2012-07-01 outlook columbus by Outlook Media, Inc

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july 2012 â&#x20AC;˘ vol 17 issue 2

inside: snapshot pride Curtis Davis & ICS sex safety BRAVO sheriff zack police chieF Jacobs Officer Nick Konves scissor sisters St. Sukie de la Croix short shorts & Local celebrity bloggers

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2 july 2012

I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t sweat, I glow.

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you are here

snapshot

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ADVERTISING DEADLINES Reservations by the 15th of each month. Art in by the 20th. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF & ART DIRECTOR Christopher Hayes / hayes@outlookmedia.com

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the other side

policing is political... Welcome to outlook’s July edition: Safety & Slammers. Now if we could just get Jake, Ana Matronic, Del Marquis and Baby Daddy to Cbus to play a show – we’ve I hope everyone had a fantastic Pride and managed waited long enough! to stay out of the clink. Since it’s sort of my first anniversary as editor, I Speaking of Pride, this year I celebrated my second wanted to reminisce a bit about my year that seemed Pride weekend as an outlook employee. In 2011, I to pass with the blink of an eye. (Time flies when spent the festival weekend as an intern, bustling you’re having fun, right?) I have had my hand in every around, handing out magazines, building our float part of the magazine process from sales to distribuand drinking whiskey at our Big Gay Dance Party. This tion to coffee fetching and everything else in between. year, I spent the weekend bustling around, handing I’m in charge of wrangling interns and writers, and out magazines, building our float and drinking when I go to bed at night, I often dream (or have night whiskey at our Big Gay Dance Party, but this time as terrors) about our About Town calendar - that thing is the editor. What can I say - we’re all hands on deck a monster. Regardless, it’s always an interesting day here at the company. But there was one huge differ- when working in the outlook office. My days are often ence this time: the parade. Last year during the pafilled with laughter (how could they not when I’m with rade, I helped man the outlook booth, which meant Chris and Chad every day?) and I have definitely selling tickets for the Fairy Wheel, watching Curtis learned some things that would make you blush to Davis, costumed-as-a-clown, scare children away see in print (again, like I said, I work with Chris and from said Fairy Wheel and holding the tent from being Chad…). blown away by large gusts of wind. This year, I was able to ride our float, and with that privilege, I got to But I would say my favorite aspect of being a part of experience Pride in a completely different way. I was this organization is that I’ve had the chance to meet overcome with emotion several times as I was met many smart, interesting and vibrant people through with an outpouring of love and a sense of community not only writing for the two magazines, but at Network from the throngs of people lining the sidewalks. I feel Columbus, Who’s Who in GLBT Columbus, Brothers In very proud to be an ally of the GLBT community, as Blood and our other countless events and parties. well as, the editor of your homegrown queer publication. One of those people is Ed Mullen. As you all know, as the Executive Director of Equality Ohio, he was one of And what a publication it is! I’ve heard that a few of the contributing writers for outlook. In his column, he you thought that our full-gloss, full-color magazine would keep us informed of what was going on in the was just a special Pride issue treat. But as you can fight for equality in Ohio and in the nation at large. He see (and feel) we are continuing that format, and we usually provided a personal story that made his page have plenty in these pages and online for your reading a must-read. Even though he would sometimes push pleasure. We interviewed out members of the Colum- the envelope with my deadlines, I was always pleased bus Police Department including Chief Kimberly Jawith the writing he produced. After a tumultuous year, cobs and soon-to-be Sergeant Nick Konves, as well Ed has resigned from Equality Ohio, and while we’re as, Franklin County Sheriff Zach Scott who is a long- sad about his decision, we support him and wish him time ally to the community. We also have two Bookthe best of luck in all his future endeavors. marks this month, which should please my fellow bookworms, including an interview with St. Sukie de Thanks for reading! la Croix who will be doing a reading at Stonewall with outlook contributor Gregg Shapiro on July 31. And Sincerely, have you heard Scissor Sisters’ album Magic Hour yet? It’s a booty shaker for sure. Mr. Shapiro caught up Erin McCalla with Jake Shears to get the skinny on the new tunes. Editor and The Deadliest Catch

OWNER & PUBLISHER Christopher Hayes

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Katy Ebling, Jack Fertig, Orie Givens, Andrew Keller, Jane M. Mason, Erin McCalla, Marcus Morris, Tom Musyka, J. Eric Peters, Mario Pinardi, Romeo San Vicente, Dan Savage, Regina Sewell, Christa Sidman, Gregg Shapiro, D.A. Steward, Brandon Walker, Mickey Weems

super mario world

insightout

feature: hate crimes

out & about

CONTRIBUTING DESIGNER Robert Trautman

feature: lawyering

feature: BRAVO

INTERNS Mikala Back, Chuck Carnahan, Alisa Caton, Orie Givens, Jayra Harris, Andrew Keller, Michelle Menuez, Tom Muzyka, Brandon Walker, Nursah Wood

feature: sheriff scott

feature: chief jacobs

feature: officer konves

creative class

deep inside hollywood

interview: scissor sisters

bookmark: de la croix

bookmark: gay lives

fashion forward

savage love

local celeb bloggers

scopes

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Beth Brickweg, Chris Hayes, Erin McCalla, Justin Routzohn, Gracie Umana

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. The views expressed in outlook columbus are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the views, policies, or personal, business, or professional practices of Outlook Media, Inc. or its staff, ownership, or management. outlook columbus does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness or reliability of any interpretation, advice, opinion, or view presented. Outlook Media, Inc. does not investigate or accept responsibility for claims made in any advertisement. Outlook Media, Inc. assumes no responsibility for claims arising in connection with products and services advertised herein, nor for the content of, or reply to, any advertisement. All material is copyrighted ©2012 by Outlook Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

NEXT MONTH: sporty spice & everything nice and sweaty

Erin loves a good glass of outlook lemonade. If you’ve marched with us, you know the love.

july 2012

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ZOMBIE WALK 05.12.2012

LIVE LOCAL PARTY 05.24.2012

Bath salts?

Staight out of Shaun of the Dead

Hey look kids, Kenny G!

I’d bid on this swan!

OUT W/ OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS

IALS OUT W/ OUR ELECTED OFFIC

06.13.2012

Allies group pic!

Flashin’ those pearly whites

Girly shot

GIRL TALK @ LC 06.08.2012

Is this a dubstep party?

LS OUT W/ OUR ELECTED OFFICIA

OUT W/ OUR ELECTED OFF ICIALS

06.13.2012

BIG DAY DANCE PARTY 2 06.15.2012

Food frenzy

Smiles all around

DJ’s got me fallin’ in love

Our lovely interns

BIG DAY DANCE PARTY 2 06.15.2012

Bear love - bear hugs

Shakin’ dat ass

Besties!

4 july 2012

I wanna pet that pup

We took a ton of photos at Pride, check out our Facebook page for the complete set.

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outlookâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s proud to be a sponsor of Columbus Pride for over 17 years!

july 2012

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PRIDE PARADE 06.16.2012

Pride Volunteers

Look how happy they are to help carry our flag!

Jezebel representing for outlook

Just like Sly said, “It’s a family affair.”

PRIDE PARADE 06.16.2012

Bless Her Heart

Look! A Playboy Bunny showed up!

Grandpa Midriff

The oldest member of the Jackson 5

PRIDE PARADE 06.16.2012

Fancy Drag

Are those boobs on his shirt?

Hippie float

Heatstroke

EXILE CLOSING PARTY 06.17.2012

Shakin’ it for those dolla dolla bills

Maybe not.

PRIDE PARADE 06.16.2012

PRIDE BRUNCH 06.17.2012

“Who is this guy speaking?” - intern

6 july 2012

Watch out in the back!

Two pages of snapshot? Aren’t you lucky!

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Man, I hope Peabo Bryson sings “A Whole New World.” I can be his Princess Jasmine!

july 2012

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Joint Statement Of The Equality Ohio Boards On June 20, 2012, Equality Ohio accepted the resignation of Ed Mullen, our Executive Director, which became effective June 29. Since he joined our staff in January 2011, Ed brought tremendous vitality and keen legal insights to our organization, stabilized our operations and financial support, and led the development of a nationally recognized strategic plan. The boards of Equality Ohio owe a debt of gratitude to Ed for his leadership and we wish him the very best in all his future endeavors. Leadership transition planning is underway. The Equality Ohio boards will appoint an Interim Executive Director very soon and charter a national search to find a new leader who will continue the tremendous gains that have been made in the last year. As the statewide authority advocating for LGBT families with over 30,000 members, we will not waver from our strategic plan that is already in place. Our two legislative priorities remain the passage of the Equal Housing and Employment Act (HB335 / SB231) and enumeration of the safe schools legislation, which was passed last year (HB208). We will continue to work with LGBT rights organizations throughout Ohio and nationally to achieve those goals. Equality Ohio will also continue its leadership in the formation of the broad statewide coalition pursuing marriage equality for all Ohio families.

Yellow Springs To Hold First Pride Weekend Come out to the Village and show your pride! Yellow Springs Pride is holding its first annual gay pride weekend June 30 and Sunday, July 1. On Saturday at 4:30p, participants will gather on the lawn of the John Bryan Community Center at 100 Dayton St, with a “Sidewalk Pridewalk” beginning at 5p. Yellow Springs Pride t-shirts, flags and other goodies will be available for the walk for a suggested donation, and there will be lots of cool giveaways for parade fans. Emporium Wines and Underdog Café at 233 Xenia Ave will host an after-party and wine tasting starting at 6:30p. Come get dirty with local DJ Clean Gene!

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On Sunday, Yellow Springs Pride is hosting a “We Are Family” picnic at Gaunt Park, located at 500 West South College St. From 1p-3p, come out to enjoy family-friendly swimming, pick up kickball and karaoke. Organizers will provide bottled water and encourage families to bring their own picnic lunches. For more information, find Yellow Springs Pride online at www.facebook.com/yspride. Pride weekend sponsors include Dunphy Realty and Gregor Construction. YS Pride will also have a float in the upcoming Yellow Springs 4th of July Parade.

Equality Express Visits Northern Ohio The Equality Express 2012, a project of Equality Ohio, made its debut in the Akron/Canton Area on June 20 and 21. The Equality Express is a statewide bus tour visiting more than 10 cities in an effort to change hearts and minds, register voters, and participate in community service projects. The Equality Express crew canvassed and registered voters throughout the city and volunteered at CANAPI, the Community Aids Network/Akron Pride Initiative. Service projects with CANAPI included helping those living with HIV/AIDS with home maintenance, repair and painting. Akron and Canton are among the medium-sized cities the tour visited. As the homes to Goodyear, one of the largest companies in the region, and the Professional Football Hall of Fame, Akron and Canton are important cities for a discussion of employment non-discrimination and bullying, which often occurs in sports and gym. Two crew members of the Equality Express crew attend colleges or universities in Northeastern Ohio, giving them the ability to be “ambassadors” of equality in the region. “There was a time in my life that I wished for nothing more than to flee Ohio to somewhere with a more open-minded population,” says crew member Greg Porter of Kent State University. “I realize now, there is much work for me to do in Ohio. For this reason, I am elated to be part of Equality Express 2012, which will give me the opportunity to make a difference in my community and in the lives of others.”

The Equality Express tour could not be more timely as Akron Public Schools has eliminated its innovative anti-bullying program to balance the books this year. Akron’s program got national attention when the program manager, Merle Bennett Buzzelli, was quoted extensively in a national publication about anti-gay bullying.

Columbus To Host LGBTQ People Of Color Leadership Summit The consulting firm of longtime local activist Erin Upchurch, Columbus’s “Diverse Strategies”, has created a leadership summit known as “Helping Us Emerge”, or HUE. The HUE Summit is described as a ‘very unique’ series of leadership and other workshops geared towards LTBTQ people of color, and specifically those between the ages of 18 and 25. The summit will take place at the Columbus Urban League, and 788 Mt. Vernon Avenue on July 28. The summit will last from 8a4:30p, and registration is free online at diversestrategies.org Diverse Strategies defines itself as an organization committed to education, community activism, social justice and social change. It has hands in many events and organizations around Columbus, including but not limited to the OAC Leadership Summit for HIV Positive Young Adults, TransOhio, New Leaf Columbus, and the Kaleidoscope Youth Center. It’s leader, Erin Upchurch, has long been a prominent community activist in the Columbus area.

Art For Life 2012 Fundraises For AIDS Patients Art for Life 2012, the annual art fundraiser put on by the AIDS Resource Center Ohio, will take place September 22 this year at the Columbus Art Museum, featuring a wide variety of art that has been donated to the program by local and national artists. Art for Life began in 1989 as a fundraiser put on by 58 local artists to support what was then the Columbus AIDS Task Force, and the first event was held on August 5 at the Battleship Building in the Short North. The event consists of both a live and silent auction of donated art pieces, and will feature food and drink for the guests attending.

Thanks to everyone that helped carry the Pride Flag this year. See you next year.

The Honorary Chair of the event this year will be President E. Gordon Gee of the Ohio State University. 90 percent of the funds raised from the event will go towards direct support services with those in Ohio living with HIV/AIDS. General admission tickets to the event can be purchased at the AIDS Resource Center Ohio’s website, and cost $100. Premium and VIP tickets are available, as well. Local artists are encouraged to donate to the event. All art submitted will be ranked beforehand by a panel of judges, and the top ranking items will be included in the live auction. The second tier of top art will be included in the silent auction.

Columbus Pride Bigger And Better Than Ever The Columbus Pride Festival took place June 15 and 16, drawing more than 275,000 people from all across the city, state and country to take part in the event, according to Stonewall Columbus representative John Herman. This year’s attendance drew almost 40,000 more visitors than last year’s pride, with around 235,000 coming out to participate in Pride 2011. The parade, which began at noon on Saturday, June 16, was approximately a mile and a half long, and showcased LGBT supportive groups from all around Columbus. It began at the intersection of Broad and High St., walked down High through the city center, and turned on Buttles to end up at Goodale Park, where more than 200 LGBT related organizations had set up booths for this year’s festival. The festival itself lasted from 3p-11p on Friday and 10a-8p on Saturday. The festival was headlined by singers Beverly McClellan and Kristine W on Friday and Saturday respectively. Herman estimated that the overall cost for Pride 2012 was about $206,000. Awards were offered, as well, for the best floats in five different categories, including ‘Most Creative’, ‘Most Outrageous’, ‘Most Representative of the Theme’ (Allies and Equality), ‘Most Contingent Support’, and ‘Best Float’. The winners were, respectively, the Chicago Spirit Brigade, AIDS Healthcare Foundation Out of the Closet, Huntington Bank, the City of Columbus Department of Health, and Scooters Club of Columbus.

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Not many people can say they could actually drown in their couch.

july 2012

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Psychological Study Shows Children Raised By Lesbian Parents Are Healthy The absence of male role models did not adversely affect the psychological adjustment of 17-year-old teens raised in lesbian-headed households, according to a new study, “Adolescents of the U.S. National Longitudinal Lesbian Family Study: Male role models, gender role traits, and psychological adjustment” published in Gender & Society. “This study is part of a growing body of research that evinces the positive psychological well-being of children reared in planned lesbian families,” said the study’s co-author Nanette Gartrell, MD, Visiting Distinguished Scholar at the Williams Institute. Findings were based on teens that participated in the U.S. National Longitudinal Lesbian Family Study (NLLFS). Approximately half of the teens had male role models. The NLLFS teens with and without male role models did not differ from each other in psychological well-being, and also did not differ on stereotypical feminine (e.g., understanding) and masculine (e.g., competitive) traits. Teens and their mothers independently completed separate standardized instruments. The instrument completed by the teens assessed their well-being and behavioral traits. The mothers completed an instrument, where they answered questions about their adolescents’ behavior. In its twenty-sixth year, the U.S. National Longitudinal Lesbian Family Study is the longest-running and largest prospective investigation of lesbian mothers and their children in the United States. Prior research based on this study has found no difference in psychological well-being between children in planned lesbian families and those in heterosexual two-parent families.

GLAAD Partners With Athlete Ally GLAAD announced an official partner-

10 july 2012

ship with Athlete Ally, which is a leader in the movement for full equality for LGBT people in the world of athletics. Together, the groups will offer proactive Athlete Ally trainings for professional sports teams. GLAAD and Athlete Ally founder Hudson Taylor will educate professional athletes about the importance of LGBT allyship and empower pro sports organizations to stand against homophobia and transphobia. “This is not about politics, it’s about being respectful of fans, personnel, and athletes of all levels who just happen to be LGBT,” said Herndon Graddick, President of GLAAD. “Safe spaces for LGBT young people in the world of sports can be just as important as they are in the classroom. Pro athletes are some of our culture’s most important role models, and we want to empower them to stand up for teamwork and respect.” GLAAD has worked closely with Athlete Ally and Taylor, its founder, since its inception. Taylor was a three-time All American college wrestler who is one of the top pinners in NCAA history. Now he’s at the leading edge of a growing movement towards LGBT inclusion in the world of sports.

