some benefits of their partner’s. Some states even followed suit – Thanks, Governor Strickland! Columbus City Schools Offer Benefits to Same-Sex Partners 2009 was the year of benefits. Columbus City Schools became one of the first public districts in the state to offer benefits to most of the employees’ partners. The contract opened medical coverage to employees’ domestic partners and their children. It also gave union members paid leave for the illness or death of a partner or partner’s immediate family. Oberlin City Schools was previously the only district to successfully acquire domestic partner benefits. The issue passed by an astounding 89% of those members that voted. Executive Director of Stonewall Columbus, Karla Rothan, told the Columbus Dispatch, “It’s a competitive tool. It’s become more of a selling point for business.” The district estimated that it would cost more than $200,000 in its first year, but that the money the district would save on the lower rates offset the cost of covering domestic partners. Bowling Green Votes to Bar Discrimination The city of Bowling Green, occupied by some 30,000 residents and 18,000 students, threw up a measure – two of the, actually – to add sexual orientation and gender identity to the language of anti-discrimination laws (one for housing, the other for access to public facilities and employment by businesses and schools.). The town seemed split, but after hearing provocative and earnest testimony, from both sides, the city council approved both ordinances almost unanimously with votes of 7-0 and 6-1. After the passing of the ordinances, challengers had collected enough signatures to put the measures to a public vote. Of more than 8,100 ballots cast, the housing measure was approved by a mere 24 votes, while the other lost by 116. The board of elections continued to review hundreds of provisional ballots and announced that, ultimately, both measures had garnered approval. Natalie Clifford Barney Plaque Erected Natalie Clifford Barney was an outspoken American playwright, poet and novelist from Dayton who lived from 1876 – 1972. She was openly gay and unapologetically so during a time when such outspokenness was unheard of. On October 26, Barney was honored with a historical marker in her hometown of Dayton, OH. This marker is the first in the state of Ohio to note the sexual orientation of its honoree. The plaque in part reads, “Natalie, who knew that she was a lesbian by age twelve, lived and outspoken and independent life unusual for a woman of this time period. Her openness and pride about her sexuality, without shame, was at least one hundred years ahead of its time. She published Some Portrait-Sonnets of Women, a book of love poems to women under her own name in 1900.”

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LAMBDA (The Legal Defense & Education Fund) was started in 1973

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2010

34th annual gay softball world series, right here in good ol’ CBus. Taking place at Berliner Park, by Phillecia Cochran the 2010 Gay Softball World Series brought in teams from 37 major US and Canadian cities. It The year of 2010 had its share of lawsuits here also became the largest gay sporting event ever and rallies there, but nothing stood out more held in the state of Ohio. More than 5,000 playthan the efforts to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” ers, volunteers and supporters attended the the Clinton-era law the prohibited openly gay event, which was emceed by NBC4’s Marshall and lesbian women from serving in our nation’s McPeek and included special welcomes by Govmilitary. President Barack Obama campaigned ernor Ted Strickland and Columbus Mayor on a promise to rid our country of this discrimi- Michael Coleman. natory legislation, and with that promise he came through. The LGBT and allied communi- Outlook Columbus’ Interview with Jim Tressel ties anxiously awaited after the House of Repre- Goes Viral sentatives passed the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell In March 2010, Outlook Columbus released its Repeal Act of 2010, to see what the Senate “Queers & Sports” issue and with it, an interwould do. In the end, eight Republicans, includ- view with Division I Ohio State Football coach ing Ohio’s own George Voinovich, joined Democ- Jim Tressel. The interview, conducted by Outrats in a 65-31 victory to pass the Act. President look’s co-owner and co-publisher Michael Obama signed the historic bill into law just be- Daniels, was the first time a Division I coach did fore year’s end on December 22, 2010. a one-on-one interview with the gay press. Tressel, known for being a staunch Republican, adThe signing of the Act seemed a perfect end to a dressed many questions, including what he year in which we Ohioans had many things to be would do if a player came out to him. He exproud of. plained, “We strive to teach and model appreciation for everyone. One, we are a family. If you Columbus City Schools Adopt Anti-Bullying haven’t learned from your family at home that Protocol people have differences and those strengthen All too often, a school district’s discrimination the whole, the you are hopefully going to learn it policy has no language that offers protections as part of the Ohio State football family.” In little for students based on sexual orientation or gen- time, the article went viral. It had spread across der identity or expression. Columbus City the country and beyond. The article was repubSchools, however, have taken their policies a lished all over the Internet and even landed on step above the rest. Not only does Columbus Yahoo’s front page, Sports Illustrated, ESPN, AOL City Schools’ policies reflect acceptance and News, Out Sports and many others. ban discrimination against the LGBT community (yes, including the T), but they now have official anti-bullying policies and protocols. In fact, the Columbus Board of Education Policy by Mackenzie Worrall 4114.123 now includes in its anti-bullying policy, “violence within a dating relationship.” So what?

pened then: the birth of me, Intern Mac. I was born after Stonewall, after HIV/AIDS, and I wasn’t even out of the closet until after Issue 1 passed. Now, to everyone who grew up swooning over Paul Newman, calm down. I am not the new generation; I’m just the next one. And all of this? It’s the status quo for me.

Outlines Toledo In April 2010, Outlines Toledo launched their website, outlinestoledo.com. Just three months later, Outlines went to print, bringing the latest news and entertainment to the Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan LGBT communities. With Toledo being Ohio’s fourth largest city, Outlines Toledo strives to make their LGBT community more visible than ever before.

What about fame? Could you name any famous gay people as a kid? This year, Columbus local Dwayne Steward was in the It Gets Better book. A man who was once a little boy from Dayton became famous on RuPaul’s Drag Race as India Ferrah. Debra Moddelmog is launching the Sexuality Studies major at OSU, where you can focus on gay and lesbian studies. And before long, she plans on being the largest program for undergraduate queer studies in the country, and probably the world.

2011 and Beyond

No, I mean that. So what? Why talk about history? Why should you care that Stonewall Columbus has been around for 30 years, sponsoring the Pride festival? What do 15 years of Outlook Media have to do with you? 30 years after the first documented case of AIDS, why are we still talking about it? 1. Because no one else is talking about it.

Columbus Hosts Gay Softball World Series I insisted during this process that our article on In the summer of 2010, the North American Gay 1987 have a special note at the end, because Amateur Athletic Alliance (NAGAAA) held the something very important to LGBT history hap-

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No one else may have realized it yet, but we can fix that. We have so many amazing firsts and groundbreaking moments in our history, in spite of setbacks. So we can’t let the haters get us down. Kasich wants to protect LGB people in state government, but not Transgender people. A hate crime arson killed all eight of one couple’s horses. Columbus Public Schools filters Don’t be afraid that I’m young. Be afraid that I LGBT websites because the system automatihad to learn this by writing about it for the rest cally lumps us in with pornography. We’ve overof the community. Be afraid that unless we keep come all of this shit before, and we will do so passing this history on from one gay generation again. And you know what? I never get tired of to the next, it ends. that victorious feeling afterward. One of the greatest challenges our community faces is how to pass on our history. If schools and universities don’t teach it, we can’t fall back on teaching it to our kids as they grow up. That’ll help, but there will always be LGBT people born in closed-minded communities that grow up without any historical perspective. It is so easy to let our history slip through the cracks because we are born everywhere and to anyone. There is no wizened grandmother you can go to as a five year-old. We all have to become storytellers. And honestly, there’s no trashy soap opera like our own. 2. We are constantly making history. We’re not recording it, but we’re making it. Remember being told as a kid that gay people didn’t play sports? This year, the Blue Jackets already hosted a Pride night with the gay hockey league playing immediately after their game. This July, the Columbus Crew are hosting the inaugural Pride Cup of LGBT and Allied teams. In 2014, Cleveland will host the Gay Games probably topping the previous record holder for largest sporting event ever held in Ohio (which was the Gay Softball World Series, by the way).

