2015-03-01 Outlook Magazine

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The Voice of Ohio’s LGBT and Ally Community

BRUCE JENNER: THE PITFALLS OF TRANSGENDER CELEBRITY Financial Advice:

START YOUR OWN BUSINESS

LGBT MONEY WHAT ARE YOUR DOLLARS SUPPORTING?

EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN: TILLIE’S OPENS IN CINCINNATI

Outlook Exclusive Interview

MELISSA ETHERIDGE

MARRIAGE PLAYS IN CLEVELAND S TIFFLER & COPELAND COLUMBUS LESBIAN CARTOONISTS march 2015

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vol 19 • #10

the lgbt business issue 8

you are here

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qmunity briefs

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14 16 19 20 25 27 28 30 32 34

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snapshot

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small pond: Tillie’s Cincinnati feature: financing your own biz

feature: follow the money feature: LGBT buying power

transition point analysis insightout

deep inside hollywood interview: melissa etheridge creative class: standing on ceremony bookmark: lesbian comics out & about

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lgbt bar roundup

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the divine life

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couple of guys

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savage love

blogoqueer

puzzling

next month:

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Sports & Fashion march 2015

you are here

If Your Gonna Love, Love Big Marriage Equality is heading to the US Supreme Court in April, and it looks like (fingers crossed) Ohio will be the state that brings gay marriage to the rest of the country. The decision will come down in June, and if we win, it’s going to be one hell of a Pride.

pect close to 100 vendors. We’ve added a Brides and Grooms fashion show, a singles bar with speed-dating, door prizes every 20 minutes, and Hellin Bedd! Specialty cocktails and brunch are available, as well as the chance to double your wedding budget at the casino . And because this event is at the But even if we get marriage equality, it does- casino, it is 21 and over only. n’t mean our work is done yet. We have a lot left to do here in the Buckeye State. Did you The Hilton Garden Inn Beavercreek/Dayton know we still can be fired for being gay? If will host Love Big on April 26 in Dayton. We you run out and get legally married and your are very excited that the Rubi Girls will be on employers don’t approve, they could fire you hand to do a few numbers and participate in the next day. our fashion show there. This all-ages event features prizes, cocktails, speed dating and We still can’t adopt kids equally as a couple, brunch, too. which can cause major custody problems when we get divorced or a spouse dies. If you Other Love Big Expos are being planned for aren’t a legal parent, who gets of the kids?

Cincinnati in May, Cleveland in July and Do you know you could be shut out of your Toledo in August. kids’ lives altogether?

All Love Big Expos are free to attend and run And the list goes on…

11a-3p on a Sunday. For more info or to sign up as a sponsor/vendor, check out our webWhile getting marriage equality under our site at lovebigweddingexpo.com. You can belt will definitely make our legislative bat- also call me at 614.268.8525 x1. tles easier to win, make no mistake, none of them will be easy. Our issues will take a lot To complement these events, we are also of time, money and political capital to even very excited to be rolling out our first get on the floor of either the Ohio House or statewide LGBT Wedding Guide in June. The Senate. And getting a vote will be next to im- Love Big LGBT Wedding Guide is an guidepossible with the Republicans controlling the book of equality-minded vendors excited to assembly 2-to-1. plan and execute your special day. Plus there are tips, advice and checklists from experts But just because we have a lot of work yet to help make your celebration perfect. ahead of us, that does not mean we shouldn’t celebrate our marriage victory The magazine will be a full-color, perfect should we get it. I hope on that day our com- bound, free publication with premium paper munity can come together as one and cele- and cover stock organized by vendors and brate our love liberation. cities. It will be distributed wherever you find Outlook, as well as at wedding vendors Until that glorious day, near or far, we at Out- across the state. Please call me if you are inlook are helping LGBT couples celebrate their terested in participating or find more info at love with our Love Big LGBT Wedding Expos lovebigweddingexpo.com. and Magazine. The expos take out the guesswork of which vendors are equality-minded Congratulations to all those couples out and allow LGBT couples to focus on whether there who are taking the plunge. We hope to their colors are pink and pink or blush and see you at one of our events. Please bring bashful, instead of worrying about which your single friends, too. We have a bar and florist is supportive of our issues. speed-dating event just for them, which, very likely, I’ll be participating in, too.

We produced our first event last year in Columbus, and this year we are adding four Loving you all big time, more expos across the state.

Christopher Hayes Our first event is at Hollywood Casino Colum- Publisher bus on March 22. Bigger and better, we ex-

PUBLISHER Christopher Hayes

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHERS Bob Vitale / Chad Frye

HEADQUARTERS Outlook Media, Inc. 815 N High St, Ste G, Columbus, OH 43215 614.268.8525 phone / 614.261.8200 fax SALES Chad Frye / cfrye@outlookmedia.com NATIONAL ADVERTISING Rivendell Media - 212.242.6863 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Bob Vitale / bvitale@outlookmedia.com MANAGING EDITOR Erin McCalla / erin@outlookmedia.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Bryan Cole, Rick Cornett, Luke Darby, Debé, Chad Frye, Chris Hayes, Evan Jeshka, Erin McCalla, Eric Resnick, Romeo San Vicente, Dan Savage, Regina Sewell, Olga Starr, Brynn Tannehill, Bob Vitale.

ART DIRECTOR Christopher Hayes / art@outlookmedia.com

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Erin McCalla, Chris Hayes, Neil S Koplitz, The Boobie Trap CYBERSPACE outlookohio.com outlookmedia.com networkcolumbus.com twitter / fb: 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 42

Only 97 days till Ohio’s first Pride. Reserve your pride advertisng today! Call Chad at 614.268.8525 x4.

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Network Columbus @ Arch City Tavern on February 11

Holiday With a Heart @ The Toledo Club on December 7

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Toledo’s Boobie Trap Soft Opening on February 4

Send your event photos to art@outlookmedia.com.

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Cincinnati Police Newsletter Faces Criticism Post commentary by Brynn Tannehill, who is also an Outlook writer and columnist.

“Homes that deny transgender identities result in a suicide-attempt rate that’s 14 times higher than in homes where such identities are accepted,” Tannehill wrote. “If you belong to a religion that denies transgender identities and put money in the collection plate or pay your 10 percent tithe, you are bankrolling the slaughter of innocents. You can claim you love LGBT people all day, but as long as you’re footing the bill for propaganda that’s literally killing children, you are an accessory.”

A Cincinnati police officer who serves as the department’s LGBT liaison received public criticism but no formal reprimand from her bosses for an internal newsletter criticizing religious intolerance.

Mayor John Cranley told The Cincinnati Enquirer that officer Angela Vance’s newsletter was “inappropriate,” and Police Chief Jeffrey Blackwell told WCPO-TV that it “probably crossed the line.”

Blackwell said three officers complained about the quote.

Others in Cincinnati spoke up for Vance and criticized city officials for not doing the same.

JAC Stringer, who founded the Heartland Trans* Wellness Group, said Vance was doing the job she was asked to do.

“Rather than discipline Vance for starting the conversation, we must urge the city to conBut Blackwell told Cincinnati media that tinue it,” Stringer wrote in a letter to The Vance is an excellent officer who continues to Cincinnati Enquirer. “We must call for diahave his support. Cincinnati created the LGBT logue, education and acceptance among poliaison post last year. lice officers and city workers. City Hall and Cincinnati Police must work with LGBTQ peoIn a newsletter Vance sent to fellow officers ple to combat oppression. Vance is doing her after the December suicide of 17-year-old part to create change. It is time for city offiLeelah Alcorn in suburban Kings Mills, the cials to follow suit.”

23-year police veteran quoted a Huffington

Around the State

CLEVELAND: Team CLE, the umbrella group for local gay sports teams and leagues, is planning a Pride Night outing to a Cleveland Cavaliers game on Sunday, April 5. Look them up on Facebook for details.

COLUMBUS: Festival vendor registration, parade registration and volunteer registration materials for Columbus Pride will be online at columbuspride.org by March 15, according to Stonewall Columbus. Pride is June 19-21 this year.

DAYTON: The Greater Dayton LGBT Center is offering 2015 memberships for indi10

march 2015

The Month in Marriage

Alabama: Opponents won’t give up. Although the US Supreme Court refused to delay the advent of marriage equality on Feb 10, Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore told probate judges not to issue licenses. By Feb 13, only half the state’s counties were allowing same-sex couples to wed.

Arkansas: The 8th Circuit US Court of Appeals has said it will hear arguments on the state’s marriage ban in May. A federal district judge ruled the ban unconstitutional in November.

North Carolina: One current and one former magistrate are suing the state’s court administrator, claiming that their job duty to preside over same-sex weddings violates their religious freedom.

Idaho: The state’s Bureau of Vital Records invalidated six marriage licenses that were issued to same-sex couples on Oct 10, the day the US Supreme Court denied appeals from five states. A federal appeals court didn’t lift its stay until Oct 15.

DAYTON: Applications are now available for four scholarships offered by PFLAG Dayton and the Greater Dayton LGBT Center.

Three of the awards are worth $2,000, and one is worth $1,000. Click the “Youth Programs” tab at pflagdayton.org for details and an application. The deadline is April 15.

Missouri: A statewide marriage ban observed everywhere but the counties that include St. Louis and Kansas City will go before the 8th Circuit US Court of Appeals in May. South Dakota: The state’s marriage ban, overturned in a decision that was put on hold pending appeal, will go before the 8th Circuit US Court of Appeals in May. Congress: US House Republicans spent more than $3 million in taxpayer money to defend the Defense of Marriage Act before the US Supreme Court in 2013, but Speaker John Boehner said they’ll sit out April’s hearings.

White House: President Obama’s federal budget proposal for fiscal 2016 would fix a glitch in federal recognition of samesex marriages. Right now, Social Security benefits are based on where couples live, not where they were married; Obama wants to change that.

Indiana: Niki Quasney, 38, who filed suit in 2013 with her wife, Amy Sandler, to have their out-of-state marriage recognized in In- Italy: The nation’s highest appeals court diana, died of ovarian cancer Feb 5. A fed- ruled Feb 10 that Italy’s constitution doesn’t eral appeals court ruled in favor of full require marriage equality. marriage equality in 2014.

Slovakia: Voters overwhelmingly approved referenda on Feb 7 to ban marriage Michigan: Gov. Rick Snyder said the state will recognize more than 300 marand adoption for same-sex couples, but so riages performed on March 22, 2014, after a few cast ballots that the results are not federal court ruling for marriage equality legally binding.

Wrong Side of History

viduals ($30), students and seniors ($15), businesses ($100) and nonprofits ($50).

Besides helping the community, perks include: 10 percent off at Salar and Flying Pizza, free entry at MJ’s, a popcorn upgrade at the Neon, and $1 off your first drink at the Right Corner. Visit daytonlgbtcenter.org.

and before an appeals court put the ruling on hold.

Right Side of History

“As applied ... to individuals domiciled in “The change in people’s attitudes on a state or in any other territory or pos[marriage equality] has been enormous. session of the United States, the term In recent years, people have said, ‘This marriage shall not include any relationis the way I am.’ And others looked ship which that state, territory or posses- around, and we discovered it’s our nextsion does not recognize as a marriage, door neighbor - we’re very fond of them. and the term spouse shall not include an Or it’s our child’s best friend, or even individual who is a party to a relationship our child. I think that as more and more that is not recognized as a marriage by people came out and said that ‘this is that state, territory or possession.” who I am,’ the rest of us recognized that they are one of us.”

- State Defense of Marriage Act, introduced in the US House and Senate. Spon- Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader sors include Republican Reps Bill Ginsburg, Feb 11 interview with Johnson, Jim Jordan and Bob Latta of Bloomberg.

Ohio.

Get ‘em Officer Vance, get ‘em!

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Give Them a Toaster

Joel Grey, a native of Cleveland who starred on stage and screen in Cabaret, came out publicly for the first time in a late January interview with People magazine.

Odin Biron, an American actor whose costar on a Russian sitcom once called for gay people to be burned alive, came out in a Feb 9 interview with New York magazine’s Vulture website.

“I don’t like labels, but if you have to put a label on it, I’m a gay man,” he said.

Biron, 30, plays Phil, an American doctor with two gay dads, on Interns, a comedy that has been called a Russian Scrubs.

Grey, 82, has been out for years to his friends and family.

“I feel very happy for my dad that he has come to a point in his life where he feels safe and comfortable enough to declare himself in a public way as a gay man,” daughter Jennifer Grey told People.

His anti-gay costar, Ivan Okhlobystin, tweeted after the Vulture interview was published that he was “cursing fate” after “learning that [my] friend Odin is a sodomite.”

Man Kills Gender-Fluid Child in Akron Golec’s father, Kevin, was charged with the murder. Akron police said gender identity wasn’t a motivation for the killing, but BRAVO, the Buckeye Region Anti-Violence Organization, called the crime hate-motivated.

Advocacy groups said a 22-yearold killed in Akron on Feb 13 identified as a transgender woman, but friends said Bri Golec began identifying again as Brian within the last year.

