2009-09-01 outlook: columbus by Outlook Media, Inc

outlook sep 2009 â&#x20AC;˘ vol 14 issue 4

inside: Judge Glaeden ETC UA Homophobia Lauren Flax Gavin Danger 25 years of gallery hop Celebrity bad fashion hottie Scottie niemet savage love & tranny healthcare

02-47:OLW_24in_ODD_

sep2009

8/21/09

1:58 PM

Page 1

Ohio'santhem"HangOnSloopy"byTheMcCoyswaswrittenbyWesFarrellandBertRussellandisnamedforsingerDorothySloop,whousedthename"Sloopy"onstage.

EVEN

outlookcolumbus.com

arts, homophobia, deep wood and sweatin’; welcome to the 5th issue of outlook: columbus! Usually Michael and I like to babble senselessly here and introduce you to the issue at hand, but this month there a bigger issue at hand than us saying this edition is about the Arts. Below is a letter from Angie Wellman about an Upper Arlington activist who is spreading fear and hate under the guise of caring and understanding. It’s sad that in Central Ohio this still exists. What is up with the anti-gay douche bags from UA, anyways? I thought we got rid of them a few years ago… Open Letter to Columbus As you may have heard, the LGBT Community Center in Tel Aviv, Israel, was confronted with an appalling attack two weeks ago. On a Saturday night, a masked individual entered the LGBT center and opened fire, killing two young people and wounding another fifteen. The attack came in the middle of an LGBT youth support group gathering. Many victims are in their teens.

We at Kaleidoscope Youth Center are saddened and outraged by this attack. LGBT Community Centers are a place where young people should be able to gather in safety. That safety has been temporarily shattered in Tel Aviv; our thoughts are with those youth, their families and the LGBT community in Israel. This is another reminder of the violence that continues to be perpetrated on LGBT people everywhere. This is another reason why it is important to continue to support the work that is being done with, and on behalf of, the LGBTQ community. Unfortunately, this was also another opportunity for those who do not support safety, affirmation and equality for all, to rear their ugly heads. It is most unsettling to us at Kaleidoscope Youth Center that one of the most vocal voices is one from here in Columbus, Ohio. On August 3, Linda Harvey (head of Mission America and Upper Arlington activist) sent out an email that started out sensibly: “Mission America denounces the murder of two

teenagers and the wounding of many others who were visiting a “gay” youth center in Tel Aviv…” Forgetting the gratuitous quotation marks around the word gay, Harvey would have seemed almost rational had she just stopped there. Instead, she blamed the victims. According to Harvey, they shouldn’t have been there in the first place. “It’s tragic that any teens go to these centers, and we remain unequivocally opposed to their purpose, which is to legitimize this behavior and draw young people into claiming a homosexual identity, often without parental involvement or knowledge,” she wrote. Harvey goes a step further. On Tuesday, August 11, Harvey sent out another email blast proclaiming: “Recently, a shooting at a “gay” youth center in Tel Aviv tragically left two young people dead and many others wounded. Mission America issued a statement condemning the shootings and also pointing out how harmful in general these centers are, as they ‘enable kids to enter the homosexual lifestyle.’.... This violent incident happened in Israel, but these GLBT youth centers exist throughout America as well, usually open to kids between the ages of 13 and 21. That’s right middle schoolers mixing with college students, all drawn to homosexuality. And we have yet to learn of any center that requires parental permission. Yep -‘confidential and safe’ is how they bill themselves. Safe from warnings about the behavior. ‘Confidential’ so parents can’t play a role in one of the most important decisions their children will ever make.”

you are here

earthopolis

creative class

snapshot

queer to eternity

deep inside hollywood are lucky enough to have such a place. Yes, Ms.

Here in Central Ohio, LGBT and questioning youth Harvey, we do provide a safe, confidential space

hey!

gaily fwd >

23 frames per second for young people to talk about how they are feel-

q-munity

insightout

fashion forward

pull out

gay agenda about town

food drama!

poli sci

community resources

feature: art blog

trippin’ out

anything but

feature: ETC & SN

savage love

open kimono

feature: drag king

local celebrity

small pond

feature: DJ Flax

astro forecast

outlook columbus is published and distributed by Outlook Media, Inc. the first day of each month throughout Ohio. outlook columbus is a free publication provided solely for the use of our readers. Any person who willfully or knowingly obtains or exerts unauthorized control over more than 5 copies of any issue outlook columbus with the intent to prevent other individuals from reading it shall be considered guilty of the crime of theft. Violators will be prosecuted. The views expressed in outlook columbus are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the views, policies, or personal, business, or professional practices of Outlook Media, Inc. or its staff, ownership, or management.

outlookcolumbus.com

ing. We provide programs and activities that allow young people to explore their identities, to find fellowship with other teens who have experienced the same bullying, the same harassment, and sometimes the same family rejection that comes along with being LGBT. We also provide a space wherein LGBT and questioning youth are able to celebrate who they are. We facilitate activities that follow the Search Institute’s 40 Developmental Assets. We are invested in the positive growth and development of young people in our community. As a youth service agency serving the Central Ohio area, Kaleidoscope Youth Center has become a well-respected community-based organization providing direct services to youth, training and education to youth service providers, and important information re-

lating to sexual orientation and gender identity issues to the community at large. From peer-to-peer programs to HIV prevention and education, to after-school programs, and peer counseling services; Kaleidoscope assists LGBTQ youth in the transition to healthy, productive adults and provides them with the necessary tools to become leaders in the greater community. For some of the youth who access our services we are the ONLY place they feel safe and accepted. And, yes, LGBT youth deserve to be affirmed and respected for ALL of who they are. Ms. Harvey – in the service of Christianity, mind you – is still trying to justify her outrageous comments immediately following the shooting. Ms. Harvey continues to embrace the nonsensical notion that sexual orientation is a lifestyle, a behavior or an option - one that requires parental consent. She remains incapable of connecting the dots between her sheer ignorance and the violence that is perpetrated against LGBT people. Ms. Harvey disregards a host of professional bodies that condemn such ideas. Just last week the American Psychological Association adopted a resolution stating that mental health professionals should avoid telling clients that they can change their sexual orientation through therapy or other treatments. The “Resolution on Appropriate Affirmative Responses to Sexual Orientation Distress and Change Efforts” also advises that parents, guardians, young people and their families avoid sexual orientation treatments that portray homosexuality as a mental illness or developmental disorder and instead seek psychotherapy, social support and educational services that provide accurate information on sexual orientation and sexuality, increase family and school support and reduce rejection of sexual minority youth. Here at Kaleidoscope Youth Center, we are proud to be doing just that. We remain steadfast in our belief that LGBT youth are valuable beings whom deserve to be honored, not attacked like their peers in Israel and across the world… nor condemned in their own backyards by people like Ms. Harvey. If you know of any LGBT or questioning young person who is in need of safe, supportive services, we can be reached at 614.294.KIDS (5437) or via our website at www.KYCohio.org. Sincerely, Angie Wellman, MSE, LPC Executive Director, Kaleidoscope Youth Center

outlook columbus does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness or reliability of any interpretation, advice, opinion, or view presented. Outlook Media, Inc. does not investigate or accept responsibility for claims made in any advertisement. Outlook Media, Inc. assumes no responsibility for claims arising in connection with products and services advertised herein, nor for the content of, or reply to, any advertisement. All material is copyrighted ©2009 by Outlook Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

Howsoonweforget.Homophobiadoesn’tplaywellinUA.Rememberthelibraryoutlookbanningscandal?AskTomMoonhowthatplayedout!

sep2009

PICNIC WITH THE POPS JULY 25, 2009

Warren watches in horror as a Cougar eats his young.

Mamma Mia! Look at me go, again!

Wine Master Eddie and Scott...both drunk on wine and love.

EOY - LOUISVILLE,KY AUGUST 2, 2009

Sweatin’ to the oldies or is it the oldies are sweatin’?

Hey Denny, who’s behind that heart shield... he’s so mysterious.

Playing with the queen of hearts.

Migrant day workers of EOY

EOY - LOUISVILLE,KY AUGUST 2, 2009

NETWORK COLUMBUS AUGUST 12, 2009

Virgina, Maria and Hellin OH MY!

Goodbye fare crown. I’ll miss you...

I see danger, stranger beware...

Uh dur! Of course we have the best checking accounts in the city.

NETWORK COLUMBUS AUGUST 12, 2009

Fish Heads, Fish Heads, Rolly Polly Fish Heads...

Patti Cash on left is no relation to Johnny Cash.

I was thinking about getting a D Cup.

Proof that we really are sometimes at the same place at the same time.

The giant whale is attacking again! Run!

EOY - LOUISVILLE,KY AUGUST 2, 2009

sep2009

Formoregreatphotosgotowww.outlookcolumbus.com/snap.html.Goteventphotosyouwantpublished?JustallChrisat614.268.8525.

outlookcolumbus.com

Ifyoudidn’treadityet,checkouttheletterfromKYCEDAngieaboutthehomophobinUA.It’sonpage3.

sep2009

LABOR DAY IN COLUMBUS MEANS ONE THING…ITS TIME FOR THE LABOR OF LOVE VOLLEYBALL CLASSIC! Individuals from around the region and country will be converging on Columbus Labor Day weekend for the 17th installment of the Labor of Love Volleyball Classic. The tournament is sanctioned by NAGVA (North American Gay Volleyball Association), which promotes gay volleyball across the country with over 30 tournaments each season. This year, teams are coming to Columbus from regional cities such as Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Louisville and Pittsburgh and from as far away as Atlanta and Toronto. The tournament will be held on Saturday, September 5 and Sunday, September 6 at the SportsBarn at Easton located directly behind Dick’s Sporting Goods and across the street from The Chiller on Chiller Lane. Action will begin both days around 8a with play continuing until 4p or 5p. Spectators are encouraged to attend as there is no entry fee and seating is available from the second floor looking over all courts along with food and beverages for sale including beer. The tournament could not take place without the support of numerous sponsors including Coors Light, Axis/U Café, Tradewinds, Score Bar, Level, Instinct, Sports Out Loud Magazine, TLA Video, as well as numerous other local and national businesses. Numerous socials will be held throughout the weekend including the Seeding Party on Saturday night at Tradewinds and the Closing Party on Sunday night at Axis, as well as, specials at other locations. We are also happy to have a designated charity each year with this year being BRAVO (Buckeye Region Anti Violence Organization) whom will receive a financial contribution from the tournament during the banquet on Sunday night at the host hotel, The Ramada Plaza North. For more information about the Labor of Love Volleyball Classic 17, please go to our web site at www.columbusvolleyball.org or email the tournament director, Jason Fallon, at jasvball@earthlink.net.

COLUMBUS IS LESS THAN ONE YEAR AWAY FROM HOSTING LARGEST ANNUAL GLBT SPORTING EVENT IN THE WORLD Columbus recently sent four teams to the 2009 Gay Softball World Series (GSWS) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Among those teams to represent Columbus were Tradewinds Columbus Renegades, Columbus Storm – Level, Tradewinds Grizzles and Oz Somewhere Else. OWNERS AND PUBLISHERS Michael Daniels & Christopher Hayes HEADQUARTERS Outlook Media, Inc. 815 N High St, Bsmt Ste ii Columbus, OH 43215 614.268.8525 phone 614.261.8200 fax www.outlookmedia.com

sep2009

The four Columbus teams were among 135-plus teams from all over the United States who participated in the week-long event coined NAGAAA Fest 2009. More importantly, as NAGAAA Fest 2009 concluded, the torch was passed to Columbus - marking the official countdown to August 2010 when Columbus will host the largest annual GLBT sporting event in the world. Columbus beat out Dallas for the opportunity to host the 2010 GSWS. The 34th GSWS will be staged August 16-21, 2010 at Lou Berliner Park. The tournament will attract 150 championship teams representing leagues from 37 major US and Canadian cities. To secure the bid, the Columbus Lesbian and Gay Softball Association (CLSGA) partnered with the Greater Columbus Sports Commission, the Columbus Division of Parks and Recreation, the Columbus Mayor’s Office, and local area businesses to pitch Columbus to NAGAAA (North America Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance). According to the NAGAAA board members and other voting delegates, the reasons Columbus clinched the bid included its demonstration of citywide support for a gay sporting event, convenient Midwestern location and GLBT- friendly community. “One of the largest factors that contributed to our successful bid was the fact that it’s home to the largest softball complex in the nation,” said Dallas Aldridge, Co-Executive Director for the event. “It’s not often a tournament this size can be held in a single venue. Having all four divisions compete in the same park will create a great sense of unity for the players and fans. The 2010 GSWS event, titled “Stand Tall. Play Ball,” will launch with Opening Ceremonies at Genoa Park on Monday, August 16th followed by 670 games. In addition to various social events, the week includes a talent show to raise approx. $10,000 for local charities. The event will conclude with a World Series Awards Ceremony on Saturday, August 21st. The economic impact of the six-day event is estimated to be approx. $5 to $6 million and will be a welcome boost to hotels, car rental agencies, restaurants, bars, retailers and other local businesses. In addition, the 2010 GSWS will generate more than $50,000 in revenue for the Columbus Recreation and Parks Sports Division and the Berliner Action Team for Softball (B.A.T.S.) organization. Created in 1977, NAGAAA is a 501c(3) organization

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Michael Daniels: mdaniels@outlookmedia.com NATIONAL ADVERTISING Rivendell Media - 212.242.6863 ADVERTISING DEADLINE Reservations by the 15th of each month. Art in by the 20th.

SUBSCRIPTIONS Call 614.268.8525 DISTRIBUTION Call 614.268.8525 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF & ART DIRECTOR Christopher Hayes hayes@outlookmedia.com

that promotes amateur sports competition, particularly softball, for all persons regardless of age, sexual orientation or preference. For additional information, please visit their website at http://www.nagaaasoftball.org or http://www.clgsa.net/gsws2010.

states,” said Kip Williams, one of the organizers. “Real equality can only come from the President, the Congress and the Supreme Court.”

Equality Across America brings together veteran movement activists such as David Mixner, Torie Osborn, Cleve Jones, Anne Northrop and Nadine Smith, with new organizers like Williams and Robin FRANKLIN COUNTY NOW OFFERS DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP HEALTH CARE McGehee, who lead the successful “Meet in the Middle” rally in Fresno, California following the BENEFITS California Supreme Court decision on Proposition 8. “We’ve got people from the Stonewall generation The Franklin County Commissioners voted unani- to the Facebook generation working together to win mously to extend health care benefits to domestic real equality,” said McGehee. “We’re tired of compartners of Franklin County employees. The change promises and delays.” was enacted as part of a comprehensive update of the County personnel policy manual and is exThe march in the nation’s capital is necessary to pected to take effect immediately. help supporters of equality focus their attention on the Federal government after decades of work at With the extension of this benefit, Franklin bethe state and local level according to Academy comes the first county in Ohio to do so. They join Award winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black. the city of Cleveland Heights and Columbus Public “The Fourteenth Amendment to the US ConstituSchools as the only public entities in the state to tion guarantees equal protection under the law, but offer DP Benefits. LGBT Americans are still denied that protection, now is the time to push for real equality, in all matIf you live or work in Franklin County, please call or ters governed by civil law.” write and thank the commissioners listed below. They each understand that offering domestic part- Lt. Dan Choi, also a member of the march steering nership benefits not only helps retain employees committee, is working to ensure a strong presence but helps attract new employees as well. More by LGBT and straight veterans at the march. “The than that - they know that it is simply the right majority of Americans reject discrimination in the thing to do. armed forces, it’s time for Congress and the Administration to move on this and all issues of RJ Sontag, Aide to Commissioner Paula equality for LGBT Americans.” Brooks 614.462.5729 rjsontag@franklincountyohio.gov; Laura Stehle, Aide to Commissioner Mar- Equality Across America pledges more than a ilyn Brown 614.462.3461, march and has begun recruiting volunteers in all ljstehle@franklincountyohio.gov; Sharon 435 US Congressional Districts to pressure memKeels, Aide to Commissioner John O’Grady bers of the House of Representatives. “We want to 614.462.5589 skkeels@franklincountyohio.gov bring together all the different groups that support equality: young and old, gay, straight, bisexual, MOMENTUM BUILDING FOR OCTOBER 11 transgender, people of all races, faiths and backNATIONAL EQUALITY MARCH grounds from every corner of this country,” said Corey Johnson of New York. “We want every memEquality Across America, the new grassroots net- ber of Congress to know that there are LGBT people work calling for Federal action to protect the rights and our allies in every single district.” of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans, has moved forward with plans for a massive Equality Across America has also reached out national day of action on Sunday, October 11, specifically to HIV/AIDS activists, interfaith leaders 2009. Major national LGBT organizations including and Youth organizers to create independent events the Gay Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation during the weekend in DC, as well as to state (GLAAD) and the Universal Fellowship of Metropoli- equality associations to build local actions tan Community Churches (MCC) have endorsed throughout the US in conjunction with the march the march as have local and state grassroots orfor those who cannot travel to DC on October 11. ganizations like Join the Impact Chicago, One Struggle One Fight and Freedom Democrats of The National Equality March is scheduled to begin Miami-Dade. at noon on Sunday, October 11. The exact route of the march is still being negotiated with the DC auOctober 11 has been observed as “National Com- thorities. Organizers are building partnerships with ing Out Day” since 1988. As well, this year comother groups to create workshops, trainings, semimemorates the 30th anniversary of the first March nars and teach-ins throughout the weekend. Paron Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. “We’re ties, concerts and other entertainment are being marching this October to demand action from the actively discouraged. “It’s not about another party, Federal government to protect our rights in all fifty it’s about getting to work,” said Kip Williams. CONTRIBUTING WRITERS SWBC, Regina Sewell, William Ashley, Adam Lippe, Romeo San Vicente, Jack Fertig, Simon Sheppard, Dan Savage, Marcus Morris, Jacob Anderson-Minshall, Arlan Hamilton, Mette Bach, Erin Upchurch, Mickey Weems, Michael Daniels, Chris Hayes

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Danner-Morris, Robert Trautman, Andrea Haley Cover photo: Robert Trautman

LaborDayhasnothingtodowithgivingbirthatall,unlessyouconsiderwhatcomesoutofyouafteraweekendofBBQs.

