2012-08-01 outlook columbus

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outlook The sporty spice & everything nice and sweaty Issue

aug 2012 • vol 17 issue 3

inside: snapshot summer american institute of alt med ben cohen gay games vs out games andy wasley Coyotes & gay rugby jack & jill a roos cbus gay sports options the spice girls trippin’ out to rehoboth & Local celebrity bloggers

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Lightning and foam- the best of both worlds.

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you are here

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snapshot

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the court. Your choices do. So to my straights: help us lose this whole stupid stereotype already; and to my gays: let’s not keep perpetuating it. If you don’t like sports or physical recreational activities, that’s fine. But don’t say it’s because you’re gay. That’s an excuse and only helps sustain the hate and discrimination we continue to face every day.

To that end, Central Ohio is a bastion of physical fun. Between our awesome gay sports leagues, the hundreds of intramural leagues, to our parks systems, trails and waterways, there is really no excuse not to be able to find something you would enjoy. Not to mention all the sports you can watch and attend. Being a fan can be super physical.

Just ask the supporter groups for the Crew: the Hudson Street Hooligans and La Turbina Amarilla.

Watching the game with them is a crazy workout.

Which leads me to the last thing I want to talk about: Pride Night at the Crew 2. This year Stonewall and outlook are co-hosting the Big Gay Soccer Night on Saturday, August 25th. Buying your tickets through Stonewall gets you a pregame tailgate with free food and beer, as well as, seating in our own section inside the stadium conveniently located near the bar. Total cost is only $28. (The regular price for the game alone is $30.) What a deal, right? Plus if you are a SWC Trailblazer or Fusion participant, you get in for only $10. Amazing! (See the ad on page 5 for more details.) So we hope you will all come out for a great night of fun, friends and fan frivolity, and to experience one the great things about Columbus - Crew Stadium. Hard hats are highly encouraged!

Sports and gays have had a long and misrepresented love affair. How stereotypical is it to say gays can’t play sports? Gays are just a bunch of sissies, right? We couldn’t possibly be able to swing a bat or kick a ball, let alone scrum, or check, or dig, or tackle. Well, we all know that couldn’t be further from the truth. And while we may have a much higher fascination with “jocks” than say, our straight brethren (I do love a man in a singlet), many of us ourselves are active in all kinds of sports, and actually damn good at them.

And I think that’s what the message behind this issue really is. Being queer doesn’t define our athletic ability or how masculine/feminine we come across. We are equal, no matter who we are, so recognize it already. It’s not being gay that makes or breaks you on the field, but your choice.

You choose whether or not to play a sport or how good you’re going to be. Of course, people are born with different gifts, and some people are just naturally better athletes. But like anyone else, if you want to play a sport, you just decide, “I want to volleyball” and then you go play it. Now, if you want to be good at said volleyball, however, Keep it Classy, Columbus! you have to practice… a lot. And no matter if you’re a bitchy queen or a shy bear, those person- Christopher Hayes, ality traits do not affect your physical prowess on Publisher

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HEADQUARTERS Outlook Media, Inc. 815 N High St, Bsmt Ste Q Columbus, OH 43215 614.268.8525phone 614.261.8200 fax www.outlookmedia.com

qmunity: local

SALES DIRECTOR Chad Frye / cfrye@outlookmedia.com

qmunity: national

NATIONAL ADVERTISING Rivendell Media - 212.242.6863

small pond

ADVERTISING DEADLINES Reservations by the 15th of each month.

Art in by the 20th.

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

insightout EDITOR Erin McCalla / emccalla@outlookmedia.com

the other side CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Alisa Caton, Jack Fertig, Orie Givens, Chris Hayes, Andrew Keller, Marcus Morris, Tom Musyka, Mario Pinardi, Lynette Santoro-Au, Romeo San Vincente, Dan Savage, Regina Sewell, Gregg Shapiro, Christa Sidman, D.A. Steward, Mickey Weems, Dan Woog

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super mario world

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complete the circuit

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feature: nike

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out & about

CONTRIBUTING DESIGNER Robert Trautman

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feature: two faces

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feature: london stonewall

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

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feature: rugby coyotes

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feature: jack & jill

sports are political The long, hot, sweaty days of summer seemed the perfect time to talk about the hot, sweaty, action known as gay sports. So many easy innuendos, so little time. Welcome to our August issue: Sporty Spice and Everything Nice and Sweaty. Inside this month’s pages we’ve got more jocks than you can shake your bat at. From talking about Pride House at the London Olympics to the continued divide in our own two Gay Olympics, we’re bringing you a homerun of a sports focused edition. We’ve got Australian football, gay rugby, Nike at the Gay Sports Summit, talk on Ben Cohen and a local sports leagues roundup. Play ball!

OWNER & PUBLISHER Christopher Hayes

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feature: gay sports roundup

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creative class

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deep inside hollywood

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interview: imperial teen

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bookmark: four authors

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fashion forward

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trippin’ out: rehoboth

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savage love

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local celeb bloggers

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scopes

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Brandon Jackson, Erin McCalla, Brandon Walker, Andrew Williams

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: creative class music issue

Sometimes you just need to blow on it to get it to go in the hole.

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HRD Dinner 06.30.2012

Summerland Concert 07.10.2012

Summerland Concert 07.10.2012

Summerland Concert 07.10.2012

Leslie. Les-ally.

Meggie Applehead and some guy

Ain’t no party like an Impero party. Latte me.

She’s looking for a dome ride.

Network Columbus 07.11.2012

Network Columbus 07.11.2012

Network Columbus 07.11.2012

Is it us, or is AJ pretty dreamy? And so nice, too!

Cols Food League and Stonewall, unite!

You betta net-werq.

Network Columbus 07.11.2012

Indigo Girls Concert 07.22.2012

Indigo Girls Concert 07.22.2012

Indigo Girls Concert 07.22.2012

Sheriff Scott with the piercing blue eyes! Oh, me!

Erin said, “Hey, I’m from outlook. Imma take ur pic!”

Brickwegs vs. stripped tanks

Just HOW long until my soul gets it right?

Doo Dah Parade 07.04.2012

Doo Dah Parade 07.04.2012

Doo Dah Parade 07.04.2012

Doo Dah Parade 07.04.2012

Jim Arter in his natural state

There is a lot here, even for us.

Uncle Sam, you’re looking a little rummy.

Network Columbus 07.11.2012

We love Rich!

We love Huntington!

Madame, are you a fish or a parrot?

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Check out our Facebook page for more event photos!

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Guys in soccer shorts, flying balls and $1 beers... see ya there!

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Why Did I Have to Take Off My Harness?

Dear Youngstown Pride Committee, I am writing this letter in regards to the 2012 Pride Festival in Youngstown, Ohio.

First I would like to say thank you for making this event happen. I know that it takes a lot of work to make a successful event. With that being said, there is a few issues I feel should be addressed.

I attended Gay Pride to be who I am. It’s the one day of the year we can be exactly who we are in public and be proud of it. Being stopped by a community/festival “leader” the moment I walked into the festival. I was asked to leave because I was wearing Leather Harness, or because I had no shirt on (I’m not sure which). I am a new member of the Exiles Leather Club Youngstown, which is newly formed. I was looking forward to wearing my leather to this event (which is the custom at Pride events across the country. I was told “I must purchase a shirt or come up with one before I was welcome back ”. With no problems I went to my car and put one on even though it was 90 some degrees outside. This was a ridiculous and a discriminatory rule, which the coordinators came up with and should rethink since just outside of the fence

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it is completely legal to be shirtless in public.

Not only that, when I returned after being kicked out of the festival I came back in (with shirt on) there were many other men without shirts and no one ever told to put their shirts back on.

No rules were posted at the gate entrance or any other place. There were men in full drag in public view around the festival (which I have no issue with, they were just being themselves, as it should be). However I don’t see how there is any difference between a MAN dressed as a woman celebrating his feminine side is acceptable, but a man celebrating love of leather is not. Leather is worn by bikers and other organizations with no issue. If anyone was going to make a bad judgment on us, that will be being discrimination against those with a leather harness or other clothing on, which are worn by Leather men.

The whole pride event was ill conceived with no programs or flyers posted in the bars prior to the event, and without the pre pride event a week before would have known about pride festival. I know many advertisers paid a nice bit of money to advertise their Business or

Organization in the Pride Program but did not see any flyers to advertise ahead of time. I think if we pay a price to advertise it needs to be passed out at the front gate by those taking monies. Also by passing out the advertisement and programs weeks prior to the event so more people would be aware of the day. More visibility needs to happen.

I talked to many people the day before and the day of pride and they had no clue there was such an event. I think that if we don’t do something more on the radio or TV and at least we could put out a booklet at the local LGBT clubs if not other gay friendly places prior to the event. I was very disappointed that there was only one gay float. Someone in the committee should have definitely pushed others to help support. I feel that Pride is almost as important to gay people, if not more as getting people signed up to vote.

Because it is how the LBGT shows its presence to the community.

Sincerely, Chad R. Beasley

What makes that little ol’ ant, think he can wear a harness or a rubber tree plant.

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What do you do with a B.A. in English? Work for outlook, apparently...

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Gay Community Endowment Fund Seeks Grant Proposals The Gay Community Endowment Fund of Akron Community Foundation is accepting grant applications for programs that will positively impact local gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender residents, along with greater Akron as a whole.

The Gay Community Endowment Fund accepts operational, programmatic and capital requests from 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. It also encourages collaborations between applicant organizations. Last year, grants from the fund supported same-sex domestic violence education, anti-bullying broadcasts, and counseling groups for LGBT senior citizens, among others.

To be considered for a grant, nonprofits should return 15 copies of the completed application to Akron Community Foundation by Friday, Sept. 14, 2012. Applications are available at www.akroncommunityfdn.org/glbt or by calling 330.376.8522.

Local Bars Join Together To Support AIDS Walk Central Ohio 2012 On Saturday August 11th, the Inaugural AIDS Walk Bar Crawl will kick-off registration for this year’s Dr. Robert J. Fass Memorial AIDS Walk Central Ohio 2012. The Bar Crawl will start at Union Café and Park Street Patio where participants will be able to register themselves and their teams. Registrants will receive a free AIDS Walk/MillerCoors tshirt for registering. MillersCoors specials will be available at all participating bars from 12p-5p.

Participating bars include Union Café, Park Street Patio, Bar Louie, Garage Bar, La Fogata, Local Bar, Park Street Cantina, and Short North Tavern and many more. For a full list please visit https://www.facebook.com/events/465967563423 224/.

The Robert J. Fass Memorial AIDS Walk Central Ohio 2012 will be on October 6th at Bicentennial Park. Proceeds from this 5k Walk/Run will benefit AIDS Resource Center Ohio, Camp Sunrise, the Columbus Urban League, Delaware County AIDS Task Force, Montaña de Luz, Nationwide Children’s Hospital FACES Program, Union County AIDS Task

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Force, and the Ohio AIDS Coalition. There is still no cure for AIDS and the city of Columbus has the 21st highest rate of new infections in the country; every 25 hours, someone in Central Ohio contracts HIV/AIDS. For more info: http://www.facebook.com/AIDSWalkCentralOhio and http://www.aidswalkcentralohio.com.

MACC Conference to Be Held in Columbus The Multiethnic Advocates for Cultural Competence (MACC) will host its 9th Statewide Training Conference and Annual Meeting on September 27-28, 2012 at the Embassy Suites – Airport, Columbus, Ohio. This year’s conference will focus on health care integration in the context of health care reform that seeks to eliminate health disparities. Online registration is now available. For more information visit www.maccinc.net. The conference will feature the seventh annual “Enlightened Kaleidoscope” award luncheon on September 28, 2012. The award is given to recognize an individual who has demonstrated commitment to advancing culturally competent practices, embracing diversity, education or outreach to Ohio’s racial, ethnic and cultural communities.

The nomination form is available on www.maccinc.net.

Josh Mandel Against Gay Marriage About 300 people gathered at the Sharonville Convention Center on July 10 for a tea party rally in support of Josh Mandel, Ohio Treasurer and Republican candidate for U.S. Senate. The mostly middle-aged, white crowd included a handful of local politicians and political activists. Utah Sen. Mike Lee also spoke in support of the conservative ideals and to promote Mandel.

Mandel spoke for about 30 minutes and called for changes in the current administration.

“I believe that in order to change Washington (D.C.), we need to change the people we are sending there,” he said.

Mandel advocated the responsible use of domestic natural resources, including natural gas beneath Ohio land; tightened waistbands with a federal budget that reduced government spending and pro-

moting job growth in the country, primarily through lowering taxes.

Mandel also said he is fighting Sen. Brown on the issue of expanding same-sex marriages and will “protect the sanctity of marriage.”

“This is a fight that I will never, ever back down,” he said.

Mandel’s comment drew criticism from LGBT groups and Sherrod Brown advocates.

“Josh Mandel’s vow to continue fighting against equal rights is a slap in the face to Ohio families,” said Sadie Weiner, Friends of Sherrod Brown spokesperson. “LGBT Ohioans face discrimination and intimidation for their sexual orientation every day. Unfortunately, Josh Mandel’s position only adds fuel to the fire.”

Ohio Mom Stands Up to Boy Scouts On July 18, one day after the Boy Scouts of America announced that a secret committee had ruled in favor of keeping the organization’s ban on gay scouts and gay scout leaders, Jennifer Tyrrell, a mom from Ohio who was ousted as the den leader of her seven-year-old son’s Cub Scout pack because she’s gay, delivered more than 300,000 petition signatures to Scouts’ headquarters calling for her to be reinstated, and for the Boy Scouts of America to end their anti-gay policy.

Tyrrell’s Change.org petition has been signed by thousands of Eagle Scouts, scouting families and former scouts, calling on the Boy Scouts of America to end their decades-long policy banning gay scouts and leaders. At the petition delivery, where Tyrrell met with Boy Scouts of America national spokesperson Deron Smith, Tyrrell said that no secret committee will be able to silence the overwhelming number of people who want to see the Boy Scouts join organizations including the Girl Scouts of the USA, the 4-H Club, Boys and Girls Club and the United States Armed Forces in ending the ban.

“This movement doesn’t stop because 11 anonymous men behind closed doors made a decision to keep discrimination in place,” Tyrrell said. “This petition may have started out for me and my son, but it’s grown into something much bigger. Something much more important. Today, when you read through the comments on my petition, you can

read the stories of literally thousands of scouts, scout leaders and former scouts who are hoping the Boy Scouts of America will take this moment and end this policy of discrimination against gay Americans.”

Tyrrell’s campaign recently convinced Boy Scout board member and Ernst & Young Chairman and CEO James Turley to publicly oppose the organization’s ban on gay scouts and leaders. Turley announced last month that he intends to “work from within the Boy Scouts of America Board to actively encourage dialogue and sustainable progress” on ending the ban on gay scouts and gay scout leaders. AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson, slated to become the president of the Boy Scouts of America Board of Directors in 2014, has also announced through his spokesperson that he’s “committed to changing the policy.”

OH School District Settles with Beaten Gay Student Last October, Zach King was beaten by a fellow Unioto High School student in their classroom for being gay. The assault was captured on another student’s cell phone and then posted to the Internet where the video went viral.

Represented by the ACLU of Ohio, King and his mother, Rebecca Collins, sued the school district claiming that school officials disregarded his reports of harassment and “fostered an atmosphere” that permitted the bullying of students who are LGBT. The Ross County school board decided to settle the case for $35,000. Though not admitting any wrong-doing, school officials announced they will conduct diversity training with staff to deal with any possible LGBT harassment. They also pledged to develop an effective way for students to seek help when being harassed and to put in place policies to address the alleged intolerant behavior against LGBT pupils.

ACLU of Ohio legal director James Hardiman told the Columbus Dispatch that “We hope similarly situated students don’t have to go through what Zach went through. The school district has made a commitment to try to avoid incidents like this in the future.”

Huston’s assailant, Levi Sever, pleaded guilty to the attack and was sentenced to 90 days in the juvenile detention last December.

Scout Law: A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.

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Three ways to become enlightened. I won’t tell you which one is right.

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Sally Ride, First American Woman in Space, A Lesbian, Dies Of Cancer Dr. Sally Ride, 61, died on July 22, 2012 after a 17month battle against pancreatic cancer, her company (Sally Ride Science, the educational venture she founded after leaving NASA, aimed at promoting math and science for girls) confirmed.

The announcement of Ride’s death noted that she is survived by her partner of 27 years, Tam O’Shaughnessy. O’Shaughnessy is the COO and Executive Vice President of Sally Ride Science and a Professor Emerita of School Psychology at San Diego State University.

Ride made history on June 18, 1983 as a crewmember on the space shuttle Challenger, breaking the gender barrier for U.S. spaceflight. At the time, she was also the youngest astronaut to go into space at 32 years old. She will also be remembered as the first lesbian astronaut.

She was married to fellow astronaut Steven Hawley in 1982, but they divorced in 1987 with no children.

White House Presents “Champions of Change” On Thursday, July 19, the White House honored ordinary people who are doing extraordinary things across the country to ensure safety, dignity and equality for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community, as demonstrated by their inspiring video entries in the LGBT Pride Month Video Challenge.