Young HipHop Artist Comes Out To Help Others While Ripparachie’s musical career has gone from strength to strength, personal turmoil has blighted his happiness since childhood. Having struggled to be himself for many years, he has now proudly come out as gay to his fans; hoping that his experiences can change society’s acceptance of sexuality for good. Having changed his musical style to spin a positive image on ‘being genuine’, Ripparachie has embarked on a National campaign to provide a voice for others who are too scared to be themselves. His latest album, F.A.G (Free and Genuine), aims to put a stop to the bullying and discrimination that prevents thousands of young people in the

United States from accepting their sexuality with pride. “I have lost a lot of fans, friends, and family due to coming out. But I have also gained a lot of respect for being true to myself and others. By spreading a positive image others will be able to face the same decisions as me with the pride and confidence that nobody will push them away,” Ripparachie explains.

Takei Joins Battle Against Boy Scout Discrimination TV icon and former Boy Scout George Takei will join Ohio mom Jennifer Tyrrell and GLAAD at the 43rd Annual LGBT Pride March in New York City on Sunday, June 24. NY Daily News exclusively broke the news on Monday. Tyrrell, who was ousted as leader of her son’s Boy Scouts troop in April because she’s gay, created a Change.org petition calling on the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) to end its long history of discrimination against gay scouts and LGBT leaders. That petition has garnered nearly 300,000 signatures, as well as the support of celebrities including Ricky Martin, Julianne Moore, Josh Hutcherson, Dianna Agron, Perez Hilton, Kat Graham, Fran Drescher, Kelly Osbourne, Benicio Del Toro, and more. “Some of my best memories from my boyhood are of my scouting days,” said Takei. “As an adult, I was shocked and deeply disappointed to learn that the Scouts discriminate against LGBT people. Boy Scouts must change.” Takei, formerly a member of Boy Scouts Troop 379, later served as a spokesperson for the Scouts and even received awards from the BSA in recognition of his leadership. Takei will be joined by his husband Brad, and Tyrrell will be joined by her partner Alicia Burns. Also joining Takei, Tyrrell and GLAAD will be local Boy Scout troops calling for an end to the ban. Earlier this month, the Boy Scouts of

America confirmed that a new proposal was under review to end the ban on gay scouts and scout leaders as early as 2013. Just last week, James Turley, the Global Chairman & CEO of Ernst & Young who is also a Board member of the Boy Scouts of America, also issued a statement expressing his opposition to the ban on gay scouts and scout leaders.

Texas Law Enforcement Recommend Hate Crime Ruling The Human Rights Campaign is applauding the Arlington, Texas, Police Department for responding swiftly and thoroughly to vandalism attacks that appear to have targeted one family based on the parents’ sexual orientation. The Arlington Police Department (APD) is announcing the arrest of five suspects in the attacks this morning and is recommending the District Attorney prosecute them under the state’s hate crimes law. On the night of June 9, the suspects allegedly damaged 13 properties in an Arlington neighborhood. One of those was the home of a family headed by a same-sex couple. The back of the couple’s car included a sticker of two moms, a child, and a dog. The suspects spray-painted “faggot” and “queers” in large letters over the back of the vehicle. It is the correlation between the bumper sticker and the anti-LGBT slurs that police say indicates a hate crime. Texas law prohibits hate crimes based on sexual orientation but not gender identity. It includes property crimes, as well as, violent crimes. HRC compliments the leadership of Fairness Fort Worth for their pro-active efforts on behalf of the victims of these horrible crimes. HRC continues to advocate for transgender-inclusive hate crimes laws at the state level.

LGBT Healthcare Improves The number of American hospitals striving to treat lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) patients

George Takei’s Facebook page brings me endless joy. “Like” him.

equally and respectfully is on the rise, according to a report released today by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation at a press conference with U.S. Health & Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius at Howard University Hospital in Washington, DC. Much work remains to be done to end discrimination in America’s healthcare system, but the once invisible issue of LGBT healthcare equity is gaining national prominence, with healthcare facilities committing themselves to offering unbiased care. “Just a few short years ago the healthcare industry wasn’t having conversations about LGBT healthcare equality,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “Now, thanks to advocacy by the LGBT community and some standout leaders, growing numbers of healthcare providers are making an explicit commitment to treat all patients with dignity and respect.” The report details the results of the most recent Healthcare Equality Index (HEI), an annual survey administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. This year’s survey found a 40 percent increase in rated facilities, which totaled 407 nationwide. It also found an impressive 162 percent increase in the number of facilities achieving the status of “Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality,” special recognition given to facilities earning a perfect rating by meeting four core criteria for LGBT patient-centered care laid out in the HEI. Over 90 percent of HEI 2012 participants explicitly prohibit discrimination against lesbian, gay and bisexual patients, and 76 percent ban discrimination against transgender patients. Additionally, about 75 percent of respondents have a written policy explicitly granting equal visitation rights to same-sex couples and same-sex parents. This represents a significant increase since the Department of Health and Human Services issued rules in 2011 requiring all hospitals that receive federal Medicare and Medicaid funding – nearly every hospital in America – to protect the visitation rights of LGBT people.

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Sometimes I like to sit in Whitâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s window and look across the way and imagine what jail would be like.

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Curtis Davis: A Talent for Making Connections by Christa Sidman

After selling his old company, Curtis took on the task of rolling out Radio Shack’s ADT Security Curtis Davis is more than just a telecom and se- program. Then, he took a job at WesTec (now curity guru. His success in business dovetails Protection One). After that, he started another with a passion for community activism. And company: E-One. His clients included Columbus both are making Columbus a better place to City Schools and Columbus Parks and Recrelive. ation. At one point, he had 27 employees and a payroll of almost $500,000. Curtis grew up in a small eastern Ohio town. While other boys were playing baseball or riding “I swore I wouldn’t go back into security,” he bikes, he was pursuing his interest in technol- muses. “The alarm business is somewhat of a ogy. “I was pulling wires for security systems skilled trade; you can’t just jump into it. It’s when I was 10 years old,” he recalls. From hard to find qualified people who are willing to freshman through junior year in high school, put in the hours.” In addition, although conCurtis hosted a drive-time Top 40 radio show. tracts were coming in, the overhead and liDuring his senior year, he ran 500 pairs of tele- censing fees were steep. Stressed out, Curtis phone lines through a conduit into his parent’s ultimately decided to scale down. basement and started his own answering service and alarm business. Today, Curtis owns ICS, a small company that provides telecom, Internet, cabling, phone sys“We had eight telephone operators answering tems and cellular solutions for small and large alarm calls and two people going out to install businesses across the country. The company is security and phone systems,” he explains. His a “Master Agent,” meaning it represents multiemployees answered calls for a range of busi- ple carriers and vendors. “We go in and do an nesses, including an ambulance service, the audit, then manage the services our client selocal power company and AAA. The job had one lects,” he explains. “We become their IT/Telemajor perk. “Whenever there was a storm or a com department. And it doesn’t cost the client fire in our hometown, the news hit our baseanything, because we’re paid by the carriers for ment first,” he recalls. bundling and selling their services.” As time went on, Curtis began installing stateof-the-art security systems. His client list grew, and he took on bigger clients. He won the security contract for all the Columbus Housing Authority’s buildings. And in 1991, Curtis scored an even bigger coup - he was chosen to design the security for AmeriFlora ‘92. It was there that Curtis received an endorsement from an unexpected source. He was sipping a drink at AmeriFlora’s VIP Club, a high-end lounge area reserved for donors and other key players. “I heard a voice behind me say, ‘I know you’ll be a success at anything you do, because you’re a hands-on person like me.’” Curtis turned around to find Wendy’s founder Dave Thomas smiling at him. Apparently, he had seen Curtis talking about his business on TV. “I’ll always remember that moment,” says Curtis proudly, “and I hold it to heart every day that I’m in business.”

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Over the course of his career, Curtis has made plenty of introductions and negotiated plenty of deals. So perhaps it’s not surprising that he’s developed a passion for politics. “My work life and political life tend to mesh,” he confesses. His current commitments relate to the people he loves and the place he calls home. Among other things, he is President of the Stonewall Democrats of Central Ohio, Business-at-Large Commissioner of the South Side Area Commission and an active member of the National Stonewall Political Action Committee Board. “‘My philosophy is: ‘If you give back to your community, it will give back to you,’” he says. Curtis is excited by the changes he’s seeing in Columbus. His neighborhood, and the South Side as a whole, is being revitalized with money from the city and from former local Jim Grote,

the founder of Donatos Pizza. (The original Donatos restaurant is located on the South Side.) Jim’s son Tom is a very active LGBT community member, and Curtis looks up to both of these men as true community leaders.

Zach around the room, introducing him to her friends. Zach seemed completely unfazed. And Kelly Coate now serves as the membership chair of the Stonewall Democrats of Central Ohio.

Mayor Coleman is also very open to the LGBT community. He has appointed a number of LGBT people to city boards and commissions to ensure their community has a voice. “Mayor Michael Coleman has done a lot for our city,” Curtis says. “And not just by following; he leads. He wants to be first, and he’s driven to make things happen.”

Curtis has also joined an initiative to form an Ohio Stonewall/Pride Caucus. It would only be the third such caucus in the country. “I’ve talked to a lot of people in other states, and they’re gun-shy about doing this,” he says. “But Ohio is such a key state. We need to be a voice not only for our local community, but for LGBT people across the country.”

The mayor isn’t the only LGBT ally in city government. “Sheriff Zach Scott and Police Chief Kim Jacobs are very engaged. They want to know what issues are affecting our community, and they address those issues in a fair and ethical manner,” says Curtis. “I should also mention Council President Andrew Ginther and City Council members Zach Klein and Eileen Paley.”

Curtis has plans to add star power to the Stonewall/Pride Caucus campaign this year. “Kelly Coate has connections with a former MTV/Viacom executive who is talking to people at ‘Ellen’ and ‘Glee,’” he explains. The idea is to make “Get out the Vote” videos to play at popular bars across the state. There may even be guest appearances by some of the stars.

When Curtis talks to people from other states, they’re amazed at how Columbus is so diverse and accepting. To illustrate his point, Curtis tells a story about City Councilman Zach Klein. One night, at an event held for the Sheriff, Zach met Kelly Coate, a local gay Realtor. The following night, at another event, an imposing drag queen swept up to Zach and introduced herself as Sable Coate … the same person he’d met the night before. The fabulous Ms. Coate ushered

“Anyone can start a Facebook following,” says Curtis. “We’ve had our share in the past year. But we must make young people understand that you have to register to vote. Then, you have to cast your ballot. And you have to learn to act on facts and statistics, not on emotions.”

The lady loves a microphone.

Spoken like a true hands-on guy. For more info on ICS call 877.869.7709 or visit www.team-icsc.com

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Grab that ball!

july 2012

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Heartland Homophobia by Mickey Weems Big Paul and Little Paul have a problem: they live in Bryan, Ohio. Tucked in the northwest corner of the state, just a few miles from Indiana and Michigan, Bryan has a population of just fewer than 9000 people.

The next day, police searched the Pauls’ apartment and took their shared computer. The Pauls report that the officers were looking for child porn. There were no pictures of the man who accused him in the first place, none on Big Paul’s phone or anywhere else. What they found was Little Paul’s collection of adult male erotica and some fuzzy locker room images of two men in the computer’s trash.

Small towns like Bryan are praised for being “Real America,” with basic values of neighborliness and civic responsibility. For LGBT folks, however, those same ethics can become the stuff of nightmares if neighborliness excludes those who are different, and civic responsibility includes punishing people who are openly Gay.

What should have been a fine and some public service for the locker room photos became much more. Big Paul was sentenced to three months in jail, three years probation and required to undergo sex offender counseling, even though he was not convicted as a sex offender.

Bear-Baiting in Bryan

No-Homo Hometown

“Big Paul” and “Little Paul” are the nicknames of Paul Dennison and Paul LeBel, a couple of out-and-proud Bears that chose to live in Bryan so Big Paul could be closer to his infirm mother.

So why was Big Paul treated so harshly? The Pauls give some examples of what openly Gay people face in the town where Big Paul grew up:

Big Paul and Little Paul thought their neighbors would be at least indifferent to them. But Tea Party America has changed the dynamic from peaceful coexistence to righteous confrontation with Gay people, no matter how civic-minded those Gay people might be.

“Once when we lived in an apartment complex here in Bryan, Little Paul was out in the front yard working on his flower garden,” said Big Paul. “Some teenagers rode by on their bicycles and yelled, ‘fag’ at him. That pissed me off. I called the cops, and they stopped by... I told them what happened but they said they couldn’t do anything about it, [the kids] were on a public sidewalk and were exercising their right to free speech. When I told them I’d go to their house and talk to their parents, the cops then told me they’d have to arrest me for trespassing.”

fired when some of the clientele considered his presence unacceptable. The official explanation: he did not state his sexual orientation in his paperwork. Appeals Judge to Ohio’s Sixth District, Stephen Yarborough, passed sentence in December 2010, four months after Big Paul lost his mother. Little Paul recounted the scene: “Yarbrough ruled Paul must serve 90 days in jail, undergo treatment as a sexual offender, serve 3 years probation, must not possess any pornography for three years… plus the requisite fines and court costs and an order to keep away from the plaintiffs and the YMCA. He also had to listen to Yarbrough pontificate about how Gay men should not go to the Young Men’s Christian Association … when [the judge] thought of Paul’s case, he said all he could think about was his 4-year-old granddaughter and what would happen if someone took a picture of her at the YMCA and post it on the internet.”

that pictures could be posted on the Internet. This is a legitimate concern in principle, since unauthorized images of one’s unclothed person online is a serious violation of privacy. But it would be especially excruciating for men trying to hide their own same-sex desires from public scrutiny, hence paranoia of what might happen, even when there was no evidence that it did. In too many Conservative minds, a homosexual man is a sex offender that just hasn’t been caught yet, a sinner who is proud of his sinfulness, who would molest grown men and children alike if given the chance. In other words, it is a career breaker. Public servants would be quick to throw the uncloseted man (who might out them) to the wolves in order to protect their own. The Pauls strongly suspect this was the case since no images were put online, neither was there any kiddie porn. Yet these possibilities were brought up anyway as reasons for the charges and for the severity of the sentencing, lack of evidence notwithstanding.

Monsters in the Closet

Big Paul found this out in November 2009 while working out at the local YMCA. Without any prior warning, he found himself accosted in the locker room and accused of taking pictures of an off-duty deputy sheriff without consent. The officer confiscated his camera on the spot, warrant be damned. Big Paul was forced to endure a detailed grilling in a YMCA office, no legal representation and against his will.

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The Pauls spoke of an openly Gay worker at a local fast food restaurant in the area who was

The problem for the Pauls is not so much being homosexual as it is being out of the closet. The YMCA is a great place, as the Village People tell us, to “hang out with all the boys.” But the presence of an openly Gay man disturbs the undercurrent of same-sex encounters for dudes on the down-low. An openly Gay man is especially enticing yet threatening to public servants, be they firefighters, council members, clergy or police officers, who are scared shitless that others may find out they use the locker room as a haven away from wives where they can hook up with other guys. One of the fears voiced by Paul’s accuser was

Chad and Jim in 5 years... make that 2 years.

Big Paul transgressed the boundaries by taking any pictures in the locker room without permission. But the only hard evidence, coming out of a computer’s backup trash file from months before the supposed crime, does not warrant such excessive punishment. Such evidence does not excuse illegal search and seizure, nor does it make forced detention without legal representation okay. Big Paul should not serve jail time simply because of what people fear he, as a Gay man, might do to children. Or to closeted members of the YMCA workout facility.

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For explorers, artists, scientists and.... cats.

july 2012

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LGBTQ Youth of Color: Are the stats telling the whole story? by D.A. Steward

topics including identity development and protecting your brand (“What does Facebook say about Take a quick look at any set of statistics studying you and how can you use social media to further LGBTQ youth (ages 16-24) who are persons of your cause.”); methods of community organizing color, and you’ll typically get a pretty bleak picture. and outreach (“What little things can you do every Black and Latino LGBTQ youth consistently report day to be an advocate for your community.”); and having the highest HIV infection rates, the highest spirituality as it relates to LGBTQ people of color suicide rates and represent a majority of America’s (“Yes, you can be spiritual and still be in this comhomeless youth population. munity.”) According to the numbers, if you’re young, gay and of color, you don’t stand a chance. But as we know, statistics breed stereotypes and we must remember that this is everyone’s story.