CYBERSPACE http://www.outlookcolumbus.com http://www.outlookweekly.net http://www.outlookmedia.com http://www.networkcolumbus.com http://www.flickr.com/outlookweekly http://twitter.com/outlookcolumbus http://www.myspace.com/outlookweekly http://www.facebook.com/outlookcolumbus

outlookcolumbus.com

Spying on your neighbor is wrong...unless he or she is really hot.

sep2009

He loves me... he loves me not...

outlookcolumbus.com

Andrew Hyde and The Rainbow Challenge by William Ashley

The Amazing Race. The adventure and the feedback from young GLBT folks You may have heard the buzz about changed my desired course for what I the Gay Survivor TV show that is about wanted to do and I’ve since worked with to air. I recently sat down with reality young people trying to encourage them TV star and producer Andrew Hyde to to live happy and healthy lives, counterget the inside scoop on his upcoming ing what the mainstream media and show The Rainbow Challenge. Check sections of society expect of young GLBT out the interview to get all the details people. on this ambitious project and its determined creator. OC: Were you ever scared of being stigmatized as “the gay kid” of prime William Ashley: You first entered the time television? reality TV world as a contestant on The AH: I knew about the “token gay” charAmazing Race. Tell us a little bit about acter and figured I was it. Most reality the adventures. shows have one and I have always Andrew Hyde: I was the youngest person thought it lame that the broad GLBT to ever compete in The Amazing Race community gets characterized by one and I was terrified. I had never traveled person. I did not personally want to repoutside the U.S. and The Amazing Race resent an entire diverse community. is certainly a crazy way to lose your in- That is a scary thing I could never acternational virginity. I competed with my complish. Southern Baptist father, Dennis. CBS certainly wanted to show the Baptist WA: You’ve taken reality TV into a new dad and gay son drama. Dad and I did- direction by producing and hosting n’t speak too often prior to The Race, The Rainbow Challenge. What can but traveling around the world together viewers expect from the show, which and having to rely on each other in is being called the “Gay Survivor?” challenges honestly helped us learn to AH: This concept is over a year in the communicate and understand each making. A program I run, The Mu Crew, other. A crazy reality show saved my re- a volunteer outreach and HIV education lationship with my dad. program of AIDS Resource Center Ohio out of Dayton, wanted a fun and enerWA: Where was your life heading be- getic way to educate online viewers fore you got accepted onto the show? about diversity and HIV. We took a popuAH: I was a college student on a cheer- lar format and made changes that to leading scholarship in Kentucky. I was make The Rainbow Challenge stand going the standard route until CBS alone as the first all GLBT reality comasked me to pack my bags during the petition series. We took ten diverse GLBT first semester of my third year. The Americans out of civilization and away whole adventure is a blur to me now, from the stereotypes. We cast these like a dream that I’m not sure if it was people based on who we thought reprereal or not. sented the community well and showed a broad spectrum of people. We did not WA: How much did your life change want a Jerry Springer show on our after the show aired? hands. Our concept was created to eduAH: I have been exceptionally lucky to cate and entertain, not to build another have some fantastic doors open after negative trash talk show. outlookcolumbus.com

Throughout the competition we have made our own commercials that educate viewers on the importance of HIV testing, crystal meth and its horrific impact on the GLBT community among others. These commercials are hosted by members of The Mu Crew, as well as, contestants from Survivor and The Amazing Race including Todd Herzog, the gay winner of Survivor China, and Coach, the self described Dragonslayer, from the most recent season Survivor Tocantis. We hope these commercials will reach young people that would never receive the information in their communities. WA: Tell about the process of producing a reality TV program. Which part of the process - from inspiration to execution - was the most difficult? AH: In the beginning I had to find people to see what I envisioned and build a team of other people willing to work, for free, to build the project from nothing. Quickly, we had a production crew of approximately forty people whom have worked endless hours on fundraising and even working around the clock in mosquito infested woods during production. It was, unquestionably, the hardest and biggest project we have ever attempted.

fore considering that. But it certainly has been discussed to make this an ongoing concept if the viewers want it. I think we have a huge opportunity; not to just entertain an online gay audience, but to educate straight viewers all over the world in rural areas who have never met a GLBT person. Our hope is that someone with homophobia will change their mind simply by seeing some really cool people playing such a tough game and hearing their stories. WA: Three prominent members of the Columbus GLBT community are contestants on The Rainbow Challenge. Did Chris Hayes, KC Kerrigan and DJ Moxy do us justice? What was it like working with them? AH: Our cast members are from Dayton, Columbus and Cincinnati. The four from Columbus, don’t forget Scott Risner, became involved in the adventure quick and I think they will do Columbus proud. From the get go, as host, I tried to get these people out of their element and really care about the outcome of the game. All the contestants seemed so skeptical at first, and I don’t blame them, but after the first few hours they were shell shocked and very involved due to the brutal challenges and rough conditions. One contestant, Amaya Sexton, a 20-year-old transgendered woman from Dayton, said something along the lines of, “I thought they would give us food and water off camera. I had no idea it would be this real and this hard.” There are tears shed in The Rainbow Challenge and very real emotions that came out naturally that we couldn’t have scripted. The contestants were involved emotionally in a huge way we didn’t expect.

WA: What kind of response have you been getting from the Web community and the gays? AH: The response has been great so far. There seems to be a lot of buzz and people are curious to see what this is really about. We are a production team with no prior experience and all working as unpaid volunteers to make this, but I think the audience will understand that. We are already receiving emails from GLBT people interested in being cast for WA: Tell us about life outside of the The Rainbow Challenge 2. I am praying small screen - what does Andrew to make it through the first season be- Hyde do for fun these days?

Is the Immunity Idol really shaped like a unicorn?

AH: The Rainbow Challenge is my life these days. Our team feels a huge weight on our shoulders to make the best project we can, so I have had many sleepless nights fearing deadlines and in telling the story as it should be told. But so far things have been falling into place fantastically. WA: Are you sharing these new experiences with someone special, or should Columbus be weary of a single Andrew Hyde coming to town? AH: Actually I am in Columbus all the time spending time with my fiancé who is a medical student in his final year at OSU. We are sneaking up on four years together and starting the planning process of a wedding and life post medical school and after The Rainbow Challenge. He knows he’s playing second fiddle to editing and media for The Rainbow Challenge right now. I hope he forgives me. WA: Finally, what’s coming up next for you? Are there more gay renditions of our favorite reality shows on the way? AH: I have had conversations with so many people with ideas for another GLBT reality concept. Many have wanted a GLBT Real World format, but I personally wouldn’t produce a series that thrives off of fights and booze. That isn’t me or our crew and I don’t think that would represent our community well. An all-gay Amazing Race adventure may be right up my alley though. Weekly viewing parties for The Rainbow Challenge are being held in both Dayton and Columbus startng Sep 14/15Mondays nights at Club Masque (Dayton) and Tuesdays at U Bar + Food(Cbus) at 8p. To learn more about The Rainbow Challenge, visit therainbowchallenge.com sep2009

by Mickey Weems

Hitler’s Tranny-Care 10

sep2009

fueled once again by margaritas (it was the weekend, OK?). I told him I’d love to I have a good friend, and I’m losing him. go back to Paris, criticized his apparent lack of exposure to the world outside of His name is Jefferson Davis Possettina. U! S! A!, and ended the email with “you We used to lifeguard together in Myrtle ignorant fuck.” Beach, South Carolina when I was straight. He is intelligent and meanLet me justify my use of crude language. spirited, two qualities that make him When the level of conversation drops to immensely funny. Well, they used to. playground taunts (“I don’t like your name” and “one-way ticket to Paris?” Jeff has lost his sense of humor. He for- What thinking adult would say somewards articles to all his friends about thing so childish?), I use my finely honed how Obama (who he calls Obongo) is ru- skills in liberal educator bullshit to bring ining this nation. Then he made the the point home, which includes caremistake of including me on his email fully-chosen obscenities at the approprilist. ate moment. Of course, those skills of mine were liberally awash in tequila. Granted, there was the occasional article that gave insightful analysis from a At this point, some people on the list conservative viewpoint. But most were were expressing their disapproval for the knee-jerk pieces: badly written, poorly way the conversation was going, esperesearched and full of slogans bemoan- cially since I had dropped the F-Bomb. I ing socialism. honestly felt bad for doing it. But I had no choice. When Jeff included my name After receiving one about how Obama on his list (something I had not asked was evil for admitting he was lucky to him to do in the first place), he made me have gotten the chances he had in life complicit with whatever opinions he (proof that Obama wants to take away sent to the collective. If I did not speak hard-earned wealth from hard-working out, inebriated or otherwise, I was Americans), I snapped. silently giving my approval to the content. It didn’t help that I was a bit drunk on margaritas when I read it. Before I knew I got a response from Ignorant Fuck. He it, I had sent a response, not just to Jef- said he was from four generations of ferson, but also to everyone on his list. family money “with pockets.” He graduated from Princeton, thank you, and had I told Jeff he should be careful about been to Paris many times. So there! criticizing anyone who shows modesty when they occupy a seat of power. Jeff Poor guy, he just made it worse. I was lucky too, I said. He is lucky he was- pointed out to Pockets that, if he’d been n’t in prison or dead. to Paris, why in hell would he say something so simple-minded, something that My point was that those of us who are sounded like it came straight from a less fortunate are not always welfare talking point spouted by the love child of queens. So much of life is circumstance Hank Williams, Jr. and Chuck Norris? If beyond our control. Those of us who ben- he graduated from Princeton, why did he efit from the blessings of this country not show the same breadth of intellihave a moral responsibility to help our gence as fellow Princeton alumnus fellow citizens. Sonia Sotomayor (I know he looooved being associated with her)? Jeff blew a fuse. He was in a panic because his supposed friends on the list I haven’t received a reply. Perhaps Pockwanted to know if he was a criminal. I ets is too busy counting his ancestors’ explained my statement was a rhetorical money while sitting in a café in the device. Everyone on that list, including Champs-Élysées; all the while chatting myself, was lucky not to be in prison or to his Princeton frat brothers and baddead. But my efforts were for naught. mouthing the French on his iPhone.

the mindless attacks against Obama have made me defend our president way more than I’d care to. Obama’s critics have resorted to playground taunts masked in adult language, and then pretending like they are engaging in real debate. It is hard to address issues that count when Obama is portrayed as Hitler, as a witchdoctor, as the Joker.

Jeff’s wife accused me of spouting “liberal educator bullshit.” I responded by saying yes, I am an educator. I have two Masters degrees, a PhD and I teach college. Guilty as charged. But regardless of my despicable status, that doesn’t change the fact that people should pay it forward, including the wealthy.

Not so long ago, Jefferson would have been laughing with me at Astroturf activism. But he has been stupefied, seduced by the fallen angels of his bitter nature.

Back to Jefferson Davis Possettina. I do not fault him for being named in honor of a proud racist. After all, I come from a community that lionizes the name “Stonewall.” Nevertheless, one would think that a man named after a Confederate president would be more selective about what he says about the first black president. Calling Obama “Obongo” The next day, some fool from the list said doesn’t make Barack look bad. But it’s he didn’t like me or my name. Responsi- much like a booger hanging out of Jefbility to help the less fortunate was ferson’s nose when he says it. I just want “psychobabble,” he added, and he to tell him to get a Kleenex and blow it would send me a one-way ticket to out before anyone else sees him. It is not Paris. flattering. That was too much. I responded frankly,

What makes me especially frustrated is

This isn’t a conversation. It’s a football pre-game rally. The only reason Barack is compared to Adolph is to insult Obama and his followers, to start something. And insults will, of course, eventually make their way to including faggots, dykes and trannies. When it comes to trannies, they already have. There are very real problems in America’s health care, for example, that are unable to reach the public forum. Lies about Obama-Care have eclipsed honest debate. Like the worst excesses of the future’s market, people treat what they fear might happen as if it is real in the here and now, shouting their rage against phantoms like tranny-care and death panels. You’d best believe somebody’s cashing in on the confusion. Don’t expect logic. It’s all about provocation, lessons learned from extremists in the pro-life movement, Fred Phelps, anti-war activists (including those who compared Bush to Hitler) and the Gay community’s own ACT UP. The difference is that the Obama-Hate movement has been manufactured for public consumption, like Swift Boats for Truth or Cheez-Wiz. It is processed, packaged, and advertised. A major news agency is its mouthpiece, a major political party is its cheerleading squad and major corporations fund its protests. Rhetoric is presented in a much louder, meaner voice, and purposely designed for fringe elements with greater potential for violence. Liberals usually don’t pack heat. Go Back To Paris! Tranny-Care! Obongo! Death Panels! Take away my First Amendment Right to intimidate you and shout you down, and you’re gonna come up against the Second Amendment, by God!

Pay attention, Jefferson Davis, my brother, to the messages of Tea-Baggers, Beck-clones and Birthers. I haven’t seen so many swastikas since the Nuremberg rallies. And I do not believe this is accidental. Combine swastikas with people toting automatic rifles, and you get vintage American Ugly. Do you really want to be associated with them?

Goodyear now has tires that will supposedly save you 2600 miles in gas during their 65,000 mile life. That’s a free trip to Vegas!

outlookcolumbus.com

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

outlookcolumbus.com

KYCGardenPartyisSundaySpetember 20from4p-7p.Moreinfoatwww.kycohio.org.

sep2009

Stirring The Pot Until it Boils Over by Wayne Besen Sometimes, words can kill. A vocabulary carefully crafted into lethal lies almost always foreshadows fatalities. In the case of Nazi Germany, the evidence of Hitler’s wicked intentions from Mein Kampf to the Brown Shirts was vividly clear. People may have ignored the alarm bells, but no one can say that there were not warnings of the brutality to come. In 1994, Hutu radio broadcasts that called Tutsis cockroaches helped lead to genocide in Rwanda. Prior to the infamous broadcasts, a newspaper published the Hutu Ten Commandments, which smeared the rival ethnic tribe and included the eerily prescient eighth commandment: “Hutus must stop having mercy on the Tutsis.” Earlier this month, in Gojra, Pakistan, more than 20,000 rioters torched 100 houses that belonged to Christian families and murdered seven people after a false rumor spread that the town’s Christians had defiled the Koran. Local mullahs enthusiastically furthered this big lie and used it to spark violence. “We were afraid because the clerics had been railing against us in the mosques,” Riaz Masih, a Christian and retired math teacher whose house was gutted, told the New York Times. “They said, ‘Let’s teach them a lesson.’” The circumstances of these tragedies are vastly disparate in terms of geography, time period and circumstances. However, they illustrate three points: 1) Inflammatory and defamatory words, especially if spoken by religious or political authority figures, can and do lead to violence. 2) There is no shortage of mentally unbalanced people who will sometimes carry out shocking acts, and we should be very careful not to incite them with rhetoric that stokes their paranoia. Like stacks of firewood, these angry individuals go unnoticed until the gasoline is poured and the match is lit. 3) Americans are human beings, just like everyone else. So, the notion that what we say does not matter “because it could never happen here” is jingoistic foolishness. A few weeks ago, I wrote about Dr. Michael Brown, an anti-gay ideologue in Charlotte who brought hundreds of red shirted fundamentalists to that

sep2009

People die more from smoke inhalation than actual fire in fires. Remember to stop drop and roll!

town’s gay-pride event. Brown’s mission is to “raise up a holy army of uncompromising spirit-filled radicals who will shake an entire generation with the gospel of Jesus by life or death.” If you haven’t noticed, the extreme right is getting dangerously delirious. A black president, a Latina on the Supreme Court and gay people gearing up to marry in Iowa has exacerbated this crowd’s feelings of marginalization. Unfortunately, there is no shortage of conservative leaders willing to exploit the situation for political gain. Just as Brown was able to organize the troops, former House Majority Leader Dick Armey (among others) is mobilizing angry mobs (at least the ones who aren’t Republican operatives) to harass members of congress about health care at town hall meetings. What these partisan “patriots” are doing is manufacturing mayhem and damaging democracy. It can’t be good for the nation to provoke the woefully out of touch and encourage them to go out of control. It is contemptible that a major political party would exploit the ignorant to fund the elite. These foaming-at-the-mouth fools (many think Medicare is a private health plan) rail against government bureaucrats influencing healthcare decisions. Yet, they seem blithely and suspiciously unconcerned about insurance company bureaucrats denying life or death coverage to maximize profits. No matter your view on healthcare and Obama’s plan, this rabble rousing by Republicans on behalf of their lucrative lobby firms is disgraceful. These political opportunists stir the pot of pugnacity, but in their arrogance believe they can keep it from boiling over. When crowds are summoned, filled with alienated people who feel a competing sense of abandonment and entitlement, it is only a matter of time before people get hurt. I am a staunch First Amendment advocate. But let’s not pretend such irresponsible words and behavior does not have casualties and consequences. We can best celebrate free speech and assembly by freely choosing not to incite or assemble irate mobs that lack control or any normal sense of inhibition. © 2009 Wayne Besen. All rights reserved. Anything But Straight. www.waynebesen.com

outlookcolumbus.com

Head shaving is not required of United Way donors.

sep2009

J u r i s t , A d v o c a t e , O e n o p h i l e:

J UD GE C ARR I E G L AE DE N , O N & O F F

by Michael Daniels I first met Judge Carrie Glaeden a couple-three (in Indiana where I was born, a couple-three is a real unit of measure) years ago at the annual HRC banquet where she shared our table and fellowship. Glaeden is one of those people you can’t help but want to be around – a self-proclaimed foodie and oenophile (look it up, it’s not dirty); she is a progressive advocate with a passion for the law. She’s one of our very best assets on the bench, and she’s a Republican. Glaeden is on the ballot this November – she is running unopposed for re-election. Glaeden’s resume is extensive and impressive. Currently in her sixth year as a judge on the Franklin County Municipal Court, Glaeden arraigns criminal and traffic defendants – both for the municipal and common pleas courts – and presides over criminal and traffic misdemeanor cases and civil cases of less than $15K. She also authorizes search warrants and conducts civil marriage ceremonies. “I’m in favor of full civil marriage equality,” she says without hesitation. Prior to becoming a judge on the Muni bench, Glaeden served as legal counsel to three Governors, as chief of crime victims’ services in the Attorney General’s office, as legal counsel to the Department of Liquor Control and as an Assistant City Prosecutor. “I always wanted to be a judge,” Glaeden said. “I can remember being in the 5th grade and learning about the three branches of government. The teacher showed my class a picture of the Supreme Court, and I noticed there were no women represented. I went home that night and announced to my parents that I would be the first woman on the U.S. Supreme Court. From that point on, there was no doubt about becoming a judge.” In January 2008, Glaeden was unanimously elected by her peers to be the Administrating and Presiding Judge for the Franklin County Municipal Court. As such, she has a 25% reduction in regular caseload as compared to the other Muni judges, but handles the administrative overhead of the court, including working through the Court’s budget, often serving as a spokesperson for the Court to various media and duties such as sealing criminal records. Despite these additional duties, Glaeden, like all AJs before her, doesn’t shy away from being in ‘full rotation’ on the court, including late nights as the duty judge who signs arrest and search warrants and a full shift in the arraignment courts. I spent a full Monday sitting right next to Judge Glaeden as she took on those duties … and I learned a lot about the process, and the woman

sep2009

T HE

herself. For those of you who have never spent time in Courtroom 4D, go do so. It’s the most entertainment you can get for free anywhere in the City. It’s like being on a criminal carousel in a freaky frantic zoo. Here’s how it works. Let’s say it’s a Monday morning. Everyone arrested from Friday night through Sunday night that has been sitting in jail awaiting charges is lined up. Everyone. Traffic violations, people with any sort of outstanding warrant, accused thieves, alleged murderers, girls (and sometimes boys) busted for soliciting and anyone who decided to wail on someone else for any reason … most often in the presence of alcohol, drugs and witnesses. These folks are brought from jail and broken into groups, separated by gender and type of crime charged. On the day I spent with Glaeden, there were as follows: Male Minor Misdemeanor – 5; Male Criminal Misdemeanor – 18; Male Traffic – 13; Male OVI (Operating Vehicle while Intoxicated) – 8; Female Minor Misdemeanor – 1; Female Criminal Misdemeanor – 6; Female OVI – 1; Female Felony – 6; Male Felony – 20; Female Domestic Violence – 5; Male Domestic Violence – 35. We started at 9a and ended at 2:30p, with no breaks. That’s 118 arraignments in 5.5hrs – an average of 2.8 minutes per person. In that 168 seconds, the judge must review the charges, sum up the person being arraigned, listen to the prosecutor’s charges and recommendations, learn about the person’s prior record, hear from the person’s attorney or public defender, decide how much bond to set and act on any prior warrants or court orders associated with that person. It’s insanely fast, everyone is talking at once and after sitting with Glaeden for about 30 minutes, I got the rhythm of it – but not the nuances. That was where Glaeden shines.