BRAVO and TransOhio identified Golec as Bri and said the killing was the sixth of a transgender woman in the United States in the first seven weeks of 2015.

Jacob Nash, who facilitates the Akron-based support group,

TransAlive, said Golec had recently begun attending meetings again.

The Plain Dealer of Cleveland reported that Golec and Kevin Golec had argued about the father’s alleged drug use before the killing.

The newspaper and other Northeast Ohio media identified Golec as Brian, and friends called him Brian as well. They said he was gender-fluid, though, and did once identify himself as Bri.

Save the Date

GLSEN Cincinnati Prom & Safe Space Soiree glsen.org/chapters/ci ncinnati April 15, Cincinnati

COMIC: Central Ohio Midwestern Invitation Classic Bowling Tournament comicbowlingtournament.com Ohio PFLAG State April 24-26, Columbus Conference pflagdayton.org 7th TransOhio April 18, Dayton Trans and Ally Symposium transohio.org 2015 AIDS Walk May 29-31, Columbus Central Ohio aidswalkohio.com April 18, Columbus HRC Columbus Gala hrc.org/columbus 2015 AIDS Walk June 6, Columbus Greater Toledo aidswalkohio.com April 18, Toledo Youngstown Pride prideyoungstown.org June 12-13, Youngstown 2015 AIDS Walk Greater Dayton aidswalkohio.com Pittsburgh Pride April 19, Dayton prideyoungstown.org June 12-13, Youngstown Caracole’s 5K for AIDS Dayton Pride caracole.org prideyoungstown.org April 19, Cincinnati June 12-13, Youngstown CLAW 15 clawinfo.org April 23-26, Cleveland

Columbus Pride columbuspride.org June 19-20, Columbus

Lake Erie Classic Volleyball Tournament lakeerieclassic.com April 24-26, Cleveland

Gay Day @ Cedar Point FB: Gay Day at Cedar Point June 21, Sandusky

Leather Plaza Planned in San Francisco A leather-themed public plaza would be built on the roadway outside the Eagle bar in San Francisco’s South of Market neighborhood under a proposal backed by the developer of a new mixed-use housing and retail development.

According to The Bay Area Reporter, the neighborhood has been home to a number of gay bars and nightclubs since the 1950s, many catering to the leather scene. outlookohio.com

The city has designated part of SOMA, as the neighborhood is called, as an LGBTQ cultural heritage district, and backers of what is being called the Eagle Plaza contend it could serve as a focal point and main gathering spot for the LGBTQ district.

Plans include the use of the leather flag’s red, blue and black colors.

That is going to be one man-smelling plaza.

Cincinnati Pride cincinnatipride.org June 27, Cincinnati Cleveland Pride clevelandpride.org June 27, Cleveland Yellow Springs Pride FB: Yellow Springs Pride June 27, Yellow Springs 2015 Gay Softball World Series gsws2015.org Aug 17-22, Columbus Toledo Pride toledopride.org August - TBA Findlay Pride Picnic FB: Findlay Spectrum August - TBA Pride Night @ Kings Island cincyglbt.com/pridenight Sept 11, Cincinnati Ohio Lesbian Fest ohiolba.org Sept 18-20, Pataskala

The Top 5 LGBT Issues for 2015 from colorlines.com

1. Safety and Violence 2. Marriage Equality 3. LGBT Youth Homelessness 4. “Quality of Life” Laws 5. Conversion Therapy march 2015

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Oregon’s Brown Is Nation’s First Bi Governor

Openly Gay Candidates Seek Local Offices

five terms as a state representative and then senator. She came out in the Portland Oregonian early in her political career and later told outhistory.org about her coming out to family and friends.

Her parents told her, “It would be much easier for us if you were a lesbian.”

She said her friends called her “halfqueer.”

“Some days I feel like I have a foot in both worlds, yet never really belonging to either,” she said.

The new governor of Oregon is the first openly bisexual state leader in US history.

Kate Brown, a Democrat who was elected as Oregon’s secretary of state in 2008, became governor on Feb 18 after the resignation of scandalplagued Gov. John Kitzhaber.

She’ll have to run in 2016 finish the last two years of Kitzhaber’s term.

Brown, 54, was appointed to the Oregon House in 1991 and was elected to

Brown lives in Portland with her husband, Dan Little. She has two stepchildren.

“Ten or 20 years ago, [her bisexuality] might have been a major point of contention, or perhaps even a scandal of its own,” The Christian Science Monitor wrote. “But rapid advances in gay rights, including same-sex marriage, shifting public attitudes (especially among younger Americans), plus the growing number of openly gay and lesbian elected and appointed officials prompts a ‘no big deal’ attitude among most Oregonians.”

Holiday With Heart Distributes Funds mprove the lives of LGBT people in the region through donations to charities that provide direct assistance to the LGBT community of Greater Toledo.

The Holiday With Heart board met in early February to determine how the proceeds of the 2014 event would be divided between the three designated charities.

Holiday With Heart, a Toledo tradition for 37 years, raised about $17,000 at its December fundraising event for LGBT community efforts in Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan.

The Holiday With Heart Charity Gayla is a non-profit organization whose members volunteer their time.

The goal of the annual event is to 12

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The board approved Toledo MPowerment, a social and educational group for young gay and bi men, to receive a $3,000 grant.

Why Marriage Matters Ohio also will get $3,000.

The Holiday With Heart Fund at the Toledo Community Foundation will receive $11,000.

Columbus: Shannon Hardin, a Democrat who was appointed to the City Council last fall, will run to complete the final two years of a vacant term. Mary Jo Youngstown: Anita Davis, a Hudson, who was the first retired police officer and openly gay council member in founder of Youngstown Columbus, is running to keep Pride, is running in the May her spot on the Columbus primary for City Council.

Board of Education.

Several openly gay candidates filed papers in February to run for elected office this year in communities across Ohio:

Maple Heights: Richard Trojanski, who was first elected to the City Council in 2009, is running this year to be the council president.

Toledo Gets New Nightspot: The Boobie Trap

Less than a year after Outskirts closed its doors, there’s a new bar in West Toledo for the LGBT community.

5082 Douglas Rd.

The bar has a cozy but industrial feel. There’s Owner Kelly Galacek opened a martini the Boobie Trap on Feb 5 at menu, pool

table, food and parking.

Galacek plans to have a DJ on weekends.

The Boobie Trap will be open 7p-midnight on weekdays and 7p12:30a on weekends.

AIDS Walks Set in Columbus, Toledo, Dayton, Cincinnati Network’s Chopped, will be the honorary chair of AIDS Walk The Columbus event, which ARC Ohio.

Ohio hopes will raise $300,000 through pledges and registra- You can register for any of the tions, will include a 5-kilometer walks at aidswalkohio.com. run and 1-mile and 5-kilometer For the first time, AIDS Resource walks. About 2,000 people are In addition, the HIV/AIDS services agency for Southeast Ohio Center Ohio is staging the an- expected. will be hosting its annual 5K for nual fundraising walks in its three major cities on one week- Dayton’s event includes the run AIDS on Sunday, April 19 at the Spring Grove Cemetery and Arand walks and also a 16-mile end: bike ride. The goal is 500 partic- boretum in Cincinnati. ipants and $115,000 raised.

• AIDS Walk Central Ohio will Visit caracole.org/5k-for-aids to take place on Saturday, April 18 The Toledo fundraiser’s goal is to register or find volunteer opporstarting at 9a at McFerson tunities.

Commons in the Arena District. raise $70,000.

Organizers hope April AIDS walks in Columbus, Toledo and Dayton will raise nearly $500,000 for HIV treatment, testing and education around the state.

of Dayton’s River Campus.

• AIDS Walk Greater Toledo also Ted Allen, the will take place on Saturday, April former Queer 18 at 9a at International Park. Eye for the Straight Guy • AIDS Walk Greater Dayton will food expert take place on Sunday, April 19 and current starting at 10a at the University host of Food

Join Team Outlook for the AIDS Walks!

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Join Outlook at all these great events!

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FREEDOM TO MARRY FOUNDER:

THE FIGHT’S NOT OVER YET

by Eric Resnick

Freedom to Marry founder and President Evan Wolfson has advice for Ohioans convinced our state is about to switch into the marriage-equality column.

“It’s not over until it’s over,” said the man behind the state-by-state strategy that has helped bring marriage equality to 37 states.

The US Supreme Court will hear arguments in a case that could bring it to the rest, including Ohio, in April.

“Don’t let inevitability and expectation become an excuse not to do the work.”

Wolfson will speak at the Cleveland City Club on March 6, a month before the Supreme Court revisits the issue of marriage equality and three months before it issues a decision.

He last spoke at the City Club in June 2004, four months after then-Gov. Bob Taft signed legislation banning same-sex marriage in Ohio and a month after Issue 1, the state constitutional amendment restricting marriage, was certified for that fall’s ballot.

The Cleveland City Club is a renowned forum of speech, debate and diverse ideas, yet Wolfson was only its second openly gay speaker. Lambda Legal Defense Director Kevin Cathcart had appeared there nine months earlier.

“We have come a long way since I was last at the City Club,” said Wolfson, who in 2000 ar-

gued before the Supreme Court on behalf of James Dale, a gay scoutmaster who challenged the Boy Scouts of America’s exclusion of openly gay men.

“But the work we do making the case in the court of public opinion is as important as the advocates’ work in the court of law,” he said.

“Civil rights is not a spectator sport. People should not sit back and wait for the Supreme Court to wave the magic wand.”

Wolfson said he’s encouraged by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg’s comments that the United States is ready to accept same-sex marriage.

“The court follows public groundswell, and that has been our strategy all along, and now we have several months to maximize our chances of winning.”

Until justices rule, he said, “the way we have been winning is the way we need to keep winning.” He said Freedom to Marry and allies will recruit friends of the court, elevating the cases of the plaintiffs and working with the lawyers who will make the arguments.

“I want to focus on finishing the job,” Wolfson said. “Denial of the right to marry is real harm, and Ohioans have an important opportunity to tell those stories and enlist support.

It’s that critical mass of support for marriage that gets the Supreme Court to rule for us.”

“If I thought we were all done, there would be no reason for me to come to the City Club.”

Evan Wolfson to argue the same empty distractions they have employed in more than 60 court losses over the last 1½ years.

After marriage equality is achieved, he said, Freedom to Marry will close down in “a smart and strategic way” after everything is documented and archived. It will transfer assets to the LGBT movement.

Eric Resnick has reported on LGBT affairs since 1997.

Evan Wolfson

@ The City Club of Cleveland 850 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, 44114 Friday, March 6 Noon-1:30p Tickets are $30, or $18 for City Club members.

Visit cityclub.org for reservations or to watch a webcast of Wolfson’s talk.

Wolfson said he expects marriage opponents

WHY MARRIAGE MATTERS OHIO GETS A NEW CAMPAIGN MANAGER

by Bob Vitale

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Chris Geggie march 2015

the Human Rights Campaign, Freedom to Marry and the ACLU. Premo Chris Geggie, who came to Why Mar- left to become the chief of staff for riage Matters Ohio last year as a Democrats in the Ohio Senate. field organizer, was promoted to campaign manager of the statewide Geggie takes over the effort in Ohio advocacy group in February. as the US Supreme Court prepares to hear oral arguments on marriage He replaced Michael Premo, the first bans here and in Michigan, Kencampaign manager for the group tucky and Tennessee. Although marfounded in 2013 by Equality Ohio, riage equality seems increasingly

inevitable, Geggie said the effort continues unabated to win public support.

duties included bringing people into the effort, putting them in touch with legislators to tell their stories, and reaching out to conservative lawmakers opposed to marriage “Marriage equality is inevitable because we make it inevitable,” he said. equality.

Before moving to Columbus in March 2014, Geggie worked for marriage-equality groups in Rhode Island, New Jersey and Indiana. His

Why does marriage matter? Let me count the ways...

In Ohio, he organized events in Central and Southeast Ohio with faith leaders, small business owners and other supporters.

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Read our interview with Perfume Genius on outlookohio.com.

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Raising the Bar

by Erin McCalla Goodbye, black walls and leather chaps. Hello, champagne cocktails and jazz.

Business partners Nigel Cotterill and JC Diaz opened their third drinking establishment, Tillie’s Lounge, at what used to be the Serpent bar in Cincinnati’s Northside neighborhood in mid-February.

“The gay leather bar has served its time,” Cotterill said.

Tillie’s is named after one of Cincinnati’s most beloved entertainers of the 1930s. Not a cabaret singer or a burlesque dancer, but a beloved circus elephant whose passing was mourned so deeply that children were given the day off school.

But the name is where the circus theme ends. Instead, the bar serves up some speakeasy nostalgia with beautiful chandeliers and sconces, jewel-tone painted walls of rich purple and turquoise, textured vinylcovered bar stools (reupholstered by the owners themselves) and gold damask tapestries hung among the occasional ornately framed painting.