Upchurch has assembled a host of heavy-hitters as sponsors, including the Equality Ohio Education Fund, Columbus Urban League and the OSU Multicultural Center. Many other local organizations have also signed on as community partners and As I’ve said several times here in this column and Upchurch said she’s planning to have several elsewhere, the LGBTQ people of color community in community leaders on hand to facilitate the workColumbus is mobilizing like never before, but when shops and is hoping to help facilitate some lasting you look around at the leaders, those who are forc- connections. ing change and making strides, the demographic most affected is missing. And sadly, LGBTQ youth “Many of (the) youth in the demographic we’re foof color are also statistically disengaged. cusing on don’t have access to mentors who are like them,” Upchurch said. “I’m hoping we can Like many, Erin Upchurch has noticed the probcreate some lasting mentorships that will make lems faced by this demo and is using her experisure the youth stay involved and continue to make ence as a social worker, community leader and a difference after July 28.” corporate diversity consultant to start making a change. Like Upchurch I’ve often wondered, if LGBTQ youth of color are the ones who make up most of the disA longtime local activist, Upchurch’s consulting parity, why are we not looking to those youth who firm Diverse Strategies has created the HUE Lead- buck the trends and evade the statistics as the arership Summit, a very unique daylong series of biters of solutions? So in advance of the HUE sumworkshops geared specifically toward LGBTQ peo- mit, I took some time to search out a few ple of color ages 18-25, taking place at the Colum- representatives from the aforementioned demobus Urban League, 788 Mt Vernon Ave, July 28. graphic. Are they as hopeless and apathetic as the world thinks they are? Upchurch and I didn’t think “When you look around at the different faces on so. And, not surprisingly, neither did they. boards and those who are generally active in advocacy and activism in Columbus, you’re not seeing Martez Smith, 21 these faces and we’re not taking an effort to reach Origin: Born and raised in Columbus to them either,” Upchurch said. “I wanted to do Occupation: Ohio State University senior studying this summit so that we could start healing this di- social work with a minor in sexuality studies vide.” Affiliations: Former intern at AIDS Resource Center Ohio, B.R.I.D.G.E.S. member at Greater Columbus The summit’s workshops will focus on a number of Mpowerment Center, OSU Stand Your Ground (in

16 july 2012

response to the Treyvon Martin murder), etc.

Advice for LGBT youth of color who want to be more involved: “When I see issues that are taking On being an HIV/AIDS advocate and activist: place and I wish there was someone that would “Just based on my own personal experiences and stand up for it, I feel like I’m going to have to be being on the ‘gay scene’ since I was 16, I’ve known the one to stand up. If there’s an issue, you need to several people with HIV and I’ve always been curi- speak up about it, if there aren’t organizations in ous as to why it’s affecting our community so place we have to be the ones to start them, if you much. It’s also my way of giving back to commu- keep waiting it won’t happen.” nity. People in the demo you’re writing about are also statistically denied certain opportunities, op- Cherno Biko, 20 portunities that I’ve been lucky enough to have, Origin: Born and raised in Columbus and I feel like I owe it to them to be an activist and Occupation: studying women and ethnic studies at make a difference.” Columbus State Community College Affiliations: The Restoration Church of Columbus, Response to LGBTQ youth of color being statisti- The Goodlife Church of Columbus, Advent UCC, cally apathetic: “I have to object to that. In the Columbus Black Gay Men’s Coalition Steering settings I’m exposed to, I feel like I run into so Committee, Columbus Urban Pride Planning Commany LGBTQ youth who are activists. I personally mittee, B.R.I.D.G.E.S. member at Greater Columbus feel like the terms are synonymous. Why people Mpowerment Center, etc. may not see it has a lot to do with access … there are a lot of barriers that prevent LGBTQ youth of Response to LGBTQ youth of color being statisticolor from being involved. Our world is predomically apathetic: “It can be dangerous, especially nantly hetero-normative, as opposed to being open the earlier you start in the community. I’m not supand inviting. Structural engagement is the main posed to make it to 21 being a black male without problem. either having a kid out of wedlock, being in jail or dead. And then add on to that the intersections of Rashida Davison, 22 identities of sexuality and gender, it makes it diffiOrigin: From Rocky Mount, NC, studied in Colum- cult and some people and can be very dangerous.” bus, moving to NYC later this year Occupation: recently received OSU bachelors deAdvice for LGBT youth of color who want to be gree in film and videography; works at Huckleberry more involved: “With so many people telling us House that we’re not worthy and we’re not good enough, Affiliations: Former president of SHADES at OSU, we’re not beautiful enough and we’re not talented former transgender outreach coordinator for enough, it’s important to make sure you love yourHuman Rights Campaign at OSU, tutor at Focus self first. … Take care of yourself love yourself. Learning Academy, Committee for Justice and And if nobody else tells you that you’re beautiful, Palatine, OSU Stand Your Ground, etc. tell yourself, because you’re good enough.” Response to LGBTQ youth of color being statistically apathetic: “You go into a room and you don’t see anything like you. You’re always walking into that room and having to represent your entire race. Most people can’t take that kind of pressure, so they leave. They feel like it’s too much to handle.”

That photo reminds me of that “Heal the World” by Michael Jackson.

Diverse Strategies’ inaugural HUE (Helping Us Emerge) Leadership Summit is 8a-4:30p July 28 at the Columbus Urban League, 788 Mt Vernon Ave. Registration is free. Visit www.diversestrategies.org to register and contact Erin Upchurch at erin@diversestrategies.org for more information.

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I wonder how they train a horse to do chorus line kicks?

july 2012

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Safety First! by Mario Pinardi After blowing a little person, I was sore and my neck muscles were tender. Yes, I had a booty call with a little person. Be nice. Many years ago, after a wild night of polluting my body, I ended up naked with a naked little person (and not everything was bite-size). That evening is still sketchy, but I remember feeling like I went to boot camp when I finally woke up. I mean the physical challenge with my body being significantly larger (6’2”) and his being smaller, the need for flexibility was forced and thus I was in pain. I still do not recall how I blew him. Physical stress & injury happen every day in the bedroom, and we do not discuss it for fear of ridicule. Plus, we tend not to think when we are horny and are ready to get some poop chute action. Injuries can happen in many ways, such as misjudging your bedroom skill set (i.e. my flexibility), or from malfunctioning accessories – singed pubes are awful! I have gathered some thoughts and information from the sexual health community. Let’s talk about apparatuses and additions to the bedroom. Slings are one of the most common bedroom add-ons, but what happens when it is not installed properly? You are looking at bruises, back, spine, tailbone and possibly many other injuries. Follow the instructions carefully and then first test the sling with your weight before banging some hot ass in it. Nothing is unsexier than a bruised tailbone and a bruised ego. Vibrators, otherwise known as personal massagers, can cause much discomfort, even though they are made for pleasure. Most vibrator injuries occur in an orifice, such as

18 july 2012

your pikachu or your booty hole. Common injuries include shock, skin irritation, minor lesions and minor burns. Buy your vibrator from a reputable store and inspect it to make sure your hole(s) can take it. Too much ambition can lead to an awful ER visit. The same kind of injuries can happen with dildos and butt plugs. Know your limits. Injuries to the anal canal are very common with the misuse of dildos and butt plugs. You can cause scarring and bleeding to the anal canal from ambitious butt love. We think we can “take it” but our butts are telling us, “hell, no.” If you are using dildos and butt plugs, use a premium lube that is going to last and not cause the dildo or butt plug to get sticky and get stuck up there. Think people, think. Handcuffs and other forms of restraint are also turn-ons that can lead to turn-offs in a minute. The most common injury from handcuffs or restraints is prolonged use. Remember the key or know how untie your lover, dumb ass. Forgetting the key or how they got tied up can cause abrasions and circulatory issues, plus they could even soil the bed if they needed to do number one or number two. I know this sounds obvious, but being irresponsible with restraints can be hurtful to the body and the heart. The most important bedroom apparatus is the bed. Yes, it’s true. People can get injured by their own damn bed. Typical injuries range from strains and sprains, to actual broken body parts. People tend to forget how much action their bed can handle. If the box spring and mattress become dislocated from the headboard and frame while having hot penetration, you might get a bang to the head or a strain to the ankle or leg, which will ruin any booty call. I remember a trick from many moons ago. We went back to his place and

We had Erin bring in her cuffs so we could get this photo...

he had this raggedy twin bed. I kept thinking there is no way my fat ass is going to get busy on this kiddy bed. We started to get amorous and randy, and then “BAM,” the frame pulled apart and the headboard fell on me. Instead of bumping booty, I got a bump on the head! Fetishes and kink can also cause some physical safety issues. For our pee-pee & poopy crowd, make sure you can stand up without slipping. I know many of you are going “ewww,” but injuries do happen when the surface that you are on is not safe for your kinkiness. This applies also to the sploshers, too. Food and skin make surfaces slick and can cause bumps and bruises. I know I am being Captain Obvious here, but some folks do not think and end up with injured limbs from trying to do it with food or other wet substances. Erotoasphyxiation is one of the most dangerous fetishes. Use common sense, and think clearly. You could kill yourself while trying to get your self off. My point is that we all have a fetish and there are many more that I did not list that can cause physical injury, just be safe, know your limits, and understand the possible consequences. Safety is key in all aspects of our lives, even our sex lives. We tend to forget about being physical safe in the bedroom (or basement, or dungeon, or kitchen) and we end up with an embarrassing injury that can be financially costly. Whatever turns you on, do it and do it safely and with passion. Remember to never be a victim and always be a survivor. Who wants to help me install a sling for Hubby’s birthday?

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Ashley O’Shea is the only drag mother who hasn’t aborted Sherry Dribblelipz.

july 2012

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Safety from the Inside Out by Regina Sewell “We must build dikes of courage to hold back the flood of fear.” - Martin Luther King, Jr. “We fear violence less than our own feelings. Personal, private, solitary pain is more terrifying than what anyone else can inflict.” - Jim Morrison We are hard-wired to feel fear. The amygdala, the part of the brain charged with sorting through sensory input from the environment and issuing the alarm, “Danger! Danger! Be Very Afraid!” evolved long before the neocortex, the part of the brain charged with reason and logic. An almond-shaped bundle of neurons located near the brain’s center, the amygdala prompts us to act first and analyze what happened later. Not only is the fear circuitry in the amygdala older, in evolutionary terms, than the reasoning circuitry in the neocortex, it is also more powerful. While the neocortex has a limited number of neurons running to the amygdala, the amygdala has a host of one-way neurons running to the neocortex. In simple terms, this means that the amygdala’s alerts like, “Yikes! Take action now! There’s a bear over there!” can easily override the neocortex’s reasoned responses like, “False Alarm – that’s not a bear, it’s a trashcan.” From an evolutionary perspective, the amygdala’s predominance kept our ancient ancestors alive. People who immediately ran from red and yellow striped snakes were much less likely to get bitten than their more cerebral peers who took the time to note the snake’s color sequence and test it against the poem: “Red to yellow, kill a fellow; red to black, venom lack.” This fear

20 july 2012

based architectural set-up still comes in handy when we face actual threats. In emergencies, speed is important and the amygdala is designed for speed. The amygdala can respond to a potential threat, prompting a fight, flight or freeze response in less than 100 milliseconds, compared to the neocortex which takes approximately 500 to 600 milliseconds to process an experience and bring it into consciousness. Not only does the amygdala dominate the neocortex, it comes online first and plays an important role in memory development, patterning experience into “maps” or mental models that determine our unconscious beliefs and expectations. Whenever we have an experience, we have a bodily sensation and there is an emotional surge coupled with perceptions of what’s happening. What fires together, wires together and survives together. Our immediate environment and the way our caretakers responded to us as infants determine our individual mental models. When we were infants, we were completely dependent on our parents and caregivers for survival. If our caretakers were present to our needs, understood our cries and were able to provide a safe, calm environment, we form a mental model that the world is a safe place. In contrast, if our caretakers ignored or consistently misunderstood our cries, or if our environment was tinged with violence, we formed a mental model that the world is not safe. These mental models shape the way the amygdala processes information. If the mental model frames the world as unsafe, the amygdala is primed to respond accordingly. Add to this, memories formed before we are four or five get stored as implicit memories. They

don’t come into our awareness with a beginning, middle and end or a time date stamp that lets us know that they happened in the past. They drift into our unconscious awareness as physical and emotional stimuli joined with corresponding behavioral impulses as if they are happening now. If, in its scanning of the environment, the amygdala picks up something that starts its “danger” warning, it bumps the neocortex offline. This leaves us to scramble, lost in the emotional and physiological experience of that not safe past as if it is happening now. These old mental maps can create distortions and ruts in our thinking, so that we feel frightened, withdrawn and confused without knowing why. This is why you may feel desperate and terrified, or angry and aggressive when your partner doesn’t understand what you are trying to say, ignores you or rejects you. This is also why people who were abandoned, emotionally or physically, as children often run from potentially healthy relationships. Guided by outdated mental maps, the amygdala is unable to tell the difference between real and imagined danger. As a consequence, we are primed to worry about anything from public speaking, to success, to an alien invasion. Fear laden mental maps can make us afraid to take new risks and learn new things. They may also drive us to use unhealthy coping methods such as obsessive-compulsive behaviors, substance use and abuse, eating disorders and dysfunctional spending patterns to drown out the fear. The good news is that we can rewire our brains. Our brains can constantly make new neural connections. You just have to be willing to have new experiences. Therapy, with a therapist or

I can almost see up those shorts...

counselor you feel comfortable and safe with, can help you rewrite the memory scripts that told you that relationships aren’t safe, and that people don’t listen, care or understand. A therapist can help you become aware of the unconscious, irrational impulses that stem from the amygdala and help you learn to question and dismantle them. A therapist can help you face frightening memories as they come up and remind you that they happened a long time ago, that you are no longer totally dependent on others for your survival, and that you have options and abilities that you didn’t have back then. A therapist can also empower you to take action in the present to challenge those old beliefs about your inherent powerlessness and fragility. Meditation practices can help learn to regulate your body. When you meditate, your heartbeat slows down and you can tune into what is actually happening in your body, right now. Meditation can help you ground yourself so that you can stay present in the here and now and make choices about how you’d like to respond rather than simply collapsing, exploding into anger or withdrawing as you learned to do in the past. Through meditation, you can learn to see yourself directly, through nonjudgmental, loving and accepting eyes. No matter how damaged, how wounded, how traumatized you were as a child, no matter what mental maps got recorded, therapy and meditation can help you find safety from the inside out. To ask Regina a question, check out upcoming workshops, or check out her books and other writing, go to: www.ReginaSewell.com .

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I like that there are two colorful mohawks in one ad.

july 2012

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Hate Crimes, Public Safety and The Political Process by J. Eric Peters

day Obama signed it into law, identifying it as “the first time in U.S. history” President Barack Obama supports GLBT that federal law explicitly included both equality, and he has since his days in sexual orientation and gender identity. the Illinois State Senate. Obama led the Cary further stated, “Laws embody the way to repealing Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, values of our nation, and through . . . changing the world in which GLBT folk this hate crime law, our country has . . . live. President Obama took to his bully sent a clear and unequivocal message pulpit to advance marriage equality, that it rejects and condemns all forms and we can consider him a hero for his of hate violence, including crimes motiwork to enact the Matthew Shepard and vated by hatred” of people like us. James Boyd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act (HCPA). The Task Force had placed on hate crime protection a very high priority, HCPA passed both the U.S. Senate and working long and hard with several sucthe House of Representatives. Most cesses. (96.6 percent) senate Democrats and house Democrats (92.6 percent) voted “[O]ur nation’s first major piece of civil for the bill, and most (70 percent) sen- rights legislation for lesbian, gay, bisexate Republicans and House Republiual and transgender people” - a former cans (74 percent) voted against it. If Human Rights Campaign president deDemocrats had voted like Republicans, scribed HCPA that way. A 2011 HRC we would not have this law. media release further called HCPA “a huge victory for our community.” A grand jury issued the first federal indictment ever for an anti-gay hate WHAT IS HCPA? crime in neighboring Kentucky on April Contact an attorney if you want more 12. than a lay description of this law with no advice whatsoever of how to apply it GLBT Ohioans are safer because of this in specific circumstances. The Justice hate crime law and because of Obama’s Department can now officially involve itwork for it. self in violent hate crime cases when perpetrators select victims on the basis SHEPARD AND BOYD of “actual or perceived race, color, reliBoth of Matthew Shepard’s assailants gion, national origin, gender, sexual oriand all three of James Boyd, Jr.’s apentation, gender identity or disability.” proached them as friends or friendly ac- They can also provide investigations quaintances. Both murders, heinous and prosecutions to state and local juand fueled by racist and homophobic risdictions for such crimes as well as hate, shocked the nation’s conscience. making relevant grants for investigaEach family intervened in the criminal tions and prosecutions as well as for jujustice process of its loved one’s killers venile justice programs and law to prevent death penalties. Reactions to enforcement training. HCPA also affects both produced prolific collections of requirements pertaining to tracking and artistic work: songs by Elton John, Tori reporting statistics. Amos, Lady Gaga, Melissa Etheridge, Rollins Band and Christian Marclay as HCPA can’t do everything, however. It well as the book The Meaning of shouldn’t cover hate speech, and it Matthew, the play The Laramie Project doesn’t. Nor does it address non-violent (produced this year at a Dayton Univer- crime, property crime nor any crime sity), a documentary, three narrative lacking “an explicit and discrete confilms, Chantal Aherman’s film Sud and nection” to “interstate or foreign comthe Showtime movie Jasper, Texas. merce.” DOES THE LAW MATTER? “A historic milestone,” wrote Rea Cary, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, of HCPA on the

22 july 2012

WORK FOR EQUALITY OHIO GBLT Ohioans are safer because of this hate crime law. And we could be safer still.