Even though each Muni judge only sits in arraignment court one week out of every 15, the decision that judge makes regarding bond can be crucial to whether a person gets out of jail, loses a job or commits another crime. I asked Glaeden when arraignment court is over if she ever wonders if she made the right decision in setting bond. “Every time,” she replied. “But you do what you can based on experience and your gut.” Less than 1% of all cases arraigned and set for Muni judges actually go to trial. The vast majorities are pleaded out between prosecutor and defense attorney. Patterns in cases emerge, and judges must be aware – for example, a significant fraction of traffic violations involve some form of alcohol, a majority of crimes of theft involve drugs and nearly all domestic violence incidents involve one or both. Judges can order general physical and mental health assessments, and include alcohol and drug counseling, batterer’s intervention and other nonincarceration options as part of sentencing. But those options are somewhat closing in, Glaeden said, “due to lack of funds.” Facilities such as NetCare and others are

B ENCH

suffering from government cutbacks, and, while court costs help offset some costs of indigent defense and OVI drug and alcohol programs, they are inadequate. Glaeden knows firsthand how a lack of batterer’s intervention resources can impact a community – she is the Chair of the Ohio Family Violence Prevention Center Advisory Council (www.fvpc.ohio.gov), a state agency/council that lists BRAVO (www.bravoohio.org) among its resource partners. The most rewarding parts of Glaeden’s job, she said, are “when the system works like it’s supposed to. When someone writes to me and says, ‘Judge, you helped me by sentencing me to such and such’ or ‘You saved my life by putting me in counseling’ or when a prosecutor or victim’s advocate comes back and says, ‘We were able to get Victim X out of town or into a shelter or a program because you held Victim X’s abuser in jail long enough that we could act.’ Those are the best rewards – knowing that the system has worked, that I’ve been a part of it, and that someone’s life was made better, or healed, or saved, because of what we’ve done.” For more information on the Franklin County Municipal Court, visit www.fcmcclerk.com. For more information on Judge Carrie Glaeden, visit www.glaedenforjudge.com.

I was impressed with Glaeden’s command of her courtroom. She never once raised her voice or said anything snarky, but with a glance or a word kept the attorneys in check and those being arraigned flowing smoothly. She handled the female/female domestic violence case that was before her in precisely the same tenor, timbre, and tempo as she had all the other DV cases – neither singling out this lesbian couple for special treatment nor special scorn. It was obvious to everyone that Glaeden saw this couple (a) as a couple and (b) just like every other couple in this situation. Equal treatment, pure and simple.

Didyouknowmostjudgesactuallydon’twearpantsundertheirrobes?Itstrue,Iswear!

outlookcolumbus.com

MostUnitedStatesreferencestoAudubonareatributetonaturalistandartistJohnJamesAudubon,NottobeconfusedwithAutobahn,Germanfordeathwish.

sep2009

Insanely Cool: The Business of Art

by William Ashley

back a second time to finalize his order.”

Art is the conscious use of skill and creative imagination, especially in the production of aesthetic objects. Well, sure, that’s the definition according to Webster. But what is art in the mind of Mac Worthington? It’s simple: art is business. “An art gallery is just like a restaurant or a clothing store. Your art is your product,” Worthington said. If anyone knows the business of art in the Short North – it’s Mac Worthington. His High Street gallery, which features his radical, abstract metal sculptures, has been a staple in the Columbus community for decades. Worthington is one of the few who have had the pleasure to witness the evolution of Columbus’ renowned Arts District. “The Short North is much nicer today than it was 20 years ago,” he said. “The quality of Short North art galleries is world class.”

knows that one of two things is going to happen: either he will sell a piece or he will get the customer’s contact informaMac Worthington, the progeny of two tion. If the latter occurs he puts the cusartists, has been a full-time sculptor tomer into either his “general” category since the age of 22. or his “serious” category. Worthington then implements a direct mail and e“When I started, my store was the local mail campaign for the client by sending junkyard. I would go get pieces of steel a package filled with photos of his work and iron and take it from there,” he and his résumé. Additionally, he trains said. “Fortunately the pieces that I did, his employees to identify a serious cuseven though they are extremely crude tomer from a general customer. These compared to what I do today, were well- identifiers include the amount of time a received.” person will look at a certain piece and whether or not they vocalize their interWorthington was determined to make est. As a final resort, Worthington adds his art into a full-fledged career, so he every person who steps into his gallery put together a portfolio and traveled to to his e-mail newsletter list. the major art metropolitans: Chicago and New York. Worthington found him- “Your work has to be everywhere around self unsatisfied with the business them. Look at Coca-Cola; it’s everystructure of these galleries and returned where,” he said. to Ohio to open his own studio. Worthington gives two reasons as to “All I needed was a floor for my freewhy his art is different than the dozens standing sculptures,” he said. “So I of other artists in the neighborhood: found painters who could use the walls there are no other metal sculptors in the and we worked together.” city and “because [my work] is cool.”

he said. Even though he creates art with passion, he never loses his business mentality. Every piece he creates must have a salable quality. Fortunately for Worthington, he has a clear vision of what salable means: if he likes a piece, then others will too. “Mac’s system works for him,” said Lidia Anderson, a glass artist who displays her work every month in Worthington’s gallery. Anderson has been showing her pieces in Worthington’s gallery for a year and said that she enjoys being part of the diversity of the space. Worthington likes to include other artists in his gallery in order to create customer traffic. “When an artists shows in my gallery, then they bring a whole new clientele with them. Whether it’s their friends or their customers – they are coming into my gallery,” he said.

Anderson got a chance to show her glass art at Worthington’s August 15th Of course, we all knew that. We’ve taken According to Worthington, art must be To Worthington, there is no better word gallery event. Sticking to his innate the stroll down High Street on the first treated the same way as any other busi- to describe his art, and metal sculpting business mentality, Worthington chose Saturday of each month for the awe-in- ness in order to make a living out of in general, than “cool.” In fact, when I to do a showing on the same day as the spiring Gallery Hop. However, Worthing- your creations. “You can have all the asked him to describe his art in two Short North Art District’s Art al Fresco II, ton insists that the art being sold in our passion and be very good, but it’s not words he chose, “Insanely cool.” He a daylong event that uses the streets of very own backyard stretches across the going to work without a strict business thrives on the abstract nature of metal the Short North to celebrate Columbus’ nation. attitude,” he said. – the ability to make gallery customers artistic spirit. Just as planned, the artsit and stare at his pieces, each coming savvy crowd also made their way into “I had a client who came all the way Worthington has developed a personal- up with a different interpretation. Worthington’s gallery. from the state of Washington just for ized system for his business. When a Gallery Hop,” he said. “He even flew customer walks into his gallery, he “That drives me. I’m doing what I like,” “Other galleries won’t push a customer

sep2009

to buy,” he said. “I will accommodate a client and look for chances to do custom orders.” Worthington is not a nice choice for this month’s Small Pond feature simply because of his art business, but he is also a member of the LGBT community. However, he insists that his sexual orientation does not influence his work. “I don’t target a specific market. I’m a pure artist,” he said. Worthington does admit the LGBT community makes up a great deal of his clientele. Mac Worthington is an artist who continues to evolve along with his surroundings. His art is much different today than those early days of shopping in the local junkyard. “This is garbage,” he said as he points to a picture of an early piece in his career. Even though his tastes have changed, his appreciation for the Short North has not wavered. “The Short North is extremely well-received by all of Columbus and other states. It’s the most known part of the city,” he said. If you want to check out Mac Worthington’s art, then you can visit his gallery at 749 N. High Street or view his pieces on his Web site (macworthington.com). “Absolute“ - sculpture & paintings opens Sep 5, 11a-10p with open house artist reception Sep 19, 6p-9p. Normal hours: Tue-Thu 2p-7p; Fri & Sat 11a-7p; Sunday’s 12p-5p.

Apokerruniswhereparticipantstraveloverapredesignatedrouteand,atdesignatedstopsontheroute,drawplayingcards.Thebestpokerhandattheendwins!

outlookcolumbus.com

You can be a Network Columbus sponsor too! Year-long sponsorships run October - September. Call Michael for more info: 614.268.8525.

sep2009

Can you actually get a glass of milk at Milk Bar? If so do they have strawberry milk? Mmmm strawberry milk...

outlookcolumbus.com

GRANGE INSURANCE AU D U B O N C E N T E R : A G I F T TO T H E C I T Y O F CO LU M B U S

Smooth Operator Gavin Danger & Dangerous Productions Slick Up for Their New Show As vibrant as our drag queen entertainment scene is, so too is the drag king world. Columbus has, dare we say, the best drag community in the country. Our gender illustionist our some of the best performers in the country. One such performer is Gavin Danger from Dangerous Profuctions. We caught up with “The Man” to ask about his troupe, the drag scene and the upcoming show Smooth.

GD: There are always politics with everything, as I am sure you are intimately familiar. However I can only speak on my experiences as a gender expressionist/drag king. Traditionally there has been more exposure and opportunities for queens. I believe that passion and persistence will lead to perseverance and change. I personally feel that if we as a king community do not have those opportunities, that we need to make them for ourselves. OC: Is Dangerous Productions a Drag Nothing is free and everything worth King Troupe? anything takes work. One way I have GD: No. It is a production company tried to make things work is to bridge that facilitates all types of gender ex- the gap between the two scenes by inpression on stage. It is primarily me corporating myself in the queen scene (Gavin Danger) and Catt Dazzle from and inviting queens to perform with concept to fruition. Catt is stage man- Dangerous Productions. So far it has ager extraordinaire and I do everything been successful and with every show it up until the night of the show; then becomes more diverse. Diversity is she takes it from there. We do have where I want to take Dangerous Proseveral Dangerous Liaisons, such as ductions. The core of Dangerous ProSexy Rexy and Taylor Mayde, who help ductions it is all about providing a promote with fliers and online stuff. positive and safe space for all types’ gender expression. OC: What is the name of this Dangerous Production? OC: How’s do you find the Columbus GD: SMOOTH. I came up with the con- Community reaction to Drag Kings? cept of the name through definitions GD: Columbus is an amazing city to be because people are always asking in for drag period. I have never been in what it means or what am I going for a more accepting city for our type of with this theme. The last show was gender expression. Almost everyone LUST ~ Carnival of Sin and it was so knows what a drag queen is, but when over the top and pretty self-explanayou use the term drag king some folks tory. With this show I want to reel it have no idea what you are talking back in and put together a tight show about. Overall the community is very with every performer’s interpretation of accepting; however the exposure is what Smooth means to them or their what needs to happen next. group. OC: What path has led you to become OC: What does SMOOTH mean to you? a drag king? GD: Every word evokes an emotion or GD: I first saw what is now termed as thought and “smooth” is no exception. a “drag king” almost 20 years ago in The concept originated from the defi- Jacksonville, Florida. Years went by nitions below but my friends are con- and it always stuck in the back of my stantly commenting on how smooth head as something I wanted to do. Gavin Danger is, if only I could be that When I moved to Columbus in 1998 I smooth in my everyday life. saw the HIS Kings perform at Jack’s/Summit Station. Soon after they Smooth ~ smüth had tryouts and I felt a little shy about 1: Free from difficulties or impedi“trying out” for something in a city ments <working with dangerous pro- where I knew few people. Several folks ductions is always smooth> 2: even left the HIS Kings and formed the and uninterrupted in flow <I have Royal Renegades. At this point I had never seen a show so smooth> 3: ex- become friends with one of the Cocessively and often artfully suave founders, Johnny Kingpin and he ask <these smooth operators are sure to me to emcee his going away show. entertain> This was my big break and it was the second Royal Renegade show ever. OC: What are the politics of being a From that point Jax, another coDrag King compared to a Drag founder, and I produced shows. Jax Queen? was primarily PR and I did all the other

sep2009

An amazing new community asset has just opened on the Whittier Peninsula in downtown Columbus, the Grange Insurance Audubon Center.

stuff. I was the producer for the RR for six years before leaving and starting Dangerous Productions. DP was formed in December of 2006.

The primary goal of the 18,000 square foot nature-based education center is to inspire environmental responsibility and stewardship in the daily lives of students and visitors who enjoy the Center and surrounding park. Situated in an Audubon Important Bird Area (IBA), on a major migratory flyway where more than 200 species of birds have been sighted, the Center is one of the only Audubon Centers in the U.S. located within less than a mile of an urban center.

OC: How do you manage your drag life and your regular life and compare to your family life. GD: My drag life and regular life have been slowly merging closer with every year that passes. First it started with my wardrobe then my name. I go by Gavin about 90% of time. I only use my birth name with my family and in certain parts of my professional life. Sometimes it gets a little confusing when I answer the phone, however I feel most comfortable using my chosen name as opposed to my birth name.

The Grange Insurance Audubon Center actually began eight years ago, when Audubon supporters met with city officials in Columbus, Ohio to discuss a plan for the Whittier Peninsula – a narrow strip of abandoned industrial land in downtown Columbus that also happens to be remarkably positioned on a major migratory bird flyway. Two years later, Audubon Ohio, Franklin County Metro Parks and the Columbus Department of Recreation and Parks agreed to collaborate on a project to reclaim and restore 160 acres on the Whittier Peninsula. Of this acreage, the Metro Parks will lease at least 84 acres; the Grange Insurance Audubon Center - so named for its major benefactor, Grange Insurance - will sublease from Metro Parks.

OC: How has your drag life affected your personal life? GD: Being this type of gender expressionist has helped me become more confident in my everyday life. My personal identity is a result of my drag identity and vice versa. Being in this community I have formed friendships that I believe will last for a long time; some are directly linked to drag and others are because of drag. Unfortunately I have lost friendships as well.

Within a five-mile radius of the center, there are over 50 schools representing six districts and serving approximately 33,000 students. Over half of these students are in kindergarten or elementary school. Recent studies have shown that integrating nature into curriculum can improve academic performance in a variety of subjects. Audubon will give top priority to the schools in this area where more than 80% of their students are economically disadvantaged, and less than 50% are passing science proficiency tests.

OC: When and where is Smooth? GD: Saturday September 26th at Wall Street Night Club The cover is $7, doors open at 8p and the show starts at 9p

Future plans include a full array of regularly scheduled hands-on programs for the general public to encourage recycling and enhance environmental awareness. The community will be able to enjoy movie nights, nature walks, yoga, nature art classes and a variety of festivals.

OC: Is this a benefit show? GD: Yes, it is a partial benefit to help Dangerous Productions get to IDKE XI. Several of my Dangerous Liaisons and I are hitting the road to Tucson this October. This will ensure our safe travels there and back.

The Center is available to rent throughout the year, and features inside and outside meeting space, a gift shop, an approved catering list and designated parking.

OC: Who should one contact about the show? GD: Gavin Danger for general questions or table reservations gavindanger@yahoo.com www.myspace.com/gavindanger

Help Columbus celebrate the opening of the Grange Insurance Audubon Center in the heart of the new Scioto Audubon Metro Park. Come see for yourself the beauty of this urban nature center! Wingding on the Whittier – A Night Out With Nature on Friday, September 25 – 7p at the Grange Insurance Audubon Center, 505 W Whittier St. Individual tickets are $150 dollars and there are many sponsorship opportunities available. Admission is free!

Wall Street Night Club for anything else For more information on what DP is go to www.myspace.com/dangerous_productions or www.myspace.com/gavindanger

Genitalnulloisremovalofthegenitalsandrelocationoftheurethaleavingasmoothsurface.Somepeoplerefertopeoplewhohavegenitalnulloas"smoothies."