The Champions of Change program was created as a part of President Obama’s Winning the Future initiative. Each week, a different sector is highlighted and groups of champions, ranging from educators to entrepreneurs to community leaders, are recognized for the work they are doing to serve and strengthen their communities.

JJ Kahle JJ Kahle is a Spanish teacher at The Blake School in Minneapolis, and also serves in their Office of Equity and Community Engagement in the role of GLBTQ Support and Advocacy. JJ is the faculty advisor for the Gay Straight Alliance and The Justice League (social justice student group) at her school. She lives in South Minneapolis with her partner, Judy, and their children.

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George Stewart George Stewart, 80 years old, is a former army clerk and U.S. Air Force court reporter. He currently lives in Harlem, New York, and is an integral part of the community, singing in church show choirs and volunteering at the Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE) Harlem office. In the past year, George has donated his time and face to SAGE, illustrating that you don’t have to stop being active when you get older. A featured speaker at the opening of the country’s first innovative LGBT senior center – The SAGE Center – George spoke on behalf of thousands of New York City LGBT elders who need the programs, services and advocacy that SAGE provides.

Heather Carter Heather Carter developed the LGBT youth suicide prevention program, OUTLoud, through financial support provided

by The Raynier Institute and Foundation in 2007. Since that time, OUTLoud has grown from one training presentation and minimal exposure to a menu of training modules and recognition across Washington State and beyond. Ms. Carter serves on a statewide committee to oversee the implementation of HB 1163, Washington’s anti-bullying law. In partnership with the Suicide Prevention Resource Center, she is also a member in a community of practice focused on LGBT youth suicide prevention, and she provides trainings throughout Washington State and the country on the issues of LGBT youth suicide and bullying and bias based harassment.

New Drug Approved to Help Prevent AIDS July 16 could be known as another major turning point in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a supplemental new drug application for the previously approved antiretroviral medication tenofovir disoproxil fumarate / emtricitabine (TDF-FTC), to reduce the risk of acquiring HIV by uninfected men

and women by taking a pill a day before and after exposure (known as “pre-exposure prophylaxis,” or “PrEP”), offered as part of a comprehensive HIVprevention package, including risk-reduction counseling.

The FDA stressed that TDF-FTC should be used “in combination with safer sex practices to prevent sexually-acquired HIV infection in adults at high risk,” and stressed that “Truvada [the brand name for TDF-FTC] is not a substitute for safer sex practices.” The FDA’s action comes two months after an independent scientific advisory committee overwhelmingly recommended the use of TDFFTC for PrEP, and a week after The New England Journal of Medicine published two studies showing that TDF-FTC reduced the risk of HIV infection among heterosexual women and men in Africa.

Some have raised concerns about PrEP related to potential side effects, risk compensation (the idea that people will stop using condoms if PrEP becomes available), and the development and transmission of drugresistant strains of HIV. Certainly, PrEP is a biomedical intervention, and people who elect to use it will need to be clinically monitored. However, reviews of five major clinical trials involving about 6,000 participants by the Forum for Collaborative HIV Research found no greater risk of side effects, no risk compensation, and no clinically significant development of drug resistance in participants.

Recent press coverage has emphasized the cost of TDF-FTC as a concern about its scalability. Last year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that the medications would cost $8,030 per person per year. While the cost of PrEP in the U.S. would be substantial, private insurers and state Medicaid departments are open to providing coverage, given that it is not expected that most people who used PrEP would take it for the rest of their lives, while HIV treatment (invariably involving more medications) is lifelong, once initiated. Low-cost generic medications could enable access in resource-constrained countries. The prioritization of highly vulnerable populations with substantial risk for HIV (e.g., men who have sex with men, sex workers, and injection drug users) could increase the cost effectiveness of PrEP. Recent modeling of PrEP implementation coupled with scaled-up treatment - focusing on the general adult population in Botswana and serodiscordant couples in South Africa (couples in which one partner is HIV-infected and the other HIV-negative) - predicts that PrEP could significantly reduce HIV incidence and prevalence, saving

health-care costs and lost economic productivity.

White House Announces HIV/AIDS Grants On July 19, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced nearly $80 million in grants to increase access to HIV/AIDS care across the United States. The funding will ensure that low-income people living with HIV/AIDS continue to have access to life-saving health care and medications.

“The entire administration is dedicated to fulfilling President Obama’s goal of an AIDS free generation and today’s announcement is one more step in that ongoing effort,” Secretary Sebelius said.

“These grants will help make a real difference in the lives of Americans living with HIV/AIDS, especially those in underserved communities.”

Approximately $69 million will be sent to 25 states and territories through the Ryan White AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), and based on estimates provided by the states, will eliminate any waiting lists.

The more than $10 million remaining will be distributed to Ryan White community-based health clinics nationwide to expand access to 14,000 new patients for essential medical and support services for people living with HIV/AIDS. A portion of this funding was made available through the Affordable Care Act. These funds will also support states and communities in their ongoing efforts to pursue the goals of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, particularly efforts to increase access to HIV care and reduce HIV-related health disparities. After these awards are made, an additional $6 million in supplemental funding will be made available this year to states that demonstrate ongoing need.

“With these funds, we’re putting the National HIV/AIDS Strategy into action,” said HRSA Administrator Mary K. Wakefield, Ph.D., RN. “These investments allow us to further improve access to lifesaving drugs, and increase access to HIV care and treatment for Americans living with HIV.” The grants are funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), an agency within HHS, through the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program and the Bureau of Primary Health Care.

The Space Shuttle Challenger disaster occurred on January 28, 1986. The Chad Frye disaster is a never-ending story.

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Art is life is art.

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© Brandon Jackson

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The best of both worlds: The AIAM story

by Christa Sidman If you get the flu, you go to your regular doctor. But if you throw out your back or need help to quit smoking, you might see a massage therapist or acupuncturist. Here in Columbus, there’s an innovative school that trains health professionals in both Eastern and Western ways, and it’s a testament to the two strong women who founded it.

Flash back more than 20 years. Helen Yee, an internationally renowned martial artist, was living in Columbus with Diane Sater, an engineer who had worked at IBM. The experience of getting a sports massage inspired Helen to start studying and practicing massage. Diane followed suit, and in 1990, the two women opened their own clinic.

It didn’t take long for Massage Away, Inc. to become central Ohio’s largest therapeutic clinic. But finding qualified staff members was a chore. “Most of the massage therapists I saw lacked discipline, business sense or a strong ethical foundation,” Helen recalls. “Many had been taught to give the same massage to every client every time.” The solution was clear: open a school to train the kind of employee they wanted to hire. The Massage Away, Inc. School of Therapy was born.

“We encourage creativity, and we treat every client as an individual,” says Helen. “We tailor treatments to fit their needs

each time they come in.” Students also learned how to manage their business and build strong client relationships. Because of the school’s high admissions standards, employers competed fiercely for graduates.

As their business prospered, Diane and Helen sought ways to make it better. In 2001, they studied at China’s Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The experience inspired them to add Eastern medical philosophies and practices to their curriculum.

Diane explains, “Western medicine focuses on treating symptoms. Chinese medicine looks at the whole person, including emotional and mental as well as physical aspects.”

Attitudes toward health care have shifted over the past 20 years. “Now,” Helen notes, “more and more people are open to alternative health care. They don’t think ‘massage parlor’ when they hear ‘massage therapist’. And they don’t just turn to acupuncture as a last resort.”

Today, their school - renamed the American Institute of Alternative Medicine, or AIAM - offers four different programs: massage, acupuncture, medical assisting and nursing. It’s a distinctive curriculum. The medical assisting program teaches both front-office and back-office skills. “Our acupuncture and acupressure programs both have medical components,” Diane says proudly. “And our holistic nursing

program is one of only four in the country.”

More than 1,300 AIAM alumni are already practicing massage and/or acupuncture in the United States, the Virgin Islands and Europe. As the industry continues to evolve, AIAM will make sure its graduates remain on the cutting edge. For example, it is not yet legal to practice Chinese herbal medicine in Ohio. But if the law should change, AIAM will add the discipline to its program offerings.

It takes hard work and vision to keep AIAM and its students moving in the right direction. As CFO, Helen manages the school’s day-to-day operations, including its finances. And as the “big-picture” thinker, CEO Diane focuses on strategy, legal and accreditation issues.

“Diane and I have opposite strengths, and we respect each other for them,” says Helen. Diane agrees, adding, “There are 100,000 different aspects to running a business, and you have to make sure they’re all handled well. But one person can’t do everything. It takes a lot of different minds, talents and approaches to make it all work.”

Shared commitment is the glue that holds AIAM and its founders together. As Helen says, “We care passionately about our industry. And since we’re therapists in our own right, we are what we teach.”

For more information on AIAM, call 614.825.6255 or visit www.aiam.edu.

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Chad Frye employs many forms of “alternative medicine.” Most we can’t mention in print.

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So many activities, so little time.

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Sports, Sex and the Art of Communication

by Regina Sewell

Like sports, sex takes practice; you have to figure out what feels good and what doesn’t. Even When I was a kid, my parents kept a copy of How though the biggest sexual organ is the brain, sex Sex Can Keep You Slim in the bathroom. I never happens in the body. In order to know what’s reeven took a peek. My friends’ parents hid their tit- ally going on in your body, you have to be able to illating books and magazines on the top shelves feel your body. And just as you wouldn’t expect to of their bookshelves and at the bottom of their smoke a joint or drink a six-pack and still mansock drawers. My parents left How Sex Can Keep age to be at the top of your game on the soccer You Slim next to the toilet by the Reader’s Digest, field, you shouldn’t expect to smoke, drink or othso how interesting could it be? Besides, the erwise imbibe mind-altering drugs and still know thought of my parents having sex rated high on what’s going on in your body. Satisfying sex takes my ick factor meter. Still, the book’s catchy title self-knowledge and a commitment to being prespoints to the fact that there are fitness options ent. that don’t involve going to the gym, joining a team or running a marathon. You don’t even have If you want to have mind-blowing sex with a to get out of bed to work up a sweat. Given this partner, you have to tell them what you like and criterion, we can all be athletes. what doesn’t work for you and vice versa. Part of clear communication is being on the same page.

Sex, like any other sport, requires a tacit set of If you have a question or request, it’s best to be rules, common language and a great deal of ver- direct. “I’d really like it if you’d, you know, turn me bal and non-verbal communication. Most of us on,” can mean anything: passionate kissing, viglearn the rules and language of sports at school, orous tickling, wearing a jock strap, a hand job or in little leagues and even at church. We underanything else, so tell your partner what exactly stand that you can’t “travel” when playing bas- turning you on means. You also have to have onketball and that in baseball, three strikes means going discussions about boundaries. Just beyou’re “out.” Coaches teach us that “love” cause it feels good to be touched in a particular means zero in tennis and a “strike” in bowling way in a particular spot on one day doesn’t mean means you knocked down all the pins. Other than that it feels good the next, but your partner won’t the commandment “thou shall not engage in know unless you tell them. And if a partner sets a sexual activities with another without their con- boundary, you have to respect it, immediately. sent,” our culture pretty much leaves us to figure things out on our own when it comes to sex. InTalking frankly about sex doesn’t have to be an stead, we get messages in the form of movies, awkward conversation. There are lots of ways to seductive ads and pornography, which indicate make conversations sexy and/or tools for deepenthat satisfying sex just… happens. We assume ing an emotionally intimate connection. Timing is that partners can read our minds and interpret important. It’s best to talk about what you like our verbal and non-verbal signals and know and set your boundaries before you’re in the what we want without our having to teach them. midst of an intimate tangle. Saying things like, “I’d really like it if you touched me here…” or

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“Put my hands where you want me to touch you” in advance can spice things up. Constructive criticism may best be shared when the iron, and everything else, is cold – over coffee the next morning perhaps.

Sports call us to dig deep inside ourselves and pull out that last bit of energy, strength or courage. Sex also calls us to dig deep inside ourselves and face the demons that get in the way of talking frankly and intimately with partners.

The intimate nature of sex can bring up deepseated feelings of shame, inadequacy and fear.

sages behind your sense of inadequacy. It might be rooted from the notion that you “should” be able to “get it up” or get turned on anytime, anywhere, or that you should be able to bring your partner to orgasm every time. If so, where did you get that belief? How realistic is it? Be gentle with yourself. If you feel inadequate because you can’t seem to please your partner or they can’t please you… well, this is the whole point of having a conversation.

At a more existential level, sex can bring up fear of death. The French term for orgasm, “la petite mort,” little death, recognizes this. During orUntil you move past your shame, you can never gasm, we experience a temporary death of self as be fully present in a sexual encounter. You have the lonely “I” merges into “we.” From this perto look at the messages behind the shame and spective, part of the ecstasy of orgasm has to do dismantle them. If you are mortified about the with the fact that our pain of separateness disbigness of your belly, the smallness of your toes, solves as we merge with another. The catch is or the viscosity or quantity of your bodily fluids, that in order to merge with another into ecstasy, notice this. Shame grows in the dark and diswe have to let go of control and just be truly and solves in the light. To dissolve shame, you have to completely present with another person and this talk about it with someone who is compassionate is scary stuff indeed. and understanding. Maybe that’s your partner, but if you are uber sensitive, this may be a con- I don’t know if sex can keep you slim, but I do versation that is best held with a professional know that it shares some of the characteristics who can hold your shame and help you learn to common to sports that make them great. Sex relove yourself completely as you are. quires a shared rulebook, a common language and a lot of verbal and non-verbal communicaThe same can be said about a sense of inadetion. Sex, like sports, requires us to dig deep inquacy. You have to follow the trail of messages side ourselves and pull out the courage it takes that led you to believe you are not good enough to face our demons, shame, insecurities and and test them against reality. Inadequacy is usu- fears. And sex, like sports, requires us to inhabit ally rooted in fear that something bad will hapour body and be present in the moment. But with pen – you will be laughed at, rejected, or hurt. sex, the practice sessions are a lot more fun.

The first step to disempowering your fear is to ask, “Is this really true?” If the answer is yes, this To ask Regina a question, check out upcoming workshops, or is a clue that it’s time to ditch your current part- check out her books and other writing, go to: www.ReginaSewell.com . ner. If the answer is no, you can explore the mes-

A picture is worth a thousand words. This...I have no words.

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Jackaroos and Jillaroos: bringing sweaty back.

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Paris Still Burns: Columbus’s Ballroom Tale

by D.A. Steward If you think that Madonna was the impetus for the flipping, dipping and face-defying poses that started the vogue style of dance that’s become the calling of the modern day ball scene, you’re sorely mistaken. Though Madge’s video was released the same year director Jennie Livingston finished the ball-culture defining 1991 film Paris is Burning, the ball scene had been voguing in New York City since the Harlem Renaissance.

“Long before Madonna, we were voguing in the back alleys,” said Ronald Murray, 37, a ballroom veteran, known in the scene as Father Drama Evisu.

Soon after Paris is Burning, the movement began making its way out of NYC, across the country and around the world. “The scene,” as it’s often called, made its way to Ohio in the mid 90s, but Columbus’ first official ball wasn’t organized until 2004 during the city’s first Black Pride celebration.

closet at an alarming rate and finding themselves categorically thrown out onto the streets by their parents. The lucky ones were taken in by elder members of the LGBT community.

At the same time, black and Latino performers on the drag pageant circuit were consistently being discriminated against, never wining well-deserved titles. So they broke off and started their own, led by “houses” often made up of the runaway youth crashing on their couches.

“In the early 2000s, we had formed our own house here in Columbus called the House of Kenzo and started making a name for ourselves nationally,” Murray said. “We were walking the balls in Chicago, Detroit and Cleveland because there was no official scene in Columbus.”

During this time, the ball scene was moving into Kentucky and Indiana as well. So Murray and his housemate Richard Sankey, 44, known as Sir Richard Evisu, decided it was time for Columbus to create its own scene. They, along with a small For those unfamiliar with the world of voguing and group of ballroom leaders, helped found the Ohio underground ballroom glamour, here’s a quick ballroom chapter of the OKI (Ohio, Kentucky, Indioverview and history: ana) Region. With the three states partnering, the ball scene here grew exponentially. With thousands Ball culture, the house system, the ballroom com- flocking to OKI Balls each year, cities like Colummunity and similar terms describe the underbus, Dayton and Louisville soon became destinaground LGBT subculture in the United States in tions on the national ballroom circuit. which people “walk” (i.e. compete) for trophies and prizes at events known as balls. Those who For his years of dedication, The House of Evisu rewalk often also dance and vogue while others cently deemed Sankey Overall Grandfather of the compete in various genres of drag often trying to House of Evisu in the OKI Region. He’s in the pass as a specific gender and social class. Most unique position to have witnessed the changes the people involved with ball culture belong to ballroom has seen nationally and locally over the “houses” led by a single leader known as a House last two decades.

