2012-04-01 outlook columbus

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april 2012 • vol 16 issue 11

inside: Fey & Massucci Mouton David Filipi Traxx Columbus April Blaine WVKO 1580AM ian james Kellie DiFrischia Karen Cookston & Local celebrity steven

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Guess who just got back today....

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you are here

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snapshot

♥ing cbus people is political...

7 qmunity

Well, summer, er, I mean, spring is finally here! Aren’t you just ♥ing this weather? Of course me writing this a few weeks before April might have doomed us to a foot of snow, but I bet global warming has got our backs. And so, as the daffodils bloom and the town takes on the overwhelming smell of spunk from the Bradford Pear trees, outlook presents it’s second annual We ♥ Cbus People issue.

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This year we focus on our grassroots brethren and their efforts to help make our fair city the best place for everyone to live, work and raise a family. Profiled this year are Ian James, who is heading up the Freedom to Marry effort to repeal Issue 1; Equality Ohio’s Lee Reinhart and his Equality Express; Gary Richards and Michael Alwood whom have brought progressive talk back to our airwaves; Karen Cookston who is tasked with revitalizing Project Open Hand; April Blaine, the UMC Pastor making changes for gays in her congregation; Kellie Difrischia, who is saving dogs and making connections; and Tommy McClure who is helping making Cbus known for film and fashion. We also feature the new owners of Mouton, community members and life partners Jonathan Klinger and Todd Hellman, as well as, the Wex’s own film guru David Filipi.

It’s a great gathering of people you should know and who often don’t get the credit they deserve.

And as does spring bring a new issue of oc, so does it bring petitions to sign and the controversy of timing. There seems to be two camps forming on the marriage equality front.

Those that think this is the right time, and those that think we should wait. I, for one, think we have already waited too long and I have never understood why we haven’t at least put it on the ballot every year since 2004. Regardless of whether we had the “money” to win, I think getting it out there consistently will help quicker turn the tide. If it’s not in people’s faces, they won’t deal with it. The other argument is that we should do it at the right political time and address it with other figureheads and through other channels. There are merits to both positions, but as I already explained, I think we need to be in their face.

That being said, Freedom to Marry’s original filing with the attorney general was rejected due to problems with the summary. Which means, if you signed the first petition to get gay marriage legalized here in Ohio, you’ll need to re-sign the second one for the new filing. We have petitions at our store Suite Q and office (both 815 N High St, STE Q), so stop by and see us and sign it already! We also have the petitions for the proposed changes to city council from the current at-large system, to a mix of wards and at-large representation. I’m in favor of this idea, as it gives our diverse community the opportunity to have focused ward representation, as well as, holistic city purviews. It also gives the queer community the best chance to get a queer person back on council. Wouldn’t that be nice?

With that, I invite you to tell us what you think on these, or any other issues. As always, we print whatever letters to the editor that we receive, so drop us a line at editor@outlookmedia.com. We ♥ your input.

I hope you ♥ the issue! ♥, Christopher Hayes Co-Publisher

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We ♥ that you read these.

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

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the other side

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super mario world

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Romeo San Vicente, Jack Fertig, Dan Savage, Michael Daniels, Chris Hayes, Erin McCalla, Marcus Morris, Mario Pinardi, Abbey Marie Miller, Mackenzie Worrall, Orie Givens, Lauren Strand, D.A. Steward, Alisa Caton, Anthony Castro, Christopher Matsos and Chelsea Phillips

18 marcus morsels

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monthly agenda

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about town

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feature: ian

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feature: wvko

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feature: lee

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feature: karen

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feature: april

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feature: tom

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feature: kellie

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deep inside hollywood

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creative class

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savage love

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local celeb:

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scopes

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network calendar

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Robert Trautman, Chris Hayes, Andrew WIlliams, Matt Vant, Erin McCalla CONTRIBUTING DESIGNER Robert Trautman INTERNS Orie Givens, Lauren Strand, Jayra Harris, Payton Fugate-Laus, Karen Mosely, Chuck Carnahan, Anthony Castro, Tom Musyzka CYBERSPACE http://www.outlookcolumbus.com http://www.outlookmedia.com http://www.networkcolumbus.com http://twitter.com/outlookcolumbus http://facebook.com/outlookcolumbus outlook columbus is published and distributed

by Outlook Media, Inc. the first day of each month throughout Ohio. outlook columbus is a free publication provided solely for the use of our readers. Any person who willfully or knowingly obtains or exerts unauthorized control over more than 5 copies of any issue of outlook columbus with the intent to prevent other individuals from reading it shall be considered guilty of the crime of theft. Violators will be prosecuted.

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NEXT MONTH: the green eggs & composting ham issue apr 2012

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#) WINTER PARTY 03.01.12

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NO SHOES, NO SHIRT AND I STILL GET SERVICE

I WORK OUT

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NETWORK @ GOODWILL 03.14.12

NETWORK @ GOODWILL 03.14.12

I’M SEXY AND I KNOW IT

WHEN I WALK IN THE SPOT THIS IS WHAT I SEE

WE HOPE YOU SAW NEXT FALL THIS SPRING

NETWORKING IS BETTER WITH FRIENDS

NETWORK @ GOODWILL 03.14.12

NETWORK @ GOODWILL 03.14.12

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ST PATRICKS DAY 03.17.12

WE ENJOYED THE GOOD WILL AND COMRADERY

CHET-ERO IN ACTION

SERVING UP SOME OF BABUSHKA’S KITCHEN

HE GOT THE MEMO

ST PATRICKS DAY 03.17.12

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IRISH PIRATE POSSE

IT’S REDFOO WITH THE BIG ASS FRO

WINTER PARTY 03.01.12

IRISH PIRATE RADIO

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WATCH OUT, SHE’LL GIVE YOU THE ‘HOOK’

To see more shenanigans visit the outlook columbus facebook page.

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LOW (od

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Clippers Baseball is a blast - But drinking Leinnkugel’s Summer Shandy makes it even better!

apr 2012

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While your taking care down there get your balls and bum checked for cancer too!

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delegates; approval wouldn’t come until 2015, promotes the widely discredited “ex-gay” tend this march - if the police can’t maintain COLUMBUS JEWISH FOUNDATION reparative therapy, which they claim cures pa- safety while also permitting gay MississippiHOSTS ESTATE PLANNING CONFERENCE or 2018.

Embrace Gay Marriage, Says New Dean Of St Unique estate, tax, and healthcare planning Paul’s: The new dean of St Paul’s Cathedral in issues for same-sex or unmarried couples will London, the Rev Dr. David Ison has called on be the topic of the Columbus Jewish Founda- the Church of England to embrace gay martion’s upcoming Legal and Tax Committee riage. The dean, who was appointed by the lunch meeting to be held at the downtown law Queen earlier this month, said the church offices of Bailey Cavalieri LLC. Attorneys Har- should welcome gay people wanting to take on lan Louis and Mary Jo Hudson will be the the virtues of marriage, such as faithfulness. keynote speakers.

“We need to take seriously people’s desire for partnership and make sure that the virtues Despite the growing number of nontraditional that you see in married relationships are availfamilies, including unmarried opposite-sex able to people who are gay,” he said. couples and same-sex couples, the estate planning, tax, and probate laws do not recog- Ison said that there was a problem of “word nize nontraditional couples. They have no definition” about gay marriage because of the rights under intestacy laws that control prop- history and tradition of the church, saying it erty transfers when there is no Will, and they was more helpful to talk of “Christian mardo not get the unlimited estate tax deduction. riage” than homosexual or heterosexual Without careful planning, the surviving partner unions. He added that gay couples should also of a nontraditional relationship will receive be allowed to adopt children: “I think that ... nothing upon the death from his or her partner. anyone who can provide a loving, stable, carThey may also be restricted from providing ing home should be able to adopt.” input on end-of-life and burial decisions.

Asked whether the government was right to The presentation will address a range of estate change the law on gay marriage, Ison said a planning strategies to choose from so that commitment to being together was “the best their estates will be distributed as intended, pattern for how to flourish if you’re going to be minimization of gift and estate taxes, and im- in a relationship ... whether you’re gay or portant provisions about finances and health- straight...Marriage doesn’t belong to the care during either partner’s incapacity.

Church.”

All are welcome to the hour-long lunch meeting that will be held on Thursday, April 26, in the boardroom of the Bailey Cavalieri law firm, located at 10 West Broad Street, #2100 in downtown Columbus. A Kosher lunch will be available for $9. For further information and reservations, please call the Columbus Jewish Foundation office at 614.338.2365 or visit jewishcolumbus.org

NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN CHRISTIANITY’S STANCE TOWARDS GAY MARRIAGE Episcopalians Release Same-Sex Marriage Rites: After several years of study, the Episcopal Church has released a draft of what samesex marriage rites would look like.

Episcopalians in states that allow same-sex civil marriage already have the option to bless same-sex marriages but there is no formal church-wide liturgy. Same-sex commitment ceremonies are permitted elsewhere in the church at the discretion of the local bishop.

“Such covenantal relationships can reflect God‘s own gracious covenant with us in Christ, manifest the fruits of the Spirit in holiness of life, and model for the whole community the love of neighbor in the practice of forgiveness and reconciliation,” the report states.

The drafts will now be studied by bishops and

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tients of the sexual orientation that they are born with. Such reparative therapies have been discredited and denounced by every major mental/medical health professional organization as ineffective, painful, and dangerous to patients because of higher death rates from suicide.

ans’ freedom of speech, then I don’t know why they’re in the business of law enforcement.”

AMERICANS CALL ON ROMNEY TO FIRE ANTI-GAY FINANCE CHAIR

OPENLY GAY ATTORNEY ELECTED TO SERVE AS FEDERAL JUDGE

15,000 people are calling on Mitt Romney to fire his National Finance Chair, Frank VanderSloot, for his extensive activities aimed at demonizing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans. HRC launched the petition last night, and the number of people demanding Romney fire VanderSloot and return the money he’s donated to the campaign are growing.

On March 15, the Senate approved the nomination of Michael Fitzgerald, former assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California and currently a lawyer with Corbin, Fitzgerald and Athey, to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. President Obama nominated Mr. Fitzgerald in July of last year.

Event organizers partnered with an existing rally at the Capitol building this morning to get their message out, and are currently exploring ways to take action publicly in the future.

During his confirmation hearing, Mr. Fitzgerald was asked about a case he worked on earlier Frank VanderSloot has made it his life’s mis- in his career, Buttino v. FBI. The case involved sion to attack LGBT people. He’s donated hun- a gay FBI special agent, Frank Buttino, who dreds of thousands of dollars to causes that was “outed” to his superior, resulting in the respread falsities about LGBT people and seek to moval of his security clearance and his being strip or roll back rights and protections; he fired as an FBI agent. Buttino filed a class-acspearheaded a billboard campaign against tion lawsuit and was represented by Mr. Idaho Public Television for airing a family doc- Fitzgerald and his firm. The case eventually umentary he thought promoted “the homosex- settled and the FBI agreed to no longer use seual lifestyle;” and he even outed a reporter. curity concerns as a way to keep LGBT individuals from serving as special agents. Mr. For more information on Romney’s changing Fitzgerald joins Judges J. Paul Oetken and AliCatholic Church Wants Civil Unions In New positions on issues of LGBT equality, visit son Nathan as the third openly gay Article III Hampshire: The Roman Catholic church of www.mittnmatch.com. federal judge nominated by President Obama New Hampshire suddenly endorsed civil and confirmed by the Senate. In addition, Debunions on March 19, just 48 hours before a orah Batts, an openly gay woman, has served P OLICE D ENY LGBT M ISSISSIPPIANS ’ state legislature vote that has been pending as a Federal District Judge for the Southern for two years. In addition, the Roman Catholic MARCH District of New York since 1994. church of Maine ceased all external opposition to this year’s full marriage equality ballot cam- On March 1, gay Mississippians tried to rally in WIKIQUEER CELEBRATES INAUGURATION paign in Maine.

Jackson to draw attention to the need for equality under the law for lesbian, gay, bisexPreviously, Roman Catholic officials have op- ual, and transgender residents of the state, WikiQueer has celebrated its public launch! posed virtually every regulation, policy, and law but were turned away by the police. Despite WikiQueer is a web-based, not for profit, freeproposed to protect LGBT people nationwide, having applied for a permit for a march in the content encyclopedia and resource project, including all proposals for civil unions. Howcity to highlight LGBT discrimination, organiz- based on an openly editable model, specifiever, faced with the choice of either retaining ers were informed shortly before the event that cally for and by the lesbian, gay, bisexual, New Hampshire’s full marriage law which was their permit had been denied and they had no transgender, questioning, and ally communisigned on June 3, 2009, or else repealing it ties. right to rally in the city. and replacing it with civil unions instead, church officials decided – for the first time The permit was denied even though event or- In a manner similar to Wikipedia, WikiQueer is ever – to endorse civil unions for LGBT people. ganizers were finalizing details to secure rewritten collaboratively by volunteers. Anyone with Internet access can write and make quired liability insurance. When informed by Church officials claimed that they are endors- police that the permit had been denied, those changes to WikiQueer articles - except in cering civil unions only in an attempt to repeal tain cases where editing is restricted to preassembled for the march quickly changed full marriage for same-gender couples. They plans under the threat of arrest if they were to vent disruption or vandalism. However, unlike called the replacement of full marriage with Wikipedia, they can also include dynamic conproceed. the inferior civil unions an “incremental imtent from existing online LGBT and wiki projprovement.”

Zach Magee, a Mississippi native who helped ects, content geared towards activism around with the organizing behind the march, said, “I issues, and in-depth information on the LGBT Roman Catholic officials reinforce Pope Bene- can’t believe the state is still maintaining a communities, which may not presently meet dict XVI’s formal view of LGBT sexuality as “an campaign of fear and intimidation to oppress Wikipedia’s notability standards. intrinsic moral evil,” “intrinsically disordered,” state residents. Mississippians organized this and “inherently evil.” Moreover, the church still march and Mississippians were going to atFor more info: http://www.WikiQueer.org.

We think HRC should just call on Romney to fire himself from the Presidential race all together.

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Lesbian Custody Disputes in Court: Progress and Pitfalls

by Carol Ann Fey and LeeAnn M. Massucci

have never heard about the possibility of establishing shared custody of their children, and still On Feb. 28, 2012, Julie Rowell was awarded others may know about that possibility but cannot shared custody of the daughter she raised with afford the expense. Many heart-parents are just her former partner, Julie Smith, for five years since like Rowell, trusting their partner bio-parents, bebirth, and the parties were ordered to share time. lieving that their relationships will endure and Rowell was ordered to pay half of some of the that they don’t really need the protection. Some child’s expenses, including health care and activ- couples intentionally choose not to establish ity fees, and will cover the child’s expenses when shared custody because they do not intend for the residing with her. partner’s relationship with the children be considered parent-like. But the vast majority of LGBT Although there have been several other LGBT cus- couples who think of themselves as parenting totody cases in Ohio courts over the past few years, gether simply haven’t established shared custody the Rowell case is the first in which a juvenile for many other reasons. judge approved a magistrate’s decision awarding shared legal custody to a former partner (“heart- The Rowell case and others like it are prime exmom”) over protest of the biological mother (“bio- amples of misplaced trust on the part of the mom”). Smith has said she plans to appeal. heart-mom. In 16 days of trial, a pretty clear picoutlook has reported on this case before. See “De- ture emerged, and while it’s tough to provide all stroying Gay Families - Doing It To Ourselves” by the detail in a brief article, here are a few examMichael Daniels, May 31, 2010. ples of what we believe led to the magistrate’s decision in favor of Rowell.