3. We have to talk about our history because no one knows about it. Recently, as part of United Way’s Pride Leadership program, we did a tour of some of the city’s non-profit programs, including the Gay Ohio History Initiative (GOHI). Because she missed one of her sessions, someone joined us from Project Diversity, a sister program for people of color. As Chris Hayes did his GOHI thing, we put on gloves and were allowed to handle some of the photographs and publications that they’d collected so far. Later, when asked which group impacted us the most, this fantastic woman talked about how surprised she was looking through our history. And here I quote loosely: “I didn’t think there were marches and protests, but there were. And I didn’t know you could be beaten up on the street for holding hands, but you were.” If she didn’t know, then we’re not doing our job now. When the next generation of LGBT people forgets that we were beat up on the street, or the school bullying, or that we couldn’t be out in the military, or that our own government didn’t protect our rights to employment and marriage, then we can only blame ourselves. When you forget all of the ground you’ve won, you begin to lose what you’ve got. Erin McCalla, Mackenzie Worrall and Siobhan Tuck are some of outlook’s glorious interns. Phillecia Cochran is the editorial assistant at outlook - a glorified intern. They all fear the withering glares and colorful nicknames bestowed by Chad Frye.

Ohio is a hub for LGBT life, culture, and studies.

The Group (1966), was the first mainstream Hollywood film to use the word "lesbian". It starred Candace Bergen in the lesbian role.

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The first Gay Olympic Games were held at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco, CA

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The original rainbow flag with 8 colors, included hot pink and turquoise, (symbolizing sexuality and art), later removed due to production constraints and the lack of symmetry.

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New York City hosts the longest parade route, stretching from Midtown to the West Village, a total of three miles.

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The top Hollywood box office star of the 1930s was actor William Haines who lived in an openly gay relationship with Jimmy Shields for almost fifty years.

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A Letter from th e Executive Dire ctor to the Communi ty It is with great ex is very dear to mecitement that I write to you ab ing for Stonewa , Stonewall Columbus Pride. I out a subject that ll my life partner, Columbus when I moved here began volunteerCommittee as th Linda Schuler and I were asked in 1994. In 1998 Festival combin e Chairs of the Parade. That yea to join the Pride dance. It is harded had approximately 15,000 pe r, the March and we began work to believe that it was only thir ople in attente in Stonewall will ho g on the team that produces Pr en years ago that ide. Now in 2011, st o ve r 2 00,000 countless others who believe in anpeople and touch the lives of for all. d hope for fairn ess and equality Linda and I alw ay for this event w s work together as a family and as always part of many of our othe our yearly plans volunteering r . We also begged fr ien ds and family mem share in the fun bers ing to know tha and excitement of the day. It is to help us and many people hat you work very hard for a cau a wonderful feelse spend the week ppiness and hope. I can’t think and it gives so en d w ith my family, and in tur of a better way to who will be join n, with all of yo ing us. u Our Pride comm sional and skille ittee, board and staff are the mo brings a unique d individuals that I have ever mest highly profeshave worked hu skill set to their area of respons t. Each of them n made this event dreds of hours to produce Prideibility and they sion and humor. a success and done so with a mi 2011. They have x of grace, preci I want to encou ra volunteer, have ge all of you to come out, brin Columbus servesfun and raise money for a good g your families, a community centhe Central Ohio LGBT communcause. Stonewall services that en ter. The Center on High offers ity by providing ha community thro nce the well-being and visibilprogramming and ity ugh discovery, af firmation and ce of our diverse lebration. Have a safe and ha ppy Pride! Karla Rothan Executive Directo r, Stonewall Colu mbus

2011 COLUMBUS PRIDE COMMITTEE LIST

STONEWALL COLUMBUS STAFF

STONEWALL COLUMBUS BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Linda Blount, Green Chair Phil Davison, Hospitality Chair Michele Fregonas, Business Manager Tom Graffeo, Brunch Co-Chair & Doughboy Lori Gum, Pride Assistant Karen Hamm, Toll Booth Co-Chair Brenda Heft, Security Chair - Motorcycle Dee Heritage, Festival Communications/Transportation/Procurement John Herman, Marketing & Signage Hope Hindrichs, Dispatch Chair Kelly Jaeger, Parade Co-Chair & Run Chair Jackie Jones, Volunteer Chair, Permits & Data Entry Lisa Odierna, Spirit Team Chair Nick Picolo, Security Chair - Walking & Festival Rob Podlogar, Ad Hoc Assistant Letha Pugh, Toll Booth Co-Chair Karla Rothan, Executive Director Scott Schopper, Festival Chair Linda Schuler, Parade & Brunch Co-Chair, Trailblazer Lounge Chair Suzie Simpson, Entertainment Chair Sile Singleton, Family Area Chair John Sowers, Beverage Chair Lori Steigerwald, Poker Run Chair

Karla Rothan Executive Director 614.930.2261 krothan@stonewallcolumbus.org

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

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Bruce Shalter, President Terrance T. Wheeler, Vice President

Michele Fregonas Office Manager 614.930.2262 mfregonas@stonewallcolumbus.org John Herman Marketing Coordinator 614.930.2264 jherman@stonewallcolumbus.org Suzie Simpson Center Coordinator 614.930.2260 SSimpson@stonewallcolumbus.org

Jay Poroda, Secretary Kelly Thompson, Treasurer BOARD MEMBERS Phil Davison David Glisson Judy Herendeen Deittra Heritage Shane Morgan Letha Pugh Brian Shinn

Lori Gum Pride Assistant 614.930.2265 lgum@columbuspride.org

The Stonewall Riots, the definitive turning point of the gay rights movement, occurred in New York City in 1969.

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In Berlin in 1919, Magnus Hirschfeld produced the first film depicting positive images of gay life, Anders als die Andern (Different from the Others).

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Anita Bryant publicly gets a pie in the face in 1977. We wish it had been a hair pie.

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Pride Costs: Facts & Fiction Pride Holiday 2011:

Benefiting Stonewall, Benefiting Cbus ing stronger programs, services, and alternative social activities. As we move towards an exciting milestone of celebrating 29 years in the community, we are building on past accomplishments, developing sustainable systems and growth processes and focusing on strengthening not only our agency, but the Central Ohio GLBT and allied community by enhancing our Community Center, The Center on High.

