2010-01-01 outlook: columbus

48-01b_OLW_24in_ODD_ 12/21/09 7:14 PM Page 2

outlook jan 2010 • vol 14 issue 8

inside: Holiday Snapshot Business Builders, Inc Kevin Boyce & the census HRC vs NGLTF Savage Love Equality Ohio Royal Renegades Pin-up trippin’ out to florence astro forecast & Local celebrity traut

02-47_OLW_24in_ODD_ 12/21/09 7:50 PM Page 1

2

january 2009

Dog tags are used in the military to identify soldiers. Gays use them to get laid.

outlookcolumbus.com

46-03_OLW_24in_ODD_ 12/23/09 9:11 PM Page 2

We All are Hoping for an Awesome 2010 Thank god we made it to 2010. Even as I write that I cringe, as this is going to press 8 days before the new year. Should the outlook office have blown up or we were victims of friendly fire in the Short North gang war, please know we loved you. I think it’s safe to say, though, that 2009 was a year of loss for everyone. If we weren’t watching our retirement dwindling, we were on our way to another funeral. If we weren’t applying for unemployment, we were breaking up. If we weren’t “enjoying” our staycation, we were wondering when the phrase cash flow got removed from the English dictionary. It’s been utterly ridiculous, so much so that I hit the point where nothing surprised me anymore. A Democratic homophobe for Secretary of State?

Sure, that seems reasonable. Parking meter rates are going to double? Excellent, that pesky change weighs me down anyway. Mothra’s attacking downtown? It is Tuesday isn’t it? The absurdity has been more amusing than a Mel Brooks comedy.

But that is the past (fingers crossed), and it’s time to look to the future. Which is why we invented New Year’s Eve, and James Watson wrote Auld Lang Syne. We need a definitive point in time to break from the past and start anew.

There are so many of us that are hoping for a better year that I think the mass positive energy is going to turn the beat around and start us on the road to recovery.

One path in particular on which we will see progress is our political agenda. This issue of outlook is all about our continued quest for equal rights in 2010. Elliot Fishman talked to HRC and NGLTF to find out their opinions on what rights are attainable nationally, and Billy Ashworth got the scoop locally from Equality Federation’s Lynne Bow-

man and Equality Ohio’s new ED Sue Doerfer. Our community is set up to have some wins this year. We just need to keep calling/writing our representatives, educating everyone, making ourselves visible and using our greatest tool - telling our personal stories to whomever will listen.

Another of our greatest assets in our endeavor for equality is our straight allies. People like our cover model Ambre Lake, who is trying to use her Rock of Love celebrity status to make a difference. Ambre did a photo shoot in front of the Mormon temple in LA to protest the marriage ban and to inspire other celebs to take up the cause and fight for our equality.

Ambre got involved because her mom is gay, as is her best girl friend, and she thinks it’s ridiculous that they don’t have the same rights as everyone else. She feels, much like we do, that most people believe in the cause but no one is willing to put themselves out there for it. We both long for a time when people took to the streets or laid on the White House lawn to get their point across. Ambre thinks the edgier the better. “That’s how you get people’s attention and that’s exactly what my campaign strives to do.”

3

you are here

19

common life

33

interview: Tom Ford

4

snapshot

20

complete the circuit

34

deep inside hollwood

6

q-munity

22

feature

36

new queer on the block

9

small pond

23

calendar

38

fashion forward

10

open kimono

26

aboout town

40

food drama!

12

earthopolis

27

feature

43

trippin’ out

Merry New Year!

13

from queer to eternity

28

feature

44

savage love

Chris Hayes Editor-in-Chief/Co-Publisher

14

gayatri

29

feature

46

local celebrity

16

insightout

30

creative class

46

astro forecast

We love her.

And we love you. And we hope you’ll enjoy this edition of outlook.

There’s plenty more than just Capitol Hill politics in here. Discover and discuss. We look forward to your comments.

outlook columbus is published and distributed by Outlook Media, Inc. the first day of each month throughout Ohio.

dividuals from reading it shall be considered guilty of the crime of theft. Violators will be prosecuted.

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 in-

The views expressed in outlook columbus are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the views, policies, or personal, business, or professional practices of Outlook Media, Inc. or its staff, ownership, or management. outlook columbus does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness

outlookcolumbus.com

DUCT TAPE never looked so damned good!