Notably, on Sept. 26, 2011, another magistrate awarded Maggie Gross shared custody of the As determined by the court, like many heartdaughter she’d raised with her former partner, moms, Rowell devoted her time, energy and reJennifer Gross. In the midst of the custody litiga- sources to the parties’ daughter. Facts presented tion, Jennifer Gross married a man and allowed in trial demonstrated that she helped to plan and him to finalize a step-parent adoption of Maggie participated in the insemination, was Lamaze and Jen’s daughter, without informing Maggie. coach, cut the umbilical cord and stayed with That first shared custody award is still awaiting baby and Smith in the hospital. For years, Rowell approval by the juvenile judge, and the step-par- rearranged her work schedule to pick up and parent adoption is being challenged in the court of ent the child while Smith worked. She interviewed appeals. and helped to select daycare and preschool providers. Smith herself filled out a variety of paNow is a good time to reflect on what’s happening pers for medical providers and child care in our community regarding how we raise our providers designating Rowell as the child’s cochildren. In order to create a family, the LGBT parent, guardian or mother, and designating community must generally pursue extraordinary Rowell’s parents as the child’s grandparents. means beyond that of our heterosexual friends; Rowell shared in paying for childcare and other we commonly refer to this as “intentional parent- household expenses. The parties had formal faming.” Our efforts to have children, and then how ily portraits taken together with the child and with we raise them, how we teach them to interact just Rowell and the child. Smith helped the child with our partners, our extended family, friends, give Rowell Mother’s Day cards. Rowell attended caregivers and community, all are deliberate, in- nearly every medical appointment, even without tentional choices. We intentionally create a world Smith, and the child’s pediatrician testified that for our children that often encourages and honors she always understood the child to have two the love and nurturing of a “heart-parent.” Our mothers. Similarly, the director of the child’s day children grow up loving and relying upon that care testified that Rowell and Smith together preheart-parent just as they rely upon the love of sented both as parents, and they were treated as their legal parent. The reality is, to a 5-year-old, any other parent couple. (Smith admitted that she the law doesn’t really matter. These cases are re- had, in her own handwriting, designated Rowell ally about respecting and honoring relationships as parent on medical and day care forms). Conthat the children cherish - relationships that bio- sistent with that impression, all correspondence, parents create and foster before later changing including tax receipts, was directed to Smith and their mind.

Rowell together.

The American Bar Association Family Law section has estimated that there are approximately 4 million LGBT couples raising 8 million to 10 million children in the United States. Lambda Legal Defense puts that number far higher. Many couples

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In this case, it is clear Rowell was not just a babysitter or a nanny or a friend of the family.

Rowell was fully involved in the raising of their child from birth until Smith’s unilateral decision to leave the relationship. Facts presented in trial

showed that Smith knew of and participated in every action and decision that led the magistrate to determine that Smith had, by her actions, relinquished sole custody in favor of a de-facto shared custody of the child with Rowell. Regardless of whether Smith may later have regretted them, the magistrate found her actions establishing a shared parenting relationship with Rowell to be clear and intentional.

standard where the parties have not done that kind of planning, as in the Rowell case. Although we may disagree about the outcome of a particular case, in general these decisions reflect an increasing acceptance of LGBT couples in our society and culture, and are a part of the obligations or responsibilities that go along with the recognition of rights that we as a community have long sought.

Smith, on the other hand, had two basic themes: First, she had never entered into a formal, comprehensive written shared custody agreement with Rowell, and second, she didn’t intend that Rowell be considered a second parent to the child.

It is abundantly clear in the magistrate’s decision that Smith’s actions did not support her testimony or that of her witnesses.

So what is the message of the Rowell decision? Is it that LGBT couples with children just don’t need to establish shared custody by agreement because they can always fight about it in court later if their relationships break up? We don’t see it that way.

More recently, our courts have worked out a standard for determining the conditions under which a non-parent may establish legal custody with a child. The standard used today, and used in the Rowell case, comes from In re Perales, decided in 1977, in which the Supreme Court of Ohio held that while a parent generally has an exclusive right to custody, a non-parent may establish a right to custody where the parent has, by her actions, relinquished sole custody in favor of another person. This is sometimes referred to as contractual relinquishment, which is easy to see where a bio-mom and heart-mom agree together to establish shared custody and together request that a court approve that agreement. It is also the

So if you and your partner are choosing for one of you to adopt, give birth to or arrange a surrogacy to have a child that the two of you intend to raise together as parents, we strongly request that you work with an attorney who is experienced in preparing these agreements and enter into a shared custody arrangement that represents your specific intentions and is approved by your county’s juvenile court. If your situation changes, try to work out modifications to your agreement that reflect the changes. Although you could still end up in court if you later have a disagreement about something like a division of parenting time or financial support, having the agreement in the first place avoids your having to spend thousands

It is clear from last year’s Supreme Court of Ohio decision in In re Mullen, where a heart-mom lost This leads us to reflect on the challenges of hav- her case, that although a written contract is not ing children together as an LGBT couple. Ohio law required, it is far and away the best, easiest, most has no provisions specifically related to the esconvincing and least expensive alternative for establishment of shared custody by LGBT parents; tablishing a shared-custody relationship between we rely on the same law that applies to any other an LGBT couple regarding their children. The unmarried couple raising children together. Ohio Mullen court did not rule that heart-moms have Revised Code 2151.23 gives the juvenile court ju- no rights - the Court said only that the determinarisdiction to determine the custody of any child in tion of the Cincinnati trial judge that the facts Ohio who is born to an unmarried person. Diswere insufficient was not so clearly wrong as to putes about the conditions in which a non-parent warrant being overturned on appeal. can obtain custody of a child are certainly not new and are not limited to the LGBT community. Single Written agreements, when properly prepared and bio-parents often rely on the legal presumption approved by the juvenile court, establish shared that they have a constitutional right to parent custody and result in legal documents that can their children, but that can be overcome by evibe provided to day care providers, health care dence of intent to do otherwise. Courts still refer to providers, schools, etc., to establish the hearta custody dispute as old as the late 1800s (Clark parent’s rights to participate in those activities in v. Bayer) that involved a custody dispute between the same way the bio-parent can. Similarly, in the parents and a relative with whom they’d placed event that the bio-parent dies, the establishment the child for a while and then changed their mind. of shared custody should survive and permit the Current LGBT custody disputes are simply a logi- heart-parent to retain custody of the child. And in cal extension of the ongoing general development the event that the bio-parent and heart-parent of our courts in determining the implications of split up, they are enforceable documents that proour relationships with each other in the area of vide detailed guidance to the court if the parties personal obligations, property rights and child cannot resolve parenting time and support issues rearing. on their own.

Do you think the mommies fought about everything?

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of dollars first establishing that you had a shared intention in the first place. Litigation is hugely expensive, not just in the LGBT community but for all parents who involve the courts in their custody disputes.

What about those LGBT bio-parents who truly do want and intend to be single parents and who want to avoid having a court determine otherwise? Our advice is that couples communicate clearly and honestly with each other about their intentions. If a bio-parent intends that a partner not establish legal custody, then we suggest that the bio-parent and partner might prepare an agreement stating their mutual intention not to parent together. Then, the bio-parent should not treat the partner as a parent regardless of the agreement, or it could appear as if the agreement was just a sham.

As the result of many cases nationwide involving heartbreaking parenting decisions in the courts for LGBT parents, GLAD (Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders) and NCLR (National Center for Lesbian Rights) co-authored a publication titled “LGBT Family Standards,” which can be found at www.glad.org/protecting-families.

Custody determinations are made after an intensive investigation into and review of the facts of a particular relationship and the court’s evaluation of the best interest of the children, whether the family is headed by a mother and father, or as the Rowell case now demonstrates, the family is headed by two women. The times are changing and our legal preparations and considerations must change along with them.

About the authors: Carol Ann Fey, solo practitioner, and LeeAnn M. Massucci, founding partner of Massucci & Kline, LLC, are Julie Rowell’s attorneys. Over the past three years, both have represented non-biological mothers (“heart-moms”) in disputes with former partners who are the biological or adoptive mothers (“bio-moms”) of the children they’ve raised together, when the adults end their relationship and the bio-mom seeks to terminate or drastically reduce contact between the heart-mom and the children. For further information, contact Fey at 614.232.9100 / carolfey@carolfeylaw.com or Massucci at 614.484.0177 / LMM@mkfamilylaw.com.

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Hooking up is easy in more ways than one on 5th Ave.

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We ♥ Mouton

by Abbey Miller At Mouton on High, you won’t find your favorite sports team playing on the big screen, or bubble-gum flavored vodka - and they like it that way.

Business (and life) partners Jonathan Klingler and Todd Hellman strive to ensure Mouton is a place for people to meet, connect and enjoy a damn good cocktail.

“We want Mouton to be like digital detox. We want people to come check in, and then just check out and enjoy the company they came with,” said Hellman. “I want to cater to people who like to enjoy themselves in a relaxed atmosphere, whether they want to enjoy a cocktail, a snack or each other.”

Mouton prides itself on the intimate atmosphere as well as their hand-made cocktails.

There are no TVs, or electronic games at the end of the bar, just light background music and warm ambient lighting. The atmosphere allows patrons to put their smart phones away, and leave the office at the office.

According to Hellman, this is exactly what the couple was aiming for.

“We entertain at home a lot, and when we took over Mouton, we wanted it to be an extension of that. We wanted the space to be both interesting and accessible. We wanted to focus on gently coaxing people out of their comfort zone

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when it comes to their “go-to” drinks and offer them something new, without making them feel like an idiot,” Hellman said. “We wanted to give people an experience. We want to spoil our patrons.”

And spoil, they do. Mouton features handcrafted classic cocktails made with fresh ingredients and attention to detail. You’re not going to find a Jager Bomb or candy flavored shots here, just classy, old school favorites.

Their drinks match the aesthetic - classic, chic and somehow warm and familiar.

“When guests come in, I want to learn about what they like, and then offer them something that I think will appeal to their palette. You know, some people come in and ask for a rum drink, and we have great kinds of rum, but I will try to offer them a great gin gimlet with fresh limejuice. Sometimes the guest will say ‘Ew! I hate gin.’ I want to show that person that, no, you don’t hate gin, you just hate the shitty well gin cocktails mixed with something out of a soda gun you’ve had before,” Hellman said. “Once you taste a hand-crafted cocktail that is that fresh, you just can’t go back. I have definitely converted a few people.”

Though both Hellman and Klingler know what makes a good cocktail - they aren’t service industry old-schoolers or career restaurateurs. In fact, Mouton is their first experience in the service industry altogether. Klingler worked in marketing before Mouton, and Hellman still works at Battelle. Both men believe having

backgrounds in industries other than service has had both its perks and its setbacks.

“Neither of us have worked in the service industry, but we travel frequently and go out often, so we definitely know what we like and what we don’t like. We just tried to take inspiration from a few of the experiences we’ve had, and try to bring that to the Short North,” Hellman said. “Because Mouton isn’t our primary source of income, it allows us to be more adventurous with our selections and less stressed about the business end. It is definitely our point of view. For the most part it’s been great, we aren’t jaded yet. But there were some road blocks we hadn’t planned on.”

According to Hellman, running a restaurant in Columbus had some unexpected hoops.

“I honestly didn’t realize how much red tape and paperwork came with owning a restaurant. I mean, like things you’d never expect,” he said. “You would not believe how much bullshit we had to go through and fees we had to pay just to be able to put our sign on the sidewalk. If I had any complaints, I would say that Columbus makes it more difficult than it needs to be for small business owners.”

Along with the unexpected road blocks, came some pleasant surprises.

“I really feel like small businesses, especially in this neighborhood, really try to work together. For Mouton, we fill a niche, and if

Mouton is great because the owners are as fresh as their drinks!

somebody comes in looking for something other than what we have to offer, I try to point them in the right direction,” Hellman said.

“I’ve made reservations at area restaurants for customers. I don’t think the businesses necessarily know that, but I am sure they still send people back our way as well. I am always glad to see new businesses open down here. The more foot traffic in this area, the better for everyone. We have to stick together in that way.”

Currently, Mouton offers artisan snacks as well as cocktails, wine and premium beer, but they are looking to expand.

“We don’t want to take on too much at once, because it’s just us. But we are looking to possibly add some select desserts to our menu and keep our mind open to new wines,” Klingler said.

Even though they want to expand, Hellman swears they will never carry flavored vodka.

“You should have seen the poor Three Olives vodka rep,” Hellman said. “She just looked at us when she came in and said, ‘You guys aren’t interested, are you?’ She was right - we weren’t.”

Mouton is located in the Short North at 954 N High St. www.mouton954.com. Stop by for a premium cocktail during April’s Gallery Hop and view Linda Oldham’s art show and speak with her about her work.

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I hope they remembered their Odor Eaters... that’s a lot of sweaty feet.

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The Reel Deal : Queer Cinema at the Wexner

by Michael Daniels David Filipi has been with the Wexner Center’s media arts department since 1994. He has organized retrospectives of and visits by such filmmakers as Richard Linklater, Milos Forman, Peter Bogdanovich, Pedro Costa, Philip Kaufman, Claire Denis, Olivier Assayas, Ellen Kuras, D.A. Pennebaker, Arnaud Desplechin, Gus Van Sant, Guy Maddin, Babak Payami, Frederick Wiseman and dozens of other established and emerging filmmakers. He has organized series around themes such as the food industry, exploitation films, sex in Hollywood film, the British New Wave, rare Oscar-winning documentaries, color filmmaking in the silent era and rock music documentaries. Filipi is a member of the film studies committee at Ohio State, where he has taught animation history since 2004. He is a member of Ohio State’s Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum advisory board and the Ohio State Film Studies Committee. Filipi regularly serves on panels for regional and national arts organizations. Prior to joining the Wex, Filipi was with the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis. He received his master’s degree in film studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

I recently had a chance to chat with him about a film coming to the Wexner in April about Genesis Breyer P-Orridge and Lady Jaye P-Orridge, two of queerdom’s most intriguing and iconoclastic artists.

Michael Daniels: The Wexner Center brings in some amazing films that aren’t shown anywhere else in the area. How do you and your colleagues stay on top of what’s being released, and how do you choose what you’re

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going to screen and when?

Dave Filipi: We stay on top of things in a number of different ways. Festivals are the best way to find out about new films so we either attend key ones such as Toronto or Rotterdam or follow reports from ones like Cannes, Berlin and Sundance. One thing that really sets our programming apart is the network of relationships we enjoy with filmmakers, producers and distributors that allows us to find out about films that might still be in production or that don’t have formal distribution. For instance, in October I was on a panel for artist grants in New York and my fellow panelists included a Sundance programmer, a Toronto Film Festival programmer, two filmmakers, a producer and a critic/programmer. In just two days I not only learned about a host of upcoming films via the grant proposals but also about what all of these other people were working on. One of the filmmakers has visited the Wex in the past and the other will be here to introduce her films this fall after meeting her during the panel. There are so many ways we find out about new work and it’s nice to have the luxury to show what we feel strongly about artistically.

the past, if we didn’t show a particular film, it likely meant that a person living in Columbus wouldn’t be able to see it. That’s not the case anymore, especially with streaming and all of the other options that are out there. But we strive for a great degree of diversity in our programming and it’s vital that we continue our active engagement with the LGBT community whenever possible. We’re always on the lookout for great films that will appeal to the queer community and film-lovers in general.