BRAVO’s May 31 media release reported that last year’s national rate of hate murders was the highest ever recorded and that they had recorded 111 hate crime incidents (with funding and underreporting significant problems). BRAVO’s President Emerita Chris Cozad protested, “[I]n many places there are no protections under local/state laws.” The National Coalition of Anti-Violent Programs (NCAVP) on May 31 reported an 11 percent increase in hate murders from 2010 to 2011 with 30 murders of LGBTQ and HIV-affected people last year, the highest total ever. Hate violence emerged as a top priority in several surveys of various samples, together totaling over 5000 respondents. Methodology varied but produced consistent results from the 2000 NGLTF Black Pride Survey, the 2003 survey in New York, Los Angeles and Washington, DC and the 2006 survey of DC, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Kansas City, Mo, New York and San Francisco pride parades and festivals Particularly for lesbians and transgender people of color, hate crime protection matters. HRC has presented online a “toolkit,” titled, A Guide to State-Level Advocacy Following the Enactment of the Matthew Shepard and James Boyd, Jr. Hate Crime Prevention Act, as “a first of its kind guide for states looking to enforce and enact legislative solutions aimed at tackling hate crimes.” A former HRC president said, “[M]uch work remains to be done to reduce hate-motivated crimes, and much of that work falls to the states.” We could be safer. A 14-year-old boy in Brooklyn, NY sustained blindness (probably permanent) in one eye after an alleged assault by two other boys (brave bigots come in herds - two here, two on Shepard, three on Boyd, etc.). The surgeries following the junior high school incident haven’t remedied the boy’s sight disability resulting from the attack by two boys calling their victim a “fucking faggot,” a “pussy” and “gay.” Even the $16 million lawsuit can’t make him whole. A November 2011 video-taped incident in Ross County and one in

Westerville drew national attention to Ohio. Would a bullying law have covered these incidents had they been near home, on a weekend or at a city recreation center? A hate crime law could. Anti-gay vandalism at a Grove City home in November presented no issue of violence. Apparently HCPA wouldn’t cover that. Did any federal question arise at the April assault of two gay men at Miami University in Oxford?

some updates (Ore. and Wash.) or passed nondiscrimination legislation and then, after Matthew Shepard’s 1998 murder, passing hate crime legislation (Calif, Conn, HI, Mass, N.H, N.J, RI, Vt and Wis). Maryland and Nevada just like to be difficult. Most states (29 of 36 or 81 percent) that had already abolished sodomy laws by 2003, now have hate crime laws. But hate crime laws have passed in not even half (five of 14) of those states that had not abolished sodomy laws before state legislators and the Supreme Court did so nationwide.

GLBT Ohioans are safer because of this hate crime law. And we could be safer still. GLBT Ohioans’ finest resource, Equality Ohio, could bring some focus to this. There is a path. It doesn’t start with marriage. HATE CRIME LAWS AND MARRIAGE EQUALITY U.S. history makes available a model for The path to marriage just might run a minority moving from wrongful prosethrough hate crime laws. Before march- cution and hate crime victimization to ing down the aisle, states have moved protection from discrimination and freethrough a series of steps. Sequences dom to marry. show one central tendency. Does Ohio, the #50 worst state in the union for In Virginia v. Loving (1967) the Court GLBT rights according to Equality Ohio ruled unconstitutional miscegenation not many years ago, really know better laws that prohibited mixed-race marthan successful states? Really? riages. Loving followed Brown v. Board of Education (1954), which repudiated Most states (15 out of 21 or 71 percent) authoritatively the doctrine of “separate with nondiscrimination laws have mar- but equal,” made possible passage of riage equality or civil unions. But not the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and deone state has adopted anything like clared unconstitutional in public marriage equality without first passing schools racial segregation as a means a nondiscrimination law covering sexual of discrimination. orientation (or sexual orientation and gender identity). Brown followed but partially overruled Plessy v. Ferguson, in which the Court Most states (21 of 30 or 67 percent) ruled the Fourteenth Amendment did with hate crime laws have passed not apply to transportation or other pubnondiscrimination laws. But not one lic accommodations and thus lent legitstate has passed a nondiscrimination imacy to racist school boards, landlords, law without passing a hate crime law. employers, shopkeepers and restaurateurs discriminating by providing supTwenty-one states have both nondisposedly “equal” separate facilities. crimination laws and hate crime laws. Eleven states have hate crime but no Lawmakers supported discrimination nondiscrimination laws. No state curwith state and local Jim Crow laws. The rently has a nondiscrimination law but KKK often used Jim Crow as an excuse no hate crime law. Nineteen states have and pretense for lynchings. To address either adopted one hate crime law and these hate crimes the Enforcement Acts then one nondiscrimination law (Colo, of 1870 and 1871 increased law enDel, Ill, Ind and ME), passed them in the forcement resources (by involving the same year (M.N, N.M and N.Y), passing military) and provided for federal prosesome hate crime legislation, then some cution. nondiscrimination legislation and then

Matthew Wayne Shepard (December 1, 1976 – October 12, 1998)

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outlook is the official daily product testers for that limoncello. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like our breakfast...

july 2012

MONDAY, JULY 30 I’VE BEEN CRAVING SOMETHING LONG, THICK AND JUICY Columbus Clipper Baseball vs. Rochester Red Wings @Huntington Park, 330 W Nationwide Blvd, 614.462.5250, www.clippersbaseball.com: It’s time for Dime-a-dog night again! While you suckers are watching the game, I’ll be loading up on the dogs. 7:05p; $6-20.

TUESDAY, JULY 24 WE ALL LOVE SEXY MEN CHASING BALLS Columbus Crew hosts Stoke City FC @ Columbus Crew Stadium, I71 at E 17th Ave, 614.447.2739, crewstadium.com: Would you miss the Crew’s only international friendly game of 2012? Didn’t think so! Take this opportunity to watch all of your favorite players kick around that little white ball (and hopefully score goals too). 7:30p; $30-$60.

SATURDAY, JULY 21 I SEE A GOOD TIME IN YOUR FUTURE Psychic Fair @ Enchanted Elements, 415 East Broad St, 614-437-2642: Come on down to the Enchanted Elements Psychic Fair for all your New Age needs. Attractions include palm readings, tarot, massages, and more. Runs through Sunday. 10a-7p Saturday, 10a-5p Sunday: free. Readings $30.

MONDAY, JULY 23 BRASS AND OLD SCHOOL SASS Big Band Jazz with Vaughn Weister’s Jazz Orchestra @ Clintonville Woman’s Club, 3951 N High St, 614.263.4014, www.clintonvillewomansclub.com: For all the big band fans, this group of musicians will have you toe tappin’ in no time. Every Monday night they are rocking the sounds of oldies. 7:30p-11p; $5-10.

TUESDAY, JULY 31 TO READ OR NOT TO READ, IS CERTAINLY NOT THE QUESTION! Book Reading W/ Gregg Shapiro and Sukie de la Croix @ Stonewall Columbus, 1160 N High St, 614-299-7764: Come see Gregg Shapiro and Sukie de la Croix read from their new books, GREGG SHAPIRO:77 and Chicago Whispers: A History of LGBT Chicago before Stonewall, respectively. 6p-8p; free.

SUNDAY, JULY 22 “LIVING IN THE LOVE OF THE COMMON PEOPLE” Promowest Productions and Bud Light Presents Indigo Girls @ LC Pavilion, 405 Neil Ave, 614.461.LIVE, promowestlive.com: Let the music rock your night! Come support this duo, known worldwide for their LGBT and environmental activism. As the Indigo Girls say, “You’re bound to rise up singing.” 7p; $29-32.

SATURDAY, JULY 21 Y’ALL COME BACK NOW! BRAVO. Country Carnival Benefit @ Inn Rehab, 627 Greenlawn Ave., 614754-7326: Come on down to an old country get together with live music, BBQ provided by Holy Smoke BBQ, and plenty of games to play. The M.C. of the event will be Paige Passion, former Miss Gay Ohio America, and the stage is sponsored by Outlook. All proceeds go to benefit the Buckeye Region Anti-Violence Organization. 2p-11p., $10.

THURSDAY, JULY 12 LUCK OF THE IRISH O’Shea-Nanigans @ Level Dining Lounge, 700 N. High St, 614-754-7111, www.levelcolumbus.com: Come see Level’s monthly drag show hosted by your favorite Irish showgirl! Show is hosted by Ashley O’Shea, and features performances by Samantha Rollins, Cherry Darling, and Project Glamazon winner Nikki Stone. 10p; free.

ROCK SYMPHONY The Music of Led Zeppelin @ Picnic with the Pops, Columbus Commons, 160 S High St, 614.228.8600, www.columbussymphony.com: Singer Randy Jackson leads the symphony as they take on the greatest hits of Led Zeppelin. We’re sure it will be your “stairway to heaven.” 8p; $23.

TUESDAY, JULY 10 I LOVE IT WHEN SHE SCREAMS OUT “FRISKY TWO TIMES” Movies By Moonlight: Puss in Boots @ Easton Town Center, 160 Easton Town Center, 614.416.7000, www.eastontowncenter.com: Ultimate ladies man and all around badass “Diablo Gato” a.k.a. Puss in Boots and Kitty Soft Paws add just the right amount of sexy and wit to this family film. Bring a blanket and a snack. Each Tuesday see a different movie. 9p; free.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 11 HAVE I BEEN NAUGHTY, OFFICER? Network Columbus with Franklin County Sheriff Zach Scott @ The Jury Room, 22 E Mound St, 614.268.8525, www.networkcolumbus.com: Come to Network Columbus’ monthly networking event, featuring the County Sheriff Zach Scott as speaker. The free food isn’t bad either. 6p-8p; free.

MONDAY, July 2 I LOVE A MAN IN UNIFORM Military Family Free Days @ Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, 4850 W Powell Rd, v614.645.3550, www.columbuszoo.org: Finally got a break from the fatigues? Family zoo trip! Active and retired military personnel and their immediate family will get in free by presenting a military ID. 9a-7p; free.

SUNDAY, July 1 ALL THINGS VINTAGE Ohio Village Muffins vs. Tippecanoe Canal Jumpers @ Ohio History Center/Ohio Village, 800 E 17th Ave, 800.686.6124, www.ohiohistory.org/ muffins: Whatever your pleasure, catcher or pitcher, experience the Great American past time in it’s humble beginnings, and see how the game was played in 1860. 1p; $5-10.

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 4 LIBERTY AND LUNACY! Doo-Dah Parade @ Short North, www.doodahparade.com: It’s the alternative 4th celebration. Come watch these bohemian frolickers strut their stuff in honor of Uncle Sam’s big day. Beers crack at 10a, parade starts rolling at 1p. So put on your craziest patriotic attire and head to the 29th annual Doo-Dah Parade. 10a; free.

SATURDAY, JULY 28 PEOPLE LIKE ME HUE Leadership Summit @ Columbus Urban League, 788 Mt Vernon Ave, www.diversestrategies.org: Are you a person of color between the ages 18-25? Do you consider yourself a part of LGBTQ community? If you answered yes, join this daylong series of workshops specifically geared toward you. 8a-4:30p; free.

THURSDAY, JULY 26 “BABY I WAS BORN THIS WAY” Outside in Ohio: A Century of Unexpected Genius @ Riffe Gallery, 77 S High St, 614.644.9624, www.riffegallery.org: 18 artists, spanning 100 years from Ohio prove that you don’t have to know art to make art. Check out the opening reception for an exhibit that showcases natural talent. Maybe you’ll get some inspiration of your own. The exhibit runs until October 14. 5-7p; free.

FRIDAY, JULY 27 KESHA NOT INCLUDED GLOW @ Wall Street Night Club, 144 N Wall Street, 614-464-2800; Come on down to Wall Street’s latest theme party, GLOW! Intended for the lesbian community and their friends, GLOW is hosted by lesbian comic Brooke Cartus with DJ Michele Chaney, and features complimentary glow sticks, sexy Glow-Go dancers, and illuminated drink specials. White attire encouraged. Doors open 9p. $5. 18 & over.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 25 FERRIS WHEELS AND FUNNEL CAKES The Ohio State Fair @ The Ohio State Fairgrounds, 717 E 17th Ave, 614.664.3247, www.ohiostatefair.com: With various activities including concerts, stand up comedy, and shows, it’s a guarantee that everyone will enjoy their time over the course of the week. Munch on foods from over 189 different vendors, play games, and ride as many rides as you can! Runs through Sunday. 9a-10p; $8-10.

THURSDAY, JULY 19 COME JOIN THE CLUB Cotton Panty Club @ Level Dining Lounge, 700 N. High St, 614-754-7111, www.levelcolumbus.com. Panties in a bunch? Come for a night of drag-filled fun at Level Dining Lounge, hosted by Helena Troy and featuring performers Hellin Bedd, Carmen Alex, and Britney Blaire. 10p.

TUESDAY, JULY 17 SNITCHES GOIN’ STITCH Stitch and Bitch Knitting Group @ Wild Goose Creative, 2491 Summit St, 614.859.WILD, www.wildgoosecreative.com: You don’t have to be the best knitter, but everyone’s good at bitching. Bring out your yarn and needles; learn something new about a stranger while you learn some new stitching skills. 7:30p; free.

FRIDAY, JULY 20 “COME AND LOVE YOUR DADDY ALL NIGHT LONG” Ray Charles & the Legends of Soul Featuring Phil Clark @ Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, 4850 W Powell Rd, Powell, 800.MON.KEYS, www.columbuszoo.org: Join the Columbus Jazz Orchestra and Phil Clark as they serenade you with the sounds of Ray Charles and other legends of soul. Pull out your best moves and dance the evening away. 6:30p; $15-35.

MONDAY, JULY 16 WHY BUY NEW IF YOU CAN GET USED? Old Worthington’s Treasures on the Green @ South quadrants of the Village Green in historic Worthington, www.owba.net: Bargain hunters, unite! Take a walk down memory lane and find old collectables on display. Remember: one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. In addition, you will find food concession stands, downtown shops, local diners, and the regular Saturday Farmers Market. 9a-4p; free.

FRIDAY, JULY 6 CUSTOM HOT RODS AND MUSCLES: SIGN ME UP! Goodguys PPG Hot Rod & Custom Car Nationals @ Ohio Expo Center, 717 E 17th Ave, 888.OHO.EXPO, www.ohioexpocenter.com: Cars, trucks, customs and classics. Get down and dirty all weekend with these oilers. See more than 6,000 different cars and trucks while also enjoying over 400 vendor exhibits. 8a-5p; General Admission $18, Kids (7-12) $6, Kids (6 and under) free.

THURSDAY, JULY 5 “PLAY ANOTHER SLOW JAM” Heritage Concert Series @ The Mount Vernon corridor of the King Lincoln District, 614.645.5464, http://kingartscomplex.com/heritage-concert-series: Every Thursday through August, stop by this festival to hear some classical Jazz, R&B, Inspirational and Blues music. Bring your beau and a blanket to really set the mood. If you feel like splurging, reserve a table. There will also be food and beverages available to purchase. 6p; free.

