2014-11-01 Outlook Ohio Magazine by Outlook Media, Inc

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The Voice of Ohio’s GLBT and Ally Community

The Remembrance Issue

• Transgender Day of Remembrance • Preferred Pronouns • Cincinnati’s Evolution • Honoring Ohio’s LGBT Veterans • Columbus Council Makes History • Finance: Popping the Question • Business: The ‘Little Gay Corner’ • Books: Grotesque • Entertainment: Holiday Concerts • Interview: Andrew Scott • Your November Horoscope • Dan Savage

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PUBLISHER Christopher Hayes HEADQUARTERS Outlook Media, Inc. 815 N High St, Bsmt Ste G, Columbus, OH 43215 614.268.8525 phone / 614.261.8200 fax SALES Chad Frye / cfrye@outlookmedia.com Conner McClure / conner@outlookmedia.com NATIONAL ADVERTISING Rivendell Media - 212.242.6863 ADVERTISING DEADLINES Reservations by the 15th of each month. Art in by the 20th. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Bob Vitale / bvitale@outlookmedia.com MANAGING EDITOR Erin McCalla / emccalla@outlookmedia.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Noah Alexander,Chris Azzopardi, Bryan Cole, Debe, Erin McCalla, Tom Muzyka, Romeo San Vicente, Dan Savage, Regina Sewell, Debra Shade, Kristen Spicker, Olga Starr, Bob Vitale ART DIRECTOR Christopher Hayes /chayes@outlookmedia.com CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS / DESIGNERS Chris Hayes, Ray LaVoie CYBERSPACE http://www.outlookohio.com http://www.outlookmedia.com http://www.networkcolumbus.com http://twitter.com/outlookcolumbus http://facebook.com/outlookcolumbus Outlook is published and distributed by Outlook Media Inc., on the first day of each month throughout Ohio. Outlook 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 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 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 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 ©2014 by Outlook Media Inc., All rights reserved.

puzzling solution - puzzle on pg 46

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you are here

We Remember I can’t believe it’s November already. Time to start Christmas shopping, I guess. Oye! I also can’t believe as we close on 2014, our community is still being hunted and murdered.

line portals and through apps to meet, pretending themselves to be gay.

If they get someone to meet, these groups will pounce, tie the person up, This month we remember our trans smack them around and then make brothers and sisters who lost their them admit on tape they are gay. lives for just being who they are. They then continue the humiliation by Everyday, it’s a risk for them to step dumping urine and feces on the vicout into the world and try to live their tim. The vigilantes then broadcast lives. Here in Ohio we like to think we the confession, resulting in the perare safe, but as we approach Trans son losing their job and possibly their Day of Remembrance, we are relife. Can you fathom living that way? minded that people like Betty Skinner, Brittany-Nicole Kidd-Stergis and Going online, which once was a basTiffany Edwards weren’t safe at all. tion for us to connect to one another, These women were murdered in now is a death trap. This movie is a Cleveland and Cincinnati for just try- wakeup call and a reminder to never ing to live their truth. take for granted the freedoms we have here. Or those who have fought Coming off of Coming Out Month, it’s for them. easy to think people should just come out and be themselves. However, the We also want encourage everyone to reality is, that decision could have honor our veterans and service memdeadly consequences. You can see bers this month. Stonewall Columbus proof of that on Pages 20 and 21 is just doing that with a new prowhere we remember all those we lost gram started for Ohio LGBT veterans. this year both locally and abroad. The aim is to rectify those who were Brazil, especially, has a high number dishonorably discharged for being of murders. queer by changing their discharges into honorable ones. You can read And it’s not just trans people who about it on Page 8. I would like to need to be mindful of the threats give a personal shout out to my dad, that lie out there. I just watched the who served in Vietnam, and say HBO documentary, Hunted: The War thank you for your service. His contriAgainst Gays in Russia. Believe it or butions, like many men in my family, not, gay people are actually hunted have allowed me to fight for freedom down, tortured, humiliated and in this platform. I am forever gratesometimes killed by vigilantes in ful. what can only be described as statesanctioned persecution. We are actu- And last but not least, I hope you all ally sport in that country. Think about have a very happy Thanksgiving. that. Everyone here at Outlook is thankful for your continued readership and Fueled by the government’s attempt support. to distract its populous from how bad their lives are, these hunting parties Gobble! Gobble! have free reign to identify and cleanse mother Russia of LGBT peo- Christopher Hayes ple. Often, the internet is used to set Publisher gay people up, luring them from onSend your story ideas and comments to bvitale@outlookmedia.com.

vol 19 • #6

the remembrance issue 3

6 8 10

you are here snapshot

qmunity briefs

qmunity: veterans

polisigh: cincinnati evolution

polisigh: shannon hardin

small pond: the ‘little gay corner’

feature: preferred pronouns

20 22

26 28

finance: marriage questions feature: trans day of remembrance in the shade insightout

creative class: christmas shows

deep inside hollywood

interview: andrew scott

lgbt bar roundup

savage love

bookmark: grotesque

out & about

the divine life

couple of guys

blogoqueer

puzzling

Next Month: Holidays

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Legacy Fund Honors BRAVO 10/1/14 @ The Columbus Foundation

Kaleidoscope Garden Party 10/5/14 OU Homecoming 10/11/14

Cincinnati Pep Rally for Marriage Equality 10/11/14

Network Columbus 10/8/14 @ High Line Car House

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Spirit Day 10/16/14 @ Goodale Park Photos: Ray LaVoie

Submit your event photos to art@outlookmedia.com

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Mary Lambert 10/16/14 @ UC

Circleville Pumpkin Show 10/17/14

CMH Fashion Week Finale 10/18/14

Shannon Hardin Swearing In 10/20/14 @ Columbus City Council Chambers

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See our interview with Shannon Hardin on Page 12.

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HIV-Prevention Drug Gets HRC’s Backing

As Ohio’s largest HIV/AIDS services provider begins offering a drug proven effective in prevention, the nation’s largest LGBT advocacy group endorsed its use.

The Human Rights Campaign said Oct 18 that, like the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, AIDS Resource Center Ohio and medical professionals nationwide, it believes a preventive regimen known as PrEP, or Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, can “help stem the tide and stop the epidemic in its tracks.” PrEP involves a daily dose of the drug Truvada and is now being offered by ARC Ohio at medical cen-

On the list of American institutions in which LGBT people have faced discrimination through the years, private health insurance undoubtedly ranks among the top in terms of harmful repercussions. Insurance companies’ exclusionary measures have included - but have certainly not been limited to - outright discrimination against LGBT applicants, lifetime benefit caps that forced out people with HIV/AIDS and denial of family coverage for couples. The trans community has been particularly vulnerable; coverage for treatment was either not offered or was denied as a pre-existing condition. Under the Affordable Care Act, though, such discrimination is illegal. Open enrollment for 2015 begins Nov 15, and a group called Enroll America has identified the LGBT community for special outreach efforts. A June survey by Gallup found LGBT Americans more likely to lack health coverage than others. Under the Affordable Care Act, people without insurance can buy it at cheaper rates than the general marketplace.

2012 that she was inseminated with the wrong sperm. She called Midwest Sperm Bank of suburban Chicago to reserve sperm from the same donor so her wife could one day have a child.

ters in Columbus and Dayton (visit ohioprep.org or email prepinfo@arcohio.org for more information). The drug can cost about $1,200 a month for those without prescription coverage, and HRC’s endorsement came with a call on insurers, regulators and drug manufacturers to make Truvada available regardless of people’s financial means.

Healthcare Law Removes LGBT Coverage Barriers

by Noah Alexander

Lesbian Mom Sues Over Sperm Mixup

Myles Bell, the spokesman in Ohio for Enroll America, said the ACA - more widely known as Obamacare also specifies that people enrolling through its insurance marketplace can’t be denied coverage or charged more for premiums because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Legally married same-sex couples - including Ohioans married in marriage-equality states - are eligible for family coverage in the marketplace as well, and preexisting conditions such as HIV/AIDS or gender identity disorder can’t be used to deny coverage or raise rates. But Bell said there are still a staggering number of LGBT people who remain uninsured. The Gallup report found 17.6 percent of LGBT were without health coverage, compared to 13.2 percent of non-LGBT Americans. “People just aren’t aware of these new opportunities for financial assistance,” Bell said.

A woman from suburban Akron is suing an Illinois sperm bank for getting her pregnant with sperm from the wrong donor. According to The Associated Press, Jennifer Cramblett found out five months into her pregnancy in April

She found out she received sperm from donor No. 330, a black man, instead of donor No. 380, who is white. She told The AP that she and her wife love their 2-year-old daughter but are concerned about raising her in predominantly white Uniontown.

Lawsuit Challenges Blood Donation Ban HIV/AIDS is a “gay disease.”

Thirty-one years after the US Food and Drug Administration banned blood donations from gay men, a 19-year-old Virginia man has filed the first federal lawsuit challenging the move.

The ban against donations from men who’ve had sex with men at any time since 1977 was put in place early in the AIDS era, when there wasn’t a way to screen blood for HIV. Similar prohibitions have been dropped in Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

In a suit filed Oct 9, Caleb Laieski claims the ban is discriminatory, outdated and perpetuates the old myth that

Last year, the American Medical Association said it’s no longer necessary in the United States, either.

We Are Pleased to Announce...

Enroll America is teaming up with Stonewall Columbus to get the word out in Ohio. Stonewall has staff members who are trained specifically to guide people one-on-one through the healthcare marketplace enrollment process.

Dallas Releases Michael Sam From Practice Squad Will Michael Sam get another chance to become the first openly gay man to play in the NFL? Seven weeks after the St. Louis Rams cut the first openly gay draftee from their team, the Dallas Cowboys released Sam from their practice squad on Oct 21. Mainstream media such as ESPN 6

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and The Dallas Morning News didn’t ask whether Sam’s sexual orientation was a factor in his inability to gain a roster spot in the NFL.

come out as gay, would he be in the NFL? We’ll never know for sure, though there is enough evidence to suggest that would be the case.”

Outsports columnist Jim Buzinski raised the issue, though: “Any gay player contemplating coming out will need to answer this theoretical if Michael Sam had not publicly

At the University of Missouri, he was last season’s defensive player of the year for the Southeastern Conference.

Jeffrey Kennedy of Columbus, Ohio, and Mark Pack of Pittsburgh, Pa., will be married in Pittsburgh on November 14, 2014. The small, private courthouse ceremony will be followed by an obscenely large order of french fries to be shared by the happy couple at the Original Hot Dog King. Outlook publishes free wedding and engagement announcements every month for LGBT couples in Ohio. Send your photos and announcements (200 words or less, please) to erin@outlookmedia.com.

For more news, visit outlookohio.com.

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The Month in Marriage

Wedding Bells Ring in Wave of New States

Ohio is still in limbo - or at least it was when this issue of Outlook went to press - but an Oct 6 decision by the US Supreme Court not to wade back into the issue of marriage equality quickly expanded the number of states issuing licenses to same-sex couples.

At 6p on the day of a positive ruling, here’s the schedule: • Columbus: Union Café, 782 N High St, 43215. • Cleveland: Twist, 11633 Clifton Blvd, Lakewood, 44102. • Cincinnati: Below Zero Lounge, 1122 Walnut St, 45202.

The justices’ decision not to revisit 2013 rulings • Toledo: Legends Show Bar, 119 N Erie St, means federal appeals court reviews stand and 43604. apply to all states in their jurisdictions. All so far have been in favor of marriage rights. • Dayton: MJs Café, 70 N Jefferson St, 45402. Suddenly, marriage equality is the law in 32 states as of Oct 21: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming, as well as the District of Columbia. That means more than 195 million Americans more than 60 percent of the population - now live in states that respect everyone’s right to marry.

Going to the Courthouse... Marriage equality moved much closer to Ohio in October. With marriage rights expanding to Indiana and West Virginia, here’s the latest rundown on the closest county courthouses to wherever you happen to live: Akron, Canton, Youngstown: You’re closest to Mercer, Pa. Contact the Mercer County Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans’ Court at 724.662.3800.

Cincinnati: You’re closest to Lawrenceburg, Ind. “Every day America becomes more welcoming of Contact the Dearborn County Clerk’s Office at 812.537.8867. same-sex couples as marriage equality becomes the law of the land,” said Michael Premo, Cleveland: You’re closest to Erie, Pa. Contact the campaign manager for Why Marriage Matters Ohio. “Just as America is ready for the freedom Erie County Register of Wills at 814.451.6264. to marry, Ohio is ready for the freedom to marry.” Columbus: Richmond, Ind, and Parkersburg, WVa, are roughly the same distance from CenOhio, however, wasn’t part of the October tide. Although judges in the Cincinnati-based 6th US tral Ohio. Contact the Wayne County Clerk’s OfCircuit Court of Appeals heard arguments in Au- fice in Indiana at 765.973.9220, or contact the gust on pro-equality rulings in Ohio, Michigan, Wood County Clerk’s Office in West Virginia at 304.424.1860. Kentucky and Tennessee, they hadn’t issued a ruling as of late October.