There is a certain Prohibition feel to

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Tillie’s Is a Toast to Cincinnati’s Prohibition-Era Past

the place, with dim lighting from bar supporters of the LGBT community, top lamps and the old curved wood they are adamant that Tillie’s is not bar that’s the only relic from the Ser- a “gay bar.” pent, which closed down in 2014.

“The day of the gay bar is over and The drink menu features a host of done with,” Cotterill asid. champagne cocktails that were popular in the ’30s, and the staff of five The pair also owns Below Zero, a bartenders did an extensive trialvodka bar in Over-the-Rhine that and-error taste test to create them. has been crowned Cincinnati’s best The effervescent libations are gay bar every year since 2007. Cotnamed after local celebrities and terill insists that Below Zero and the events around Cincinnati. upstairs Cabaret weren’t opened as gay bars either, though, but as The Walk-Over, coined after one of “straight-friendly” establishments.

Tillie’s tricks, is a take on the CosThey view Tillie’s the same way mopolitan, made with raspberry open and welcome to anyone and vodka, triple sec, cranberry and everyone who is looking for a good pomegranate juices, with a cham- cocktail and sophisticated ampagne float. The George Remus, biance. named for the most famous bootlegger in the area and the possible in- Songs like “You Might Have Bespiration for F Scott Fitzgerald’s Jay longed to Another” by Frank Sinatra, Gatsby, is a shaken bourbon cocktail “Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye” by combined with bitters and apple pie Bobby Rydell, “There I’ve Said It mead from Columbus’s Brothers Again” by Vaughn Monroe and Drake Meadery and topped with a “Gotta Be This or That” by Judy Garchampagne float. land (and they claim it’s not a gay bar...) croon pleasantly over the speakers low enough that conversaIt’s the type of place where you tions can be had without raising would expect to see the Rat Pack your voice. down dirty martinis after a show, and that’s exactly the look and feel And for all the Grace Adlers out there Cotterill and Diaz are going for. who long for an “old-fashioned While the owners are members and piano party,” you might be in luck.

The bar will have a baby grand “It’s gonna be big,” said Tschimpiano, and jazz musicians will tickle perle. “And it’s already started.” the ivories on Saturday nights.

Another customer entered and was Bartender Matt Tschimperle said pleased to have stumbled upon a Tillie’s is filling a need in the upnew neighborhood watering hole. and-coming neighborhood.

“I’m excited; I feel like a trendsetter,” “I think this will be a destination she said. “I’m not usually the one to spot; you can have dinner at Bistro find new places. Sometimes, I just Grace, come here for a couple of want to get a good drink.” drinks and then head Downtown for the opera or the ballet,” he said. “I “Well this is the place to come,” anticipate a lot of our customers will Tschimperle said. be regulars. We’ll be like the Cheers of Northside.”

A customer walked in and ordered an Old Fashioned after realizing there wasn’t any draught beer. “This is the Northside; you need some taps and craft beer,” he said, ultimately pleased with his alternative purchase.

“The people who live here and come here are the people who are hip to the scene,” Tschimperle said. “They are up on the local beers coming out… their finger is on the pulse.”

He believes that the Northside is on the verge of a similar revitalization that Over-the-Rhine has recently seen.

Matt Tschimperle, pictured above, came up with the George Remus cocktail.

Tillie’s Lounge 4042 Hamilton Ave Cincinnati, 45223 FB: Tillies Lounge Open Thursdays-Sundays, 4p-2a Happy Hour: 4p-8p, with $1 off domestic beers and glasses of wine, and 50 cents off well drinks Small Pond shines a spotlight every month on LGBT-owned businesses across Ohio.

Suggestions for future articles can be made to Erin McCalla, managing editor, at erin@outlookmedia.com or 614.268.8525 x2 outlookohio.com

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The mayoral and council primary in Columbus is May 5.

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The race for mayor of Columbus is on! Who are you voting for? Weigh in on our Facebook page.

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feature

So You Think You Can Dance?

When Starting Your Own Business, Plan for the Worst

by Olga Starr

came to like Jeff’s yoga lessons, too. Jeff, actually, didn’t Jeff and Anthony had been care if he had five people in friends for decades when they class or 35; he was perfectly decided to open a business happy with the way things together. were working out - if only his husband, Mark, stopped comAfter retiring from his corpo- plaining about Jeff spending rate position, Jeff was ready to so much time at the studio. fulfill his life-long dream and become a yoga instructor. His If this went on, they would company pension (a rare need to start looking for a thing these days!) covered couples’ counselor. most expenses and his hubby, Mark, was still gainfully em- It did go on, so after three ployed, so his expectations years in business, Jeff sat from the business were mini- down with Anthony and had mal: Just breaking even would the following conversation: be fine.

“I hate to do this to you,” Jeff Anthony, on the other hand, said. “But Mark is retiring, had high hopes. Years of and he wants us to move to chasing national dance titles California.” left him drowning in credit card debt, and some steady “Oh my, Jeffy, it won’t be the income from his own dance same without you.” Anthony studio would be a muchshook his head. “So what am needed relief.

I supposed to do with a bunch of yogis gathering up here at They found a perfect location 7 every morning?” that needed work. The mortgage had to be in Jeff’s name “Send them to California,” only, so Anthony promised to Jeff smiled. “Well, listen, I put in sweat equity and within have some loose ends to tie a month the studio was shin- up. Put the mortgage into your ing, freshly painted and newly name and everything...” polished. Yo-Dance opened with style - and a case of “Sure. Mortgage, utilities... champagne.

Anything else?”

At first business was slow, but then they came. Anthony was able to catch up on bills, started paying his half of the mortgage, and even found someone who shared his championship dreams and started giving private lessons.

A few of Anthony’s students outlookohio.com

“Insurance too. All in all, about four grand a month.”

“Seriously?” Anthony was shocked. “I’ve only been giving you $1,500.”

“I didn’t mind paying a bit more. You brought me so many clients...”

“Four grand. I can’t afford it.” held on to that job instead of dancing around the country Anthony began looking for a for 20 years. By the way, you new business partner and ap- want to know why I have no plied for a mortgage on his savings left? I’ve spent it tryown, but he was declined. He ing to keep this studio runhad too much debt in the past ning!” and not enough business income now to afford the whole “Guess what? It’s your probplace on his own. Jeff started lem. I didn’t ask you to front getting a tad worried. more than your half.”

“Realistically, I’m probably going to have to close the studio down,” Anthony’s voice sounded hollow. “How much do I owe you for this month?”

“And yet, you still owe me 28 grand”.

“Four thousand. And, if it’s not too much trouble...”

“Anthony, Mark warned me you were going to be a jerk about this…”

“You know where you can go to get it?”

‘What?”

“Want to know what I think “It would be really great if you about Mark?” could pay me back for the first few months of the mort- And then things got ugly. gage, too. And then the difference for the months after. I Well-connected Mark took his hate to do this to you, but Cal- husband to a lawyer who speifornia is so expensive. And cialized in small-business Mark... He has money, but I disputes. The attorney recomjust hate to ask him.” mended mediation: Since there was no written agreeAnthony felt blood throbbing ment, it would be difficult and in his temples. expensive to prove that the extra money Jeff paid wasn’t “I’m losing everything I have, gifts. and you hate to ask your rich husband for money? Is that Jeff was so mad he was ready what I’m hearing?” to let the bank foreclose on the place.

“Don’t be overly dramatic, Anthony. You can always work In the meantime Anthony for someone else again. You found a financial planner and worked at that bank...” discussed ways to save his business. He was working “I worked as a bank teller 20 frantically to add new classes years ago...” and new dancers so he could afford the monthly bills.

“Well, maybe you should have We don’t like Mark.

At 41, Anthony had no savings, no retirement and no significant other to bail him out. Strangely, his financial planner agreed with Jeff’s lawyer: Mediation was the best answer.

Their friendship had gone down the toilet already, but Jeff was a rational man. We were able to show him a business plan that ensured Anthony would pay the money he owed Jeff over 10 years. Jeff had a choice: listing the place, evicting Anthony and paying all the overhead until it sold, or accepting Anthony’s payment plan.

Jeff signed the loan agreement and a land contract allowing Anthony to become an eventual owner of the studio.

His payments are covering Jeff’s mortgage. We even put some insurance on Anthony in case he died or got hurt, so Jeff could get paid off in any case.

Anthony has a new partner now, and they have a bulletproof partnership agreement.

A buy-sell vehicle is also in place, so if something happens to one of them there’s money to buy that partner out.

The horror story has actually worked out OK. For those of you who are considering starting a business of your own, here are some valuable terms to talk to your adviser about:

Partnership/operating agreement: A document that should have quantified and recorded the value of Anthony’s “sweat equity” and business-building efforts, along with Jeff’s capital.

Business continuity plan: Written instructions on how your business should be handled in emergencies Business overhead insurance: Covers lease/mortgage payments, utilities and other basic overhead to ensure the business doesn’t die while an owner is sick or injured.

Wage continuation plan: An agreement to have the business pay a portion of a partner’s wages (generally 50-60 percent) if he or she is sick or injured.

Buy-sell agreement: Outlines a process of ownership transfer in case of five Ds: death, disability, divorce, disagreement between partners or disqualification (if one loses a license to practice, for example) and also in cases of normal retirement or exit.

Olga Starr is a registered representative of and offers securities, investment advisory and financial planning services through MML Investors Services, LLC. Member SIPC. (sipc.org) MML Investors Services, LLC does not provide tax/legal services. 2012 W 25th St, Suite 900, Cleveland, 44113; 216.621.5680.

Contact Olga at ostarr@financialguide.com.

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Follow the Money

Does that Peanut Butter Work Against Waistline AND My Equality?

My WaistLine

by Bob Vitale

to make informed purchasing decisions,” on things made and sold by businesses whose stands on civil rights, equality and ac- said Deena Fidas, head of the Human Rights Campaign’s Workplace Equality Program and I drive past Chick-fil-A, and I reach right past ceptance I know nothing about. coauthor of its annual Corporate Equality the Barilla pasta. I don’t drink Russian vodka.

Index, which measures policies such as I don’t eat Jelly Bellys. My quarters don’t go in I drive a Jeep because they’re made in my hometown of Toledo, but I don’t know if they nondiscrimination, parity in benefits for Salvation Army kettles, I didn’t watch the offer family health coverage to domestic part- same-sex couples and medical coverage for 2014 Winter Olympics, and I quit the Boy ners. My brother works for them, but he’s sin- trans employees.

Scouts. gle and straight.

So I enlisted the help of fellow Outlook writer OK, that last one was in 1973 and had more I fill my tank at Shell because the one closest Bryan Cole and decided to find out where my to do with not wanting to climb a rope than an anti-gay policy that would become contro- to my house takes Kroger points and I’m still money goes. I took an inventory of some of the versial 27 years later. But my point remains. mad at BP from that oil spill. But I don’t know items in my home and some of the entries on if they supported Prop 8 in California or Rick my checking statement, and we did some research.

I will pounce on an LGBT boycott faster than a Santorum in 2012. drag queen on a dollar bill. Are they giving money to Focus on the Family? Firing lesbian I buy Neutrogena face cleanser because I’m a We found out who’s getting my money when I teachers? Working to rescind even the most gay man and they’ll take my gay card away if buy toothpaste or tomato sauce or pay my bill basic civil rights for transgender children?

I don’t pluck, cleanse, moisturize and exfoli- for Netflix. We looked up companies’ scores on Saying stupid things? I will take my money ate. But I don’t know who even makes Neutro- HRC’s latest Corporate Equality Index. elsewhere, thankyouverymuch. gena, let alone what their politics are.

We researched federal elections reports and other databases to see if their CEOs donate to But one thing always kind of gnaws at me. I “It is important for LGBT and fair-minded anti-gay people, groups or causes. And we really do believe in the power of my money, consumers to pay attention to businesses’ but I also know that I spend an awful lot of it LGBT-inclusive policies and records in order simply googled to see whether they’ve said or 20

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Olives, check. Where’s the vodka and vermouth?

done anti-gay, transphobic or just plain dumb things.

“With so many options available for everything from cars to cola brands, there is a proequality option for practically every buying decision,” Fidas said.

Even unwittingly, we discovered, much of my money goes to good companies - or at least companies that are good on LGBT issues.

HRC and its 2015 index were criticized by some who said they ignored corporate records on the environment and other non-LGBT matters. Even some within the LGBT community have said the HRC index should take into account specific deeds rather than lofty ideals.

My Jeep is made by a company - Fiat Chrysler Automobiles - that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, offers health coverage and other familybased benefits to domestic partners, and offers trans-inclusive medical coverage.

I fill it with gas from a company - Shell Oil outlookohio.com

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that was ordered to pay what was once the biggest-ever penalty for wrongful termination when it fired a gay employee in San Francisco.

But that was in 1991, and Shell has since adopted most every policy HRC recommends for pro-LGBT companies.