Please contact Christy Smith at csmith@audubon.org for more information or visit the GIAC website: http://www.grangeinsuranceauduboncenter.org/About.html.

outlookcolumbus.com

I love the mechanical owl Bubo from Clash of the Titams. I wonder if he’ll be at the Audubon Center opening?

sep2009

Technology Triumphs by Mette Bach I have been holding off on joining Twitter with the same zeal that many of us refused to get cell phones, fax machines or VHS. Yet for my curmudgeon-like reluctance, Facebook and Twitter won me over this month. I was already becoming aware of their valuable contributions as lobbying tools. The Abbotsford rally gathered hundreds of people who didn’t know each other. The same happened with Hold Hands for Justice and with Enough - the West End’s rallies against homophobia and violence. These were technological triumphs; yet even as they mobilized us, I felt afraid. Many of us have too much information floating around about our private lives and it concerns me that our government – and everyone else – has unprecedented access to our lives. Then came the Amazon debacle and I changed my mind. When Gay and Lesbian Bookstores (ones that opened before the word “queer” was even in vogue) started closing, our collective intellectual landscape changed. Many of us knew that our stories would eventually be relegated to a single shelf in a Costco-sized book conglomerate. Seattle-based Amazon.com now claims that they experienced a “glitch” and never meant to relegate queer books to the virtual bottom shelf by tagging them as having adult content. Whether we believe that it was an accident or not is beside the point. They had to respond to the hundreds of thousands of outraged complaints from queers all over the world. Gore Vidal, Jeanette Winterson and all of our other literary heroes can’t be tossed off their catalogues without us forming a big virtual collective. When one of us gets an unpleasant scoop, protest is made in the form of an angry status update or tweet. Then there are shared links to headlines and, before long, an entire community comes together. Amazon received an ocean of outraged letters from all over the world. I still feel uneasy about the extent to which governments and corporations can track everything about us through our public social networks. But I need to drop my fears and remember that what Audre Lorde said is even truer these days: “Your silence will not protect you.” These tools, even when they leave us feeling disconnected from our peers, are also tools of a revolution. We can stop corporations from banning queer books because there are enough of us who are connected to each other. Amazon learned a big lesson. I did, too. So did every other non-twittering purist. The times are achangin’, so why not upload our photos, our politics, our connections to each other? We showed that we could gather together during volatile times; that we can collectively send a message. We don’t have to be afraid of local bullies and we don’t have to be afraid of multi-national corporations either.

sep2009

DidyouknowyoucanfollowoutlookonTwitter?Yepjustgotohttp://twitter.com/outlookcolumbus.Twityalater!

outlookcolumbus.com

Womyn-Only Spaces

by Erin Upchurch

nal desires to exist autonomously of men in their personal/political relationships This summer was my first time attending and interactions. The Michigan Womyn’s the Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival Music Festival (Michfest) is an annual in(MWMF); it is something I’d wanted to do ternational feminist music festival that for the past five years, however, due to celebrates this concept of freedom. The family and educational life have been un- festival is completely built, staffed, and able to do. This year, my gyrl and I were fi- run by women. Women build all of the nally free to make the six hour journey. stages, run the light and sound systems, Once we arrived, we were given instrucmake the trash collection rounds, serve as tions through a brief orientation and then electricians, mechanics, security, medical chose our camping site. Thankfully we and psychological support, cook meals for practiced setting up the tent a few nights thousands over open fire pits, provide before and avoided the frustration and childcare, and facilitate workshops coverbrief arguing (envision darkness, heading various topics of interest to the attenlights from my car, and a twisted tent) dees. Community decisions are made that occurred during our trial set-up The through worker community meetings next few days were full of bugs, heat, where the youngest members of the commusic, mile hikes, and the organic cama- munity are given as much access to parraderie that is exclusive to such an envi- ticipate as the oldest. ronment. We even survived torrential rains, lightning, and earth shattering The spelling of ‘womyn’ in the name of the thunder on our first night. festival is deliberate, and comes from feminist politics in an effort to reclaim While driving along the uneven ground, this noun in a way that does not include or drenched in the combined aroma of need the word man to make it legitimate. patchouli, bug spray, and three day old Womyn is one of a number of alternate funk, I experienced overwhelming sadness spellings of the word ‘woman’ which and grief at having to leave the Land. Al- many feminists promote as a way to rethough we looked forward to time away move the perception of gender bias from from the kids, computers, and phones I the English word ‘women’. Feminists who can’t say that we were fully prepared for prefer to use these words contend that the bliss of existing in a space occupied they have the right to choose how a term solely by women. Among many of the referring to them is spelled, rather than be beautiful attributes alive on the land, my compelled to use words that evolved from favorite was the acceptance of women’s what they see as a patriarchal society. bodies in all colors, shapes, ages, sizes, and abilities. My experience in womyn only I suppose there are those who question spaces is consistently enhanced by the im- the need for womyn only spaces and may plicit expectation that each individual will deem them sexist and discriminatory (I honor the presence of other individuals, would also conclude that these are the thus contributing to the collective notion of same who also question a need for femiacceptance. Another gem is the empower- nism). Here are some reasons why such ment of women to work and make decispaces exist: women have been socially, sions in an egalitarian environment. culturally and economically conditioned to give deference to men; we have been hisThe history of women only spaces extends torically disadvantaged with respect to back to a critical time within the Women’s leadership positions in society; and are Movement in which activists endeavored often in fear of men due to both socialized to create safe and non-oppressive envithinking and actual experiences. As such, ronments for women. This concept is an the attempt to classify women’s sepaoutward manifestation of women’s inter- ratism under the same rubric of sexism or outlookcolumbus.com

discrimination neglects the reality of power differences between the sexes as classes. In short, it ignores the reality of male privilege. I also equally acknowledge and honor the varying viewpoints surrounding womynonly spaces and trans inclusion. In the spirit of trans-parency, I honestly do not have a solid position on this subject. Cognitively I understand the shared and similar oppression experienced by transmen and transwomen alike; so much that I often grapple with shame while participating in such an environment. I intentionally did not share with my trans friends that I was attending MWMF and have shied away from follow-up questions from those who were aware of my attendance. As a person that wholly believes the personal is indeed political-and a committed trans ally- I find myself uncomfortably swimming in a pool of cognitive dissonance. Perhaps it’s selfish to desire the sacred experience of an all womyn space rather than boycott for change. Perhaps it’s foolish to deny myself the peace, acceptance, and inspiration that I so desperately need to continue as a contributing member of society. Perhaps the world will right itself of all wrongs. Perhaps I am idealistic. Nevertheless, I am thankful and have been deeply enriched in attending Michfest; and am grateful to all the wemmin who spent their time and energy building and otherwise preparing for such a beautiful event. For those of you eager to explore womon only spaces, I encourage you to attend the upcoming Ohio Lesbian Festival (www.ohiolba.org). Erin Upchurch, MSSA, LSW is an activist, feminist, writer, and mother. She has spent more than 10 years advocating for and working to empower both individuals and communities. Erin’s advocacy includes supporting women’s issues, LGBT youth and women living with HIV. She is a founding member of New Leaf Columbus, a social networking site for Columbus’ LGBT communities of color and their allies and is a host and featured writer for Gaily Fwd, a local talk show providing resources and thought provoking insight into the lives of the LGBT community.

Is she doing a reverse downward dog in warrior position or is she just advertising?

sep2009

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall by Regina Sewell Mirror, mirror, on the wall, Who in this land is fairest of all? To this the mirror answered: You, my queen, are fairest of all. Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm: Snow White Few of us need to stand in front of a magical mirror in order to find out if someone out there is more attractive than we are. We have the media to reflect that answer back to us. Channel surfing or flipping through the pages of a magazine for a few moments is all it takes to get it that we don’t really make the mark. The fact that the actors and models probably don’t really look like that is irrelevant. Their images set an impossible appearance standard for society as a whole. Key to this standard is a lean muscular body with well-defined glutes, abs, biceps, triceps, thighs and calves. The fact that most of these images target straight folks is also irrelevant. TV shows like The L Word and Queer as Folk and magazines like The Advocate, Out, Curve, and Instinct, all feature a body image that would be right at home in the straight world.

the truth, the social mirror lies. Obesity isn’t simply a problem of willpower. According to Jon Gabriel, author of The Gabriel Method, fat people are fat because their bodies want them to be fat. Note that he’s not saying that they consciously want to be fat. He’s saying that we all have what he calls FAT programs encoded into our DNA. These programs cause the body to pack on pounds any time it perceives that being fat is the best way to keep itself safe. In contrast, if the body perceives that being thin is the best way to keep itself safe, it will shed pounds. In addition to explaining obesity, this theory also helps to explain why some extremely thin people simply can’t gain weight. Some of the factors that can trigger the FAT programs are: emotional starvation (for example, starving for love, meaning, or spiritual connection), fear or scarcity (for example, fear of not having enough money, success, time or stuff), emotional obesity (for example, associating, consciously or not, being bigger with being safe), and dysfunctional beliefs (for example, believing you can’t lose weight). Work through these issues and convince the body that it will be safer being thinner, Gabriel says, and the pounds will slide off.

While the social mirror celebrates people with buff bodies, it condemns and despises people with fat bodies. In school, bullies are allowed to torment heavy children without penalty. But it’s not just bullies that torment their heavy classmates. I still remember the “fat kid” in elementary school; everyone called him “Fat Ricky.” We were not allowed to call people names, but somehow, “Fat Ricky” was OK.

As a therapist, I like Gabriel’s program because he gives the most plausible explanation for obesity (and extreme thinness that’s not caused by eating disordered behavior) that I’ve ever seen and provides a gentle supportive method for changing the way the body works using visualization techniques. Further, he helps people connect their weight issues to the stories they tell themselves and the situations in which Kids can be cruel, but adults aren’t much they place themselves. Once readers see better, especially when it comes to size. the beliefs they’ve been telling themselves, Total strangers feel complete license to they can change them. Rather than encourwalk up to a heavy person and give them aging readers to go on yet another diet, dieting and exercise advice. Family and Gabriel tells readers to stop dieting and friends are even less shy with their critical add in the nutrients they need. His procomments. Sometimes medical doctors gram encourages people to accept themeven join the shaming frenzy, blaming selves as they are right now. From this heavy patients for their lack of will power place of total acceptance, they are able to and/or laziness. connect to their truest deepest longings and/or their soul’s journey. He teaches It’s hard not to take the social mirror seri- readers how to be present in their bodies ously, especially when the messages are so and gives them tools to help them envision loud and clear. These messages drive peo- and achieve the body and life they’d like to ple to extreme measures like spending tor- have. While Gabriel can’t shatter the social turous hours at the gym, binging, purging mirror, he does help readers write and live and/or starving, steroid use, and plastic into their own fairy tales. surgery. Heavy people are no exception. Sewell is a mental health counselor with a Many heavy people go on one diet after an- Regina private practice in Worthington, OH. To ask a quesother and/or spend a fortune on weight tion, propose a column topic, read about her aploss products, videos, books, and equipproach to counseling, or check out her books and other writing, go to: www.ReginaSewell.com . Her ment only to find themselves weighing most recent publication, “Sliding Away” can be found even more than they did before. in Knowing Pains: Women on Love, Sex and Work in Unlike that mirror the Brothers Grimm described in Snow White that could only tell

sep2009

Rubthebellyforluck!

Our 40s, edited by Molly Rosen.

outlookcolumbus.com

24-25:OLW_24in_ODD_

sep2009

8/21/09

2:02 PM

Page 1

Jello shots are easy to make. All you do is substitute your favorite liquor for the cold water. Then pour in little containers and chill till firm.

outlookcolumbus.com

26-23:OLW_24in_ODD_

8/21/09

outlookcolumbus.com

2:01 PM

Page 2

If you’re itching to dance to music that isn’t what you’ll hear at every other gay club in town, you should check out the Labor Day party above!

sep2009

• • • • • • • • • outlook’s sponsored events • • • • • • • • •

• • • • • • • • about town • • • • • • • •

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 QUEER AS FOLK MEETS SURVIVOR Rainbow Challenge Viewing Party @ Union Bar+Food, 782 N High St, 614.421.CAFE (2233), Free HIV Testing @ Stonewall columbusnightlife.com: Catch loCommunity Center, 1160 N High cals Chris, Moxy, KC, & Scott as St, 614.299.7764, they catfight their way through a www.stonewallcolumbus.org: You survival of the fittest. Tuesdays can keep telling yourself that it @ 8p. rainbowchallenge.com for was just a pimple on that guy’s more info. penis or you can go get tested. 47p. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 YOU KNOW YOU LOVE IT FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 Network Columbus @ Crew StaSHE’S NO ELLEN, BUT SHE’S GOOD! dium, 1 Black & Gold Blvd, GALA Choruses Presents 614.268.8525, networkcolumSuzanne Westenhoefer @ Gov- bus.com: Join us for an update on ernor’s Ballroom, Hyatt on Capitol the Gay & Lesbian Softball World Square, 75 E. State St, galacho- Series, featuring Sam Schisler, ruses.org: You’ve seen her on Director of New Business for the Logo, HBO and the David Letter- Columbus Lesbian & Gay Softball man Show. The first openly gay Association. 6-8p. comedienne is in Columbus for one night only! 8p; $25/general FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 seating, $45/VIP. IT’S 5 O’CLOCK SOMEWHERE 4th Annual Microbrew Festival SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 @ North Market, 59 Spruce St, NO MORE STARVING-ARTIST SHIT 614.463.9664, northmarket.org: Financial Help Desk for Artists Everyone loves a sample - espe@ Junctionview Studios, 889 cially when it’s alcohol. Come Williams Ave: Join Robert Reed, check out the local brew masters. Certified Financial Planner, for a 5-9p Fri Sept 11 and 12-7p Sat few hours of financial advice for Sept 12; Free admission, artists and craftspeople. 2p; Free. $15/beer tasting + commemorative mug.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 TAKE A SWIG FOR THE FURRY ONES Zootini @ Martini Park, Easton Towne Center, 614.471.4300, columbuszoo.org: Have a drink with Jack Hanna or sit at the bar with guest bartenders from WNCI. Free drinks and furry animals might also add some incentive. 5:30p; $45/before Sept 9 and $50/after Sept 9. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 WEX’S NEXT BIG THING Luc Thuymans @ Wexner Center for the Arts, 1871 N. High St, 614.292.3535, wexarts.org: Witness the Wexner Center debut of Thuyman’s exhibit. Thuyman, considered one of the most significant European painters of his generation, will be making his first U.S. retrospective. Through Jan 3. Sun-Wed 11a-6p; Thur-Sat 11a-8p; Closed Mon. $5/general public; Free with student ID. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 THE DAY-LONG EXPLOSION YOU’VE BEEN WAITING FOR Independents’ Day @ intersection of Gay & Pearl, Downtown Columbus, thisisindependent.com: Over 200 Columbus artists, businesses and organizations line the streets for this explosion of creative spirit. 12p-2a.

everywhere are cringing at this very moment. 11a-2a Sat Sept 19 and 10a-2p Sat Sept 20; $40/Sat only, $60/entire weekend. SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 YOU’RE A HOE Garden Party 2009: Strengthening Roots, Growing Together @ Kaleidoscope Youth Center, 1904 N High St, 614.294.5437, KYCohio.org: Support the Kaleidoscope Youth Center, which has helped gay youth for the past 15 years. Also, how cool would it be to tell your grandkids that you met your hubby at a garden party? 4-7p. $100/ticket. Corporate sponsorships available. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 THE MOTHER OF ALL WINE EVENTS Columbus Food & Wine Affair @ Franklin Park Conservatory, 1777 E Broad St, 614.645.8733, foodandwineaffair.com: Fork over a few bucks for Columbus charities and the Central Ohio Restaurant Association. Experience the finest wines and delicious treats from Columbus businesses, all for a good cause. 6:30p-10:30p; $100/ticket. A CHANCE TO BREAK OUT YOUR “CHICAGO” COSTUME Evolution Theatre Company Benefit @ Gresso’s, 961 S High St, 614.302.0096, cremeans.28@osu.edu: A 1920’s speakeasy-themed fundraiser for the Evolution Theatre Company. Grab your flapper and join the fight against prohibition! 8p; $25/ticket.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 GAYS LOVE ACROBATICS Cirque Dreams Illumination @ The Palace Theatre, 34 W Broad St, 614.469.9850, capa.com: Another chance to see that one girl put her head between her legs LESBIAN FESTIVAL. ENOUGH SAID. from behind. Hailed by The New Ohio Lesbian Festival @ Frontier York Daily News, this show turns the everyday and ordinary into Ranch, Pataskala, OH, ohiolba.org: The 20th Anniversary bright and extraordinary. Through of the Ohio Lesbian Festival fea- Oct 4; 8p, with matinees during tures its first-ever two day camp- the weekend. $22.50$62.50/ticket. ing experience just east of Columbus. Meanwhile, gay men

1:23 PM

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 THE BEST THING TO HAPPEN TO YOUR TV Outlook Television @ your TV: Tune in every Monday night to our new 30 minute talkshow covering hot topics and local interviews. Monday nights @ midnight. Channel 17 WDEM - digital airwaves. Live stream @ wdemtv.com.

WHO BROUGHT THE BBQ SAUCE? RIB HILLIS @ Best of Fall Home Show, Ohio Expo Center MultiPurpose Building, www.dispatchevents.com: Come meet super hottie Rib Hillis, designer from ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. You can check out his tool while you shop for tools… just don’t be a tool. Through Sun. Fri 12p-8p, Sat 10a-7p, 11a-6p; $5.

8/20/09

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 THE “OTHER” POTTER’S MAGIC Richard Potter: Magic in Early America @ Greenlawn Abbey, 700 Greenlawn Ave, 614.224.0822, columbushistory.org: Forget Harry and come check out the magic of famous American magician Richard Potter, as performed by Robert Olson. 6-8p; $35/person or $30/Columbus History Society members.

WHO DOESN’T LOVE A TURKEY LEG? Ohio Renaissance Festival @ Renaissance Park, Harveysburg, OH, renfestival.com: Come to the kickoff of the annual Ohio Renaissance Fair and give your friends another reason to think you’re really weird. Oh, and we hear the best sex toys came from the Medieval Times. 10a-6p. Weekends. Sept 5-October 25; $20/adults, $10/age 5-12, Free admission for children under 5.

calendar outside sep09b:Calendar

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 IN CASE NETWORK COLUMBUS ISN’T ENOUGH Columbus Young Professionals Club - Speaker Breakfast @ Champps Lennox, 1827 Olentangy River Rd, 614.298.0833, cypclub.com: Continue your never-ending quest for a job in the company of fellow jobseekers and delicious pastries. Featuring guest speaker Cleve Rickseck, Executive Director of Capital Crossroads and Discovery SIDs. 7:30-9a; $5.

Page 1

calendar inside sep09:Calendar

8/20/09

2:27 PM

Page 1

•••••Stylings Martinistirredandshaken=$12.50 GavinKleinTuxedo=$662.50 TattooSleeve =$325.00 SexTapeReleaseParty=$19.95

Gavin Danger starring in Pussy Galore 2: Smell My Goldfinger

photography by robert trautman

August 2009

September 2009

S M

T W

September 2009 F

S M

1 2

Networking

October 2009

T W

9 10 11 12

S M 4

T W 6

9 10

9 10 11 12 13 14 15

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

23 24 25 26 27 28 29

27 28 29 30

25 26 27 28 29 30 31

30 31

Bars-Clubs Sunday

Monday 30

11:00 AM Brunch & Showtunes @ U 4:30 PM Strippers @ Pyramid 6:30 PM Strippers @ Score 8:00 PM Absolut SIN @ Wall St 8:30 PM Strippers @ Exile 10:00 PM LOL Comedy Clips @ Level 10:30 PM Strippers @ Havana 11:00 PM Strippers @ Tradewinds II

Tuesday

12:00 PM Dollar Days @ Flex 1:00 PM Happy Hour @ Tremont 5:00 PM Happy Hour @ Blazers 8:00 PM Karaoke Monday @ U 8:00 PM Pitchers & Pool @ Somewhere Else 8:00 PM Martini Monday @ Havana 9:00 PM Service Industry Night @ Level 10:00 PM Karaoke @ AWOL 10:00 PM Trivia & Comedy @ Q

6 11:00 AM Brunch & Showtunes @ U 4:30 PM Strippers @ Pyramid 6:30 PM Strippers @ Score 8:00 PM Absolut SIN @ Wall St 8:30 PM Strippers @ Exile 9:00 PM Karaoke with DJ Dawn @ Club Diversity 10:00 PM LOL Comedy Clips @ Level 10:30 PM Strippers @ Havana 11:00 PM Strippers @ Tradewinds II

13 11:00 AM Brunch & Showtunes @ U 4:30 PM Strippers @ Pyramid 6:30 PM Strippers @ Score 8:00 PM Absolut SIN @ Wall St 8:30 PM Strippers @ Exile 9:00 PM Karaoke with DJ Calvin @ Club Diversity 10:00 PM LOL Comedy Clips @ Level 10:30 PM Strippers @ Havana 11:00 PM Strippers @ Tradewinds II

20 11:00 AM Brunch & Showtunes @ U 4:30 PM Strippers @ Pyramid 6:30 PM Strippers @ Score 8:00 PM Absolut SIN @ Wall St 8:30 PM Strippers @ Exile 9:00 PM Karaoke with DJ Dawn @ Club Diversity 10:00 PM LOL Comedy Clips @ Level 10:30 PM Strippers @ Havana 11:00 PM Strippers @ Tradewinds II

27 11:00 AM Brunch & Showtunes @ U 4:30 PM Strippers @ Pyramid 6:30 PM Strippers @ Score 8:00 PM Absolut SIN @ Wall St 8:30 PM Strippers @ Exile 9:00 PM Karaoke with DJ Calvin @ Club Diversity 10:00 PM LOL Comedy Clips @ Level 10:30 PM Strippers @ Havana 11:00 PM Strippers @ Tradewinds II

Wednesday

1 4:00 PM 4:00 PM 5:00 PM 8:00 PM mers 8:00 PM 8:30 PM Club

Karaoke @ Q Team Trivia Tuesdays @ Level Top Shelf Tuesday @ Havana Cheap Date Night @ Slam!