Dayton: You’re closest to Richmond, Ind. Contact the Wayne County Clerk’s Office at 765.973.9220.

The Ohio case at issue would require the state only to recognize marriages performed elsewhere, but a ruling in favor of full equality for one of the other states would apply here as well. Toledo: You’re closest to Angola, Ind. Contact the Steuben County Clerk’s Office at 260.668.1000.

When and If...

Why Marriage Matters Ohio has scheduled “Decision Day” parties in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo and Dayton if and when federal appeals court judges issue a pro-equality ruling on pending marriage cases for Ohio. outlookohio.com

Marriage is also a financial decision. Skylight Financial adviser Olga Starr looks at those considerations on Page 22.

Flaggots Ohio Named Best at Toronto Pride Four months after they performed at WorldPride in Toronto, Ohio’s LGBT flag corps found out they were named one of the parade’s best groups. Flaggots Ohio won the Best Choreography Award.

“Words cannot express how grateful I am for every member and sponsor of this amazing organization and for every fan and supporter who believes in what we do,” Flaggots leader Matt Eisert said via Facebook.

26 Ohio Care Centers Rated LGBT-Friendly Twelve hospitals in Cleveland’s University Hospitals system were named Equality Leaders in the Human Rights Campaigns 2014 measure of services and policies. The distinction means they met four criteria: training their employees in LGBT patientcentered care, a visitation policy for unmarried LGBT partners, and non-discrimination policies for both patients and employees. Also getting the highest ranking: Veterans Administration centers in Chillicothe, Columbus and Dayton; Akron’s Summa Health System, the Department of Public Health in Columbus; and children’s hospitals in Cincinnati and Cleveland.

Chillicothe: Veterans Administration Chillicothe Medical Center. Cincinnati: Bethesda North Hospital, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Good Samaritan Hospital. Cleveland: Cleveland Clinic Main Campus, MetroHealth Medical Center, UH Case Medical Center, UH MacDonald Women’s Hospital, UH Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, UH Seidman Cancer Center, VA Louis Stokes Cleveland Medical Center. Columbus: Columbus Public Health Department, James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, VA Chalmers P Wylie Ambulatory Care Center. Conneaut: UH Conneaut Medical Center. Dayton: VA Dayton Medical Center.

The full list is as follows:

Elyria: UH Elyria Medical Center.

Akron: Summa Health System.

Geneva: UH Geneva Medical Center.

Beachwood: University Hospitals Ahuja Medical Center.

Parma: UH Parma Medical Center.

Bedford: UH Bedford Medical Center.

Richmond Heights: UH Richmond Medical Center.

Chardon: UH Geauga Medical Center.

Toledo: University of Toledo Medical Center.

Good job, Flaggots! Way to represent!

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qmunity

Rewriting History

Stonewall Columbus Thanks, Offers Help to Ohio’s LGBT Veterans by Noah Alexander

issued on the grounds of sexuality. Its LGBT Veterans Military Discharge Review Program Stonewall Columbus has declared November “The military faced a dilemma,” he said. will seek to change dishonorable discharges to the first-ever LGBT Veterans Recognition “They tried to resolve it in a fair way, the best honorable, and Gum said it’s open to people Month as a way to properly honor what Proway they could think of. But it was a Band-Aid across Ohio. gram Coordinator Lori Gum calls the “deep solution.” tradition” of LGBT veterans who have served The program will guide veterans one-on-one in the US military over the course of this naDon’t Ask, Don’t Tell theoretically safeguarded Davidson re-enlisted in 2007 and came out to through the application process, provide the tion’s history. closeted service members from harassment his unit the day after Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell was requisite legal help, and even appeal for temand discrimination, although it still prohibited repealed. He said the response from his fellow porary post-service benefits that dishonorably openly gay and lesbian people from service members has been mostly positive, That tradition has long been obscured by both discharged vets might not have been granted. enlisting. Those who acknowledged and he is set for deployment to Kuwait in early repression and controversy, their sexual orientation or who were 2015 with the Ohio Army National Guard. traced all the way back to a For Gum, it’s a way of rewriting history in a outed after enlisting still were distime before this nation was very literal sense. even considered a nation. charged. Davidson stresses the importance of an ongoHomosexuality has been ing dialogue between the LGBT community “It has much to do with the narrative of what grounds for discharge from “I was straddling two worlds. I had and the American military. One of the issues happened,” she said. “Sometimes these disa dual personality,” said Davidson, still to be resolved is the continued ban on the American military since the charges were not literally about homosexuality. who now lives in Central Ohio. transgender people serving. Defense Secretary Sometimes it was just for ‘insubordination.’” Revolutionary War. Chuck Hagel announced a review of the policy In the wake of DADT, Davidson in May, but President Obama’s spokesman By the time the United States While the appeal and review paperwork is very was offered two options by his said in October that he’s unsure the issue will was ramping up for World War II, concrete, Gum said there’s a symbolic nature n o vids Kyle Da superiors: “The easy way or the be resolved before 2016. homosexuality had been deemed to the effort as well. a psychopathology and was conhard way,” he said - an honorable discharge sidered an automatic disqualifier for those or the DADT-dishonorable discharge. Davidson Stonewall - in conjunction with the Columbus “Some have access to [post-service] benefits seeking to enlist. Service members who made opted for the former, and for him it’s still a Veterans Center - has been working to form an already. The benefits are a peripheral concern. it through the screening process but were point of regret in his life. LGBT Veterans Support Group, where partici- In many cases, it’s just about righting a outed after enlistment were promptly commitpants can openly discuss anything, including wrong.” ted to military hospitals, examined by psychia- “I suppose I was lacking courage back then,” but not limited to personal relationship issues, he said. For Davidson, taking the honorable trists and, ultimately, discharged. PTSD and military experience or trauma. In On Saturday, Nov 8, Stonewall will host a discharge is equivalent to having taken the Cleveland, a Veterans Pride Support Group thank-you ceremony honoring LGBT veterans’ The policy of swift discharge remained in ef- easy way out. meets every Tuesday at 3:30p at the Louis service. This month, they also will release fect throughout the Cold War. Stokes VA Medical Center. video profiles of four LGBT veterans, one of Still, Davidson is pragmatic about those years whom is Davidson himself. Kyle Davidson joined the North Carolina Naand a policy that resulted in more discharges Stonewall also will officially launch a program tional Guard in 1990 and personally conthan before. An estimated 13,500 people were this month to help LGBT service veterans aptended with the full force of that old policy. kicked out of the military between 1994 and peal their dishonorable discharges that were 8

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Even after the Clinton administration implemented the infamous Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy, designed as a compromise between open service and an outright ban, gay and lesbian people in the military lived “two lives who don’t really talk to each other,” he said.

2011, when it was repealed.

Veterans Day is Tuesday, Nov 11. Tell a vet thank you!

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polisigh

A Tale of Two Cities

The New Cincinnati Is Among Ohio’s Most LGBT-Friendly Communities by Kristen Spicker

Since voters in Cincinnati repealed an antigay amendment to the city charter a decade ago this month, Ohio’s third-largest city has The streets of Cincinnati were bright with color, music and smiles on May 31. At the end shed its LGBT-unfriendly reputation and more recently has assumed its place among the naof a weeklong schedule of movies, fashion shows, pub crawls and even religious services, tion’s more progressive communities: people continued to swarm 7th Street as pa• As Columbusrade floats rolled by and community groups based political marched on. groups bickered over the strategy That final day in May looked a lot like other and timing of an Cincinnati festivals, but the sea of rainbows initiative to undo signified one thing. Pride. Ohio’s marriage ban, lawyers and And while Cincinnati’s Pride Week embodied plaintiffs in exactly what the annual LGBT celebration is about - openness, respect, diversity and, most Cincinnati filed importantly, equality - the Queen City didn’t two federal chalalways have a reputation for treating all of its lenges that are subjects well. an appeals-court decision away from state recognition and posHistorically a more socially and politically con- sibly full marriage equality. A third case inservative corner of Ohio, many neighborhoods volving six Cincinnati couples is pending. of Cincinnati have more churches than fire • Cincinnati was named an LGBT-friendly houses, police stations and hospitals comhonorable mention in The Advocate’s 2013 bined. Civil rights for LGBT people - acceptGayest Cities in America, and the city scored a ance, even - was a foreign pill some Cincinnatians were too terrified to swallow. 90 (out of 100) in the Human Rights Campaign’s 2014 Municipal Equality Index. That’s all changed now, say those who’ve watched the city’s evolution from the front • Cincinnati’s city government expanded its lines. employee health benefits in August to cover 10

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medical procedures for transgender city employees.

It stopped the city from doing what many others have done: barring discrimination in housing and employment, extending family “It’s hard for me to say much about the last 10 benefits to government workers in same-sex years, and that’s a good thing,” said Anthony relationships, taking a stand against hate Noschang, 40, who grew up during the era crimes or creating a domestic partner registry. when Cincinnati garnered attention “It was a hateful law,” said City Council memfor all the wrong ber Chris Seelbach (pictured at left), who is reasons. Noschang openly gay. was raised in suburban Milford, Cincinnati had other moments, too, that creearned his degree ated its national reputation as an uptight at the University of town. In the 1970s, local prosecutors took on Cincinnati, works Hustler magazine publisher Larry Flynt. In Downtown and 1990, police raided the city’s Contemporary lives in the city’s Arts Center on the opening day of an exhibition gay-friendly of photographs by the late Robert MapClifton neighbor- plethorpe. A jury acquitted its director of obhood. scenity charges, but it was believed to be the first time an art museum was prosecuted over The years before that are a different story. And the contents of an artistic exhibition. although the origins of its homophobic reputation are arguable, civil-rights activists agree Although those battles mobilized civil libertarion Cincinnati’s low in point in tolerance: Arti- ans, activists didn’t stop fighting Article 12 cle 12. The local ballot initiative approved by after its adoption. Cincinnati attorney Al Gervoters in 1993 added to the city charter - the hardstein challenged the measure on equal local version of a government constitution protection grounds. He won in court but lost on language barring Cincinnati from adopting appeal. anti-discrimination legislation or other poliThe loss was especially frustrating, said law cies that conferred “special class” status partner Jennifer Branch, who’s been working based on residents’ sexual orientation.

If you haven’t checked out Over the Rhine lately, you should. It’s awesome.

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on current challenges to Ohio’s marriage ban, because a later US Supreme Court decision struck down a similar amendment in Colorado for the very constitutional reasons people in Cincinnati argued against it. “That was heartbreaking because Cincinnati became the only city in the entire country that was allowed to discriminate against gays,” Branch said. Seelbach said Cincinnati took more than an image hit during its discriminatory years. The city’s convention and visitors bureau estimated that $25 million in convention business steered clear of Cincinnati. Even local companies like Procter & Gamble, didn’t want to be associated with Cincinnati’s anti-gay image. How did things change? “It was getting people comfortable saying gay,” said Seelbach, who took part in a grassroots effort to repeal the charter amendment. Activists conducted 20,000 to 30,000 door-todoor discussions of LGBT rights with their fellow Cincinnatians. The effort took LGBT topics out of the closet and made them more visible throughout the city, he said. The strategy behind the conversations: If people felt more comfortable disoutlookohio.com

cussing LGBT issues, they might eventually support equality. As Seelbach was pleading the LGBT case on the streets, Branch was arguing in the courtroom.

across Ohio wrote into the state constitution an amendment that restricted marriage rights only to opposite-sex couples, Cincinnatians voted to repeal Article 12. “They figured out that it wasn’t about special rights, it was about equal rights,” said Ian James, the founder and head of FreedomOhio, a statewide marriage-equality and civil rights group.

In 2003, she and Gerhardstein filed a gender discrimination lawsuit against the city on behalf of a transgender police officer who felt she was denied a promotion during her transition from male to female. They won the case, “When we make decisions for a law that difand Branch said she also felt happy about the ferentiates between marriages and says this American has more rights than this other attitudes discovered while selecting a jury. American, or this person is less equal or inferior to another, because of whatever reason, “The jury pool - I’m going to say we had 40, the voters turned around and said, ‘You know maybe 60 people in the pool - was fascinatthat’s not what I signed up for, that’s not the ing. Absolutely fascinating,” she said. “We asked them lots of questions to gauge where America or Cincinnati that I want.’” they were on this discrimination issue, and it In 2006, Cincinnati passed another human was eye-opening. We got a great jury.” rights ordinance, this time protecting LGBT A few knew people who were transgender, residents from discrimination. Branch said. But many knew people - and loved people - who were gay, lesbian or bisex- What happened in the interim, Branch said, is ual. what happened all around the country. “The jury was very open-minded to the issue, and it was a great experience because we weren’t expecting that,” she said. In November 2004, on the same day voters

body who’s gay, and it didn’t change anything.’ It just made it personal to everybody instead of a generalized phobia against a group of people that were unknown.” “I really think that the people that came out early were courageous, because that’s the best education of the citizens.” While the city’s progression legally is a sign of hope, Seelbach knows acceptance isn’t as simple as rescinding bad legislation. Less than a month after Cincinnati Pride, a 28-year-old transgender woman named Tiffany Edwards was found shot to death in the middle of a city street. In 2013, a Catholic high school dean was fired for supporting marriage equality on his personal blog, and the Cincinnati Archdiocese made school employees sign contracts this year that prohibit speaking out even for acceptance of gay people.