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 ©2010 by Outlook Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

january 2010

3

04-45-2_OLW_24in_ODD_ 12/23/09 9:57 PM Page 1

#) NETWORK COLUMBUS 12.09.09

NETWORK COLUMBUS 12.09.09

NETWORK COLUMBUS 12.09.09

ARRANGED BY HEIGHT LIKE CELLPHONE BARS

I ALMOST LANDED THAT FISH - IT WAS THIS BIG ...

BEN THERE DONE THAT

MISS PEPPERMINT STICK @ Axis - 12.06.09

MISS PEPPERMINT STICK @ Axis - 12.06.09

MISS PEPPERMINT STICK @ Axis - 12.06.09

NOTHING SAYS HOLIDAY LIKE A FOAM ANIMAL

MARIA’S LUNCHBOX OR VIRGINIA’S MAKEUP CASE?

LOOK IT’S CHAD JOB FRYE IN SHIT FACE

WHY HID ‘EM BEHIND STRIPED STICK?

TURNABOUT SHOW @ Level - 12.02.09

TURNABOUT SHOW @ Level - 12.02.09

TURNABOUT SHOW @ Level - 12.02.09

TURNABOUT SHOW @ Level - 12.02.09

JACKIE-O & OPRAH TOGETHER AT LAST

YOU WANT ME TO BRING YOU A WHAT?

LEATHER & FACE

HE DIDN’T UNDERSTAND THE GRAVITY OF IT ALL

MARY ANN BRANDT @ Wall St. - 12.13.09

MARY ANN BRANDT @ Wall St. - 12.13.09

MARY ANN BRANDT @ Wall St. - 12.13.09

MARY ANN BRANDT @ Wall St. - 12.13.09

A SWEET DREAM OR A BEAUTIFUL NIGHTMARE?

UM, JUST WHERE HAS THAT STICK BEEN?

ASHLEY’S CHEST SEEMS RATHER HAIRY HERE

SINGIN’ & SWINGIN’ & GETTIN’ MERRY LIKE XMAS

THE NEXT GUY IN LINE WAS SHIRTLESS ...

MISS PEPPERMINT STICK @ Axis - 12.06.09

4

january 2010

Two words: Jai Ho

outlookcolumbus.com

44-05_OLW_24in_ODD_ 12/23/09 9:12 PM Page 2

outlookcolumbus.com

The Hispanic chamber is an incredible organization, which outlook is more than happy to support!

january 2010

5

06-43_OLW_24in_ODD_ 12/23/09 9:56 PM Page 1

e

d-

y y

-

urs , es if

e en s,

so-

ook or]

s -

OHIO COUNCIL OF CHURCHES VOTES TO SUPPORT ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LEGISLATION

host the GSWS. The receptions will be hosted Friday night at Score (9-11p) and Saturday at Union (7-9p), and Level (9-11p).

scope further success and is hopeful that that public will support the work that the Center does.

On October 28, 2009, with a vote of 9 to 0 with 5 abstentions, the Ohio Council of Churches passed a resolution supporting House Bill 176, the Equal Housing and Employment Act as it currently reads. The vote marks a monumental step forward in Ohio’s faith communities’ commitment to advocating for justice for all Ohio’s citizens. The Equal Housing and Employment Act, HB 176, would protect Ohioans from discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. The Ohio Council of Churches includes amongst its membership AME, Disciples of Christ, Church of the Brethren, Episcopal, ELCA, Greek Orthodox, Baptist, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, UCC and UMC districts and conferences.

Columbus will host the largest annual gay sporting event in the world August 16-21. The event is expected to bring 5,000 players, fans, and officials into Columbus for a full week of softball and special events. To volunteer or learn more about the event please visit series2010.org.