4:00 PM 4:00 PM 5:00 PM 8:00 PM mers 8:00 PM 8:30 PM Club

Team Trivia Tuesdays @ Level Karaoke @ Q Top Shelf Tuesday @ Havana Cheap Date Night @ Slam!

4:00 PM 4:00 PM 5:00 PM 8:00 PM 8:00 PM mers 8:30 PM Club

Team Trivia Tuesdays @ Level Karaoke @ Q Top Shelf Tuesday @ Havana Karaoke w DJ Dawn @ Liquid Cheap Date Night @ Slam!

4:00 PM 4:00 PM 5:00 PM 8:00 PM mers 8:00 PM 8:30 PM Club

Team Trivia Tuesdays @ Level Karaoke @ Q Top Shelf Tuesday @ Havana Cheap Date Night @ Slam!

4:00 PM 4:00 PM 5:00 PM 8:00 PM mers 8:00 PM 8:30 PM Club

Team Trivia Tuesdays @ Level Karaoke @ Q Top Shelf Tuesday @ Havana Cheap Date Night @ Slam!

Karaoke w DJ Dawn @ Liquid Tues Night Jams @ James

7 12:00 PM Dollar Days @ Flex 1:00 PM Happy Hour @ Tremont 5:00 PM Happy Hour @ Blazers 8:00 PM Pitchers & Pool @ Somewhere Else 8:00 PM Karaoke Monday @ U 8:00 PM Martini Monday @ Havana 9:00 PM Service Industry Night @ Level 10:00 PM Trivia & Comedy @ Q 10:00 PM Karaoke @ AWOL

Karaoke w DJ Dawn @ Liquid Tues Night Jams @ James

14 12:00 PM Dollar Days @ Flex 1:00 PM Happy Hour @ Tremont 5:00 PM Happy Hour @ Blazers 8:00 PM Karaoke Monday @ U 8:00 PM Pitchers & Pool @ Somewhere Else 8:00 PM Martini Monday @ Havana 9:00 PM Service Industry Night @ Level 10:00 PM Trivia & Comedy @ Q 10:00 PM Karaoke @ AWOL

21 12:00 PM Dollar Days @ Flex 1:00 PM Happy Hour @ Tremont 5:00 PM Happy Hour @ Blazers 8:00 PM Martini Monday @ Havana 8:00 PM Pitchers & Pool @ Somewhere Else 8:00 PM Karaoke Monday @ U 9:00 PM Service Industry Night @ Level 10:00 PM Karaoke @ AWOL 10:00 PM Trivia & Comedy @ Q

28 12:00 PM Dollar Days @ Flex 1:00 PM Happy Hour @ Tremont 5:00 PM Happy Hour @ Blazers 8:00 PM Pitchers & Pool @ Somewhere Else 8:00 PM Karaoke Monday @ U 8:00 PM Martini Monday @ Havana 9:00 PM Service Industry Night @ Level 9:00 PM 'Sing Out Louise' Cabaret Night @ Club Diversity 10:00 PM Trivia & Comedy @ Q 10:00 PM Karaoke @ AWOL

Tues Night Jams @ James

Karaoke w DJ Dawn @ Liquid Tues Night Jams @ James

Thursday 2

4:00 PM Biker Bear HH @ Tradewinds II 4:00 PM LevelTini Night @ Level 7:00 PM Fiesta Night @ U 7:00 PM Trivia & Karaoke @ Score 7:00 PM Freshtastic Tunes @ Liquid 8:00 PM Futuristic Karaoke @ Exile 8:00 PM 3D Weds @ Q 10:00 PM Extreme Strippers @ Q 10:00 PM Boy Night @ Wall St

4:00 PM 3 Wise Men @ Exile 4:00 PM Leather & Fetish @ Flex 4:00 PM 3 4 3 @ Level 8:00 PM Long Island @ U 8:00 PM CW & HipHop @ Wall St 8:00 PM Thursday Thrust @ Tradewinds II 8:00 PM Disco Night @ Martini Park 8:30 PM Open Mic @ James Club 10:00 PM Melt @ Liquid

9 4:00 PM Biker Bear HH @ Tradewinds II 4:00 PM LevelTini Night @ Level 6:00 PM Network Columbus 7:00 PM Fiesta Night @ U 7:00 PM Freshtastic Tunes @ Liquid 7:00 PM Trivia & Karaoke @ Score 8:00 PM 3D Weds @ Q 8:00 PM Futuristic Karaoke @ Exile 10:00 PM Boy Night @ Wall St 10:00 PM Extreme Strippers @ Q

25 4:00 PM Get Your Mojo @ Level 8:00 PM Flirtinis @ U 9:00 PM Gayla Smith @ Club Diversity 9:00 PM Live Bands @ Havana 10:00 PM DJ Pat Finn @ Q 10:00 PM College Nite @ Wall St

1 4:00 PM 3 4 3 @ Level 4:00 PM 3 Wise Men @ Exile 4:00 PM Leather & Fetish @ Flex 8:00 PM Thursday Thrust @ Tradewinds II 8:00 PM Disco Night @ Martini Park 8:00 PM CW & HipHop @ Wall St 8:00 PM Long Island @ U 8:30 PM Open Mic @ James Club 10:00 PM Melt @ Liquid

12 8:00 PM Margaritas @ U 9:00 PM Norwin Mergler with Lisa Imondi & Pat Landis @ Club Diversity 10:00 PM Lesbian Dance Night @ Wall St 10:00 PM Dance Your Ass O" @ Axis 10:00 PM DJ Jeremy James @ Level 11:00 PM DJ T Cruz @ Q

4:00 PM Get Your Mojo @ Level 8:00 PM Flirtinis @ U 9:00 PM Debe' Wenig with Bobby Ham! lin @ Club Diversity 9:00 PM Live Bands @ Havana 10:00 PM DJ Pat Finn @ Q 10:00 PM College Nite @ Wall St

4:00 PM Leather & Fetish @ Flex 4:00 PM 3 4 3 @ Level 4:00 PM 3 Wise Men @ Exile 8:00 PM CW & HipHop @ Wall St 8:00 PM Disco Night @ Martini Park 8:00 PM Long Island @ U 8:00 PM Thursday Thrust @ Tradewinds II 8:30 PM Open Mic @ James Club 10:00 PM Melt @ Liquid

30 4:00 PM LevelTini Night @ Level 4:00 PM Biker Bear HH @ Tradewinds II 7:00 PM Trivia & Karaoke @ Score 7:00 PM Fiesta Night @ U 7:00 PM Freshtastic Tunes @ Liquid 8:00 PM Futuristic Karaoke @ Exile 8:00 PM 3D Weds @ Q 10:00 PM Boy Night @ Wall St 10:00 PM Extreme Strippers @ Q

5 8:00 PM Margaritas @ U 9:00 PM Jenkins & Scott @ Club Diver! sity 10:00 PM Lesbian Dance Night @ Wall St 10:00 PM Dance Your Ass O" @ Axis 10:00 PM DJ Jeremy James @ Level 11:00 PM DJ T Cruz @ Q

4:00 PM Get Your Mojo @ Level 8:00 PM Flirtinis @ U 9:00 PM Shane! @ Club Diversity 9:00 PM Live Bands @ Havana 10:00 PM DJ Pat Finn @ Q 10:00 PM College Nite @ Wall St

4:00 PM 3 4 3 @ Level 4:00 PM Leather & Fetish @ Flex 4:00 PM 3 Wise Men @ Exile 8:00 PM Disco Night @ Martini Park 8:00 PM Long Island @ U 8:00 PM CW & HipHop @ Wall St 8:00 PM Thursday Thrust @ Tradewinds II 8:30 PM Open Mic @ James Club 10:00 PM Melt @ Liquid

23 4:00 PM LevelTini Night @ Level 4:00 PM Biker Bear HH @ Tradewinds II 7:00 PM Fiesta Night @ U 7:00 PM Trivia & Karaoke @ Score 7:00 PM Freshtastic Tunes @ Liquid 8:00 PM 3D Weds @ Q 8:00 PM Futuristic Karaoke @ Exile 10:00 PM Extreme Strippers @ Q 10:00 PM Boy Night @ Wall St

Saturday 4

4:00 PM Get Your Mojo @ Level 7:00 PM First Friday @ Wall St 8:00 PM Flirtinis @ U 9:00 PM Mary McClendon & Bob Mills @ Club Diversity 9:00 PM Live Bands @ Havana 10:00 PM DJ Pat Finn @ Q 10:00 PM College Nite @ Wall St

4:00 PM 3 4 3 @ Level 4:00 PM Leather & Fetish @ Flex 4:00 PM 3 Wise Men @ Exile 8:00 PM Long Island @ U 8:00 PM Thursday Thrust @ Tradewinds II 8:00 PM Disco Night @ Martini Park 8:00 PM CW & HipHop @ Wall St 8:30 PM Open Mic @ James Club 10:00 PM Melt @ Liquid

16 4:00 PM LevelTini Night @ Level 4:00 PM Biker Bear HH @ Tradewinds II 7:00 PM Fiesta Night @ U 7:00 PM Trivia & Karaoke @ Score 7:00 PM Freshtastic Tunes @ Liquid 8:00 PM Futuristic Karaoke @ Exile 8:00 PM 3D Weds @ Q 10:00 PM Boy Night @ Wall St 10:00 PM Extreme Strippers @ Q

Friday 3

19 8:00 PM Margaritas @ U 9:00 PM Ryan Scarlata with Kristin & Carson @ Club Diversity 10:00 PM DJ Jeremy James @ Level 10:00 PM Lesbian Dance Night @ Wall St 10:00 PM Dance Your Ass O" @ Axis 11:00 PM DJ T Cruz @ Q

26 8:00 PM Margaritas @ U 9:00 PM Elisa Nicolas @ Club Diversity 10:00 PM Lesbian Dance Night @ Wall St 10:00 PM Dance Your Ass O" @ Axis 10:00 PM DJ Jeremy James @ Level 11:00 PM DJ T Cruz @ Q

2 4:00 PM Get Your Mojo @ Level 7:00 PM First Friday @ Wall St 8:00 PM Flirtinis @ U 9:00 PM Live Bands @ Havana 10:00 PM DJ Pat Finn @ Q 10:00 PM College Nite @ Wall St

3 8:00 PM Margaritas @ U 10:00 PM Lesbian Dance Night @ Wall St 10:00 PM Dance Your Ass O" @ Axis 10:00 PM DJ Jeremy James @ Level 11:00 PM DJ T Cruz @ Q

Page 1/1

www.outlookcolumbus.com new weekly content so you don’t die between issues.

24-25:OLW_24in_ODD_

8/21/09

outlookcolumbus.com

2:03 PM

Page 2

DId you hear? Chris and Michael got a TV show. Look up. Their radio show will soon be back as well. Yeah!

sep2009

26-23:OLW_24in_ODD_

sep2009

8/21/09

2:01 PM

Page 1

The Gala Chorus is like the gang bang of choir shows. 5 in 1!

outlookcolumbus.com

YEAH, ARTS! It’s that time of year, when an occasional chilly nip creeps into the evening air, the days are just not quite long enough, and gay boys and girls everywhere start dreaming of sequins and paint and Shakespeare and dancing … yes, it’s arts season in Columbus. We can’t possibly preview every event, every venue, or even every arts organization, but we’ve extracted and extruded and distilled and diluted what we think is an important, and representative, cross section for your enjoyment and perusal. It’s what we are calling the entertaining arts issue. As always, we’ll be covering individual events and companies as they happen. But for now, sit back, grab a latte, and whet your artsy appetite with us. WEXNER’S FORD DEVELOPS IPHONE APP FOR WEXARTS As part of a comprehensive effort to harness new media, the Wexner Center has launched a mobile version of its web site, wexarts.org. This newly designed, slimmed-down view of the web site has been specially tailored and optimized for viewing on iPhones (or iPod touches) and other internet-enabled smartphones, with a layout befitting the screen size of mobile smartphones that allows users to quickly and easily get to the information they want. In addition to the calendar of events, detailed information about upcoming events, and visitor information, also “linked up” on this slimmed-down version of the full web site are mobile views of the Wexner Center’s blog; podcasts and other rich media content; and mobile versions of the Wex’s presence on such sites as Twitter, Facebook, and Flickr. Users of iPhone or iPod touches can access the site at http://wexarts.org/iphone, or go straight to wexarts.org (their iPhones

will automatically redirect to the mobile view). A mobile site for other smartphones, including BlackBerrys, is available at http://wexarts.org.org/mobile. A short video movie demonstrating the web site and a blog post by Alex Ford – a student employee at the Wexner Center and a senior in Visual Communication Design at Ohio State (who created the mobile view with guidance from Chris Jones, the Wexner Center’s director of design, and Jerry Dannemiller, director of marketing & communications) – can be found at http://wexarts.org/wexblog/?p=2435. Notes Wexner Center Director Sherri Geldin, “We’re fortunate at the Wex to find ourselves in the midst of 50,000 college students who are ever at the forefront of new media applications. So it’s no surprise that one of our student employees devised a mobile presentation of our web site that will keep the Wex at the head of the mobile communications curve.”

INTO THE BLOGOSPERE OH [intro]: interviewing creative Artists are often appreciated from a distance. Having a vibrant arts scene is dependent on local artists. These artists live next door, you pass them on your bicycle. You might invite them over for a cookout. Wouldn’t you like to know what they’re doing in the studio behind their apartment with the lights on all night long? OH [intro] pays attention to local artists. OH [intro] is a new series of interviews published on various websites with hopes of gaining wider readership. OH [intro] is small, local, and very organic. As such, OH [intro] is flexible enough to share space with others. OH [intro] is local artist, Daniel King, discussing creative motivation, process, and countenance with people doing what they do right next door. His past interviews include: Karl Mechem, local publisher of The Journal of Short Film, a quarterly short film magazine entering its 16th volume. Backyard avant garde filmmaker Matt Meindl, who thinks stop motion animation says allot about love. P. Tepper, a local painter who lives a waking dream, downtown. Interviews from the series can always be found on the artist’s blog scissorcircus.wordpress.com, and on ColumbusUnderground.com.

outlookcolumbus.com

I’ll bet that 6 feels left out a lot - no one uses the ^ symbol ever.

sep 2009

by Chris Hayes

The Next Generation of Columbus Theater

Cbus (yes somehow I’ve grown to love the term) is exploding with the arts. It’s not often you have a 2nd tier city with such a rich diversity of arts to enjoy. That is owed a lot of credit to the vast group of independent artists pushing for something new - for creation to reign. One such group of doers is Evolution Theater Company. They’re producing stuff you won’t find anywhere else and also creating shows of their own. I talked with ETC’s Artistic Director Paul Lockwood to find out more about this cutting edge theatre co., the business of theater and the implications of being labeled gay. Chris Hayes: When and how did Evolution Theater Company start? PL: Paul Lockwood: In late 2007, I found myself wanting to direct the kind of plays I like – daring, thought provoking – and I had no contacts here. I had already founded two theatre companies (one in NYC and one in Pittsburgh) so I thought, “why not start another one?” In January 2008, I solo-produced and directed Adam Rapp’s Stone Cold Dead Serious. Through that show I began to meet similar-minded folks. CH: What artistic/professional backgrounds make up the company? PL: I began doing theatre in Chicago in 1978 then moved to New York in 1981 and continued to perform Off- and Off-Off Broadway in all kinds of crazy stuff. ETC Executive Director Mark Phillips Schwamberger has been acting and directing just as long in New York, Florida, Kentucky and Ohio. Drew Eberly has been acting and directing for nearly 15 years, including a long stint at Philadelphia’s acclaimed Walnut Theatre. Vera Ryan Cremeans, a Columbus native, is the youngest of our current core, and she has an extensive musical theatre background. CH: Where did you get the name ETC? PL: I think of theatre (and all the arts, really) as an evolutionary process. Since ‘Theatre Company’ was a given part of whatever name I chose, and I love acronyms (because they are easy to remember), ETC it was. Plus I love the idea of ‘etcetera’ – it’s one of those boundless words. CH: What has been your most well received production? PL: To date, I’d say The Little Dog Laughed. It’s a very funny play with very crisp writing by Douglas Carter Beane. The cast was superb, including Krista Stauffer, who was named ‘Best Actress of 2008’ by the Central Ohio Critics Association, for her portrayal of the lesbian Hollywood agent. CH: What does it take to start a theater company? PL: Creative vision, substandard financial expectations, and absolutely no fear at all! CH: On average how much money does it take to produce a show? PL: Our productions have run $3,000 –