“I think people came out,” she said. “They came out to their colleagues at work, to their “The laws will change,” Seelbach said. “But friends at school, their parents, their cousins. homophobia and anti-gay discrimination is And it made people realize, ‘Hey, I actually love going to exist for a long time. So we have a lot somebody, I know somebody, I respect someof work to do.”

You should also listen to the band by the same name.

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polisigh

A SEAT AT THE TABLE

Shannon Hardin Makes History on Columbus City Council

by Bob Vitale

As a student at Columbus Alternative High School after the 2004 elections, Shannon Hardin took a challenge from his government teacher and helped solve a problem posed by Ohio’s dwindling pool of poll workers. He and classmates suggested a bill, eventually passed by the Ohio General Assembly, that allowed 17-year-olds to help out on Election Day. Youth at the Booth programs now exist across Ohio, and tens of thousands of young people have taken part.

Like Obama, who was too young to be in the middle of the civil rights movement, Hardin represents a new generation of LGBT leaders who have come of age after the 1980s AIDS epidemic. Among his duties in the mayor’s office was working on the policy side of LGBT issues, and he said he’s proud of Columbus’s 100-point rating on the Human Rights Campaign’s 2014 Municipal Equality Index. It was the highest ranking of any city in Ohio. “I know I would not have this opportunity if it weren’t for those folks who have

Hardin already has had an impact, and he’s only been in public office for a few weeks. The 27-year-old former aide to Mayor Mike Coleman was appointed to the Columbus City Council in October. He’s the first openly gay council member since 2007 and the first openly gay African-American ever to hold public office in Columbus.

Hardin began as a college intern in Coleman’s office and took a job as a community affairs liaison in the mayor’s office after graduating from Morehouse College with a degree in political science and international relations. He was described by The Columbus Dispatch as a protégé of the mayor, but Coleman has higher sights for Hardin. “There he is: That’s baby Barack,” he joked at a swearing-in ceremony on Oct 20. november 2014

He also has navigated sometimes-conflicting worlds as a gay black man. He was raised in a church-going home, came out to his mother as a freshman in college, and still is involved in his church. “She was very accepting and loving,” he said of his mother, but like a lot of moms, she worried about how he would be treated by others. Hardin expresses more patience with others than a lot of us do. “I never wanted to put people who were slow in coming around into a box as evil,” he said.

“I know I would not have this opportunity if it weren’t for those folks who have been on the front lines fighting for those rights. It gave me the space to just be who I am.”

“I don’t want to be seen as just the gay councilman, but I’m so proud of who I am and whom I represent,” said Hardin, who lives on the city’s South Side and now works as an associate vice president for the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority.

then sometimes I was showing quarter horses in Kentucky,” he said.

- Shannon Hardin

been on the front lines fighting for those rights,” Hardin said. “It gave me the space to just be who I am.” Who is he? “I didn’t consider myself being gay as that big of a deal,” he said. “I’m a proud African-American man. I’m a proud gay man. What I thought was important was that people saw me for who I was first. They are pieces of my pie.” Hardin was raised by his mother in Columbus but also spent time with his father, who had a horse farm in Kentucky. “It gave me this very inner-city life, and

Coleman said Columbus’s newest City Council member already has a great grasp of the city’s neighborhoods and constituencies, and it’ll be needed quickly. Hardin replaces Councilman Troy Miller and must run in 2015 to finish the rest of Miller’s term.

“He is probably one of the most prepared people for entering the life of public office as anyone I’ve ever seen,” Coleman said. Hardin’s seat on the City Council is a historic one. It was held by Jerry Hammond, Columbus’s first black council president, and by Coleman, the city’s first black mayor. Its newest occupant said he wants to amplify the voice of young people in Columbus - “where we don’t just wait on them to get older before we start listening to them” - and focus on neighborhood concerns and innovative ways to enhance public safety. “Those men created history in this city,” he said of his predecessors. “I want to help build its future.”

Come meet Shannon at Network Columbus on Wednesday, Nov 12 at Level Dining Lounge, 6p-8p.

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small pond

Movin’ on Up,

to the South Side by Erin McCalla

No, you’re not experiencing déjà vu. Yes, you have seen both Bake Me Happy and Well Groomed Male Spa on our Small Pond page before. But in the months since Outlook published their stories (January and March, respectively), both businesses have moved to the South Side of Columbus and opened storefronts in the city’s Merion Village neighborhood. And with Southbend Tavern around the corner, it’s like a South Side gay trifecta. “We are very happy to be in Merion Village. I feel like it’s kind of the verge of a rebirth. They are kind of reinventing themselves,” said Letha Pugh, co-owner of Bake Me Happy, a gluten-free bakery. “The folks down here are very committed to Merion Village, which is nice. It just takes just a few people to change a neighborhood. Well Groomed Male is bringing traffic down. This little corner here is like a little gay corner. We’re all working together. And Tarik [Yousef, owner of TY Fine Furniture next door] is gay-friendly, too.” Formerly in Clintonville, Bake Me Happy has been in its new space at 116 E Moler St since the grand opening on Sept 20. Jim Price-Rogers’s Well Groomed Male Spa has been across the street since June 1. He formerly occupied space in an office building Downtown. “I’ve had good feedback,” said Price-Rogers. “Everyone is real supportive in the neighborhood; they are glad there are busi14

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Bake Me Happy, Well Groomed Male Spa Open New Columbus Storefronts

nesses coming in here.”

on Moler Street.

Price-Rogers kept all his customers in the transition, and since the move to Merion Village he has had to increase his hours of operation due to increase in business.

“I like coming up with new stuff; that’s one of my favorite things,” said Miller-Pugh. “Me being gluten-free, I can think of things I really want to eat that I can’t. Today we made moon pies.”

“According to my Square, business has increased 99 percent from last year,” he said.

“We get a lot of neighborhood people coming in, and that’s what we wanted. It’s exciting to feel their excitement,” she said. “We’re West Siders, and there’s not a lot of cool stuff around there. That’s why we were so happy when Dirty Franks opened up over in Westgate,” said Miller-Pugh. “So we know how great it is for an up-and-coming neighborhood to have something cool open up.”

Wendy Miller-Pugh and Pugh are both business and life partners. Letha works on the business side, and Wendy is the creative baker. Demand made a storefront and a bigger space necessary. “I would say it was a good enough boom that we wanted to invest in the risk,” Pugh said. “We think there is a lot of potential; we’re ramping up and forward-thinking.” Bake Me Happy is mainly a wholesale gluten-free bakery that supplies stores and restaurants. The new place has a small retail space in the front of the shop that nearly sells out daily. Currently, you can find treats like their Oatmeal Cream Clouds, Peanut Butter Burner Cookies and Spongies (a glutenfree take on the Twinkie) at The Market in Italian Village, Spinelli’s Deli in Victorian Village, both Hill’s Markets in Worthington and Downtown, Celebrate Local at Easton, Raisin Rack in Westerville and Global Gallery in the Short North.

“I just hope that through the growth and everything that’s happening around here, we can stay a community and support each other,” added PriceRogers. “I would love to see it grow; I would love to be in the middle of something big.” Because of the move, PriceRogers has more privacy to serve his clients better and easier parking as well. With the privacy and availability, he has expanded his service list by adding pedicures, and soon will offer microderm abrasion.

“They are good to us; they are very supportive,” said Pugh.

“I love this building; I love being next to Southbend. I’ve gotten a lot of clients from them. They advertise me, Toolbox advertises me and Tremont advertises me up on their TV screens,” he said of other South Side gay bars. “It’s all one big community and we have each other’s backs.”

Even with their eyes on the future, there is still space to grow

“It’s real good energy and synergy down here,” said Pugh.

Their Oatmeal Cream Pie is the office favorite.

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Somebody’s been working out...

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finance

A Solid Proposal? Marriage Comes With Financial Benefits, Drawbacks by Olga Starr “Honey, we need to talk,” I said, shutting down my laptop and shooing our Russian Blue cat out of my way as he tried to press the keys one last time. Why is it always one thing after another in life? My girlfriend reluctantly responded from the depth of her bean chair: “What now?” This is going to be tough. Maybe tonight’s not the right night for this talk. You know how sometimes after being with someone for more than a decade you can tell when she should be left alone for, say, a day or two... maybe even a couple of months? But my issue was big and troubling, and since it couldn’t be fixed without Samantha, I decided to just go for it. “We should get married,” I announced bravely and braced myself for impact. I could see her roll her eyes, pick up the remote and turn off the sound. “Why?,” she finally asked, sounding a bit irritated, but it was nothing I haven’t dealt with before. “For many reasons,” I started in my most charming voice. “You know, once we’re married, we’ll be able to file our taxes together...” “So?,” she shrugged. Analytical thinking has never been her strongest suit. 16

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“I know you have no idea about this. But now that my law practice is growing, the tax bill will be huge!” “So what’s that have to do with us getting married?” “Well, this is what I’m telling you. Since you make a lot less than I do... and believe me, I appreciate every dollar you’ve been putting in our account all these years! We couldn’t have made it without you!”

ployed, and I’m not paying quarterly taxes, I would owe the 10 grand at the end of the year. But since it’ll be a lot less once we’re married, and you normally get a chunk of money back, it’ll be a wash.” “So you’re taking my tax refund...,” she summarized and glared at me. Dang, today was definitely not the right day to bring this up.

“Would you rather LGBT couples are in A little sucking we owed 10 up goes a long grand next year? need of advice a lot way in life; that I Because that’s more than their straight knew. “But now what I’m looking things are a bit at based on what friends. Not having the different. I make I’ve made so far.” legal protection and good money, and the IRS wants its “Listen, I don’t tax benefits of the chunk. But if we get it. Why don’t heterosexual world results you pay your put our incomes on the same redamn taxes as in confusion, frustration turn, we both will you go, like everyand a “living for today” be in the 15 perbody else, and cent bracket. get a refund mentality. Guess what that back?” means? Ten thousand bucks in tax savings, at least!” “And loan money to the government interestfree? And it’s not like we have the extra “OK,” Sam took her hands away from me and money! I’m still trying to pay off the 30 grand picked up the remote. on credit cards we got last year when my business hit the rough spot. And do you recall “That’s it? OK?” that I’m paying those bills out of my money?” “I don’t care what you do,” she said coolly. “Just transfer the 10 grand in my account.” “That’s not how it works,” I shook my head, trying to be patient. “Since I’m self-em-

Phew, this is either going to cause an explosion or... Our boy, Blue, finally starting to sense drama, left his favorite spot on the windowsill, sauntered in between us and positioned his smoky body right on top of Sam’s

I propose we drink...

furry slippers. “So we get married, and then what?,” my girlfriend asked, calmly starting to play footsy with the cat. That would usually put her in a better mood, so I realized I still had a chance. “Oh my gosh, all kinds of good stuff!” I waved my hands in the air enthusiastically. “Do you know that car insurance might be cheaper for married people? And the health insurance you’ve got through your job - you know that your part of the payment comes out pre-tax, and my portion is taxable? That’s because we’re listed as domestic partners, not a married couple! And retirement benefits! Don’t get me started on that...” “And you’re going to get me a ring?,” Sam asked nonchalantly, reaching for the top of Blue’s head. “Of course I’ll get you a ring!” I almost laughed at the extent of her interest in my big plan. “Are you gonna wear one yourself?” Blue was playing hard to get, and Sam kept leaning forward, so at that moment our foreheads were almost touching. “Sure I will,” I said softly into her ear. Blue flipped belly up and finally gave in to Sam’s touch. “So, Mel... What will you tell the next girl you mess around with? How are you going to explain the ring?” She looked me straight in the eye with a smirk on her lips. outlookohio.com

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Definitely not the right day. Maybe not even the right year. I got up and walked away, exasperated. Emotions, emotions, always clouding humans’ better judgment. How come I can always stay rational?

the thought of “loaning money to the government.” She might end up being charged a 3 percent penalty even if she’s due a refund when she finally files. And since Mel intends to file jointly, the IRS will come after both of them.

The conversation was toast. I went to the kitchen to get me a beer. Granted, it’s before noon on Sunday, but I felt that after a failed marriage proposal, I deserved one. Nothing cheers you up like an ice-cold Miller Lite for breakfast.

Wondering how you can protect your future from those booby traps? I guess, this is the moment when I point at a shingle above my door and state: “We do that.” Planners deal with couples like Mel and Sam quite frequently.

Guess what: It’s not over until I say it’s over. As long as we’re married by Dec 31, we can still file as a married couple. Maybe I could take Samantha to Vegas, get her drunk and take advantage of my girlfriend by marrying her? Wouldn’t that be ironic?