Mother or House Father. 1 “I remember when Paris is Burning came out,” During the Harlem Renaissance, the ball scene said Sankey. “I was friends with Sheldon, who is in began as a more formal affair where drag queens the film, and he came down to Columbus to take would battle it out pageant style. In the 70s and us to the see the movie at the Drexel Theatre, the 80s, as a sign of the times, black and Latino youth only place it was showing.” in NYC, as young as 13, were coming out of the

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The OKI Ballroom Region now boasts 17 houses ganizations around the country came from the ball with representation from each of the major nascene. Ballroom gave a lot of us the self esteem to tional houses represented in the NYC, Los Angeles, pursue our professional aspirations.”

Atlanta and Chicago.

Today the ball scene has become something of a The scene in Columbus is still very much undermainstream commodity. House of Ninja and House ground, with most in the LGBT mainstream having of LeBeija have been replaced by Lady Gaga’s no clue the scene even exists and if they do, many Haus of Gaga and Beyonce’s House of Deréon. think it’s overrun with illegal activity, refereeing to Films like “Leave it on the Floor” commercialize the balls as irresponsible parties overrun with drug movement. Vogue Evolution from MTV’s 2009 seaand gang violence. son of “America’s Best Dance Crew” has made New Way Vogue a modern day hip-hop dance I’d heard all the rumors, too, around the time I craze. In the early days, prizes for competing in went to my first ball a little over a year ago, and balls included trophies, now competitors vie for the rumors were definitely wrong. Kicking off at cash prizes of up to $10,000, making it less about around 3a (a tradition from early underground family and more about winning. balls that started in the wee hours of morning to keep an often intolerant world from the chance to Dayton’s Kalvin Wilson, 24, known as Father Leggo crash the party) the place was packed and the E’lan, started participating in the ball scene durpomp and circumstance of vogue-offs and fierce ing college because of the family aspect. Now he runway challenges were the only “violent” acts in walks Virgin Runway (think Tyra or Naomi) with the play.

House of E’lan where he’s quickly risen to the ranks of “father.”

“It’s really an athletic sport,” said Murray, a former high school football player and college cheerleader. “Most people are just looking for acceptance, as a “There are vogue classes and proper techniques father I’m there to offer them the love sometimes that are used to make sure that you’re falling prop- they’re not getting at home,” he said. erly so you’re not hurting yourself.”

Wilson works full time in the customer service field Murray has been walking balls since the late 90s. in Dayton, but says he spends nearly 20 hours a He started in the House of MADORI (Multi-Talented week fulfilling his ballroom duties. From traveling Authentic Dedicated Original Realistic Individuals) with his house to walk in balls around the country walking Old Way Vogue, a more stylized traditional each month to mentoring the 15 members in his version of the dance. But now, as a member of the house on a daily basis, the ball scene definitely beHouse of Evisu for the past several years, he curcomes more a way of life than a hobby. rently holds the title Legendary Father of the OKI Region and mostly walks Best Dressed.

“I love the mentoring aspect of the scene,” he said.

“It’s what keeps me involved, the helping and as“The ballroom scene has given me so much,” he sisting people outside of what I have to do at work said. “If it wasn’t for the scene I wouldn’t have the is what I look forward too.” job that I have now.” Murray is Director of the Greater Columbus Mpowerment Center, an organi- To catch Drama, Leggo and Sir Richard in all their ballroom zation focused on reducing the high infection rate glory be sure attend the 2nd Annual OKI Unified Awards Ball August 4, 2012 at 9p located at 3587 E Livingston Ave. Admisamongst black and Latino gay men. “Many of the sion is $15 before 10p and $25 after. 1 directors at African American community based or- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ball_culture.

Let your body groove to the music.

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Remember, Members First serves the community’s members first.

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Jocks, Jerks and a Penchant for a Speedo

by Mario Pinardi Haven’t we all had a fuck fest in a locker room? I mean, what’s hotter than having a “bang sandwich” with two hotties in wrestling boots? A lot of gay pornography is sport-centric because hot, athletically built men are every gay boy’s wet dream. But in reality, most of the assholes that bullied us in school, or still bully us now, were “the jocks” in our lives - gay and straight.

These jocks never wanted to include the athletically challenged in their groups, unless it was for a decent grade on a paper or test. I struggled with this for a long time - why did I find athletic men annoying and why were they such a turn off to me? Why are most of my friends not jocks? Am I afraid of athletic men? Maybe. Are there others like me?

I think back to the days of elementary and middle school, and all of my gym class stress - and I mean real stress. I was a tall Italian boy that went through puberty quickly, so physically I did not look like the other boys and I did not have their athletic skills either. Often on gym class days, I would become nauseous and go to the school nurse. I would do anything to not have to be in the locker room. My gym teacher did not make it easier either. He cajoled his “jocks” into bullish behavior with those of us who were not as athletic - he would say stuff like, “buck up,” “you can take it,” or “stop being a wuss.” (None of the phrases were appealing to me as a teen, but now when a hot stud says, “You can take it,” there is a whole different meaning.) I think the only way I survived the locker room and gym was that choir and band were usually after it. I loved them both. Nothing was more of an escape to me than music. The smell of brass and wood and musty sheet music made me so happy. I felt safe in the music room, because 1) I was surrounded by non-jock types and 2) I had an instrument in my hand, which I could beat you over the head with if you really pissed me off.

It was also in middle school that I started to feel an attraction to other boys, and realized I had no desire to see a vagina. Other boys pretended that they saw some of my classmate’s vaginas and were happy about it – this made no sense to me. Plus, who would really show these jerks their va-jay-jay? What a bunch of liars.

When I got to high school, I still had much resentment towards the jocks. They were the ones getting all of the recognition, but yet I had to play the fucking fight song for their dumb asses. My anger began to manifest itself in the form of writing and journaling. My family was too busy to listen to me, because of work and typical family drama. So, I began to write what I was thinking. My feelings towards jocks, my attraction towards other guys, and my love of some of my hot male teachers were all topics in my journals. Also, I began getting myself involved in other areas of school life to deflect the bullshit that the jocks dished out. I began working on our school magazine and yearbook - this was another creative outlet for this jock hater. Plus, I was still involved in music and was heavily involved in band. I loved music even more at this age. As a band, we went on many trips. For the most part I was with like-minded people, and this made high school a bit easier for me. There were some awkward times on the band buses, but those I could ignore - I was often too tired to care. I really didn’t care if a percussionist was getting to second base with a majorette.

In high school, my attraction to other guys became stronger, but I knew high school would be a challenging place to let my rainbow out, even though, my school was not very typical. I had to be subtle. I was so afraid of the jockish guys. I began to get help from friends outside of high school who could get me gay magazines and entertainment and I would sneak into backrooms at bookstores. Torso and Blueboy magazines got me through the perils of high school, and I could hide them in my closet - my parents stayed out of there.

I could not wait to get to college. No jocks. I could be gay as often as I wanted. At

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least, this is what I thought. I was heavily engaged in college - I was in the concert band, I was involved in the Greek system, and I worked for the university. I really was not ashamed about being gay, but I felt with all of the jockish behavior in the Greek system, I had to play the “Anderson Cooper” card and just not discuss it. Plus, in the university system, you were not only pushed to come out, but heavily encouraged to scream it all over. This was not me at the time. I felt, again, like I was surrounded by bullish jocks. I found comfort in my friends and fraternity brothers who treated me with kindness and compassion and humor. They knew I was gay, but they did not force the issue like my colleagues at the university did.

Now that I am older and wiser, I find the jocks hilarious. The gay jocks want nothing to do with anything that is not like them they call themselves “straight-acting.” So stupid - there is nothing straight about eating ass and butt fucking another guy.

The straight jocks are just as funny to me - what a bunch of vain asswipes. These are the guys that have to groom themselves naked in the locker room mirrors. I think they secretly want other guys to admire them, when most of us really don’t care.

Sad. So before I get emails about how I hate people who take care of themselves, this is not the point. Taking care of yourself is different than being a vain bully with athletic skills and an athletic body.

If you are a skilled athlete, be proud of who you are and continue to strive for better things. Do not bully those of us who are not as skilled or do not look like you. As much as I like to look at a diver or swimmer in a Speedo, when you are a bullish jerk, you are plain ugly.

Remember to never be a victim, and always be a survivor. Now with the Olympics going on, I had to buy the Family Size bottle of lube. I wonder if I can find Tom Daley’s used Speedo on Ebay.co.uk after the Games.

What’s your take on Mario’s piece?

Find it online at www.outlookcolumbus.com and comment.

Ready, aim, speedo!

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Music to my ears.

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Standing Erect with Ben Cohen

by Mickey Weems Life can be tough for the kid who is different in the wrong way.

In establishing a pecking order, ambitious children will look for other children to browbeat or just plain beat. It could be anything - hair color, physique, accent, freckles - whatever the antagonist can find to cut the victim from the herd.

Professional sports icon Ben Cohen knows what it is like to be different in the wrong way. He was born with a 30% loss of hearing. Perhaps this is one reason why he is so against bullies, especially those who pick on LGBT youth. Maybe it is also why Ben chose to play rugby. He gives other reasons: “I lost my own father to violence when he stood up for an employee who was being attacked. I’ve heard from my wonderful friends in the LGBT community about the hard roads too many have traveled. And many parents have shared painful stories with me about how their children, who might be perceived to be different, are ruthlessly attacked and scared of their own schools. I am passionate about standing up against bullying and homophobia in sports, and feel compelled to take action.

It is time we stand up for what is right and support people who are being harmed. Every person on this planet has a right to be true to themselves, to love and be loved, and to be happy.”

In order to put an end to bullying, Ben created the StandUp Foundation (www.standupfoundation.com). His organization helps anti-homophobia organizations (especially in sports) with grants of up to $10,000, and offers support to individuals harassed by bullies. According to the website, their “primary objective is to raise awareness of bullying and its long-term, damaging effects. We also raise funds to support those organizations and people that do real-world work to stop it. Because lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people are often targeted by bullies, we give particular attention to this community. We consider the elimination of homophobia from sports as central to our mission.

Big Ben: Swinging the Pendulum of Gay Male Desire Ben’s organization has a noble purpose. What really makes StandUp interesting is its means of fundraising. The campaign sells non-controversial clothing from the waist up: basic T-shirts with the name of the organization. But that’s not all. When StandUp goes below the belt, product advertisement enters the realm of NSFW. Men’s underwear is sold online, modeled by Ben Cohen. Some of the photos are detailed enough to show Ben’s religion.

As a model, Ben definitely gives good face. His physique is blocky, heavyset with muscle and bereft of a clear six-pack, which makes Cohen a Bear icon. In fact, he is what is known as a “muscle Bear” in Gayspeak, straddling the borders be-

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I wouldn’t mind a forward pass. Or maybe an “up and under.”

tween the Ursine brotherhood, beefy muscle Marys, and beautiful Chelsea/WeHo/LaDeDa clones of New York, LA, and South Florida, respectively. As such, Cohen taps Gay male fantasies as a jock icon that stands up for them. In his underwear.

But it’s not just underwear he sports before the camera. Modeling boxers and oh-so-revealing briefs is only the halfway point in a sensuous strip tease that’s played out every time his visual internet portfolio is summoned on Google. There are photos where Ben poses in only a towel, then in a shower in his birthday suit, or so the camera hints. But it’s just a hint. At no time does he sell the farm.

The marketing strategy is simple in its occasionally blatant sensual glory. Ben Cohen, avowed straight ally, brings money to his anti-bullying cause by engaging in a mild form of sex work. He means to enlist lustful fantasies of customers for an undisputedly noble reason, but his methods are cheesy nonetheless, just like the wildly successful and tacky Broadway Bares and its various iterations.

If It’s Good Enough for Toronto Firefighters The strategy of using men’s bodies to raise charity funds is not new. Here is my favorite example: firefighters in Toronto release a calendar every year for a cancer hospital (www.facebook.com/TorontoFFC). The calendar features shirtless crewmembers, who even go on tour through various clubs, Straight and Gay, to pimp out their product as they strip-tease before drunken, adoring fans. I didn’t have a problem with it when I first saw it in 2005 – why should I have any misgivings about Ben’s (or Broadway Bare’s) tactics now?

Perhaps my discomfort is in the juxtaposition of bullied kids with Sexy Ben selling his wares. Or the fact that Stripping for Jesus in any form actually works, or maybe I’m tired of trollish comments from gay men online whenever they see a suggestive picture of Ben, un-funny remarks that cross the border from harmless to pathetic. Perhaps it is an echo from my own past, when I go-go danced in gay bars and nightclubs, getting groped and ogled and paid good money to sell my body as visual candy and a tactile treat.

Don’t Hate the Het! I also realize that Cohen is not a one-trick pony. He walked the runway during the 3rd annual amfAR Inspiration Gala in New York, dressed to the nines in a tailored suit. He makes guest appearances on sports shows, entertainment reviews, PSAs, wherever he can spread the message that bullying is unacceptable. And the ease by which he flashes his gay male fans is instructive to straight guys with a Ben Cohen man-crush: Don’t freak out if another man finds you sexy.

I applaud his efforts. Despite my misgivings, I rhetorically stand with Ben.

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Bulls, bears and buckeyes.

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Nike Reaches the LGBT Sports Summit

by Dan Woog A few years ago, no one was talking about LGBT issues in sports. Now, everyone is.

Suddenly, the game that dared not speak its name turned into a cacophony. Legit sports organizations (the NCAA, American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance) wanted to address homophobia in athletics. So did gay groups like GLSEN, GLAAD and the National Center for Lesbian Rights.

Smaller organizations cropped up specifically around gays in sports. They had names like Athlete Ally, Our Group, the StandUp Foundation and You Can Play.

You could not tell the players without a scorecard.

Cyd Zeigler covers LGBT sports for a living.

Co-founder of the very popular website Outsports, even he was confused. And he realized many groups were talking past - if not against - each other. Observing so much duplication of ideas and energy, he wondered what it would take to get a variety of organizations into the same room.

Kirk Walker, head softball coach at Oregon State University, loved the idea. He suggested the perfect host: Nike. Walker had worked with the company in the past and had been impressed with their gay-positive attitude.

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Robert Goman, a consumer product manager and head of Nike’s LGBT & Friends Network, was immediately enthusiastic. With the help of NCLR Sports Project Director Helen Carroll and GLSEN Changing the Game Sports Director Pat Griffin, the Nike LGBT Sports Summit was born.

Gradually, participants focused on the idea of “champion.” Though the word now means an athlete who plays on a winning team, Zeigler says that from the time of the Romans a champion has been defined not by trophies won, but by actions taken.

“A champion is someone inclusive and supportive,” Zeigler notes. “We realized how imThe first problem was keeping the June meet- portant it is to drive this idea forward: that a ing to a manageable size. “We wanted it to be champion includes and supports everyone on a working group,” Zeigler said. “You can’t do his or her team.” that with 100 people. We kept it to 25 so we could have real conversations.”

The newly formed “LGBTQ sports coalition” vowed to work to achieve several goals. They Talk they did. Though Nike went all out as will engage each of the major American prohost - covering travel costs and meals; throw- fessional sports leagues to work toward incluing a welcome party and Pride reception at sion. They will try to increase the visibility of their downtown Portland store; offering meet- out college athletes, coaches and allies. They ing space on their Beaverton campus; welwill devise an “LGBTQ inclusive model policy” coming Summit participants to march with for national youth and adult recreational the Nike contingent at the Portland Pride pa- leagues. rade - their real contribution was providing And they will promote a new, inclusive definileaders and facilitators. tion of “athletic champion” to young athletes, while providing inclusive training resources to On Saturday morning - after two days tophysical education teachers and coaches. gether - a Nike executive spoke up. “This is great,” she said. “But you’re not thinking big “Everything we do, it’s ultimately about youth enough.” and young athletes,” Zeigler says. “That’s something everyone agreed on.”

Her words were electrifying. “Everyone realized she was right,” Zeigler recalls. The group Of course, any time over a dozen groups get scrapped the rest of the day’s agenda, and fo- together there will be contention. At the sumcused on how they could “really, really change mit, discussions of funding were seldom easy. sports in a big way,” he says.

“Ultimately, there’s a limited amount of resources,” says Zeigler. “Groups compete for

Good work, team. Hit the showers!

funding. That came through very clearly.”

But overriding those discussions was a more important feeling: trust. “A lot of the people there had never met each other. Or they didn’t understand or trust them,” Zeigler says.

“Trust is a huge part of sports. You have to trust your teammates. You have to trust a game plan. I think we really built trust among the different groups. There’s a much better sense now of knowing when to lead, and when to follow.”

Zeigler adds, “The gay sports movement has been going on for 40 years. But I think this is the beginning of the end of homophobia in sports.” He predicts that within four years, anti-gay attitudes in athletics will have faded remarkably.

Why four years? “That’s the length of high school, or the number of years you play in college. It takes four years for each group, beginning to end.”

Zeigler uses one final sports analogy to sum up the good feeling of the men and women at the Nike LGBT Sports Summit.

“Part of winning is playing well together.

We’re athletes. We all know how to win.”

Dan Woog is a journalist, educator, soccer coach, gay activist, and author of the “Jocks” series of books on gay male athletes. Visit his website at www.danwoog.com. He can be reached at OutField@qsyndicate.com.

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My Italian always improves when I’m drunk. I think.