Did you know that Pride Holiday is put on by Stonewall Columbus as a fundraiser for the organization, The Center on High Community Center and its programming? It’s true. All profits from Pride go directly back into servicing the community and advancing equality. How awesome is that? So go ahead and have another beer at the festival - it’s for a good cause. What you may not know either is what Stonewall is, what it offers and how it services our community. Your good money is going to support Stonewall Columbus, the leading visionary, inclusive, and fun-spirited GLBT organization in Central Ohio for the past 30 years. SWC sets the pace for increasing the visibility and acceptance of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) community and continues to be the driving force on GLBT issues. The Center on High is the first stop for many in the GLBT and allied community. In response to community need, Stonewall routinely adds programs to a growing roster, facilitates ever-increasing numbers visiting the Center, increases visibility for other agencies, and brings new and innovative perspectives to its service delivery. It is our intent to continually expand programming so that community members seeking a variety of services and activities – in addition to the base services and ongoing support groups we offer – can find ways to connect with others in a safe, comfortable and culturally enriching environment.

Stonewall Columbus serves the Central Ohio GLBT community by providing a community center and offering programming and services that enhance the well-being and visibility of our diverse community through discovery, affirmation and celebration. Each program or service presented at the Center on High aligns with at least one of the organization’s core values: Health, Diversity, Faith or Art. Stonewall Columbus exists because of our strong partnerships with other agencies, our tireless supporters, and the many volunteers and community members that generously give of their time, talents, and support. We look forward to partnering with our Columbus community so that we may jointly improve the lives of those we serve.

Stonewall Columbus continues to lead the fight in Central Ohio for equal rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals. The Board and staff accomplish this through implementing Stonewall’s strategic plan and concentrating on its brand elements of being visionary, inclusive, and fun-spirited. Through As the leading organization on GLBT issues in compassionate and intelligent planning, rethe Central Ohio area, we have made count- source prioritization, and increased service delivery, Stonewall has consistently succeeded less strides in educating the larger commuin reaching greater numbers of the GLBT and nity, increasing social awareness, and collaborating on political advocacy by provid- allied community in Central Ohio.

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How Much Does Pride Cost? A Lot! Each year our Pride Festival and March grows. In 2009 this event cost Stonewall Columbus approximately $145,000 to produce. Here is a summary of the costs for 2009: Beverages and Ice - $40,000 Cleanup - $12,000 Columbus Police - $13,000 Entertainment - $25,000 Insurance - $10,000 Permits - $ 3,000 Printing - $ 2,000 Stage, Sound and Lights - $10,000 Rental Equipment - $30,000

and to Stonewall Columbus. Stonewall Columbus has provided programs and services to LGBT people in Central Ohio for nearly thirty years. Because of your support, this organization continues to advocate for our causes, offer programs and services vital to the well being of our LGBT community and to host one of the largest Pride celebrations in the country. The Pride Festival showcases our LGBT community and allies and offers an opportunity for the Central Ohio area to celebrate the diversity of our population.

How Can I Help? Donate at the Gate! For 2011, we anticipate that some of these costs You will be asked for an Admission Donation of may grow due to price increases by our vendors $5 as you enter the park. This donation helps and suppliers. Stonewall Columbus pay for Pride. Purchase a $10 Pride 2011 Dog Tag or Wristband prior to the Each year, Stonewall Columbus works rigorously event and use the express lane at the Festival to hold the line on expenses to bring the Pride gate both days! Celebration to you in the most cost-efficient manner without sacrificing the features that Buy Dog Tags and Wristbands here: make Pride the unique and fun event that we all http://www.columbuspride.org expect and enjoy. Become a Member of The Center on High! Who Pays for Pride? We All Do! When you become a member and donate money, Contrary to what some believe, the Pride Festival it is only appropriate that you know how your dolis not paid for or hosted neither by City, State or lars are spent. We are proud that over three any other government entity nor by some huge quarters of our revenue goes right back into corporation. This is an event hosted and fiserving this community and 24% of these funds nanced by the LGBT community and their allies! are used for Pride. I can assure you that our priority is the people that we serve and that our Sponsorships, vendor booth fees and float fees dedicated staff makes every penny count. account for a small portion of the funds needed, but the majority of the money needed to produce Whether you’re committed to our advocacy work, this major event comes from YOU! Your donaconnected to empowering our youth, touched by tions at the gate and purchase of beverages our life-saving health services, or enriched by our fund this community festival and allow us to personal development classes, there are many continue and expand the event each year. reasons to support the Center on High. By becoming a member today, you are investing in the Without your generous support, Pride could not future of this community and supporting an orexist and we Thank You! ganization that changes and even saves the lives of thousands of people each year. Who Benefits from Pride? Everyone! Pride is a fundraising event for Stonewall Colum- Please consider joining our center today! bus. Money collected at the Festival goes back to Become a Member here: our LGBT community center, the Center on High, www.columbuspride.org/donate

In 1982 Wisconsin became the first state to pass a statewide same-sex rights bill, banning discrimination.

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French writer Andre Gide (1869-1951) was the first out-gay man to receive a Nobel Prize for Literature. The prize was awarded to him in 1947.

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Calling all Seniors! Stonewall Columbus is seeking Central Ohio LGBT senior adultsfor recognition during the annual Columbus Pride celebration June 17, 18 and 19, 2011. To celebrate its 30th anniversary, Stonewall Columbus plans to recognize LGBT senior adults 70 and over in several ways throughout the Pride weekend festivities: • All honorees will be invited to ride together in the parade as Grand Marshalls on June 18, 2011 and each will be recognized by all those in attendance as a “Trailblazer.” • A special Trailblazer’s Lounge will be open at Goodale Park during the Pride Festival for all honorees. The Trailblazer’s Lounge will be reserved for honored seniors and their guests and will feature food and beverages, music and a private restroom. • All honorees and a guest will be invited to attend the Pride Brunch on June 19, 2011 free of charge, where they will be recognized for their life’s journey and contributions which made Central Ohio a better place for all of us. To participate — please submit the name, address, telephone number and email address for the senior adult to Rob Berger at thurber1961@aol.com. If you are nominating someone other than yourself, please also provide your contact information. All Trailblazers must be 70 years of age by December 31, 2011 and be a current or former resident of Ohio. Participants will be invited to participate in all events, but participation is not required. For more information or to submit a Trailblazer nomination, please contact Rob Berger at thurber1961@aol.com or 614.487.9306.

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What was Frankie Goes To Hollywood really talking about in “Relax” ?? Discuss.

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Stonewall Columbus Pride Volunteer Request Your city! Your community! Your celebration! Stonewall Columbus relies upon the generous support of the LGBT & Ally Community and requires nearly 450 volunteers annually to staff and assist with the Stonewall Columbus Pride Festival. The success of Stonewall Columbus Pride 2011 depends upon YOU! We offer a large diversity of volunteer shifts and assignments that you are certain to find interesting, fun and suitable to your schedule. Come out and meet new friends, make new connections and participate in one of the largest Pride Festivals in the Mid-West! Be a PART of the PARTY! Shifts have been reduced to 2 hours this year, so volunteering is even easier and more convenient! All Volunteers Must be 18 or Older - All Beverage Server Volunteers Must be 21 or Older.