Frankly, LGBT couples are in need of advice a lot more than their straight friends. Not having the legal protection and tax benefits of the heterosexual world results in confusion, frustration and a “living for today” mentality.

••• So, let’s leave emotions aside, like Mel had suggested. Since money was her primary reason for getting married, let’s look at this case from a financial standpoint. Should the two get hitched? Truth is, getting married and filing jointly doesn’t mean people automatically pay less in taxes. There are many couples who find themselves having to pay what’s called a “marriage penalty.” This happens when their combined earnings push them into a higher tax bracket, although one could end up in a lower tax bracket if they filed separately. In other situations, when one partner makes a lot more than the other (isn’t that what Mel claimed?), they might be looking at a significant marriage bonus. But how about some unexpected disadvantages of being married? Here’s one for you: Some deferred student loans might become due if a married couple files jointly and their total income goes above a certain level. And here’s another one: When finances are consolidated, the credit and tax issues of your new spouse could become yours before you know it. Suppose Mel insists on not paying her estimated quarterly tax because she doesn’t like

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I get it. I know it’s uncomfortable to share your fears and dreams with a stranger. It’s hard to find someone you can trust. It feels morbid when you try to imagine death, the end of a relationship, layoffs and other bad stuff happening and ask yourself what life would be like then. To plan or not to plan? I’ll leave the decision up to you. ••• So what do you think? Are my friends Mel and Sam ready to get hitched? Or should they talk to a couples counselor first? Or a financial planner, like me? I’ll let you in on a little secret. Actual Mel and Sam contacted me last year and asked to create a plan for their future together. In about eight weeks, we created an ambitious but solid financial plan to help the women get out of debt, maximize their tax savings and plan for retirement. The two got married around Christmas beside the semi-frozen Niagara Falls. Sam got a ring, and Mel got her tax write-off. Somehow I knew she would. Olga Starr is a registered representative of and offers securities, investment advisory and financial planning services through MML Investors Services, LLC, 2012 W 25th St, Suite 900 Cleveland, 44113; 216.621.5680. Member SIPC. MML Investors Services, LLC does not provide tax/legal services. You can reach Olga at ostarr@financialguide.com.

...wine and beer from Cork & Brew.

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feature

T h ey to Ze Increased

Attention P aid to Prefe

rred Gend

by Bryan Cole Every group discussion at Kaleidoscope Youth Center starts the same way. “Say your name, your PGP, and the highlight and lowlight of your day.” The abbreviation PGP - “preferred gender pronouns” - is well-known at Kaleidoscope, an LGBT-safe space in the University District of Columbus. Program coordinator Michelle Jordan wants to be sure preferences are clear so that all gender identities are respected.

er Pronoun

“My use of gender-neutral pronouns sort of stems from not feeling comfortable with he or she,” says Delfin Bautista, director of the LGBT Center at Ohio University in Athens. Bautista, who identifies as trans and twospirit, feels they is better at capturing the multiple dimensions of their identity. Gender-neutral pronouns also can be used as part of a larger struggle to remove gender from language, and ultimately work to deconstruct assumptions about gender.

Subject Object

Possessive Adjective Possesive Pronoun

Him

His

- Rashida Davison, TransOhio

feel limited by an either-or choice.

Although some were quick to learn and follow Davison’s request, others showed little effort or Increasingly, though, gender-neutral pronouns didn’t take the matter seriously. have been adopted by trans, genderqueer and genderfluid people seeking to discard tradi“It’s terrible to be so dismissive of someone’s tional pronouns and better describe their own needs,” says Jonathan Branfman, a doctoral senses of self. Although few have gained trac- student in gender and sexuality studies at tion, they seems best poised to make the leap Ohio State University. “Of all the things someinto mainstream consciousness. one could ask of you, it’s really not that difficult.” “As far as larger acceptance and ease of use, so many people already use they/them gram- For Jordan, appeals to grammar are the most matically incorrectly in everyday language,” irritating.

Pronouns - Trans* - Gender-neutrality

Across the entire LGBT community, organizations are showing greater sensitivity to how language informs identity. From email signatures to luncheon nametags, individuals are being asked to clarify how they would like to be addressed.

“I started using genderneutral pronouns around my first or second year at college. Responses were and still are pretty mixed.”

She

They

Ze/Zie

Her

Their

Hir/Zir

Xyr

Her

Hers

Them

Theirs

Hir/Zir

Hirs/Zirs

Xem

Xyrs

“I get really frustrated when people say, ‘This is how the language is,’” says Jordan. “I think that ignores the fact that we know languages are living. I think it’s really frustrating when people have such a limited view of language and its power and the possibilities there.”

Jordan’s sense of possibility is shared by Branfman. “Think of a word like Reflexive Himself Herself Themself Hirself/Zirself Xemself Pronouns have always been a ‘email’ that literally did not exist,” he contested grammatical issue. For says. There are limitless possibilities, centuries, writers have defaulted to he when a Although Jordan prefers they, for them it’s less Jordan says. “So I don’t think it’s a big jump.” and perhaps the detractors of gender-neutral subject’s gender was unknown. Strict acaabout their own needs and more about creatlanguage are underestimating their own abildemics scoffed away alternatives; one was ing a movement. “[It’s] a larger struggle to The rising use of a singular they seems to in- ity to adapt to a changing, evolving language. overly formal and stiff, he or she was cumber- break down the binary for all of us.” dicate a willingness to push against estabsome. The singular they often set up subjectlished pronouns. But that doesn’t mean Ultimately, spoken English will continue to be verb disagreement. Writers have long tasked themselves with the- requests are always received graciously. shaped by culture, and if enough people get orizing new pronoun schemes. Some suggesbehind a movement, who knows what could With those stipulations, he was the only way to tions, like thon - a contraction of “that one,” “I started using gender-neutral pronouns happen? be grammatically correct. proposed in 1858 - utilize words that already around my first or second year at college,” exist in English. Others, like ze, take inspirasays Rashida Davison, outreach and engage- “I see it as a hopeful future,” says Bautista. Now, decades after feminists began searching tion from the pronouns of other languages (in ment coordinator at TransOhio, the statewide “If Beyoncé can get ‘Bootylicious’ into Webfor an alternative to the default he, some are this case, the German word sie). The words advocacy group. “Responses were and still are ster’s Dictionary...” ditching gendered pronouns altogether. offer alternatives to the standard he or she pretty mixed.” and provide additional options for those who

november 2014

Who ever decided names had a gender connotation? Did everyone look the same back then?

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Transgender Day of Remembrance: Honoring Those We’ve Lost Less than 8 percent of the nation’s LGBT population identifies as transgender, but trans Americans were the victims in almost three-quarters of the hate-crime murders committed last year against LGBT people.

Sarita Nov 7, 2013 Natal, Brazil Shot to death

From Cincinnati to Singapore, vigils for the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance will take place this month to honor the lives of transgender people who’ve been killed worldwide over the last year.

Joan Dos Santos Nov 8, 2013 Bom Conselho, Brazil Stabbed to death

The following ceremonies are planned in Ohio:

Calvin Curtis Athens: Ohio University’s Baker Center Fifth Floor Atrium, 1 Park Place Dr, Lipscomb (Her preferred name 45701: 8p-9p on Wednesday, Nov 19. was never discovered) Nov 8, 2013 Cincinnati: Cincinnati Cultural Arts Center, 3711 Clifton Ave, 45220: 7p- Detroit, Michigan 8:30p on Thursday, Nov 20. Killed and burned

Columbus: Fifth Avenue United Methodist Church, 299 King Ave, 43201: Amari Hill 7p-9p on Thursday, Nov 20. Nov 17, 2013 Toledo: Sylvania United Church of Christ, 7240 Erie St, Sylvania, 43560: 7p-8p on Thursday, Nov 20. Cleveland: Huntington Park, Lakeside Ave and W 3rd St, 44113: 5:30p on Saturday, Nov 22. Remembering Betty Skinner Betty Skinner, 52, was described by fellow residents of her assisted living facility as friendly, nice and outgoing. She was found dead in her apartment in Cleveland’s Brooklyn neighborhood on Dec 5, 2013. Police said she died of blunt force trauma to the head. No one has been arrested in her murder. Remembering Brittany Stergis The mother of Brittany-Nicole Kidd-Stergis said her child struggled with coming out as transgender but was much happier after doing so. The 22-year-old was shot in the head and found dead inside a car on Cleveland’s West Side on Dec 6, 2013. Delshawn Carroll, 20, was sentenced in October to 18 years to life in prison for her murder. Remembering Tiffany Edwards “Tiffany was love. Tiffany gave love,” the aunt of Tiffany Edwards told a Cincinnati TV station. The 28-year-old was found shot to death on a Cincinnati street on June 25, 2014. Quamar Edwards, who’s no relation to Tiffany, was indicted for her murder a month later and awaits trial. 20

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Richmond, Virginia Shot to death Lady Butterfly Nov 17, 2013 Porto Seguro, Brazil Stabbed to death Sahlil Nov 17, 2013 Karachi, Pakistan Shot to death Jacqueline Cowdrey Nov 19, 2013 West Sussex, UK Rosa Ribut Nov 24, 2013 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Beaten to death Karina Nov 26, 2013 Sape, Brazil Shot to death Unidentified Victim November 2013 Manaus, Brazil Cinthia November 2013 Puebla, Mexico Strangled to death

Rebeca Alves Da Silva Dec 4, 2013 Patu, Brazil Shot to death

Catia La Mar, Venezuela Shot to death

Unidentified Victim Agatha De Mello Dec 29, 2013 Dec 4, 2013 Castanhal, Brazil Sao Paulo, Brazil Stabbed to death Shot to death Unidentified Thays Brito De Victim Dec 31, 2013 Oliveira Dec 8, 2013 Itapissuma, Brazil Bauru, Brazil Shot to death Shot to death Gabriely Spanic Pamela Madureira De Dec 10, 2013 Mato Minas Gerais, Brazil December 2013 Stabbed to death Campinas, Brazil Unidentified Victim Dec 12, 2013 Fortaleza, Brazil Stabbed to death Unidentified Victim Dec 12, 2013 Videira, Brazil Shot to death Larissa Dec 16, 2013 João Pesso, Brazil Strangled to death Unidentified Victim Dec 21, 2013 Faridabad, India Beaten to death Alondra Hidalgo Cardenas Dec 22, 2013 Maracaibo, Venezuela Stabbed to death Luana Soares Dec 25, 2013 Coelho Neto, Brazil Haydee Georgina Leon Dreyer Dec 28, 2013

Unidentified Victim December 2013 Brasilia, Brazil Glenda December 2013 Morelos, Mexico Beaten and stoned Juana December 2013 San Francisco, Honduras Jonathan December 2013 Morelos, Mexico Alondra Hildago Cardenas Jan 5, 2014 Zulia, Venezuela Stabbed to death Fernandinha Oliveira De Mesquita Jan 5, 2014 Teresina, Brazil Stoned to death Unidentified Victim Jan 5, 2014 Ciudad Trujillo, Peru Beaten to death

Never forget, we still aren’t as safe as we like to think.

Unidentified Victim Jan 5, 2014 Ciudad Trujillo, Peru Run over by car

Elizalber Oliveira De Mesquita Jan 5, 2014 Teresina, Brazil Stoned to death Michele Coelho De Morais Jan 6, 2014 Mataraizes, Brazil Beaten to death Marco Noé López Castillo Jan 6, 2014 San Pedro Sula, Venezuela Strangled to death Paloma Jan 8, 2014 Belém, Brazil Shot repeatedly in the head and chest Unidentified Victim Jan 9, 2014 Acapulco, Mexico

Teresina, Brazil Stabbed multiple times Ronald Alonzo Sosa Jan 16, 2014 Aragua, Venezuela Shot to death Cristal Jan 19, 2014 Natal, Brazil Shot to death Catalina Ramirez Jan 19, 2014 Cali, Colombia Stabbed to death Suman Singh Jan 20, 2014 Guwahati, India Burned to death Buxexa Jan 23, 2014 Messajana, Brazil Shot to death José Araya Jan 25, 2014 Presidente Derqui, Argentina Shot to death

Rayka Tomaz Jan 10, 2014 Fortaleza, Brazil Stabbed multiple times

Unidentified Victim Jan 25, 2014 Ciudad Nezaulcoyotl, Mexico Luana Professora Throat slit Jan 10, 2014 Goiânia, Brazil Ador Kha Shot in the chest Jan 26, 2014 Jahurpur, Bangladesh Beaten and tortured Prince Joe Jan 12, 2014 Belize City, Belize Thifani Stabbed multiple times Jan 27, 2014 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Killed and Unidentified dismembered Victim Jan 14, 2014 Jarinu, Brazil Tissia Killed with an ax Jan 28, 2014 Itaguai, Brazil Beaten to death Toni Gretchen Jan 16, 2014 outlookohio.com

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Jennifer Castro Jan 28, 2014 Santa Fe, Argentina Stabbed to death Joice Jan 28, 2014 Teresina, Brazil Stabbed multiple times Sarita Jan 29, 2014 Itabela, Brazil Shot to death Sarita Do Sopão Jan 29, 2014 Teresina, Brazil Shot multiple times Juju Jan 29, 2014 Salgueiro, Brazil Beaten and stoned to death Gutta January 2014 Carapicuiba, Brazil Beaten and hanged Unidentified Victim Jan 30, 2014 Buenos Aires, Argentina Beaten to death Paola Alves Pererira Jan 31, 2014 Piacabucu, Brazil Beaten to death Unidentified Victim January 2014 Juiz de Fora, Brazil Beaten and tortured Nahomi Lui Inuma January 2014 Iquitos, Peru Beaten to death

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Raíssa Feb 1, 2014 Cuiabá, Brazil Shot repeatedly in the head and chest Alison Reyes López Feb 4, 2014 Tijuana, Mexico Stabbed to death Tatty Feb 7, 2014 Belo Horizonte, Brazil Died of facial injuries Rafaela Feb 11, 2014 Recife, Brazil Shot multiple times Noiser Java Paima Feb 11, 2014 Miraflores, Peru Shot to death Denise Cobos Reyes Feb 14, 2014 Ceresita, Ecuador Tortured to death Unidentified Victim Feb 16, 2014 Ribeirao Preto, Brazil Stabbed to death Cuenca Adrian Feb 17, 2014 Guayaquil, Ecuador Sevda Feb 17, 2014 Gaziantep, Turkey Shot to death Alex Medeiros Feb 18, 2014 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil The 8-year-old was beaten to death by his father because he refused to cut his hair and liked dancing and girls’ clothes.