Morningstar Farm, Nationwide Insurance, Nicorette, Orbitz, People, PNC, Progressive, SlimFast, Sprint, Suave, Swiffer, Time Warner Cable, TMobile, TurboTax, Tylenol, United Airlines, W Hotels, Wells Fargo, Windex and Xbox.

Executives from many companies we researched donate to politicians and political parties that oppose marriage equality, but we didn’t find any that donated to groups that exist solely to oppose LGBT civil rights.

Among those at the bottom: AutoZone, Bob Evans, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Domino’s Pizza, ExxonMobil, H&R Block, Kohl’s, Land O Lakes, Loews Hotels, Men’s Wearhouse and United Artists.

The LGBT community has used boycotts as a tactic since the 1970s, when people stopped buying Florida orange juice because its TV spokeswoman, singer Anita Bryant, had become a leading voice against a gay civil-rights ordinance in Miami.

Should we take our money elsewhere because a CEO supports Jeb Bush? She might be donating because she likes his tax proposals, but we know a future President Bush would be as opposed to marriage equality as the last one.

The CEO of my insurance company - Wisconsinbased American Family Insurance - didn’t want Tammy Baldwin to be a US senator. He instead donated $4,000 to her opponent, a pro-business Republican who also happened to say he “really sincerely” believed that businesses should have the right to fire LGBT workers simply for being LGBT.

Coors, now a regular sponsor at Pride festivals and other events, also was a boycott target, according to the online encyclopedia, glbtq.com, because it gave lie-detector tests to determine if prospective employees were gay.

My Ivory soap and Pantene shampoo come from Cincinnati’s Procter & Gamble, a top scorer on the HRC index; a supporter of the Employment NonDiscrimination Act, which would add gender identity and sexual orientation to US anti-bias laws; and, as of November 2014, a supporter of marriage equality. The company is also a presenting sponsor of Cincinnati Pride.

Boycotts have their fans: Dan Savage backed the vodka boycott and called for one against Utah because its Mormon residents donated heavily to ban same-sex marriage in California in 2008.

They also have their critics who say they don’t work.

“Has Chick-fil-A gone under as they stand by their religious right views?” wrote The Bilerico Project founder Bil Browning in 2012. “How about the Focus on the Family boycott of Disney World More than 200,000 people signed petitions in for Gay Days? None of those have worked - and 2013, though, urging P&G to drop its sponsorship will never work.” of the 2014 Winter Olympics because of host Russia’s draconian laws and anti-gay violence. It But I’m not expecting to take down Chick-fil-A by never did, and some wanted a boycott as a result. taking my fast-food cravings to Taco Bell, which I learned shouldn’t get my business either because But Procter & Gamble is hated even more by the its parent company denies adequate health covanti-gay fringe. They’ve called for boycotts as erage to transgender employees. well, although a Georgia pastor once said it would do no good because “too many love their soap Boycotts are secondary to me. more than God.” I look at my money like a ballot, and I wouldn’t HRC has used its Corporate Equality Index data to give my vote to a potential president or senator or produce a Buying Guide for Workplace Equality, state legislator or mayor whom I felt was going to which lists the LGBT-friendly scores of corporawork against my own interests. tions by product category and brand name.

I better start swiping my Visa card with the same Among companies and brands that score 100s: care.

Abercrombie & Fitch, AMC Theaters, American Airlines, Apple, AT&T, Barnes & Noble, Bath & Body Bob Vitale is the editor-in-chief of Works, Best Buy, Cheerio’s, Diet Coke, Diet Pepsi, Outlook. Reach him at Fresh Step, GM, Google, Groupon, Huntington, 614.268.8525, x3, or at bvitale@outlookmedia.com.

Hyatt, KeyBank, KitchenAid, Macy’s, Microsoft, outlookohio.com

Buying Guide for Workplace Equality

You can download HRC’s shopping guide from your Apple or Android app stores.

You can also text SHOP and a company or product name to 30644 to get a

reply message with its HRC Corporate Equality Index score.

The guide is online at hrc.org/buyersguide.

On the Job

Here are some of the corporations on record in support of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act in Congress: American Eagle Outfitters Ameriprise Financial Apple AT&T Bank of America Bausch & Lomb Best Buy BP America Bristol-Myers Squibb Capital One Financial Corp.

Cardinal Health Clorox Coca-Cola Dell Eli Lilly Ernst & Young Expedia Gap Inc. General Electric General Mills General Motors GlaxoSmithKline Google Herman Miller The Hershey Co. Hewlett-Packard

Hilton Worldwide Hyatt Hotels Corp.

Johnson & Johnson JPMorgan Chase Kaiser Permanente KeyCorp Levi Strauss & Co. Marriott International Microsoft MillerCoors Brewing Morgan Stanley Motorola Nationwide Nike Orbitz Pfizer Procter & Gamble Target Corp.

Time Warner Inc. US Airways Verizon Communications Wells Fargo & Co. Whirlpool Corp.

Xerox Yahoo!

Down the Aisle

Here are some of the corporations on record in support of marriage equality: Abercrombie & Fitch Adobe Systems Inc. Aetna Alaska Airlines Alcoa Apple Barnes & Noble Coinstar Inc. eBay Estée Lauder Companies Facebook Famous Footwear Google Hewlett-Packard

We should make retailers mark their products if they are gay-friendly.

Intel Corp.

Levi Strauss & Co. LinkedIn Living Social McGraw-Hill Morgan Stanley NCR Corp.

Nike Office Depot Oracle Panasonic Corp.

Tiffany & Co. Verizon Communications Xerox

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Your shoes were made for walking...and raising money!

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Pink Power

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$$ $$ $$ $$ $$ $$ $$ $$ $$ $$ $$ $$ $$ $$ $$ $$ $$ $$

Is the LGBT Community the Economic Powerhouse Everyone Thinks We Are?

by Chad Frye

The power of the LGBT dollar seems to galvanize our community. Some say we’re an affluent class of superconsumers, while others insist we’re relatively ordinary and point out that any affluence is offset by a lack of an LGBT middle class.

Who’s right? And what’s the truth behind the power - or myth - of the LGBT dollar?

The answer is complex, but as Outlook happens to be “gay for pay,” we have some hard demographic and fascinating behavioral data that might help to answer - or at least demystify - the question.

First, we need to get a bigger picture of the economic landscape and see where we fit exactly.

According to the US Census Bureau, the University of Georgia and Witeck-Combs Research, in America’s $16 trillion dollar national economy, women account for 52 percent of the population and control 80 percent of spending, making them the biggest “minority” niche market. More than half of the population isn’t a minority, of course, but they’re treated as such.

African-Americans make up 13 percent of the population, controlling 11 percent of spending; Hispanics, the fastest-growing group, comprise 15 percent of the population and control 12 percent. Asians are at 4 percent, controlling 6.7 percent of spending.

And then there’s us, the LGBT community, and our numbers are pretty interesting. Conservatively, we are believed to make up at least 5 percent of the population nationally.

But all of the consumer behavior modeling for us, regardless of income, indicates we control a disproportionately large piece of the economy: a little over 9 percent. outlookohio.com

Yowza. That’s a big percentage. There are many theories as to why, but we think the most compelling is actually pretty simple: education.

LGBT people are three times more likely to be college-educated than the average consumer. We are also twice as likely to hold or pursue a graduate degree. While there are still many LGBT people who attend trade schools, barely complete high school or work jobs that provide an income below the national average, the data still show that our economic impact is quite substantial.

And speaking of impact, let’s shift from a national focus to a local one. We know that Ohio has an annual economy of about $509 billion. We also know from the US Census, GayCensus and studies done by WiteckCombs the general size of LGBT communities in Ohio: • Columbus - 15 percent of the population.

• Cleveland - 9 percent of the population.

• Cincinnati - 8 percent of the population.

• Dayton - 8 percent of the population.

• Toledo - 7 percent of the population.

Taking into consideration margin for error and unaccounted for rural populations, we can deduce that the total LGBT population in Ohio is about 9.6 percent. So if Ohio has 11,570,808 residents, 1,110,798 of them are a part of the LGBT community. This means we control 19.2 percent - $97.7 billion - of our $509 billion economy.

These are a lot of numbers and percentages, but if $97.7 billion didn’t get your attention, we invite you to check your pulse.

But it gets better, actually. What is the name of the game when it comes to consumer behavior? What is the one thing every business can’t buy and yet can’t live without?

Brand loyalty.

And that is where the real magic happens.

When you come to us first, support causes we believe in and work with us to be a part of our community, the LGBT community responds.

We are four times more likely to do business with those who advertise to us directly; 46 percent of LGBT consumers are strongly influenced in favor of one company over others because of its positive social image. Fortynine percent will not do business with companies that do not meet our standards of social responsibility.

We are also optimistic, which means LGBT consumers are five times more likely to ignore temporary economic conditions, making us more likely to make no changes to existing purchase, travel or consumer behaviors.

It probably feels like we are pushing the concept of the uber-consumer a little hard at this point. You can imagine it: an immaculately dressed man, earning buckets of money working for a big corporation. He’s on a plane en route to a fancy European vacation, and everything is sunshine and lollipops, and Ford is in his Flivver and all is well with the world.

Before you draw the conclusion that we’ve settled on LGBT people being rich, let us throw some pretty surprising numbers your way:

• 33 percent of us frequently shop at Macy’s and Nordstrom, but by that same token, 42 percent of us are frequent shoppers at Big Lots.

Falling into the conventional thinking that LGBT people are single- or dual-income, nokids, tux-wearing theater-goers only tells part of the story. We might actually also be parents who take our kids fishing in the camocolored coveralls we bought at a discount store.

What’s more, the people who talk about our lack of a true middle class aren’t wrong: 25 percent of us make more than $75,000 a year, yet 12 percent of us live below the poverty line. Don’t assume that a business that sells cheap used cars to people with bad credit doesn’t have gay customers. They do.

We are just like any other group of people. We are young and old. We are Democrats, Republicans and Independents. Some of us have children and some do not. Some of us make six-figure salaries and some of us are scraping by. So are we a super class of consumers? Who knows?

What we do know is that we just won’t do business of any sort with people or companies that don’t respect or support us, and we will speak up when companies support causes that run counter to our interests. Ask the Florida Citrus Commission or Chick-fil-A.

What?

And that is where our true value lies: We are tastemakers. We lead the pack. We adopt early, and if we like what you offer and you support us, we support you. Which, all of the data aside, is pretty simple, actually.

• 32 percent of LGBT people are avid fans of the theater and the arts, but 29 percent of us regularly attend sporting events and 34 percent of us are avid hunters and fishers.

Chad Frye is the director of sales and marketing for Outlook. Give him a call at 614.268.8525, x4, or email him at cfrye@outlookmedia.com

• 46.5 percent of LGBT people have children at home, compared to 45.8 percent of Ohio’s general population.

Pink Power was the name of Chad’s Level tab.

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transition point analysis

The Pitfalls of

Transgender Celebrity

by Brynn Tannehill

ically wrong, and bordering on misogynistic:

Increasingly over the past few years, there have been rumors that Bruce Jenner is a transgender woman. Generally, I avoid speculating on someone else’s gender identity. It is their identity, they get to define it, and speculating seems both rude and pretentious.

“I never really understood women before, to be honest, but I had a tolerance for women that I don’t have now. No, really. There is something in testosterone that makes talking and gossiping really grating. I’ve stopped talking

have an unfortunate tendency to resemble reality television: They are notorious within the community for being clichéd, repetitive and telling the story people want to hear rather than focusing on the authentic stories that transgender people really want to tell.

This has led to innumerable versions of the “Transgender Documentary Drinking Game,”

However, it is worth examining how the convergence of celebrity and coming out interact. If handled well, it could end up being a teachable moment in which the public learns more about transgender identities, struggles, medicine and lived realities.

When people transition in the public eye, it usually goes badly. Being a celebrity is one thing; being a spokesperson for the transgender community is entirely different. When someone steps into a role where people hang on their every word more than the foremost experts in transgender policy and medicine, the results are cringe-worthy.

Former Navy SEAL Kristin Beck made similar gaffes when she came out. She attacked Chelsea Manning’s right to receive medically necessary transition-related treatment. Beck later walked her statements back when it was pointed out that the 8th Amendment includes providing medically necessary care, and that if it wasn’t medically necessary for Manning in a legal sense, it wasn’t for any other transgender people.

Even Chaz Bono made statements early in his transition that were problematic, medoutlookohio.com

So what do I expect? I expect offensive attention on genitals and surgery. I expect Fox News to bring in religiously motivated “experts” to denounce Jenner’s identity and decisions. I expect interviews full of inaccuracies and cringe-worthy quotes. I expect reality TV that doesn’t show the reality of being transgender and instead focuses on the trappings of gender performance.

I would be shocked if people learn the things they actually need to know about being transgender. About how most of us have very few legal protections against discrimination, and how we are losing what few we have in Middle America. I would be shocked if people learn how hard it is to get medical coverage.