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SATURDAY, AUGUST 11 BIENVENIDOS A COLUMBUS! Festival Latino @ Genoa Park, festivallatino.net: The largest Hispanic-Latino cultural event in the state of Ohio, Festival Latino has something for everyone! Includes live music and entertainment, educational events, and of course, Latin-American cuisine! Through Sunday. 11a-8p.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8 GAME ON! Network Columbus: Gay Games 2014 Cleveland @ TechColumbus, 1275 Kinnear Rd, networkcolumbus.com: Join us tonight for speaker Tom Nobbe, Executive Director and Rob Smitherman, sports director, from the Gay Games 9 to be held in Cleveland. This will be the central Ohio launch of registration for the games. Free appetizers, drinks & networking.

6p-8p; free.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 2 THE ORIGINAL BLONDE BOMBSHELL The Prince and the Showgirl and My Week with Marilyn @ Wexner Center for the Arts, 1871 N High St, 614.292.3535, www.wexarts.org: This Marilyn double feature shows one of her famous films and the inspiration for the second feature. Who could say no to all that Marilyn! 7p, 8:40p; $7.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 25 SUDDENLY, PUPPIES! HUNDREDS OF THEM! Wag! Dog Festival @ Darby Bend Lakes Arena, 2755 Amity Rd, Hilliard: The region’s largest dog event, Wag! is a fun filled day for dogs and dog lovers alike. Includes walking courses, activities, and educational/product selling booths for attendees. 10a-5p; free.

THURSDAY AUGUST 30 “THERE ARE WORST THINGS I COULD DO!” GREASE Sing-a-Long @ Movie Tavern 11, 3773 Ridge Mill Dr, 614.777.

1012, movietavern.com: Have a bite to eat while you find out why Danny and Sandy go together like rama lama lama ka dinga da dinga dong. 7:30p; $5-7.50.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24 WALK LIKE AN EGYPTIAN Egyptian Festival 2012 @ St Mary Coptic Orthodox Church, 200 Old Village Rd, 614.580.0123, www.stmarycoc.org: Homemade Egyptian food and pastries, activities including church tours, henna drawings, photos, souvenirs, games, children’s activities and more. 6p-10p; free.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 18 SUMMER OF SANGRIA 3rd Annual Signature Wines Sangria Festival @ Signature Wines, 3816 April Ln, sangriafest2012. eventbrite.com: What better way to celebrate the dog days of summer than with Latin rhythms and a cup of sangria? For the price of admission you receive drink tickets, a souvenir wine glass, the chance to enter in a number of raffles, and of course, live music. 6-9p, $10.

FRIDAY AUGUST 31 OPA! The 40th Annual Greek Festival @ The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 555 N High St, 614.224.9020, www.greek cathedral.com: experience culture and ancestry of Greece an their Orthodox Christian faith as expressed trough the many foods and activities, cathedral tours music dancing exhibits and Greek pastries 11aMidnight; $5. Under 12 free.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 23 THE BEAUTY AND INNOVATION OF DANCE Bebe Miller: Tracing History @ OSU Urban Arts Space, 50 W Town St, 614.292.8861, uas.osu.edu: Come celebrate the 25th anniversary of Miller’s dance company and her world premiere of her latest project “A History.” The exhibition goes through September 29. Reception is 6-8p; free.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 21 BILL MURRAY, YOU CAN CRASH HERE! Party With Bill Murray @ Somewhere in Columbus, 785.273.0325: Your beloved Columbus is lucky enough to be one of the stops along Bill Murray’s Party Crashing Tour. We can’t tell you exactly where he’ll be, but if you want him to come crash your party, there must be a sign or banner reading “BILL MURRAY CAN CRASH HERE” outside the desired party location. Also, Alcohol and Karaoke are required. No, we’re not joking.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 11 A PHILANTHROPIC MASQUERADE Columbus Arts Ball @ The Bluestone, 583 E Broad St, 614.884.4646, www.columbusartsball.com: Don your most lavish mask and ball gown (or bowtie and cumberbund) to dance the night away and raise money for local and national causes. Doors open at 6:30p; $28 - $35.

BearCamp2012@columbusbears.org: Join the Columbus Ursine Brotherhood for a weekend of fun and fur as we near the end of the world as we know it… if the Mayans are correct.

Even if the world doesn’t end, this is still an event not to be missed! You might finally answer the age old riddle “If a bear

THURSDAY, AUGUST 9 OUT OF THE FOREST Bear Camp 2012: Bearpocalypse @ Downtown Holiday Inn Hotel, 175 E Town St,

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1 SESAME STREET’S VULGAR YOUNGER BROTHER Avenue Q @ Studio One, Riffe Center, 77 S High St, 614.469.9580, capa.com: What better way to kick off the CATCO 2012-2013 season than with profanity spewing puppets? Come see the smash hit Broadway musical “Avenue Q”, and experience an engaging dialogue about race, sexuality, and growing up, all while covering your grandmother’s ears in fear of what comes next.

Runs through Aug. 19. 11a; $11.50.

SUNDAY AUGUST 12 PITCHERS, CATCHERS, AND HOT DOGS Clippers v. Indianapolis Indians 6:05p; $8.75-25.25.

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 3 A MATCH MADE IN OHIO Canal Winchester Blues & Ribfest @ Stradley Place, 36 S High Street, www.bluesandribfest.com: Like the blues? What about ribs? What if you could have BOTH AT THE SAME TIME? Runs through 4th. 5p-11p Aug. 3, 11a-11p; free.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 16 MUSICA IS IN THE AIR Promusica Summer Music Series @ Franklin Park Conservatory, 1777 E Broad St, 614.464.0066, www.promusicacolumbus.org: Don’t miss the last installment of the Promusica Summer Music Series! Bring your sweetheart and pack a picnic for some starlit orchestral music. 8p; free.

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 29 LIVE, DRINK, EAT LOCAL Local Brews and Local Foods @ The North Market, 59 Spruce St, 614.463.9664, www.northmarket.com: The North Market is the place to be on the last Wednesday of every month, with foods, beer and entertainment to fulfill every appetite.

4-7p; free.

MONDAY AUGUST 27 PEN TO PAPER, FINGERTIPS TO KEYS Writer’s Group @ Wild Goose Creative, 2491 Summit St, 614.859.9453, www.wildgoosecreative.com: Whether you’re a beginning or experienced writer, you are welcome and encouraged to come share your work, or share another author’s work that you find inspirational. Come learn something about yourself and other creative members of the community. 7-9p; free.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 25 BABY, I’LL BE YOUR ONE-WINGED ANGEL CAPA presents Distant Worlds: Music from Final Fantasy @ Ohio Theatre, 55 E State St, 614.469. 0930, www.ticketmaster.com: Conducted by Grammy AwardWinner Arnie Roth Special Guest Nobuo Uematsu to be in attendance. Featuring music from role-playing video game, Final Fantasy, 100 symphony musicians a choir bocal and instrumental soloists. 3p; $38-153.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17 TO BE, OR NOT TO BE Actors’ Theatre: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) @ Columbus Commons, 160 S High St, 614.444.6888, www.theactorstheatre.org: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare may seem daunting as a title, but the Actors’ Theatre isn’t kidding when they call it “Abridged.” With only three actors performing extremely shortened versions of the Bard’s works, hilarity is bound to ensue. 7:30p; free.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 25 WERE YOU BLUE OR GREY? Civil War Genealogy Workshop @ Ohio Historical Center, 800 E 17th Ave, 614.297.2510, ohsweb.ohiohistory.org: Curious about your family’s participation in the Civil War? At this workshop, you’ll be given research tips that could help you find info about your family history. Advance registration required. 10a-12p; $20.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 18 DONKEYS ARE HOT Stephanie Miller’s Sexy Liberal Comedy Tour @ Capitol Theatre, 77 S High Street, 614.469.9580, www.sexyliberal.com: Dial Global’s Stephanie Miller brings together a cast of ‘sexy liberal comedians’ for a fun filled night of left leaning laughs at the Capitol Theatre. Includes radio show cast members Hal Sparks and John Fugelsang. 8p; $22-70.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15 THERE ARE 60 VARIETIES OF TOMATOES? 3rd Annual Heirloom Tomato Tasting @ MI Homes Demo Kitchen at Easton, 4047 Gramercy St, 614.296.5053, www.ediblecolumbus.com: featuring Northridge Organics, Mike and Laura grow over 60 varieties of tomatoes on their farm. Taste and compare 12 of this season’s favorites. Tricia will be cooking up two other heirloom tomatoinspired dishes. 12p-1:30p and 6p-7:30p; $35.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 4 STRIKE A POSE OKI Unified Awards Ball @ 3587 E Livingston Ave. If you love the pageantry and ballroom glory of the true voguing scene (Madanna Shmadonna), you don’t want to miss this.

Visit the Facebook event for more info. 9p2a; $15 before 10p, $25 after.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 4 CULTURE AFRICANA, IN THE HEART OF IT ALL First Annual African American Cultural Arts Festival @ Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, 1777 E Broad St, 614.253.1880, aacafest.org: Flavor and history of black arts, music and dance book fair and health screenings. Theme “celebrating Heritage, Success and Life” job fair. 12-9p; free.

MONDAY, AUGUST 6 HE’S FRENCH, ALRIGHT Sare’s “Unpredictables” Exhibit @ Cultural Arts Center, 139 W Main St, 614.645.7047, www.culturalartscenteronline.org: Strangely intriguing with a hint of macabre: that’s just one of the ways to describe oddball French artist Sare. Exhibit runs through Aug 12. Free.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 3 A LESS AMUSING VERSION OF ANGRY BIRDS CAPA Summer Movie Series: Hitchcock’s The Birds @ The Ohio Theatre, 39 E State St, 614.469. 0939, capa.com: Grab a boy with some big, strong arms to cling to as you watch this creepy classic. As if big black birds weren’t creepy enough. 7:30p; $4.

out & about

photo by Michelle Hanavan

SATURDAY, AUGUST 11 BIENVENIDOS A COLUMBUS! Festival Latino @ Genoa Park, festivallatino.net: The largest Hispanic-Latino cultural event in the state of Ohio, Festival Latino has something for everyone! Includes live music and entertainment, educational events, and of course, Latin-American cuisine! Through Sunday. 11a-8p.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8 GAME ON! Network Columbus: Gay Games 2014 Cleveland @ TechColumbus, 1275 Kinnear Rd, networkcolumbus.com: Join us tonight for speaker Tom Nobbe, Executive Director and Rob Smitherman, sports director, from the Gay Games 9 to be held in Cleveland. This will be the central Ohio launch of registration for the games. Free appetizers, drinks & networking.

6p-8p; free.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 2 THE ORIGINAL BLONDE BOMBSHELL The Prince and the Showgirl and My Week with Marilyn @ Wexner Center for the Arts, 1871 N High St, 614.292.3535, www.wexarts.org: This Marilyn double feature shows one of her famous films and the inspiration for the second feature. Who could say no to all that Marilyn! 7p, 8:40p; $7.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 25 SUDDENLY, PUPPIES! HUNDREDS OF THEM! Wag! Dog Festival @ Darby Bend Lakes Arena, 2755 Amity Rd, Hilliard: The region’s largest dog event, Wag! is a fun filled day for dogs and dog lovers alike. Includes walking courses, activities, and educational/product selling booths for attendees. 10a-5p; free.

THURSDAY AUGUST 30 “THERE ARE WORST THINGS I COULD DO!” GREASE Sing-a-Long @ Movie Tavern 11, 3773 Ridge Mill Dr, 614.777.

1012, movietavern.com: Have a bite to eat while you find out why Danny and Sandy go together like rama lama lama ka dinga da dinga dong. 7:30p; $5-7.50.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24 WALK LIKE AN EGYPTIAN Egyptian Festival 2012 @ St Mary Coptic Orthodox Church, 200 Old Village Rd, 614.580.0123, www.stmarycoc.org: Homemade Egyptian food and pastries, activities including church tours, henna drawings, photos, souvenirs, games, children’s activities and more. 6p-10p; free.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 18 SUMMER OF SANGRIA 3rd Annual Signature Wines Sangria Festival @ Signature Wines, 3816 April Ln, sangriafest2012. eventbrite.com: What better way to celebrate the dog days of summer than with Latin rhythms and a cup of sangria? For the price of admission you receive drink tickets, a souvenir wine glass, the chance to enter in a number of raffles, and of course, live music. 6-9p, $10.

FRIDAY AUGUST 31 OPA! The 40th Annual Greek Festival @ The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 555 N High St, 614.224.9020, www.greek cathedral.com: experience culture and ancestry of Greece an their Orthodox Christian faith as expressed trough the many foods and activities, cathedral tours music dancing exhibits and Greek pastries 11aMidnight; $5. Under 12 free.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 23 THE BEAUTY AND INNOVATION OF DANCE Bebe Miller: Tracing History @ OSU Urban Arts Space, 50 W Town St, 614.292.8861, uas.osu.edu: Come celebrate the 25th anniversary of Miller’s dance company and her world premiere of her latest project “A History.” The exhibition goes through September 29. Reception is 6-8p; free.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 21 BILL MURRAY, YOU CAN CRASH HERE! Party With Bill Murray @ Somewhere in Columbus, 785.273.0325: Your beloved Columbus is lucky enough to be one of the stops along Bill Murray’s Party Crashing Tour. We can’t tell you exactly where he’ll be, but if you want him to come crash your party, there must be a sign or banner reading “BILL MURRAY CAN CRASH HERE” outside the desired party location. Also, Alcohol and Karaoke are required. No, we’re not joking.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 11 A PHILANTHROPIC MASQUERADE Columbus Arts Ball @ The Bluestone, 583 E Broad St, 614.884.4646, www.columbusartsball.com: Don your most lavish mask and ball gown (or bowtie and cumberbund) to dance the night away and raise money for local and national causes. Doors open at 6:30p; $28 - $35.

BearCamp2012@columbusbears.org: Join the Columbus Ursine Brotherhood for a weekend of fun and fur as we near the end of the world as we know it… if the Mayans are correct.

Even if the world doesn’t end, this is still an event not to be missed! You might finally answer the age old riddle “If a bear

THURSDAY, AUGUST 9 OUT OF THE FOREST Bear Camp 2012: Bearpocalypse @ Downtown Holiday Inn Hotel, 175 E Town St,

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1 SESAME STREET’S VULGAR YOUNGER BROTHER Avenue Q @ Studio One, Riffe Center, 77 S High St, 614.469.9580, capa.com: What better way to kick off the CATCO 2012-2013 season than with profanity spewing puppets? Come see the smash hit Broadway musical “Avenue Q”, and experience an engaging dialogue about race, sexuality, and growing up, all while covering your grandmother’s ears in fear of what comes next.

Runs through Aug. 19. 11a; $11.50.

SUNDAY AUGUST 12 PITCHERS, CATCHERS, AND HOT DOGS Clippers v. Indianapolis Indians 6:05p; $8.75-25.25.

OC_24_25_Center Spread Out & About 7/24/12 10:45 PM Page 1

FRIDAY, AUGUST 3 A MATCH MADE IN OHIO Canal Winchester Blues & Ribfest @ Stradley Place, 36 S High Street, www.bluesandribfest.com: Like the blues? What about ribs? What if you could have BOTH AT THE SAME TIME? Runs through 4th. 5p-11p Aug. 3, 11a-11p; free.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 16 MUSICA IS IN THE AIR Promusica Summer Music Series @ Franklin Park Conservatory, 1777 E Broad St, 614.464.0066, www.promusicacolumbus.org: Don’t miss the last installment of the Promusica Summer Music Series! Bring your sweetheart and pack a picnic for some starlit orchestral music. 8p; free.

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 29 LIVE, DRINK, EAT LOCAL Local Brews and Local Foods @ The North Market, 59 Spruce St, 614.463.9664, www.northmarket.com: The North Market is the place to be on the last Wednesday of every month, with foods, beer and entertainment to fulfill every appetite.

4-7p; free.