Robertona Feb 18, 2014 Chapeco, Brazil Shot to death Paulete Feb 19, 2014 Taguatinga, Brazil Shot multiple times in the face Camila Veronezi Feb 21, 2014 São Paulo, Brazil Shot 15 times Lu Feb 23, 2014 Nova Serrana, Brazil Stabbed multiple times

Andressa Pinheiro March 1, 2014 João Pessoa, Brazil Stabbed 15 times and dragged Tatiana Martínez March 2, 2014 Cartagena, Colombia Shot to death Mile March 3, 2014 Sao Paulo, Brazil Shot to death Rose Maria March 5, 2014 São Paulo, Brazil Stabbed in the neck

Unidentified Victim Feb 26, 2014 Tandil, Argentina

Coco March 8, 2013 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Unknown Woman Feb 27, 2014 São Paulo, Brazil Shot multiple times

Jessica March 8, 2014 Tabasco, Mexico Killed and body thrown into the street

Unknown Woman Feb 28, 2014 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Shot multiple times

Unidentified Victim March 9, 2014 Aparecida de Goiania, Brazil Shot to death

Kitana Feb 28, 2014 Aracaju, Brazil Shot multiple times in the head Unidentified Victim Feb 28, 2014 Vitoria da Conquista, Brazil Shot to death Unidentified Victim February 2014 Guayaquil, Ecuador Stabbed and tortured

Vanessa Alves Da Silva March 9, 2014 Angelica, Brazil Strangled to death Vitória March 12, 2014 Boa Vista, Brazil Shot twice in the chest Paulete March 12, 2014 Sao Paulo, Brazil Shot 15 times Unknown Woman March 14, 2014

Jardim Ingá, Brazil Burned to death Paulete March 17, 2014 Teresina, Brazil Shot to death Unknown Woman March 23, 2014 São Paulo, Brazil Killed and dismembered Marciana March 24, 2014 Iguatu, Brazil Shot to death Jade Esmeralda March 25, 2014 Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela Shot to death Nicole March 28, 2014 Vitória, Brazil Stabbed in the neck and abdomen, hands and feet bound Giovana Souza Silva March 29, 2014 São Paulo, Brazil Shot multiple times Unknown Woman March 29, 2014 João Pessoa, Brazil Beaten to death by several people and dragged through the street Unidentified Victim March 2014 Luziano, Brazil Burned to death Agamenon March 2014 Itaberaba, Brazil Stabbed to death

Unidentified Victim March 2014 Guerrero, Mexico Stoned to death

Paola June 8, 2014 São Paulo, Brazil Stabbed multiple times

Unidentified Victim March 2014 Medellin, Colombia Stabbed to death

Zoraida Reyes June 12, 2014 Santa Ana, California Choked to death

Unknown Woman April 2, 2014 Sobral, Brazil Hit in the head with an iron bar Unknown Woman April 2, 2014 Manaus, Brazil Beaten and strangled to death

Yaz’min Shancez June 19, 2014 Fort Myers, Florida Shot and burned to death André Luiz Borges Rocha June 23, 2014 Tijucal, Brazil Shot multiple times in the face

Mileide April 7, 2014 Santo Antônio, Brazil Shot four times

Unknown Woman June 30, 2014 Coruripe, Brazil Raped, then beaten to death

Valquíria April 20, 2014 Praça dos Carreiros, Brazil. Shot to death

Kellen Santorine July 13, 2014 Uberaba, Brazil Raped, then beaten to death

Ça la Joker April 21, 2014 Istanbul, Turkey Shot to death

Mia Henderson July 16, 2014 Baltimore, Maryland Died of massive trauma

Unknown Woman May 29, 2014 Porto Alegre, Brazil Shot multiple times

Mackelly Castro July 18, 2014 Teresina, Brazil Hanged to death

Marcia Moraes May 29, 2014 Porto Alegre, Brazil Shot multiple times

Lele July 18, 2014 Roatán, Honduras Beaten to death

Kandy Hall June 3, 2014 Montebello, Maryland Died of massive trauma

Dennysi Brandão July 24, 2014 Contagem, Brazil Shot multiple times

Sources: Transgender Day of Remembrance, Transrespect Versus Transphobia Worldwide

Alisson Henrique Da Silva July 31, 2014 Macaíba, Brazil Shot multiple gunshot times Unknown Woman Aug 9, 2014 São Paulo, Brazil Found dead with her eyes removed Alejandra Leos Sept 5, 2014 Memphis, Tennessee Shot to death Karen Alanis Sept 9, 2014 São Paulo, Brazil Thrown from a vehicle and run over Cris Sept 13, 2014 Portal da Foz, Brazil Shot multiple times Mahadevi Sept 25, 2014 Malleshwara, India Pushed off a moving train Bruna Lakiss Sept 30, 2014 Várzea Grande, Brazil Shot to death Gull Dos Santos Oct 1, 2014 Rio Largo, Brazil Shot multiple times Aniya Parker Oct 2, 2014 Los Angeles, California Shot in the head Jennifer Laude Oct 11, 2014 Manila, Philippines Drowned in toilet bowl

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in the shade

Bunker Mentality Being Prepared for What Comes Next - and What Comes After That by Debra Shade Does anyone else feel like they owe the folks who build and stock bunker basements an apology? Look at what’s going on in the world. We’re moving from a threat of classism to a society of healthy, prepared and protected vs. poor, ill and dying. We are unable to afford basic medicines, food and transportation. We are bombarded with hate, bullying, racism, war, illness and separation. There’s growing separation between those who are able to survive and those who can’t. If I were struck with a major illness tomorrow, I would be in a terrible predicament. As an entrepreneur, if I don’t work, I don’t get paid. If I don’t get paid, my healthcare doesn’t get paid for, I can’t afford to eat healthy food, etc., etc. We all know the results of little and no income. It makes me want to stockpile when the money is flowing. I want to make sure my family’s basic needs can be met. Much unlike bunker conceptualists, our tomorrow is undetermined by any of us. We live in a world full of undetermined actions, leaving us only to control our reaction. These people have decided to react beforehand, and I’m reconsidering my opinion of 22

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that choice. I believe we’re all responsible for our future, our actions and our fellow man, so I had to chastise myself because I am not doing enough.

If I’m raising my family in a poor neighborhood and don’t have the means to improve my environment, it’s easier to move to a “nicer” neighborhood far from the central city that’s accessible on the bus line.

This crazy place that we have all had a hand in creating, maintaining and developing is full of so many dangers that we need to survive. Doesn’t it make sense to prepare ourselves?

What do we do when Ebola becomes widespread in the United States, when terror atWhen we aren’t questioning the shift and fotacks turn to war on our soil, when bullying by cusing on the blend, we continue the cycles police departthat create and supments is not port this type of What do we do when met with the classism. As a soEbola becomes same outcries ciety we are not as bullying in blending, we are widespread in the United schools, in cyjust switching States, when terror atberspace and places, changing in the workaddresses. We’re tacks turn to war on our place? addressing neisoil, when bullying by ther the cause nor police departments is not the effect and are What do we do when the paying attention met with the same classes that to the wrong end outcries as bullying in are currently of classism. separated by schools, in cyberspace race and inThe dream to proand in the workplace? come develop tect, thrive and to a simpler enjoy life is held by class: income? all. We are born to do Some watching the movement of blacks and so. Even in infancy, we have the sense of fight minorities to suburban communities and or flight. We gag when we choke in an attempt whites back into cities hail the change as a to clear an object from our throats, we swim or sign of integration but aren’t considering that float if tossed in water, we cry out for help when we hurt, are alone or are afraid. it’s indicative of economics.

Maybe it’s a guilty conscience, but I’m reflecting on all that is occupying the news from coast to coast and across the globe. I feel like I need to buy a home and build a bunker in my backyard.

Who could you live in a bunker with during a nuclear war?

Or do I? Does the world really want a brain like mine to rebuild society? Sure we will have sex for the purpose of reproduction, but at what point will it need to turn to sexual exploration and acceptance? Maybe never. Or maybe next time we will get it right from the very start and leave the things that separate us as humans behind. Sexual orientation, income, race, religion, age and geography won’t be detriments to the other. Climbing out of the bunkers and into an opportunity to start over doesn’t seem like such a crazy concept anymore. What more can you and I do for Mother Earth? Debra Shade is an author and owner of Shade Media. You can find her on Facebook at Shadyontop, follow her on Twitter @shadeyontop or buy her books from Amazon.com or a Lion’s Den near you. She writes In the Shade every other month for Outlook. outlookohio.com

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The cold never bothered me anyways...

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insight out

by Regina Sewell

Far beyond a physical structure where we eat, sleep and store our stuff, home is a network of relationships where, as Robert Frost noted, “when you have to go there, they have to take you in.” Home is the place we go to sort ourselves out. It is that place where we go when the world beats us up - when we lose our jobs, when our relationships crash and burn, or when we simply get lost in pain that is too much to bear on our own. For most of us, this connotation of home is filled by our families of origin. These relationships and the physical and emotional safety nets they provide are essential to our physical and emotional wellbeing. Still, most of us take our relationships with our family of origin for granted. Rather than feeling grateful that we have people who will catch us when we fall, we tend to focus on their failures. We point out our parents’ horror about our gender-nonconforming clothing and behavior and the failure to mention our romantic partners in their Christmas letters as a sign that 24

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they are hopelessly homophobic. We keep count of the awful gifts they’ve given us over the years - the electric razors, footballs, tacky jewelry and Chicken Soup for the Soul books as signs that they have no clue who we are. We condemn them for not putting in the effort to figure us out. We expect them to be different, and in doing so we create our own suffering. We resent them for who they are not and do our best to push them to be who we want them to be.

Oddly enough, resentment never improves relationships. It just creates dissatisfaction and conflict. Even if we turn away from them to find home elsewhere, resentment keeps us emotionally attached because it pushes us to obsess about how they hurt, betrayed, disrespected and/or failed us. Robert Frost’s notion of home is the minimal standard. At its best, home is more than a safety net. Home is where we feel accepted and embraced. When we’re home in this more embracing sense, we can relax and be ourselves. Home is the community of people who share our experiences, worldview and dreams. And home is our chosen family, the people

photo: © Alen Dobric Dreamstime

Cleaning House

with whom we chose to invest our time, lives and future.

boyfriend about how tidy or clean the house is.

Even though our chosen families tend to accept us as we are in terms of our gender identity or sexual orientation, our limited ability to accept people as they are can make these relationships as disappointing and frustrating as our relationships with our families of origin.

And you might have to let go of that chip on your shoulder about how your parents let you down. You’ll definitely have to walk away from relationships that are hurtful, disrespectful or abusive.

Al-Anon revolves around the principle that it makes no sense to get angry with an alcoholic or addict for getting drunk or high because that’s what they do, and getting mad at them doesn’t change anything. It’s like being angry with someone whose legs are paralyzed because they can’t walk. Instead, the idea is to accept that getting drunk and/or high is what alcoholics and addicts do, that that is their limitation, and to make choices about how to respond based on this acceptance. If you want to the have a home where you feel truly comfortable, you have to clean your relational house. You might have to plan accordingly because you know that your husband or wife sucks at being on time, or you might have to compromise with your girlfriend or

Once you have cleaned your relational house, you can focus on the positive attributes and the gifts that your remaining friends and family bring to your life, and you can feel grateful for them. You’ll be able to engage them from a place of love rather than resentment. Your relationships will flourish, and your sense of being home in the broader sense of the word will expand. Home won’t be the place of last resort. It will be a place where you feel secure and emotionally embraced. Regina Sewell is a licensed mental health counselor. To ask her a question, propose a column topic, read about her approach to counseling, or check out her books and other writing, visit ReginaSewell.com. Insight Out runs every other month in Outlook.