MAYOR COLEMAN RESCINDS PARKING METER RATE INCREASE

The Ohio Council of Churches joins many of Ohio’s largest employers, Fortune 500 and 1000 Companies, many small businesses, 19 of Ohio’s municipalities and over 150 individual churches and pastors in supporting The Equal Housing and Employment Act. The Ohio Chamber of Commerce, the NFIB and the Ohio Chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management have all taken a neutral position on the bill. “The Ohio Council of Churches’ vote in favor of HB 176 marks important progress in gaining wide spread support for fairness in employment, housing and public accommodation. No longer is this just an issue with support in left leaning organizations,” said Kim Welter, Director of Programs and Outreach at Equality Ohio, the state’s advocacy organization for LGBT issues. “We are pleased to see more of Ohio’s faith community take this important and courageous step declaring that discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity will not be tolerated in Ohio, regardless of where a person lives, works or plays.” “I am pleased to have so many of Ohio’s faith voices join me in supporting HB176,” said Rev. Michael Castle, Board Chair of Equality Ohio. “Together we can advocate for social policies that are long overdue in Ohio. The support of the Ohio Council of Churches should make one thing clear: equality in housing, employment and public accommodations is an issue that people of faith in Ohio can support.”

Wellman took the position stating that ultimately this change will be most beneficial to her long-term personal goals and career objectives. Wellman expressed her sentiments saying, “Working for Kaleidoscope Youth Center has been a remarkable experience, and I have enjoyed my tenure here...Even though I will miss the youth, our collaborators, my colleagues, and the Center, I am looking forward to starting this new phase of my career.”

ANGIE WELLMAN TO LEAVE KALEIDOSCOPE Kaleidoscope Executive Director Angie Wellman announced that she leave the youth center after seven years of service on January 15, 2010. Wellman has accepted a position with the Multicultural Center at The Ohio State University.

Wellman also says she will be active in the community and will most likely maintain a presence and familiar activities and events through her new role with the Multicultural Center.

Wellman wishes Kaleido-

Mayor Coleman announced that he was rescinding a decision to increase parking meter rates throughout the entire city of Columbus. The city had decided to increase parking meter rates by 50% without input from the community.

As stated by the Short North Business Association, the increase would have “cost patrons 15 quarters for parking just to exercise for two hours at the Long Street YMCA... on a Saturday,” and, “it will cost 9 quarters for parking to have a one-hour lunch at Tip Top on Gay Street (18 quarters if you want to stay for two hours).”

Director of Public Service, Mark Kelsey, said the rate was coming in part because there had been no citywide rate increase in more than 13 years, though there had been increases in particular parts of the city.

After outcry from the public including an open letter from the Short North Business Association, the mayor decided to halt the meter rate increase. The Short North Business Association said they, “look forward to working with [the mayor] and his team to reach mutually beneficial and agreeable solutions to raising funds for the Convention Hotel and replacing aging meter heads.”

NAGAAA DELEGATES VISIT COLUMBUS The Columbus Lesbian and Gay Softball Association will host the annual North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance (NAGAAA) winter meeting at the Hyatt on Capitol Square January 29-31. The NAGAAA Board and delegates representing 37 cities will be in Columbus in advance of the Columbus 2010 Gay Softball World Series (GSWS).

Please join us at the delegate receptions to welcome NAGAAA and show the delegates how excited we are to

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

6

january 2010

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Michael Daniels: mdaniels@outlookmedia.com

ADVERTISING DEADLINE Reservations by the 15th of each month.

Art in by the 20th.

ADVERTISING ACCOUNT REPS

SUBSCRIPTIONS & DISTRIBUTION Call 614.268.8525

NATIONAL ADVERTISING Rivendell Media - 212.242.6863

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

Mary Malone:mmalone@outlookmedia.com Chad Frye: cfrye@outlookmedia.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jennifer Vanasco, Deborah Steele, Wayne Besen, Rolanda Copley, Ashley Grimes, Regina Sewell, William Ashley, Gregg Shapiro, Aaron Leventhal, Romeo San Vicente, Jack Fertig, Simon Sheppard, Dan Savage, Marcus Morris, Mette Bach, Elliot Fishman, Mickey Weems, Jason Tanner, Michael Daniels, Chris Hayes

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Danner-Morris, Robert Trautman, Andrea Haley, Nikki Mumolo, cowtowndesign.com Cover photo: Nikki Mumolo INTERNS Dominic Presutto, Phillecia Cochran, Stephanie Booth

Who says you can’t find a job in this market? Kaleidoscope has an opening right now. So does the Cleveland GLBT Community Center.