They won’t see the myriad of both overt and subtle ways in which transgender people are “othered,” or the soul-crushing isolation of being queer outside of metropolitan areas.

I don’t expect this outcome for an instant.

After news helicopter pilot Zoe Tur came out as transgender, she made erroneous statements that hormones changed her voice (they don’t), made her start “thinking like a woman” (no, gender differentiation happens in utero), and that women are worse pilots than men because they aren’t decisive enough.

tion of this.

People won’t see the how hard it is to get identification like driver’s licenses or birth certificates, or the consequences of not having ID that matches our presentation.

as much. I’ve noticed that Jen can talk endlessly. I just kind of zone out. You just don’t care!”

which involve taking a drink every time the documentary does something trite and predictable for a non-transgender audience.

Even highly trained, eloquent and educated media professionals like Laverne Cox and Janet Mock can see their interviews go horribly awry. Both of them had interviews that went straight to “tell me about your genitals and their history.” In Laverne’s case with Katie Couric, the gaffe resulted in a teaching moment. With Mock, the situation on Piers Morgan’s show only got uglier in the aftermath.

Celebrities already are subjected to prurient objectification about every aspect of their lives and sexuality. Combine this unremitting scrutiny with dehumanizing attitudes toward transgender people and we are set up for a perfectly awful storm of coverage.

While Jenner may be familiar with reality TV shows, Americans should know by now that there’s nothing “real” about them, including Jenner’s own. Transgender documentaries

Media are more interested in capitalizing on the stigma of being transgender than in genuine transgender lives and issues, as shown by the voyeurism of Jerry Springer and by Maury Povich’s use of transgender people as tawdry props.

The coverage of Jenner is simply a continua-

TMZ, can you check if my keys are down there?

Most of all, readers and audiences won’t see the appalling levels of violence that transgender women of color face every day.

In the end, when people ask me what I think of the Bruce Jenner situation, and what my thoughts on the media coverage are, I keep coming back to what Indiana Jones said in the climactic scene of Raiders of the Lost Ark: “Don’t look. Shut your eyes, and don’t look, no matter what happens!”

Because almost nothing good comes from looking.

Brynn Tannehill is a former Naval Aviator who works as a research scientist in the Dayton area. She serves on the board of Equality Ohio and writes for The Bilerico Project, The Huffington Post and The Good Men Project. Find her on Twitter at @BrynnTannehill. march 2015

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insightout

The Power of Hope When You’re on the Outs, the Spark Is Often Still There

by Regina Sewell Beyond sexual chemistry, hope is the kindling that gets relationships going and allows us to fall in love.

Hope leads us to see our new partners through rose-colored glasses and ignore their imperfections, rough edges, and annoying and sometimes destructive behavior. And part of falling in love involves becoming entranced with whom we are or whom we think we can be when we are with someone.

When the hope is strong enough and the rose-coloredglasses phase lasts long enough, it creates emotional glue that bonds us to this seemingly magical other. It is this attachment bond that makes us hold onto relationships so tenaciously, even when they are causing more pain than joy.

In Hold Me Tight, Sue Johnson explains this in userfriendly terms. We are hard-wired for attachment. For infants, having a secure attachment with a caregiver is a matter of life or death. This need for a secure attachment does not go away when we become adults.

We all have a basic need for emotional security and safety. We need to know that our significant others will respond to us when we ask for help. We need them to show us that we matter and respond when we share our frustrations, disappointments, sorrows and joys. And we need them to hold us tight when we need comforting.

As adults, the most profound attachment relationships we have are with our romantic partners. When our emotional security feels threatened, our limbic system - the body’s emotional system - goes into panic mode and overrides the cerebral cortex, which is the thinking system.

As a result, rational and reasoned thought goes out the window. We don’t think. We react. And that reaction usually spurs dysfunctional interaction patterns.

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Johnson calls these patterns “demon dialogues” and categorizes them into three interactive patterns that she identifies as: “Find the Bad Guy,” “The Protest Polka” and “Freeze and Flee.”

“Find the Bad Guy” is a pattern where both partners try to pin the blame on the other. It’s a volley of you-didthis, you-did-that. This often devolves into “The Protest Polka,” or the classic pursue/withdraw pattern. The more one partner pokes to get the other partner to respond, the more the non-responsive partner withdraws, usually until the pursuing partner gives up.

Fights are often unskilled declarations of love and a desire to protect the relationship.

That takes us to the final pattern: “Freeze and Flee.” In this pattern, both partners have shut down. Neither reaches out to the other for emotional support. Both partners have retreated into themselves to lick their own wounds.

Johnson argues that when couples go into demon dialogues, the underlying message is, “I need you and I’m feeling a disconnection. I’m afraid our bond is threatened and that you don’t love me.” In other words, fights

Why don’t you look at me like that, anymore?

are often unskilled declarations of love and a desire to protect the relationship.

The good news is that if you and your partner are playing, “Find the Bad Guy” or “The Protest Polka,” both of you have at least some hope that your attachment bond is still intact. If you can remember this when you and your partner are in the midst of slinging mud or spiraling down the pursue/withdraw spiral, you can change the pattern by focusing on the hope.

If you find yourself gearing up for a pre-emptive strike or withdrawing, take a moment to scan your body. Instead of attacking your partner, focus on yourself. Notice where you feel tension, tightness or discomfort and breathe into those places. Let your breathing slow down. Bring awareness to your emotions.

What are you feeling? Likely emotions are fury, frustration, resentment, hurt, sadness, anxiousness, fear or guilt. What do you need? Likely needs are acceptance, affection, appreciation, connection, empathy, intimacy or support.

If you can stop your part of the pattern and say to your partner, “When you did/said _________ (keep to the facts and leave out the judgment), I felt (pick one or more of these: hurt, sad, angry, afraid, frustrated, worried, etc.), and what I would like is _________ (something concrete: a hug, to be heard).

Since a feeling of disconnection is often the spark that instigates the negative patterns, find ways to connect.

It can be as easy as reaching out to your partner and asking them to hold you tight.

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, go to ReginaSewell.com. Her essay, “Unequal Wedding,” appears in Untangling the Knot: Queer Voices on Marriage, Relationships & Identity, published by Ooligan Press. outlookohio.com

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deep inside hollywood

by Romeo San Vicente

It’s All Ellen, All the Time

Baz Luhrmann Heads to Netflix

She has the most popular daytime talk show, a line of household products, a real-estate hobby that makes her even richer, and, oh yeah, that production company that keeps on aiming to dominate even more of your TV’s screen time.

Moulin Rouge! director Baz Luhrmann (pictured) has decided to follow up his extravagantly contemporary take on The Great Gatsby with another “now” move: a show on Netflix.

The streaming service has given the filmmaker The Ellen DeGeneres Entertainment & Lifestyle a 13-episode order for a new series called The Industrial Complex is working overtime with Get Down. two new sitcoms in the works.

Co-created with The Shield’s Shawn Ryan, the The first is still untitled but will star Parentseries will take place in 1970s New York during hood’s Monica Potter as a single mom with the most violent period of its recent history. three ex-husbands who complicate her life.

A crew of South Bronx teenagers takes part in The other is called Happy Time and will star the invention of hip-hop and street art. In turn, Idina Menzel. It focuses on a woman in the they become a part of the larger cultural fabric public eye, someone known for being happy, that saw disco give way to punk rock at the upbeat and funny all the time, who decides to dawn of the ’80s. get real and reveal her true self.

We don’t know anything about casting yet, but We can’t begin to speculate where the inspira- it’s safe to say we’ll see a lot of up-and-comtion came from, but here’s hoping they go to ers. series so Ellen can keep buying up entire sections of the United States.

We could use a lesbian king.

‘The Boys’ Recalls the Early AIDS Era

A Savage Sitcom?

Dan’s Working on It From alternative weekly sex columnist to This American Life fixture to news pundit to creator of the It Gets Better project, Dan Savage’s career has been idiosyncratic and independent.

Russell T Davies, the man who reinvigorated Doctor Who and created Queer as Folk, plans to return to the dark days of the 1980s.

Except now he has a sitcom at ABC. OK, a sitcom pilot, but still, if it goes to series In the larger cultural memory, that was a and is successful, you’ll be hearing a decade of neon colors and partying, but for gay whole lot more from Dan Savage outside of men it was a time of terror because of the his appearances on Real Time with Bill emergence of AIDS. Maher, thanks to all that ABC marketing muscle.

And while TV films like The Normal Heart and a few features like Longtime Companion and The project has no title just yet, but it’s Parting Glances have visited that era, there based on Savage’s own childhood. It resimply hasn’t been much dramatic exploration volves around a little gay boy who comes of the decade, considering AIDS’s impact. out and turns his formerly picture-perfect family upside down.

Davies’ new project, The Boys, will approach that time in England.

Another thing to think about if this goes to series: It will be the first time a gay kid It turns out he’s had a female friend since his has been the main character on an Ameriteens who was friends with and caretaker to a can sitcom. So let’s root for that. group of gay men who died in those years.

Davies calls her his hero.

Look for it on cable in the next couple of years.

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Now that’s some nice detail on that tie.

Romeo San Vicente’s It Gets Better video was rated NC-17 and banned from YouTube. He can be reached at DeepInsideHollywood@qsyndicate.com. outlookohio.com

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Melissa will sing two songs that night; the rest of the time she will be talking.

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THE POWER OF MELISSA Melissa Etheridge to Speak at Columbus Women’s Fund Event

by Erin McCalla

The Women’s Fund of Central Ohio Keyholder 2015 Wednesday, May 6 • 6p The Ohio Theatre, 39 E State St, Columbus, 43215

Tickets: $50 womensfundcentralohio.org/keyholder 32

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“Come To My Window” still holds up.

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Melissa Etheridge just released her 15th studio album in September and doesn’t appear to be slowing down. With an upcoming US tour and ambitions to write a Broadway musical, she’s as dedicated to her art as ever.

Although she’s on tour in Europe throughout April, one of her first stops when she arrives stateside is Columbus, where she will speak at the Women’s Fund of Central Ohio’s Keyholder event on May 6.

Outlook spoke with Etheridge about feminism, the roles of lesbians in the women’s movement and what music she listens to when she’s in the car.

Erin McCalla: I’m sure you get asked to speak at a lot of events; why did you say yes to the Women’s Fund?

Melissa Etheridge: Well, one, it’s a very large, wonderful thing. And you would be surprised: I don’t get asked to speak that often. I do speak at a lot of gay and lesbian events, but things that go a little wider like this, like the Women’s Fund of Central Ohio, I think it’s very forward-thinking of them to ask me to speak.

EM: Are there those same themes on your most recent album, This is M.E.?

ME: It’s been unfolding in front of me the last 10 years. Going through breast cancer, the female experience and seeing breast cancer in the last 10 years is where the awareness came from ... It’s going to be about power and how to get your own personal power without taking it away from someone else. I think that’s what the lie is: that if I have my own power, somehow someone else doesn’t have as much.

the last time I was there, I was looking around and saying it was really beautiful or something, I don’t know.

I love Columbus, Ohio, I do! So I’m not surprised that people thought I was moving there. But, no.

EM: I wanted to talk a little more about This is M.E., especially the cover. [The album art is a mosaic picture of Etheridge made up of photos from her fans.] I thought that that was a really cool idea.

How many photos did you end up receiving?

ME: Oh, we got over 1,000! It was EM: Are you going to speak about beautiful. It was kind of the off cycle. how lesbian issues are women’s is- It was just the fans who were checksues and women’s issues are lesbian issues?

ME: It’s so funny, because my wife [Linda Wallem] is a television producer and she’s been working with Gloria Steinem and she’s been really immersing herself in the women’s movement. ...

Lesbians were a big part of it and they were also a big part of what kept other women out of it. It was that “where’s that line between lesbians and straight women and can we play on the same playground?”

That was the big fear that bombed the ERA, that there were all these EM: What is your message going to lesbians and they want us to use the be in your speech? same bathrooms as men. ...

ME: The main emphasis is going to be on feminism: It is not another “F This is what we have to get over, this word.” [Laughs] It’s sort of taking fear that this “lesbianism” somethe power back. When we talk about how puts the women’s movement the new generation - my daughter is back. And I think that the Women’s 18 and graduating - and sort of how Fund is really making a statement I find those young women and how by asking me to be the keynote they have an outlook on life, and speaker. It’s like, “OK, we all need to then what we have been through, work together on this. It doesn’t those of us that have been around matter.” the block a while and can remember the ’60s and ’70s and ’80s, even.

EM: We’re very excited to have And sort of the slowly changing pace you. When it was announced, peoof feminism and how we have more ple were pumped. power than we know, and it’s time to ME: Aww. Well, good. I’m so happy stand up and take it. about that.

EM: Oh, that’s right. And you’re going back in April.

ME: Yeah, I’m doing a solo tour over there.

EM: Do you have any tour dates planned for the US this year?