We suggest Scrubbing Bubbles when you get to cleaning your emotional house.

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xxx

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creative class Christmas celebrations would start in October if pesky Halloween and Thanksgiving didn’t get in the way.

Cincinnati Men’s Chorus

Muse Cincinnati Women’s Choir

North Coast Men’s Chorus

Dayton Gay Men’s Chorus

Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus

november 2014

breast cancer pay for products and services. Thursday, Dec 11 at 7p; $21.

Holiday Sing-Fest @ College Hill Coffee and Casual GourThe holly is hauled out ear- met, 6128 Hamilton Ave, lier each year; that’s why we Cincinnati, 45224: An informal gathering with songs, friends decided to share our rundown of all the LGBT holiday and great coffee. Friday, Dec 12 at 7:30p; free. concerts in this month’s issue. Holiday Choral Concert @ Taft Museum of Art, 316 Pike St, Choruses and bands are breaking out in song all over Cincinnati, 45202; the state in theaters, coffee 513.221.1118: The chorus seeks out music composed by shops and even churches. Actually, mostly in churches. women that enhances women’s (Take THAT, Pat Robertson!) voices. The concert will feature holiday music that will entertain, inspire and motivate. SunCINCINNATI day, Dec 14 at 2:30p; free.

North Coast Men’s Chorus ncmchorus.org Baby It’s Cold Outside @ Hanna Theatre, 2067 E 14th Street, Cleveland, 44115: It might be cold outside, but the North Coast Men’s Chorus will keep you warm with a songand dance-filled concert. Saturday, Dec 6 at 3p and 8p and Sunday, Dec 7 at 3p; $10-$45.

COLUMBUS

Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus columbusgaymenschorus.com

Joy! Welcome Home: The CGMC will play a series of concerts, singing holiday favorites Cincinnati Queen City from the last 25 years as well Men’s Chorus Rainbow Band as some new pieces, including cincinatimenschorus.com qcrb.org a new commissioned work. $20 A Classic Christmas @ Christ Christmas with the Mo-Tones in advance, $25 at the door. Performances are scheduled for Church Cathedral, 318 E 4th St, @ Grace Episcopal Church, Cincinnati, 45202: A concert of 5501 Hamilton Ave, College Hill, Friday, Dec 5 at 8p and Satursacred and secular songs fea- 45224: A traditional big-band day, Dec 6 at 2p and 8p at King Avenue United Methodist turing Randol Alan Bass’s “Glo- concert with special guest ria” and “The Christmas Story” Michal Karraker singing jazz fa- Church, 299 King Ave, Columbus, 43201; Sunday, Dec 7 at narrated by Cincinnati’s own vorites and holiday classics. singing weatherman, Bob Hert- Children are encouraged to at- 6p at Lord of Life Lutheran zog. Saturday, Dec 6 at 8p and tend, as there will be a special Church, 2480 W Dublin Granville Rd, Columbus, 43235; Sunday, Dec 7 at 3p; $20. guest attending. Monday, Dec and Wednesday, Dec 10 at 8p 15 at 5p (dinner), with the free at Glenwood United Methodist Muse Cincinnati concert starting at 7p. Church, 2833 Valleyview Dr, Women’s Choir Columbus, 43204. musechoir.org Christmas Saengerfest @ Memorial Hall, 1225 Elm St, Cincinnati, 45202: A German tradition that celebrates choir music. Saturday, Dec 6 at 5p, 6p, 7p and 8p; $20.

CLEVELAND Blazing River Freedom Band blazingriverband.org

Spirit of the Season @ Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ, 2592 W 14th St, A Very Merry Christmas: Breast Cancer Fundraiser @ Cleveland, 44113: The performThe Carnegie, 1028 Scott Blvd, ance will feature Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker Suite” accompaCovington, Ky, 41011; thenied by color-guard choreogracarnegie.com: All ticket proceeds benefit Chicks & Chucks, phy. Wednesday, Dec 3 at a resource to help people with 7:30p; $5 suggested donation. Dayton, we like your style!

DAYTON

Dayton Gay Men’s Chorus daytongaymenschorus.org Joyful Jazz @ Westminster Presbyterian Church, 125 N Wilkinson St, Dayton, 45402: Joined by The Bill Burns Quartet, this jubilant concert is sure to have you swinging and ringing in the holiday season. Saturday, Dec 6 at 6p; $15. outlookohio.com

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I spy, with my four eyes, something cheesy.

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deep inside hollywood

Matt Bomer

Nice... Nice... Very Nice: Bomer, Crowe, Gosling

Manson Family Tale Gets Another Telling

Depending on your priorities, the forthcoming Shane Black-directed action-drama, The Nice Guys, will be notable for a couple of reasons.

No murder spree of the past 50 years has burned itself into the American nightmare-consciousness as the one committed by the notorious and terrifying Manson Family.

If you’re a fan of Black (Iron Man 3, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang) and his skillful handling of aggressive action and witty dialogue, then you know that any project he’s a part of that isn’t another superhero sequel is great news. He’s the smart, funny, guy’s-guy filmmaker, and that means we all look forward to getting more of that from him.

Documentaries, narrative films for TV, true crime specials: The story has been told many times over, yet the public remains hungry for more, maybe in the hope of finally understanding how madness infects an entire group of young people following one charismatic lunatic.

But let’s say you just really, really, really want to luxuriate in your own lust for certain male movie stars. How does a trifecta of Matt Bomer (picking this one up right after the skin extravaganza that will be Magic Mike XXL), Russell Crowe (who solidly embraced his daddy-bear status in Noah) and, oh yeah, Ryan Gosling sound?

Zachary Quinto

Parents Behaving Badly in Upcoming Miniseries If you’ve seen the play, God of Carnage, or its film adaptation, Carnage, about awful helicopter parents who engage in their own brand of brawling after their children are involved in a playground scuffle, then The Slap might sound vaguely familiar.

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Dunham Documentary Tailored to Community When Daniel Friedman left his career as an architect for the world of bespoke tailoring, he didn’t know what would happen next. But his ability to custom-fit menswear for the bodies of butch lesbians and transgender men turned his Brooklyn business Bindle & Keep into a go-to destination for members of the LGBT community who wanted to look great in a suit truly made for them.

The upcoming miniseries for NBC from gay writer Jon Robin Baitz (Brothers & Sisters) and lesbian filmmaker Lisa Cholodenko (The Kids Are All Right) explores the social and legal fallout that takes place when a man slaps another couple’s misbehaving child. It’s adapted from an Australian series and novel of the same name.

And because singularity makes news, filmmaker Jason Benjamin (Orange Is the New Black, Girls) and producer Lena Dunham are in the process of making Three Suits, a documentary for HBO. The film will follow three of B&K’s clients as they’re fitted for new threads and also as they demonstrate what the business means to them in everyday terms of negotiating gender identity and gender presAustralian actress Melissa George (The Good Wife) will re- entation. peat the role she handled in the original series, with new cast members Zachary Quinto, Thandie Newton, Peter Best of all, the Dunham stamp of approval means that a Sarsgaard, Mary-Louise Parker and Brian Cox joining doc about trans people that might otherwise get lost in the the American version. queer film festival shuffle will meet an audience that has Hope you’re ready for bad behavior from childish adults. Oh, you can see that any day of the week in the Whole Foods parking lot, you say? OK, sure, but watch anyway.

Lena Dunham

Turner already has taken a turn at this sort of subject matter, having co-written the movie version of Bret Easton Ellis’ American Psycho with director Mary Harron. Director Jonas Akerlund should prove to be a more than appropriate choice to helm this dark, dangerous project.

Yes, we know, they sound great. And those are the three male leads of The Nice Guys, and you’re welcome. It’s set in 1970s Los Angeles, with Gosling as a detective hired by gangster Crowe to find a missing young woman. Along the way, Gosling uncovers a conspiracy in which Bomer figPrepare to feel creeped out all over again. ures as something of a bad guy. But a nice bad guy. Maybe. Look, who cares, you know your priorities.

Guinevere Turner

Now, Ed Sanders’ 1971 book, The Family, detailing the life of Charles Manson and his leadership of the 1969 TateLaBianca murders, will be adapted for a TV miniseries to be written by lesbian actor/writer Guinevere Turner (Go Fish).

never heard these kinds of stories before. Romeo San Vicente’s suits are custom made in London, as the song goes. He can be reached at DeepInsideHollywood@qsyndicate.com.

According to The New York Times, Bindle & Keep’s suits cost about $800.

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Cue the Christmas music!

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november 2014

Fall into Southbend this autumn and see what youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re missing.

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Photo: CBS Films

interview

Pride & Prejudice Andrew Scott’s New Film, ‘Pride,’ Takes Gay to the Mainstream

by Chris Azzopardi When you watch him in Pride, a film about the alliance between striking miners and gay activists in the mid-1980s, it’s hard to ignore the fact that Andrew Scott came out publicly just last year. The British dramedy finds the 37-year-old actor putting those puppy eyes on full display. As Gethin, a man dealing with the aftermath of coming out, his sincerity makes you totally forget his Moriarty character on the BBC’s Sherlock and the shade he throws Benedict Cumberbatch. Chris Azzopardi: How does it feel being part of a movie that’s moved so many people in the gay community? Andrew Scott: It’s extraordinary, really. We’re all completely blown over by it. The response we’re hearing from cinemas across the country, where people are standing up at the end and they’re clapping - it’s just very unusual for me. I’ve certainly never been in a film before where that happens. We kind of really hoped that the gay community would embrace it, but we keep saying that it’s not just a gay movie. The message the idea of solidarity - isn’t just for a gay audience. All of us are more similar to each outlookohio.com

other than we think we are. What I mean by that is that in order to understand what it means to be a straight person CA: Movies about gay people weren’t alor a gay person, it doesn’t require too much ways as celebratory as Pride and others that have been released recently. With that imagination. We all come from a union of a said, do you think Pride would get the same man and a woman, and a gay person can understand heterosexual love. I think straight reaction if it came out 20 years ago? people actually fundamentally find it AS: I just know that it feels easy to understand homosexvery timely. I think it’s incredibly proual love - there’s just a gressive, and “People understand stigma attached to it the idea of maybe prevents sexuality at a very basic that just differthem from admitting level, and so I never have that sometimes. ent attributes of thought that people are gay peoPeople understand intrinsically homophobic ple being sexuality at a very I think that’s something explored is basic level, and so I extremely never have thought that’s learned.” important. that people are intrin- Andrew Scott sically homophobic. I But the idea of this story 20 years think that’s something ago, talking about that’s learned. these people as heroes, I’m not sure. ... I just know the fact that it’s been CA: In November 2013, you came out pubembraced by both gay audiences and licly. So, to mark your one-year anniverstraight audiences is very important. sary, tell me what changed for you after coming out to the world. We set out to make a mainstream film, and it AS: It’s funny, I don’t see it at all like that. I is a mainstream film - it’s finding a maincan understand why people could perceive it stream audience - and sometimes the word as my “one-year anniversary,” but for me it “mainstream” is a bit reductive. was something that happened a long time If that’s his contract, I want his agent!

ago. You know, I keep myself to myself. I don’t do a huge amount of interviews. I am delighted to say, though, that absolutely nothing has changed, really. I’ve been in the business coming up on 20 years now. I started very young, and so I’ve always wanted to play all sorts of different parts. With something like Pride, obviously, I have to speak a little more about personal issues - that’s something I realize with this project but, in the future, I feel that in order to be progressive it’s not necessary for me to speak about (my sexuality) in every interview I do. ... There are certain times when it’s right to talk about it, and there are absolutely times I feel that it’s not relevant. CA: You’ve co-starred with some of the finest-looking men in show business: Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Hardy, James McAvoy and Daniel Radcliffe, to name a few. Is it in your contract that you only work with the most attractive men in the industry? AS: Absolutely, it is. And I believe it’s in all their contracts as well, which is why they get to work with me. [Laughs.] Chris Azzopardi is the editor of Q Syndicate, the international LGBT wire service. Reach him at chrisazzopardi.com. november 2014

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bookmark

G r ot e s q u e r i e C o m e Tr u e Ohio Native Uncovers Tragic Tale of Lives Wasted

by Tom Muzyka

write about it? Emanuel Wears: For as long as I can Fact can be harder to face than fic- remember there has been a stone tion, especially when real life doesn’t cross down the road near my grandhave a happy ending. parents’ farm in Appalachia. During one of my childhood vacaIn the new book tions to the farm, Grotesque, by Ohio someone must native Emanuel have told Wears, we follow me that the journey of a there boy trapped in had rural West Virbeen ginia at the an “acheight of the cident” era of intolerthere. ance. Kent Tucker About six didn’t fit society’s years ago, Emanuel Wears image of how a boy however, I came should act, and his difference upon a newspaper clipfrom the norm set into motion a ping about the body my late grandtragic series of events, more shock- father had found along the ing than any story. road. Well, that initial story was enough for me to want to know more. This retelling of history shows that while society has come a long way, Even though it’s a novel, I wanted to the change has occurred very remake the story as realistic as possicently. Not too long ago, anyone seen ble. When following a story in a book as different could have faced similar or a movie, I feel that the inclusion of threats. something factually impossible or obviously inaccurate breaks the I spoke with Wears about the process spell. So I gathered more information he went through to capture Kent’s about the society depicted in the story and share his experience with book from old newspapers, a few us. psychiatric textbooks from the 1950s and 1960s I found online, and conTom Muzyka: This story is based on versations with my parents and real events. How did you discover members of my extended family for this case, and what inspired you to details about not only the real life 32

november 2014

case, but also the Appalachian culture from the period. TM: The story shows the troubling attitudes and behaviors communities had toward homosexuality during the 1950s and onward. Do you think certain parts of the country retain this attitude? EW: Growing up in rural, north central Ohio in the 1970s and 1980s, I cannot say that I experienced a uniformly open, progressive society with regard to anyone not white, straight, Anglo-Saxon and Protestant. Whenever I visited Appalachia, however, it was as if many people were still living at least 20 years earlier than the rest of the country when it came to those issues. The situation has markedly improved there, thanks largely to television, but for far too many people the change means that they are just not quite as openly hostile to “the others” even though they still hold the same views. TM: One of the turning points in the novel is Kent’s admission into a state mental institution. The therapy he receives to “cure” his homosexuality ultimately ends up putting him on his destructive path. Have you encountered many cases of outdated and nonscientific treatment?