MD: Let’s talk specifically about a film coming this month, The Ballad of Genesis and Lady Jaye by Marie Losier. Can you give us a synopsis of who Genesis Breyer P-Orridge and Lady Jaye were/are?

DF: Genesis is a pioneering musician and performer, most often associated with industrial punk music and the groups COUM, Throbbing Gristle, and Psychic TV that were and are thrilling marriages of performance art and rock music.

Lady Jaye was Genesis’s wife and artistic collaborator.

MD: Is this film important because of Genesis and Lady Jaye’s impact on modern gender conMD: How important is it to bring queer cinema cepts, norms and perceptions, or is it importo the Wexner Center? Do you specifically seek tant more as a personal biographical piece? out such films, or do they show up on your DF: That’s a good question. It’s certainly a wonradar more organically? derful portrait of Genesis and his art but I think DF: Very important. These days I would say deci- the reason I and so many love the film is that it is sions to show queer films happen more organian incredibly touching and moving love story. I cally than in the past. We don’t show as many honestly feel like the gender issues that are indiLGBT films as we did, say, 15 years ago, but that rectly explored in the film give way to Marie’s despeaks to the fact that there are more queer films piction of Genesis and the rare bond he had with being screened at multiplexes and commercial Lady Jaye. The impact comes from Marie’s art houses, not to mention all of the great (and thoughtful and intelligent film, not necessarily not so great) shows appearing on television. In from the issues or preconceptions people might

have with the subject matter.

MD: Genesis and Lady Jaye were, let’s admit, on the bleeding edge even for many in the genderqueer and alternative subcultures of their time and even now. How relatable are they in this film? That is, will viewers really relate to them as people or is it more like watching a documentary of people “out there.”

DF: Surprisingly relatable, and again it’s a tribute to Marie’s sensitive and generous filmmaking. I have a hard time believing that any even marginally open-minded person wouldn’t find this a very sweet and captivating love story.

MD: When and where will the film be screened, and how do our readers get more information and tickets?

DF: The film is screening Friday and Saturday, April 20 and 21 at 7p at the Wex. Tickets can be purchased at the Wex ticket office, by visiting wexarts.org or calling 614.292.3535.

MD: You know it’s outlook. We have to ask the rapid fire. Ready? Reel or digital?

DF: Reel. Are you kidding?

MD: Popcorn or Milk Duds?

DF: Popcorn.

MD: Is it ever OK to talk in a movie theatre?

DF: Only to tell someone to shut up.

MD: More romantic in the back row - holding hands or playing footsie?

DF: I’d have to say holding hands.

MD: Best - Film - Ever?

DF: My favorite film is Hitchcock’s PSYCHO.

Erin once starred in a film she didn’t know was being made and was probably illegal in 23 states. Good thing for ‘cease and desists’!

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You had me at Cotton Panty...

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On the Right ‘Traxx’ : Traxx Columbus is Just Getting Started

by D.A. Steward This issue is dedicated to the people we love, but I thought I’d switch gears and talk about a place that’s started a love affair with Columbus residents all its own. Traxx Columbus has been in the city just over a year and has already made a pretty large mark.

If you’re a gay person of color living south of the Mason Dixon you’ve probably heard of Traxx. Traxx Atlanta started in 1989 as one of the first night clubs to cater specifically to LGBT people of color.

What started as a simple space for black gay and lesbian college students to come together to listen to music that typically wasn’t played in mainstream gay establishments, soon became a Southern phenomenon.

The Traxx brand spent nearly 25 years building itself into the nightlife powerhouse it is today. All while becoming an example and inspiring similar clubs to pop up around the country. Early in Traxx’s inception, it took a stand on becoming a place that supported social initiatives affecting its community. As new HIV infections in the black community began to rise, Traxx Atlanta led efforts to promote testing and sexual healthcare.

As Traxx Atlanta began to see success, becoming a national destination spot for many in the black gay community, the national black gay pride movement also started to gain momentum. By 1999 several Black Gay Pride Festivals had sprung up across the country, prompting the creation of the International Federation of Black Prides, a coalition that supports the efforts of established and newer Black Pride Festivals around the world.

This rising trend of mobilization led to debunking myths that most in the black gay community operated on the “down low.” In turn more organizations and night clubs that catered to LGBT people of color started opening around country. It’s a trend the owners of Traxx picked up on and last year decided to expand their brand, making Columbus their first fully-functioning franchise.

Owned locally by The Mason Group, Traxx Colum-

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bus opened its doors at Outland on Liberty Nightclub, 95 Liberty Street, in November 2010 and immediately started seeing large crowds typically accompanied by lines that stretched well past the patio.

The Traxx Columbus branch, run by three parttime staff members, is only open once a week on Friday nights, which has quickly made their parties an in-demand commodity. Before Traxx arrived, there had been a few endeavors by local party promoters to start clubs that traded techno and euro-pop house music for hip-hop, R&B and soul, but they typically had an expiration date of only a couple of years.

“Many of the 18 to 24-year-olds that come to Traxx don’t understand that having a club like this in Columbus hasn’t always been a given,” said Kim Godfreed, Traxx Columbus’ general manager, a Columbus native with nearly two decades worth of experience as a club and party promoter.

“As far as night clubs, we didn’t really have any until around 2000,” she said. “People did hip-hop nights, but there wasn’t really a place that always played music for us. It was more like a bunch of people would just get together and say, ‘Let’s meet here on a Thursday night.’”

Popular Sunday nights at bars like The Garage and The Eagle became regular hangouts for LGBT people of color, which then spawned bars like Paradise and Touch, each lasting a couple years before closing. Over the years, underground “after-hours spots” also began popping up around town, which became the place to be if you were black or Latino and gay, but only having a place to hang out after 2a definitely wasn’t enough. When Godfreed found out Traxx was planning to come to Columbus she contacted the owners right away.

“I knew, if done right, this could be successful, and I made sure I was involved,” she said.

In the year Traxx set up shop at Outland, they began bringing in crowds averaging 400 a night (peaking at 800 during Pride last year). They also

set up partnerships with Network Columbus, Mayor Michael Coleman and Stonewall Columbus.

They participated in AIDS Walk and even began offering HIV and STD testing and prevention education to combat Franklin County’s growing HIV infection rate among young black gay men. They also participated in the city’s first Black Gay Pride with plans to do so again this year.

The big word here is ‘mainstream.’ Traxx’s predecessors have typically focused their marketing in the black and Latino LGBT community, but since the mainstreaming of hip-hop throughout the late ‘90s and 2000s a marketing strategy based solely on race seems outdated; a conviction Godfreed shares.

“It’s about social responsibility,” said Brandon Chapman, Traxx Columbus’ community relations/public relations manager. “We want them to have fun, but we want them to be healthy too.

Traxx is more than a club, we’re a family.”

“It’s about the music,” Godfreed said. “I want to break this misconception that Traxx is only a black club. It’s not. It’s for anyone who likes to party and/or listens to urban music.”

In its second year Traxx Columbus is planning to go bigger and bolder.

Questions have arisen about the new location; it is located in an area of town whose patronage is typically straight males. Is Traxx worried about possible sidewalk confrontations?

“There is now a Traxx in Cleveland, we’ve just opened a Traxx in Louiville, KY and we’re planning on expanding into the Indiana and Tennessee markets,” Chapman said. “It’s all about expanding our brand to become Traxx International.”

They’re also making some major changes to the Columbus branch. Soon they will be leaving their Outland location in the Brewery District with plans to move at the end of spring or early summer into The Garage Bar at 147 Vine Street, located in the much higher trafficked Arena District.

“This move will help to mainstream the club in the Arena District, the ‘party central’ of the Columbus night life. The Garage Bar has a full kitchen, it’s centrally located near the Short North area and we’ll be able to open additional nights at this new location,” Chapman said. “We are very grateful to the Outland staff for welcoming us with open arms. They played a very important role in our 18 month success. Traxx Columbus will definitely continue to partner with Outland for further events.”

“Our initial goal was just to get the word out there,” Godfreed said. “Now that we’re established as a regular LGBT event, my next goal, now that you know about it, is to have Traxx in your face so that you see it all the time, so it becomes a staple.”

The wrong side of the Traxx is outside.

“That is something that came up during initial meetings about the move,” Chapman said. “But there is a very strong police presence in the Arena District and I think it will be a welcome change to the area. We don’t foresee there being any problems.”

With all this success under their belt, it begs the question: When will Traxx Columbus become a nightly affair, possibly someday moving into their own building? It’s a request that’s long been debated in the LGBT of color community. Is there a place for a 7-days-a-week bar like Traxx in the Short North? According to Godfreed - who owned and operated her own club, Cincinnati’s Club Chica, for a couple years in the early 2000s - it’s a question with a complicated answer and much to consider.

“The answer is yes and no,” she said “Times are changing. People are going to the lounges more now; the big dinosaur nightclubs are fading out. If it were small enough and in a prime location, it could be successful. Maybe something like Havana; that’s the kind of place it would have to be.”

Traxx Columbus is open every Friday night from 10:30p2:45a. Admission is $7. It’s currently located at Outland on Liberty, 95 Liberty St. For more information visit Traxx on Facebook by searching ‘Traxx Columbus.’

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Do yourself a favor and checkout wexarts.org they have so many great things coming up!

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BALLETMET DANCER DUSTIN JAMES

MODERN DANCE MEETS VIDEO GAME TECHNOLOGY!

Presented in association with the Wexner Center for the Arts

W O R L D

TICKETS START AS LOW AS $20!

P R E M I E R E

APRIL 20–28, 2012 CAPITOL THEATRE, 77 S. HIGH STREET CAPA 614.469.0939 | WWW.BALLETMET.ORG | TICKETMASTER.COM

Design: Peebles Creative Group

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Photography: Will Shively

Now that Michael works downtown, he takes the bus every day and sings it’s praises. Try it out by taking COTA to the Ballet and the Queer conference.

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I ♥ That Columbus Feeds My Oral Fixation

by Mario Pinardi

So, where does a big gay fatty get his feedbag on? I am an equal opportunity chowhound. I frequent many restaurants and I try many things – nothing is too scary to put in my mouth (unless it is a girl part).

I am a lacto vegetarian. This means that I do not eat meat or poultry, but I eat dairy and I fart methane. And, no, I do not fart at the dinner table… consciously. I am fascinated by all of the offerings in this CowTown for someone like me.

you have to dig through the “stuff” in order get to the wiener. If I am feeling organic and I need something really “green,” I go to Northstar for a tofu Buddha Bowl. And I feel like Buddha afterwards – so full, so happy and so gassy. Yummy! If I am feeling spicy and “muy caliente,” I head to La Fogata and eat all kind of spicy cheesy deliciousness, with lots of Pico de Gallo, and I wash it down with pomegranate margaritas. I can singe off your eyebrows with my breath after that meal. If I need comfort food because I had a shitty day, I head to Tip Top for a big heaping plate of mac and cheese.

This is why I am fat; I consider mac and cheese another food group. Sex or mac and cheese? I choose mac and cheese, because it requires no cuddling and no cum rag. If I am feeling fancy, urbane and uber gay, I head to Level for yummy seafood dishes and fabulous boozy treats. I eat there a lot and I think Hubby and me are turning into Level’s Norm and Cliff. Hubby blames me for his eating and drinking habits, but I never have to coerce him into drinking?

Hmm…

If I am feeling cheap and tawdry, I can go have Tofurky wieners covered in all kinds of stuff, at Dirty Frank’s. Eating a dog at Dirty Frank’s is like blowing a 1970s porn star –

I am an advocate of drunken munchies, and after a few cocktails, I tend to go to Mikey’s Late Night Slice or Mac’s. Late Night Slice always has a delicious piece of pizza

Who doesn’t love oral stimulation? I love to put tasty things in my mouth, whether it is a thick juicy cock or a thick juicy hot dog! I love food, and Columbus gives me a lot of food (and cock) to love. I have lived in other cities and the chow choices were plentiful, but Columbus has some of the most innovative cuisine creations that I have ever tasted. From designer ice cream to food carts galore, delicious local fare is one of the reasons I love Columbus (even though, my waistline does not).

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waiting for me, plus there are plenty of drunken pieces of ass at which to gawk.

Mac’s is my drunken munchie choice if I need a sit down meal, I will usually order a veggie burger or a salad. Plus, their fries are always crispy and plentiful.

If I want a protein-filled snack that doesn’t involve “man juice,” I head downtown to the The Peanut Shoppe. Mr. Peanut overlooks this petite nut house and all of its treats. Fresh roasted (not vacuumed packed) nuts are the best treat to tide me over until dinner or until Hubby decides on a restaurant.

For my coffee breaks, I patron Cup O’ Joe. (I used to call it Cup O’ Ho, because I would meet my future “tricks” there. I would star as the “ho.”) Cup O’ Joe also is my favorite dessert place when I need a hunk of carrot cake or a giant brick of Rice Krispies; Joe is the way to go. Speaking of desserts, I could never leave out Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams!

Jeni’s is ice cream couture for me. When I am feeling “foo-foo” and super fancy, I go to Jeni’s. Coco Vin and Goat Cheese with Roasted Cherries are my two favorites. I scream for ice cream, and usually louder than when I cum.

How many Twinkies do you think Mario has ever had in his mouth at one time?

I know you are thinking, “Did these places pay him for this infomercial?” No, but I wish. Having unique food choices is one of many reasons why I love Columbus. I was a lot thinner when I first moved here, a wee bit younger and a lot sluttier. Now, I am a happily married big fat gay foodie. I do need to lose the weight but I am proud to a “homo hog.” For all of the skinny bitches out there, you are missing out. Whey protein, Wheat Thins, and energy bars are truly not that tasty, and when mixed together, they give you diarrhea - which is definitely not sexy.

For the record, I do not use food as a sexual device or a sex time accessory, but I find other foodies sexy. If you can cook, I will do you for a yummy treat from your kitchen.

One of the qualities I love about my Hubby is that he loves food and he is a good cook, which is double whammy hotness to me.

Besides licking some “naughty bits,” what do you like to put in your mouth that makes you crazy? Whatever it is, I hope it makes you moist and smile from ear to ear.

Remember to always be a survivor and never be a victim. Happy dining in C-Bus! I wonder what Hubby is making for dinner tonight? If it’s good, I may just blow him. apr 2012

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Columbus, I love you girl.

by Marcus Morris Change is good. I am prone to change. I am writing this article on the road. I’m sitting in a coffee shop on my way to Baltimore. I’m leaving Columbus. It’s sad, but I am happy about the future. In the course of two weeks, I have decided to put my whole life on a different path.

I decided to go live in Baltimore for a few weeks to help my best friend finish and install her Masters thesis exhibition. I will also use the time to reflect on my marriage, which just ended. Out of respect to him, I will only say that we loved one another very much, but we needed to spend some time focusing on ourselves. It hasn’t been the easiest time in my life. After Baltimore, I plan to head north to New York City. I have an absurd history with New York, involving lots of dreaming, and some sleeping outdoors, but I want to gain more experience with magazines, and there is only one way to do so, which is there.

nothing like going to a book and having a relationship with the page. Much of what I have ever learned about fashion, or photography, or style, has been because of a trip to the library. I have spent a lot of money there, too. I’ve incurred hundreds of dollars in fines, bought books in their store and the library branch sales, and had to purchase a few books that the library owned that I had lost and later found after cleaning my apartment. Support the library by going and reading a book. The library is a gem in the city, so patronizing it will keep it amazing.