$8,000, depending on the number of actors, senior following. They are historically great licensing costs and length of the run. supporters of live theatre and much more progressive and open than some may think. CH: Are the actors paid or is it all for the love of the art? CH: Are your shows for any ages or are PL: We pay everyone –cast and crew. We they 21 and over only? strongly believe they deserve to be compen- PL: Many of our plays include strong lansated for their time and talent. It’s also what guage, adult situations and sometimes nucategorizes us as “semi-professional.” dity (not gratuitous, but rather situational nudity.) We leave it up to the parent or CH: Where does your talent pool come guardian to decide what they feel is approfrom? Is it all local? Do you keep the same priate. cast for each production? PL: Our talent pool is local – which is a tes- CH: How has ETC evolved over the years? tament to all of the creative people who live Did we hear you have a new partnership in Columbus. We like to feature as many with CAPA? artists as possible in a season rather than PL: Yes. We will now be affiliated with CAPA use the same few. Spread the wealth! in some respects. We are performing in their venues and will hopefully work more closely CH: Are all your productions performed at with them in the future. They have been the same venue? tremendously supportive and we really value PL: Our first season was at MadLab; the their faith in us as a company. second year we were at Columbus Performing Arts Center and this coming season we CH: Besides attending a show, how can will be using two CAPA venues: Studio 1 at people support ETC? the Riffe Center for out first show and then PL: We offer both individual and business a brand new space to be announced by sponsorships. We are also very happy to be CAPA soon. included in wills. We are also having a benefit Friday, September 25, at8p. The rollickCH: Does ETC do all original content? Who ing event will take on a 1920’s speakeasy creates it? theme with period jazz music, wonderfully PL: We do all ‘premiere’ productions – con- kitchsy drinks, food, flappers, mobsters, and temporary plays that have never been seen fun! This one-night-only fundraiser party in Columbus, or Ohio, or in the case of last will be held at Gresso’s in German Village, season’s original production of “I’ll Take Ro- and is a cocktail attire or 1920s costumed mance,” the world. The plays we present event. Come and hear all about our 2009can be the work of new playwrights or well- 2010 season, and what is new with Evoluestablished ones. tion! It’s big and exciting news! The ticket price ($25) includes a cabaret-style music CH: How many show do you produce in a show, appetizers, 1 free drink, and lots of season? fun 20’s flapper style! To purchase tickets, PL: This season we are presenting six (or please send an email to Vera Cremeans at possibly seven) shows. cremeans.28@osu.edu or call 614.302.0096. CH: It seems a universal questions to artists that are gay or geared toward the CH: What’s this next season look like for queer community is if they consider them- ETC? selves a gay artist or and artist that hap- PL: It will be our most exciting – and chalpens to be gay. Where does ETC fit in the lenging - season yet. We open in September spectrum? What is the political/business with The Agony and The Agony, a hilarious implications of taking a stand either way? comedy by Nicky Silver. In January we will PL: Many of us involved in the company are present RAPPture, the first-ever festival of gay and active in the Columbus gay complays by Adam Rapp. The lineup includes munity. I can only speak for myself – being Red Light Winter, American Sligo and Nocgay influences all of my own work and the turne. His work can run the gamut of tragic work I am drawn to. Many plays we have to comic all in the same scene. In April we produced have had gay themes and/or gay present “The Goat, or Who is Sylvia” by the characters. Our goal is to make “gay” a great Edward Albee. That show is sure to stir non-issue. Theatre explores the human con- people up, and in June we present our andition – and ‘gay’ is just one aspect of it. nual gay production. This year it’s the That said - if we are considered one of the charming musical Boy Meets Boy. gayest troupes in town, we are proud to oblige. It really does not affect us politically CH: What do think is missing from Columor economically because: 1. Theatre audibus arts scene? ences tend to be open to everything in the PL: We need more cutting edge work, and human spectrum and 2. Our audiences are more professional companies. We only have often asked, considering the work we one or two right now, which is odd for a city choose, to sit back AND think. Theatre can of this size. be a strong conduit for change. CH: What part of that does ETC producCH: What demographics typically make up tions cover or fill? your audiences? PL: We’d like to see Columbus become a city PL: We have a huge gay and lesbian follow- known for forging new theatre, like Chicago, ing, as well as younger creative types. What Minneapolis or Seattle. we really love is that we have a tremendous For more info on ETC visit: http://evolutiontheatre.org.

sep2009

Tying a bowline is easy. Start with the rabbit hole. Then out comes the rabbit that runs around the tree and hops back into the hole. You try!

outlookcolumbus.com

GALLERY HOP: 25 YEARS OF PARTIES! You can’t have an arts issue without talking about our famed arts district - The Short North. Celebrating 25 years of Gallery Hops this month, we caught up with PM Gallery owner and hop co founder Maria Galloway and Short North Business Association Executive Director John Angelo to learn more about the history of the Hop and what we can expect for the 25th year.

ple didn’t want to come. The concept and the timing were in synch.

OC: Who started gallery hop? Why? John: As I’ve heard it, the two elder statesmen of the art scene at the time: pm gallery and ArtReach Gallery.

OC: What are/have been the biggest challenges for the SN? Maria: Depends upon what period you’re talking about. At the beginning it was getting people down here.

Maria: Yep. We hoped that merging our opening receptions would be better than having them on separate nights. It was purely marketing. Get more people down to the area after dark. We figured if we could get them here after dark, we could get them back during the day. Safety was everyone’s concern back in the day. OC: When did the SNBA get involved? John: The crystal ball is really fuzzy on this one. It has to be about 15 years ago when Cleve Ricksecker was in my role. About that time, the SNBA began promoting “Holiday Hop” (the December version of Gallery Hop). The SNBA ramped up the experience with fire barrels, carriage rides, a Santa station, and carolers. Holiday Hop is now the biggest Hop of the year with upwards of 20,000 visitors. OC: Was it always on Saturday? Maria: Absolutely. It’s always the first Saturday of the month, even if it’s New Years Day, the Fourth of July - or a major blizzard! OC: How has the arts landscape changed in the SN ov er the last 25 years? Maria: Big time. Art is not static. Retail is not static. Twenty-five years ago there were maybe four galleries. There were as many or more “non-traditional venues” (think retail spaces, restaurants, salons) as galleries creating the buzz. Ritchey’s At 714 (a coin, jewelry, antiques and fun junk dealer) would feature his own original jewelry creations… and serve food. HandMotions (an air-brushed t-shirt company) would feature Greg Wyatt’s (the owner’s) works. People came for the experience, the happening, as much as the art. It was edgy. People wanted to be part of something cool and happening in Columbus. Today there are far more galleries with a wider range of offerings as well as a hell of a lot more retail and restaurants. The constant, however, is that people come to be part of an experience.

John: Now it’s finding places for them to park! Maria: The biggest challenge has probably been embracing our fabulously checkered past and burning the old “safety” tapes. John: Comically, we still get calls asking if it’s safe to be at Gallery hop after 10 p.m. Come on people! OC: What have been the biggest triumphs? Maria: Getting people down here. Having everyone in the city agree that the first Saturday of the month belongs to the Short North. John: Last year Ohio Magazine declared the Gallery hop the best art event in the state. Not bad. We now average over 10,000 visitors per Hop. Other cities would give their eyeteeth for an urban draw like that. OC: What can we look forward from the SN over the next year? John: First of all, some great developments will come to fruition. Starting with The Jackson On High. The north end of the district is really blossoming. We’re also expecting an amazing makeover (from the ground up) of the Kroger at King and High. Those two anchors will have a remarkable impact on business starts, foot traffic and the overall experience. We also expect to see a couple SNBA initiatives skyrocket… particularly HighBall Halloween: Masquerade On High. The event returns October 31. There’s already a buzz as people plan their costumes. Maria: The SNBA has also been raising funds for a new public art installation. In the next 12 months we should see a new mural or a sculpture added to the Short North collection.

OC: Will gallery hop be around for another 25 years? John: That’s a good question. What event has been around month after month for 50 years?

OC: What can we expect for the 25th Anniversary of GHop? John: We will be celebrating all year from September to August. We’ll be looking back and looking forward. We’re looking at bringing in some special exhibits and collaborations with artists and performers.

Maria: Wow, that would be 600 Hops! Geez. Well, it would be nice, but I won’t be here!

Maria: Lots of appreciation.

OC: What was most important to the Hop’s success? Maria: That Columbus was ready for an arts celebration. Columbus was ready to embrace an art scene, to be challenged by art, to be part of art. It was also ready to be challenged by a neighborhood that was in transition and pushing the envelope. Gallery Hop wouldn’t have endured 25 years if peooutlookcolumbus.com

John: The street vibe also has played into the Hop’s success. Musicians, artists, drag queens, thespians, urban trendsetters and suburban soccer moms all sharing an experience - everyone just being themselves.

John: Holiday Hop will be one of the biggest punctuation marks. We’re also working on special exhibits… opportunities for Columbusites to share their memories and photographs of Gallery Hop, as well as their thoughts on what should be next. Maria: After all, this is really their party.

HowdoyouthinkshewouldfareonaSegway?EverseeTheDarkCrystal?She’skindofaLandstriderhalfbreed.Chershoulddoasong.

sep2009

stuff. I was the producer for the RR for six years before leaving and starting Dangerous Productions. DP was formed in December of 2006. OC: How do you manage your drag life and your regular life and compare to your family life. GD: My drag life and regular life have been slowly merging closer with every year that passes. First it started with my wardrobe then my name. I go by Gavin about 90% of time. I only use my birth name with my family and in certain parts of my professional life. Sometimes it gets a little confusing when I answer the phone, however I feel most comfortable using my chosen name as opposed to my birth name. OC: How has your drag life affected your personal life? GD: Being this type of gender expressionist has helped me become more confident in my everyday life. My personal identity is a result of my drag identity and vice versa. Being in this community I have formed friendships that I believe will last for a long time; some are directly linked to drag and others are because of drag. Unfortunately I have lost friendships as well. OC: When and where is Smooth? GD: Saturday September 26th at Wall Street Night Club The cover is $7, doors open at 8p and the show starts at 9p OC: Is this a benefit show? GD: Yes, it is a partial benefit to help Dangerous Productions get to IDKE XI. Several of my Dangerous Liaisons and I are hitting the road to Tucson this October. This will ensure our safe travels there and back. OC: Who should one contact about the show? GD: Gavin Danger for general questions or table reservations gavindanger@yahoo.com www.myspace.com/gavindanger Wall Street Night Club for anything else For more information on what DP is go to www.myspace.com/dangerous_productions or www.myspace.com/gavindanger

Genitalnulloisremovalofthegenitalsandrelocationoftheurethaleavingasmoothsurface.Somepeoplerefertopeoplewhohavegenitalnulloas"smoothies."

outlookcolumbus.com

OSU football opener is here in town September 5th at noon against Navy. Go Bucks!

sep2009

No Judges, No Hotlines… BalletMet thinks You Can Dance by Jennifer Sciantarelli If reality television has taught us anything, it’s that dance is a great way to burn calories and have fun. So You Think You Can Dance, Dancing With the Stars and the smorgasbord of shows in-between have brought ballroom, ballet and even Bollywood to our living rooms, leading to America’s love affair with dance. You don’t have to dance with a star, a stranger or your dad to enjoy the benefits of dance. Channel your inner dance diva with likeminded individuals at the BalletMet Dance Academy. BalletMet’s fall classes begin August 31. While BalletMet offers classes for children and teens, the Academy offers an array of classes for us mature folks, too. For adults who love to move, but could use a little direction, it’s never too late to return to the classroom. Why take a dance class? There’s so many good reasons, but just to name a few: Learn something new: Need an expanded vocabulary of moves for the nightclub? Or, maybe you’ve joined softball teams and bowling leagues and are ready to challenge your body with new activities. Or, like some students, assist your budding musical theatre career by becoming a triple threat. Get healthy and fit: Dance is good for your health. It’s a great workout, improving stamina, flexibility and strength. Just ask the septuagenarians who continue to take classes regularly, from ballet to Dance! Move! Stretch! an exercise class including basic dance movement. Meet friends: Socializing can be half the fun. Meet people who share a passion for dance. Many of BalletMet’s adult students have formed close friendships with their classmates. Take for example, a class of students that dubbed themselves “Traci’s Tuesday Tappers” and donned matching team tees. Whether you’re a beginner or a retired pro looking for a challenge, there’s a class for you. Classes for all levels are taught in a nurturing environment by professional, qualified faculty. Variety is the name of the game at BalletMet. Disciplines available to you include ballet, tap, jazz, modern, hip hop, Pilates, ballroom and more. Classes run in the evenings and weekends at both the downtown Dance Centre and BalletMet’s satellite facility in Gahanna. Classes for seniors 55 and up are available during weekdays. Adult students can pay per class or purchase a multi-class card, so forget your fear of commitment. Plus, discounts are available for BalletMet season subscribers and college students. Impress your friends. Make new friends. Live out your childhood fantasies. Take dance classes and discover your hidden talent…maybe your hidden six pack, too. Visit BalletMet.org for the schedule of classes. Register online or call BalletMet at 614.224.1672.

sep2009

Eve was made by taking a rib from Adam. If he’s the Rib, we’re liking that story a whole lot better.

outlookcolumbus.com

Nightlife Salvation by Chris Hayes & Arlan Hamilton The Columbus queer community is artistic, diverse, athletic, active and social. There’s a niche for just about any kind of gay you want to be. Unfortunately though, that diversity isn’t always reflected in our nightlife. As this town has been longing for a dance party that plays more than the typical gay anthems you here everywhere - the success of the Sweatin’ party is proof of that - outlook, Moxy and Sweatin’ have teamed up to give you something goodly different. This Labor Day Sunday, we’re bringing in queer DJ superstar Lauren Flax for a hot night of dancing that you won’t get anywhere else. She’ll be joined on the tables with sets by Moxy and Detox. It’s going to be a great time. If you don’t know Lauren Flax, here ya go. Calm, collected, and shy are three words that do not describe Lauren Flax. Precise, intense, and grounded are more like it. Though she appears as small and waiflike, don’t be fooled, she uses all her power to put full force into her music. Sit back and she’ll take you on a journey through the lost depths of Narnia. With a decade of musical adventuring under her belt she’s played every major city in America and most across the Atlantic as well. Her keen knack for reading crowds is unmatched- her eclectic taste in dance music invariably manages to get everyone in the room moving. It’s clear how much fun Lauren has when she plays, and how much she enjoys her sets. Her energy is infectious and nobody could ever accuse her of treating music like a “job.” She has collaborated with everyone from FischerSpooner to Internationally known singer Sia, best known for her work with Zero 7. Lauren’s compositions are becoming much more visible and known in the dance community, even though she has most often worked on film and television scores. Recently however, she has been concentrating on releasing on indie label Djs Are Not Rockstars, her first single titled “You’ve Changed” which enlists the vocals of Sia (zero7) with remixes by Larry Tee, Alexander Technique, Junior Sanchez , Dre

outlookcolumbus.com

Skull and more. (The single “You’ve LF: Both. For one we definitely reach Changed” was released July 21 out to our people first for remixes. with remixes out this month). Then in general just imagine who would be a good fit to do a remix. Our girl Arlan caught up with Flax We give most people a shot that to find out a little more about her ask to remix, you ne’er know what and her music. you’re going to get! Some are great, some not so much. Arlan Hamilton: Tell us a bit about how/when you got into DJing. AH: “You’ve Changed” has the Lauren Flax: It was pretty simple. In lyrics “stealing hearts was your 97, my friends started doing it so pass time.” Is this directed at any eventually, so did I. But I was reluc- girl or guy in particular? tant at first. I didn’t believe turnta- LF: That’s something you will have bles were real instruments, so I to ask Sia about (ha,ha). stuck to playing Jewel on my acoustic guitar (ha, ha). But I came AH: Do you think being an “out” around. Once I finally tried it, I fell female DJ affects your music in love instantly. and/or how you’re treated in the industry? AH: Do you usually play gay-oriLF: No it doesn’t really affect me. Or ented events/clubs (like Dinah at least I don’t let it. I am gay but Weekend, etc) or does it vary? I’m a lot of other things as well. I LF: Oh I’m all over the place aldon’t let one thing rule my life, not ways. Both gay and straight and even music. everything in between. AH: What do you think about AH: You just opened for the B52’s Logo’s Click List? Do you think it is in NYC. What was that experience a good representation of the best like? of the queer artists out today? LF: A DREAM. I’ve been a huge fan LF: Well I have to be honest, I’m not since the 6th grade. It was pretty a big fan. NEWNOWNEXT on the surreal. Great performance, great other hand I watch religiously. crowd. Great programming and hosts. I love it! AH: Your new single (out September 22nd) “You’ve Changed” fea- AH: Let’s say you ruled the world: tures vocals by Sia. Was it written What’s your perfect tour line-up? with her in mind? And how was LF: Oh lord. I suppose and all the creative/recording experiBrooklyn world tour! That would be ence with her? epically fun. Especially since we LF: Actually the original came out never get to see one another anyJuly 21st officially, but we’re releas- more since we’re all always ing 6 new remixes September 21st. touring. I didn’t have her in mind while I was writing it. All that I knew once I AH: Do you think gay women have had finished the song was that it easier than gay men in general? they needed some seriously soulful LF: I think all of that’s a cop out. vocals. Sia was an obvious choice Everyone has something difficult to for me so when she had agreed, deal with in life. You just have to she just came over one Saturday. make the best of yourself and the We were finished within 20 minrest will work itself out. utes, I’m not exaggerating. She’s amazing. AH: Have you been to Columbus before? If so, what do you think of AH: Who else would you love to the women/gay community here? collaborate with? I was thinking LF: I think I played a rave there someone like Robyn would be once many, many years ago and to perfect for your style. be honest. I don’t remember much. LF: Robyn would be amazing!! I I blame old age! think though in recent months I’ve been reaching out to Bat for AH: I always ask people in my inLashes. I would love to collaborate terviews who they’d go gay or with her. straight for. Who would you go...straight...for? AH: My favorite remix of the new LF: Oh my god how could you! Just single is the Alexander Techkidding I’d go straight for either nique/Larry Tee Blogula one. Do Eric in true blood (but only as a you select the DJs to remix your vampire) or Justin Timberlake. songs, or do they find your song and ask to remix it? Do you ever Lauren Flax will be at Wall Street Nightclub Sunday September 6. Party runs 11p-4a hear a remix of one of your songs on with sets by DJ Moxy and Detox. $6 before done by another DJ and think it 1a; $8 after. More info at sucks? www.myspace.con/sweatinparty.