Volunteers are needed on Jun 17 and Jun 18 for the following tasks: Beer Trucks Beverage Area Liquor Tent Wine Tent Ticket Sales Family Area Hospitality Assistant Festival Setup Crew Festival Teardown Crew Performers Parking Lot Attendant Photo and Video Assistants Traffic Crew General Volunteers Sign up for your shift at http://www.columbuspride.org/volunteer

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Attention all modern-day goth and emo queers: search Queercore and Homocore. Listen. Learn.

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Bette Midler got her start in the gay bathhouses of California and was known lovingly as Bathhouse Betty. Her pianist? Barry Manilow.

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Safety at Pride Be Safe, Be Smart BRAVO Gives Tips On How To Stay Safe This Pride Holiday by Gloria McCauley and Chris Cozad At the culmination of Pride month, the LGBT community has many reasons to be proud. There have been enormous gains politically and socially. But we are not yet “equal” The people who hate us and our communities see these gains, and our Pride, as fodder to continue their efforts to harm us in any way possible. BRAVO receives more Hate Crime reports in June than in any other month. Pride Holiday is a fabulous and fun weekend for us all. We celebrate, and play and revel in the full diversity that is the LGBT Community. Sadly, in addition to the leather and sequins there are also always the ubiquitous far right Christian protesters who would burn our flags or mace us. Their presence serves as a disappointing reminder that we still have a long way to go. Don’t engage with these idiots. If education worked, they wouldn’t be there. You can’t change their hearts and minds – they are there simply to antagonize us into confrontation. Don’t give them what they want, turn the other cheek (especially if you are wearing chaps) and walk away. So, as we move with Pride through the streets, let’s remember to keep ourselves, our families, our friends, and our communities safe. Pride is knowing how to take care of ourselves and each other. Pride is learning to trust your gut instincts. Proud is being out and proud is looking out for others. We have every reason to be proud – but unfortunately we also have very real reasons to be cautious. To that end, we offer some safety tips: In The Parade: If you encounter protesters, don’t respond to them. Remember, if they were reasonable people, they wouldn’t be protesting! Follow the requests of Parade Security. These are community members who have volunteered to keep us all safer.

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In The Streets: Stay with a group, especially when walking between parks, parties and bars Project confidence - be aware of your surroundings. Carry a whistle or another way to make a lot of noise. Trust your “gut:” If a situation doesn’t feel right, follow your instincts and leave. If you are harassed, it is not usually a good idea to respond. Don’t give the thugs the attention they are seeking. In The Clubs: Watch your drink: people can slip various drugs, like Ruffees (a date rape drug), into your beverage to impair you. If you meet someone new, introduce them to a friend or to the bartender. (Especially if you decide to leave with them!) Don’t overindulge. It is impossible to make good decisions if our faculties are impaired. Partying affects your awareness and judgment. Heat makes it worse. Drink water! Have a designated driver - or volunteer to be a designated driver. In Our Neighborhoods: More visibility sometimes is more opportunity for neighborhood problems. If there have been problems with a particular neighbor, they may use it as a rationale for escalating hostilities. Participate in Neighborhood groups or blockwatch activities. As the LGBT community is empowered, proud and visible, those who hate us are emboldened. Hate Crimes spike all over the country during June Columbus is no exception. You are not alone. BRAVO can help. Don’t try to “fix” these situations by yourselves. We have trained crisis intervention specialists available in both our staff and our hotline volunteers (1-866-86BRAVO) who can help you look at all of your options, walk you through the various steps of dealing with the situation and provide life saving advise and referrals.

MISSION: BRAVO works to eliminate violence perpetuated on the basis of sexual orientation and/or gender identification, domestic violence and sexual assault through prevention, advocacy, violence documentation, and survivor services – both within and on behalf of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender communities. BRAVO services: Same-sex domestic violence support groups Support group for sexual assault survivors Courtroom advocacy Police advocacy Referrals to other social service agencies and/or health service agencies - Crisis Intervention - Short term emergency housing for GLBT crime victims and survivors - Liaison with Columbus Division of Police, assistance to victims accessing the criminal justice system - Document acts of violence (anti-gay hate crimes, sexual assault, harassment, discrimination, and same-sex domestic violence), gather statistical data for Annual Reports - Cultural diversity training and workshops, educational lectures, etc. on LGBT issues to social service agencies, schools, government agencies, institutions of faith, corrections facilities, conferences and corporate groups. - Cadet Training for Law Enforcement - Toll-free crisis HelpLine - Prevention Services, including: Self-Defense classes, Street Safety Seminars, Whistle Campaign BRAVO is the only agency in Ohio working on issues of violence against LGBT people and same sex domestic violence. Additionally, BRAVO is Ohio’s official reporting agency to the NCAVP annual report. 1-866-86-BRAVO

If you need help: You can reach BRAVO toll free at 1-866-86-BRAVO or on the web: www.bravo-ohio.org

Shocking no one Ricky Martin came out in his blog in March 2010 - living la vida gay!

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Erectile dysfunction drugs have annual sales of more than $3 billion.

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2011 Pride Festival & Parade Maps Buttles

High

Lincoln

Russell

Millay

Poplar

Goodale

Get your dog tag early or Donate at the gate! You will be asked for an Admission Donation of $5 as you enter the park. This donation helps Stonewall Columbus pay for Pride. Purchase a $10-$15 Pride 2011 Dog Tag or Wristband prior to the event and use the express lane at the Festival gate both days!

Buy Dog Tags and Wristbands here: www.columbuspride.org 106 june 2011

Pride Merchandise! PRIDE 2011 merchandise is now in sale . Products include, cofee mugs, ties, buttons, keychains, t-shirts, hats and much more.

Visit the official PRIDE 2011 store here: www.columbuspride.org/ merchandise

The largest rainbow flag used in Pride was unfurled in Key West, FL for the flag’s 25th anniversary in 2003. We're getting 100 feet for Cbus pride, help us carry it!

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PRIDE PARKING DON’T GET TICKETED OR TOWED!! Some areas of the Short North require residential parking permits. Make sure you look for signs designating these zones. Parking is all the easier when you know your options! Handicap Parking Available Around the Corner of Russell and Park St Meters are available… the length of N. High Street (from Nationwide Boulevard to Fifth Avenue), and around the North Market. City lots are located at… A. 630 N. High Street (by Union Station Video Cafe) B. N. High Street at E. Lincoln Street (across from RJ Snapper’s and Rigsby’s) C. N. High Street at E. 2nd Avenue (across from The Lamp Shade and Counter Culture) D. 1155 N. High Street (by Magnolia Thunderpussy and Skully’s) Garages and additional parking located at… E. Convention Center on Goodale Street (East of High Street), F. Arena District off Nationwide Boulevard, G. 775 N. High Street behind Axis Nightclub H. OSU South Campus Gateway at 11th and High Street I. City Center Parking 55 East Rich Street Bike Parking… Corner of Buttles and Park St in the Bike Corral

BEER Don’t forget to get your Pride Collectors Beer Mug again this year. You can’t tell it here, but they come in not only slimming black, but very gay pink! Mugs are $5 and $5 to fill it up, but it gets you more beer than if you just buy your swill by the cup. It’s a great deal, not to mention very green! Buy your drink tickets Friday at the Friday Festival Happy Hour and beers will only cost you $3. Stock up your fill ups for the weekend!