Downtown Columbus is great for walking. Especially for people who don’t mind moving their asses a bit. I’ve covered a lot of ground just doing a walk from my apartment at the Greystone to CCAD. The most beautiful walks are just off High St. The Short North is stunning in Spring when the trees are raining petals. It looks like a Nouvelle Vague film. My favorite time to walk around Columbus is in the Fall. The neighborhoods around the parks are gorgeous. Why don’t you walk down outlook and I have decided to retire this column, Neil and head to Goodale, around Schiller or Marcus’ Morsels, and I’ll return to write Fashion Franklin, or my favorite, down Town Street to the Forward. After all, somebody has to serve up this Topiary Park? I’d also recommend Whetstone Park fashion shit with one part humor, one part shade for the roses, but I love the Whetstone Prairie, and one part love. I hope that being in the fashion which is a native Ohio prairie, and reminds me of capital of the United States will inspire me to write Terrence Malick cinematography at dusk. Just like about the ridiculous subject of fashion. I also hope you have to support your favorite restaurants, or that outlook will renew my press pass so that I can your library, get your ass to the parks and walk go to the MET and write about the fashion exhibi- around the city. The Pines aren’t just for fucking. tion/get into the resort shows in June. I’m talking to you Chris Hayes! Since I am leaving Columbus, Most of all, there are places in Columbus that I this column is about MY Columbus. I have lived equate with my history in the city. The first bar I here for nearly 10 years, and I love this city. went to in Columbus was Char Bar. I would get drunk, wander downstairs and try to play songs on The first thing I do whenever I invite someone to that dusty-ass piano. When I first came out, Union visit, have a friend come in from out of town, or was great, but I thought The Short North Tavern just want to have a good meal, is head to Tip Top. I was tops. It was filled with people who didn’t inhave NEVER had a bad meal at Tip Top. Not once. timidate me the way Union did. Plus, I could stumIf I go to Tip Top and I have to wait, the food makes ble up the alley to my apartment. There were so up for it. If I was ever stressed from school, I’d stop many times I made that journey at 2, 3 or 4a. in to have a Bottom’s Up. I have had so many good Sometimes staying out long enough to have a times at this restaurant that I consider it the “nightcap” at Mike’s Bar when they opened. restaurant that defines Columbus for me. Good food, good people, good times. From the first sweet I’m not one of those idiots who say they have outpotato fry, I was hooked. My dear friend Joe and I grown a city. That’s fucking stupid. I could go on would go every Thursday night and catch up and and on about Columbus, and I still have many talk boys. Now he lives in Los Angeles, and when- places to discover. I think Columbus is like a great ever we speak, I mention Tip Top. I’m just sad I love of my life. I can fall in love with a city, can’t I? won’t be in Columbus for the Fried Green Tomatoes I have had affairs with New York, I’m madly in love they serve. Also, they have Julie Kimmet working with Paris, but my first love is Columbus. Being a the room, who always greets me with a giant kiss, kid who grew up in Zanesville, Columbus was the some sass and lots of love. I love all of the Liz first big city I visited. I remember being in awe of Lessner/Betty’s restaurants, but I have a soft spot City Center as a kid, and a few years ago, I walked for Tip Top. Tip Top is Columbus. through the empty mall seeing the shell of that childhood image. The city and I evolved into someWhen I am bored, I head to The Columbus Metro thing new. Now there is a gorgeous park where I Library. The Main Branch is a beautiful building, used to sneak to smoke cigarettes while working but the library is really the shit. Ever since I moved the shops during Christmas holidays. Columbus is to the city, I would go to the library and read mag- my home, and regardless of what happens, I can azines I couldn’t afford to buy, check out some of come back to open arms, which is such a wondertheir random exhibitions and the amazing art ref- ful feeling. Thanks, girl. erences. Regardless of the ease of Google, there is

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Best of luck on your new adventures, girl! We’ll miss you!

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Summer is here! Hurry in and get your sexy swim wear before it snows again.

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SUNDAY, APRIL 1 MY KIND OF GRASS Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas @ Palace Theatre, 34 W Broad St, 614.469.9850, www.capa.com: Record-breaking bluegrass phenom has teamed back up with her band Union Station making their new album “Paper Airplane.” I guess Fergie and Gwen Stafani aren’t the only leading ladies to have on and off relationships with their band. 7:30p; $57.80-$68.

MONDAY, APRIL 2 HE SURE MADE LOSING WORK Daughtry @ Franklin County Veterans Memorial, 300 W Broad St, www.fcvm.com: And I thought Beyonce was a diva; at least her group had their own name. Is it possible that finding success after losing American Idol has gone to Chris’ head? Or is it all the awards? 7:30p; $43.10-$64.70.

TUESDAY, APRIL 3 NO MALL WILL GO UNPROTECTED Kevin James @ Palace Theatre, 34 W Broad St, www.capa.com: the King of Queens a.k.a. Paul Blart, deadly segway riding, master of combat, will be bringing his comedy to Columbus.

After movies, sitcoms, commercials James will be getting back to his roots of standup. 8p; $40-$65.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4 THAT GIRL IS NOT YOUR FRIEND Thurber House Evening With Authors: Beth Gutcheon, Gossip @ Columbus Museum of Art, 480 E Broad St, 614.464.1032, www.thurberhouse.com: Beth Gutcheon, writer of bestseller Still Missing will be discussing her new novel. I can appreciate a little drama and this book is full of it. 7:30p; $18$20.

THURSDAY, APRIL 5 CHEAPER THAN THE MOVIE THEATRE Throne Of Blood @ Wexner Center for the Arts, 1871 N High St, 614.292.3535, www.wexarts.org: Ghostly prophesies, scheming wife, poison, murder and betrayal all for the sake of a crown. Remind you of anything? Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” of course, it’s transported to Medieval Japan in Kurosawa’s “Throne of Blood.” 7p-9p; $5-$7.

YOU’RE NOT AT LEAST 50? THEN YOU’RE NOT ON THE LIST LGBT Financial Literacy Seminar Series @ Stonewall Columbus, 1160 N High St, 614.299.7764, www.stonewallcolumbus.org/seminars: This event caters to the AARP crowd - sorry barely legals! LGBT adults over 50 are invited for real information from local experts about Medicare, Social Security, public assistance and disability. 6p-8p; free.

FRIDAY, APRIL 6 LATIN FEVER Our Latin Thing: Fania All Stars Tribute with N’Klabe @ Capitol Theatre, 77 S High St, 614.469.0939, www.capa.com: 17 of the best singers and musicians from New York’s top young bands will be putting

something to do each day this month

about town

SUNDAY, APRIL 15 BEAM ME UP, SCOTTY Shatner’s World: We Just Live In It @ Palace Theatre, 34 W Broad St, 614.469.9850, www.ticketmaster.com: Travel with wannabe “Rocketman” William Shatner at his one-man show as he takes you on a voyage through his life and career. For that kind of money, we’ll need to forget he was a part of that ShitMyDadSays show. 6:30p; $52300.

SATURDAY, APRIL 14 MY DANCE TEACHER SAID YOU AREN’T DOING IT RIGHT UNLESS YOU’RE SWEATING Off the Grid @ Wexner Center for the Arts, 1871 N. High St, 614.292.3535, http://www.wexarts.org: Come bump, grind, cha-cha, crump, watusi, dougie at this annual late-night dance party held in the Mershon Auditorium lobby. It sold out last year, so get your tickets early, or upgrade to VIP. Proceeds benefit the center’s education programs. 9p-2a; $45-100.

SADDLE UP AND RIDE! Equine Affaire: Pfizer Fanatasia @ Ohio Expo Center, 717 E 17th Ave, 888-OHO.EXPO, www.ohioexpocenter.com: Like any good show this special horse show will be action packed as professional equestrian acts from throughout the country perform to a wide variety of musical styles. Save a horse, ride a cowboy. Separate ticket required. Friday and Saturday 7:30p doors open at 7p; $12-25.

d’oeuvres from local restaurants. We 614.846.0300, www.ShenYun2012.com: Explore the don’t suggest trying all 100 unless backporchcomics.com/space.htm: richness and mystery of Chinese culyou take a cab home. Tickets availSPACE stands for Small Press and Al- ture, and learn about Shen Yun’s able online. 7p; $65-$125. ternative Comics Expo. With well over dance, music production, props cos100 exhibitors, including locals The tumes, dynasties and heroes. The TUESDAY, APRIL 17 Creature Shop and Ghost Castle, knowledge of Mandarin or Cantonese I FEEL PRETTY, AND WITTY AND GAY! every nerd is about to find something is not required. The poetic and draBroadway Across America: West that enables them to let their freak matic show will keep you on the edge Side Story @ Ohio Theatre, 39 E proudly flag fly. 10a-6p; $5-8. of your seat. Runs through the 27th.

State St, 614.469.0939, www.broad7:30p; $53-$123. wayacrossamerica.com: “For a small SUNDAY, APRIL 22 fee in America” get up close and per- MYSTERY IN MUSIC SHIT JUST GOT REAL sonal to intense Shark vs. Jets dance A Theme on BACH @ Southern The- CATCO: The Caretaker @ Southern fights and Shakespearian forbidden atre, 21 E Main St, 614.464.0066, Theatre, 21 E Main St, 614.469.0939, love paired with a full orchestra. www.promusicacolumbus.org: Violin- www.capa.com: An elderly tramp Runs through the 22nd. 8p; $28-$78. ist Vadim Gluzman leads ProMusica finds lodging in the derelict home of in a program that features Russian a mentally challenged younger man WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18 masters and a spin on BACH. Yeah, and his brother - their interactions CORNEL IN COLUMBUS that’s Johann Sebastian Bach the expose their struggles and fears, alKeynote Lecture with Dr. Cornel classical composer, not the lead ternating between terror and hilarity West @ COSI, 333 W Broad St, singer of Skid Row. Don’t miss the to create an almost unbearable edge 614.228.2674, www.cosi.org: Made closing concert of Promusica’s 2011- of tension. Runs through the 29th. possible by support from Abercrombie 12 season. 7p; $10-$49.

8p; $28-$58. & Fitch, Dr. West will be speaking at COSI on the untold truth of race from MONDAY, APRIL 23 IT’S NEVER TOO EARLY TO PLAN a historical, cultural and biological WHAT SPECIES, OR SHOULD I SAY, GENUS Columbus Jewish Foundation Legal perspective. Advance ticket purchase ARE YOU, MY DEAR? and Tax Committee Lunch Meeting required. 6p; $15-$25.

Blooms & Butterflies @ Franklin @ Bailey Cavalieri law firm, 10 W Park Conservatory and Botanical Gar- Broad St #2100, 614.338.2365, jewTHURSDAY, APRIL 19 dens, 1777 E Broad St, ishcolumbus.org: Attorneys Harlan WE ARE YOUNG 614.645.8733, Louis and Mary Jo Hudson will speak www.fpconservatory.org: They’re about estate, tax and healthcare fun. @ LC Pavillion, 405 Neil Ave, baaaaaaaaaaack! No, not the Polter- planning issues for same-sex or un614.461.5483, geist, but the butterflies, of course. married couples. Kosher lunch availwww.promowestlive.com: You know that song that’s in those car commer- Get an up-close view as hundreds of able for $9. RSVP. 12p-1p; free. newly emerged butterflies flitter cials, was featured on Glee and has about. I heard it’s good luck if one FRIDAY, APRIL 27 been on rotation on every radio staOH YES IT’S FRIDAY NIGHT tion for three months? Yeah, it’s “We poops on you! Wait, that can’t be Are Young” by fun. Hope you don’t get right? 10a-5p; $6-11.

4th Friday: Uptown Alive @ Uptown sick of it before the concert. 7p; $15.

Westerville, 1 S State St, TUESDAY, APRIL 24 614.794.0401, IT’S LIKE RAPPING, BUT YOU DON’T HAVE TO www.visitwesterville.org: There will be FRIDAY, APRIL 20 IT DON’T MEAN A THING, IF YOU AIN’T GOT RHYME! performing, visual and art forms to THAT SWING Poetry Slam @ Frank W. Hale Black checkout with the family. Partake in Vox in Full Swing @ Columbus PerCultural Center, 153 W 12th Ave, music and food. Maybe spend a little forming Arts Center, 549 Franklin Ave, 614.292.0074, money with the extended hours in Upwww.cgmc.com: Join Vox, Columbus heritagefestival.osu.edu: HBO’s Brave town Westerville’s shops, and arts Gay Men’s Chorus’s auditioned enNew Voices poet, Carvens Lissiant and crafts Vendors. Special just for semble, for an unforgettable night of guest-hosts this African American the kids, Westerville Police and Fire swing music. Don’t get it confused Heritage Festival feature, which gives Departments are offering displays for with “swinger music,” this isn’t a key students a platform to bare their children. 6p-9p; free. party. Dust off those dancing shoes passionate souls for all to see. That and cut a rug! 8p; $20. sounds like it could get messy, and SATURDAY, APRIL 28 we like messy. Festival runs all week LESS CANCER, MORE BIRTHDAYS TWINSIES! long. 7p; free.

Relay for Life @ Lincoln Tower Park, The Ballad Of Genesis and Lady Jaye Ohio State University, 337 W 17th @ Wexner Center for the Arts, 1871 N WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25 Ave, 614.292.7671, High St, www.wexarts.org: The movSO AMERICAN relayforlife.org/osu: Help raise suping documentary of industrial music Portugal. The Man @ Newport Music port and money for the American artist Genesis P-Orridge and his col- Hall, 1722 N High St, 614.294.1659, Cancer Society. The 24-hour event laborator and partner, Lady Jaye. The www.promowestlive.com: Come jam aims to celebrate, remember and film follows their musical work and out to this European-named, fight back against cancer. 12p, free. their “pandrogyne” project of plastic Alaskan-grown, Portland-based surgeries to evolve into a new gender band. Sure, that makes sense? ReSUNDAY, APRIL 29 and resemble each other. Through gardless, they are a CD101 mainstay, I GOT $5 ON IT Reefer Madness @ Shadowbox Live, April 21. 7p; $8-$10. and they’re back in the Capital City with opening band The Lonely Forrest. 503 S Front St, 614.416.7625, www.shadowboxlive.org: Are there ac7p; $18. tually dangers to smoking marijuana? I’m not talking about that stuff with names that are longer than two words, just regular old grass.

Find out as Shadowbox explores good boy Jimmy’s life once he finds weed.

2p&7p; $20-$30.

CHANGE YOUR PERSPECTIVE Downtown Digital Arts Festival Art Show @ Columbus State Community College, 315 Cleveland Ave 4th Floor, www.cscc.edu/ddaf: Come celebrate creativity in the digital arts. This third annual festival showcases work by student artists in animation, digital design, digital photography and video. 10a-2p, 4p-7p; free.

LET ‘ER RIP The Four Bitchin’ Babes in Hormonal Imbalance: A Mood Swinging Musical Revue! @ Capitol Theatre, 77 S High St, 614.469.0939, www.capa.com: Sing along with the group’s musical commentary on balancing career and family, chocolate obsessions and skimpy swimwear.

7p; $25-$37.50.