SATURDAY, JULY 7 “GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES” Marilyn Monroe: Some Like it Hot @ Wexner Center for the Arts, 1871 N High St, 614.292.3535, www.wexarts.org: We lost this blonde bombshell 50 years ago, but she’s still in our hearts. Come remember one of the hottest sex icons. Get there early enough and get boozed up in true Marilyn fashion. 7p; $5-7.

TUESDAY, JULY 3 BOOM, BOOM, POW! Red White & Boom @ Downtown Columbus along the Scioto River, http://www.redwhiteandboom.org: Celebrate America’s birthday with some food and festivities while watching the parade march downtown. Pre-party at the Taste of Boom in the Arena district. Afterwards, stick around for one of the largest fireworks displays around. 3pmidnight; free.

out & about

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out & about

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LGBT Lawyering: Navigating Moments of Less-Than-Equal Rights by Andrew Keller

to Dingus, is also relatively easy.

To say that it’s no secret that LGBT people don’t have the same rights as straight people is a bit of an understatement. Arguably the most common fears expressed by gay and lesbian couples entering into partnerships relate to how to deal with a lack of marriage equality. And LGBT individuals in certain sectors of the country may regularly fear for their safety.

“In Ohio you have a one parent option or a married couple can adopt. No one else can adopt. How you resolve that is that you have the adopting parent agree that he or she will share custody with the partner,” said Dingus. “We’re both considered the custodians of this child. We have equal responsibilities and rights.”

However, due to years of legal trial and error, even without total equality, LGBT people will find that it’s surprisingly easy to deal with a number of these issues. With the proper preparation, and after jumping through a few hoops, you will find that there are in fact ways to deal with seemingly insurmountable issues. On the domestic side, marriage equality is an issue regularly brought to the front of the public’s mind. According to Shawn Dingus, the managing partner of law firm Plymale & Dingus, three of the main issues where LGBT couples face legal hurdles to equality are in hospital visitation, the ability to raise a child together and property division. The trick, said Dingus, is to set up some legal connection with your partner before entering into these situations. In the past, LGBT couples had to take some relatively radical steps to achieve this, according to Bill Hedrick, chief of staff for the Columbus City Attorney. “One of the things they used to do prior to now, people would try to adopt their partners, to try to make the relationship more solid legally,” said Hedrick. “Legal standing of relationships is incredibly important.” Nowadays, according to Dingus, gaining visitation rights to hospitals and the right to adopt a child can be fairly hassle free if you have a lawyer who knows what he or she is doing. “Most hospitals allow family to have access, and family is defined as spouse or blood relative. This can be resolved, however with a health care power of attorney, also known as a living will. It’s a document where you say, ‘I appoint this person to be my attorney if I am unable to care for myself.’”

Dingus said that the process is generally easy, and with a good attorney it will generally take between 30 and 60 days to complete. He advised, however, that people should make sure to hash out exactly what rights should be given to each custodian beforehand, and the division of rights is often very much up to the couple in question. Two more difficult and nebulous legal issues, on the other hand, are property division and protection against domestic violence. The issue of domestic violence in LGBT couples is complicated by the fact that in specifically male relationships, there are no domestic violence shelters for men, and that people are often uncomfortable talking to the police in the first place, as the law doesn’t necessarily define the violence as occurring between a couple. Hedrick advises that due to restricted legal recourse, people take preventive measures in the first place.

Welter did say, however, that there are enough laws in place that legal recourse is very possible to find in situations where a hate crime has occurred, even if it is necessary to do a bit of digging to find that path. “I think you should always check local,” said Welter. “A lot of our municipalities, especially the bigger ones, have protection for LGBT people.” She also encouraged people to check with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission. “Though the Ohio Civil Rights Commission really can’t do much with it normally, if there’s any piece of sexual harassment or discrimination based on AIDS or HIV status, that’s something they can take. So I always encourage people to go ahead and file with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission.”

“Across the board, people need to be very careful when they are first meeting someone,” said Hedrick. “Meet them in a public place and get to know them first. I’ve seen a lot of stuff from Craigslist and Manhunt that have not turned out pleasant.”

Finally, Welter pointed out that there is a law, known as the Matthew Shepherd Act, protecting the LGBT community from hate crimes on a federal level, but it is limited to events that would in some way damage a person’s ability to do business, due to the law’s enactment under the interstate commerce clause of the U.S. Constitution.

The complication with legal issues in a separation, however, is that no matter how much planning you do beforehand, according to Dingus, there are some things that simply cannot be dealt with the way that a heterosexual married couple could deal with them.

“Near Zanesville there was a horse breeding farm, and somebody painted ‘burn in hell’ on a fence and burned the farm down,” said Welter. “This qualified as a federal hate crime because it destroyed the owner’s ability to do business.”

“A lot of that is proper planning,” said Dingus. “The problem comes in when there is either no title to a property or you have debts. If one partner says we incurred $20,000 of debt together but I’m the only one listed in the debt, it’s not marital debt. In a divorce case it would be marital debt, but here it’s private.”

And if all other recourse fails, said Welter, ultimately a physical attack can be prosecuted as such.

According to Dingus, this document allows people to designate a person to care for them should they be incapacitated, allowing the designated person not only visitation rights, but also the ability make decisions for their new ‘client.’

While domestic issues and marriage equality may make life difficult, they do not, of course, reach the heinousness of some hate crimes that target LGBT people. According to Kim Welter, director of programs and outreach at Equality Ohio, LGBT access to legal recourse against hate crimes is not very strong in many places, including Ohio.

The process for getting shared companionship of a child, according

“LGBT people are not included in the state ethnic discrimination

26 july 2012

laws,” said Welter. “A lot of the original hate crime laws that were created based on race were based on anti-slavery laws in our constitution. Unfortunately, LGBT people don’t fit very well into antislavery laws.”

One of Chris’s favorite merit badges was Orienteering.

But difficult or not, the most important part of this entire process is finding a lawyer who knows what he or she is doing. And despite the fact that people’s initial reactions would be to seek out a lawyer in the LGBT community, Dingus exhorted that people should not rule out straight lawyers who operate in these areas. “There are a lot of great, straight ally attorneys out there. I don’t think people should limit themselves to the LGBT community,” said Dingus. “What I’d recommend is to find someone knowledgeable about law and who you are comfortable with. That’s going to be the person advising you on very important matters for years to come.”

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Chris has his Spider-Man suit ready,

july 2012

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Bravo for BRAVO by Tom Muzyka When I asked my friends if they were familiar with BRAVO, I received raised eyebrows and a chorus of “No crap.” I amended my question, referring not to the TV network, but to BRAVO, the Buckeye Region Anti-Violence Organization. This was met with less cattiness and more confusion. To those who don’t know, BRAVO is an independent organization that works on all issues of violence that affect the LGBT community. Based in central Ohio, they work across the state, with a dual focus on service provision for violence survivors and community education within and on behalf of the LGBT community. BRAVO was founded in 1996 by a small group of workers at Stonewall Columbus who saw a definite need for outreach in the LGBT community to survivors of abuse. Workers were responsible for recording incoming calls of LGBT violence and issues, but were unable to do anything more than document. I can only imagine how frustrating it would be to speak to someone on the phone about their experience with abuse, and be able to do nothing more than sympathize and document their story. Knowing that Stonewall encompasses such a broad range of LGBT topics, these workers decided to create a new organization to focus on antiviolence programs. To this end, BRAVO Executive Director Gloria McCauley, unveiled the organization at the ’96 Pride festival. “Antiviolence work wasn’t getting the resources it needed,” says Board President Emeritus Chris Cozad. It was through Stonewall’s work that Gloria saw the “need and support to do this [work] full time.”

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One of the main methods BRAVO does its work is through training with the Columbus police force. Since its inception, it has worked to train police recruits in understanding and dealing with LGBT issues they may encounter. Often, people will report homophobic incidents to BRAVO and not to the police, due in part to the institutionalized distrust ingrained in the LGBT community. Fortunately, BRAVO is helping to repair the strained relationship between police and queers; with the organization’s influence, Columbus City police have “the best report rate in the country,” in response to calls. “In all cases reported to police, not one negative report about police behavior” was reported back to BRAVO, Cozad says. Some people hesitate to contact police not due to their distrust of “The Man” but due to the minor nature of the homophobic offense. If I hear someone yell “Hey faggot,” from their passing car, I would rather bitch to friends than call the police and report it. First, that would take a lot of time to make the call, and second, what can the police do other than record the incident and move on? These reasons prevent many calls, which could in fact help reduce homophobic incidents. The more reports police receive about similar incidents, the better they can find a pattern and put a stop to the behavior. More often than we would think, homophobes work in patterns, making it easy for police to locate the perpetrators. No one ever said homophobes were clever. With this in mind, BRAVO encourages the community to report any incident, no matter how trivial it seems; if not to the police, then at least to their help line. Remember, it’s not tattling, it’s being a responsible gay and improving your community. The key phrase is “Don’t take it, report

it.” By reporting incidents to BRAVO or the police, we can prevent small incidents from escalating into larger ones. It’s hard to measure success based on prevention, but by monitoring and reporting, we can halt similar behavior and stop it from growing. Besides training programs, BRAVO works with the police in monitoring reported incidents and has been able to help stop queer-related abuse. The police have actually approached BRAVO several times for help investigating crimes. Due to previously mentioned community distrust of law enforcement, witnesses can be reluctant to come forward. BRAVO has been able to locate and work with witnesses to help solve cases. You could call them part-time queer superheroes. Here is just one example of the influence they have had on crime prevention: Several years ago in Clintonville, several houses experienced theft or vandalism to their rainbow flags. The residents reported this to BRAVO, and by looking at the reports BRAVO was able to determine that the incidents were happening in a 6-block radius. They shared this with the police, who in turn increased patrols in the neighborhood. The police soon caught several teenagers setting fire to a dumpster; to no surprise, after the teens were handled, the flag incidents stopped. BRAVO is more than just crime stopping, though. It offers self-defense courses, aid in legal advice, community outreach and education and speaking engagements. All of its services are free and confidential, and staff members are willing to accommodate any community request. Much of its focus on community education deals with “a lot of work in and around schools” dealing with bullying and teacher training; speakers will also go to company retreats and speak to “what best fits that [group] and that situation.” Cozad empha-

Make sure you come to Bravo’s Country Carnival at Inn Rehab on July 21st!

sized that BRAVO loves speaking to groups, whether in a formal work setting or a small group of people who want to learn how prevent violence. One thing to note is that summer is a high season for community crime nationwide. Any time awareness of an LGBT issue arises (Pride, marriage equality, political candidates’ stance on LGBT issues) there is a resulting backlash amongst the public. Based upon last year’s statistics, BRAVO has noted an increase in workplace and neighborhood incidents, such as verbal attacks, homophobic jokes and violence. You can protect yourself and support your community by being aware of these risks and taking preventative steps. BRAVO’s website offers information and an email newsletter for upcoming events. They are always happy to accept new volunteers, whether to help in the office, staff their help line, or possibly accompany speakers to trainings and lectures. Additionally, BRAVO is looking for a few good queers to join their board of directors. Not only do you get to call yourself a board member, you get to fight the good fight and leave lasting change to your community. But really, it’s about the fancy title. In all seriousness, it’s important to remember the important work of such an amazing organization. What BRAVO does affects individual lives; by helping survivors of abuse and preventing violence, we can leave a better future for our friends and families. Cozad puts it simply, “Justice doesn’t look the same for every person.” It’s a personal journey for each person, but also a destination for all LGBT people. To learn more, donate, or join the efforts to end LGBT violence, visit www.bravo-ohio.org.

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Look into my ball... My crystal ball, that is. Get your mind out of the gutter! Geez.

july 2012

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The Inside Look with Sheriff Scott

by Katy Ebling Working with the Franklin County Sheriffs Office for over 26 years, Sheriff Zach Scott is no stranger to protecting the community and everyone who is a part of it. After graduating from Franklin University with a degree in Organization Leadership and Business Administration, he began working his way up to becoming a Sheriff. Taking on roles such as uniform and Undercover Division, SWAT, Homicide, DARE Programs/Community Relations, Property Crimes, Jail and Patrol, his hard work has definitely paid off. He has been fortunate enough to have some of his work on homicides featured in television shows such as A&E, the Discovery Channel and Court T.V. One accomplishment he is most proud of happened while working as an undercover narcotics detective. He was the lead detective on the Sheriff’s Office largest international drug seizure. Other investigations that helped him get to where he is today were I270 Serial Shooter, the Caulley murders and the Conway gang murders. To recognize his dedication to the community, Sheriff Scott has received numerous rewards such as the Buckeye State Sheriff’s Association Deputy of the Year and Crime Stoppers Officer of the Year. He also shows his achievements through various medals of Valor, Honor, Commendations, Merits, Distinguished Service and a Purple Heart. Sheriff Scott not only focuses on keeping crime out of our city, but also keeping peace and respect amongst individuals living here. He recognizes that Central Ohio is a large area with countless backgrounds and lifestyles, including individuals from other countries and the GLBT community. He feels a strong responsibility to protect, and makes it a main priority to respect and bring awareness each and every one of our diverse citizens. Sheriff Scott continues to work as a dedicated individual in the office, courtrooms, classrooms and on the street. I caught up with Sheriff Scott to find out what goes into training dedicated officers for different areas and situations.

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Katy Ebling: How different is the training program for officers in large city areas compared to more rural areas? Are there any crimes that are more common in one area over the other? Sherriff Scott: A crime is a crime either way no matter where it happens or who commits it, therefore the training is the same in both areas. There is no crime that is so specific to a rural or downtown area that officers need special training for each location. You get robberies and murders in both areas so both situations will be trained for just the same. KE: What about training for a GLBT community. How different would the training be compared to a non-GLBT area? SS: Again, a crime is a crime and everyone involved or connected will be treated the same no matter who committed it. We do however bring awareness to these areas through outreach programs such as Citizens Academy to allow for a better-informed community. KE: Do you typically see more GLBT harassment out in rural areas compared to larger cities? SS: No, not usually. The crimes happen as often in both, with no major change between areas. KE: What type of involvement do you or your officers have at events such as the Pride festival? SS: I personally become involved by handing out brochures on safety within the community while also keeping a focus on the importance of safety, protection and awareness. I don’t make the officers attend unless they want to. KE: Are there any special training programs that officers must go through in order to be better prepared for later use while patrolling? SS: Our officers attend sensitivity training. I’m sure it has changed since I’ve been through it, but it basically includes information on topics like GLBT, sexual harassment, abuse, and a variety of other areas. It helps to give each officer the best understanding of each topic.”

Come meet Sheriff Scott at July’s Network at The Jury Room!

KE: Could you expand on sensitivity training? What exactly is it like? SS: Sensitivity training is a program specifically designed to recognize and inform others that every individual, no matter what their background is, deserves equal rights. It covers all cultures, making sure that everyone has the best understanding of each possible, as well as, issues such as acceptable physical contact and even appropriate eye contact. The main message of this program is that Columbus is made of different communities and different cultures and with that, everyone needs to remember that respect to others is a key component. KE: What is the main “take away” you have gained through working with both the GLBT and non-GLBT communities? SS: A lot of what we deal with involving the GLBT community here is they feel as though they are not treated equally by officers and are not taken as seriously as they could be because of their lifestyle. I have made it abundantly clear to my officers that everyone deserves equal rights and that’s something that I will continue to push for. My main concern is making sure that everyone is protected and safe despite his or her lifestyle. KE: What is your main connection to the GLBT community? SS: I ensure that they are protected under the law just like everyone else is. There should always be equal rights amongst these different communities no matter what. Central Ohio is a large melting pot when it comes to who lives here and what their story is. It is up to my office to ensure that there is no judging amongst the different lifestyles and to respect one another equally. KE: What is the main goal that you like your officers to keep in mind? SS: Safety is always our number one concern and focus. It is our duty to not only protect the area and communities but also each and every individual living there. You can meet Sherriff Scott at this month’s Network Columbus, Wed July 11 at the Jury Room Restaurant and Bar (Mound St just East of High), 6p-8p free. For more info: www.networkcolumbus.com.

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Get that burger inside of me.

july 2012

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Halt! This is official police business with Kimberley Jacobs, Columbus Chief of Police by Brandon C. Walker

able to do what our male officers could do.

We’ve all watched crime shows through the years; some good, some bad, and when I think back, I don’t recall there being many, if any, chiefs that were women. But in Columbus, we have our first female chief: Kimberley Jacobs. Growing up in a small town of Ohio, she was always destined to work in law enforcement. Now the Chief of Police shares her insight of her rise to the top of Columbus’ police force.