TheGoldenGateBridgeisthemostpopularplacetocommitsuicideintheUS. Jumpersfall245ftin4secand hitthewateratsome86milesperhour.Ouch!

sep2009

Thurber House Celebrates and Concludes Its 25th Anniversary with a Fall Line-Up Of Great Author Events, Including Rita Mae Brown’s Memoir, Animal Magnetism: My Life with Creatures Great and Small by Patty Donahey Geiger Rita Mae Brown, author of Rubyfruit Jungle, the bestseller about growing up lesbian in America, comes to the Columbus Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, October 28, at 7:30p, as a guest for the fall 2009 Thurber House Evenings with Authors series. She is a New York Times bestselling author of numerous mystery novels, including the Sister Jane Foxhunting series and the Sneaky Pie Brown mysteries. In addition to Brown’s novels, she has written two memoirs. The first, Rita Will, incorporates the story of her 1960’s activism in the Gay Liberation Movement and her participation in the Stonewall Riots. For her Evenings with Authors appearance, she will read from her latest work and second memoir, Animal Magnetism: My Life with Creatures Great and Small. It begins with Brown’s earliest memory, the soothing purr of Mickey, the family’s tiger cat who had curled up with her, claiming a spot in the crib.

sep2009

Growing up in an animal-loving family, she was surrounded by many furry and feathery friends. Readily admitting that she prefers the company of animals to people, Brown shares the lessons she’s learned from her animal friends as they have loved, endured and taught her, and how, in return, she has given them bottomless love. Brown’s affection for the animal world includes horses - riding and owning them. A former polo player, she now lives in Afton, Va., where she is the proud owner of hunters and hounds. As master of the Oak Ridge Foxhunt Club, she “carries the horn,” which means she is a huntsman, and in case anyone wonders how an animal lover could be a foxhunter, Brown answers, “We don’t kill foxes, so don’t get your knickers in a twist!” FALL 2009 EVENINGS WITH AUTHORS: Sue Miller The Senator’s Wife Wednesday, September 14; 7:30p Columbus Museum of Art, 480 E

Broad St This New York Times bestselling author will read from her latest novel, a portrait of two imperfect marriages and two women who unexpectedly change each other’s lives. Kaylie Jones Lies My Mother Never Told Me Thursday, September 24, 7:30p Columbus Performing Arts Center Shedd Theatre 549 Franklin Ave. This memoir tells the story of growing up in the shadow of her famous father, author James Jones (From Here to Eternity) with an alcoholic mother and of her own struggles with addiction. Julia Glass I See You Everywhere Thursday, October 15, 7:30p Columbus School for Girls 56 S. Columbia Ave. Glass, a National Book Award winner and author of three novels, has been compared to Jane Austen and the Brontë sisters. Her newest book portrays the relationship between two

sisters, one brainy and cautious, the other, wild and adventurous. Rita Mae Brown Animal Magnetism: My Life with Creatures Great and Small Wednesday, October 28: 7:30p Columbus Performing Arts Center Shedd Theatre 549 Franklin Ave. This bestselling author of numerous mystery novels has written her second memoir that shares the lessons she has learned from them, as well as he deep appreciation for her two- and four-legged friends. Bruce Feiler America’s Prophet: Moses and the American Story Monday, November 16: 7:30p Columbus Performing Arts Center SheddTheatre 549 Franklin Ave. New York Times bestselling author of Walking the Bible and host of the PBS series of the same name, Feiler posits that whenever the United States experienced hard times, it turned to

Thebar/restaurantRubyFruit,whichRitaMae’sbookwasinspiredfrom,isinNYConHudsonStinGreenwichVillage.It’sonlyalright.

the Exodus story, and he exemplifies how Moses was an inspiration beginning with the Pilgrims. Evenings with Authors begins at 7:30p. The featured guest reads from his or her most recent work, chats about writing, and then there is a question-and-answer session with the audience. Each event closes with a coffee and cookies reception and an opportunity to buy the author’s book(s) and get them signed. Tickets are $18 in advance, $20 at the door. Discounts for students and seniors. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 614.464.1032 or visit www.thurberhouse.org. Patty Donahey Geiger is Communications for Thurber House a member organization of the Columbus Arts Marketing Association. CAMA’s mission is to promote awareness of and participation in the arts and cultural opportunities in Greater Columbus through collaborative marketing and public relations projects, and to provide professional development opportunities for members. For information visit www.camaonline.org.

outlookcolumbus.com

FUN!

outlookcolumbus.com

If you’v e wondered why there are random holes in Chris’s clothes lately, it’s because he washer keeps nibbling on them. He should take then to the Bronze Bubble.

sep2009

HBO HAS A BOY-GIRL CRUSH ON MIDDLESEX

by Romeo San Vicente

STARGATE LESBIANS IN SPACE!

Jeffrey Eugenides’ novel The Virgin Suicides was memorably brought to the big screen by Sofia Coppola, but everyone wondered who would adapt his The new series Stargate Universe will boldly explore a hitherto unexamined complex next book, the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel Middlesex. That novel corner of TV’s sci-fi landscape by including two principal lesbian characdealt with the life of Calliope Stephanides, a Detroiter raised as a girl who ters. Ming Na (ER) and Reiko Aylesworth (24) play a romantically linked discovers during her college years that she was actually born intersexed. It couple - the first gay characters in a Stargate show - who will be promiis 40-something male “Cal” who narrates the novel and tells his story, nently featured in the new series that revolves around a group of humans which includes family history and even a glimpse at 1924’s war between (some civilians, some military) who are stranded in the far reaches of the Greece and Turkey. Rita Wilson and Donald Margulies are producing the universe and try to survive. (Genre fans are already comparing the series, hour-long drama series for HBO, with Margulies (whose Pulitzer-winning the third of the Stargate franchise, to the recently completed, critically ac- play Dinner with Friends also became a production for the cable network) claimed Battlestar Galactica reboot.) The cast also includes Robert Carlyle, slated to write the show. HBO optioned the Eugenides novel this summer, David Blue (who recently played the rumpled, regular-guy gay photographer so it probably won’t hit the airwaves until 2011 at the earliest. Until then on Ugly Betty) and Lou Diamond Phillips. Stargate Universe premieres on you can just watch your DVD copy of Orlando a few more times. SciFi - sorry, SyFy- in October. Take that, Star Trek! You’ve been one-upped! BAD GIRLS FIGHT FOR THEIR LIVES VIOLA DAVIS WILL EAT, PRAY, LOVE WITH ROBERTS Get ready for the teen spin on those great old Pam Grier prison flicks: MTV She recently snagged an Oscar nomination for nailing her scene in Doubt, Films has announced Bad Girls, based on the novel by Alex McAulay, about so it’s no surprise that Viola Davis’ name is being tossed around for the lat- an unruly teenager whose parents ship her off to a wilderness reform est batch of high-profile Hollywood projects. The acclaimed actor is now set school/boot camp on a remote Caribbean island. Once the troubled young to join Julia Roberts, Javier Bardem and Richard Jenkins in Eat, Pray, Love, ladies arrive, however, they find themselves having to fight for their lives the screen adaptation of Elizabeth Gilbert’s memoir that’s being written against drug dealers and other marauders while simultaneously battling and directed by gay TV (Glee, Nip/Tuck) and movie (Running with Scissors) their own worst impulses. This one sounds like a winner all around, with mogul Ryan Murphy. Davis would play the best friend of Roberts’ character; sharp-tongued mean girls for the gay men and sexy chicks running through the latter sets out on a worldwide journey to discover herself after going the jungle for the lesbians. Advance buzz has Dakota Fanning and Emily through a bitter divorce. And while Davis has had to make the most out of Browning (The Uninvited) vying to play the lead character, but nothing’s set thankless best-friend-of-color roles before - did you happen to catch Nights yet; look for Bad Girls to start some trouble (and hopefully do a lot of makin Rodanthe? - she’ll no doubt make this one crackle when Eat, Pray, Love ing out with each other) in 2010. hits screens in 2011. Romeo San Vicente once woke up in a Caribbean hellhole where he was forced to fight for survival; afterwards, he vowed never again to visit a Sandals resort. He can be reached care of this publication or at DeepInsideHollywood@qsyndicate.com.

didn’t mean it” apology, where Winona saves the day, thereby excusing how complicit she was in the suicide/murders.

would suddenly be seen as profound because of a cliché-filled suicide note. Goldthwait seems to have forgotten how distant and self-involved most teenagers are and how embracing something wholeheartedly would never happen. But because Goldthwait envisioned World’s Greatest Dad as a farce, reality doesn’t have to impinge on it.

Honestly, there simply isn’t very much going on in World’s Greatest Dad and there’s not enough outrageous dialogue or twists to Writer/director distract from the notion that the movie is only a soccer mom’s Bobcat Goldthversion of offensiveness. The one original and consistent crewait’s World’s ation is Daryl Sabara’s performance as Williams’ son. He’s hateGreatest Dad suf- ful, dumb, awkward, perpetually angry and describes everything fers from the same as “faggy.” When he leaves the movie, any energy it had goes skittishness as Heathers, prefacing an ending that functions as with him and we’re left with Williams’ sad, rubbery face building an apology and an undercutting of any harsh etiquette or any up resentment at one of the other teachers who got an article satire it might have mustered. It isn’t just the toothlessness that into The New Yorker. While that spurs Williams’ motivation to by Adam Lippe Goldthwait takes from Heathers; he also takes most of the same hatch his devious plan, he and all of the characters exhibit bebasic plot points, including the notion of writing up fake suicide havior that changes from scene to scene, doing whatever the For all the mean-spirited humor and nasty comeuppances it notes and the community rallying around someone who they did plot requires. Smart, honest people become idiotic and shallow, contains as a movie, Heathers is rather tame. This isn’t the fault not respect for their intelligence while they were alive. and vice versa. And there’s a fundamental misunderstanding of of screenwriter Daniel Waters, who envisioned a conclusion far how the publishing world works. darker than the comparatively quaint one used. Waters had The slight twist on the Heathers premise in World’s Greatest Dad planned a scene where Winona Ryder kills Christian Slater and is that Goldthwait has his main character, a sad-sack teacher Even so, Goldthwait could have gotten away with all these logithen blows up the school and everyone attending the rally in the and failed writer played by Robin Williams, try to profit off of his cal lapses had he been willing to commit to his vision. His endgym. It then cuts to Heaven, where everyone is at the prom with son’s death. Whereas in Heathers, the targets were those who ing is judgmental, sappy, and attempts to take the moral high various cliques intermingling and dancing with each other while Slater and Ryder hated — the popular kids. The emotional con- ground. Since when is sensible behavior funny? Martha Dumptruck sings on stage. This reasserts Slater’s line nection is a nicely cruel touch in WGD, though it doesn’t overabout the only place everyone gets along is in Heaven. As filmed, come the logical fallacy that a highly unpopular and disliked kid You can read more of Adam’s reviews at www.regrettablesincerity.com. the conclusion of Heathers plays like a “we were just kidding; we

World’s Greatest Dad

sep2009

Robin Williams starred in Mork and Mindy till 1982. Many of you reading this have no idea what Mork and Mindy was. Na-nu Na-nu!

outlookcolumbus.com

For more info and pics from G2H2 visit http://www.outlookcolumbus.com/g2h2.html

sep2009

by Marcus Morris

Dressing Down The Famous

sep2009

and has a line of clothes that are very smart, and not modified clothes for stripCelebrities are supposedly entertainers, but pers. L’Wren also dates Mick Jagger, which in regards to clothes and fashion, I find gives her major cool points in my book. Her them mostly entertaining. You’d think with collection of Sexy Secretary clothes and money, stylists and amazing designer high necklines equals chic, and allow clothes at an arms length, they’d be walk- Nicole Kidman to remain a style icon. ing fashion ads. Wrong. Mostly they are bad examples of how to dress. I guess that Rachel Zoe is the opposite end of the spechaving a talent in one capacity does not trum. She actually isn’t a bad stylist, but mean you are talented enough to dress her problem is that she wants to be fayourself. I’ve decided to pick, and pick at, mous too. I do not care about the person some of the best and the worst famous who dresses the celebrities. When I see people and the clothes they wear. I don’t Anne Hathaway on the red carpet, do I reaim to be Mr. Blackwell; I just enjoy making ally need to know that Rachel Zoe had a fun of rich people in ugly clothes. That’s en- meltdown when the garment bags from tertainment! Valentino were lost? Just because you work with celebrities does not make you worthy The first offender is Nicole Richie. What ex- of TV space. I wish the gays at Bravo would actly does she do for a living? I understand understand that. that Paris Hilton is famous for wearing pink and sucking a big dick on camera, but Kate Moss is a model, and that’s how I like what about her friend? She was famous for her. I like her heavy-lidded, cigarette in being anorexic and biting the style of Mary- hand, and a bump of coke draining down Kate Olsen, and now she is supposedly a the back of her throat. Her line of clothes designer? She has a jewelry line called for Topshop is cute, and I can’t knock her House Of Harlow, which makes me want to for exploiting teenage girls who want to vomit. She is also a “Laurel Canyon Earth dress like they just got out of the back of a Mother.” Meaning, she wears flowy dresses tour bus. Kate actually dresses very well and headbands, and buys organic baby because she is interesting. She puts tofood from Ralph’s supermarket. Nicole gether clothes that don’t reek of a designer. Richie is not a hippie. She probably lets her She always looks as if she has owned the baby shit in non-biodegradable Pampers, thing for years. She is the only famous perand drives a Range Rover to pick up the son I’ve seen who can wear cutoff shorts free designer stuff she gets. She is ruand wellington boots one day, and a gold mored to be creating a maternity line, and lame’ turban the next. Plus, she never fixed I’m sure she’ll make it with organic fibers. her teeth. I like that. A hippie does not sell clothes at Kitson! Lindsay Lohan? What’s the point? People I do not like Adam Lambert. Yeah, he’s gay, who are tragic like she is are not even fun and that’s great, but he dresses like a to make fun of. I could rag on the orange fucking reject. Plus, he ruined the song tan, the leggings, the DUIs, the visits to Mad World from Donnie Darko by covering rehab and the Anne Heche School of Lesit on American Idol. Stick to the Motown bianism, but I will focus on the clothes. Her covers! If Cher and Ray Liotta had a kid, it coke-whittled body looks great in clothes, would be Adam Lambert. I am glad that he so why does she insist on dressing like Jodi came out, but he dresses like ABBA. His Foster in Taxi Driver? It’s always a pair of eyeliner is too thick, and I’d prefer that he hot pants, an Alexander Wang platform go full-on drag queen, or wipe the shit off shoe and hair extensions. “God” bless the and stop annoying the world. I know I’m hair extensions. Does she even have hair? sure to get hell for making fun of the “fa- She is just a very messy girl who is the mous gay” on Idol. Shannen Doherty of the new millennium. Countdown to rehab trip number four… While we are on the subject of Idol, and since she has, at our press time, left the Our last celeb to mention is Lady Gaga. The show, I’ll discuss Paula. Why does she even gays love her, and she loves the gays, and wear clothes?! She can manage, without she dresses like a goddamn installation. even trying, to look like a retired porn acIt’s all very humorous, and exactly how tress who gets all of her best clothes at celebrities should be. If Paula Abdul was Bebe. She wears incredibly too much trying to be funny wearing what she does, bronzer, and all of the Botox erased ethnic- it might be a little less painful. You can see ity from her face. She has always looked that there is an element of comedy when horribly dressed, and she doesn’t dress for Lady Gaga is wearing a dress made of her body. She is a former cheerleader, and bubbles, or when she has a giant bow she has that gymnast with boobs body, so made of fake hair. It’s always good to see a she should stay the hell away from the em- little Italian girl dressed like a tranny. bellished fabric! Paula seems to only buy clothes in a bright color or with an animal That’s what it is all about. Lighten up faprint. Maybe she should stop with the pills? mous people! Get a sense of humor! If celebs could see how funny they look when I really think that stylists contribute to the they are trying to be serious, they might acproblem, although there are some stylists tually attempt to let loose. I’d much rather that get it right. L’Wren Scott is the only see Lady Gaga wear some ridiculous outfit celebrity stylist who doesn’t make me want than be annoyed by Scarlett Johansson to asphyxiate. She dresses Nicole Kidman pouting down a red carpet.

ThecatisBella,andshe’sdrunkonKentuckyStraightBourbonwhiskey.Shedrinksthatonlybecause there’sabirdonthelabel.Shewishessheatemorebirds.

outlookcolumbus.com

Xeniaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dog.

sep2009

Food is dramatic - Life is delicious.

Episode 47: Into the Wood

by SWBC

as if acknowledging that we were actually doing this – the clichéd anonymous online hookup. I Dear Diary, liked how he looked. He had a neatly trimmed beard and wire-rimmed glasses. He could’ve I’d never done anything so daring until last been a university professor, but we’d made a night, but Cara drove me to it. She broke us point not to discuss our actual selves, nor use apart forever when I caught her grinding on that our actual names. The only truth between us skank Tabitha at Wall Street last Friday. When I was that we loved a well-executed meal… and confronted her, she was indifferent. She that we were interested in an evening of pleaswould’ve continued “dancing” right in front of ure. me if I hadn’t thrown the Blue Moon (that I ordered for her) right in her face. It was a mess After perusing the extensive wine and drink from there, and I won’t bore you with the details, menu, David ordered a Manhattan and I a ProsDiary, but it boiled down to her being “bored” ecco. Soon after, a woman appeared with two with me, that I didn’t have any “sense of adven- small plates – “Compliments of the chef,” she ture” and that I didn’t have a “spontaneous, said – and placed before us an amuse-bouche curious” bone in my body. I couldn’t believe it. of a crispy polenta disc under an equally thin The woman with whom I’d grown from a baby slice of spicy-sweet sauced pork. It was delightdyke to a full-fledged Sapphic goddess had be- ful. We laughed as we bit into the surprisingly trayed me. It was all over in five minutes on the hot polenta and had to open our mouths to let dance floor. the steam escape.

play around with it a bit before you swallow to get the full taste.” I tilted my head back as well and felt the smooth oyster enter my mouth. The horseradish and tomato played perfectly together, and the oyster meat and juice from the shell reminded me of the deep ocean – the few times I’d ever been in my life. “Mmmm,” I said in response. Next came the salad course. We both ordered The Oak – DeepWood’s house salad. Red and green oak leaf lettuce, dressed in a blue cheese vinaigrette, flavored with currants, small orange segments and sweet & spicy pecans. A selection of artisanal breads accompanied, along with amber sea-salted butter. Superb.

scallops in a bright citrus sauce with creamy corn risotto. We ate in silence, making only intermittent moans of pleasure at the perfect combination of flavors on our palettes. We sampled each other’s plates – I offered him mine first. I fed him a perfect combination of juicy duck with cornbread and blueberry. He took the bite from my fork and closed his eyes in appreciation of the flavors. I then let him feed me a bite of citrusy scallop and risotto from his plate. Delicious. By the time the dessert course arrived, we were experts at feeding each other, and both eager recipients. We sampled several of the housemade ice creams – dark chocolate malt and cheesecake especially stood out.