SATURDAY, APRIL 21 COULD IT BE MAGIC? Barry Manilow @ Schottenstein Center, 555 Borror Dr, 614.688.3939, www.ticketmaster.com: “Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl…”

Good. Now we can both have that song stuck in our heads all day.

Whichever Manilow song speaks to your heart, he will be performing his slew of hits. Because remember, he writes “the songs that makes the whole world sing.” 8p; $16.99-$145.

MONDAY, APRIL 30 FIRST DAY IS ALWAYS THE HARDEST Margarita Monday @ La Fogata Grill, 790 N High S, 614.294.7656, www.lafogatagrill.net: The weekend might be over but the party doesn’t have to end. ½ margaritas 11a-10p, ½ off appetizers 3p-6p, free.

COMIC NERDS, ASSEMBLE! SPACE @ Ramada Plaza Hotel & Conference Center, 4900 Sinclair Rd,

THURSDAY, APRIL 26 2012 IS THE YEAR OF THE DRAGON… Shen Yun @ Ohio Theatre, 55 E State St, 614.469.0939,

MONDAY, APRIL 16 100 BOTTLES OF WINE ON THE WALL… Wild Crush @ The Walter Commons at St. Charles, 2010 E Broad St, 614.846.2440, columbusfoundation.org: Sample more than 100 domestic and international wines, in addition to heavy hors

on this salsa spectacular. Get in Neighborhood Birthday Parties @ touch with your real (or imagined) Marion Franklin Recreation Center, Latin side as these musicians pay 2801 Lockbourne Rd, and Barnett tribute to Latin greats of Fania All Recreation Center, 1184 Barnett Rd, Stars. 8p; $20-$25.

614.645.3160, parks.columbus.gov: Celebrate the founding of the city SATURDAY, APRIL 7 with food, music and arts. Save a OLD-HAM IT UP! piece of birthday cake for me! 5:30pLinda Oldham Art Show @ Mouton, 9p; free.

954 N High St, 614.732.4660, www.mouton954.com: Tom Queen of FRIDAY, APRIL 13 Tommy Q and the owners and staff of MR. TOAD’S WILD RIDE? Mouton will be presenting the show CATCO: The Wind in the Willows and sale of Linda Oldham’s work at The Musical @ Columbus Performing Gallery Hop. Are you a Linda Oldham Arts Center, 549 Franklin Ave, groupie? Well you’re in luck! Linda 614.469.0939, www.catco.org: The will be in the building for the duration Water Rat, the Mole and the Badger of the hop. 5p-10p; free. try to save the arrogant Mr. Toad from himself while reclaiming the magnificent Toad Hall. No, seriously that’s what the show is about - we’re not on mushrooms. Through April 15. 7:30p; $5.

SUNDAY, APRIL 8 - EASTER HUMAN CENTRIC Jewish Humanist Seder @ UUCE, 1789 Lancaster Avenue, Reynoldsburg, 614.285.4522, hjccohio.org: The Humanist Jewish Chavurah of Columbus is hosting a humanist Passover Seder (using a humanist Haggadah) followed by a pot luck meal. Yum! RSVP. 1:30p; free.

MONDAY, APRIL 9 JUST A FEW “SECONDS OF PLEASURE?” I GUESS I’LL TAKE WHAT I CAN GET Van Hunt @ The Basement, 391 Neil Ave, 800.745.3000, www.promowestlive.com: Grammy award winning alternative soul singer will give you an interesting blend of R&B, funk, neosoul, and rock. If you leave that hair wrapped up, make sure your scarf is cute, Hunt’s hair is always well accessorized. 7p; $16.50.

TUESDAY, APRIL 10 BRINGING THE WORLD TOGETHER ONE DRUM AT A TIME Zakir Hussain & Masters of Percussion @ Southern Theatre, 21 E Main St, 614.340.1896, www.capa.com: What were you busy doing at age 12?

I was still farting in class and blaming it on the guy next me. Hussain was touring. Beginning his international career in 1970, the renowned tabla player continues his decadeslong quest to bring Indian music to the international stage. 8p; $28-$43.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11 COME TALK TO ME! We Love Cbus- At The Wexner Center @ Wexner Center for the Arts, 1871 N High St, 614.292.3535, www.wexarts.org: It’s that time again, and I know you’ve been missing all the interns. Network Columbus, of course, will have a great speaker and appetizers. 6p-8p; free.

ARE YOU READY FOR YOUR CLOSE UP? Expanded Cinema @ Wexner Center for the Arts, 1871 N High St, 614.292.3535, www.wexarts.org: Out with tradition! The alternative mixed media film experience is certainly different, and the unexpected always makes for a good time. Setting the mood with candles is so out of style, we use fog machines now. Once the projector is set up, get ready to join the show. 7p-9p; $10-12.

THURSDAY, APRIL 12 “IT’S A PARTY IT’S A PARTY”

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We ♥ Ian James

by Anthony Castro

hold dear.

It’s an unusually quiet day at Ian James’ office on East Broad Street, and word has just come over his iPhone that Freedom to Marry had been dealt an early setback in its effort to change Ohio’s constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.

He is no stranger to these campaigns. After all, he’s been doing this for over 30 years.

A powerful way to do that is to give people a platform to tell their own stories, he said. “We give you the tools to communicate and share in your own words why this matters.”

The social activism bug bit James at a young age when his uncle Bill Kepart joined the Rev. Martin Luther King’s fight for justice. Many in his southeastern Ohio community greeted his cause with disgust, but Kepart continued doing what he felt was right. After King’s assassination, Kepart moved to Memphis to help keep his mission alive.

Groups such as religious leaders, business leaders, educators, students and veterans are vital to the coalition, and each offers a distinct perspective on the issue of expanding marriage rights. Another powerful part of the effort is elected leaders.

Freedom to Marry had submitted to the attorney general a petition signed by more than 1,000 voters to define marriage as a union between two consenting adults, with the stipulation that religious organizations would not be required to perform or recognize any such union. If approved, the next step would have been to collect the signatures of more than 300,000 voters to place the issue on the ballot. Objecting to the language of the summary on the petition, the attorney general rejected it.

“We anticipated it, we were prepared for it and we’ve been circulating a second version that we will submit as soon as possible,” he said.

That’s the kind of person James is – strategic, optimistic and unwilling to let the word “no” get in his way.

“This is a speed bump, not a brick wall,” he said.

James is the CEO of The Strategy Network, a Columbus-based organization that specializes in building grassroots campaigns. The group’s latest project is Freedom to Marry, and just over a month into this campaign, more than 1,000 volunteers are circulating petitions, hosting house parties and speaking out on an issue they outlookcolumbus.com

“Uncle Bill taught me years ago that one person can make a difference,” James said.

Some of the more recent campaigns James has been a part of include efforts to oppose Senate Bill 5, which sought to limit collective bargaining for government employees, and House Bill 194, which aimed to narrow early voting.

But James said the energy behind Freedom to Marry is like nothing he’s seen before. With such a large number of people contributing to the cause, someone’s got to keep things organized.

Someone’s got to harness that energy and give volunteers meaningful work to do. Someone’s got to keep that passion going and turn “I want to help” into “here’s what I’m doing to make a difference.”

That’s where The Strategy Network – which James runs with his husband, Stephen Letourneau – comes in. Ultimately, James said, the goal is “to build a lasting coalition of advocates who want to bring about greater freedoms to Ohioans.”

Freedom to Marry is compiling a website, www.freedomohio.com, that lists Ohio politicians who publicly support the group’s definition of marriage, from the local level all the way up to US senator. If an elected official supports the cause only privately, Freedom to Marry wants to speak with them about the reasons they won’t go public. And if a politician opposes, the group wants to sit down with them to open discussion about their opposition.

For an issue like Freedom to Marry, dialogue is critical. “If you don’t talk about it,” James said, “you can’t be surprised when change takes so long to come about.”

But boats and dates aside, no bigger metaphor exists than Stephen, his emblem of perseverance. James calls his husband his biggest influence in life, always keeping James going and reminding him to always take a stand. “For that, I’m eternally grateful,” James said.

Although he’s originally from Athens, James has called Columbus home since 1987, and has seen the city become more diverse and vibrant over the years. He’s proud of the growing breadth of people of different ethnicities and backgrounds, as well as, the increasing sense of neighborhood identity and loves the variety of things to do, such as arts, festivals and bigname concerts. When he has visitors who are into the arts, he’ll take them to galleries in the Short North or the Columbus Museum of Art. If they like sightseeing, the Statehouse and other downtown attractions are on the agenda. And if they like sports, Ohio State and the Blue Jackets are options.

But none of the attractions compare to James’s biggest passion, politics.

Perhaps the sooner these discussions take place, the sooner same-sex couples can marry without leaving the Buckeye state like James did.

“I love this town because, there’s always something going on,” he said, “especially politics. For those that have a passion for social justice, activism is one of the greatest things Cbus has to offer. If you think outside the box, there’s nothing you can’t do.”

Having to leave the US to have the privilege to marry, he and his husband traveled to Ontario in 2003 for their wedding, chose July 4th as the symbolic date for their nuptials, and held their ceremony on a boat called “New Beginnings.”

In that vein, if you are a strong believer in expanding marriage rights, like Ian, and want to get involved, Freedomohio.com has all the information on how to volunteer or make a donation, as well as, upcoming events. There, you can also read the full text of the proposed amendment and get in contact with the organization.

Ian James not to be confused with James Iha the guitarist from Smashing Pumpkins

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We ♥ WVKO Progressive Radio

by Mackenzie Worrall

what I thought all radio stations looked like on the inside. But I also thought all print media ofLuckily, I got lost looking for WVKO Progressive fices looked like Nightstalker. (Have you seen the Radio. It’s no longer on Bethel Road, in case you outlook office? Because I can’t find it under all of were wondering. the feather boas and remains of interns.) In the mid-range radio, we have CD101. Which is a reProgressive Radio’s new incarnation is on the ally lovely use of a pretty lovely building. It’s just second floor of a carriage house off Broad Street not at all how you picture it. (Sidenote: let’s give in Olde Towne East. My precisely timed entrance them more money, too.) Finally, WVKO is in the at the beginning of Radio Outlook’s broadcast got upstairs of a carriage house across from that gas pushed back to 9:22a instead. Like I said, lucky station on Broad that you can’t actually go into. I for me. After a quick text in an empty parking lot am proud of the quality WVKO puts out. to find out where exactly the radio station was, I switched to 1580 AM - that’s right, your car picks In fact, they’ve had relatively few problems since up AM too. The first quarter of my visit to the sta- going back on the air at the beginning of January. tion consisted of me hurrying in my car and cracking up those crazy boys they put on the air. “We’re way ahead of where we were in 2008 in terms of what we sound like on the air,” Station “How’s it sound on the radio?” Michael Daniels Manager Michael Alwood tells me. “Back then, asks me during the first commercial break. we still struggled with automation and what the audience heard.” While he’s tirelessly fixed any “A lot more professional than it looks,” I tell him. I technical difficulties the current incarnation has meant it as a compliment; I promise. had, there have been a few growing pains. In addition to the technology, WVKO has had a few Here’s the truth about good, hard-working mod- other changes since 2008. Most obviously, Rachel ern media outlets: they do a lot with very little.

Maddow no longer has a radio show. I guess we Even in radio. Progressive Radio owns a small of- just have to watch that fabulous woman on TV. fice space with a couple of sound dampeners Damn. Jeff Santos (of RevolutionBoston) has and a fantastic machine that’s been Frankenjoined the line-up instead. steined together from the past couple decades of broadcast technology. And again, I mean this all Most of what the station broadcasts has reas a compliment. This team is giving the city so mained the same since their earlier incarnation. much and they bring an unquenchable passion When Clear Channel stopped broadcasting Prog to their work. The fact that they’re doing it with so Talk in 2004, Gary Richards (WVKO’s General little is, well, both amazing and deplorable. But Manager) heard the rumblings locally to bring the deplorable part is on us as listeners. Why back liberal radio in Columbus. “I began thinking aren’t we giving them more money? about how to make the format work in Columbus,” he says. “[Clear Channel] obviously wasn’t Now, I’ve seen the spectrum of radio stations in committed to making the format work. I saw it as terms of how nice their space is. Surprise, sura viable format, especially with the 2008 election prise, WOSU is by far the nicest. I’m talking coming.” straight out of Frasier nice. Growing up, that’s

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This isn’t a risky venture for Richards; he knows what he’s doing. He helped to put CD101 on the air back in 1990, serving as the original GM for that station. Before that, he brought Alt Rock to Columbus with his show “Radical Romper Room” on 107.1. Since leaving one CBus staple, he’s worked on several others, including six seasons of sportscasting for the Clippers. The rest of his team are no rookies either, having all worked with WVKO in some capacity in 2008. Alwood is, of course, Station Manager. Kris Rojas is an account executive, Sean Gilbow handles the news, and Tim Morris is the Business/Traffic Manager.

At the end of progressive talk’s second year on the air, 1580’s holding company pulled the rug out from under Richards and leased to station to St. Gabriel Radio out of Marysville who was looking to expand their programming to Columbus and offered a lease-to-own deal. On Christmas Eve that year, Columbus lost progressive talk radio.

Jump forward three years: The Catholics didn’t buy, and Richards got the gang back together.

I suspect that the listeners of what was Catholic Radio 1580 AM are in for a surprise, especially the most conservative ones who turn into Radio Outlook Saturday mornings from 9a to 11a.

There, Alwood desperately tries to keep Michael Daniels and Chris Hayes on track. In two shows, I’ve heard them set sodomy to music, stick it to our Aunt Tom politicians (who support gay rights except in election years), play YouTube videos over the air and have a discussion about gays in the church that didn’t demonize organized religion.

No radio show has been this much of an emotional roller coaster since Rush Limbaugh (although his is mostly tears).

I’ll tell you that,” Alwood says. After all, it is the only LGBT-centric radio show in Ohio. WABQ in Cleveland is the only other progressive talk radio station in the state, and they don’t even have one.

“When I found out we were going back on the air, the first call I made was to Michael Daniels.”

On top of touting one of our own media productions, Alwood does seriously believe that gay rights are everyone’s rights. Infringing on one group’s human rights is the gentle sloping path to taking away all civil liberties. He may not be gay, but Michael Alwood is one of our most powerful allies (and former gay-bar bartender, woof).

“What I’m most proud of,” Richards weighs in, “was getting the format to work in 2007-08. People said it wouldn’t work (the same thing they told me about doing an all Alternative Rock station in 1989), that it failed before, etc.” With the way things are coming together, he can be proud this year, too.

WVKO has an amazing impact on the gay community and this year’s election. Having an articulate, well-run, passionate progressive talk radio will tip the scales in our favor during this close election in a swing city in a swing state. Because, see, the genius thing about radio is that it exposes people to something they’re not normally open to. Who doesn’t just hit the “up” arrow on the car radio until they hear something interesting? Of course WVKO has its loyal listeners, but there are also the swing voters who will happen upon it. If we keep up the conversation, we can win this.

Print, Radio, Blog, TV… Mackenzie Worrall is taking over your media feeds. Just call him “Big Brother.”

“I am always proud of producing Radio Outlook,

We ♥ Michael Alwood’s new look.

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In Niles Ohio my lunch buffet spot was shut down because they were serving a feline wine and dine.

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If you see Malcolm Riggle thank him for helping kickstart the banner project!