BW: What kind of advice do you offer female officers who are just beginning their career that no one ever told you? KJ: Unfortunately, women still have to prove themselves before they are accepted whereas men are accepted largely until they prove otherwise. So I tell them to distinguish themselves, standout in the crowd and work hard.

BW: Where did you grow up? Would you say life for you was pretty “normal” as a child? KJ: My family moved around a little until I reached second grade then we moved to Ashland, Ohio and I graduated from high school there. It was a small college town and things seemed very normal to me: band, choir, sports, etc. BW: What can you tell me about your first experience working in law enforcement? Did it meet your expectations? KJ: I thought being a street cop was better than I had anticipated it could be, I really felt like I was making a difference. It was challenging and sometimes fun solving mysteries etc., and I worked with a lot of good people. BW: As a female officer, do you notice any difference in the treatment from the public when dealing with any issues versus your male counterparts? KJ: More so early on when women on the street were still a very new and rare occurrence; some people didn’t think women could handle their situation, or they said they wanted a man to handle it. I told them and showed them that we were as

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BW: While in the line of duty have you ever had to shoot or arrest anyone? KJ: Never had to shoot anyone, but I made hundreds of arrests during my time as a patrol officer. BW: You have had many promotions with your first one being in 1987. With the different levels that you have achieved, did you have to apply for those positions or was there a different process than applying for Chief of Police? KJ: The Civil Service Commission is responsible for the promotional process up to and including Deputy Chief. I had to take a test for all of my previous promotions, as do all of our supervisors except Chief. You do have to apply to take the test; no one forces you to seek promotions. BW: I know this isn’t the first position that you have been the first female in, but what does it mean to you to be the first female Chief of Police for Columbus? KJ: It is an awesome responsibility and I do feel that I have the support of many women from all around the city, both within the Division and outside. I also feel that I am a role model and that I need to make a good impression so every time a woman is in contention in the future the decision

makers will reflect on a positive experience with this one. I don’t want gender to be a reason a person is selected or not selected. BW: Many critics have gone on to question whether or not you are the right person for the position, what is your response to the naysayers? KJ: Whomever those naysayers are, I doubt they know me well. The people that know me see my dedication to this organization and the people in it. They know that I care about doing this work the right way and for the right reasons. I believe that I have already made great strides in getting that message out to numerous groups that don’t know that side of me yet. BW: Residents throughout our city that they feel their neighborhood is unsafe due to the lack of patrol, what kind of changes that we as the public can look for in the near future when it comes to our safety? KJ: We need to work hard on getting out technology to be a force multiplier rather than taking more time to do simple tasks. We also need to find methods to provide service in a different way that is acceptable to the public but gives our officers more time to investigate crime rather than just document it. The clerical side of their jobs is very demanding of their time. I want to add civilians to the Division that can provide some relief to allow this. BW: What other changes or new ideas are you currently working on, and what do you hope to achieve as the Chief of Police? KJ: I am going to focus attention and resources on a group of crime problems to find strategies that work for us to combat those crimes and then

Even the Chief likes a little bling for her ears.

take that success to more crimes. I hope to achieve a better trust relationship between the community and our personnel that will give us a higher sense of safety among our citizens. We are looking to find a way to measure our success that satisfies the community. Research is in process to use technology better and more efficiently, and to leave the Division and its members better off than it is now. I hope that I will leave behind a great team of professionals ready to make an even bigger difference than I did. BW: We at outlook have known you as a member of the community for a while, but for our readers that don’t know you, how do you fit into and represent Columbus’s GLBT culture and community? KJ: I am a member of and attend King Ave United Methodist Church every week. They are a reconciling congregation and it is a great church that welcomes all. They are active in supporting the gay community. I attended the HRC dinner last year and a few small events. I love how open Columbus is and that my partner and I rarely if ever get a second (or judgmental) glance from waiters, salespeople or any others who recognize us as a couple. BRAVO reps teach our recruits at the academy about cultural differences and I have been publicly out for quite a while. I share my story when appropriate to make a point about how our personnel need to deal with all members of the community. And what it is like to be different in a large organization that is underrepresented in many ways. To read the entire interview with Chief Jacobs you can visit www.outlookcolumbus.com. She goes on to share hobbies that most don’t know about and a few other details about her career.

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I always exit the bus with a jazz leap. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t you?

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Out On the Beat: CPD’s Officer Nick Konves Gives The Lowdown on Being a Gay Officer by Orie Givens For many of us, our knowledge of police work is confined to late night episodes of Law and Order, or the limited and not-so-fun interactions we have with officers on the side of the road. Let’s admit, the images painted of law enforcement are not always the most positive, especially when it comes to dealing with GLBT issues. And surely, no one could be out and gay in such an old boy’s club, right? But, according to Officer Nick Konves, that perception couldn’t be farther from the truth. Officer Konves is a decorated officer of five years with the Columbus Police, as well as former firefighter and paramedic. You can tell he loves his job; when he talks about his day his blue eyes light up and his smile gets wide. He loves the streets and never wants to sit at a desk, and he enjoys the thrill of the unknown nature of each dispatch call. Because of his outstanding work, he was just awarded with a promotion to Sergeant. Oh, and did I mention, he’s also gay. But, duh, that’s sooo not a big deal. Orie Givens: Tell me about growing up? How did you know you wanted to be in public service and when did you come out? Nick Konves: I was really interested in ambulances and fire trucks when I was in school. Mark Caldwell, who was basically a second father figure, was a firefighter with the Mansfield fire department and he really took me under his wing and got me really excited about firefighting. So I approached my school board and asked if I could skip 11th grade so I could get into college sooner. I went to Hocking College and got my paramedic certification and my firefighting license. And while I was at Hocking, though I fought it initially, that’s when I accepted that I was gay. And I actually came out to my mom first. I think I came out to her first because it was so easy; she was so

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understanding. I can definitely say that I have one of the coolest moms ever; she was down-toearth and understood that I would make mistakes and she stood by my side while I did that. It was the rest of the family that I was worried about, and it took me a little bit longer to come out to them. It was actually two Christmases ago that I was outed at my family Christmas gathering, and I tell you what, my family really took it well. Nothing changed, not one bit. OG: What made you want to be a police officer? NK: About a year into [being a firefighter], we worked hand in hand with the officers on calls and stuff so I wondered if I would enjoy being a law enforcement officer. I basically figured while I am still young I might as well try it out and give it a shot. I kept up all of my certifications just in case I didn’t like it, but I fell in love with it. As soon as I hit the street I knew that it was the career for me. OG: So you were out when you entered the academy? Did you worry that there would be a conflict with you being gay? NK: Especially in the academy, you are so fearful of everything, you know, it’s like boot camp. You think about the next thing that has to get done that it never comes up. It’s never something that’s talked about…nobody cares. You are there for a purpose, you are there to learn. I am a firm believer that personal life should be left at home and work is work, but when you get on a precinct and you really enjoy the men and women that you work with and you start to develop strong friendships with these people. You start hanging out with them off duty and you start meeting their families and they meet your family. You do a lot of events off duty together, you know, eventually it comes up in conversation. I wasn’t worried though, Columbus Police is so accepting of

everyone. OG: So the public perception that sometimes police environments are very macho and unaccepting of gay people or diversity is a misconception? NK: If you are taking from my experiences, and I know a lot of other gay officers, we don’t have discrimination in the police department. The environment that we have in the department is really good for diversity. Everyone is treated equally from the top down, and we know that discrimination won’t be tolerated. It is not an environment where that behavior thrives. OG: Can you tell me about an experience on the job, positive or negative, that was memorable to you? NK: If I have to think of one thing, as far as sexuality is concerned, it doesn’t happen much at work , but it was about 2 years ago when I responded to a domestic violence call where a 16year-old kid had assaulted his father. I get there, and it is a very volatile scene, everyone is really amped up. Once we get everyone calmed down, I start talking to neighbors and stuff, and obviously I hear one side from the parents and one side from the kid and you can assume that they are conflicting stories. I found out that the domestic violence had occurred because the kid had snapped because the parents were throwing him out because he was gay. He had nowhere to go, he had no money. He didn’t have a cell phone, he didn’t have a job. They just told him to get out of the house. And you know what, it just crushed me. Though I had to arrest him because a crime had been committed, I took that opportunity to talk to him and get him some resources for when he got out of jail. But to this day, that still stays with me.

OG: So if you were talking to a GLBT young person or a young person in general who was interested in law enforcement, what would you tell them? NK: Columbus Police is where it’s at. It’s the place to be. The analogy I will use is that you will have a really successful employee if they stand behind their product. If they truly believe in their product, and they have to go out and sell it, it’s so much more genuine coming from that employee. It is no different with a police officer. I absolutely love the city of Columbus; I love everything about the city. There is just so much to do, the diversity is so incredible. The city leaders really foster that environment where diversity thrives and that is what makes Columbus so wonderful. I am so proud to come to work and put on the uniform of Columbus Police as opposed to somewhere else, because I enjoy the city and have such a great environment to work in. I get along so great with my coworkers, it’s like a big family. For someone who is interested in this type of work, the job is absolutely incredible. The relationships and the friendships that you build, I can’t even put words to it. It’s great, it really is great. OG: So now that we have learned about Officer (soon to be Sergeant) Nick Konves, when you take off your uniform and put on jeans and sneakers, what does that Nick like to do? NK: That Nick likes to go out. I love sand volleyball; I really enjoy camping, canoeing. Like most people I love the beach, so whenever I get the chance I head somewhere warm and sunny with palm trees and a beach. So I really love traveling a lot. Congratulations to Sergeant Nick Konves and our thanks to all of the men and women at the Columbus Police Department. And, just so you know, ticket and traffic stop quotas don’t exist. I asked.

The things we could write here are endless, if not obvious... frisk me;, that a gun in your pocket; I’ve been bad - arrest me...

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Don’t miss your chance to be in the second edition of Who’s Who in GLBT Columbus. Be a part of history!

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Courting Controversy: What Were We Thinking? by Jane M. Mason Problems with Perceptions The Ohio Historical Society was recently described in a focus group we conducted as “a bunch of ladies in hats drinking tea.” Ouch. As a 127-year old institution, the Ohio Historical Society may seem to be the epitome of quiet, library desks and intense archaeologists dusting off artifacts, as well as, a place to see an iconic mastodon skeleton and a two-headed calf. It is all that, (and we may indeed have some female tea drinkers,) but the perception is far from the reality. The reality is that the Ohio Historical Society is a busy organization fanning out across the state working with the 50+ historic sites that we administer, including the Ohio History Center and the Ohio Village. This too is the tip of the iceberg. Housing the state archives, overseeing the 1.6 million objects in the collection and administering dozens of offices and functions, are just a few of the assignments at the 501c3 organization headquartered in Columbus. Yet stubborn erroneous perceptions were interfering with opportunities to “be part of the conversation.” As Ohioans engage in conversations about how to spend leisure time, or discussing important cultural assets, we found the Ohio Historical Society was not automatically included in the conversation. This was a problem. World-class peers were in the conversation - COSI, the Columbus Zoo, Franklin Park, the Columbus Museum of Art, and other museums and cultural centers around the state. Yet if we were not in the conversation, it

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would be impossible to be relevant.

The exhibit space was created in a dramatically lit, austere, minimalist manner to present each object Starting in early 2010, with the arrival of Executive in a separate space, allowing for the maximum Director, Burt Logan, there has been a drive to be- impact of walking into a space and being concome more relevant; to push harder on all the but- fronted with, for example, a Ku Klux Klan robe. tons to bring history to Ohioans and to bring the There were some audible gasps as visitors entered world to Ohio’s history. the gallery spaces. Gutsy Moves A move in that direction was the decision to exhibit a small array of objects from the collection that had been specially selected for their inherent challenge to be exhibited. A dichotomy to be sure. The name of he exhibit was Controversy: Pieces We Don’t Normally See. The objects were: the electric chair from the old Ohio Penitentiary, a Ku Klux Klan robe and hood, a sheepskin condom, a crib-bed cage that restrained patients at a state mental institution and a thumb mitt once used to prevent children from sucking their thumbs. An additional layer of complexity in terms of marketing the objects was the decision to “let the objects speak for themselves.” In press material we restrained ourselves from describing the objects. We asked: “What if we didn’t tell you what to think? Are you ready for a different kind of museum experience?” In exhibits, typically interpretation is presented on labels to accompany objects. In the case of the Controversy objects, the text was slashed to a minimum. These startling objects - all related to Ohio’s history - engaged each visitor in a one-off personal way and challenged the visitor to create his or her own dialog about a reaction to the object.

they difficult because they are taken from one historical time period and juxtaposed in another so they challenge how far we think we’ve come; or are they difficult because it is difficult to articulate why they make us uncomfortable?

For myself, I find some of objects in the second iteration, too difficult to share a space with. The The first exhibit, which ran from April 1 to Novem- Currier and Ives “Darktown” prints in particular ber 20, 2011, was successful in generating atten- and I won’t describe them, because you need to exdance to the museum and generating worldwide perience them on your own - cannot actually look PR and discussions. A radio station in Ireland con- at. I am too uncomfortable. What does that say ducted a phone interview because it was interabout me? What does that say about my prejuested in the electric chair and that capital dices or perceptions? It makes me ask myself what punishment continues as an option. A reusable are the products of our culture around me that I sheepskin condom from 1860 was a conversation take for granted, but 100 years from now, will starter. Found in an account book of a steamboat cause someone will cringe or be too ashamed to captain on the Muskingum River, it has a narrow, view. I wonder. delicate pink ribbon affixed around the opening. Conversations about birth control, venereal disGetting into the Conversations ease, family planning, treatment of women and condoms themselves, all emerged from the inclu- Dean said of the exhibits, “By showing controversion of the object in the exhibit. sial objects from our state’s history, we hope to spur meaningful reflection and conversation on The second iteration of the exhibit, Controversy 2: the issues they represent.” So what were we thinkPieces We Don’t Talk About, opened on Wednesday, ing to launch into these Controversy Exhibits? The February. 29, 2012, and continues through Decem- exhibits have effectively generated reactions, and ber 30, 2012. The objects are a Nazi flag, a poem nosed the Ohio Historical Society into the conversaby Ohioan Paul Laurence Dunbar written in “ditions about cultural assets. But the real question alect,” a child’s toy bowling set with ethnic carica- about the exhibits is: What are you thinking about ture bowling pins, a dozen Currier & Ives them? “Darktown” prints, and a 1947 Cleveland Indians jacket. Visitors are invited to reflect on how stereo- Tours are given of the Controversy exhibit on Saturday aftertypes influence personal identity. Sharon Dean, Di- noons. No need to pre-register, see the calendar for the month you plan to visit for details. rector of Museum and Library services has http://ohsweb.ohiohistory.org/eventcalendar/ described the objects as “difficult.” Even that apparently simple word takes on a complexity: are

Racists obviously can’t count to ten.

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outlookcolumbus.com: more filling and tastes great!

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by Romeo San Vicente

Bomb Girls Blowing Up So on

Dustin Lance Black’s 8 Gets Bigger

Much Ado About Sean Mahe r

Sexy lesbians working in a World War II-era bomb factory? Yes, it happened, there just haven’t been a lot of Steven Spielberg movies made about the subject. Because while the heroism of those who served during World War II is the subject of countless movies, books and TV shows, there are simply fewer stories told about the courage of those on the home front. Bomb Girls looks to fill in a bit of that gap. A Canadian TV drama that aired earlier this year, Bomb Girls tells the stories of a group of women who work in a munitions factory during the war and co-stars Academy Award nominee Meg Tilly (Agnes of God). Meanwhile, in keeping with the real social upheaval caused by the mass influx of women into the American wartime workforce, the series will indeed feature a lesbian character (played by Canadian TV star Ali Liebert) and her relationship with a co-worker (Charlotte Hegele). Already picked up for a 12-episode second season in Canada, the six-episode first season will debut this fall in the US on cable’s ReelzChannel.

8, Dustin Lance Black’s all-star benefit stage play (George Clooney! Brad Pitt!) about the successful court battle against California’s Proposition 8, the law that repealed marriage equality in that state, is moving closer to a big screen adaptation thanks to director Rob Reiner (When Harry Met Sally). Reiner’s production company, Castle Rock, is working with Black on the script phase, which, according to Black, will expand the courtroom drama to include more personal information about the plaintiffs. Smart move, because sitting 20 feet away from a live benefit performance, featuring Clooney as he reads courtroom transcripts might be exciting for the privileged attendees, but multiplex audiences need a little more to grab onto besides their popcorn. When it all finally comes together, expect Milk and Brokeback Mountain levels of attention from a political climate where same-sex marriage makes the daily news almost as often as the weather forecast. The iron’s hotter than it’s ever been. Time to strike, Hollywood!