ME: We’re just starting to put something together for the summer, and I just gotta tell you, it’s so exciting. I can’t wait until I announce it. I’m going to do a few shows with another artist, but I can’t say yet. It’s just going to be so much fun. It’s

what Rihanna and Paul McCartney and Kanye just did. There you go! I think what we’re seeing in music is there’s a new movement toward what is real. We have techno-ed ourselves into no feeling, and people love to feel and hear the real thing.

That makes me excited because I love to give that to them.

EM: You’ve played Pride festivals.

Is there a different energy to those shows than your other concerts?

ME: [Laughs] Oh, yeah.

EM: I’m sure you see a difference, but can you pinpoint the difference?

We’re just starting to put something together for the summer, and i just gotta tell you, it’s so exciting. i can’t Wait until i announce it. i’m going to do a feW shoWs With another artist, but i can’t say yet. it’s just going to be so much fun. it’s going to be. so. much. fun. i’m just saying that right noW.

ing the website and Twitter and they just sent these great pictures in. And to be able to use them and create a photo out of them just felt right. This is me, I’m made up of the music in this album, and I’m made up of my fans. Absolutely.

EM: Were you able to use them all?

ME: I don’t think so. I think we were only able to use 900. So there are 100 people going, “I didn’t make it!”

EM: I’m sure you can’t tell.

ME: Good! Whew.

EM: You’ve won an Oscar and two Grammy awards. Do you plan to go for the EGOT [Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony]?

ME: Oh, you know it! I want an EGOT so bad. It’s funny, and Linda and I joke about it. Awards are just the fun stuff, not something that I really create stuff to try to get. How fun would EM: What do you see as women’s EM: There was a rumor swirling it be? We’re working on television tobiggest obstacle to overcome? around a while ago that you and gether; we’re also working on a ME: I think the biggest problem is your family were moving to Colum- Broadway play, and it might be two how we view ourselves, each individ- bus. Is there any truth to that? years - it might be 10 years - before ually. No one else is going to give us ME: [Laughs] Hmmmm. No, there’s we ever get it done because it’s kind the respect until we respect ournot, but I’m wondering where that of on the back burner. I would love to selves. could have come from? I wonder if be a gay that has it.

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EM: Speaking of the Grammys, did you attend this year?

ME: I did not. I was in Europe.

going to be. So. Much. Fun. I’m just saying that right now.

EM: Well, you can’t tell me who you’re playing with, but...

ME: I know, I’m sorry!

EM: Whose music are you listening to right now? Who are you impressed with? Anyone up and coming, or do you stick with your standards?

ME: It’s funny, my music listening always happens in the car or when I’m doing the dishes or around the house when my kids are like, “Mom, turn the music down!” I’ve got all these different playlists. I’ve got classic R&B where I’m listening to Al Green and Marvin Gaye, then I’ve got my blues where I’m listening to Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker.

And I’ve got a Barbra Streisand mix, you know? [Laughs]

ME: I haven’t played many Pride festivals, and I kinda got myself in trouble a few years ago when I played Pittsburgh Pride, because they paid me what I usually get when I play. A lot of festivals ask me to play for free, and I’m like, “I can’t do that. That’s my bread and butter; I can’t give it away even though it’s my brothers and sisters, I understand.” And so I got in trouble. People were like, “Oh, you’re playing for the money.” And I’m like, “Yeah, it’s my life.”

But when I do, when I played Toronto, it’s so... So many times when I play an audience, I really make it a point to assume that there is every type of person out there. And that I don’t just speak to straight or gay or anything - that it’s all-inclusive. Now, when it’s a Pride festival, I LOVE getting my gay on. I love getting a bit more - I don’t know I’ll listen to popular music in the car naughty and a little more narrow. a lot; I’ll listen to the radio. Every And so I always do love playing a now and then I’ll find something and Pride event. go, “Huh. That’s kinda cool.” I love that Kat Dahlia girl. I like Sia. I know Erin McCalla is the managing editor Sia, so she’s just kind of a funny litat Outlook. tle flower. So I like her music. I love

We like that her kids tell her to turn the music down.

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The Marriage Plots creative class

‘Standing on Ceremony’ Stands Up to Rapidly Changing Landscape

by Luke Darby

ence in London Mosquitoes, the penultimate play of Standing on Ceremony.

Cleveland Public Theatre is bringing back Standing on Ceremony, a lauded collection of one-act plays about same-sex marriage, just when Ohio needs it most.

“It outlines the Baby Boomer generation experience in the changing gay world,” Hart said.

“The couple meets at college the weekend that Kennedy is assassinated, and it takes them through past 9/11 and the AIDS plague and everything else that happened to them as a couple. It’s a sweeping history of the changing culture of gayness.”

Marriage has been a central theme in plays since the invention of drama. Standing on Ceremony, a collection of nine short plays revolving around same-sex marriage, follows a long tradition of theater about society and personal relationships.

Like the Standing on Ceremony as a whole, London Mosquitoes is about people trying to live their lives in the midst of larger historical forces, and this newer production focuses less on ripped-from-the-headlines storytelling and more on people coping with those changes.

Standing on Ceremony premiered at Cleveland Public Theatre in 2012 and returns there starting March 5. It’s directed by Craig George and performed by many of the same actors.

Molly Andrews-Hinder, who plays half of an engaged couple in This Flight Tonight, said recent court victories for marriage equality haven’t diminished the relevance of the collection.

More than 70 percent of Americans now live in states that allow same-sex couples to marry.

Federal Appeals Judge Jeffrey Sutton’s November 2014 ruling against equality in Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky and Tennessee will be reviewed by the US Supreme Court in April.

“It’s really exciting that the case is going back to the Supreme Court and we’ll hear a decision

by June, but it’s still up in the air,” she said. “It’s pressing because the moment is there and we are moving in that direction, but there’s still politically a lot at play. I feel like it’s the perfect time to revisit this material.”

The nine plays come from different playwrights: Mo Gaffney, Jordan Harrison, Moisés Kaufman, Neil LaBute, Wendy MacLeod, José Rivera, Doug Wright, with Paul Rudnick writing two. The content varies wildly, from a lesbian couple in then-marriageless California flying to wed in Iowa, to an Upper East Side Jewish mother pestering her gay son to marry because all of her friends’ gay sons have already had fabulous weddings, to a man’s eulogy delivered by his 34

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“It made more sense to give it a very narrow historical frame,” George said. “So this is where we started, with no states allowing gay marriage, and as the plays progressed more and more states kind of come on board and we build to a climatic last piece where it takes place in a kind of utopian time setting where there’s no gay marriage. There’s just marriage.”

longtime partner directly to the audience.

“They vary in tone quite a bit, but they hold together as a piece,” said George, who directed the 2012 production as well. “One of the things that we did to make sure that they held together was we used an ensemble cast, so the same actors are playing multiple roles throughout. ... It’s also kind of reflected in the progression of the play. There are lots of laughs, but the overall impact of the piece is pretty profound.”

At the first performance of Standing on Ceremony in 2012, the audience was a small group of same-sex couples. When the play ended, there was complete silence, then the sound of deep breaths from the audience. Then the sound of weeping.

“They were so touched by the characters in the play but also by the fact that this production was happening in Cleveland and that people were talking and caring about these issues,” George said.

“It’s hard to approach this piece the same way that we did 2½ years go, because so much has changed so quickly. One of the first things I thought about remounting this production was, ‘Wow, this is going to feel really old.’”

But there’s still no marriage equality in Ohio, said actor Dana Hart, so the plays of Standing on Ceremony are still relevant in a chunk of the country.

Hart is one of the actors from the 2012 production who’s returning this year. He’s the widower who delivers his partner’s eulogy to the audi-

Let gays eat cake!

Standing on Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays March 5-21 @ Cleveland Public Theatre 6415 Detroit Ave, Cleveland, 44102 216.631.2727 • cptonline.org Tickets are $12 for Monday and Thursday shows and $25 for Friday and Saturday shows.

Friday nights are Free Beer Fridays, and select performances will be followed by wedding cake.

Luke Darby is a Louisiana native writing about food and culture wherever he winds up. Currently that’s Cleveland Heights. You can follow him online at lukedarby.com or on Twitter at @DukeLarby outlookohio.com

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Make your life change today. Call Rick and Capital.

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Mary Nolan is always my beard!

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bookmark

K. Copeland

The LOL Word

Columbus Couple Take a Laughing, Loving Look at Lesbian Life

by Evan Jeshka

K. Copeland found out she was gay the way most people do. First, there came the rainbow-sealed letter delivered by a peacock, then the magical train to gay Hogwarts, the Sorting Hat who pronounced her “Lesbian!,” and at last but not least, the inaugural unicorn dance party.

At least that is how she and her partner, A. Stiffler, describe the experience in their webcomic, ChaosLife, which gets nearly 2 million site visitors a month.

Stiffler and Copeland are an artist/writer duo, a queer couple who’ve been together since their teens, and longtime residents of Columbus. They write and illustrate two ongoing webcomics: ChaosLife, a humor series about their daily lives, and FindChaos, a supernatural/horror graphic novel with a diverse cast and gripping plot.

They’ve also been printed in three recent comics anthologies: Beyond, Blood Root Issue #2 and Smut Peddler.

“We both have always loved comics,” Stiffler said. “K.’s always been writing, I’ve always been drawing, so it just seemed like the ideal project to collaborate on.”

FindChaos began in 2011 after years of planning. The lighter ChaosLife, however, began as a way to let off some steam and connect outlookohio.com

with fans on personal level. Alternating dark horror with light comedy, they say, helps keep their creative engines running.

But Stiffler and Copeland never predicted the way ChaosLife would take off - or that they’d end up using it as a way to educate a worldwide audience about gender and sexuality.

“It’s pretty addictive,” Copeland said. “Once you actually start making webcomics, you can’t really stop.”

According to Stiffler, “unfortunate amounts” of ChaosLife are drawn from their real lives, including some unflattering moments. The comic documents their daily mishaps, the struggles of being a gay couple and the bizarre things their cats get up to.

Stiffler and Copeland were happy to help more people understand gender and sexuality, and after Lesbians 101, the questions died down. So when Stiffler came out as agender, they were expecting their audience to just go with it.

They certainly didn’t expect the flood of questions that came their way.

“The gender thing wound up kind of bigger than what we intended,” said Stiffler, who prefers the pronoun they.

They have three. And a snake. And most recently, a snail that wandered into their apartment.

“[Non-binary genders have] been a novelty to so many people that we wound up talking about it over and over again, just trying to get questions answered and whatnot. Even though it’s not a big, big deal to me, and I meant it as a very natural, FYI kind of thing, so many other people haven’t heard about this [so] we feel responsible to keep educating and really address the issue head-on.”

As ChaosLife became more and more popular, the creators began getting questions about gays and lesbians, often the same ones over and over. So they started a short comic, Lesbians 101, which is a lighthearted approach to some common misunderstandings and basic facts about lesbians.

Throughout their careers in online comics, Stiffler and Copeland have refused to sacrifice the quality of their work or the truth in their stories. It’s one of the reasons they’ve rejected offers from traditional publishers, which they felt would have forced them into rushing to churn out shoddier work.

A print version of Lesbians 101 will be available for $10 through their websites by the end of March.

That, however, means they’ve had to find other ways to fund their comics. When the couple decided to stay independent, they thought ad revenue would cover most of their

Wooo, lesbians!

A. Stiffler

costs, but shrinking rates and advertisers

that won’t touch LGBT-oriented websites have all made that impossible.

Instead, Stiffler and Copeland are part of an emerging league of artists and creators who appeal directly to fans for financial support.

They estimate that 99 percent of their funds come from fans on Patreon, a website through which people support artists they enjoy.

Although Stiffler and Copeland could live anywhere, the couple plan to stay firmly rooted in Columbus. “It’s a great place to be an independent creator,” said Stiffler, a native of the city. “It’s very livable, it’s connected; I really like how easy it is to get around.”

They’ll be travelling soon, though.

The pair will be talking comics and inclusion at the Emerald City Comic Con in Seattle from March 27-29 and at the Queers & Comics conference in New York on May 7-8.

You can keep up with their comics at findchaos.com, chaoslife.findchaos.com and lesbians101.findchaos.com.

You can find Evan Jeshka at hitobitomarketing.com and on Twitter @EvanJeshka. march 2015

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Out & About CINCINNATI / SOUTHWEST

SATURDAY, MARCH 7 Miami University Unity Day @ Armstrong Student Center Pavillion C, Miami University, 550 E Spring St, Oxford, 45056; miamioh.edu: The annual event honors those who’ve fought for social justice. The day starts with a march and ends with a banquet. 1p.

614.688.8449; mcc.osu.edu: The 2014 film captures the many facets of the queer hero and pioneering gender outlaw. The free screening will be followed by a discussion with Bornstein and director Sam Feder. 7p-10p.

ATHENS

SUNDAY, MARCH 1 FRIDAY, MARCH 6 Ladies and Queers Rock Athens @ ARTS/West, 132 W State St, Athens, 45701; 740.592.4315; lqra.weebly.com: This five-day rock camp is open to women of any sexual orientation and queers of any gender. It’s also trans- and non-binary-inclusive.