RELATE Young or old, Pride’s got a tent for you. Stop by and make some transgenerational friendships!

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We miss Dusty Springfield. A lot. We heart her so much.

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GAZEBO STAGE: music starts at 5:00 Pride Karaoke Idol hosted by Stawn Sign up online and then bring your vocal talents to pride to compete for this year’s Karaoke Idol!

DJ Tony C DJ Tony C based out of Columbus, Ohio spinning House/Club music

Namoli Brennet

FRIDAY ENTERTAINMENT LINEUP

Webster’s defines anomaly as a deviation from the common rule, but look a little farther and you’ll find another definition: hard to classify. And that might be the best way to describe musician Namoli Brennet. Brennet was born male and transitioned to female, but like many gender-variant types, she simply identifies as “trans”. There’s something touching and achingly poignant about Brennet’s voice – maybe it’s the sound of transgender, the experience of knowing what it feels like to be unstable, on the edge, a little hard to define. In the wrong hands that could easily turn sentimental, but with Brennet’s deft touch the songs have an edge, a rawness and a gritty realness that steers clear of typical singer/songwriter territory. And just like you’d expect from an over-achieving multi-instrumentalist with a composition degree: she does play nearly everything. http://www.namolibrennet.com

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only a veteran of the indie music scene can provide- a woven tapestry of genres which flow seamlessly together providing the listener with as diverse experience as the artist himself. http://www.erichiman.com/

Gaye Adegbalola In the early '70s, she began her teaching career. She was an educator in the Fredericksburg City Public School system for 18 years, and honored as Virginia State Teacher of the Year in 1982. Throughout her teaching career, she directed Harambee 360º Experimental Theater. She was able to creatively use performance as a tool to assist black youth in gaining confidence as they struggled with identity issues during the spread of "integration." During her teaching career, Ms. Adegbalola moonlighted as a musician. By maintaining the blues legacy, she now sees herself as a contemporary griot – keeping the history alive, delivering messages of empowerment, ministering to the heartbroken, and finding joy in the mundane. As a founding member of Saffire – the Uppity Blues Women, she became a full-time performer. http://www.adegbalola.com/

Katie Todd Band

Lauded by iTunes.com as having one of the "top buzz bands in the country", Katie claimed a spot as the website's "Artist of the Week", earning nearly 300,000 downloads of their single "Face Down". On her album: Make Some Time For Wasting, Katie's captivating voice and signature percussive keys-playing are showSteve Reeder cased most boldly on her haunting single, "Leave,". Check out High energy rock and roll geared to reconcile the hyper-masculine this master of the pop balled. http://www.katietodd.com/ world of 80's heavy metal and the disco and drag dominating the gay scene. http://www.stevereeder.com Wayne Smith as Cher “Wayne Smith is one of those rare entertainers that moth makes SHELTERHOUSE STAGE: music starts at 5:00 you smile, but also dazzles you with his natural vibrancy and knows how to make you feel as if he is performing just for you. Smith is considered one of America’s leading Cher impersonWorld Famous Weed Eaters Innovators of hip-hop, infectuous ganga funk, gangsta rap, reg- ators.” gae, & southern rock maxwell-house blend - LIVE; never memorex. www.theworldfamousweedeaters.com Levi Kreis American recording artist and actor from Oliver Springs, TenDiana Chittester nessee. His music ranges from Americana Pop, Southern Soul, Dianna accents every emotion of her intimate lyrics with a voice and Piano Pop. www.levikreis.com/ that showcases her unique soulful folk/rock sound and her signature finger-style guitar work. Her mix of blues/alternative vocal styles breathe life to each song she creates--making her simply Bitch Bitch's musical journey has taken her from classical-violin trainalluring on stage. Imitating a four-piece band with a single acoustic guitar, Diana's percussive attack can incorporate funky ing in the suburbs to experimental flicks in NYC. After leaving the outskirts of Detroit for the artier charms of Chicago—Bitch's unbass lines while pounding out explosive rhythms and attention conventional and outspoken approach to performance caught the grabbing leads. http://www.dianachittester.com/ attention of a number of indie luminaries. She took fiddling lessons with Andrew Bird, serendipitously stumbled upon future coColumbus Community Drummers conspirator, Animal at acting school, moved to New York to make A collection of Columbus drummers from several groups affiliated with Wahru. This group comes together to drum for festivals, their own 'theater' (Bitch and Animal) and recorded and toured with Ani DiFranco (who released Bitch and Animal's records on parties, parades, benefits, other events and for fun. Righteous Babe). This association yielded an international following, introducing the world to Bitch’s left-of-center and controverUnecc with Kei Mari sial brand of performance. Bitch's out-of-the-ordinary message Hip Hop / Lyrical / Rap resonated with a generation of gender non-conformists, http://www.bitchmusic.com

Eric Himan

Eric Himan is an award-winning nationally touring soulful/folk/rock artist based in the Tulsa area. Eric delivers what

*Performers subject to change. Performance times to be announced later.

In 1998 Will and Grace brought us an openly gay male lead and “Just Jack.”

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The Weather Girls got their start as The Two Tons, backup singers to the original diva, Miss Sylvester himself!

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GAZEBO STAGE: music starts at 12:30p Chelsea Mae Chelsea Mae is a fabulous singer/songwriter who will win you over in moments. She sings quite a variety of covers from some of the most famed female artists in history like Ani Difranco, Macy Grey, Sarah McLachlan, Sheryl Crow, Indigo Girls, and many more. If you close your eyes your wonder if those very singers are in the room with you. Then Chelsea belts out one of her own and you remember an amazing artist is in the making right before your eyes. Don’t miss her! Illicit Kitty An exercise in sexy aggressive rock, the creation of a spectacle from which no audience can rip its eyes. Assembling a coterie of musicians with amazing talent, serious charisma, and the good looks and good sense required to be taken seriously became the first order of business. illicitkittyband.yolasite.com Columbus Women’s Chorus The Columbus Women’s Chorus (CWC) is a feminist chorus that celebrates life through the power of music. We perform music created and inspired by the lives and experiences of women from all walks of life. http://www.cwchorus.org/

LOVE to makeup the hottest guard shows seen on the streets. Eric Himan http://www.facebook.com/pages/Colorsee Friday listing Columbus/219459574737859?ref=ts Zrazy Capital Pride Band Award-winning original Jazz/Celtic/Pop from The Capital Pride Band of Columbus is an Ireland www.zrazy.com Ohio-based GLBT organization that formed in 2003, and currently has a membership of over Fabulous Johnson Brothers 70 instrumentalists. The musical backThe best time you’ll have out of bed. This grounds of members range from band direc- high-energy Pop-Rock-Soul-Dance band will tors and those with degrees in music, to have you grooving till you fall down. A love of others who have not touched their instrument the flamboyant and a desire to entertain peosince high school. Our “all are welcome” pol- ple and let them feel lots of emotions is what icy applies to anyone interested in memberdrives this group most commonly compared to ship, regardless of race, color, creed, religion, Scissor Sisters, Maroon 5 and Lenny Kravitz. national origin, sex, disability, age, and of www.thejbros.com course, sexual orientation. www.cappride.org Nina West Vanity Theft Crazy, cooky, mysterious, and yes, sometimes Vanity Theft is an all-girl indie/alternative rock spooky, the ever-entertaining Nina West welgroup from Springboro, Ohio whose music has comes you to her world. Her style has been a demand for attention that is hard to ignore. called camp, comedy, performance art, and Their songs are mostly about past romances. political pop among other things. Whatever And when they talk, guitarist Brittany Hill, you choose to all it, know that you have never singer-keyboardist Alicia Grodecki, drummer seen anything like Super Drag Queen Nina Elyse Driskill, and bassist Lalaine Paras tend West. superdragqueen.com to giggle a lot. However, Lalaine, 23, would like to clarify one thing: “We may have vaginas, Katie Todd Band but we’re not pussies.” www.vanitytheft.com see Friday listing for more info