Hey everybody, guess what Sean Maher’s doing next? That’s right, he’s going to costar in the new Joss Whedon (The Avengers) movie, a modern-day adaptation of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. Oh, wait, you have no idea who Sean Maher is? Well, that’s your own fault, but here’s a quick recap: he’s the cool, openly gay character actor, already a household name in nerdy, Whedon-following, Firefly and Serenity -obsessed households, who’s been off the radar for a bit thanks to two years of stayat-home Dad detail. So a return to work is welcome for both him and audiences who appreciate the everyday working actors out there who don’t let their sexuality turn into an endless tabloid-based wild goose chase (*cough* Latifah-Travolta). Most importantly, though, it’ll be refreshing to see what the witty Whedon does with Shakespeare, and the film will also star Firefly colleague Nathan Fillion, so the news on this one just keeps getting better.

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I’m so glad we’re full color now, because I can stare into those baby blues all day.

The Best Rumo r Of Right Now: A Downton Abbey Movie As the third season of Downton Abbey shoots, gearing up for a fall telecast in the U.K. and a January bow on America’s PBS, the hottest Emmy-hoarding British import on television is now the subject of rumor after rumor, most of them false. The most frightening one, of course, was the cruel idea that one-liner machine Maggie Smith would soon depart the series (untrue, says Smith and creator Julian Fellowes). But here’s the best one: a theatrical film, probably capping the series’ eventual end on TV (those Brit shows never wear out their welcome with too many seasons, a lesson American series could stand to learn). Fellowes, of course, isn’t confirming but he’s also not denying, choosing instead to address the issue with vague talk of “talks.” In other words, it could happen. So where’s the Facebook petition? We’ll sign it. Romeo San Vicente understands that Mr. Bates is the sweetest, most gentle convicted murderer on TV, but, truth be told, it’s really all about Lord Grantham. He can be reached care of this publication or at DeepInsideHollywood@qsyndicate.com.

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Magic man: an interview with Jake Shears of Scissor Sisters by Gregg Shapiro Magic Hour (Casablanca), the Scissor Sisters’ fourth studio album has all the necessary ingredients to cast a spell on their devoted fans and to earn them plenty of new ones. Album opener “Baby Come Home” has a comfortable familiarity and even a touch of Prince to the mix. The galloping “Only The Horses” is a perfect summer single, the kind of Tea Dance anthem that is sure to fill dance-floors across the globe. The irresistible “Let’s Have A Kiki” and “Keep Your Shoes On” broaden both the horizons of the Scissor Sisters and their followers, while “Shady Love,” “San Luis Obispo” and “The Secret Life of Letters” are open musical invitations to newcomers far and wide. I had the pleasure of speaking with Scissor Sisters’ front-man Jake Shears in June 2012. Gregg Shapiro: Magic Hour is being released domestically on Casablanca, a record label known for its association with the seminal days of disco music. Is this something significant to you and Scissor Sisters? Jake Shears: We’re happy to have a label in America that wants to put us out at all [laughs]. The record label game is… I don’t know what it means anymore. It’s super exciting to put it out on Casablanca, just because of the history. I’m happy that they revived the imprint; it’s super cool. And I like our label-mates. GS: Scissor Sisters are considered to be a New York band, but it sounds like California has found its way in on songs such as “San Luis Obispo” and “Year of Living Dangerously,” which includes a mention of the “freeway,” which conjures up Los Angeles. Is southern California competing with New York for your

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attention? JS: I think the world is competing for my attention, to be quite honest with you. And southern California is definitely in there. I had some really amazing times in southern California this last year and made some great friends. I love being in LA; I also spent some time in San Francisco last year with the musical Tales of the City. I have a hard time calling myself a New Yorker anymore. I live out of a suitcase and will continue to live out of a suitcase for quite a while. I have a house down in Tennessee now. I have a house in London now. I’m a bit all over the place [laughs]. GS: Drugs make a number of appearances throughout Magic Hour – in songs such as “Baby Come Home,” “Keep Your Shoes On,” “Inevitable” and “Shady Love.” Is there cause for alarm? JS: [Laughs] It depends on who you’re asking and about whom. No, drugs have always been a theme through the lyrics that I write. I think they’re ever present in our lives, whether it’s alcohol or pot or club drugs or antidepressants or Ambien or whatever. Everybody’s on something and they affect all of us in different ways. They can ruin lives; they can save lives. In American culture, especially, they’re omnipresent. Substances and chemicals are everyplace, whether it’s espresso or crystal meth, it’s everywhere. GS: “Let’s Have a Kiki” is the kind of song that makes you smile and dance at the same time. Is the voicemail message that opens the song real or was it scripted for the song? JS: It’s all improv. We wanted to create a setting, to set up a story for where you would have or why anyone would have a kiki or what would make you feel like having a kiki. Somebody’s having a

bad night but it’s all going to be better when you go with your friends. We wanted to give it the setting before the song kicked in. It was important for us to set that place and that answering machine monologue was the device that we used to do it. GS: It’s very funny and effective. JS: Thanks! It was all improv. We were literally in the studio with a cell phone in front of the microphone, with Ana in the next room calling one of our phones and recording all that. GS: When I interviewed you a few years ago about Scissor Sisters’ second album, we talked a bit about your literary interests, including Lewis Carroll and Michael Cunningham, and the song “The Secret Life of Letters” on Magic Hour is another good example of your flair for the literary. Do you have a book in you? JS: I do. That’s what I always thought I was going to do. I always thought I was going to be a writer. That’s what I went to school for. Ever since I could put a sentence together, I started writing stories as a little kid. I kept writing them and wrote stories all my life. I still do. That’s what I was aiming for. I love genre fiction. I’m a huge reader; I’m a book collector. I love literature, highbrow and lowbrow. I always think about it and I hope so. It’s one of my dreams. GS: We look forward to reading it someday. 2012 has seen the loss of a number of important musical icons, including dance music legends such as Donna Summer, Whitney Houston and Robin Gibb. Do you have any thoughts or comments? JS: I think when stuff like that happens, it makes me reflect on what an artist has brought to the culture, to pop culture, to the world, and how

Can I please be Ana Matronic when I grow up?

they’ve influenced and inspired people. It’s a great moment to reflect on that and honor those people for what they’ve done in their lifetime. It also just reminds me of everyone’s mortality. When it all comes down to it, Whitney Houston was just a person; as are all of us, as are any of the biggest legends that are around and will live and die. We’re all just people, nobody’s superhuman, nobody’s immortal. There’s nobody that’s a deity; everyone goes. It constantly reminds me, especially with Whitney’s death in particular, that we’re all just people. There are some that do incredible work and it’s great to honor the work that they’ve done when something like that happens. But it definitely just makes me think of mortality and the fact nobody lives forever, but the music can. GS: Scissor Sisters are known for their amazing live shows. What can fans expect from the Magic Hour tour? JS: It’s so exciting; we get to throw out a lot of songs that we played for 10 years! There are going to be some songs that people will not hear [laughs] that they might expect to, which is thrilling for the band [laughs]. Having four albums now, it’s like, “oh my God, we don’t have to play this song anymore!” It really feels like a brand-new show, just because we’ve brought in album tracks from previous albums that haven’t been heard in a long time. Likewise, there are songs that have been heard throughout our tours the last 10 years that we have taken out of the show and replaced with really amazing stuff off Magic Hour. The set list is wicked! It’s really cool! The way the songs flow into each other is really amazing and the music direction is amazing, I think. There’s more choreography. I think people will have a blast. It’s a fun show. I know the band has been having a blast playing these songs.

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From a Whisper to a Scream: an Interview with St. Sukie de la Croix by Gregg Shapiro

of any use to students, all the information has to be sourced, and I’m very proud of my bibliography.

Before he became a saint, Bath, England native Sukie de la Croix and I just missed crossing paths as members of Chicago’s gay writers’ group New Town Writers; he joined just after I left the group. Shortly thereafter, we both found ourselves writing for what would be the first in a series of LGBT publications (some now defunct) in Chicago. Nearly 20 years later, both with new books to our names, we are about to embark on a book tour together (coming to Columbus July 31), which will either strengthen and enrich or completely destroy our friendship. His book, Chicago Whispers: A History of LGBT Chicago before Stonewall (University of Wisconsin Press, 2012) covers a period of almost 300 years, and does so in a way that is as informative as it is entertaining. I spoke with St. Sukie about Chicago Whispers shortly before we hit the road. Gregg Shapiro: St. Sukie, who do you see as the target audience for your book Chicago Whispers? St. Sukie de la Croix: The target audience for this book was originally me. I wrote the book I wanted to read. Outside of that, it will be of interest to anyone who has ever lived in Chicago, or been intrigued by its history. Whatever comes to mind when you hear the word “Chicago” – Al Capone and the Mafia, Chicago Blues, political shenanigans – LGBTs were sucked up into the great drama of all of them. It’s a book about a metropolis, and the contribution that LGBT people made to its growth and development. But most of all it’s about individuals cast out from society, who found a niche, a way to survive, sometimes against terrible odds. In the end, Chicago LGBT people said “enough is enough” and they kicked against the pricks. And there were a lot of pricks in Chicago back then [laughs]. GS: You have said that you approached writing Chicago Whispers as a journalist, not as a historian. Can you say something about that distinction and about how you think that affected your writing and research process? SSdlC: Historians have a set way of doing things, an academic clarity. There are rules to follow, whereas a journalist will sell his own grandmother to get to the bottom of a story [laughs]. Gay history is so hidden and buried, that it sometimes requires intense detective work. For example, I lied through my teeth to get into a couple of membership-only libraries. However, in the end, if the book is to be

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GS: How did you go about formatting chapters? SSdlC: With respect to the mechanics of writing the book, this appeared at first to be the biggest problem. The book covers 300 years of history and I wanted to place it in a timeline, but some subjects, individuals, and events, overlapped into different chapters. I struggled with this and eventually gave up and kept writing with no structure whatsoever, but as it often happens in these cases, that’s when it all fell into place on its own. Sometimes we over think things. GS: Chicago Whispers was also the name of the LGBT history column that you wrote, which ran for six years in Outlines and the second incarnation of Windy City Times, beginning in 1998. Did any or all of the chapters in the Chicago Whispers book have their genesis in those columns? SSdlC: Writing the column inspired me to write the book. However, I didn’t use much from the columns, as they were oral history interviews and I was writing a factual history book. I did use a few anecdotes about gay bars and raids, but only when backed up by other sources such as newspapers. GS: Chicago has long been considered to be a cultural mecca, and throughout Chicago Whispers, you shine a spotlight on the contributions of Chicago’s LGBT artistic community. Were you surprised to learn about the people about whom you wrote and do you think they will finally get their due? SSdlC: Chicago has always been a city of artists and writers, I’m just pointing out that a lot of them were LGBT. I think that’s important. An individual’s sexuality is a vital ingredient to their work, but sadly it’s often ignored, denied or glossed over. Chicago should be proud of its arts community, past and present. GS: Was there any event or person in writing the book that you would cite as having a profound effect on you? SSdlC: Sitting down and talking to LGBT Chicagoans about their lives growing up in the Windy City has been the most inspiring aspect of this whole project. They were the impetus for me writing Chicago Whispers, the column and the book, the reason I stuck with it. At least four men I interviewed, and whose stories I used in the

I wonder how long it took for him to grow that bitchin’ stache?

book, have since passed away: Charles B, the Polish Princess, Tony Midnite and Dee Lobue. Each of those beautiful gay men had a profound effect on me. It was a great honor to know them, albeit briefly. GS: Are there any revelations in the book of which you are especially proud to have uncovered? SSdlC: In 1925 Henry Gerber, who founded the first gay group in America in Chicago, was arrested, but no proof of his arrest has ever been found. Until now, that is. I did some serious sleuthing. GS: Is there anyone that you wrote about in the book that you wished you had met in person? SSdlC: All of them. I would love to have interviewed the author Henry Blake Fuller, and Margaret Anderson, although, in truth, I don’t think we would have hit it off, she was terribly pretentious, ghastly but fascinating. I’d love to build a time machine and zap myself back to a club called Diamond Lil’s in 1928 and to hear a sixteenyear-old Alberta Hunter singing in a brothel on Chicago’s South Side. Imagine meeting Ma Rainey … Wow! GS: Many of the chapters have a vivid, cinematic quality to them. Is there a couple that you think might make a good movie? SSdlC: Somebody needs to make a documentary about Chicago cross-dressers in burlesque, both male and female. Also, there’s a rich seam of history to mine on the subject of African-American pansy parlors in the early 1930s. Having said that I’ve seen some awful gay history documentaries, made by well-meaning people… but just dreadful. GS: Have you begun work on your next book projects? SSdlC: I’ve completed the sequel to Chicago Whispers and it sits with the publisher. I’ve almost finished writing an autobiographical novel about my childhood growing up in Post World War II Britain. After that, I’m writing a book of historical essays, followed by a book of short stories. I’m busy [laughs]. Gregg and Sukie will be reading from their new books (GREGG SHAPIRO:77 and Chicago Whispers: A History of LGBT Chicago before Stonewall, respectively) on July 31 from 6p-8p at the Stonewall Columbus Community Center on High.

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Getting to Know Gay Lives by Tom Muzyka There are the well-known historical figures in queer culture: Alexander the Great, Sappho, Harvey Milk, Perez. A (queer) history buff may have a broader list, encompassing many time periods and cultures, but for many of us, our icons come from the last 50 years. That is what makes Gay Lives so fascinating: the opportunity to read about queer figures throughout history. There are some notables, but there are many rich stories of individuals and lovers to whom we would have no access otherwise. Gay Lives is a good way to discover a portion of the larger history that still influences our lives today. I spoke with author, Professor Robert Aldrich of the University of Sydney, about his book and its impact on today’s LGBT audience. Tom Muzyka: What was your impetus to writing this? What was your research process and method to collecting sources? Robert Aldrich: The publisher, Thames & Hudson, suggested the book and asked me to write it; I had previously edited a volume on Gay Life and Culture for them. My book joins a set of ‘lives in history’ publications. Looking at historical issues through particular lives is especially revealing about the lived experiences of those individuals, the context in which they lived and the attitudes of those in their society towards sexuality. The process in writing the book was to identify specific figures and then gather material for writing the essays. I tried not to write each one as an encyclopedia entry, but to set a life into a framework and, thus, to illustrated the variety of ‘gay’ experiences in the past. TM: During your development process, did you have to choose between two figures, or cut a section out, and if so, what were the criteria for

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the edit? How did you choose which figures to feature, especially the less well-known ones? RA: There is some emphasis on my own areas of interest – I am a specialist of modern European and colonial history – but the publishers and I decided that we wanted people from around the globe and through various centuries that illustrate different perspectives on gay life. Readers would expect some well-known figures, such as Walt Whitman and Oscar Wilde, or Sappho and Radcylffe Hall, but we also tried to include some who are less well known, including for instance a Sri Lankan photographer, a Japanese lesbian novelist, a Jamaican writer, a South African activist and an Arabic painter. There is a cardinal and a criminal. ‘We are everywhere’, as the old gay liberation slogan put it! TM: What next steps and suggestions do you have for readers who want more information? RA: A number of the people I profiled were writers, and readers can look at their own novels, poetry and memories. Many of the figures have been subjects of biographies, too – there are whole stacks of biographies and critical works, for example, on people such as E.M. Forster. But there are now terrific historical works on various periods of gay history: James Davidson on Antiquity, Michael Rocke on the Renaissance, Graham Robb on the nineteenth century, Leila Rupp on lesbian history, Louis Crompton for a splendid overview. A couple of decades ago, there was just a shelf of serious books on gay and lesbian history; now there is a whole library. TM: The lack of source material seems to be one of the largest challenges for queer scholars, and traditional criticisms and interpretations have hindered modern queer interpretations. How recent has queer criticism arrived to the scene, and what progress do you anticipate? RA: Historians and other scholars, first of all, have

done great detective work in hunting down memoirs, court records, newspaper reports and forgotten documents. They have also learned how to read between the lines to find coded references to same-sex love in literature, art or private life. And they have also re-conceptualized what same-sex relations mean: not just sex, but intimacy, affection, love, a particular sort of sociability. There are many sources – though it is indeed hard to get material on some periods, places and people – that are open to interpretation. Queer theory was significant in the 1990s in suggesting new readings of documents and in widening the definition of same-sex life. Unfortunately, it was also very bound up with a kind of self-referential jargon and commentary that made much of it inaccessible to most people. Queer theory is largely passé now – even the word sounds very ‘last century’ – and studies of homosexuality have just become part of the various disciplines, of history, literary studies or other fields. What for me has been particularly fascinating in recent years has been the increased work on homosexuality outside of Western societies, but also outside of North America and Europe. TM: What is your opinion on the division of male vs. female homosexuality; there is historically and contemporarily a divide amongst the genders, even though both are homosexual and looking for similar rights. Gay Lives showcases a few instances of friendship between queer males and females, but the primary focus is on romantic lives. Why do you think genders continue to segregate? RA: In general, men and women have occupied separate spheres through much of history, with different expectations, duties and rights. Those differences extended, socially, to gender roles, so it’s not really surprising that there have been different types of sexual sociability for gay men and

Do you lead a gay life? Of course you do.

lesbians. And criminal codes were also more likely to criminalize male homosexual acts than ones between women. There was a big debate among lesbians in the 1960s and 1970s about whether the women’s struggle or the homosexual struggle should be the priority, and gay men didn’t have to make that choice. Perhaps today there is more coalescing of political interests, but still some variation in terms of sexual behavior and intimacy. Indeed, things are very complex if you think, too, of transsexuals, bisexuals, ‘metrosexuals’ and those who identify themselves simply as ‘queer’, or who do even think in terms of labels and identities at all. TM: Although there is a section about “Radicals and Activists,” the book itself is apolitical... is there any political message or reform you’d like readers to take away from the book? Ultimately, what do you want your readers to take away from the book and its cast of characters? RA: I’d like readers to appreciate the diversity of gay lives and gay cultures around the world and through the centuries. I’d like them to see how men and women with same-same desires have always found ways to pursue them, even in the most adverse circumstances, and often had a great deal of fun in the process. I’d also hope that readers would see the significance of gays in broader society – as writers and artists and people in all walks of life – but also to understand how studying gay lives provides a lens through which to view more general medical, legal, religious and social attitudes. Perhaps they will see the grave dangers of religious fundamentalism, pseudo-scientific theories and political intolerance. I’d like them to be aware that it is important to be vigilant about the rights that gays have obtained, and to promote rights for those who do not yet have them. Tom and Robert had a lot more to say. To read the full interview, please visit www.outlookcolumbus.com and find it in the Creative Class section.