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We ♥ Lee Reinhart

by Orie Givens The thought of something called “Equality Express Bus Tour” might invoke images of a bunch of activists or politicians coming around to rally citizens around their causes. And in most cases in an election year, that is true. But this is not your normal election-year bus tour. As the recent mantra of many LGBT-focused organizations is to put faces on our community and to show how vital LGBT people are to the community infrastructure, this bus tour is designed to engage communities through service while building relationships in cities and towns across Ohio.

“We wanted to try something different. We are fortunate this year that in Ohio the three major cities have their Pride [festivals] back to back.

With the ability to hit three prides, three weeks in a row, and the ability to reach out to mass amount of people all at the same time, we decided to take advantage of that,” explained Lee Reinhart, Community Organizer for Equality Ohio and coordinator of Equality Express.

“It’s a communication starter...to get around to parts of the state where not many people have seen or heard of Equality Ohio, or for some places, not seen or had 12 LGBT representatives roll into their town all at the same time. [It’s] the aspect of the imagery of the decked out RV with Equality Express on both its sides rolling into these communities only to offer our help,” said Reinhart.

ing people to support LGBT issues, Equality Express is simply bringing a group of young LGBT interns to communities to help register voters and complete community service and rebuilding projects. And while doing so, hopefully leave an impression on, and start a discussion with, the people in the communities they serve along the way.

The Equality Express will kick off with a launch party at Thurber Park, participate in Columbus Pride, and then make the journey to Cleveland and Cincinnati Pride festivals. In between, the tour will hit Zanesville, Akron/Canton, Toledo/Bowling Green, Dayton/Springfield, Athens, Lima and Chillicothe. In each place, the team of 12 interns and staffers will help register more voters and work with service organizations like Habitat for Humanity and United Way, helping to rebuild communities by completing jobs like painting and cleaning for deserving social service organizations across the state.

Although the main directive is to help, the underlying hope of this project is to give exposure to the positive things that LGBT people contribute to the community, while giving the these communities and organizations what they need: hands to help them rebuild.

For example, in Akron/Canton, the Equality Express tour will be working with CANOPI, a social services organization that helps low-income individuals, including those living with HIV/AIDS. The Equality Express crew is going to pitch in and As you probably know, Equality Ohio is in the fore- spruce up some of the housing properties. front of the fight for equal rights for LGBT citizens, but this program takes a different “Their homes might need painted or work approach. Instead of coming to cities and implor- done. So, that would be one of our projects,”

outlookcolumbus.com

said Reinhart

night or two while we’re in their town. And that’s a learning experience not just for the hosting Reinhart hopes to connect with organizations like family, but for the crew.” Through these connecCANOPI all over the state to provide critical assis- tions, Reinhart hopes that the local hosts and the tance on the simple things that help keep the crew can share experiences and learn from one businesses running. He would like to have a so- another. cial service organization to work within each community that the Equality Express bus visits, “They’ll get to see how a gay person is received in to help engage each community with beneficial Zanesville, which might be different than how service projects. He wants to point out that the they are in Columbus or Lima, as well as, how it’s organizations they are helping do not need to be different to live openly gay in Lima versus in LGBT-focused; the tour is targeting other service Columbus,” added Reinhart. organizations as well.

Businesses large and small are also desired to “The two main focuses of the tour are to offer help defray costs for the month-long tour. Comvoter registration and community service,” said panies looking to sponsor Equality Express can Reinhart. “What I hope comes out of this, is that, make a donation and have their logo printed on it’s building for the future and it’s starting the the back of the vehicle. If a large donation is not conversation by showing the representation of our possible, smaller donations of gift cards and community. We are just like you, our neighbors, other smaller items from individuals and compaand all we want is equality. And it will start the nies are very welcomed and needed. But whether conversation.” the donation is large or small, Reinhart encourages everyone to participate in some way, either However, an adventure like this does not come through donations of money or sleeping space, or without cost. Reinhart is working with community volunteering time to work on the community servleaders, businesses and individuals to help raise ice projects within the various locales. money and supplies for expenses on the trip.

Since the bus team will be traversing the state Equality Ohio will reveal the new Equality Express far from home, Reinhart hopes that members of bus on June 14th at Thurber Park at a huge party. the communities that the bus visits will be able Reinhart hopes to have live music, food and acto provide volunteers with a place to stay. tivities, as well as help recruit people to volunteer.

After Columbus Pride, the bus will head north to “That’s part of the experience, too. To engage visit communities like Akron/Canton before headLGBT members that live in those cities, and have ing to Cleveland Pride. If you can, help out the them house our crewmembers, so they feel that bus wherever you see it this summer! they are empowered as well. Those are simple things that the people in the community can help If you are interested in volunteering for a service project, are a community organization in one of the target cities, or interus find - supportive members in each of these ested in making a monetary or in-kind donation to Equality cities that can let our crewmembers stay one Express, contact Lee Rinehart at lee@equalityohio.org.

The wheels on the equality bus goes round and round.

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We ♥ Karen Cookston

by Alisa Caton Local activist, Karen Cookston, begins all her speeches the same way. “My name is Karen Cookston and I am identified as five different things. 1. Woman 2. Gay 3. Catholic 4. ProChoice and 5. Republican. Now, what do you want to talk about?”

For each different role Karen has worked for an organization, or created one. Her list of volunteer work is extensive. She was a founding member of Equality Ohio, previous president of the Columbus Chapter of Log Cabin Republicans, Treasurer of the Legacy Fund, member of the public policy committee at United Way and currently heading Project Open Hand.

“I’ve been an activist since I was 15, when I came out,” said Karen. “I bring to it the history of what’s occurred and looking at the big picture. You can look at our community and see where we need help and where are the gaps and I like being the solution.”

Karen said that when she came out, the only gay women she knew were all in their 40s and they were afraid to be open about their lifestyle. Even today they are still quiet and she said the women would never be seen at any public GLBT events.

“What drove me to be an activist, to the level that I am, is that I didn’t want any other gay women or men to grow old afraid,” said Karen.

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Karen contributes much of her success to her youth experiences in the Girl Scouts. “They gave me the tools and the experience to be a leader,” said Karen. She continues to be a lifelong member and served seven years on the Board. Karen has also contributed to the Girl Scouts’ efforts to promote diversity in their program as working as a liaison between United Way and Girl Scouts. Through of all of her organization involvement, she said the Girl Scouts is her number one lifelong commitment.

Karen’s most recent undertaking is Project Open Hand – Columbus (POHC). As a program under Life Care Alliance, where Karen sits on the board, POHC has provided services to those living with HIV/AIDS to help meet their nutritional needs, since its inception in 1994. They provide nutrition counseling, groceries, home delivered meals and oral supplements for those in need. Karen was excited when Life Care Alliance approached her in January to revitalize the program.

“I’m always up for a good challenge,” said Karen. “I’m taking all my experiences of all my start-ups and what I’ve seen.”

She is revamping the program in six-month stages. The first step is research and outreach to see how POHC can best serve those in need of the program. Then, Karen plans to recruit five teams with 10 members each to tackle different projects within the organization. “I’m looking for other people’s wisdom and expertise,” said Karen. “So as Project Open Hand redefines itself, it is really what

the community needs. What’s the gap?

What’s not being served? Because we don’t want to duplicate efforts.”

“You cannot ask them to change the menu if you do not sit at the table,” said Karen. “I’m a Republican because you need me to be.”

One of the biggest efforts of POHC is to look into the people that are in need of the program’s services. The highest rates of infection are not in the gay community, but in women 18 to 25 years old. The second highest rates are amongst senior citizens. “So when we revisit what is the face of HIV, the crisis is big,” said Karen. “People don’t know what it looks like anymore. The discussion has dramatically changed.”

Karen is still a committed Republican but has taken a step back from her leadership roles within the party. She continues to be a quiet counselor to many on issues. She said she’s stayed with the Republican party, specifically the moderate side, to help them decide when they can make their vote matter and to pick their battles.

Another aspect of Karen’s identity is her loyalty to the Republican Party. She is a member of Log Cabin Republicans, an organization that holds true to the beliefs of the Republican Party and believes that those core beliefs coincide with equality for gay men and women. Karen also previously served as president of the Columbus chapter and sat on the national board for eight years. When discussing the Republican Party, Karen is very clear to distinguish moderate republicans from right wing republicans, and her position as a moderate.

Karen said she is frequently asked why she is a republican as a gay woman. Aside from being raised in the Republican Party, Karen does not believe that everyone in the gay community should become a Democrat just because they are gay. She said if all members of the GLBT community leave the Republican Party, then the party would never change.

Another aspect of Karen’s volunteer work is as a founding member, and current treasurer, of The Legacy Fund, a division of the Columbus foundation, an endowment fund that is in place to specifically address the needs of the GLBT community in Central Ohio. Last December, The Legacy Fund awarded $17,500 to Stonewall Columbus for their “Trailblazer” efforts. Stonewall will use the money to address the needs of the senior GLBT community, with classes in computer literacy, financial planning and education for caregivers of seniors.

“I think it is incredible how far our community has come,” said Karen.

When Karen Cookston isn’t volunteering her time to address the needs of Columbus, she is working her day job as a financial advisor for Ameriprise Financial, where she has spent the last 27 years. “Everything I do as an activist, I do as a financial advisor.”

And everything she does, is a whole lot of work for all of us.

If I told people I identified as five different things, they would think I was crazy. But Karen makes it work.

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Somewhere over the rainbow... blue birds masturbate...

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We ♥ April Blaine

by Erin McCalla It is fitting that we would feature an April for our April “We ♥ Columbus” issue. And “heart” April Blaine, we do.

Dressed up in her “Sunday best” (pun intended), Blaine, the Lead Pastor at Summit on 16th, shows me around the open and affirming United Methodist Church.

Blaine is humble about herself but proud of her church and introduces me to everyone in the building, including Chuck who works in the business office and has been a member of the church since 1948. She shows me the beautiful worship space that is resplendent with stained glass and a custom made red organ, and the nursery where her 2-year-old son Marcus plays every Sunday morning while she delivers her sermon. No corner of the building is left out, and Blaine makes sure to specifically point out the three non-profit organizations that set up shop there: Yay Bikes!, Freegeek Columbus, and the University Area Enrichment Association.

When we settle in her office, I ask her when she got the “calling.”

“I came to faith as an adult, but it was an incremental calling to be ordained as a pastor.”

Originally from Arkansas, Blaine majored in Chemistry at Hendrix College, a small liberal arts college comparable to Ohio Wesleyan. From there, she moved to North Carolina where she taught High School science with Teach for America, and decided to continue teaching after her service ended. In 2003, Blaine moved to the Ohio with her husband Martin who was accepted into a PhD program at OSU. When she arrived to the Capital City, Blaine applied to many jobs, and eventually got employment as a Youth Pastor at Riverside United Methodist where she stayed for seven years. She thought her initial hiring was “hilarious” because she had no experience. Nonetheless, she found it was everything she loved about teaching. She soon realized, however, that her love for the job exceeded her knowledge of the subject matter and went back to school to get more edu-

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cation. When she started seminary she claimed she would never preach, never get ordained and never become a lead pastor. But it was at academy that she got her calling, discovered her gifts and learned to “never say never.” After school, Blaine was ready to lead a church.

ual orientation. God is always interested in helping all of us to be the person we were called to be.” Blaine tells me that most churches are open, just not affirming. It’s similar to the “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” rule that the US military employed until this past year.

In 2010, a bishop appointed Blaine to Summit on 16th during its time of rebuilding. Retired Pastor Grayson Atha, who played an integral part in King Avenue United Methodist Church becoming open and affirming, was serving as the interim pastor at Summit. When April arrived, they worked as co-pastors, sharing leadership. In her second year, Blaine became lead pastor.

Blaine talks about homosexuality and acceptance frequently in her sermons, and occasionally will have what she calls a “Super Gay Sunday” where she takes the scriptures that are most often used to condemn homosexuality, such as Leviticus, and use them in a different way.

“Leviticus is a holiness code and rules about sex, but love your neighbor as yourself was really the thesis of all the rules. They were a community of people trying to figure out how to honor God, 2800 years ago. Today, we are also trying to do that.”

Because of the nature of appointments, Blaine’s tenure at Summit on 16th is never certain, but she hopes to stay for 5-10 years. Regardless, she will move on to another United Methodist church in the region.

Is it hard for the congregation to adjust to rotating religious leaders? Blaine is a strong believer that, “the Church needs to be lead by the people.” Therefore it is Blaine’s job to engage her followers and encourage them to become leaders within the church, and eventually she will prepare them for her departure.

Currently, Summit on 16th has around 110 people come to worship at the Sunday 10:30a service. “This Church is incredibly diverse,” states Blaine. But that doesn’t just mean diverse in sexual orientation. Socioeconomics and race also add to the mix. Although no census has been taken, Blaine would estimate that 1/3 of the congregation is gay, and 1/3 is not white. “Children, college students, singles, mentally challenged adults, ‘traditional’ nuclear families all worship here. It’s intergenerational. We’re all in it together.”

Since June 2006, Summit on 16th has been opening and affirming. But what does it mean to be open and affirming?

“It’s a very public stamp on ourselves that we will operate differently. We affirm that all people, regardless of their sexual orientation, are seen as equal and loved in the eyes of God. We don’t believe God is interested in changing anyone’s sex-

Currently, Blaine cannot perform a same-sex wedding ceremony, because of the Book of Discipline, the United Methodist Church’s code of conduct, forbids it. A rule she’s well known for disagreeing with.

During her ordination interview, which was the afternoon we initially met, Blaine was asked, “If someone in the LGBT community came to you and said, ‘I’ve been reading the United Methodist Book of Discipline and it says that homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching.’ What is your response?”

Blaine answered, “I would tell them that I do not agree with the Book of Discipline and I am working to remove these words and replace them with more inclusive ones through the proper channels that we have set up within the denomination. I would tell the person that they are loved

by God just the way they are.”

We ♥ that.

After the initial ordination review, candidates have to sit and wait while the seven-person interview team deliberates on whether or not to recommend them for approval to the entire board. Blaine had to wait an unusually long 40 minutes on her recommendation for approval.

right answer about her progressive and accepting views and her criticisms of the Book of Discipline?

“I have no idea whether the decision had anything to do with my answer about the homosexuality issue or not. I was asked a lot of questions and many of them were difficult. It’s hard to know what is really important to people, so I can’t say for sure,” explained Blaine. “But, when I came back in the room, I was told that though I was being recommended, it was not unanimous.

I have no idea what the vote breakdown was.

Recommendations that are not unanimous are more tenuous. It means you have some people who are not supporters of you and may be more vocal with the larger group. So, for me, it simply meant that while things were favorable, I wasn’t out of the water yet.”

Blaine’s recommendation then had to go to the UMC’s 73-person ordination board for approval.

Whether those that opposed her ordination were vocal or not, Blaine was ordained.

Now ordained, Lead Pastor Blaine can push harder for UMC to recognize same-sex marriages, taking her support to the general conference. The United Methodist Church holds a general conference every four years wherein rules of the Book Discipline can be challenged and changed. Any proposed amendments have to be approved by a majority of the assembly. With people isolating themselves to separate sides of the gay marriage argument, Blaine is working to build bridges and relationships. “They know it’s coming. I don’t think this is the year it will be changed, but dear God, I hope I’m wrong.”

Does Blaine think she will officiate a same-sex marriage ceremony in her lifetime?