Hunter Valentine Raucous and direct, the outfit comprised of vocalist/guitarist Kiyomi McCloskey, bassist Adrienne Lloyd and drummer Laura Petracca exemplifies girls with a united goal, intense friendship, respect and ability that solidifies their edgy albeit refined music. There’s no hyColumbus Gay Men’s Chorus perbole when it comes to Hunter Valentine. Formed in 1990, the Columbus Gay Men’s Everything has a direct message, delivered Chorus maintains the vision of its founding with a devout refusal for glitz or glamour. The members to foster increased recognition, un- hard line says it all, conveyed by confident, derstanding, and acceptance of gay men, les- unbridled rock ‘n’ roll. bians, bisexuals, and transgender persons. www.huntervalentine.com CGMC is a non-auditioned chorus open to all people regardless of vocal talent, musical HITM ENT presents Homage to HipHop abilities, race, gender, religion, age, physical A variety of local artists featuring everything abilities, sexual orientation or economic from hip hop to drag. means. The members of CGMC are equally dedicated to performing vocal music of the SHELTER HOUSE STAGE: highest quality for its audiences and to maintaining an atmosphere of camaraderie, sup- music starts at 11:30a port and respect for its diverse members. During each performance and public appear- DJ Sean ance, they seek to live their vision of “Voices Local favorite DJ Sean will again bring his Raised, Lives Changed.” www.cgmc.com unique blend of styles to the main stage.

Wayne Smith as Cher see Friday listing for more info Chely Wright with Band Though she made her name as a commercial country singer, recording songs from some of Nashville’s top writers - including modern-day classics like “Single White Female,” “Shut Up and Drive” and “Jezebel” - Wright had been honing her craft as a songwriter since her teenage years in rural Kansas. Lifted off the Ground may be Chely Wright’s seventh album, but on a number of levels it feels and sounds like her first, revealing an artist who has undergone a dramatic artistic transformation, emerging as a singer/songwriter of the first order. But the new album would never have come to be were it not for an equally dramatic personal transformation, which she has candidly and painstakingly documented.

SATURDAY ENTERTAINMENT LINEUP

Columbus Spirit Brigade Acrobatic and high-spirited performances throughout the park.

Between 2004 and 2006, Wright came out to members of her immediate family and to a few of her close friends. It was not until 2007 that she decided to come out publicly. She spent the next three years writing her autobiColumbus Stompers Rachael Sage ography and orchestrating the coming out. On A social club that brings together LGBT-sup- Singer, songwriter and producer Rachael Sage April 6, 2011, Wright’s publicist announced portive members through country-western has penned quirky, melodic pop songs since that the singer is engaged to LGBT rights addancing and music and raises funds to assist she was old enough to reach the piano keys. vocate Lauren Blitzer. The couple plan to local, community-minded organizations. This Independent musician is influenced by marry in Connecticut on August 20. Off the http://stompers.org/ Irish and Middle Eastern music. Ground was released on Vanguard Records rachaelsage.com May 4, the same day Random House pubColor Columbus lished Wright’s autobiography, Like Me. To provide pride with the most exciting colNamoli Brennet http://chely.com orguard productions possible. Energetic, see Friday listing * Performers in order of appearance. Performers subject skilled performers, high tosses, and tricked to change. Performance times to be announced later. out choreography are what we are mixing to- Gaye Adegbalola and Roddy Barnes gether with awesome soundtracks crowds will see Friday listing

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Who wouldn’t want to be a sweet transvestite with their homemade boy toy with Dr. Frank-N-Furter in 1975.

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In 2011 Kurt and Blaine finally kiss on Glee and it was perfect!

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Billy Crystal as Jodie on Soap in 1977, had to be bi…

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Pride Brunch Stonewall Columbus Pride Brunch 2011 @ The Columbus Athenaeum 32 N 4th St, columbuspride.org/brunch: Join us as we honor our Parade Grand Marshals - Our Trailblazing LGBT Senior Adults. Featured Entertainers include Gaye Adegbalola, Roddy Barnes, and Vox - CGMC’s Premier Small Ensemble. 11a-1p; $35 (reserve early - seating is limited!)

BAT-N-ROUGE

26 Years and a NEW LOCATION

After the PRIDE festivities of Friday and Saturday and the more formal brunch on Sunday, everyone needs to kick back and enjoy a lazy Sunday afternoon, and there’s no better way to do that than with the annual Bat N Rouge drag softball game The game will be held again this year at Dodge Park in Franklinton, located at the northeast corner of 315 N and 70 W. It’s very easy to get there from downtown by simply taking W. Broad St past COSI and turning left (south) on S. Grubb Street right before the 315 overpass. South Grubb St. dead-ends into Dodge Park, which sits at 667 Sullivant Ave. Invite everyone you know! Gates at noon, first pitch at 3p. Our hostesses for the event are Nina West and Virginia West, with special performances from Flaggots Ohio, Hellin Bedd, and who knows what other painted messes – er, ladies – in their best costumes and carrying their best props. The crowning event is, of course, the selection of the next Miss Bat-NRouge. It’s an honor that the winner

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does her very best to dodge (hence the new park for playing – just kidding) for the next 12 months until she can pass it on to some other unsuspecting softball victim. The sponsors for this year have remained the same with extreme special thanks to Miller Coors, Barefoot Wines, Three Olives Vodka and Live Entertainment. Bat N Rouge is a fundraiser for the Columbus Lesbian and Gay Softball Association, and proceeds also benefit local charitable organizations such as Stonewall Columbus, BRAVO, Kaleidoscope, Camp Sunrise, and Project Open Hand. The memories never stop and through all the Directors, Board Members, Sponsors, Drag Characters, Venues, Associations and Countless Volunteers we (the Community of Columbus Ohio), have managed to keep such a great tradition alive. We hope to see all of you there. More information can be found at www.clgsa.net. Tent spaces are still available at www.ticketweb.com using key word Bat-N-Rouge.

NFL’s Scott Fujita, NBA’s Charles Barkley, Rugby’s Ben Cohen, & MLS’s David Beckham and other sports superstars have come out in support of marriage equality.

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Dr. Tom Waddell, a member of the 1968 Olympic team, started the Gay Games, which is an international sporting event held every four years.