EW: The “mental health” aspect of the novel was one of the most surprising elements to my research. Not knowing a psychiatrist from the 1950s/1960s, I turned to old textbooks and widely published case studies. The bizarre explanations for homosexuality’s causes were difficult to untangle and present in a way that was true to the theory because they lack logic.

didn’t know the storyline, she would want to know why she was reading about the horrors of Kent’s childhood.

Her comment rang true to me and I added the prologue in the hope that the question would be how did he end up being murdered in prison rather than what is going to happen to this poor little boy. I think this apTM: The novel starts off with Kent in proach not only made people want to jail and flashes back to his adoles- know what brought him to that cence, when his sexuality first point, but also enhanced the reader’s began to emerge. Why did you de- conflicted view of both Kent the boy cide to let readers know from the and Kent the man. beginning that Kent ends up in jail for killing a child? The sense of One of my cousins read the book and tragedy is stronger when you know told me that whenever she had gone where he will end up. by the cross marking the place EW: I had originally envisioned the where our grandfather found the prologue as an epilogue. I never in- boy’s body she had thought, “What a tended to cover his prison years, but monster that man had to be.” But the unique circumstances of his when reading the book, she found death had to be included. When a herself feeling sorry for Kent both as friend read an early draft of the first a child and an adult. part of the book, she was understandably troubled by the issues dis- Grotesque, by Emanuel Wears, is available for cussed, but so much so that she $12.59 on Amazon.com. said that if she were a reader who

Wears is an Ohioan who now lives in Washington, DC.

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The LGBT Community is more likely to utilize services from businesses that advertise directly to them in their communty media. That’s where we come in! Reach Ohio’s LGBT Community through advertising in Outlook!

Call Chad Frye 614.268.8525 x4 for rates. You can email too: cfrye@outlookmedia.com.

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It’s health care renewal time. Call Robert for a quote today!

november 2014

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OHIO LGBT NIGHTLIFE ROUNDUP BARS & CLUBS Akron Adams Street 77 N Adams St Akron, Ohio 44305 330.434.9794 adamsstreetbar.com Cocktails 1009 S Main St Akron, Ohio 44311 330.376.2625 FB: Cocktails Akron Interbelt 70 N Howard St Akron, Ohio 44310 330.253.5700 interbelt.com Square Nightclub 820 W Market St Akron, Ohio 44310 330.374.9661 squarenightclub.com Tear-Ez 360 S Main St Akron, Ohio 44311 330.376.0011 tear-ez.com

Home Base Tavern 2401 Vine St Cincinnati, Ohio 45219 513.721.1212 hbtpride.com

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Old Street Saloon 13 Old St Monroe, Ohio 45050 513.539.9183 oldstreetbar.com

Twist 11633 Clifton Blvd Cleveland, Ohio 44102 216.221.2333 FB: Twist Sc

Southbend Tavern 126 E Moler St Columbus, Ohio 43207 614.444.3386 FB: SouthBendTavern

Lima

On Broadway 817 Broadway St Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 513.421.2555 FB: On Broadway Bar

Vibe 11633 Lorain Ave Cleveland, Ohio 44111 216.476.1970

The Toolbox Saloon 744 Frebis Ave Columbus, Ohio 43206 614.670.8113 FB: TheToolbox Saloon

Columbus Serpent 4042 Hamilton Ave Cincinnati, Ohio 45223 513.681.6969 serpentbar.com Shooters 927 Race St Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 513.381.9900 FB: Shooters Bar Simon Says 428 Walnut St Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 513.381.7577

AWOL 49 Parsons Ave Columbus, Ohio 43215 614.621.8779 FB: AWOL Bar Axis 775 N High St Columbus, Ohio 43215 614.291.4008 axisonhigh.com

Tremont Lounge 708 S High St Columbus, Ohio 43206 614.445.9365 FB: Tremont Lounge

Springfield

Club 20 20 E Duncan St Columbus, Ohio 43202 614.261.9111 FB: Club 20

Argos 301 Mabel St Dayton, Ohio 45403 937.252.2976

Cincinnati

Cocktails 9208 Detroit Ave Cleveland, Ohio 44102 216.961.3115 FB: Cocktails Cleveland

Club Diversity 863 S High St Columbus, Ohio 43206 614.224.4050 clubdiversity.biz

Masque 34 N Jefferson St Dayton, Ohio 45402 937.228.2582 clubmasque.com

Below Zero 1120 Walnut St Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 513.421.9376 belowzerolounge.com

The Hawk 11217 Detroit Ave Cleveland, Ohio 44102 216.521.5443 thehawkbar.com

Exile 893 N 4th St Columbus, Ohio 43201 614.299.0069 exilebar.com

MJ’s Cafe 119 E 3rd St Dayton, Ohio 45402 937.223.3259 mjscafedayton.com

The Dock 603 Pete Rose Way Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 513.241.5623 FB: The Dock Complex

Leather Stallion 2205 St Clair Ave NE Cleveland, Ohio 44114 216.589.8588 leatherstallion.com

november 2014

Dayton

Level Dining Lounge 700 N High St Columbus, Ohio 43215 614.754.7111 levelcolumbus.com

Right Corner 105 E 3rd St Dayton, Ohio 45402 937.223.7418 FB: rightcornerbar

Warren

Out & About

Funky Skunk NiteClub 143 E Market St Warren, Ohio 44481 FB: Funky Skunk NiteClub Youngstown Utopia Video Night Club 876 E Midlothian Blvd Youngstown, Ohio 44502 330.781.9000 FB: Utopia Youngstown

Sandusky

Wall Street Night Club 144 N Wall St Columbus, Ohio 43215 614.464.2800 wallstreetnightclub.com

Bounce 2814 Detroit Ave Cleveland, Ohio 44113 216.357.2997 bouncecleveland.com

Studio 704 704 4th St SW Canton, Ohio 44702 330.453.1200

Sami’s 178 Wayne St Mansfield, Ohio 44902 419.522.1500 FB: Sami’s Bar

Crowbar 206 W Market St Sandusky, Ohio 44870 419.624.0109 sanduskycrowbar.com

Cleveland

Crew 304 Cherry Ave NE Canton, Ohio 44702 330.452.2739 crewnightclub.com

Mansfield

Union Café 782 N High St Columbus, Ohio 43215 614.421.2233 columbusnightlife.com

Cavan Irish Pub 1409 S High St Columbus, Ohio 43207 614.725.5502 FB: Cavan Irish Pub

Canton

Somewhere 804 W North St Lima, Ohio 45801 419.227.7288 somewherelima.com

R-House 5534 Secor Rd Toledo, Ohio 43623 419.474.2929

Diesel Bar & Nightclub 1914 Edwards Ave Springfield, Ohio 45503 937.324.0383 FB: Diesel Bar & Nightclub Toledo Bretz 2012 Adams St Toledo, Ohio 43604 419.243.1900 FB: Bretz Nightclub Legends Showclub 117 N Erie St Toledo, Ohio 43604 567.315.8333 legendsbartoledo.com Mojo 115 N Erie St Toledo, Ohio 43604 567.315.8333 mojobartoledo.com

CINCINNATI / SOUTHWEST BATHS Club Columbus 795 W 5th Ave Columbus, Ohio 43212 614.291.0049 the-clubs.com Flex 2600 Hamilton Ave, Cleveland, Ohio 44114 216.812.3304 flexspas.com

GET LISTED! We want to make sure all Ohio LGBT bars and clubs are included in our roundup. To update or add your listing, contact Erin at 614.268.8525 or erin@outlookmedia.com. Listings are free.

Transgender Day of Remembrance events are listed on Page 20.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1 SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2 Cincinnati Tri-State Invitational Tournament @ Superbowl Erlanger, 510 Commonwealth Ave, Erlanger, Ky, 41018; cintit.org: The annual LGBT bowling tournament includes singles and doubles competition on Saturday and a team bracket on Sunday. 9:30amidnight Saturday, 10a-9p Sunday. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7 SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9 Tri-State Leather Contest Weekend @ various locations; mrtristateleather.com: The leather/fetish group for Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana hosts its annual weekend of celebrations and social events, Kink U classes, and contests for the titles of Mr. Tri-State Leather, Mr. Tri-State Rubber and Mr. Tri-State Pup. $60. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14 SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16 CNKY Film Festival @ Know Theatre, 1120 Jackson St, Cincinnati, 45202; 519.491.FILM; cnkyfilmfestival.com: Selections include Taking it for Granted, My Guys, For Francis, Out to Kill, Narcisoutlookohio.com

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sist and The 10-Year Plan. Movies are shown in blocks; see the website for groupings. 8p Friday; 1p, 4p, 6:30p and 9:30p Saturday; 2p, 5p and 7p Sunday; $10. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22 Muse Cincinnati Women’s Choir Fall Concert @ Memorial Hall, 1225 Elm St, Cincinnati, 45202; 513.221.1118; musechoir.org: The women’s choir joins with the Cincinnati Collaborative Ringing Project for a fall concert called Unresolved, which includes messages about modern injustices, war and slavery. 2p and 7p; $13.50-$16.50. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28 Yes Ma’am! A Musical Cabaret @ Below Zero Lounge, 1120 Walnut St, Cincinnati, 45402; 513.421.9376; belowzerolounge.com: New York’s Schwa de Vivre stars in a show to benefit Caracole, Cincinnati’s HIV/AIDS services provider. 8p; $20.

216.368.5428; case.edu/lgbt: The Orange Is the New Black star, Emmy Award nominee and transgender advocate continues her tour of college campuses. Free tickets for this and a Nov 5 appearance at Kent State University already are sold out, but Case Western will live-stream her talk at the university’s Ford Auditorium. 7p. AIDS Task Force of Greater Cleveland Open House @ new offices, medical clinic and pharmacy, 2829 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, 44115; 216.621.0766; aidstaskforce.org: Toast the future of the AIDS Task Force and get a tour of its new digs, which include a medical center and pharmacy. 6p-8p. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14 Stigma Is a Drag @ the Jolly Scholar, Case Western Reserve University Thwing Center, 11111 Euclid Av, Cleveland, 44106; 216.368.5428; FB: QGrad: This second-annual drag show benefits the National Alliance on Mental Illness. 9p; $5. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15 Bourbon Street Ball @ Ohio City Masonic Temple, 2831 Franklin Blvd, Cleveland, 44113; 216.651.5428; bourbonstreetball.com: The annual party hosted by the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland has a Studio 54 theme this year. The guest performer is dance diva Robin S. 8p; $25-$100. TS Madison @ Interbelt, 70 N Howard St, Akron, 44310; 330.253.5700; interbelt.com: The transgender performer and singer will be in Akron to perform her Top 40 hip-hop hit, “That Girl.” Time and ticket info TBA.