You’ll learn an instrument, form a band, write a song and perform live at the end of the week. Enrollment is first-come, first-served. 11a-3p on Sunday, 5p-10p Monday-Thursday and 5p Friday; $50.

THURSDAY, MARCH 19 An Evening of Queertastic Laughs With Erin Foley @ Ohio University Walter Hall Room 145, Athens, 45701; 740.593.0239; ohio.edu/lgbt: The comedian who has appeared on Conan, Chelsea Lately and Last Call With Carson Daily brings her standup to OU. 6p.

SATURDAY, MARCH 14 Spring 2015 Ohio GSA Summit @ Ohio State University Multicultural Center, Ohio Union, 1739 N High St, Columbus, 43210; 614.294.5437; kycohio.org/gsa-summit-spring: Young people and their advisers both can attend this free summit, which includes sessions on starting and strengthening gay-straight alliances in schools. 10a-3p.

SATURDAY, MARCH 14 Pets Without Parents Pub Crawl @ Slammers, 202 E Long St, Columbus, 43215; 614.267.7297; FB: The 15th Annual Legendary Pub Crawl to Benefit PetsWithoutParents.net: There’s no entry fee, but money is raised for Pets Without Parents through a 50/50 raffle, T-shirt sales and donations. You can donate cash, pet food or kitty litter. Other LGBTowned spots on the crawl map include Cray, Exile and Level Dining Lounge. 10a-9p.

CLEVELAND / NORTHEAST

FRIDAY, MARCH 6 It’s Time for the Freedom to Marry @ 850 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, 44114; 216.621.0082; cityclub.org: Evan Wolfson, founder and president of Freedom to Marry, will talk about the Ohio cases heading to the US Supreme Court in April, which could decide the issue of marriage equality nationwide. Noon; $30 ($18 for City Club members).

SATURDAY, MARCH 7 Team CLE Night at the Races @ West Park Party Center, 3556 W 130th St, Cleveland, 44111; teamcle.org: Team CLE’s second annual fundraiser includes live music, a cash bar, auctions and more.

6p-11p; $25.

Rangers 26th Anniversary Bar Night @ The Leather Stallion, 2205 St. Clair Ave NE, Cleveland, SATURDAY, MARCH 14 44114; rangersinc.org: No matter what the anniverColumbus Crew vs. Toronto: Gay Softball World sary gift chart says, the 26th is the leather anniverSeries Fundraiser @ Crew Stadium, 1 Black and sary for the Rangers. They’re celebrating at the Gold Blvd, Columbus, 43211; FB: 2015 Gay Softball Stallion. 9p.

World Series: When you buy a ticket for just $15, the Gay Softball World Series organizing committee will MONDAY, MARCH 9 get $5. Visit bit.ly/gswscrew or find a link to the on- MONDAY, MARCH 9 Akron Film+Pride: Cloudburst @ The Nightlight, Miami University Lecture Series: Tim Gunn @ Hall line ticket offer on the series Facebook page. 7:30p.

30 N High St, Akron, 44308; 330.252.1559; Auditorium, 101 S Campus Ave, Oxford, 45056; canapi.org: A new LGBT film series sponsored by 513.529.2730; FB: Miami University Lecture Series: FRIDAY, MARCH 20 CANAPI continues with Cloudburst, described a The Project Runway mentor and fashion expert will SUNDAY, MARCH 22 “hilarious, foul-mouthed lesbian road movie.” It give a lecture titled, “Fashioning Life’s Lessons: Make Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus: Our Story, Our Song stars Olympia Dukakis and Brenda Fricker as a It Work.” 7p-8:30p; free tickets available March 4 for @ Lincoln Theatre, 769 E Long St, Columbus, couple who bust out of their nursing home to go get Miami community and March 6 for everyone.

43203; 614.228.2462; cgmc.com: To celebrate 25 married in Canada. 7p; $10. years, the chorus will perform songs and present SATURDAY, MARCH 14 images of its past and the times in which it has COLUMBUS / CENTRAL SUNDAY, MARCH 15 SUNDAY, MARCH 15 been part of the community. Chorus alumni will Blazing River Freedom Band: A Little More ChamThe Cincinnati Volleyball Classic @ Sports Exjoin the group onstage for a final number. 8p Friday THURSDAY, MARCH 5 ber Music @ Archwood United Church of Christ, press Volleyball Center, 741 State Ave, and Saturday, and 3p Sunday; $35.

SUNDAY, MARCH 15 2800 Archwood Ave, Cleveland, 44109; Cincinnati, 45204; nagva.org/tournaments/394: On the Edge in the Green Room @ Short North 321.745.7420; blazingriverband.org: Solos, duets, Thirty teams are expected from across Ohio and as Stage/Garden Theater, 1187 N High St, Columbus, SATURDAY, MARCH 21 far away as Dallas. It’s part of the North American 43201; 614.725.4042; shortnorthstage.org: A night ARC Ohio/AIDS Walk Pub Crawl @ South Side and trios and more by Cleveland’s LGBT concert band.

3p; $5 suggested donation.

Gay Volleyball Association. $425 per team. of four short plays by Harold Pinter and Samuel Short North; aidswalkohio.com: Register for the Beckett includes Pinter’s The Collection, an interApril 18 AIDS Walk and enjoy a cocktail or two. And SATURDAY, MARCH 21 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26 play between two couples in London - one straight then join Outlook for the after-parties! Noon; $25 Race at the Raffle @ The Tangier, 532 W Market Out & Equal Ohio @ Rookwood, 3805 Edwards Rd, and one gay - that revolves around whether the ($40 for bar crawl and AIDS Walk registration.)

St, Akron, 44303; 330.252.1559; canapi.org: The Cincinnati, 45209; 614.241.3078; younger gay man had a one-night stand with the signature fundraising event for CANAPI, the Comoutandequal.org/ohio: Out & Equal is a national woman. 8p (Sunday, 3/8 show is at 2p); $20.

Stonewall Columbus Hiking Club @ Pickerington munity AIDS Network, Akron Pride Initiative, feagroup that helps businesses adopt policies adopt Ponds Metro Park, 7680 Wright Rd, Canal Winchestures pre-recorded horse races selected at random. equitable and supportive policies for their LGBT ter, 43110; 614.930.2265; stonewallcolumbus.org: MONDAY, MARCH 9 Supporters can sponsor horses, races or bet on employees. This event includes a talk by City Coun- Denison University Gender Film Series: The Mask Organizers say the monthly hikes accommodate winners. There’s also an ongoing and a 50/50 rafcilman Chris Seelbach and sessions about busiYou Live In @ Slayter Hall, Auditorium, Denison Uni- people of all fitness levels. 10:30a-noon. fle. Early-bird discount tickets available through ness policies and LGBT employee groups. versity, 200 Ridge Rd, Granville, 43023; March 13. 5:30p-10p; $75-$100.

Noon-4:15p.

740.587.6696; denison.edu/campus/gender: The new SATURDAY, MARCH 28 documentary explores how our narrow definition of SUNDAY, MARCH 29 SATURDAY, MARCH 28 masculinity harms boys, men and society. 7:30p.

Capital Pride Band Spring Concert @ Lincoln The- WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25 The Big Gay Skate @ Brookpark Skateland, 13445 SUNDAY, MARCH 29 atre, 769 E Long St, Columbus, 43203; Brookpark Rd, Brookpark, 44142; glamourCincinnati Men’s Chorus: Girl Power @ Mayerson THURSDAY, MARCH 12 614.325.1590; cappride.org: Central Ohio’s LGBT pageantry.com: In memory of KiArra Cartier Theatre, 108 W Central Pkwy, Cincinnati, 45202; Movie Screening and Discussion: Kate Bornstein concert band is celebrating its 10th year in 2015.

Fontaine, the night includes entertainment by cincinnatimenschorus.org: From the Andrews Sis- is a Queer and Pleasant Danger @ OSU’s Saxbe 8p Saturday and 3p Sunday; $25 ($20 for students Rosario Garcia, a costume contest, a 50/50 raffle ters to Little Mix, a celebration of girl groups. 8p on Auditorium, 55 W 12th Ave, Columbus, 43210; and seniors). and skating to all the gay tunes. 7:30p-9:30p; $7.

Saturday and 3p on Sunday; $30 ($25 in advance).

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Make it work!

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FRIDAY, MARCH 27 Women’s Happy Hour @ Plank Road Tavern, 16719 Detroit Ave, Lakewood, 44107; 440.342.3098; thewh2.com: The women’s social group meets on the fourth Friday of every month at places around Northeast Ohio. 5p-9p.

SUNDAY, MARCH 29 Cleveland Out and About Spring Bird Hike @ Sandy Ridge Reservation, 6195 Otten Rd, North Ridgeville, 44039; 440.327.3626; clevelandoutandabout.org: Welcome spring - and the birds back to Northeast Ohio with this hike through Lorain County’s Sandy Ridge Reservation. It’s not a fitness hike but more of a nature exploration. 2p.

TOLEDO / NORTHWEST

SUNDAY, MARCH 15 Miss Glass Citi Pageant @ Legends Showclub, 117 N Erie St, Toledo, 43604; 567.315.8333; FB: Legends Showclub Toledo: Unleash your inner Gladiator at the Miss Glass Citi Pageant 2015 as Miss Sabin steps down on the Ides of March. 7p.

SATURDAY, MARCH 21 Wizard of Oz in Film and Orchestra @ Stranahan Theater, 4645 Heatherdowns Blvd, Toledo, 43614; stranahantheater.org: Friends of Dorothy, rejoice!

The Toledo Symphony Pops Series includes a screening of The Wizard of Oz with a live orchestral score. 8p; $60-$80.

DAYTON / WEST

TUESDAY, MARCH 3 So You Think You Can Strip? @ MJ’s on Jefferson, 20 N Jefferson Ave, Dayton, 45402; 937.223.3259; mjsonjefferson.com: Every Tuesday for six weeks, a newcomer will be crowned as the audience favorite. They’ll all compete in the finals on April 8 for $100 and regular bookings at MJ’s. 9p; singles.

TUESDAY, MARCH 10 SUNDAY, MARCH 22 Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike @ Victoria Theatre, 138 N Main St, Dayton, 45402; victoriatheatre.com: The Premier Health Broadway series presents this Chekov-inspired play about two middle aged siblings (the brother is gay) whose lives are turned upside down when their sister comes home with a much younger boyfriend.

8p on Tuesdays-Fridays, 2p and 8 on Saturdays, and 2p and 7:30p on Sundays; $25-$87. outlookohio.com

OHIO LGBT NIGHTLIFE ROUNDUP BARS & CLUBS Akron

Adams Street 77 N Adams St Akron, Ohio 44305 330.434.9794 adamsstreetbar.com FB: Adams Street Bar 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 FB: Interbelt Nite Club Square Night Club 820 W Market St Akron, Ohio 44310 330.374.9661 squarenightclub.com FB: Square Nightclub Tear-Ez 360 S Main St Akron, Ohio 44311 330.376.0011 tear-ez.com Canton

Crew 304 Cherry Ave NE Canton, Ohio 44702 330.575.5548 FB: Crew Canton Studio 704 704 4th St SW Canton, Ohio 44702 330.453.1220 Cincinnati

Bar 32 701 Bakewell St Covington, Ky 41011 859.431.7011 bar32covky.com FB: Bar 32 Cov KY

Below Zero Lounge 1120 Walnut St Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 513.421.9376 belowzerolounge.com FB: Below Zero Lounge The Cabaret 1122 Walnut St Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 513.202.4052 cabaretcincinnati.com FB: The Cabaret

The Dock 603 Pete Rose Way Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 513.241.5623 FB: The Dock Complex Home Base Tavern 2401 Vine St Cincinnati, Ohio 45219 513.721.1212 FB: HBT Pride Main Event 835 Main St Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 513.421.1294 FB: Main Event Old Street Saloon 13 Old St Monroe, Ohio 45050 513.539.9183 oldstreetbar.com FB: Old Street Saloon

On Broadway 817 Broadway St Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 513.421.2555 FB: On Broadway Bar Rosie’s Tavern 643 Bakewell St Covington, Ky 41011 859.291.9707 rosiestavernnky.com FB: Rosie’s Tavern

Shooters 927 Race St Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 513.381.9900 FB: Shooters Bar Simon Says 428 Walnut St Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 513.381.7577 Cleveland

Cocktails 9208 Detroit Ave Cleveland, Ohio 44102 216.961.3115 FB: Cocktails Cleveland The Hawk 11217 Detroit Ave Cleveland, Ohio 44102 216.521.5443 thehawkbar.com FB: The Hawk