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Fly Your Flag Proud, Mary! Pride Banner Sponsor Malcolm Riggle by Jon Dunn Colors of spring and summer are saturating our daily landscape as the temperatures begin to climb and the days get a little longer. And while Mother Nature does her thing, local businessman and community activist Malcolm Riggle is doing his part to celebrate this month of Pride by honoring the anniversary of a Columbus institution and the yearly festival with a splash of new colors and style across the city. “I wanted to help celebrate the 30th anniversary of Stonewall Columbus and Pride by doing something to help raise awareness,” says Malcolm, adding “and we came up with the idea of updating the Pride banners that are displayed during the month of June.” But he then decided to go a little beyond revamping the existing colors. “The old banners needed to be retired and we needed more than just 15 of them,” he explains. “So, I had 15 new Pride banners created, and then paid to have all 30 of the banners put up as a donation. They all go up on June 1st,” Malcolm says with a sense of satisfaction. “They’re a completely new design, too; very striking and very nice.” Yet, with his current donation notwithstanding, Malcolm’s goal is to have them flying all over the city. “In the near future, I’d like to see new Pride banners hanging in each of the 200 banner locations in town every June,” he offers. ‘I’m trying to raise the funding for that through banner parties and other efforts. I’d really like for that to happen soon.” Originally from Worthington, Malcolm moved through Dayton, Michigan and Atlanta before coming back to Ohio to attend Wittenberg University in Springfield, where he got a BA in design. With degree in hand, he returned to Columbus in 1978 and has been here ever since. His ties to Columbus extend to a family business that Malcolm continues to run to this day.

so cool, it has very creative applications.” CMR still serves the medical industry, but also provides support for Fortune 500 companies. “Many of our clients have been with us for over 40 years.” Malcolm says the recent downturn hasn’t had a negative impact on CMR. “The call center is steady through this economy, we’re very fortunate.” They also provide a work environment that fosters long relationships, as many of the employees have also been with them for years, sometime decades. “We’re lucky to have such low turnover,” he says, “we must be doing something right! Our people are our most valuable asset.” His activism has gone beyond supporting causes as Malcolm also owned this very publication for seven years. “I bought it with two partners in and we took over in 1999,” he says. “They had quit publishing at the end of 1998, so my partners and I got our group together and began running it. We all had other jobs, so we looked at it as an almost a philanthropic effort.” They made changes right away. “We invested more money into it, making it a bigger format, going with four colors and having better graphics and ads.” One of his goals was to make the newspaper more palatable to people outside of the GLBT community, so they could expand the readership and be available to a wider range of advertisers. “That was the turning point,” he offers. “We started making more sales to straight advertisers.” After seven years in the publisher’s chair, Malcolm decided to sell the publication, and as he began to look at offers, an unexpected partnership in his ranks made an offer of their own. “Two of my employees, (current co-owners) Chris Hayes and Michael Daniels, heard through the grapevine that I was thinking about selling, so they made an offer and I accepted it,” Malcolm says with some pride, “I was particularly pleased to sell it to some employees, even though I knew the paper would be changing. And I think they’ve made some brilliant decisions, like taking it to a monthly magazine format. They’re doing a fantastic job with it!”

“My dad started the Call Management Resources (CMR) company in 1959 as a traditional medical office answering service, and we just served the local area,” he explains. “When the switchboard technology took off in the 60s, my dad made sure he had the latest and greatest equipment.” The technology led to a quick rise in business, and CMR expanded past the medical industry. When he was 18, Malcolm inherited the company.

Through Outlook, Malcolm also took part in the development of Network Columbus. “I didn’t start it, but when I got involved it seemed to grow too big too fast to manage, so I sat down with the group and folded it into Outlook,” he explains. “It’s like a gay Chamber of Commerce, now. It’s a great opportunity to mix advertisers and customers together; it’s a unique experience for the readers and customers, too.”

“The business has changed, we’re not just an answering service anymore, we’re a full service call center,” says Malcolm. “The technology is

When he’s not working, Malcolm and his partner, Chris Balas, who hails from the Pittsburgh area, “just like to hang out here in Columbus

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most of the time,” he says. “We’re not super exciting, we like to do the regular things.” They have a vacation home in Palm Springs they like to visit and travel regularly to New York City to see Broadway shows, which is evidenced in Chris’ amazing collection of show cards, a portion of which is displayed in a special room in their beautiful Short North suite. Through his success in his own personal and business life, Malcolm has an outlook for the future that’s tempered by memories of times when the climate for gays was still a long way from the acceptance that is much more common in recent years. “I can still remember looking over my shoulder whenever I’d got any of the local gay bars. I remember waiting to go to the Berwick Ball, being all dressed up and ready, but waiting for the phone call to tell me where the secret location was,” he says. “It’s changed so much. I think we’ve always had a fairly out and political community here, and we’re lucky that we do. It’s constantly evolving and we are blessed to have that here.” I think younger people need to get off their butts, be more active in the community and politics, there’s this alarming sense of complacency and that’s a very dangerous mindset for them to have,” he cautions. “All we need is to let the wrong set of people become elected and we can instantly backslide 20 years.” Being optimistic about the future is one thing,

but he knows that moving forward takes effort. “Old guards like me know that progress does not magically continue, young people need to take the reins by joining boards, committing to causes and being visible at their home, work and churches. They need to start writing checks and funding organizations,” he says. “You don’t have to give a lot, but give something. If everyone gives something, they keep this momentum going.” His personal experiences give him a unique perspective on the past 30 years of Pride in Columbus. “The cool thing about Pride is recognizing so many important figures in the community,” he suggests. One of the most important things is to recognize the history and the personal sacrifice made by others by making those experiences part of the fabric of the community. “Sadly, we’ve lost many people with many interesting stories about years ago, some fun and scary stories. We need to talk to more people and make sure their stories are heard.” Malcolm offers this analogy to the discussion. “This old restaurant called Out on Main had this huge painting on the wall, a Warhol take on movers and shakers in gay Columbus, it was a great piece of art,” he reminds. “It was such a good recognition of those in the community who had sacrificed. We need a larger one now, something that spurs us and the younger generation to work even harder.” Any new painting would surely have to include Malcolm among its subjects.

Outlook Media continues to be trendsetting with our sports partnerships – this year’s Pride Cup soccer tournament is the first of its kind.