MONDAY AUGUST 27 PEN TO PAPER, FINGERTIPS TO KEYS Writer’s Group @ Wild Goose Creative, 2491 Summit St, 614.859.9453, www.wildgoosecreative.com: Whether you’re a beginning or experienced writer, you are welcome and encouraged to come share your work, or share another author’s work that you find inspirational. Come learn something about yourself and other creative members of the community. 7-9p; free.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 25 BABY, I’LL BE YOUR ONE-WINGED ANGEL CAPA presents Distant Worlds: Music from Final Fantasy @ Ohio Theatre, 55 E State St, 614.469. 0930, www.ticketmaster.com: Conducted by Grammy AwardWinner Arnie Roth Special Guest Nobuo Uematsu to be in attendance. Featuring music from role-playing video game, Final Fantasy, 100 symphony musicians a choir bocal and instrumental soloists. 3p; $38-153.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17 TO BE, OR NOT TO BE Actors’ Theatre: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) @ Columbus Commons, 160 S High St, 614.444.6888, www.theactorstheatre.org: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare may seem daunting as a title, but the Actors’ Theatre isn’t kidding when they call it “Abridged.” With only three actors performing extremely shortened versions of the Bard’s works, hilarity is bound to ensue. 7:30p; free.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 25 WERE YOU BLUE OR GREY? Civil War Genealogy Workshop @ Ohio Historical Center, 800 E 17th Ave, 614.297.2510, ohsweb.ohiohistory.org: Curious about your family’s participation in the Civil War? At this workshop, you’ll be given research tips that could help you find info about your family history. Advance registration required. 10a-12p; $20.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 18 DONKEYS ARE HOT Stephanie Miller’s Sexy Liberal Comedy Tour @ Capitol Theatre, 77 S High Street, 614.469.9580, www.sexyliberal.com: Dial Global’s Stephanie Miller brings together a cast of ‘sexy liberal comedians’ for a fun filled night of left leaning laughs at the Capitol Theatre. Includes radio show cast members Hal Sparks and John Fugelsang. 8p; $22-70.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15 THERE ARE 60 VARIETIES OF TOMATOES? 3rd Annual Heirloom Tomato Tasting @ MI Homes Demo Kitchen at Easton, 4047 Gramercy St, 614.296.5053, www.ediblecolumbus.com: featuring Northridge Organics, Mike and Laura grow over 60 varieties of tomatoes on their farm. Taste and compare 12 of this season’s favorites. Tricia will be cooking up two other heirloom tomatoinspired dishes. 12p-1:30p and 6p-7:30p; $35.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 4 STRIKE A POSE OKI Unified Awards Ball @ 3587 E Livingston Ave. If you love the pageantry and ballroom glory of the true voguing scene (Madanna Shmadonna), you don’t want to miss this.

Visit the Facebook event for more info. 9p2a; $15 before 10p, $25 after.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 4 CULTURE AFRICANA, IN THE HEART OF IT ALL First Annual African American Cultural Arts Festival @ Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, 1777 E Broad St, 614.253.1880, aacafest.org: Flavor and history of black arts, music and dance book fair and health screenings. Theme “celebrating Heritage, Success and Life” job fair. 12-9p; free.

MONDAY, AUGUST 6 HE’S FRENCH, ALRIGHT Sare’s “Unpredictables” Exhibit @ Cultural Arts Center, 139 W Main St, 614.645.7047, www.culturalartscenteronline.org: Strangely intriguing with a hint of macabre: that’s just one of the ways to describe oddball French artist Sare. Exhibit runs through Aug 12. Free.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 3 A LESS AMUSING VERSION OF ANGRY BIRDS CAPA Summer Movie Series: Hitchcock’s The Birds @ The Ohio Theatre, 39 E State St, 614.469. 0939, capa.com: Grab a boy with some big, strong arms to cling to as you watch this creepy classic. As if big black birds weren’t creepy enough. 7:30p; $4.

out & about

photo by Michelle Hanavan

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A House Divided: The Two Faces of LGBT Olympics

by Andrew Keller

continue on with its own games, giving birth to the Gay and Lesbian International Sports Association, or GLISA, parent of the World Outgames.

The Olympics are, if nothing else, a sign of international unity. Every country, no matter how antagonistic towards its neighbors, has always addressed these games with calls for cooperation and harmony among nations. And while the LGBT community also has games under which it can unify, according to GLISA Co-President Julia Applegate, unity is difficult to achieve when the community has not one, but two series of competing games. And once again, these two games have themselves failed to unify.

The split was reconsidered when a petition signed by a number of participating athletes urged the executive councils of both games to combine their forces.

The Gay Games and the World Outgames, which have been in talks since 2009 to create a single, unified competition for the community, have failed to come to a consensus due to disagreements over logistical matters, leaving the LGBT community divided between the two.

“A petition was presented to GLISA at the Outgames in Copenhagen, asking for ‘Pride Games’ or ‘Reunited Games’,” said Applegate. “In response to that community expression, the copresidents got together in Manchester and committed to try to work on that.”

“Sadly, on a surface level, if you don’t know anything about what contributed, it sends a message of fracture,” Applegate said about the split.

“A message of an inability to cooperate, and a message of competition.”

“When I learned of the split, I was very upset,” said Applegate. “I knew that our community was going to be split. They had to decide if they wanted to go to Montreal or Chicago.”

ultimately prevented unification.

Applegate, on the other hand, said that the primary reason that the talks fell through was because of disagreements over voting procedures and other matters that GLISA disagreed with.

“When they do the site selection they invite delegates, and each bidding city does a presentation and people vote and they select their host city,” said Applegate. “We at GLISA have the presentations, but we allow members to vote electronically. We have members all over the world, and expense and time commitment of travel is not something people are allowed to take on.”

According to her, neither side would yield on how voting and site selection would take place, with GLISA in particular thinking that proxy voting should be allowed to lessen travel burden on participants. And as well, disagreements still remained over whether to keep the focus on sports, or to incorporate broader ideas such as human rights into the mix.

Unfortunately, after 3 years of debate the committees could not come to an agreement and recently dropped the effort. According to Kurt Dahl, co-president of the Federation of Gay Games, the primary reason was that the two organizations “We feel our program itself is an expression of ultimately had different visions, and different human rights,” said Dahl. “We never had to say, The two games originated from a split in the orig- ideas on what sort of expenses would be realistic. literally ‘human rights’ at these events.” inal Gay Games, out of a disagreement on what to do with the games slated to appear in Mon“It really came down to the question of how do we But despite disagreements and yet another failtreal. Montreal had originally been chosen to host work the contract with the two organizations and ure to combine the games, both Applegate and the Gay Games, but according to Applegate the the host, and how do we not create this financial Dahl expressed hope that, in the future, their orcity refused to initially sign the license agreement burden on the host city,” said Dahl. “Ideally the ganizations might be able to construct a joint due to its desire to incorporate a human rights FGG relies on money from license agreement to games for the LGBT community. According to conference into the event, as well. The organizing fund its business.” He said that GLISA, however, Dahl, the process is inevitable, but it will take branch of the Gay Games thought that adding wanted to create larger games that could accom- time. this event would detract from the games’ focus modate more people, straining both the venues on sports and culture. When it decided to open up available to the games and the finances them“I was looking forward to it. I’ve spent two years bidding to other cities again, Montreal decided to selves. Disagreements on the games’ finances of my life dedicated to putting together some

26 aug 2012

Why not play for both teams?

agreement,” said Dahl. “Am I disappointed?

Somewhat, yes. I hope we will come together and have one event that everybody can participate in.

I just don’t think we were ready.”

Applegate, on the other hand, was convinced that, for the health of the games themselves, the merging of the games must eventually happen.

“For the athletes and for the sustainability of the events, I hope we can come to some sort of agreement to allow us to return to one event every four years,” said Applegate. “We were talking about working together to license one event. A merger may be a possibility at some point, and it may even be the best way to do combined events.”

In the end, however, both were confident that the games would eventually be reunited, due both to the community’s demand for a reunion and to the inevitable movements of history. But until that point, Applegate urged the public to keep an open mind towards both the Gay Games and the World Outgames, insisting that each has its own strong points.

“For people involved it was a lot of blood sweat and tears, let it be known to both organizations,” said Applegate. “We tried to respond to the desires of our membership. That’s why we tried to do joint games. If people are aggravated they need to take the time to respond to the boards of both organizations.”

For more info on The Federation of Gay Games and The Gay Games Cleveland 2014: http://www.gaygames.net. For info on GLISA and The World Outgames Antwerp 2013: http://www.glisa.org/outgames/world-outgames/

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I alwways find politics go more smoothly with a glass of wine. Or three.

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Q & A with Andy Wasley, Stonewall London – Olympic Games

by Alisa Caton

lic statement that LGBT athletes are welcome at London 2012 and that participating nations must not discriminate on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity. We need a signal from the top that homophobia and transphobia are contrary to the Olympic spirit and Charter.”

enough to give a visible presence to the GLBT community at the games?

In the months leading up to this year’s AW: LOGOC used to be a member of Olympics in London, GLBT activists in Great Stonewall’s Diversity Champions program, Britain thought that this year’s games were which helps employers support gay staff. going to be a stepping stone for the gay athApart from that they’ve done remarkably little letes participating. Then, in April, it was anto reach out to the community. They haven’t, nounced that the Pride House would be as far as we’re aware, done anything specificancelled due to lack of funding. The Pride outlook spoke with Stonewall London’s Andy cally to tackle gay people’s low participation House was founded during the last winter Wasley about his thoughts on this year’s in professional athletics or team sports, games in Vancouver, so it was a worry that if Olympic games and what is being done for which is incredible when you consider there London did not carry on with the initiative the GLBT athletes. are only two openly gay athletes in Team GB Pride House would end just as quickly as it (which has nearly 550 members). LOCOG has began.

Alisa Caton: The Pride House for London has confined its public support for gay people to been canceled this year. Do you worry this signing the government’s charter on homoAnother issue GLBT activists are having with is regressing the progress that was made phobia in sports, issuing a rainbow pinthe games is the lack of GLBT representation during the Vancouver Olympics with this ini- badge, and saying it supports Pride House. at the Olympics. Out of the estimated 17,000 tiative?

We don’t know what will be in the opening athletes to compete in London, only 18 are out Andy Wasley: Last week, a new Pride House and closing ceremonies, but however ‘visible’ as a part of the GLBT community. Of the 529 was announced, with just weeks to go – and gay people are it won’t change six years of inUSA athletes participating, only four are that’s good news. We’re all for any event that action. The Olympics will cost the British taxopenly gay. The statistics seem unrealistic. It challenges low participation in sport by gay payer £9.3 billion ($14.5 billion), over £500 is speculated that the reasoning for such low people. Unfortunately recent research for million ($778 million) of which came from our numbers of openly gay athletes is that 80 Stonewall shows two thirds of lesbian, gay 3.7 million gay citizens. It’s right that we ask countries worldwide still persecute their citi- and bisexual young people in Britain’s schools what we’ve gained from that – and the anzens for being gay. There is now a call to ac- don’t like team sports, often because they’re swer, it seems, is ‘not much’. tion by GLBT activists for the International bullied on the field and in the changing room.

Olympic Committee to ban countries from As the Olympics have done little to challenge AC: Some are saying they believe that athparticipating in the games that discriminate or change that, Pride House is a good oppor- letes should seek asylum while they are in based on sexual orientation. The IOC’s charter tunity to get more gay people interested in London if they fear persecution in their states, “Any form of discrimination with resports. It’s also a safe space for gay athletes home country. Is this an idea that Stonewall gard to a country or a person on grounds of and spectators, which is incredibly important. agrees with? race, religion, politics, gender or otherwise is In fact, as the Olympics did little to tell gay AW: Britain is seen by many gay people worldincompatible with belonging to the Olympic visitors about their rights, Stonewall welwide as a beacon for equality, and after years Movement.” comed them and told them where to go for of lobbying by Stonewall our government has support. promised not to turn away gay people who Peter Tantchell, a Human Rights campaigner seek asylum because they fear persecution. told Pink News,” I appeal to Olympic chiefs, AC: Do you think that the London Organizing It’s important the government sticks to that Jacques Rogge and Lord Coe, to make a pub- Committee of the Olympic games has done promise.

28 aug 2012

London hosted the Olympics in 1908 and 1948.

AC: John Amaechi has been publicly stating that he doesn’t believe the IOC should allow countries to participate if they persecute citizens for sexual orientation, as a part of the Olympics’ stand on diversity they already have. Do you think that this is the bold, progressive move that the IOC should be making?

AW: Unfortunately the IOC doesn’t seem to recognize the scale of this problem. Gay people are routinely persecuted, sometimes tortured or even executed, in over 80 countries worldwide. Even though the Olympic Charter forbids discrimination for any reason, some countries routinely ignore it. If the Olympic Charter is to mean anything at all, the IOC really should be holding member countries to account when they don’t live up to its values.

AC: Overall, how do you feel about the GLBT presence at this year’s Olympics?

AW: We’re excited that the eyes of the world will be on Britain very soon, because we have so much to celebrate – particularly in the progress we’ve made on equality for gay people. Thanks to Stonewall gay people in Britain are legally protected from discrimination by employers, businesses and service providers, we can serve in the Armed Forces, and we have civil partnerships. It’s a great shame other organizations, including LOCOG, have done little to improve equality for Britain’s 3.7 million gay people. I hope we see some openly-gay medalists on the podium, but given how few of them are taking part it does seem unlikely. That’s a real shame.

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Good touch bad touch.

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Scrum for your life: The story of Rugby and Columbus Coyotes RFC

by Orie Givens Rugby internationally has many different types; The Columbus Coyotes are our local rugby club the Coyotes play 15s, or rugby union, meaning and a part of the International Gay Rugby Associa- that 15 people are on the field for each team at tion and Board (or IGRAB – yes, we know). The once. Because the sport doesn’t use protective Coyotes are not a professional team; during the padding like football, you might think that guys day, they are teachers, insurance agents and other break all kinds of bones and endure all kinds of professionals. But on game day, these guys beinjuries. But that perception may not be the case. come warriors on the field, and partiers at the pub.

They support themselves with dues and sponsor- “When you play rugby, you learn quickly that you ships from companies like Union, Miller Coors, can’t do certain things or you will get hurt,” says Belvedere and even some players, which help with Rogers. Because of that understanding, players team expenses. They are getting ready to start are more cautious on the field, as opposed to foottheir fall season and are increasing in popularity ball players who might play more risky because of around the city. Although they are a part of a gay the perceived protection of the padding. league, their team is not all gay – allies are a part of the team as well. And they are here to recruit On the field, the Coyotes live for that 80 minutes. you. Or at least help you have a good time, learn The challenge and intensity of rugby calls them to some about an exciting sport, and meet some new play over and over again. people.

“It’s the hardest sport I’ve ever done,” says What the h is rugby?

Rogers, who played other sports in high school.

“The sport is always going on, it never pauses.

“It’s kind of like a cross between football and soc- And after 80 minutes are done, you want to keep cer, where you have the aggressiveness of the con- on going.” tact sports like football. But you have long periods (two periods of forty minutes) and only one break For Mike Lovett, rugby is the only sport that gets similar to soccer,” says Cordero Rogers, field cap- his adrenaline going hours before the game. “You tain for the Coyotes. Scoring is a bit different in get all riled up, and you get there and it’s crazy. My this game: A ‘try’ is similar to the touchdown, and adrenaline is through the roof.” unlike in football, you actually have to touch the ball to the ground for the points to count. There are Rugby is a social sport two ways to score during rugby by kicking, and passing can only be done laterally or backward.

In addition to the athletic aspects of rugby, teams The ‘scrum’, a unique concept to rugby, is where engage in very traditional and somewhat ritualisplayers from both teams bind together in sort of a tic social events with the team they are playing. heap in order to struggle for the ball.

Called the ‘third half’, the social is one of the most

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important parts of the rugby experience worldwide. a player and the practice is to swap shirts when For our Coyotes, it’s no different. you knock boots. But, seriously, what would one expect when you combine cute guys and kegs.

The rugby social is meant to bring teams together “We’re not nuns,” laughs Caruso. and helps to foster the brotherhood found among ruggers, after the sometimes highly charged and Fun and drinking aside, the Coyotes are a brotheraggressive 80 minutes of game play. hood like any other. They work hard, play hard together; for many it provides a sense of belonging “It’s a family sport,” says Liam Caruso, back and that they couldn’t find in other organizations, and treasurer for the Coyotes. “You could clothesline is a group that promotes happiness and camasomeone on the field, and then once you leave the raderie instead of cattiness and shade as is field it’s all forgotten.” To keep costs down, visiting sometimes found in other gay organizations. teams are welcomed into the homes of the host team, and often times the price of socials and Wanna be a rugger? even food are covered as well.

There are two ways to get involved with the Coyotes; you can join as a player, or as an auxiliary “A rugby weekend starts on Friday evening,” says member. Not a muscle cub? That’s ok; the Coyotes Dale Litt, President of the Coyotes organization. aren’t looking for any specific type of teammate.

After the game, teams gather together to socialize, And don’t think you have to be young, or even a drink and be merry. Part of the rugby tradition in- former athlete. As long as you are dedicated, and volves the singing of songs, the yelling of cheers, work hard, you have a place on the team. naked runs around the bar and other craziness typically associated with guys being guys.

“We have an event called rugby 101 where anyone who is interested in rugby can come out and learn “If you are singing a song and you mess up, they more about the game,” says Lovett. You can come yell ‘oorah shoot the boot’, and they find the dirti- and check out some practices just to see if the est, nastiest, smelliest cleat and pour beer and Coyotes are for you. The next Rugby 101 will be hock loogies into it, and the person who messed held on August 4th at Wolfe Park at 10a. up has to chug the whole thing. And then the person has to redeem themselves by re-singing the If you aren’t up for the playing aspect, you can still song,” explains Caruso. support the Coyotes by joining their auxiliary team.

For $50, you get access to the games and the soAnother tradition, maybe specifically to gay rugby cials just like you were on the team. For more info, (or not), is the trading of the rugby shirt. This ac- join their Facebook page, Columbus Coyotes tion commemorates when a team member from Rugby Football Club, and catch them out for a one team hooks up with a team member from an- game. Or a social. Although, I probably wouldn’t other team. Rugby shirts, like other sports, identify challenge any of them to a drinking contest.

Assume the position.