CLEVELAND / NORTHEAST

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2 Momentum @ Gordon Square Arcade, 6516 Detroit Ave, Cleveland, 44102; 216.651.5428; lgbtcleveland.org: People who volunteered and participated in the 9th Gay Games will gather one more time to share their memories of Northeast Ohio’s big week and share their ideas of how to keep the spirit of the games alive in the LGBT community. 6p-9p. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6 Laverne Cox: Ain’t I A Woman: My Journey to Womanhood @ Case Western Reserve University Tinkham Veale Center, 11038 Bellflower Rd, Cleveland, 44106; outlookohio.com

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21 Women’s Happy Hour @ Lovellee’s, 4462 Dennison Ave, Cleveland, 44109; 440.342.3098; thewh2.com: The monthly social event for women this month includes a pre-Thanksgiving food drive. 5p-9p. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22 Rock n Roll City Sisters Holiday Turkey Drive @ Cocktails Cleveland 9208 Detroit Ave, Cleveland, 44102; rocknrollcitysisters.org: The activist drag nuns host a fundraiser for the AIDS Task Force of Greater Cleveland. It’s $10 to buy a turkey, which you can donate online through the event’s Facebook page. 9p.

DAYTON / WEST

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1 LGBTQA+ Night In @ Yellow Springs High COLUMBUS / CENTRAL School, 420 E Enon Rd, Yellow Springs, 45387; FB: YSHS Gay Straight Alliance: The Yellow SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1 Springs High School GSA is hosting a get-acCode Jock @ AWOL, 49 Parsons Ave, Columquainted gathering for high school students bus, 43215; 614.621.8779; FB: AWOL Bar: from all over the area. There will be pizza and Your friendly Olde Towne East gay bar starts dessert, activities and break-out sessions on a brand-new fetish party. 11p. topics such as bullying, body image, relationships and more. 6p-9p. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1 SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2 SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8 Transgender Safety Summit @ Columbus The Fagbug @ Harmony Creek Church, 5280 Public Health, 240 Parsons Ave, Columbus, Bigger Rd, Kettering, 45440; 937.434.3941; 43215; 614.645.1493; columbus.gov/pubharmonycreekchurch.org: In 2009, Erin Davies lichealth: Columbus Public Health, BRAVO, of Albany, NY, found the word fag sprayTransOhio and others host a free two-day painted on her Volkswagen, presumably besummit whose seminars include Knowing cause of the rainbow sticker she had placed Your Rights, Self-Defense and Hooking Up & on it. She’s bringing her now-rainbow encased Hanging Out. 10a-5:30p. car to Ohio, where she’ll talk about her experiences and be part of a screening of her docuMONDAY, NOVEMBER 3 mentary of the same name. 6p; $5. The Lion Sings Tonight: Broadway Cares Benefit @ Garden Theater, 1187 N High St, Columbus, 43201; 614.340.6777; arcohio.org: Cast and crew from The Lion King, on stage through Nov 9 at the Ohio Theatre, perform a benefit where all proceeds go to AIDS Resource Center Ohio and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. 6:30p cocktails, 7:30p performance; $20-$50. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8 Ohio GSA Summit @ OSU Multicultural Center, Ohio Union, 1739 N High St, Columbus, 43210; 614.294.5437; kycohio.org: The free seminars are designed to help students and advisers from gay-straight alliances across the state. Sessions include GSA Basics and Avoiding Adultism. 9a-2p. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15 Sharon Needles and Amanda Lepore @ Axis, 775 N High St, Columbus, 43215; 614.291.4008; axisonhigh.com: The RuPaul’s Drag Race winner and the trans model/singer will perform together the hit single, “I Wish I Were Amanda Lepore.” Nina West hosts. 10p; $10-$100.

TOLEDO / NORTHWEST

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16 Anything Goes @ the Valentine Theatre, 410 Adams St, Toledo, 43604; 419.242.ARTS (2787); valentinetheatre.com: Cole Porter’s 1934 classic includes the songs “I Get a Kick Out of You,” “Anything Goes” and the getyour-mind-out-of-the-gutter “You’re the Top.” 7p; $48-$68.

We’ve compiled a complete LGBT events calendar for every part of Ohio at outlookohio.com.

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savage love

by Dan Savage

I’m a 20-something married trans guy in an openish marriage. In the online hunt for a guy to have some aboveboard, under-the-sheets fun with, I run into snags because I’m trans (I disclose on my profile) and because I’m married.

the same assumption doesn’t apply in the case of a married gay man. If someone at one of the events you’re attending is interested in you, he’s likely to flirt with you first and make polite inquiries about your marriage (monogamous? monogamish? open? poly?) second.

I’m baby-stepping my way toward an offline search for Your trans disclosure is likelier to be the bigger deal and a far bigger obstacle for most gay men - than your guys, going to events hosted by the local gay pride wedding ring. Good luck. center. I’ve been thinking of not wearing my wedding ring at these meet-ups, as I worry it says I’m taken and Now that fecal transplants are all the rage for coroff-limits. recting gut microflora imbalances, when are we Would it be dishonest for me to present as unmarried going to hear about the healing benefits of sharing anal toys? as long as I make it clear that I’m not looking for romance? - Sharing Is Caring, Kids - Totally On-Limits Dude The poop being used to treat microflora imbalances is My response is likely to wind up on anti-gay websites, “strained, centrifuged and frozen,” according to a reTOLD, so let me preface it with this: We only started port in The New York Times. This medicinal-grade poop hearing that monogamy wasn’t just the cultural expecta- now comes in pill form, and researchers predict that tion/default setting for married couples but a crucial, es- these shit pills - administered orally - could save the sential, definitional element of marriage when same-sex lives of 14,000 Americans every year. (I call on President couples began to press for marriage rights. Obama to appoint a microflora imbalance czar.)

Married heterosexual swingers were fucking around (and recruiting other married heterosexuals into their “lifestyle,” a term swingers embrace!) decades before the marriage-equality movement got off the ground. And religious conservatives, while not fans of swinging, never argued that non-monogamous heterosexual couples weren’t really married or that they should be barred from marrying.

Since the poop in your butt hasn’t been strained, centrifuged and frozen - you would have to be the Felix Unger of scat fetishists to go to that kind of trouble - sharing anal toys is unlikely to provide the same health benefits to your partners. So the advice around plugs and other ass toys remains the same: No sharing during play, abort if santorum is present, wash toys with hot water and soap before reuse.

So it seems that monogamy - like children and religion only defines marriage when same-sex couples want to marry.

However, we may need to revise the insult “eat shit and die” in light of this new lifesaving/shit-eating treatment. But telling someone to “eat shit and balance your miAnyway, TOLD, you don’t have to be married to be monog- croflora!” doesn’t have the same punch. amous or monogamous to be married - and many gay male couples, married or not, aren’t monogamous. So go Savage Love appears every month in Outlook and every week at outlookohio.com. You can email Dan Savage at mail@savagelove.net, folahead and wear your wedding ring. low him on Twitter at @fakedansavage or listen to his weekly podcast, Savage Lovecast, every Tuesday at thestranger.com/savage.

While a wedding ring on a straight married man (or woman) will be assumed to mean “taken and off-limits,” november 2014

I think I’ll just leave my microflora imbalanced, thank you.

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the divine life by Debé

Scorpio (October 23 - November 21) The full moon in Taurus on the 6th has you feeing even sexier than usual, so tête-à-têtes from the 4th through the 8th are intense. Your social calendar is full, and work opportunities abound, but some offers might be too good to be true. Don’t let your emotions rule your decisions. Choose carefully. Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21) Harmony and balance are not easy for you, but finding both needs to be at the top of your to-do list. Even you can’t be everywhere at once. Focus on the present or you’ll find yourself missing deadlines, and that won’t do at all.

Gemini (May 21 - June 20) Your love life is like a roller coaster, but do you really want to ride that ride? If he or she looks too good to be true, he or she probably is. That hottie might be offering a side dish of third-degree burns. Better keep the aloe handy. Cancer (June 21 - July 22) This could be a spectacular month for you - the best all year. In fact, it could be life-changing. Put your energy into your heart’s desire. Don’t waste wishes on the small stuff. Think big, baby! Congratulations in advance.

Capricorn (December 22 - January 19) It’s time to look up from your desk or smart phone and notice the people around you. Listen Leo - but don’t eavesdrop - and learn. Join up or sign (July 23 - August 22) up; you’ll get more accomplished by being inAre you ready to get your purr on? This month is volved. You’re cute when you’re a joiner. all about pleasure, you lucky kitty. You are too charming for your own good, but you start getAquarius ting restless toward month’s end. Don’t make (January 20 - February 18) promises you don’t intend to keep. Like the song in West Side Story, “Just play it cool boy, real coooool.” Sit back and observe Virgo this month. Don’t make any big decisions or ob(August 23 - September 22) sess over small stuff. That way, if it hits the fan, Big changes have you feeling on edge, espeyou won’t get spattered. cially in relationships. Take a deep breath and face your fears. Trust me, the bogeyman’s a Pisces wimp; you can do this. Be fierce and fabulous, (February 19 - March 20) and you’ll emerge victorious. Things aren’t happening as fast as you’d like, so why not stick your nose into other people’s busiLibra ness? You’ll have fun interfering, and it’ll take (September 23 - October 22) your mind off your own troubles. Plus, you might You’re a hot commodity at work these days, but do some good. don’t let it go to your head. People may be envious; watch your back. If you’re in the market Aries there’s a possible new lover on the way. If not, a (March 21 - April 19) little window-shopping never hurt. Your energy level is high this month, but instead of indulging yourself use that mojo to help othSexy Scorpios: RuPaul, Jodie Foster, BD ers instead. Yes, put others first for a change. I Wong, KD Lang promise it won’t kill you, and those empathy muscles need some stretching. Handy Tip - Saturn Star A star or asterisk Taurus under the middle (April 20 - May 20) (Saturn) finger is a This is a month to finish things that you’ve wealth generator. started instead of getting into something - or Often called the someone - new. You could get a good surprise Midas touch for othfrom a lover, but a nasty surprise from a friend. ers, you bring sucIt could be a bi-polar kind of month. Cheers. cess to those around you. outlookohio.com

We are grateful for our readers! Have a great Thanksgiving.

november 2014

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outlook’s blog squad Every month in print and every Monday online, we ask Outlook readers to do our work for us as members of our blog squad.

If you want to share your rants, raves or observations, join the Squad! Contact Erin McCalla: 614.268.8525 x2

Myles Bell, Enroll America

5 Things You Should Know About Obamacare 5. Open Enrollment is Nov 15, 2014 - Feb 15, 2015. 4. Financial help is available to make plans affordable. 3. In-person assistance is available to help you understand your options. 2. Every plan covers health essentials, including free preventive care. 1. There are new benefits and protections for LGBT people.

Nov 3 Topic: Open Enrollment Is Coming... Get Ready to Get Covered

Natalie Naumann, Chairwoman of Alpha Omega Top 5 Inspirational Transgender Leaders: 5. Kristin Beck 4. Laverne Cox 3. Nicole Maines 2. Dr. Norman Spack 1. Jacob Nash

Nov 17 Topic: All Dressed Up and Somewhere to Go

november 2014

Politics Makes Strange Bedfellows Across

1 Matthew Warchus film about strange bedfellows 6 Weeps with abandon 10 Org. of guys who are knock-outs? 13 ___ Eclipse 14 Goal for Sheryl Swoopes 15 Like a pale face 16 “It’s the end of ___” 17 She’s cock-eyed in South Pacific 19 Protest in 1-Across 21 Snatch 22 Bentley of American Beauty 23 Circle segment 26 Ed Wood role 29 Bit of hope 32 Composer Ned 35 Tongue, to a French teacher 38 Actress in 1-Across 40 Like a masochist’s partner 41 New Orleans footballer 42 Rocker Brian 43 Classic soft drink 45 Duvall played her in Popeye 46 Vintage wheels 48 Way across the Pacific

51 Unlikely bedfellows in 1-Across 57 Jolie of The Bone Collector 58 Big wheels at sea 61 Winter product prefix, in ads 62 Famous cookie maker 63 Shoot off some hot stuff 64 Ship, to seamen 65 Where Boy Scouts sleep together 66 Actor Bill of 1-Across

beach 23 Leave your lover in bed 24 Caesar or Antony 25 Belief summary 27 De Wolfe of design 28 Gate fastener 29 One to ten, e.g. 30 The ___ and the Ecstasy 31 Streisand’s cross-dressing movie 33 Biblical Samuel’s mentor 34 OR workers 36 Director Van Sant Down 37 Acapulco article 1 Mom-and-pop org. 39 When perdition 2 Wood of the Stones freezes over 44 “That’s ___ quit!” 3 Bit from Ted 46 Charlotte of Facts of Casablanca 4 Spacey in Beyond the Life 47 Big splash Sea 5 Writer Dykewomon 49 Washed-out 50 SNL’s Cheri 6 Restaurateur Toots 51 Slang for vagina 7 Basketball to Eliza 52 Hathaway of BrokeDoolittle? back Mountain 8 Zimbabwe neighbor 53 “Son of Frankenstein” 9 Catty quality character 10 V-J Day ended it 54 Privy to 11 Catch some rays at 55 Bottomless South Beach 56 Bad penny 12 Fork over, with “up” 18 Mr. Williams, as Doubt- 59 Speed limit letters 60 Place for porking? fire 20 Come out on the

Strange bedfellows is what Chad calls his Tuesday nights with Morrie.

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november 2014

xxx

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