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Short Shorts Man by Marcus Morris I love it when guys wear short shorts. Thank God they are back in style. The worst decade for shorts was the 90s when everyone decided that they needed to dress like rappers or hip-hop artists, and they looked terrible. I have visions of people in Cross Colors and JNCO and Silvertab Levi’s, and we will never live down the embarrassment of those clothes. Not to mention our shitty haircuts, ridiculous tennis shoes and tacky jewelry. We all know someone who had an eyebrow piercing. I was introduced to this trend a few years ago when American Apparel started doing their ever-popular retro swim shorts, and I saw a guy wearing a pair without underwear. He rode a bike to the Mojoe Lounge, where I was bartending, and he got off his bike and went inside, while I stood outside and choked on my cigarette. When I got a closer look, you could see everything. It was shocking and titillating and I still have memories of that day. I was so young and innocent then. My favorite pair of Levi 501s were made into a pair of short shorts that summer. I was still a bit apprehensive to show upper thigh, so I cut them just above the knee. They were skin tight, and they could be slightly raunchy if I went without underwear, which I did when I was bored and needed a pick me up. Sometimes it’s the little things that keep us going. While working the outlook booth at Pride one year I met my friend James, who happened to be wearing a pair of navy blue shorts that stopped in the middle of his thigh. Inside those shorts he poured the most perfect ass in Columbus. When I speak to him today, I mention that day. Those shorts, that rear end, along with his handsome face and brilliant personality are the reasons why I think he is the cat’s pajamas. I am excited for him to return from Israel and tell me about his life over the past year. Also, I would not be upset if he managed to wear a pair of cutoffs. The following January, I moved to Cape Town. It was the height of summer. I became friends with a young artist/model named Morne who only owned shorts with a minimal inseam. I

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Moral of the story: show more thigh!

was incredibly inspired by his spindly legs coming out of the bottom of his short-shorts. He was all gestural beauty, which was highlighted by the lack of fabric on his knees. Morne introduced me to the menswear designer Stiaan Louw. Stiaan made clothes for the most chic people in Cape Town. Lucky for me, I got to go to his showroom and bear witness to his talent. For my birthday, I got a pair of short-shorts. Only a gay man would be excited about receiving a pair of shorts that highlight his ass and package as a birthday gift. As I approached a bar in Brooklyn, I saw a guy wearing a pair of shorts that showed just enough inner thigh that I had to douse myself in bourbon to put out my erection. He was incredibly hot with a bit of scruff and a gorgeous smile. We boozed and batted eyelashes, and I did my best not to reach my hands under the table. I am a gentleman, even if I am a bit fond of checking out the merch. New York City is full of beautiful people, and luckily they tend to shun clothes during the height of summer. The street is teaming with models, actors, ballet dancers and college interns all yearning to show of their quadriceps. In Soho, one just has to stand outside Topshop to see an endless parade of tourists aiming to get the “London Look.” That “look” is evidently a hideously printed t-shirt and a pair of cropped shorts. I tend to ignore the fact that the clothes are ugly when I can see that the person is carrying a Wilhelmina portfolio, but mere mortals are subject to a bit of shade when it comes to the fashion. I would never read your waist or hips, but let’s talk about those threads. In order to pull of the look, I don’t think it requires a perfect body. I think it requires moxie or personality or a strong sense of self. You have to have the confidence to wear something that displays your attributes, which is what they are. If you have a big ass and fat thighs, slip on those shorts and shake it. If you are whippet thin and your ass is the size of a fist, no pun intended, then make like a supermodel and catwalk down High Street in your daisy dukes. The best part about being that exposed is that you are revealing yourself. What you choose to do with all that out in the open is what defines you. Showing a bit of ass is only half of it.

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Let me be your star... We canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait til the next season of Smash.

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by Dan Savage My younger brother and I are close. He came out of the closet last year, although it wasn’t much of a surprise because everyone knew he was gay since forever. Everyone is happy he’s out because it kind of takes the elephant out of the room, and our immediate and extended family are all really supportive. But for the last six to nine months or so, he’s been really depressed about not ever having had a boyfriend. He’s 21 and he’s always talking about how he wants to find a boy to be with in a relationship and not just for sex, but he says it’s impossible for him to meet said boy. Me being straight, the only advice I’ve ever been able to give him is to just try new things and that way you’ll meet new people, as really that’s the only advice you can give someone who’s looking to meet a potential partner. My brother, however, framed his issue to me in a way I’ve never really thought of - which is that only a small fraction of the population is gay, and an even smaller fraction of that may be compatible with him, so meeting new people for a gay guy is actually a lot harder than it is for straight people. He’s been on the whole online dating thing for a while, but said it’s really difficult to meet anyone who he feels a connection with. I’ve never done online dating, but I have heard the same points from others who’ve tried it. I asked him if he ever goes to gay bars, because that would obviously change the ratios around, but apparently it’s a little insensitive for a straight guy to say that, and he said he’s not really into that scene. Anyway, I just wish I could give him some good advice without being unintentionally offensive (the gay bar suggestion). I’d still like to offer him any advice I can for him to meet a guy he feels strongly about. Seeking Advice For Family There are 3.5 billion men on the planet. Even if we accept the lowest educated guesstimate of the percentage of the population that’s gay - 1.7 percent - that means your brother has nearly 60 million potential romantic partners to choose from worldwide; he has 2.5 million potential romantic partners in the United States alone. Other informed guesstimates of the percentage of the population that’s gay are much, much higher - seven or eight times higher - so your brother’s odds of finding a partner are probably much better. But let’s put that 1.7 percent figure in perspective: Jews represent just 1.7 percent of the population of the United States. So even if the

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percentage of the population that’s gay is “just” 1.7 percent, your brother has the, um, same cross to bear - and the same odds of success - as an American Jew who wants to marry another American Jew. It sounds like your brother is going through a common if rarely discussed stage of the coming-out process: Wallow in Self Pity and Bite the Head Off Anyone Who Tries to Help. That’s why he was offended by your perfectly reasonable, not at all offensive suggestion that he get out there and hit some gay bars. Yes, the bars aren’t for everyone. But if you’re single and want to meet people - gay or straight - you need to be moving on all fronts: online dating, hitting bars and clubs, volunteering and just generally getting out of the fucking house. Your brother is 21 years old and he just came out, SAFF, and his frustration is understandable. He’s been watching his straight peers (and his straight brothers) hook up and fall in love since middle school and he feels anxious to make up for lost time. But he won’t find that first boyfriend if he isn’t willing to put himself out there - and that means giving the guys he meets online a chance, giving the bars a chance and giving the people who are trying to help him out a break. My girlfriend of two and a half years and I are ready to move in together. Finally! I am so excited to take this next step, and so is she. The problem is that I work third shift four to five nights a week and she works a regular day job. I can’t help but feel that we aren’t going to get the full experience of living together with our work situations being what they are. I won’t be waking up every morning to her saying, “Good morning, beautiful,” etc. What can we do to make this a better situation and take advantage of the next step? Thanks. The Next Step Here’s a tip, TNS: Don’t spend too much time comparing your actual relationship, which will always be shaped by circumstances not fully in your control (like your work schedules), to your idealized notions about what a romantic relationship should look like. That only ensures constant disappointment. Don’t get me wrong: Once you move in with your girlfriend, there will be days that begin with her rolling over and saying, “Good

morning, beautiful.” But there will also be days that begin with your girlfriend rolling over and farting. The trick to loving your LTR is to

fully appreciate the moments that rise to the level of your romantic ideals (“Good morning, beautiful”) without obsessing about those moments that disappoint (split shifts, ripped farts). Good luck!

Devil In The Details Incorporating some adult toys - vibrators and dildos - into your sex life isn’t just a great way to maintain your sexual connection while you work on your physical and mental issues, DITD, it’s also a great way to take the pressure off your dick. Performance anxiety and worries about leaving your partner unsatisfied can combine to create a hugely destructive, dick-deflating negative feedback loop. As for your girlfriend… A woman who doesn’t masturbate - because she tried it once and it didn’t work - has hang-ups, DITD. And a woman with hangups is much likelier to forgive a partner for having purchased some sex toys than she is to give a partner her advance permission to go and purchase some sex toys. So find a good local or online sex-toy store and buy whatever you think looks like fun. Find the Savage Lovecast (my weekly podcast) every Tuesday at thestranger.com/savage. mail@savagelove.net. @fakedansavage on Twitter

I’m a guy. I’ve been with my girlfriend for almost two years. I love her, but in the last year, sex has been an issue. I feel attracted to her, but I find myself easily distracted these days, kind of worried during sex, which has resulted in me either coming super fast or losing my erection altogether. As a result, she does not orgasm at all. It’s gotten to the point where I’m afraid to be intimate with her for fear of letting her down. I have gone to see doctors to try to understand if my medical conditions - severe sleep apnea, elevated blood pressure - might have something to do with it. I’m in treatment for these things and I’ve started going to a therapist, too. I am thinking of buying some sex toys to use while I work to overcome my problems. My girlfriend doesn’t own any, and she says she doesn’t masturbate because she tried it once and never came. How do I approach her with the idea of using sex toys during sex? Should I? I just want her to experience an orgasm even if I need to get some extra help from a vibrator.

Looks like someone’s got the goosebumps!

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627 Greenlawn Ave • http://www.facebook.com/events/347901655256770/

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As Mayor Coleman said at Pride Brunch, “Some people have more to take care of down there than others.”

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Hey outlookers, normally we highlight one local celeb in this spot in the magazine, but last month we launched a new Local Celebrity Guest Bloggers segment that crosses over between the print edition and our online portal www.outlookcolumbus.com. Every Monday you can log onto our website’s blog (BlogOQueer) and see what this month’s menagerie has to say about the random topics we give them. In print you get their top five that correlates with what they are writing on online. Silly, stupid or highbrow, these Columbus gurus are sure to give you an eyeful. Enjoy!

Tay Glover Women, Gender and Sexuality Student

John Angelo Short North Business Association

Top 5 Most Annoying Celebrities: 5. Nicki Minaj 4. Donald Trump 3. Kim Kardashian 2. Rush Limbaugh 1. Chris Brown

Top 5 nick-names for baby Amélie Rita Angelo-Neumann: 5. Punkin' Head. 4. Little Piss Pot 3. Little Pepper Pot 2. Monkey Butt 1. Kleine Maus (German for Little Mouse… Frank is German)

July 2nd BlogOQueer question:

Five celebrities you want to go on a date with, and why?

July 9th BlogOQueer question:

Chet Ridenour STR8NOUT - Allies Group

Phillecia Cochran Britney Historian

Top 5 Backpackers Destinations: 5. Baños, Ecuador 4. Queenstown, New Zealand 3. Vang Vien, Laos 2. Interlaken, Switzerland 1. Tayrona Nat'l Park, Colombia

Top 5 Britney Non-Single Songs: 5. (I Got That) Boom Boom (from In The Zone) 4. The Hook Up (from In The Zone) 3. Inside Out (from Femme Fatale) 2. Toy Soldier (from Blackout) 1. Unusual You (from Circus)

What’s it like being a new gay dad?

July 16th BlogOQueer question:

What is it like to backpack internationally on shoestring budget?

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July 23th BlogOQueer question:

Why do you love Britney Spears so much?

Use your power for good, Aquarius! The planets are all conspiring to promote misguided charm offensives, codependency running amok and disastrous efforts at wit. Restraint, humility and foresight are important, rare commodities. If you can stay grounded, considerate and focused you’ll be ahead of the game. CANCER (June 21- July 22): Urges to protect your partner and your friends (or your partner from your friends) may be a projection of your own doubts and insecurities. In uncertain times your instinct is to protect hearth and home. Open alliances will serve you better than defensiveness. LEO (July 23 – August 22): Feeling moody and disconnected? Make time to hide out and take care of yourself. Perhaps the best way is to take care of others. Some local charity would be glad for your help.

and ambition can make you a bit too critical and outspoken. Think carefully about repercussions; take the long view before speaking. You’d do better to welcome advice than to offer it. CAPRICORN (December 21 – January 19): Make an extra effort to be nice to colleagues. Your own efforts to push ahead might make trouble for them. Remember you’re all on the same team. Listen to their needs. The road to real success is slow, sure and cautious. AQUARIUS (January 20 – February 18): Precocious brilliance may win a date but could upset a more serious relationship. Your mouth is a powerful weapon; be careful where you aim it and resolve to use your power for good. That requires a bit of restraint and humility. PISCES (February 19 – March 19): A surge of libido can open up erotic sensitivities you’d never considered but could also bring more trouble than fun. Pushing limits is one thing, tossing them away is another. Hold tight to your commitment to integrity and safety.

VIRGO (August 23 – September 22): Your work can inspire brilliant, provocative insights, but may not be the best place to share them – at least not at first. Think ahead and consider ARIES (March 20 – April 19): What looks those inspirations carefully before pre- like true love could just be co-depensenting them to your boss or clients. dency or the need for human contact. The only relationship you should be LIBRA (September 23 – October 22): starting now is with a shrink, a 12-step Home and partnership are real-world group or a charity where you can be of enterprises, never matching the ideal. service. That gap can make you cranky, triggering upsets in your relationship. Mars TAURUS (April 20 – May 20): As new entering your sign can feed your irrita- ideas challenge long-held values you tion. Moderate exercise (be careful not need to make some adjustments in to overdo it!) will help you keep balthought and attitude. Don’t resist new ance. thinking, but beware the zeal of the convert. Baby… bathwater… An indeSCORPIO (October 23 – November 21): pendent mind can meld new ideas with You can’t avoid demands at work or the old. niggling arguments, but you can stick to your principles and hold your head GEMINI (May 21- June 20): Growing and high. Scheduling time alone, preferably expressing yourself in new ways could with the one you love, will keep you throw a challenge to your friends. from burning out. Maybe you need new friends. Still, be gentle with the old ones. You might SAGITTARIUS (November 22 – Decem- need to make some apologies along ber 20): A new found sense of clarity the way. 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 415-864-8302, through his website at www.starjack.com, and by email at QScopes@qsyndicate.com.

Want to be a guest blogger for outlook? Contact Erin at emccalla@outlookmedia.com!

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Nothing says 2nd Wednesday like Network. Join us!

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