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Stonewall Programming Pride is a fundraiser for Stonewall Columbus Community Center - The Center on High. Your contributions to Pride help keep the doors open and a variety of great programming available. In response to community need, Stonewall routinely adds programs to our growing roster, facilitates ever-increasing numbers visiting the Center, increases visibility for other agencies, and brings new and innovative perspectives to our service delivery. It is their intent to continually expand programming so that community members seeking a variety of services and activities – in addition to the base services and ongoing support groups they offer – can find ways to connect with others in a safe, comfortable and culturally enriching environment. Here is a list of programming currently happening at the Center. Check it out ! Afro-Rhythms Dance Workout Class • Every Wednesday 6:30p – 7:30p Instructor Pat Funderburg. This class combines Pat’s love of dance with her commitment to fitness. The movements are modified for any level of fitness or presentation. Pat recalls the dance classes that moved her almost always involved live drumming, so her class has live conga drummers providing the music. The result is a fun invigorating workout that is “exercise to a different beat!” Class fee is $50.00 for a 6-week session. Payment in advance is required. For information and to enroll, call Pat Funderburg at 614-258-5465 or email patronburg@msn.com Ballroom Dancing • Every Thursday 6:30p & 7:30p 6-week classes for beginners and intermediate levels. Fees are $30 per person, $50 per couple. Visit http://www.stonewallcolumbus.org/ballroom to find out when the next class will be starting. Buddhist Meeting – Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism • 2nd Thursday 7p – 8:30p An open and all-inclusive group whose purpose is to provide an atmosphere for learning and studying Nichiren’s Buddhism, with the teachings based on Lotus Sutra, along with chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, which means, “The devotion to the Law of Cause and Effect through Sound.” Contact: Monic – monic@wowway.com or call 204-1420 or www.buddhawest.org Columbus Bi Network Group • 1st Tuesday 7p Columbus Bi Network intends to be a space for and resource to Central Ohio persons who are attracted to more than one gender. Through social events, community outreach initiatives, sup-

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port groups, and other activities, the Columbus Bi Network facilitates a sense of pride in ourselves and our community. Contact: columbusbinetwork@gmail.com

Gay, Joyous, and Free Narcotics Anonymous • Every Saturday 7:30p A weekly support group of GLBT individuals who are struggling with and/or recovering from drug addiction.

OutLoud Social Group Meeting • Every Saturday 11-2 Drop in anytime for coffee, snacks, conversation, or just to hang out someplace that isn’t home. We’ll discuss hot topics and LGBT history using current literature, movies and documentaries, and guest speakers. OutLoud is very informal and is perfect for those of you who aren’t necessarily “group” people. Come as you are, stop in for a few minutes on your way by, or plan to hang out with us for the entire 3 hours. Contribute to the conversations, just sit and listen, or sneak in to snag a cup of coffee and a treat. Drop in and hang out on Saturday afternoons and be a part of the community. Everyone is welcome! Check out the group’s website for all of the current information. They will update the site with the upcoming week’s subject/activities, etc., so people can see what’s happening website: http://sites.google.com/site/outloudcolumbus/

GLBT Hiking Club Seasonal • Varies This seasonal (Spring, Summer, Fall) social group meets at various locations throughout Central Get more information: Yahoo Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/glbt-hiking/ or on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=1370 02046340849

P.A.C.T. – Parents and Children Together Not at Center NA A family and social outing group for GLBT parents with children. This group does not meet at Stonewall. For more information regarding membership or the group’s current events schedule, go to the following website: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/stonewallcolumbusPACT/

Men’s Coming Out Group • 2nd & 4th Monday 7p Drop-in discussion group for men of all ages to share their issues with coming out and provide a place to meet others who may be going through the same transition or who have already come out. Contact: Paul Todd – todd.65@osu.edu

Sisters of Lavender (SOL) • Last Wednesday 7p – 9p Support and social group for lesbian womyn forty and over. The focus of the group is to address issues and topics of interest to the mature lesbian population. The group is also intended to be a safe harbor for womyn to meet and socialize with other womyn of similar sexual orientation. Contact: Membership@SistersOfLavender.org or www.sistersoflavender.org

Fusion Fridays Fusion is a social space for the college-age LGBTQA community and their allies. It is a safe place to hang out and meet friends: A place to be. Made possible with the generous support of Cardinal Health. Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8896 9766824 Email: fusionfridaycolumbus@gmail.com

LGBT Veterans Are you an LGBT Veteran? Join the veterans’ mailing list to get occasional information. http://www.stonewallcolumbus.org/veterans Older Lesbians Organized for Change (OLOC) 1st Saturday in Jan., Mar., May, Jul., Sep., Nov. 2010 11:00a – 4p A national organization of older lesbians 60 and over, OLOC has local groups around the country and functions under the leadership of a national Steering Committee. OLOC works toward providing a safe, supportive network for old lesbians while actively working to effect changes that will improve our lives. We challenge ageism wherever we find it, plan opportunities for old lesbians to gather, support and contribute to the Old Lesbian Oral Herstory Project, and publish a quarterly newsletter. Contact: Sally Tatnall – tatnalls@yahoo.com or Jan Griesinger PO Box 5853 Athens, OH 45701, 740.448.6424 ad965@seorf.ohiou.edu

Sober, Strong and Free Lesbian Group AA • Every Friday 7:30p A weekly support group offering hope and help to alcoholic lesbian and bisexual women. Stonewall Columbus Runners’ Connection • Bi-Monthly Spring thru Fall This group meets bi-monthly on a seasonal basis (Spring through Fall). The group initially meets at Stonewall to learn the basics of effective running for good overall health, exercise, race training and fun. The regular bi-monthly meetings are held as outings at a variety of locations in Columbus to run/walk. All levels of experience are welcome and encouraged to join us! Contact: kjaeger7@yahoo.com Stonewall Health Check • Varies Stonewall Health Check encompasses all health related programming being offered at The Cen-

ter on High. This programming includes, but is not limited to health fairs, presentations as well as any other health related classes offered in the Studio on High. Future programming will be determined on a case-by-case basis. For information regarding Contact: Letha Pugh at letha_pugh@yahoo.com Stonewall Senior Programming Committee • Varies Stonewall Seniors is a group committed to implementing programming that will provide an outlet to seniors in the LGBT community. The meetings are subject to change based on the needs of the committee. We are currently working on a friendly visiting program for LGBT seniors in our community. The goal of the committee is to begin to build a vibrant senior program to address the increasing need in our community. If you have any interest in assisting with this program, please contact Letha Pugh. Contact: Letha Pugh at letha_pugh@yahoo.com Transgender, Cross Dressing, Gender Variant Peer Support Group • 1st Wednesday 7p This is a peer led support group. Open to everyone – FtM, MtF, Cross Dressers, Gender Queer, Intersexed, etc. Facilitated by TransOhio staff. Drop-ins welcome. Contact: transohio@gmail.com TransOhio • 3rd Sunday 3p Serves the Ohio transgender and ally communities by providing services, education, support and advocacy, which promotes and improves the health, safety and life experience of the Ohio transgender individual and community. Contact: transohio@gmail.com. Website: http://www.transohio.org Women’s Book Club • 3rd Wednesday 6:30p A primarily lesbian group with members from many backgrounds and ages. Friendly, thoughtprovoking discussions on a range of topics, generally related to the month’s book. The books vary in genre, ranging from non-fiction to poetry to historical literature to light ‘beach-reads.’ The group is very diverse and provides an opportunity for meeting members of the community. Contact: Sonia – morrssy@gmail.com (614) 477-6077 Yoga • Every Saturday 11a Yoga class for all levels. Classes are held in sixweek series which repeats. Cost is $30 per series, $25 for Members of the Center on High. Instructor Vanessa Schumm Welch. Visit http://www.stonewallcolumbus.org/yoga to find out when the next class is starting.

The Holy Roman Empire made sodomy punishable by death during the middle ages. Those guys should see Berlin now! Better yet, have them talk to Uwe!

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According to OutSports.com, 27 professional athletes have come out of the closet so far in 2011, a record-setting year.t

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The Gay Games began in San Francisco in 1982. In 2014 they will be hosted in Cleveland. That will be a lot of jocks, and even more athletic supporters.

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