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Dare to be massive? Who’s the pushy size queen?

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Jacks and Jills of All Trades

By Tom Muzyka Jackaroos. Jillaroos. They’re not code words for…unsavory practices. Unless you’re thinking of communal showers, in which case they very well might be. These are Columbus’ own men’s and women’s Australian rules football teams. If you’re like me and asking, “And what rules, pray tell, does Australian football follow?” then here’s the answer: “It’s like the Australians got drunk, combined all of the sports in the world, and this is what came out,” says Chet Ridenour, Director of Football Development.

Australian rules football was originally an offseason training sport for cricket. It combines features of soccer, football, hockey, basketball, rugby, ultimate Frisbee, cricket and even other sports. Its playing field is twice as long as a football field and has four goalposts that earn different points. As the rules were being explained to me, I started getting images of Quidditch and quickly tuned out, for that way lies madness.

What’s most interesting about Australian rules football (footy) is that, in its originating country, the sport often serves as the center of the community; it is the most highly attended spectator sport in Australia, and is one of the most popular sports for children to play. And this is what inspired Chet to bring footy back to Columbus with him. After backpacking in the land down under and witnessing a match at the mecca of footy, the Melbourne cricket ground, Chet knew he owed it to Columbus to import the “shortest shorts in the world” onto our playing fields and into our hearts. They even share the community spirit of Australia: Chet told me that the Jacks celebrate with their opposing team after the game is over.

And so in 2007, after a brief stint with the Cincinnati Dockers footy team, he and fellow team member Matt Reese decided to forgo the biweekly commute and create their own team in the heart of Columbus. There was such an overwhelming influx of new team members that the as-yet-unnamedand-unofficial team went on to defeat the Dockers, causing the players to realize that they had started something powerful. This led to a lengthy team-naming process, with such candidates as the Columbus Convicts, again bringing to mind communal showers and roughhousing. That image wasn’t meant to be, and the Columbus Jackaroos (and later Jillaroos) came into being. A

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Jackaroo is an Australian cowboy, just as a Jillaroo is a cowgirl in the outback; the boys wanted to keep the connection with the sport’s motherland strong, and even have a grizzled Jack as the scowling mascot. Just picture Crocodile Dundee and you’ve got a good idea.

and servicing the teams. And everyone is welcome to socialize with these guys and gals; you’ll find them at Byrne’s Pub on Thursday nights after practice, sweaty and ready to drink. There’s even an OSU branch, the Buckaroos, that is looking to startup and get the campus scene involved.

Following in 2010, the Jillaroos emerged onto the scene. The passion and enthusiasm shown by the Jackaroos helped bring interest in the women’s team, but once the opportunity was there, the women took the initiative. As Jillaroo Kristi Baldwin says, “All I had to do was come out to the first practice and immediately fell in love with the sport.” The teams will often travel together to games, as many competitions are held in the same location, and while the Jacks and Jills are separate, they are very much a part of the same family.

The Jacks and Jills are even actively recruiting from the queer community. Since the footy season lasts from May until October, it overlaps with the offseason for rugby; Chet is looking to get the Columbus Coyotes, the local gay rugby team, to “go both ways” and play a little footy on the side. Not only that, but the Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus has a place waiting for them. Singing is a major part of teambuilding and celebrating, and the Jacks can use as much help with their tunes as possible.

These awesome people are part of what makes the Jacks and Jills such an inspiration; outlook is proud to sponsor the teams in no small part due to their supportive and inclusive attitude toward the LGBT community. “It doesn’t matter what your sexual orientation is. We’re all people that deserve the same amount of respect from those around us,” Kristi affirms. “I think that the Jacks and Jills are supportive and inclusive of the LGBT community because The Columbus Australian Football Club houses such a diverse group of people due to how unique the sport is and I feel that helps us to appreciate the diversity in other people.”

The very nature of the sport lends itself to inclusion. Since it’s a relatively new sport in the States, with less attention than Friday Night Football, footy is on the fringes of the sports scene and it has a unique following.

The queer community can relate, and the Jacks and Jills embrace this kindred nature enthusiastically. They boast open recruitment, with any sexual orientation, physical shape, race, creed, or athletic skill welcome to join. Chet puts it simply, “If you can play the game, we want you on the field with us.”

And there’s no requirement to becoming a member - you just have to show up for practices and games. If you’re not able to devote as much time as you’d like to the sport, you can take a sabbatical until your oh-so-busy schedule calms down. If you’re not the athletic type, you can become a social member, which means that you’re able to join the teams on road trips, help out with logistics

Get your footsie on.

Columbus footy fans are fortunate in that so many competitions take place within Ohio or nearby. The United States Australian Football League, or USAFL, contains teams from all over the country, but a large number of teams are based in the Midwest and East Coast, so Ohio is a central meeting ground.

In fact, the national championships will be held in Mason, Ohio (near King’s Island) from October 12-14th. Apparently footy players like to party on the fake Eiffel Tower after a match. The Jackaroos will be competing here, so mark your calendars now!

There is even talk that Dublin might host the U.S. national championships in the next several years. The City of Dublin has been wining and dining the USAFL in a bid to get these tough girls and boys to play in our own Ohio mud.

Closer to home and more importantly, Derree Fields Park will host the 49th Annual Parallel Cup on August 4th. This is a competition between U.S. and Canadian players, with the best and brightest players recruited from their teams to play in the tournament. Chet and teammate Rob Ward are participating, so be “athletic supporters” for these lads and come watch them play together.

Chet puts it simply, “Come to the games, look closely and see some banana hammocks.”

To sign up or learn more information is to visit the Jack and Jill website at columbusfooty.com/ or by searching Facebook for Jackaroos and Jillaroos. You can also learn more about Australian rules football at www.usafl.com.

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Walk for hope.

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Gays and Their Sports Looking to pick back up a sport, or even some recreational play for beginners? Central Ohio offers everything from color guard to tennis for the GLBTQA community. All of the organizations welcome those looking for tough competition or others that are really in it for the fun of the game.

Here is a list of the athletic leagues around town, just waiting for you to sign up. So, pick up your balls and get out there and play!

www.cmto1.org.

VOLLEYBALL The Capital City Volleyball league (CCV) is Ohio’s oldest gay volleyball organization. All skill levels are invited to play, as there are five divisions in the league, separated by competitive levels and the style of play. They host open gyms during the late summer, where players can see where there level is to determine which division would be best GOLF for them. Some team members say they like playRainbow Golf League is open to all GLBT, or allies, ing because it allows them to stay physically aclooking to improve their game or some friendly tive during the colder months where most are competition on the green. The league meets indoors to keep warm. The league runs from Januweekly to play nine holes, typically Friday at 5p, ary to mid April, ending with a tournament and and is split into two summer sessions. The league an awards banquet. Information about the league hosts other events as well, such as their mid-sea- can be found at: www.capitalcityvolleyball.org. son scramble and BBQ and the end of the season tournament and awards banquet. To play both SOFTBALL sessions is $275. All outings are held at the Columbus Lesbian and Gay Softball Association Mentel Memorial Golf Course. Information and (CLGSA) is the main softball league for GLBT ball registration can be found on the league website: players. CLGSA hosts a summer and fall league, www.rainbowgolf.org. and has 4 divisions within the league. Softball beginners are welcome, as there is a recreational TENNIS division. The league has proven to be popular The Columbus Metropolitan Tennis Organization with 30 teams participating this summer. Aside (CMTO) is the host of Columbus’ gay tennis from weekly competition, CLGSA hosts social and league. CMTO is a non-profit and it is completely charity events like pub-crawls, their Night of 100 free to join. This year Columbus made history by Drag Queens and Bat-N-Rouge. The teams also hosting its first Gay Lesbian Tennis Association travel to tournaments, such as the Midwestern sanctioned tournament, which is a world tour. It Invitational Softball Tournament (MIST) and the was held in July and had competitors from other Gay Softball Word Series (GSWS). Besides the states and countries. For more information visit fierce competition softball team members enjoy

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themselves after their games as they get together at a local pub to have drinks and socialize whether they win or lose. For more information on CLGSA visit www.clgsa.net.

BOWLING CMH Gay Bowling is the league for the Columbus GLBT community to find all their bowling needs.

They have two summer leagues, the Really Bent, three to a team, and Wednesday Night Fever, four to a team. The leagues play at Mr. Bill’s on Cleveland Ave. CMH hosts the annual Central Ohio Midwestern Invitational Classic (COMIC). This year’s was held in April and hosted 432 bowlers.

Those interested in the league should visit www.gaybowling.net.

Chiller Adult League. All skills levels, beginner to professional, male or female, are encouraged to join us on the ice, at social events, volunteer, or join the organization. are welcome to join. For information on how to get involved visit www.gayhockeyohio.org.

SWIMMING Since its inception in 1997, Ohio Splash has been an International Gay and Lesbian Aquatics (IGLA) affiliate. Splash’s inclusive team rapport attracts both men and women in their 20s through 60s that are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and straight. With several pools in and around Columbus, people from all over are encouraged to join.

Ohio Splash holds three coached practices every week, which anyone can attend. One must regisFLAG FOOTBALL ter online with U.S. Masters Swimming in order to The North Coast Athletics Flag Football League attend practices, as well as fill out registration (NCAFFL), also known as the Cleveland Rockers, forms that can be obtained from Ohio Splash’s is the GLBT league for anyone interested in foot- website. More information can be found at ball. The team is one of 21 in the country that is a www.ohiosplash.org. member of the National Gay Flag Football League (NGFFL). They league plays weekend games in the COLORGUARD Flaggots Ohio is a colorguard based here in the spring and fall, and sends a team to national state’s capital, comprised of members of the competitions. These include the annual Pride LGBT community and the community’s straight Bowl in Chicago and the Gay Bowl. For more infor- friends as well. Flaggots has members from all mation visit www.northcoastfootball.com. over Ohio and the Midwest. The group tours throughout the country performing at various events. Anyone interested can obtain the memHOCKEY Gay Hockey Ohio, the only gay hockey association bership handbook, a rehearsal schedule, and an expectations manual from their site at www.flagin the state, produces the team Ohio Mayhem. gotsohio.org.

The Mayhem participates in the Thursday night

I’m an athletic supporter, are you?

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Ashley looks like a delicious blue cheese cocktail olive skewered with a martini toothpick. Mmmm...

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© Duncan Snyder

Forty and Fierce

by Lynette Santoro-Au On March 13, 1972, the Upper Arlington City Council established the Cultural Arts Commission. Armed with the mission of fostering and encouraging the “development of the arts in this community and the preservation of the community’s cultural heritage,” the commission began its grassroots effort to enhance the community it served. Forty years later the commission has become an integral part of the community. Our future holds many new opportunities for the arts in our community. Our goal is to continue to develop a strategic use of resources, relationship and audience building.

Our diverse programs mean the arts can be a part of the community throughout the year. The Cultural Arts Commission programs include: Arts in Community Spaces, Arts in Community Education, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, a Permanent Art Collection maintained by the Commission and shared with the community, and Artslink - our quarterly newsletter. Our city’s signature event, the annual Upper Arlington Labor Day Arts Festival, will celebrate its 46th year in 2012.

Our community participates in the arts by creating visual art in our classrooms, parks and galleries, by participating in performing arts events and by purchasing art from local, regional and national artists. Diverse artistic en-

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deavors stimulate our community members to value and to attend our art offerings as a part of their individual and collective experiences, and we are grateful for the support of the community of Upper Arlington, especially during these difficult financial times. Through the support and dedication of our city’s leadership and through a variety of sponsors we are able to continue to offer transformative art experiences free of charge.

Beyond offering transformative experiences, in Ohio, the arts create jobs. With nearly 18,000 arts related businesses employing more than 88,000 people, the arts are an economic driver.

Cultural activities attract tourists and spur the creation of ancillary facilities such as restaurants, hotels and the services needed to support them. Arts and culture-related industries, also known as “creative industries,” provide direct economic benefits to states and communities. In Upper Arlington, we estimate nearly half of our budget is raised through donations, grants and in-kind contributions.

ing awareness, accessibility and advancement of the arts. The Concourse Gallery is located in the Municipal Services Center at 3600 Tremont Rd. Gallery hours are M-F 8p-5p and admission is free. Celebrating UA features the work of 37 artists living and creating in Upper Arlington.

In conjunction with the work shown we include sketchbooks completed by other creative members of our community. The Sketchbook Venture is a collaboration that unites a unique community of creative people. Participants have been working on their books since January and after they are shown in our gallery they will be added to the Upper Arlington Public Library’s permanent collection where they will surely inspire others. Celebrating UA closes August 17.

Bring a lawn chair or a blanket and enjoy listening to a variety of music in Upper Arlington with Music in the Parks. In case of inclement weather, concerts will move inside while any concerts at community parks will be cancelled.

Our last concert of the season features Mojo Flo and their neo-funk and R&B sounds on the UA Arts Stage at the Amelita Mirolo Barn in Sunny The Concourse Gallery, a public reception area 95 Park, 4395 Carriage Hill Lane Upper Arlingof the Municipal Services Center, is home to our ton August 2, 2012 at 7p.

Visual Arts Series. The City of Upper Arlington has dedicated this space to the arts for 40 On Monday, September 3 from 10a-5p The years. Through the variety of arts programming Upper Arlington Labor Day Arts Festival celeprovided, the Concourse Gallery acts as a vital brates its 46th year in UA. Hosted by the City of and active resource for the community by rais- Upper Arlington’s Cultural Arts Division and

“I like to kick, stretch, and kick!”

presented by Farmers Citizens Bank, this free temporary alfresco gallery and interactive art space is held in Northam Park at the corner of Northam and Tremont Roads. The Upper Arlington Labor Day Arts Festival is an incredible undertaking, and we are amazed each year at the incredible ingenuity involved in its success. The festival by the numbers: 11 months to plan; 15 members of a dynamic team to coordinate; 3 jurors to choose 200 artists from some 350 applicants; 13 city departments involved in every aspect of the event; 249 volunteers and 20,000 visitors supporting the arts. Located in the beautiful neighborhood setting of Northam Park, the festival showcases the works of nearly 200 local, regional and national artists working in a variety of media – including painting, pottery, photography, jewelry, glassware, sculpture and more. A variety of activities add to the Festival’s success as a family-oriented event: an Entertainment Stage with local performers playing all day, an Art Activities Area with performances and arts/crafts activities for children and adults and a variety of food vendors and refreshment booths. Nearly 200 volunteers make this community event possible.

Lynette Santoro-Au is the Arts Manager of the City of Upper Arlington Parks and Recreation. Like The City of Upper Arlington Parks and Recreation on Facebook, follow @CityofUA on Twitter or visit the website at www.uaoh.net.

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by Romeo San Vicente

JENNIFER LOPEZ TURNS MOGUL Jennifer Lopez jumping the American Idol ship wasn’t really that surprising when you consider the show’s slowly fading public profile and Lopez’s perception of herself. This isn’t a woman who likes to hide in the background of popular culture. She’s got plans, and the next one involves developing groundbreaking television. Specifically, she’s behind a one-hour drama for ABC Family about a pair of lesbian moms and their ever-growing brood of children. The untitled pilot, created and written

by Queer As Folk ’s Peter Paige and writing partner Brad Bredeweg, will be executive produced by Lopez and tell the story of a couple – a police officer and a teacher – whose childfilled home welcomes a troubled teenager into the mix. Next question: Could Lopez please play the cop? In fact, could it be the tough Karen Sisco, her character from Steven Soderbergh’s brilliant 1998 film Out of Sight? That would be great.

WICKED CASTS A SPELL ON DALDRY Casting aside, the question of whether or not acclaimed filmmaker Stephen Daldry (The Reader, The Hours, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close) is still a gay man after being married to a woman for 12 years - look, it’s complicated and, more importantly, it’s his own life to live - it only makes sense that Universal would at least be courting a gay-ish person to direct the film version of the musical Wicked. And that’s exactly what they’re doing. Other names have been tossed around, of course; that’s how it works. But you’re telling an alternate take on a pre-Dorothy Wizard of Oz here, so it just makes sense to go with the gay guy. Furthermore, Daldry would definitely lend an element of dignity to the situation; it’s more or less his trademark as a director, and when one of your characters is green like Shrek you need all the dignity you can get. Meanwhile, in the world of the notquite-so-gay musical, Jon Favreau is in negotiations to helm Jersey Boys for its leap to the big screen. That makes sense too, since Favreau’s straight guy camaraderie skills were well honed in the ’90s with Swingers.

And if the failure of Rock of Ages has proven anything, it’s that jukebox musicals need a point of view and purpose for the public to care. Favreau seems like just the right man for that job.

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TONY-WINNING NINA ARIANDA BREATHING NEW LIFE INTO JANIS JOPLIN It wouldn’t be a shock if - after a dozen years of false starts, speculation and turnaround - the proposed film about the life of bisexual rocker Janis Joplin never happened at all.