“I hope I will. I think I will. We’re moving in that direction. I think the whole experience [of getting ordained] reminded me of what a great privilege it is to do the work that I do. I don’t ever want to take that for granted!”

You can catch one of April Blaine’s sermons at Summit on 16th UMC, 82 E 16th Ave. For more info: http://summitumc.org or 614.291.3324.

Was their hesitation due to her frank and forth-

April Blaine once sang a Marvin Gaye song from the pulpit. We are not sure if it was ‘Sexual Healing’ or ‘Let’s Get it On’... either way, very Sister Act.

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Jack and Jill went up the hill to have a little fun. Stupid Jill forgot her pill and now they have a son

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We ♥ Tom McClure

by Orie Givens “Columbus, that’s my pride – that’s just how it is. We need to be the best in everything. We have major things going on here, major fashion hubs here, major retailers here.” - Thomas McClure, Executive Director of Film Columbus We locals know about the wonderful sights and sounds of Columbus. Its niche neighborhoods and diverse demographic spawns creativity of a high caliber, on par with the culture centers of the world. But how does Columbus gain visibility as a high-culture haven? The answer, according to Thomas McClure, is to help bring the great things Columbus has to offer to the forefront by attracting more high fashion and film production business to the area.

McClure is the Executive Director of Film Columbus, a non-profit film commission dedicated to attracting studios to produce their film or television content in the Columbus area. “The mission of Film Columbus is to promote our capital city as a prime film destination, and to provide resources for production,” explained McClure.

Because McClure spent lots of time in the industry, both as an actor and artist and a partner/director with Heyman Talent Agency in Columbus, he has the connections and insight that will help him make Columbus a top filming destination.

McClure recognizes that Columbus has already had many production companies filming on location in Central Ohio with movies like Traffic, Air Force One and the Shawshank Redemption, but the volume of projects generally is less than that of other cities in Ohio. In 2011, over $3.6 million was spent on five Columbus film proj-

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ects, compared to around $29.9 million for 6 projects in Cincinnati and $67.8 million for 15 projects in Cleveland/Akron. But, McClure wants to shift things in a better direction. He has briefed Mayor Coleman on the statistics and potential revenue of bringing more film business, and more talks are planned. Fortunately, the Mayor was “fired up” according to McClure, and ready to lend support.

“Columbus possesses the resources and locations for any production, no matter the size,” McClure states. “A combination of well-funded film commissions and film tax incentives for film productions pulled films that might have been shot in Columbus to cities like Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit or Pittsburgh,” remarked McClure. Additionally, he is working to help remove the state cap that limits how much production companies can spend in Ohio, as well as promote the tax incentives available to companies who want to film in Columbus.

Currently, production companies that film in the state can receive up to a 35% tax credit on Ohio resident wages, and 25% of in-state spending and non-resident wages, but the credits for all projects cannot exceed 10 million. After the cap is met, productions cannot take advantage of the credit. Changing this would make a huge difference, according to McClure. The goal is to increase the cap to $20 million or higher, to compete with states like Louisiana with no cap.

He also pointed out that bringing this business to Columbus would have positive effects for the community as well, increasing revenue in local business, employing local workers and providing an overall stimulus to the economy. “

“By bringing film or TV projects to Columbus, we are stimulating economic growth because these productions need cast, crew, facilities, transportation, food, hotels and many other resources that our local community can provide. Our city is full of passionate film industry professionals that are ready to make this happen,” said McClure.

The main way that McClure is promoting Columbus as the perfect set is with the new Film Columbus website, at www.filmcolumbus.com. The website includes information on the tax incentives, a database of production crew, filming locations talent and other production related information geared to location scouts looking to find a place to film their next project. And, one unique feature of the website will allow productions to email information about their selected resources directly from the page.

But movies and TV are not McClure’s only passion. As one of the founders of the newly-rebranded CMH Fashion Week, he is helping to showcase native fashion design talent in a series of events held through the year. One of the new parts of CMH Fashion Week will be the addition of a scholarship program and increased community-focused program.

“CMH Fashion Week was created because the board and I wanted to do more than just execute amazing fashion events and shows...we had a desire to start a scholarship fund that would help an aspiring young designer. We also wanted to implement programming that would help benefit the Columbus community,” McClure said.

If you just google McClure the top result is a pickle company.

CMH Fashion Week is non-profit organization that coordinates events and programs held at different parts of the year. A kick off event, held in the spring, is a partnership with a Columbus retailer in a High Fashion, High Tea sort of style.

“From Berkeley of London, a modern, fashion twist to traditional high tea,” explained McClure.

The official week in the fall is a network of different fashion relating events culminating in a finale held to feature new and prominent local designers. Tad B, a Kent State grad of Project Runway fame, was the headliner of the first finale show.

With all of this Cbus love that McClure is showing, you would think he was born and raised right in the Buckeye state. But, instead, he comes to us from Dallas, TX and has been a part of the Columbus community since he moved here with his partner 8 years ago. To him (and we agree), Columbus is an excellent place, and he doesn’t understand why anyone would leave. In fact, he suggests that anyone who doesn’t like Columbus do what he did, and help to make it better.

“If you don’t like something about Columbus, do something and change it,” McClure says. “That is one thing that is good about our community we support local business, local talent, and local designers.”

McClure definitely ♥ Cbus, and we ♥ him, too.

For information on Film Columbus, visit their website at www.filmcolumbus.com or email them at info@filmcolumbus.com. The new website of CMH Fashion Week will launch soon, but find them on Facebook and Twitter in the meantime.

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We♥Kellie DiFrischia

by Lauren Rose Strand I caught “puppy fever” around this time last spring. With the warm days and sunny skies, I wanted a canine companion for the long walks at the park and to lie with in the grass while looking at the leaves blowing in the breeze.

I decided to only adopt through a rescue shelter because I knew there were going to plenty of pups in need of a home to choose from and used petfinder.com to connect me with the female longhaired Chihuahua with big doe eyes at a local shelter.

When I first met her, my heart absolutely melted. I couldn’t believe how small she was (just four pounds), yet so full of life. We went for a walk around the grounds of the shelter, sat in the sunshine and got to know one another. While the reality of the situation sunk in (this was going to be my companion for a good many years), I couldn’t imagine choosing any other or none at all. It was her appearance (a flowing black and tan coat with four white “socks”), her demeanor (curious, friendly and completely loving), and the visions I had for our future together that made us a perfect fit. I adopted her that warm spring day, named her Farrah that night and we have been an inseparable pair ever since.

On our anniversary then, how fitting is that I spoke with Kellie DiFrischia, co-founder of Columbus Dog Connection and one of the biggest dog ♥ers we know.

Columbus Dog Connection, started in 1998 by Kellie and Mirna Bowman, is a rescue group that facilitates the placing of dogs and cats in foster homes throughout Columbus. Their mission is to rescue abandoned dogs and cats, promote all rescues and shelters in Ohio and be in dogged pursuit of saving every adoptable dog until dogs/cats are no longer euthanized due to lack of space.

Kellie said that she and Mirna got involved with animal rescue while helping dogs affected by an Ohio puppy mill in 1998. Innovators in rescue, they were some of first to take pictures of adoptable animals and post them on a website, which has since become an integral practice in animal adoption. Kellie and Mirna are still doing innovative work today, as with Senate Bill 130 - “The Puppy Mill Bill,” which was recently passed on the Senate floor with a 33-0 vote. They have been deeply involved during its six-year

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journey and are hopeful that 2012 will be a year of positive legislative change for animals in Ohio.

like to work with Kellie to design sustainable dog houses would be warmly welcomed.

• Supplies. Animal food, bedding, Kellie is all about saving animals bowels, leashes, etc. never go to and is overflowing with the passion waste. Currently distilled water, that is necessary for such work. bleach, paper towels, paper lunch There were quite a few pooches bags, laundry detergent and size and kitties in the office on the day 6.5 surgical gloves are especially of my visit, some of whom are part needed. of Kellie’s or Mirna’s family and some of whom are fosters and are If you’re thinking of adopting a new still looking for their forever homes. animal family member, Kellie (and Kellie couldn’t have been more I) would encourage you to first conpassionate as she told me the sider one of the many animals in names and back-stories of all the shelters around Ohio. Even if you animals. Her dedication is honorhave extremely specific criteria, the able and infectious and her ingechances that there’s a perfect aninuity, inspiring. The American mal companion just waiting out Humane Society estimates that 3.7 there for you is high. While it sadmillion animals were euthanized in dens me that I had to leave behind 2008, but Kellie and Columbus Dog a lot of other special dogs and cats Connection are working tirelessly to at the shelter the day I adopted ensure that this number substan- Farrah, I know that I gave at least tially decreases. one deserving dog a fabulous home filled with a lifetime of love. If we Columbus Dog Connection operall act as responsible pet owners ates a high quality, statewide mo- by having our pets spayed or bile spay/neuter service that neutered, adopt from shelters and assists areas in Ohio with high an- commit to the pets we have for imal population and low their whole lifetimes, there spay/neuter resources. This buswouldn’t be homeless pets and orsized mobile spay/neuter clinic was ganizations like Columbus Dog donated from a family in the name Connection… and that’s a good of their loving family dog, Andy. thing. Kellie put a smile on my face “The Andy,” as the truck is referred when she said, “We might be the to, is one of only a few like it in the only business who has a goal to be country. Kellie says they’re “sprint- out of business.” You and I need to ing the marathon of animal overdo our part to help make that population” and “the Andy” is dream come true. certainly helping out in the race.

Come meet Kellie for yourself on There are a lot of ways (both big Friday June 15th at the Pride run and small) that we can help sup- where she’ll have water and treats port Columbus Dog Connection and for the doggies who walk/run with their mission of saving adoptable their human peeps. (That’s just andogs and cats. other reason why we love her!)

Foster. Becoming a foster pet-parent is extremely rewarding and surprisingly simple. The food, supplies and veterinary expenses are covered by the organization, all you need to do is supply the TLC and bring them to the “Mingle with Our Mutts” events twice a month to facilitate their adoption to their forever homes.

Be sure to mark your calendars for these events of interest: WooFstock – August 18, 12-5p at Camp Mary Orton in Worthington.

Come prepared to have a great time with other dog lovers, live music, and local vendors. Think of it as the original Woodstock minus the drugs, plus the dogs. $15 for adults, children 12 and under free.

Reallocate. Many stores, such as Kroger, provide points for purchases that allow you to reallocate who receives the monthly rewards.

When you transfer the beneficiary of your points from yourself to Columbus Dog Connection, Kroger converts the points into dollars and donates them to the organization quarterly.

Mingle with Our Mutts – the first and third Sunday of every month from 12-2p at the Franklin County Dog Shelter.

Vaccine Clinics – The first Saturday of every month from 10a-1p at the Columbus Dog Connection office. Services include dog/cat vaccines, flea and heartworm prevention, heartworm test, and Donate. This can take many forms. micro chipping. Prices vary, deCurrently the organization is look- pending on service. ing for: • Architects. Anyone who has ar- Visit ColumbusDogConnection.com chitectural visions and who would for info of to look for a pet.

Pet owners are known to live happier lives. Go adopt a pet today!

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by Romeo San Vicente

CLINT WANTS CRUISE FOR BEYONCE. CAN YOU BLAME HIM?

THE CARRIE DIARIES FINALLY FINDS A CARRIE

GO FISH DIRECTOR GIVES YOU A CONCUSSION

If you want to get strict about it, there’s nothing gay about A Star Is Born except for, you know, everything, especially when you consider its two most recent and famous versions starred Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand and the new one from director Clint Eastwood is going to star Beyonce. And now Clint is after big game, chasing Tom Cruise to star as the career-in-decline counterpoint to Beyonce’s rising ingénue. This would work perfectly: Cruise is already getting decent buzz for his role in the upcoming Rock of Ages, and Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol was a gigantic hit. That means the megastar’s once-soft-as-an-easy-chair box office moment has firmed up again and he could conceivably open an event film like this is surely going to be.

Make them duet on “Evergreen,” Clint!

First they said it might be Blake Lively, then it was Emma Roberts, but now it’s official: The Carrie Diaries pilot will star respected teen actor Anna Sophia Robb. Here’s a young woman whose already-solid film career includes acclaimed performances in serious-minded kid dramas like Bridge to Terabithia, blockbusters like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and last year’s sleeper hit Soul Surfer, so her presence can only elevate what hopefully won’t turn into just another flashy teen soap opera. Robb will take on the role of Carrie in the 1980s as she navigates school, sex and, of course, the city, but no word yet on who’ll take on the roles of Teen Charlotte or Teen Miranda.

We hear that Teen Samantha will be motion-captured by Andy Serkis but that might be just a very cool rumor.

Rose Troche, filmmaker behind the classic ’90s lesbian indie Go Fish, is currently wearing her producer hat, hard at work helping her friend, writer-director Stacie Passon, get an unusual lesbian film to the big screen. It’s called Concussion and, yes, it’s about a head injury.

Weirder, it’s about a lesbian in a long-term relationship who, after the title’s accident, decides to become a prostitute for women (look, if women will pay for sex in the fictional lands of Hung and Gigolos, then they’ll do it in this movie, too, OK?). The film stars Robin Weigert, an actor who’s already fueled butch lesbian crushes such as Calamity Jane on HBO’s Deadwood, but here she’ll be considerably less dustcovered. And when that’s all said and done, Troche is considered reteaming with Go Fish collaborator Guinevere Turner for the 20-years-later sequel. Who do we have to hit on the head to make that a reality?

WHO’S EXCITED FOR GNOMEO & JULIET 2?

ELTON JOHN, THAT’S WHO. It was inevitable. Rocket Pictures’ Gnomeo & Juliet raked in almost $200 million worldwide and that means it’s franchise time for Elton John, who will not rest until previously inanimate garden decorations have 3D-danced-and-sung their way into the consciousness of every moviegoer on the planet. The sequel to the kid-friendly smash is already underway and its title is Gnomeo & Juliet: Sherlock Gnomes, which will see a very small yard-dwelling incarnation of the famous sleuth hot on the case of disappearing garden gnomes. John is currently penning songs for the film and all you have to do is wait for the marketing onslaught to begin. You know a tie-in breakfast cereal can’t be far behind.

Romeo San Vicente has electric boots and a mohair suit. He can be reached care of this publication or at DeepInsideHollywood@qsyndicate.com.

OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIP WITH ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY BRINGS THE BARD TO COLUMBUS

by Christopher Matsos and Chelsea Phillips

motes literacy, leadership and theatre education in our public schools. Over 4,000 K-12 students in Central Ohio have already reaped the benefits of this remarkable program.