I’d just been fed a third taste of the dark chocolate malt from David’s hand, when my eyes I ordered a glass of Riesling with my meal and alighted on a familiar silhouette at the bar. It David ordered a second Manhattan. I already was Cara, with Tabitha at her side. We locked Well. Next came the chilled Massachusetts oysters, felt the effects of the Prosecco, or perhaps I was eyes. Her face was incredulous, like mine served with separate dishes of horseradish merely lightheaded by the evening itself. Here I must’ve looked last week. After a few tear-soaked, nightmarish, “noemulsion and tomato water – a deconstructed was, not a week separated from Cara, and I was one’s-ever-gonna-love-me-again” days, some- cocktail sauce. I admitted to David that, being a well on my way to popping my straight cherry. The server dropped off the bill. “I’m getting thing interesting started to happen. I began to Midwestern girl, I’d never had raw oysters, but this,” I said, dropping some bills on the tray. I crave something – something I’d never had be- had always been curious. The thing was – I liked this man. There was grabbed his hand before he could protest and fore, but had always been curious about. And something gentle and cautious about him that walked him towards the door. As we passed the what’s more – I didn’t have an ounce of hesita- “Is it true they’re an aphrodisiac?” I asked him. made me seriously consider this to be his first bar, I looked directly at Cara and smirked. She tion about satisfying my desire. online dalliance as well. I was intrigued by his still wore the same look of confusion. She prided “They can be,” he said. hands – they had to have been twice the size of herself on knowing every detail of my life and I We decided to meet at DeepWood – a restaurant mine – and it was entertaining for me to watch knew she was trying to determine how this just south of the Short North about which I’d I decorated one of the oysters with the emulsion how they dwarfed his rocks glass with every strange man fit into it. been hearing wonderful things. As I entered the and tomato water and lifted it to my mouth. drink he took. As I approached the end of my dining room, I saw him immediately. This wouldn’t be the only new thing I tried glass of wine, I began to imagine what it might “Enjoy DeepWood,” I said to her as we passed. tonight. feel like for such strong hands to wrap around “I know I will.” “David?” me. The SWBC (South Washington Beach Collaborative) con“Show me,” I said. tains a variety of characters from Columbus’ only beach. He stood up. “Yes… Amanda?” Our entrees arrived and I was momentarily reThink Melrose Place, but more Whisky Tango. Participants He smiled at me across the table, held his oys- moved from my fantasy by the meal set before are carefully screened before accepted or they just show up. “Yes.” ter to his mouth and tilted his head back, letting me. I ordered the seared duck breast with corn- A love of pot, corn giant robots and bad TV are all prerequisites to join this writing consortium. A brain computer doesits contents slide in. He chewed twice and then bread pudding, arugula and blueberry n’t hurt either. Bee ba boo ba beep! There was a momentary hesitation between us, swallowed. “Mmmm,” he said. “Let your teeth mostarda. David requested the special – sea

sep2009

With a name like Deep Wood, there are just too many puns for one gay paper to handle. Check out DW complete menus at www.deepwoodrestaurant.com.

outlookcolumbus.com

If money did grow on trees, would it be worthless in the fall after it died and fell off?

sep2009

French kissing does not mean the payout is in Euros.

outlookcolumbus.com

BEST OF BEST: PALM BEACH, FLORIDA by Jacob Anderson-Minshall

Although many queers (especially lesbians) flock to West Palm Beach’s gay-owned B&B GrandAlready known for gorgeous beaches, top-notch view Gardens, we took our respite around the boutiques, sprawling mansions and beautiful corner from Worth Avenue, at the four-star people, Palm Beach, Florida is gaining a well Colony Hotel. Offering a remarkable combination earned reputation as a queer-friendly destinaof location, history, accommodations, and entertion. tainment, The Colony has hosted U.S. presidents, European royalty and celebrities. After abdicatLocated on Florida’s southeastern coast, an hour ing the British throne for love, the Duke of Windnorth of Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach is situated sor and his Duchess spent several years in the on a barrier island hacked out of Florida’s junpenthouse and Judy Garland is said to have left gles in the late 1800s. Created as a retreat for behind a ball gown so critical to her performance the country’s rich and famous, it has served as a at an inaugural ball that the White House sent a winter home for affluent and influential families fighter jet to retrieve it. like the du Ponts, Posts, Kennedys and Vanderbilts. Widely considered one of the top cabaret venues in the country, The Colony’s Royal Room Supper The area also has a long and rich queer story, Club provides an opportunity to see seasoned beginning when gay architect Addison Mizner Broadway heavyweights and rising stars perform designed Palm Beach’s world-renowned shopin an incredibly intimate venue. We found audiping district, Worth Avenue. Memorialized in ence members as engaging as the performers Stephen Sondheim’s Bounce, Mizner became particularly the retired cabaret star who introknown as the father of Florida architecture for duced us to his much, much younger “companhis Mediterranean-inspired designs. ion,” and Gary Schweikhart, one-time editor of a Despite the temperatures (averaging 90º), which gay San Francisco newspaper, who’s now a local PR guru and a remarkable Palm Beach resource. send many residents fleeing back to Martha’s Vineyard, summers in Palm Beach - and nearby queer-enclaves of West Palm Beach and Lake We found younger revelers at gay clubs like The Worth - are cooler than you’d imagine. Lounge (where HGTV Design Star Nathan Galui parties) and Cupid’s Cabaret (where Mark’s We spent most of the time in blissfully air-condi- South Florida’s “porn correspondent” reportedly tioned rooms after gaining access to usually ex- cruises local talent). clusive venues and found that off-season provided everything at a fraction of the normal We spent a second day of shopping at West price. This year those typical summer savings are compounded by the recession and the cele- Palm Beach’s gay-permeated Antique Row. Herbration of Palm Beach County’s one-hundredth alded by The New York Times as the East Coast’s birthday. So, for example, in honor of the historic premier antique district, the Row is made up of occasion, many hotels are offering a third night’s 50 shops along (and adjacent to) South Dixie Highway. If we had the resources, we’d outfit our stay at just $19.09! entire house with witty, modern furniture from Worth Avenue - which served as the inspiration Galere, peppering in eclectic kitsch from Dolce. for Beverly Hills’ famous Rodeo Drive - epitomizes Palm Beach, and every visit to the area Decorated with bric-a-brac, the gay owned should start with an exploration of its 250 bou- Rhythm Café fits perfectly with the Antique tiques. Row sensibility. We noshed from their collection of small plate “Tapas-tizers” and Once home to weekly tombolas (fashion shows) gorged on entrées like the Key Lime that launched designers like Valentino, Blass Chicken and Fettuccine Jambalaya. and Givenchy, Worth Avenue is still ruled by fashion elite, with old standards Saks Fifth Avenue, Giorgio Armani, Gucci and Neiman Marcus A dozen newspapers and magazines are published in Palm Beach County, and the adjoining newer favorites like Jimmy Choo and area has a prolific arts scene with a Micheal Kors. We were enticed to drop several hundred dollars after discovering prices in these plethora of museums, gardens and musihigh-end boutiques slashed up to 70 percent for cal and performing art venues. Many - including the Norton museum and the Kravis the summer. Center for the Performing Arts - are located in West Palm Beach and cater to the more Worth Avenue shopping can be quite exhausting, diverse population of that city. So does West so we followed local tradition and relaxed in the Palm’s renovated downtown center, City Place, jungle themed Ta-boó bistro over their signature home to 60 shops, 25 restaurants and regular Bloody Marys - a drink reportedly invented there live entertainment that keep it hopping long to revive a hung over Barbara Hutton. after dark. Look for the fire juggles in the square and ubiquitous tiger-stripped hummer limos

outlookcolumbus.com

rounding the block. Just south of West Palm Beach, we found the town of Lake Worth vying for title of queer central. Susan Stanton, the former Largo, Florida city manager who was fired in 2007 for coming out as transgender, now holds the same position in Lake Worth. The city is also home to Compass, the largest LGBTQ community center in the entire Southeast. The 13,000 square foot building has been beautifully revamped to house a library, a theater, counseling services, computer lab and drop-in youth center where teens were singing karaoke, dancing under a glittering disco ball and lounging on bean bags immersing themselves in queer history.

spent on the county’s 47miles of gorgeous, white-sand beaches, where the shallow turquoise waters are warmed by the Gulf Stream. We pampered ourselves by ending our vacation at the Palm Beach Ritz-Carlton’s brand new, $28 million, 42,000 square-foot Eau Spa: taking advantage of the Couples’ Spa Villa with private garden enclave and oversized tub and then creating a personalized blends at the Scrub and Polish Bar and dangling our feet in cool water while swinging in hanging, pod-like chairs in their Self-Centered Garden. After a few days in Palm Beach County it’s easy to see that the county’s slogan, “the best of everything,” applies equally well to the queer community as the straight one, and makes this indeed one of the best places to vacation - any time of the year.

Every Wednesday night, Compass partners with the Lake Worth club Mojitos for a queer evening of drag performances and dancing; and once a year, the community center sponsors the Stonewall Ball, a night of charity and revelry that Jacob Anderson-Minshall is a freelance writer attracts local politicians and philanthropists. and co-host of the radio show, Gender Blender Raising support for employment protections and on kboo.fm. anti-bullying policies, this summer’s black-tie affair featured special guest Elaine Noble, former member of Massachusetts House of Representatives and first openly gay candidate elected to office in the U.S. (yes, she preceded Milk). Of course, every spare moment in Palm Beach should be

Ahammockisafabricslingusedforsleeping,unlessyourinNoka’sdungeon,thenit’saslingusedforotherthings.

sep2009

by Dan Savage I just turned 20 and have been out of the closet for a year. A lesbian friend wants to hook me up with her gay friend, let’s call him Kyle, a cute, fit boy who runs track and does theater. The issue is, he’s just 17 and starting his senior year in high school, while I am entering my junior year in college. The age of consent where we live is 16. I realize the age difference is not too big, but he is technically still a minor. I’m only mildly experienced (I’ve had just one boyfriend), and I’d like to think I’m a nice guy. Also, the gay pickings are rather slim around here. Are there certain things to keep in mind besides the usual respect and honesty, or should I treat this as any other potential meeting? Does the “campsite” rule apply with such a small age gap? Man In Need Of Recommendation Meet the boy. If you hit it off, MINOR, it would be a shame if you didn’t allow Kyle to benefit from your wisdom, experience, and cock just because he wasn’t born 12 months earlier. And if you start going steady which is what kids used to do before hooking up ruined everything - and he’s out to his family, I would urge you to meet his parents. They might not be entirely comfortable with their son’s sexuality, and meeting the college boy who’s boning their son might be awkward. But if you go out of your way to reassure them about your intentions toward their son above and beyond boning - they may feel a bit more at ease about the relationship. As for the campsite rule - “leave him in better shape than you found him” - others have pointed out that the rule should apply regardless of age, sexuality, species, etc. I agree, of course, but I still believe that older, wiser, and more experienced partners have a special responsibility to leave their sex partners in better shape than they found them and should be encouraged to make a special effort. I’m 35, gay, and in a six-year relationship. My husband - not really, here in Tennessee, but I call him that anyway is 38, and we have a great relationship. We have been monogamous up till now but are open to inviting select others into our bed. This was prompted by a friend we recently made whom we both find attractive and who has expressed an interest in us both. He is 24, cute, and just starting out in Gaydom. We don’t expect anything long-term, just a nice, mellow friend-with-benefits scenario.

sep2009

Any suggestions as to issues we might want to discuss up front?

months, had invited you to hang out with them, to roll around with them, to drop by twice a week for a leisurely spit roasting, Good Gay Guys I suspect you would’ve had a better experience, FLAP. Inviting you over to be Tell the 24-year-old not to expect anytreated like a piece of meat - and a thing long-term, GGG, and let him know human being - would’ve been honest. All that while you will be treating him like a you could really be at two months is a piece of meat, you will also be treating piece of meat and a friend-with-benefits; him like a human being. Make sure he you couldn’t be a husband and in love understands that his presence in your with both of them equally. Their unrealives - and your bed - is meant to be fun sonable expectations, and your attempt and temporary. You two get to spice it up to live up to them, ruined what could’ve with some strange; he gets to benefit been a nice little affair. from your wisdom, experience, and cocks. And tell him that while he’ll have I’m a gay dude who has been trying to a blast with you two, he shouldn’t pass find an all-natural and organic lube. on a date with a potential boyfriend, The only one my hubby and I liked was should one appear on the scene - but so a brand called Bliss, but alas, they long as you three are friends-with-bene- stopped making it. When I try to look fiting-it-up, you would like to be inonline or at the local co-op, the only formed about any other sexual contacts all-natural sex lubricants I can find all he might have. say something to the effect of “closest possible to a woman’s natural vaginal Then show him the ropes, teach him fluids.” I have two problems with this. about sexual safety, encourage him to Problem number one: eeewwwww. open up to you guys about anything he’s Problem number two: When I have ever wanted to try, help him find his sampled these just-like-vaginal-fluids place in Gaydom, and when it comes to lubes, they seem very thin. A healthy an end - as it will and should - make an bout of anal sex needs something with effort to remain friends. a bit more viscosity. Is there an all-natural lube out there that doesn’t quickly I am a gay male. A couple of months dry out and washes off easily? Some ago, I developed a friendship with a friends keep suggesting vegetable oils, gay married couple. We hit it off great - but I don’t want to have to wash off my I really enjoy their company. Then they junk with Dawn after sex. took me aside and “invited” me into their marriage, and so now I’m in one Lubing Up Butts Environmentally Safely of those “polyamorous” groups. I have never been in one before. “Not that vaginal juices are eeewwwwwey,” says Rachel Venning, cofounder of I thought I would be able to open my- Babeland, one of my favorite sex-toy self up to both of them, but for some shops. “But I don’t want a jar of them on reason I can’t seem to feel love for my nightstand either. I want something them both at the same time. I’ve althat stays slick longer, like packaged ways seen myself as a strictlube.” monogamy kind of guy. I thought a three-way would be fun, but when I’m Babeland makes its own organic lube, a with two guys, I feel like I’m just a water-based lube called Naked that’s piece of meat. I am probably not mak- thick, latex-safe, and good for butt play. ing much sense, but I would like some “It comes in totally ungendered, nonadvice, if you could, please. I feel inad- plastic packaging,” Venning adds, makequate because I can’t feel comforting it perfect for able in this relationship. squeamish-about-girl-bits fags like you and me, LUBES. “Another new brand of Feel Like A Prude organic lube to try is Sliguid Organics Gel. There is a teeny-tiny women’s symSo… after knowing you for two months, bol in the logo, but if that isn’t too much this couple essentially proposed to you, of a turnoff for this man-loving man, it’s inviting you “into their marriage,” and good stuff.” you accepted. Hmm. Exit this marriage at once, FLAP. Not because you’re a prude Vegetable oils aren’t condom-safe, of - clearly you’re open to trying new things course, but if you and your partner are - but because at two months, they were seroconcordant and having anal sex with idiots to propose and you were an idiot to only each other, Venning suggested accept. “some natural unguent from the beauty aisle - shea-butter balm or the like. Not Backing up: Trying something and not as slippery as lube but lasts longer.” liking it doesn’t mean that you’re a prude, FLAP, it only means that “it” either Find the Savage Lovecast (my weekly wasn’t for you or that you tried “it” with podcast) every Tuesday at the wrong person(s). I suspect the latter thestranger.com/savage. in this case. If these guys, after two mail@savagelove.net

TheTinManwasallaboutlube.Hewassickofallthatdryhumpingfromtheflyingmonkeys.

outlookcolumbus.com

Did you know Club Columbus has a smoothie bar? I guess a gurlâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gotta keep up her strength, right?

sep2009

SCOTTY by Chris Hayes More often than not, I bet you go to a party at a club and have no idea who put it together. A lot of ass busting goes into making sure you have a good time, let me tell ya. Many promoters end up just being names on a handbill to you. To counter that, this month we’re highlighting one of Cbus’s old school and still kickin’ nightlife creators - Scotty Niemet. Hottie Scotty was born and raised in the metro area (Westerville if you must know) and has an undying love for our city. Whereas many creative locals find their way out of town, Niemet stays because of the rich pool of self-driven artistic people all doing their part to help make Columbus a great town to live and play in. And he is definitely one of them. Scotty is one of the brainchildren behind the hit Sweatin’ dance party with DJ Moxy. He has dedicated his life to making sure you all have a good time. He is determined to produce kickass forward thinking events that you won’t find anywhere else in town – or even the Midwest for that matter. You might remember Niemet from his days of doing Club Versace at Fabric or from his hard-core punk record label, Leave ‘em Records, where he promotes Mad Minds and War Pigs. He also used to sing in 4 bands and has always been big in the indy rock punk scene, which I find an interesting juxtaposition to his soft spoken manner. When I ask him about how our nightlife scene is here, he echoes the current catch phrase for the area “Columbus isn’t boring; you are,” and says what’s holding this town back most of all is our reluctance to accept the rising class of alternative people that’s doing a lot of work to forge a cool city. We aren’t ever going to be NYC or LA, which is great he says because we are our own town with our own flavor. Run with it, people! A taste of that flavor is happening the Sunday of Labor Day weekend at Wall Street where Scottie, Moxy and outlook have teamed up to bring Lauren Flax to town. It’s going to be a night of music you won’t get anywhere else with a diverse group of people all geared to have a good time together. Scottie plans to exploit his new found celeb status for the good of the scene. If you run into the selfless, 36year-old promoter out and about, show him some thanks for making your life better by buying him a San Pellegrino or a soda water with a lime. To find out more about Niemet or to get involved in helping foster alternative nightlife visit www.myspace.com/sweatinparty.

by Jack Fertig LEO (July 23 – August 22): You need to talk, but pick your audience or your confidante carefully. A sincere heart-toheart with a good pal isn’t likely to provide answers, but can offer perspective on your worries about love and partnership. Let that be enough for now. VIRGO (August 23 – September 22): The best way to head off money troubles is to knuckle down and get to work. The next few years will be tough on everyone. Your fears are probably exaggerated, but not entirely unfounded. Scale down the worries, and crank up the effort.

AQUARIUS (January 20 – February 18): Focus on the task at hand. Go steady and easy, not too hard, but clear on the step right in front of you. Distractions and over-enthusiasm can lead too easily into arguments and accidents. PISCES (February 19 – March 19): Get playful, and let your dark side out. Blessings in disguise (uh-oh!) and nightmares can offer fuel for creative projects and/or sexual explorations. Getting nasty and crazy in spirit is good, but be mindful of prophylaxis and other safety concerns.

ARIES (March 20 – April 19): Your grand plan for the future is at odds with others in your LIBRA (September 23 – Octo- family. Try to be open and ber 22): Getting ahead means welcome their opinions. Armaking nice with bosses, guments will be hard to avoid, teachers and authorities, but but there will be much less be careful what you say. Your rancor if you offer a fair hearefforts at brilliance can come ing. off as being uppity and unfocused. Think ahead, stay calm TAURUS (April 20 – May 20): and focus! Overconfidence or any kind of showing off is certain to get SCORPIO (October 23 – Noyou into trouble. Resist the vember 21): Your inclination encouragement. Be mindful to argue is coming out of your and ready for any hazards. own inner fears and insecuri- The only way to reach your ties. Changes at home are goal is one step at a time. likely working your nerves. Focus on adapting yourself to GEMINI (May 21- June 20): the inevitable changes. Dis“Brilliant new ideas” inspiring cuss it with a teacher or an investment plan are really counselor. a big mistake. Planning a fantasy vacation can be helpful SAGITTARIUS (November 22 – in bringing goals and dreams December 20): This time into focus, but adventures seFacebook is right: Your secret riously planned now can lead crush will be revealed! That to disaster. Your big challenge may not be such good news, now is to stay real! and could even create an embarrassing situation. Be kind CANCER (June 21- July 22): to the poor dear … or maybe Tension at home makes you you’re the one who needs eager to get out for some fun. kindness? How open is your relationship? Really? Even if you’re CAPRICORN (December 21 – single, erotic adventures can January 19): A windfall prostir up more domestic or famvides an opportunity for per- ily trouble than they’ll get you sonal advancement – or away from. something nice for your honey. The choice can be dif- Jack Fertig, a professional astrologer since 1977, is available for personal ficult, forcing you to decide and business consultations in person what is more important right in San Francisco, or online everynow. Someone who really where. He can be reached at 415loves you would support your 864-8302, through his Web site at www.starjack.com, and by e-mail at career. QScopes@qsyndicate.com.

Jack Fertig, a professional astrologer since 1977 teaches at the International Academy of Astrology www.astrocollege.com. He can be reached for personal or business consultations at www.starjack.com,

sep2009

TheSweatin’dancepartyisalwaysthe2nd&4thFridayofthemonthatCircus(formerlyHighFive).It’ssweatywithouttheC+CMusicFactory.

outlookcolumbus.com

02-47:OLW_24in_ODD_

8/21/09

outlookcolumbus.com

1:59 PM

Page 2

If sometimes you feel like a nut and sometimes you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t, are those the only two options?

sep2009