From early buzz about the late Brittany Murphy’s audition tape to Melissa Etheridge to Pink to Zooey Deschanel to Renee Zellweger and now to at least one project with Amy Adams still attached, it seems like every woman in Hollywood with singing ability has been considered, then un-considered, with nobody getting any closer to actually making a movie. So now they’ve turned to Broadway, where Tony-winner Nina Arianda (Best Actress In a Play for Venus In Fur) is now on board to handle Joplin’s life in Joplin from director Sean Durkin, recently acclaimed for last year’s dark indie hit Martha Marcy May Marlene.

There’s no timeline yet and, well, we’re not holding our breath that there’ll be one, but this is the latest news on a project that may or may not take another 12 years to find its way into actual movie theaters.

MELANIE GRIFFITH AND SANDRA BERNHARD ROLL WITH DTLA A one-hour television drama about the lives of gay men and lesbians in Los Angeles that doesn’t incubate its characters in a tiny homosexual bubble of interactions and life experiences? That’s a novel idea; one that shows like The L Word and Queer As Folk, as entertaining as they often were, only occasionally accomplished. But that’s the concept behind DTLA, a series from Larry Kennar – himself a former producer of L Word - that will focus on a group of friends in L.A. who don’t shy away from actually having straight friends. And the coolest news surrounding the production is the presence of both Sandra Bernhard and longtime friend Melanie Griffith co-starring as lesbian exes. The pair is already shooting their scenes and if the powers that be are smart, these two will have meaty roles and not just occasional cameos (and, naturally, we also want to see them making out, exes or not). The show begins airing in Canada this October, with U.S. networks still in negotiations to run the series at an unknown date.

Romeo San Vicente’s straight male friends are acting gayer and gayer all the time. He can be reached care of this publication or at DeepInsideHollywood@qsyndicate.com.

Ahhh -ahhyayayayaahhhhhh!

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©MarinaChavez

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The “Sound” of music: an interview with Roddy Bottum of Imperial Teen

by Gregg Shapiro Imperial Teen fans rejoice! After a five-year wait, the half-queer quartet consisting of Roddy Bottum and Will Schwartz (both gay) and Lynn Perko Truell and Jone Stebbins (both straight), has returned with what is easily their best album, Feel The Sound (Merge). Things get up and running with “Runaway,” a bouncy opener that sets the tone for what’s to come. The musical mood may remain upbeat – you can dance yourself into a stupor on songs such as “Over His Head,” “Hanging About,” “Don’t Know How You Do It” and “All In My Head” - but beneath it all is a serious quality, as you can hear on “Last To Know” and “Overtaken.” Feeling the sound has as much to do with sensation as it does with emotion. I spoke with Roddy about the band and the new album shortly before its release.

Gregg Shapiro: The phrase “feel the sound,” which is the title of the new Imperial Teen disc, appears in the song “What You Do” from Imperial Teen’s 2007 The Hair The TV The Baby and The Band disc.

Roddy Bottum: [Laughs] When we were talking about calling the record that a couple of people in the band said, “We can’t call the record that, it’s a phrase from a prior record.” Everyone else in the band said, “No one knows that, no one pays attention that.” For some reason, it kind of worked. It came around to where we come from making this music. It’s been a while since we made a record and it was such a struggle and a labor of love to get this record done. The only reason for doing it was the feeling of it, getting into it, because we love to do it. We love the way that it feels. It made sense as a title for us.

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GS: The songwriting on Imperial Teen’s albums are credited to the band. How does that process work?

RB: In a lot of different ways. In the best of ways, we’re all together in a room and goofing around and communicating amongst the four of us. It’s been a stretch this last go-round because everyone is in a different city. It all starts in different ways. Maybe Lynn had an idea and she would send it to us or maybe Will will come up with something and we’ll work it together. It’s usually two or three or four of us together working on stuff. I guess Will and I did a lot of the vocals and lyrics here, because the girls are in different cities. But for the most part most of the actual music writing we did in a room together.

GS: To my ears, Feel The Sound is Imperial Teen’s most dance/pop-oriented disc, as listeners can hear on “Hanging About,” “All The Same” and “Out From Inside,” for example.

How did that come to be?

RB: Maybe it’s because when we get together it’s kind of an explosion of joy. We don’t get to see each other that much. And when we do get together it’s a pretty special occasion. Lately, when we’ve gotten together to write these songs, maybe it was a more joyous thing and it turned more upbeat and dance than it has in the past.

Maybe before we took each other for granted and went to a dirge-y guitar kind of place. It comes from a place where we all get together, with a different perspective this time around.

GS: “Last To Know” is one of the most powerful songs about infidelity that I’ve ever heard.

RB: It was a rough year for me. I got married and

divorced this past year and it’s about that. It’s all there in the lyrics. It’s a weird thing for me to address. It’s pretty apparent that the song is about a break-up. I was stuck in a hard place over the past year. Lyric writing helped me get through what I was going through.

GS: I get a green vibe from “The Hibernates,” making it something of a political statement from Imperial Teen.

RB: Good call. We started working on that song post-Obama[‘s election]. That’s where we were coming from. Remember when Obama took office? It was such a magical time. In the development of American history, it felt like the first time a nation of like-minded people of our generation were coming together on the right track. It felt very optimistic. We could address all causes and move forward in a way we’ve never felt before.

GS: Feel The Sound is Imperial Teen’s fifth studio disc in 16 years. The line-up has maintained the same since the beginning. What’s the trick to making that creative partnership work?

RB: Honestly, that’s the only way that we could do it. We rely on the four of us to do our music. At one point, when Lynn was pregnant, we did a tour without her. It’s really a struggle to do something without one of the four of us. It’s pretty integral to what we’ve done. I don’t think we’d do it if one of us were unavailable.

GS: Feel The Sound is Imperial Teen’s third disc for well-respected Merge, an indie label whose roster also includes other out artists such Stephin Merritt and The Magnetic Fields, as well as Carrie Brownstein’s new band Wild

I’m just dancing on my own.

Flag. What does it mean to you and Imperial Teen to be in such good company?

RB: That’s a really cool thing. I think that Merge has opened their doors to every kind of music. I think that what’s important to Merge is music. It comes in a lot of crazy, different forms. But I think the gay sensibility that comes in adds a flavor that’s pretty specific. Stephin Merritt is amazing. What a body of work that fella has. I can listen to all of his stuff and always something that’s special. That’s a really unique voice and that’s a gay voice and that’s cool. And we’re happy to be a part of that company, too.

GS: Imperial Teen’s “Yoo Hoo” was featured in the movie Jawbreaker, and you’ve done movie music for Adam & Steve and others. Do you have plans for more movie music?

RB: That what I do more these days than band stuff. I score. I just finished a couple of kid’s movies. I like doing it. It’s a different exercise for sure. It’s a weird hat to wear. You take on the role as a supplemental music maker as opposed to doing music only for music’s sake. Being the boss and calling the shots. As a composer, you’re in the role of supplementing a big project, a big movie or action that you didn’t necessarily create. It’s kind of a stretch, but I like it a lot.

GS: Do you think that there might be a solo album in your future?

RB: Maybe. I don’t think it would be a pop record.

I think it would be more of a modern music kind of thing, like I do more on my own.

Imperial Teen is performing on September 29 in Cincinnati at the Midpoint Music Festival. For more information about the festival, visit mpmf.com.

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Writing to Live: Four Authors You Need to Know

by D.A. Steward

throughout the week,” he said.

If I asked you to name 10 published authors who are LGBT and of color (without the help of Google) could you do it? How about if I broadened the scope to mainstream authors, directors and actors? Go ahead. I’ll wait.

A friend asked whether Varner would be turning these posts into a book and thus Creating Positive Ripples: 100 Messages of Encouragement was born. This collection, along with a sequel to Looking the Beyond the Storm is set for release later this spring.

After becoming completely depressed at failing the above exercise myself, I sought out to find published authors that are LGBT of color to add to my very short list. The search first led me to a friend, which then led to a Pandora’s box of possibilities.

Our writers are out there. But unfortunately they often go unnoticed on a national level.

Here are the stories of four writers of which you should definitely take notice: Malcolm Varner In 2009 Malcolm Varner was in the midst of a mental health crisis. While hospitalized and being treated for bipolar disorder, he made two promises to God - that he would never look to suicide as an answer for escape and that he’d dedicate his life somehow to being an advocate for those dealing with mental illness. Two years later he self-published Looking Beyond the Storm: Selections of Poetry.

“I often say writing saved my life,” Varner said. “It was my way of coping; it sort of allowed me to move beyond where I was and give me hope. Beyond what I was feeling, encouragement was there.” “[Looking Beyond the Storm] started after I moved to Columbus. It was a way to rebuild myself,” he said. “And during that process, I thought, ‘why can’t this become a book that could inspire others?’”

The series of uplifting poems sparked a chord and the success of his first book quickly led to a second.

“I’m also the author of two blogs, ‘Living to Write, Writing to Live’ and ‘My Brothers Keeper,’ which was just a way to give myself encouragement

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Rashid Darden Rashid Darden had a fascination with Greek life early on. He’d grown up the only child in a singlemother home, and once he stepped onto the mostly white campus of Georgetown University in his hometown of Washington, DC, the need for brotherhood grew stronger.

You can find Looking Beyond the Storm on Amazon.com. Visit Varner’s blogs at living2write.blogspot.com and 4sglbrothasonly.blogspot.com.

It wasn’t until grad school that Darden pledged Alpha Phi Alpha, but this void spilled over into his writing during undergrad. Lazarus, his first novel about the struggles of a black gay college student making his way through the Greek system, was a labor of love that started as a play in 2000.

LaToya Hankins After a lengthy career in the fast-paced world of newspaper journalism, LaToya Hankins found herself in a cushy government job in her home state of North Carolina. But she found that her creative appetite was not being fed.

“As a black gay male I had always asked, ‘what if?’” Darden said. “What if I pledged? How would my line brothers take me? What if I dated a varsity basketball player? What if a Georgetown basketball player was gay?”

Hankins is already hard at work on her next project, set for release in early 2013. It’s called Krho and follows the lives of three young ladies in college and how their lives and friendships change 10 years later.

“Covenant is the love story and Epiphany is the more responsible story about Greek life,” Darden said. “It wouldn’t have been fair not to share the experiences of Adrian and the responses to the tragedies of the first two novels.”

Find purchase information for Lazarus, Covenant and Epiphany and more on Darden at his website, www.oldgoldsoul.com.

Uriah Bell Uriah Bell is taking a bold leap of faith. The self-published author of two poetry books (Mood Swings, Epiphany) is taking a break from writing books to start his own publication called Truth magazine.

“I want to give a more positive face to the gay and lesbian of color community, more specifically the black diaspora,” Bell said. “I want to present something besides the sexploitation and exploitation that we seem to be slowly succumbing too.”

Bell, a financial and marketing wiz and Detroit native, has taken the full financial burden to get Truth off the ground. He’s “You often see books and movies about historically editor-in-chief of the magazine and will be So last year, after coming home from her gov- black colleges, but none about black experience on publishing it through his own company, Risernment job, she sat at the computer and a mostly white college campus,” Darden said. “I ing Voices Press, which also printed both his soon churned out SBF Seeking, a semi-auto- wanted to tell a story that hadn’t been told before.” books. He’s also started a Kickstarter.com biographical tale about a woman coming to campaign that’s raised nearly $1,800. (To doterms with her sexuality four months before In 2005 Darden wrote Covenant, the sequel to nate visit www.truthmagonline.com) she’s to be married to a man.

Lazarus, which follows the love affair that sprouts between Adrian and Isaiah, the campus’ star bas- The bi-monthly magazine was set for a June 1 “Most of SBF Seeking mirrors my experiences ketball player. And just last year he wrote a third release to kick off Pride season, and though but the juicy stuff is just fiction,” she said. and final chapter to the series called Epiphany, currently living in Boston, Bell is skipping the “One thing I love about novels is that I can where the realities of their love spill over into their regional market and starting right off with a rewrite my reality.” personal and professional lives. national focus.

“There’s going to be sections on health and wellness, arts and entertainment, lifestyle, culture, politics and social activism, spirituality. And there’s going to be a regular column called Caribbean Corners the focuses on the advancements of lesbian and gay issues in “It’s a book about how friendship sustains On May 27 during the Memorial Day Weekend Caribbean nations,” he said. “We’re going to and how sisterhood helps you deal,” Hankins Black Pride festivities in Washington DC, Darden is talk about the things that we don’t talk about said. “I’ve already got it written, but right now hosted a launch party for all three of his novels. in our community. It’s not going to be fluff; it’s it’s in the editing process.” all going to be very substantial.”

“It’s been 12 years since I started this project; this SBF Seeking is available on event is a culmination of a season and the re-birth You can find more information on Bell and his work at www.uriahbell.com. For more on Truth magazine visit barnesandnoble.com and Amazon.com. You of my career, reminding people that I’m here and www.truthmagonline.com. can find out more about Hankins at www.la- I’m always going to be here,” Darden said. toyahankins.com.

Add this to the summer reading list!

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Spice World

by Marcus Morris The theme of this issue is “Sporty Spice and Everything Nice and Sweaty,” which naturally didn’t make me want to discuss fitness clothes or things one might wear to do athletic activities. It made me want to talk about the style of The Spice Girls, who were major fashion icons for me in the mid-90s. Not that I can’t discuss guys in jock straps and tiny little vintage basketball shorts until I’m blue in the balls, but let’s be real: The Spice Girls are amazing and make for much more of an entertaining subject this month.

I first heard The Spice Girls when I was visiting family in Columbus. I am from Zanesville, and Columbus had much better cable television stations. This is pre-internet for everyone out there who is used to discovering music on Facebook or Pitchfork or one of the 5 billion music sharing communities online. My cousins used to watch The Box, which was a station where you could request music videos to be played. I think it was international, but most of the best videos were from American artists, so they were the ones who mostly got played.

Watching The Box meant having to listen to the musical tastes of people who could afford to request videos. My mother would have KILLED me if I had done that. Cable television was about trying to watch MTV and scrambled porn and Cinemax.

Remember the whipped cream bikini at MTV Spring Break? Me neither, but I remember seeing penises when the guys did it. I once requested a video on The Box and then had to pay my aunt back the money. I was obsessed with “Take A Bow” by Madonna, and I could not get enough of the beautiful Spanish village scenes and the insanely hot bullfighter, and of course Lady Madonna herself running around in John Galliano skirt suits from his infamous “Pin Ups” collection.

It is one of the most genius videos of all time, not to mention Madge at her most beautiful. Prefacelift. Which is how I prefer her. (Yes, I’m throwing shade at the queen.)

One lazy afternoon, a video came on that was

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both stupid and mesmerizing. “Wannabe” by The Spice Girls was a somewhat low budget hot mess of a video. It had style, but so much was going on.

It was like someone from Hoarders decided to make a video. You begin to get a glimpse of the style of each of the girls. Mel B had the wild hair and printed pants, Baby wore a simple silhouette, Sporty was dressed like she went to a track meet before the shoot, and Posh looked elegant and demure. The best for me was Ginger in a vintage showgirl costume. Around that time, girl groups like En Vogue, SWV and TLC were big shit, and The Spice Girls were less R&B and more fun. TLC had songs about HIV and The Spice Girls were upbeat. Plus, none of The Spice Girls burned down houses or went bankrupt.

I loved “Wannabe,” but I was in love with “Say You’ll Be There.” The ultra-hot Tony Ward was the male love interest and it was sort of 60s leather pop. I was also living for Ginger Spice in her PVC hot pants. It looked like her pussy was steaming in the middle of the California desert. I was dying.

All the other girls in the video fell away for me. By this time, the rest of the world was going gaga for The Spice Girls. I was secretly in my room dancing to the entire album and wishing I were part of a fab five.

Jean Paul Gaultier and Karl Lagerfeld. Fashion was a spectacle, and the Spice brand skewed a little lower in the taste department.

Vogue decided to put the girls on the cover, which amounted to little more than scrubbing off all the war paint and pancake and putting them more simple threads. It didn’t really matter, because as soon as they left the shoot, they put on the kuaiichic clothes and got into that Union Jack double decker to premiere Spice World. The highlight of their sartorial lives were the genius tuxedos with exposed bras when they did the red carpet for the film. I used to have a poster of them in this look on my wall. The Spice Girls were this poppy, fun, brilliant supernova and then it all crashed by 1998.

Geri Halliwell left the group and went into hiding at George Michaels house. That’s pretty fucking gay-tastic!

Then she later came out with a record of her own, which I

tried to be into. Tried. The other girls came out with solo records and had some minor hits. The queen, of course, was Posh Spice who married David Beckham and got super-thin and designed a really great fashion line. Victoria Beckham wins every day for getting to wake up next to Becks.

She is the envy of every gay man: hot athlete husband, a skinny bitch, cute clothes and buckets of cash.

The Spice Girls reunited a few years ago, and I heard that a musical just premiered featuring their music on the West End. I hope they live in the past. I want to play Spice and remember them as twentysomethings with a zany sense of style. I cannot watch 40 year olds wearing overwrought custom Versace and fake tans. I tell ya what I want, what I really, really want: the Union Jack dress that Ginger Spice wore… as my Halloween costume. Gotta spice up my life!