In addition to This Above All, The OSU/RSC partnerThe Ohio State University and the UK’s Royal Shakeship has afforded thousands of students, teachers speare Company (RSC) - one of the world’s preemiand members of the general public many opportuninent theatre companies - have joined in a ties to experience Shakespeare live in Columbus. Last partnership that focuses on guest artist residencies, Nine graduate students from the Department of The- year, Ohio State’s Department of Theatre produced professional development for K-12 teachers and atre at Ohio State also had the opportunity to train Othello, featuring the MFA acting students and guest teaching-artist training. with the RSC’s teaching-artists and have reached out director Alison Bomber of the RSC, and A Midsummer to Columbus Stand Up for Shakespeare schoolteach- Night’s Dream, whose undergraduate cast toured The 2011-2012 academic year has been dubbed the ers as community partners. One result of this enlocal schools. So successful was the reception of the Year of Shakespeare at OSU, an ongoing celebration gagement was the highly successful original play latter that the Department of Theatre has committed of the first three years of this landmark partnership. This Above All, which enjoyed its world premiere at to producing a Shakespeare tour for local schools on The Year of Shakespeare offers a series of public Ohio State’s Bowen Theatre on Feb. 16. The graduate an annual basis. This year’s production was a 60events, including theatre, film, lectures, music and students, in conjunction with project director Mauminute adaptation of Macbeth, edited by Christopher an exhibition, all of which will culminate in a Young reen Ryan and dramaturg Chelsea Phillips, devised Matsos, which was designed to introduce younger People’s Shakespeare Festival in May. this piece based on their experiences with the Stand audiences to the joys of Shakespeare and his lanUp for Shakespeare program. guage. The tour visited twelve schools in Columbus Ohio State, and by extension Columbus, are uniquely and Reynoldsburg, as well as the OSU Lima campus, suited to be the RSC’s North American partner.

In creating This Above All, the devising team sought playing to nearly 2,000 students. Macbeth also Columbus has an innovative community of educators to illuminate both the realities of the American edu- played to two packed houses at the Lincoln Theatre in who have embraced the unique pedagogy of the cation system and the benefits and challenges of im- downtown Columbus.

RSC’s Stand Up for Shakespeare program, which is plementing the Stand Up for Shakespeare program in at the core of the partnership. This three-tiered phi- local schools. To create the story, the devising team Ohio State’s vast resources are another reason it is losophy - “See It Live - Do It On Your Feet - Start It drew heavily on the personal experiences of teachers, singularly qualified to partner with the Royal ShakeEarlier” - eschews traditional methods of teaching students and graduate students as they worked tospeare Company. Besides its own productions Shakespeare by challenging students to get their gether in the classroom. As a final product, the story through the Department of Theatre, Ohio State sponnoses out of texts, push their desks aside and enfollows five students over the course of a single sored a touring production of Hamlet from the RSC, gage Shakespeare’s plays with lively, ensembleschool year, revealing the personal struggles and tri- which had its North American premiere in Columbus building activities, just as professional actors do. To umphs each faces both in and out of school as they last June. This Young People’s Shakespeare producdate, 40 Central Ohio public school teachers have encounter the transformative power of Shakespeare’s tion played to over 1,000 audience members, was trained in the Stand Up for Shakespeare approach language. Interwoven throughout are glimpses of the free to the public and was successful enough to enwith RSC actors and educators, honing techniques challenges faced by teachers and administrators as gender another such endeavor. The RSC will bring a that make the study of Shakespeare accessible, col- they, like their students, struggle to succeed in a test- second Young People’s Shakespeare production, King laborative and fun for young people. A tried-and-true ing-dominated culture that makes us all “forgetful of Lear, to Columbus next fall. success in the UK, Stand Up for Shakespeare prothe things we meant to teach.”

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To be or not to be? Do you really have a choice?

On May 11 and 12, the Year of Shakespeare will come to a resounding conclusion with the Young People’s Shakespeare Festival in the Drake Performance and Event Center at Ohio State. Students who have benefited from their teachers’ participation in the partnership will perform scenes from Macbeth on May 11 and Romeo and Juliet on May 12. The event will include workshops, panel discussions, a keynote address and public recognition of Stand Up for Shakespeare teachers and their students.

The Ohio State University/Royal Shakespeare Company partnership, with its partners across the university, including the Arts Initiative, the Wexner Center for the Arts, OSU Libraries, the Departments of English and Theatre, School of Music and School of Teaching and Learning, will continue to bring Shakespeare to Columbus for another three years. The paartnership will soon begin recruiting educators for its next cohort of Stand Up for Shakespeare trainees.

For more information on this, the OSU/Royal Shakespeare Company Partnership and the Year of Shakespeare, please visit shakespeare.osu.edu and facebook.com/artsinitiative.

Christopher Matsos is the program coordinator for the OSU/Royal Shakespeare Company Partnership and can be reached by phone at 614.247.7050 and by email at matsos.1@osu.edu. Chelsea Phillips is the graduate assistant for the partnership and can be reached at the phone number above or by email at phillips.960@buckeyemail.osu.edu.

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No we don’t have the beaches and open liquor laws of Key West. But it is 80 degrees in March. Quit bitching Cbus.

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Pink tanks & Swat mobiles might be more effective because it would just confuse the hell out of the other side.

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by Dan Savage I was recently advised to begin reading your column by my therapist. I am a 21-year-old male and a senior at an Ivy League school.

Despite my academic success, I’ve battled a lot of stuff in the past few years: anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and porn addiction. It’s quite a load of shit to try to wade through, but I honestly feel I’m getting better.

About sex: Before I even knew what I was really doing, my fantasies involved being subjected to the erotic whims of a powerful female. I’ve tried to hide my interest in “submission” from everyone, including potential and sometimes briefly sexual partners. Only recently have I begun to address this directly.

I feel it is, broadly, an issue of sexual orientation that requires something like a “coming out” process. But while there are resources out there for gay people who are coming out, I have no road map. I have told a few friends but don’t think it’s necessary to reveal all this to my family.

I cannot have a fulfilling sexual experience unless my desire to have a tilted power dynamic is understood and indulged, and I don’t think romantic love is possible for me without this part of me being accepted and appreciated. What I would like to do is seek out sexual partners who would be compatible. But when do I bring it up? I have this dread of that moment on a date, perhaps a first kiss, or whatever, when things are becoming unambiguously physical. WTF do I say? Should I try to get involved in a BDSM “scene”? Date “normal” people? Online personals? I don’t want to try to have sex again without it being known or understood. It feels like pretending and it sucks.

Seeks Understanding Baba

outlookcolumbus.com

Generally, SUB, if it’s something that gay, straight, or bisexual people can all do - like erotic power exchange (bondage, D/s, BDSM, etc.) - then I consider it a sexual activity, not a sexual orientation.

Which is not to say that submission and/or BDSM can’t be hugely important to an individual, SUB, as much about self-conception as it is about sexual expression. But you don’t have to come out to friends and family about being submissive - you don’t have to tell them about the stuff that turns you on - in order to fully accept yourself, get out there and date and find a nice girl who wants to subject you to her erotic whims.

Now, I’m not saying you can’t or shouldn’t tell people other than the women you date that you’re submissive. You can be as open as you wanna be - say, with friends you feel comfortable telling everything - but the only people who absolutely, positively need to know about your desires, SUB, are your sex partners.

So how do you find a partner? Date vanilla girls?

Trawl online personals? Get involved in the BDSM scene in your area? Yes, yes, and yes. Get involved in the BDSM scene and take out a kinky personal ad, and maybe you’ll meet a nice, dominant girl who wants a sexually submissive - and Ivy League-educated - boyfriend. At the same time, SUB, date girls you meet during the normal course of your daily life, like any other single guy. After she gets a chance to know you, but before she’s too invested and/or smitten, discuss your kinks with her. This is not a tearful confession, SUB. Your kinks are a selling point; they’re something that makes you a more interesting sex partner. If you open up to a vanilla girl after a few weeks - and some good vanilla sex and she runs screaming, she wasn’t the right girl for you. (And if she blabs to her friends about you, SUB, you may get a call from a friend of your ex who is the right girl for you.)

Don’t marry the first dominant woman you play with whom you play, SUB, or bail on the first strictly vanilla girl with whom you hit it off. A dominant woman you don’t enjoy spending time with outside the bedroom isn’t someone you can realistically spend the rest of your life with; a vanilla girl who really likes you may get there she may discover that she gets off on being in charge - if you’re patient and attentive to her sexual interests.

Finally, SUB, if you do want to come out to friends and family about being kinky, here’s a great short video on the subject: tinyurl.com/comingoutkinky.

I am a 21-year-old gay male. For the past six months, I have been having an affair with a man in his mid-40s. After our first hookup, he told me he was married and had three children. I was shocked at this. However, we continued to meet up for sex. I have come to the conclusion that I am fine with this man keeping me a secret. I have fallen for him and he has fallen for me, but I have no desire to break up his family. His wife was his highschool sweetheart, and he says she is his best friend. He also tells me that if I were to quit our sexcapades, which happen to be the best sex I have ever had, he would find another man, or other men, because he is attracted to men. We hook up every week in discreet locations where he would never get caught. I don’t plan on telling anyone. I am torn, because we both acknowledge that, if the situation were different, we would make excellent life partners. I am deeply in love with this guy and want more out of our relationship, however I do respect him and would never out him. I just want to know if I should continue our relationship.

His Secret Love No.

From the image above all they need is a carabiner for some mountain climbing...

I usually love your advice and first wanna say thanks for supporting the monogamish. I’m one of the many who is happier with a little freedom - and the occasional threesome or foursome - but who also values ground rules, respect, and honesty. Bummer some guys seem to think deceit is the only way to play. So thanks for so many years of great advice.

But… WOW! Sometimes you really show your limits as a gay man. Someone writes to you about having sex with his girl during her period and what to do about the bloody sheets they’re going to leave behind in their hotel room, and you don’t even mention the Instead Softcup! No woman has to bloody sheets or towels - or her man or her lady or her toys - just by sticking a cup up there!

Maybe I should go easy on you, Dan, because most ladies are unaware of this awesome option. (Most ladies aren’t sex columnists, however!) It tucks up inside, it works for 12 hours, and you can’t feel it when you have sex. (My man is hung, and we actively tried all sorts of angles, speeds, pressure, etc., and he can’t tell it’s in there.) Put one in and you don’t get messy! And ladies? Don’t tell me you’re squeamish about sticking your fingers up there. Get freakin’ comfortable with your own damn bodies already!

Stainless In San Francisco Sometimes my readers learn from me, SISF, sometimes I learn from my readers. This is one of the latter times. Ladies who want to learn more about the Instead Softcup can go to the website: www.softcup.com. Thanks for sharing, SISF! Find the Savage Lovecast (my weekly podcast) every Tuesday at thestranger.com/savage. mail@savagelove.net. @fakedansavage on Twitter.

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by Jack Fertig

n e v ste

Pay attention, Aries!

Mars retrograde in Virgo quincunx to Uranus in Aries triggers arguments galore and accidents especially at work.

Think and consult before acting! Look before you leap.

by Chris Hayes

probably know him from.

If you ♥ a good cocktail, then odds are you’re a big fan of this month’s local celebrity.

Drink master to the stars, Steven has served literally everyone in town. And his gig allows him to be, as I see it, a vital part of the major events, fundraisers, campaigns, and parties that take place at the corner of Lincoln and High.

Steven Clark grew up in a small farm town on the west side of Kansas called Dighton. Graduating high school valedictorian in a class less than 30, this Hornet headed 256 miles Northeast to the big city of Manhattan, Kansas that is, to attend Kansas State University (Go Wildcats!).

There, he double majored in Industrial & Manufacturing Systems Engineering and Boys, earning his degree in 2005.

Looking to do the opposite of farming, Steven jumped into corporate America, landing a job at Deloitte Consulting doing, you guessed it, consulting. For three years, Clark got to see the world and have his soul sucked out of him simultaneously. Setting up operational databases for major corporations and accounting firms took him to exotic lands like San Franscico and Dublin, OH. And that’s how we, and one former local celeb-bear known as Kyle, got our Midwest claws into him.

Having falling in love with Columbus and in Columbus, it wasn’t hard for this wayward son to pack his bags and transplant himself to our lovely town after his company laid off half of its employees.

Wanting to rise above the noise and confusion of the suit-and-tie life for a bit, Steven convinced Previn to hire him at Level as part of their opening crew, which is where most of you know

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Our celeb says his favorite drink to serve you is either a Bud Light or his own special concoction called the Hello, Good Morning, because, with any luck, that’s what you’ll be saying. Need a reference for this berry grapefruit beverage? Ask Stephen Dial and his boss Amy - they down them like water.

Now single and ready to mingle, Steven is taking time to get to know himself sans relationship. He thinks he might be looking at a 2013 re-launch back into the dating market.

Until then, any beardy, goofy, muscley, smart and centered beaus are more than welcome to occupy just a moment or two of his time.

As it’s the We ♥ Cbus People issue, we asked Steven what he s most about town and in his life. “I ♥ Dev, Local Bar, Kate Burdett, Barrell 44, traveling, Ed Mullen, water sports, skiing, Columbus’s diversity, working at Level and 3 Olives or Kettle Orange and soda.” (So buy him one if you see him out).

We encourage you to treat this gentleman - AKA the best part of your day well. Tip him generously, tip him often, but most importantly, take this last tip from our sexy celeb: “Wear sunscreen!”

We ♥ good cocktails!

ARIES (March 20 - April 19): You are now as prone to accidents as ever. Second-guessing yourself won’t help. Just slow down and pay attention!

As a bonus you might notice details that can improve your work, your health and your reputation as a genius.

something is the surest way to trouble.

LIBRA (September 23 - October 22): Be very careful of your health. Cold and wet are not your friends! Temptations and invitations to parade around in something skimpy may be irresistible, but if you want to get hot, stay warm!

SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21): Innovative efforts are likely to fail, but even then you can learn something important. Be careful not to damage material resources, working relationships or your TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): health. Your dark, nasty humor Seeing your mother in the mir- wants to emerge for the wrong ror might be a bit spooky, but audience. Be careful! there are lessons there (besides acceptance!). With ma- SAGITTARIUS (November 22 turity comes an appreciation December 20): Unless you and for what she intended at least. your mate really are partners A part of her will always be in work as well as at home, with you, so find the good in helping each other with work that. is going to create trouble. If you’re seeking new work, polGEMINI (May 21- June 20): A ish your résumé over the hard reality check can make weekend and get it out next you recalculate your goals, but week. it’s not all bad. We all have to trim our sails now and then.

CAPRICORN (December 21 Trust your instincts. Friends January 19): Setbacks at work offering challenges may not can get under your skin, trighave your best interest at gering arguments with the heart. Think ahead! boss. Don’t let passing annoyances get to you. Take it out on CANCER (June 21- July 22): If some rough or challenging you seek the spotlight, you’ll fun. Anything from a game of regret it. Someone’s likely to rugby to a good intellectual shove you under it anyway, and stretch will shake off the tenyou may not like that either. sion.

Share credit, shoulder blame and be careful of who you AQUARIUS (January 20 - Februtrust. ary 18): Recent inspirations and brilliant utterings may LEO (July 23 - August 22): Try- have you feeling invincible, but ing too hard to promote your- the gift of gab is passing. self can antagonize Wherever being crude and colleagues. Modesty doesn’t nasty, or brutally to the point mean you have to deny yourcan serve you, have at it. Othself, but try to keep your ego erwise modest reticence is out of it and present your work best. in a simple, straightforward way.

PISCES (February 19 - March 19): Dissatisfaction in love may VIRGO (August 23 - September get so bad that the only thing 22): Erotic exploration is like- holding you together is the exlier to teach you what you pense of splitting up. Problems don’t like than what you do. that seem unsolvable now may Experimenting is fine if you find answers later. List the can joke about it afterwards. positives and the negatives; Trust the instinctive “no.” remember the good stuff when Feeling you have to prove you talk.

Jack Fertig, a professional astrologer since 1977, is available for personal and business consultations in person in San Francisco, or online everywhere. He can be reached at 415-8648302, through his website at www.starjack.com, and by email at QScopes@qsyndicate.com.

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Network is always the second Wednesday of the month. Set it as a reoccurring event in your calendar!

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