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

leatherstallion.com Exile FB: The Stallion 893 N 4th St Leather Stallion Saloon Columbus, Ohio 43201 614.299.0069 Mean Bull / Aura exilebar.com 1313 E 26th St FB: Exile Cleveland, Ohio 44114 216.812.3330 Level Dining meanbull.com Lounge FB: Mean Bull Cleve- 700 N High St land Columbus, Ohio 43215 614.754.7111 Paradise Inn levelcolumbus.com 4488 State Rd FB: Level Dining Cleveland, Ohio 44109 Lounge 216.741.9819 FB: Paradise Inn Slammers 202 E Long St Twist Columbus, Ohio 43215 11633 Clifton Blvd 614.221.8880 Cleveland, Ohio 44102 FB: Slammers 216.221.2333 FB: Twist Sc Southbend Tavern Vibe 126 E Moler St 11633 Lorain Ave Columbus, Ohio 43207 Cleveland, Ohio 44111 614.444.3386 216.476.1970 FB: Southbend Tavern vibecleveland.com FB: Vibe Bar + Patio The Toolbox Saloon Columbus 744 Frebis Ave Columbus, Ohio 43206 AWOL 614.670.8113 49 Parsons Ave FB: The Toolbox Saloon Columbus, Ohio 43215 Tremont Lounge 614.621.8779 708 S High St awolbar.com Columbus, Ohio 43206 FB: Awol Bar 614.444.2041 FB: Tremont Lounge Axis 775 N High St Union Café Columbus, Ohio 782 N High St 43215 Columbus, Ohio 43215 614.291.4008 614.421.2233 axisonhigh.com unioncafe.com FB: Axis FB: Union Cafe Cavan Irish Pub 1409 S High St Columbus, Ohio 43207 614.725.5502 cavanirishpub.com FB: Cavan Irish Pub Club 20 20 E Duncan St Columbus, Ohio 43202 614.261.9111 FB: Club 20

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

MJ’s on Jefferson 20 N Jefferson St Dayton, Ohio 45402 937.223.3259 mjsonjefferson.com FB: MJ’s on Jefferson Right Corner 105 E 3rd St Dayton, Ohio 45402 937.228.2033 FB: Right Corner

Sparky’s Lounge 822 Watertower Lane West Carrollton, Ohio 45449 937.859.1062 FB: Sparky’s Lounge Stage Door 44 N Jefferson St Dayton, Ohio 45402 937.223.7418 FB: The Stage Door Lima

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

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

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 FB: Legends Showclub Toledo Mojo 115 N Erie St Toledo, Ohio 43604 567.315.8333 mojobartoledo.com FB: Mojo’s R-House 5534 Secor Rd Toledo, Ohio 43623 419.474.2929 FB: Rhouse Bar Warren

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

Crowbar 206 W Market St Sandusky, Ohio 44870 BATHS 419.624.0109 sanduskycrowbar.com Akron Steam Wall Street FB: Sandusky Crowbar and Sauna Night Club 41 S Case Ave 144 N Wall St Akron, Ohio 44305 Columbus, Ohio 43215 Springfield 330.252.2791 614.464.2800 akronsteamandDiesel Bar & wallstreetnightsauna.com clubandshowbar.com Nightclub 1914 Edwards Ave Club Columbus Springfield, Ohio Dayton 795 W 5th Ave 45503 Columbus, Ohio 43212 937.324.0383 Argos 614.291.0049 FB: Diesel Bar & 301 Mabel St the-clubs.com Nightclub Dayton, Ohio 45403 937.252.2976 Flex Toledo 2600 Hamilton Ave, Masque Cleveland, Ohio 44114 Boobie Trap 20 N Jefferson St 216.812.3304 5082 Douglas Rd Dayton, Ohio 45402 flexspas.com Toledo, Ohio 43613 937.228.2582 419.690.4115 clubmasque.com FB: Boobie-Trap FB: Masque GET LISTED!

I wonder how many straight men will wander into the Boobie Trap.

Update/add listing: erin@outlookmedia.com. march 2015

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savage love

by Dan Savage

Daddy Issues My father is 65 years old and has been a devoted husband to my mother who has been battling a medical condition for the past 30 years - a condition that prevents her from engaging in sexual activity of any kind.

He has not had sex in all this time and is desperately frustrated. He’s not Internet savvy - quite the opposite - and has taken to calling me across the continent from Michigan to ask for my help in getting him laid.

Sly, a “professional fantasy fulfiller” screening standards of whomever he and a sex workers’ rights activist chooses to call. This is for the safety with the Sex Workers Outreach Project of the provider and her clients.” (swopusa.org).

Is there a way for your dad - or for “His dad will have the best success you - to do a safety screening of your by hooking up with an escort. Escort- own? “Some escorts have reviews oning is not technically illegal, as the line,” said Sly, “and reviews are a money paid is for time and compan- good way to verify that someone is a ionship only and anything that hap- provider with a history of being propens sexually is a decision made by fessional and reliable.” two consenting adults.”

A final thought from Sly: “There is Sly recommends finding an indenothing inherently wrong or violent pendent provider whose website about escorting, but our culture is redoesn’t use sexually explicit lanally screwed up about sexuality and guage and specifically states that intimacy, and there is a lot of misunpayment is for companionship only. derstanding and stigma shrouding But Dad can’t look at websites - or the adult industry. If TGS or his dad Dad can’t be trusted to look at web- has cold feet about this, I suggest sites - so Sly suggests that you do googling the phrase ‘sex worker.’ the looking for Dad. Read materials written by people who actually work in the adult industry. ...

She suggests you print out the adver- A little reading may allay their aptisements of escorts in his area who prehensions.” have phone numbers. Dad can look at the ads and call a provider himself to Follow Savannah Sly on Twitter at arrange an appointment. @SavannahSly.

At first, I just thought it was gross.

But now, a couple of years and awkward conversations later, I wish I had some good advice for him - if only so that we never have to speak of this again. Is there a way that a man (once again, not internet savvy; it’s impossible to emphasize that point too much) can legally find someone to have sex with in Michigan? I will read your answer to him “TGS should let his dad know that over the phone. some escorts will not see gentlemen - The Good Son who are new to the hobby,” Sly said.

“Everyone has their own methods of “It’s awesome that TGS has gotten screening clients, and TGS’s dad over his initial squick and is stepping should comply with the safetyup to help his dad,” said Savannah 40

march 2015

‘Lucky U’ is what anyone reading this magazine is.

You can email Dan Savage at mail@savagelove.net, follow him on Twitter at @fakedansavage or listen to his weekly podcast, Savage Lovecast, every Tuesday at thestranger.com/savage. Savage Love appears every month in Outlook and every week at outlookohio.com.

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the divine life

by Debé

Pisces (February 19 - March 20) No one likes love and attention more than you, so enjoy the spotlight. Things have been up and down, but rollercoaster rides can be fun. Throw your hands up in the air and enjoy the ride. Your confidence is building, making you fierce and fabulous. Go on with your bad self!

Libra (September 23 - October 22) Playful Pisces: Wanda Sykes, Ellen Page, Darryl If you’re wondering where you stand with your Stephens friend or lover, this is the time to put your cards on the table. Clear the air and go from there. Spring has you focusing on your health. Are you bikiniAries ready?

(March 21 - April 19) Remember the movie Aliens? Something’s building up inside you and it’s ready to burst. Don’t panic, Scorpio this is a good thing. The future is becoming clearer, (October 23 - November 21) and you are ready to move forward. Lights! Cam- After seemingly endless obstacles, your career is era! Action! starting to move forward. As it gets hotter outside, so do you. Time to let the past go and throw that passion into your goals. Put your running shoes on Taurus and keep your eye on the prize.

(April 20 - May 20) As Bette Midler sang, “You gotta have frie-eh-ehends.” Old friendships are especially important, Sagittarius but you also make some interesting new connec(November 22 - December 21) tions, and maybe a new friend or two. If you’re sin- You’re feeling warm and fuzzy and ready for rogle, perhaps a friend with benefits? mance. Luckily, you are a sexy beast. If you don’t Bow-chicka-wow-wow. have a significant other, think outside the box. Perhaps someone with a different cultural background could put a swing in your step.

Gemini (May 21 - June 20) You’re at the top of your game at work. Greater ex- Capricorn posure and recognition make you a hot commodity, (December 22 - January 19) but being exposed has its drawbacks. It’s still Are you seeing obstacles that aren’t there? There is damn cold out, and big changes leave you feeling a lot to do, but you have what it takes to balance emotional. work and home. Don’t stress, you’ve got this. Relax and get in the zone. Trust me: Everybody wins.

Cancer (June 21 - July 22) Aquarius You are still pretty emotional, but the full moon in (January 20 - February 18) Virgo helps you handle the tasks at hand. You want You like change when it’s your idea, but when otha little less conversation, a little more action. Deci- ers turn the tables, not so much. You may be in for siveness impresses others, and they’ll want to some surprises, but in the end you’ll be better off. show their appreciation. Let them.

No pain, no gain. Suck it up, Buttercup.

Leo (July 23 - August 22) After an introspective winter, you are ready to get back in the hunt. Lovers and friends have your back, and that makes you purr with happiness.

Spring fever has set in, and you are ready to frolic with your mate or go on the prowl.

Virgo (August 23 - September 22) It’s hard trying to transform yourself while adapting to all the change around you. With the full moon in your sign, you are feeling revitalized. The universe is giving you a big boost. Use that analytical edge to your advantage. outlookohio.com

Handy Tip: Lunar Mount The lunar mount can be fairly flat, or full and puffy. People with a full Lunar Mount are dreamy, imaginative, creative and giving. It can also indicate psychic ability.

Debé is a palmist, intuitive adviser and metaphysical teacher in Columbus. She is available for personal readings, parties, events and workshops. For more information, go to www.thepassionatepalmist.com. Look for her horoscopes every month in Outlook.

‘Get Lucky’ is any night at The Hawk.

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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

Chris Geggie

First Five Marriage Equality States

5. New Hampshire: Jan 1, 2010.

4. Vermont: Sept 1, 2009.

3. Iowa: April 24, 2009.

2. Connecticut: Nov 12, 2008.

1. Massachusetts: May 17, 2004.

March 9 Topic: Why Marriage Matters in Ohio

Anita Davis

Top 5 Famous People From Youngstown

5. Jim Cummings: The voice of Winnie the Pooh and Tigger.

4. Maureen McGovern: “Morning After” singer.

3. Albert, Harry, Jack and Sam Warner: The Warner Brothers, as in the movie studio.

2. Ed O’Neill: Modern Family and Married With Children star.

1. Clarence Darrow: He began his law career in Youngstown.

March 23 Topic: Why I’m Running for Youngstown City Council.

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SPARE THEE, ROD

Across

1 “... is ___ itself” (Eleanor’s husband) 5 Animals that spit 11 Where to take your first mate 14 Spamalot writer Eric 15 First aid antiseptic 16 Boater’s paddle 17 With 18-Across, The Prime of Miss ___ (movie that Rod wrote a song for ) 18 See 17-Across 19 Road atlas abbr.

20 About to happen 22 Billy Douglas, in One Life to Live 23 Singer that Rod wrote the “A Man Alone” album for 28 Book jacket promos 31 Stick on 32 “___ On Down the Road” (tune from The Wiz) 33 Some A-List gays 34 Lesbian opponent of Wade 37 Church feature 40 Releases from the closet, e.g.

42 Connoisseur Allen 43 Throng of people 45 Grace 46 Draw back 48 Cannot bear 50 A Boy Named ___ (musical for which Rod got an

What did you give up for Lent?

Oscar nomination) 53 What opera singers put on?

54 Backfield exchange 58 NBC sketch source 59 Late great poet and songwriter Rod 63 Rod wrote “If You Go Away” based one of his songs 64 A male model may have a big one 65 Gingersnap, e.g.

66 Legendary Himalayan 67 Get hard 68 Loom 69 Old sitcom with Jodie

22 Tic ___ (sometimes fruit mint) 24 Toto’s home st.

25 Got to second base, perhaps 26 “How can ___?”

27 Tammany Tiger creator 28 Rupert Everett’s The Next ___ Thing 29 Until all hours 30 Where the lemon is the main fruit 33 Twill fabric 35 S&M response 36 Cigar butt 38 Dr. on TV 39 My Life in High Heels autobiographer Anderson 41 Reliable supporters Down 44 Young lady coming out 1 South Seas island group 47 B&O et al.

2 Rice’s East of ___ 48 Extended credit 3 “What a shame” 49 Former TV host’s new 4 Without a certain Broadchannel way play?

50 Big beer buys 5 Many October babies 51 Swinger’s joint?

6 Two Women star 52 River through K÷ln 7 Much ___ About Nothing 55 Bite it 8 STINKBUGStart of a life cri56 Salty white stuff from the sis?

Greeks 9 Feminist folk singer 57 Comic Wilson, who DiFranco cross-dressed as Geraldine 10 Get a load of 59 AT&T rival 11 Deep penetration 60 End of many a web adsymptom? dress 12 Enjoyer of Stephen Pyles 61 Keystone lawman 13 Gladiator area 62 Ho’s instrument 21 Heavenly body

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