“Spice Mania” started affecting fashion in the oddest way. I started noticing that girls in my school thought it was appropriate to wear metallic pleather and faux fur. The Spice Girls also wore genius platform tennis shoes and soon enough little girls were wearing them in Social Studies class. Nothing is worse than an 11 or 12-year-old trying to dress older, and I was not impressed. By this time I was already sneaking into the library on weekends to read Vogue, and I knew that Spice Wear was not haute couture. Spice Girls had charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and some might say talent, but I was paying attention to the clothes in the glossy pages, and that shit was fierce. John Galliano was becoming a legend, Alexander McQueen was starting to make rumbles in the industry, Prada was doing weird, geek chic and everyone was living for the clothes of Gianni Versace, Tom Ford at Gucci, Isaac Mizrahi,

I really wanna zigazig AH.

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Do you Network?

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The Nation’s Summer Capital: Rehoboth Beach

by Regina Sewell Going to work has begun to feel like an excruciating form of torture. When you close your eyes, you see sunlight dancing on the water. You taste the salt in the air and hear the sound of the surf crashing onto the shore, and it is starting to do things to your body you’d rather not talk about.

You, my friend, have a serious case of wanderlust that only a trip to the beach will cure.

You could go to Key West, P-Town or Fire Island the standard East Coast LGBT beach hotspots. Or you could try something different: Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. I know, you’re probably thinking, “Dela-Where?” but Rehoboth Beach is happening. Known as the Nation’s Summer Capital because so many D.C. lawmakers and staff come here for weekends and mini beach vacations, Rehoboth Beach is the gayest resort town in the Mid-Atlantic. The beaches are gorgeous. The nightlife is vibrant. And with over 200 gay owned restaurants, shops, nightclubs and lodgings, and an active Gay and Lesbian community center, the town embraces GLBT visitors.

The beaches Like many East Coast seaside resorts, Rehoboth Beach has a boardwalk lining the beach.

Reader’s Digest dubbed the boardwalk the “Best of America.” It sports two arcades with carnival rides, games and numerous ice cream shops, French fry stands, and candy stores that sell saltwater taffy. Even if you despise arcades, it’s hard not to get excited about bumper cars and WhacA-Mole. And your inner child will be delighted about the shaved ice snow cones at Lexie’s Frozen Yogurt, just off the boardwalk, on Rehoboth Street. They make the biggest, fluffiest snow cones I have ever eaten.

Rehoboth’s broad beaches are pristine, the water

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is fairly clear and the waves are usually gentle*.

Folks with more than swimming on their mind should know that while everyone gets along pretty well, gay men, straight folks and lesbians have tended to stake their claim to particular sections of the beach. Straight folks, especially older folks and families, gather in the mid-section of the beach, in front of the hotels and the more frenetic sections of the boardwalk where they have easy access to toilets, ice cream and Whac-A-Mole.

Gay men tend to soak up the sun and strut their stuff at Poodle Beach. Located at Queen and Prospect Streets at the south end of the boardwalk, Poodle Beach is close to the hotspots in town but not as frenetic as the midsection of the beach.

Lesbians tend to set up camp about a mile north of the boardwalk on the North Shores. The North Shores are in Gordon’s Pond Nature Preserve, a part of Cape Henlopen State Park. There’s a parking fee but it’s worth it to be at a beautiful beach.

As an added bonus, there is a dog-friendly 1.5 mile walking path around Gordon’s Pond and walkers sometimes catch glimpses of ospreys, monarch butterflies and otters.

Nightlife When the sun goes down, people head for the bars. While we are welcome everywhere, there is definitely an LGBT scene. The unofficial lesbian hangout is The Frogg Pond. It has the feel of an “old school” lesbian bar. The beer menu is limited but they offer live music, including nationally recognized singer-songwriters. Gay men tend to head for the Aqua Grill, the Blue Moon or the Purple Parrot. The Aqua Grill is known for its cosmos and “fiery fairy wings.” They have an outdoor patio, a mini-beach made complete with a minipool, and the bartenders and servers are sansshirts. The Blue Moon also has an outdoor patio but the action is inside with Pamala Stanley or

the entertainer du jour. The vibe at the Blue Moon is more overtly sexual and the testosterone is palpable. Getting to the bar requires working your way through a veritable sea of men. The Purple Parrot is an indoor bar with a casual, lighthearted feel and is known for Karaoke. Later in the evening, the Double L heats up. It’s the go to place for leather, bears and boys. And if you’ve got the urge to shake what your mamma gave you, Cloud 9 transforms into a dance bar with a live DJ after the kitchen closes. Rehoboth Beach is also known for its lively house parties, many of which are open to the public. Look for announcements online on meet-up boards and on fliers posted at Poodle Beach.

Folks in recovery don’t get left out to dry. Friends of Bill W. can find refuge at CAMP Rehoboth, the local GLBT center. They host GLBT oriented N.A. meetings every Sunday and GLBT oriented A.A. meetings every Thursday.

Whether you drink or not, ya gotta eat. The best bets for food are the Blue Moon, the Cultured Pearl, Jakes, Dogfish Head Brewing and Eats and the Rehoboth Beach Farmer’s Market. The Blue Moon is one of the top restaurants in Delaware.

The setting is upscale, the food is a work of art and the service is exceptional. For Sushi and Japanese food, you can’t beat the Cultured Pearl anywhere. The outdoor dining area boasts a huge rooftop pond with Koi, aquatic plants, and raised gazebos. The indoor dining rooms are both elegant and child friendly. They also offer live entertainment. If you want to get a feel for classic Mid-Atlantic seafood, go to Jake’s. It’s the place people send you when you ask, “Where’s a good place to get seafood?” Dogfish Head Brewing and Eats is best known for the great beer they make onsite, but they also have great pub food and live music on the weekends. If you want something offbeat, make a field trip to the Rehoboth Beach

No tan lines, please.

Farmer’s Market where, rain or shine, local venders hock their wares every Tuesday from 12p4p. If you’re renting a house, this is a great place to go to stock your refrigerator. In addition to organic produce, cheeses, bakery goods and meats, they sell wool products, gourmet vegan meals, buffalo burgers and fresh seafood.

Accommodations Accommodations range from large beachfront hotels like the Atlantic Sands to “painted lady” B&B’s. Many of the B&B’s are gay or lesbian owned. Several stand out. The Silver Lake Guest House overlooks Silver Lake and has earned a national reputation. Out and About deemed the Silver Lake Guest House to be one of the top 10 North American gay guesthouses and Fodor’s Gay Guide dubbed it “best of the bunch.” It’s the closest gay guesthouse to Poodle Beach, has an over lake deck and offers lake and ocean views. In a different vein, the Rams Head Inn caters to men who wish to go “au naturale.” The Ram’s Head is a clothing optional men’s resort that has a pool, hot tub, sauna and onsite gym.

At the north end of the beach, near North Shores, many lesbians set up camp, literally, at Cape Henlopen State Park. The park has a few cabins and over 150 sites, most with water hook-ups.

Reservations can be made on-line and the prices, even for cabins, are reasonable.

So what are you waiting for? Stop spinning your wheels dreaming about where you could go and start planning your vacation. Make your reservations and get out to the Nation’s Summer Capital - Rehoboth Beach, Delaware!

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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Putting the bi in bicentennial.

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by Dan Savage I am a hetero female, but one of my biggest fantasies is for a guy to dress up in women’s underwear. Not full-blown drag, just a teddy, fishnets, and some heels. He doesn’t even have to act like a woman. I just want him to parade around a bit, and just for me.

I’ve had the ovaries to bring this up only twice to men I’ve been with. My first boyfriend was game, but I was so insecure with my sexuality at the time that I let it go. My second boyfriend found it degrading and wouldn’t do it. I think there are two things holding me back: (1) I’ve never even heard of this fantasy, and that makes me feel like a creep. Is there a name for it? (2) I know the first time I will giggle with joy and I’m afraid that will be a big buzzkill if my hypothetical future boyfriend thinks I’m laughing at him.

Lingerie Without A Man 1. There isn’t a name for this fantasy, LWAM, so let’s come up with one. How about “Frank-N-Furter-Ing,” for Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a noted research scientist who also enjoyed dressing straight boys up in fishnets, teddies, and heels.

Your fantasy probably lacks a name because it isn’t that odd or a whole lot to ask. And this fantasy makes you more sexually and romantically marketable than you seem to realize, LWAM. The world is full of men who aren’t gay, aren’t into drag, and aren’t into fullblown crossdressing but who are turned on by the idea of wearing the girlfriend’s panties and/or a little lingerie. A lot of these men are with women who barely tolerate their kinks. The single ones, on the other hand, are out there looking for a girlfriend who is turned on by the thought of a guy in panties, teddies, fishnets, and heels. Post a few explicit personal ads on online dating sites - kinkster and normster - and I promise you’ll be flooded with responses from guys who want to put on a show for you.

I am a heterosexual female. My husband hates condoms. When we started being exclusive and monogamous, we were both fully screened for STDs and I went on the pill. That was four years ago. Since then, I have been through eight different versions of the pill. My current one gives me a two-week period, I have gained about 25 pounds in two months, and I am more moody.

My doctor just prescribed me a new pill that will likely increase my weight and make me even moodier, but it should decrease the length of the period. I am sick of this! I think my husband should suck it up and wear a condom.

He is completely resistant. It is ironic that the pill protects me from pregnancy if I have sex, but we’re having less sex due to the weight gain, bloating, bleeding, no sex drive and other side effects. My doctor does not think other options for birth control (e.g., an intrauterine device) will be a good fit for me. Should I continue on the pill or tell my husband that if he wants sex, he has to share responsibility in avoiding pregnancy?

Tired Of Pills Shared responsibility.

And you can keep having sex without pills, condoms or pregnancies.

There’s oral (his-and-hers), anal (ditto), and mutual masturbation (underrated). But if it’s vaginal intercourse he wants, then he’ll have to get used to condoms. Some women can’t take hormonal birth control, and your husband is married to one.

I was watching a porno featuring a hot gay threesome. Two tops double-penetrated a bottom. The odd part: The tops shared a single condom! I’m wondering how safe this might be. It certainly doesn’t seem safe.

things purely casual. Over the next month and a half of talking to him, hanging out and having sex, I started to really like him. I was thinking about changing my mind and taking the relationship to the next level.

The last time I saw him was a week ago. He came over, we had sex, and then he mentioned he had met someone else. As he was beginning to elaborate, I told him to leave. My anger comes from his timing. If he had told me this before we had sex, Dan, I would have been able to have a constructive conversation about this.

The problem now, if I’m being completely honest with myself, is that I really like him and I don’t want to stop seeing him.

A couple of questions: Do I reach out to him again? Did I overreact?

Left In The Lurch I can understand why you were upset. You had already taken things to the “next level” in your heart - you were thinking of this guy as your boyfriend - you just hadn’t gotten around to informing him about the upgrade. And you assumed that, when you did get around to letting him know, he would be delighted. Because he was the one who wanted a relationship at the beginning, right?

Unfortunately, LITL, he took you at your word when you said you weren’t interested in a relationship. Keeping things “purely casual” with you meant he was free to pursue a relationship with someone else. I can’t help but wonder what he was about to say when you told him to get out. He met someone else, which wasn’t a violation of your rules. Did that mean things were over between you two (which would make the timing of the last fuck an insult)? Or was he willing to pass on this other girl if you were ready for a relationship (which would make tossing him out before he could elaborate a mistake)? You probably should’ve heard him out.

Dubious In Phoenix 2. It is permissible to giggle during sex. If you’re worried that your partner might think you’re laughing at him, qualify your giggles in advance. Explain that you’re prone to joyous laughter when you’re turned on and you might get a little giddy during his performance.

Emphasize that your giggles are evidence of arousal, not disgust or contempt. Then prove it by fucking the shit out of him.

3. Have you checked out www.xdress.com? Think of it as your own personal porn stash before you find a boyfriend, and your favorite online shopping destination after.

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It was safe for the bottom - provided that overtaxed condom didn’t burst (here’s hoping they were using a more spacious, more durable female condom) - but it wasn’t safe for the tops. Jamming two dicks into a single condom could result in dick-to-dick transmission of a number of sexually transmitted infections - herpes, HPV, chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea, etc.

I am a 25-year-old straight woman. I recently started seeing a man. The first time I slept with him, he told me that he was interested in a relationship, and I told him that I wanted to keep

All’s fair in love and savagery.

Go ahead and reach out. Let him know that you were thinking about taking things to the next level- ughers to that phrase - before he told you about the other girl. You were starting to fall for him, you hoped he felt the same, and you were disappointed. But since he was only doing what you asked - keeping it casual - you can’t fault him for keeping his options open, looking around, dating other girls, etc. And you can’t fault him for failing to read your mind.

Close by telling him that you’d be open to dating - a real, noncasual relationship - if things don’t work out with this other girl.

Find the Savage Lovecast (my weekly podcast) every Tuesday at thestranger.com/savage. mail@savagelove.net @fakedansavage on Twitter

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Gym time 24/7, what could be better? Maybe happy hour 24/7...

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Hey outlookers, normally we highlight one local celeb in this spot in the magazine, in June 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!

Vivian Von Brokenhymen

Mark Williams

Top 5 current celebrity crushes: 1. Tie - Ryan Reynolds & Bradley Cooper 2. Joe Manganiello 3. Chris Evans 4. Anderson Cooper 5. tie - Peter Donohue & Alexis Diaz (local Facebook celebs)

Top 5 Memorable Songs from Senior Year (1977) Wellstone High School: 1. Blinded By the Light, Manfred Mann's Earth Band 2. Carry On Wayward Son, Kansas 3. Cold As Ice, Foreigner 4. I Never Cry, Alice Cooper 5. Southern Nights, Glen Campbell

August 6th BlogOQueer question: Describe your first date/first kiss.

Did you see stars or did you just feel gross?

August 13th BlogOQueer question: Describe yourself in High School.

Were you Shy? A bully? Popular? A Loner?

Brittney Frey

Michael Lovett

Top 5 ways to decompress & relieve stress:

Top 5 Favorite Childhood Cartoons:

1. Journaling 2. Wine & some Frank Sinatra pandora 3. Run outside 4. Surround yourself with friends 5. Meditation

1. Gummy Bears 2. Batman 3. Thunder Cats 4. Smurfs 5. Alvin and the Chipmunks

August 20th BlogOQueer Question: When was the most stressed you have ever been? What did you do to cope?

August 27th BlogOQueer Question: What do you miss most about your childhood?

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Be discreet, Cancer!

these can support another. Thinking of others first will help to keep it all clean and positive.

The sun in Leo aspecting Uranus and Pluto builds confidence, perhaps a bit too much. Sure you can do anything, AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18): You need to get a grasp of deep worbut not on your own! ries that are affecting your relationship. Talking with your partner is LEO (July 23 - August 22): Trying to smooth over differences only causes generally better than talking about your partner, but find a sympathetic problems to fester. Deal with it now. and trustworthy ear where you can.

Solutions require original thinking, and you probably will make mistakes, but it’s better to do that and correct PISCES (February 19 - March 19): Confusion at work can stir a greater them than to not try. range of anxieties. Take a break and think through the problem at hand. It VIRGO (August 23 - September 22): You might get to act out some long- will get crazier before you can solve hidden desires. Revealing that secret it, but control the damage and don’t let it undermine other parts of your side can cause doubts, especially if life. word gets out. Hold your head high, dismiss lurid rumors as trashy gossip ARIES (March 20 - April 19): Worries and let them wonder. The mystique about your relationship, or fears of will do you good. never getting in one, are mostly LIBRA (September 23 - October 22): groundless, but do say something about long-buried wounds or anxiHowever you need to revise plans, stay focused on your goal and clear eties. Talking it out with your partner or a close friend can be very illumion your limits. Promising too much can ruin everything. Talk up what you nating. realistically can do; that’s quite TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): Whatever enough. you do with your money or flirtations will come to naught, but there’s nothSCORPIO (October 23 - November 21): Let people know what you can do ing wrong with feeling flirty and confito really make a difference. You may dent. “Wasting” time with pleasant company can make good practice to need to work on getting it across diplomatically. Think carefully before shore you up for real investments of your treasure or time. speaking, but it’s better to risk offending than to say nothing and let GEMINI (May 21- June 20): Humility is opportunity pass you by. your big issue now. Whether you are SAGITTARIUS (November 22 - Decem- too cocky or too shy you need to get ber 20): A new adventure will liven up back to knowing that in the grand your partnership, or help you build or scheme you are anyone’s equal - no more or less. find one. Be daring and bold. It doesn’t have to be expensive. For CANCER (June 21- July 22): Be dissome people roller skating or creet and strategic. That doesn’t karaoke are daring and bold. What mean “be shy.” Know what you’re would get your pulse racing? worth, but keep your cards close to CAPRICORN (December 21 - January your chest. Trust your instincts, be adaptable and know whom you can 19): You could be the center of dodepend on. Even with all that, hard mestic disturbances, a force of work counts for more than politics. change in the community, and/or a dynamo in the bedroom. Any one of 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.

I liked my horoscope until it mentioned thinking of others first.

outlookcolumbus.com

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outlookcolumbus.com

Finally, sex education so I can find out what I’ve been doing wrong all of these years.

aug 2012

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