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

42-07_OLW_24in_ODD_ 12/23/09 9:16 PM Page 2

outlookcolumbus.com

The dandy in the Level ad is cupping his glass much in the same way Traut cups Candi’s balls!

january 2010

7

08-41_OLW_24in_ODD_ 12/23/09 9:54 PM Page 1

8

january 2010

Welcome Innova Financial Group, our latest fantastic Network Columbus sponsor!

outlookcolumbus.com

40-09_OLW_24in_ODD_ 12/23/09 9:17 PM Page 2

LOW (od

Jerry Rhodes’s Business Builders Building Business through Partnerships

by Elliot Fishman Rhodes said his clients range from dentists and Jerry Rhodes knows a lot about the adversity his engineers to retailers and florists. “We even small business clients can face: payrolls, budg- work with some rock bands,” he noted. ets, taxes, financial statements - or even a natural disaster, like a flood or fire.

The company was founded when Rhodes and Mallet - who was also his boss at a large acHe should know. A fire nearly destroyed his busi- counting center - were talking about job satisness. faction. “I said to her, ‘we’re accountants. We’re not supposed to have job satisfaction,” Rhodes A 2008 fire gutted the Grandview Avenue offices said, laughing. of Business Builders, the bookkeeping and fiscal services firm Rhodes owns with longtime friend Actually, the pair decided they could be very satKim Mallet. isfied, indeed, if they could help entrepreneurs and business owners succeed.

“We thought we had lost everything,” said Rhodes, who noted that his employees were in “Kim said, ‘I know a lot of people who have the office at the time of the fire and called in the great ideas, but they don’t know how to turn alarm. them into a business,” said Rhodes. Business Builders, he said, was founded to do just what A year and a half later, Business Builders has it- the business’ name implies: helping people self been rebuilt. Many client records were recov- build their businesses. ered, insurance helped replace equipment and furnishings, and the company moved to sleek Reasonable pricing is an important part of the new offices at the corner of Grandview and firm’s success, said Rhodes.

Dublin Roads.

“Most people can’t afford to pay $200 to $250 Rhodes, meanwhile, uses his experience as a an hour for something just tangentially related teachable moment for his clients. to their business,” he said, “we decided we could do it for less money than the bigger firms “I’m going to be pushing my clients to measure charge.” their success - not only in terms of finances, but in terms of customer service and even their own For example, Rhodes said their hourly rate starts personal satisfaction, he said. The fire, he said, at about $75 an hour. Individual tax returns made him re-examine his own measures of suc- start at $75, and partnership and corporate recess. turns start at $200 and $500, respectively. Business Builders can do a company’s payroll for as Business Builders provides small- and medium- little as $35 per pay. sized businesses with value-priced bookkeeping and tax preparation services. Rhodes said the Rhodes noted that they tailor the amount of firm’s business model focuses on four core serv- services to the clients’ needs. ice areas: QuickBooks integration, basic bookkeeping, payroll, and tax returns for businesses “For some of our clients, we’re over there once a and individuals. The only services the company week, doing payroll, paying bills, doing taxes,” does not provide are those related to audits. he said. “For others, we may just do monthly or quarterly checkups.”

“Entrepreneurs know a lot about the products or services they offer, “ he said, “but they often One other way in which Business Builders differdon’t know a lot about the mechanics of owning entiates itself is its ability to create networks of a business. We can take over those functions, so similar clients. For example, Rhodes explained that they can concentrate on the core business.” that he works with several “green” businesses

outlookcolumbus.com

and plans to bring them all together, so that they can learn from and find synergy with each other.

In fact, the company is creating its own network of accountants and accounting firms.

“So many accountants are isolated and reluctant to pick up a phone when they have questions or aren’t sure how to approach a situation,” Rhodes said. “We thought that having a friendly network of accounting businesses would benefit all of us.

Business Builders, Rhodes said, also wants to help build the LGBT community.

$25 to Stonewall.

“It’s a way that I can help my customers and my community,” he said.

“I am especially passionate about the Stonewall Community Center and also the Point Founda- To find out more about Business Builders or to tion,” the scholarship program for LGBT youth, just say “hi” to Jerry, contact him at he said.

614.486.5480 or jrhodes@businessbuildersinc.org. You can also meet Jerry at the January In fact, Business Builders is sponsoring a tax13th Network Columbus being held at the Busiseason fundraiser for Stonewall. The company ness Builders offices located at 815 Grandview will prepare tax returns at the community center Ave, Suite 150 - 43220. This free event includes on Friday, February 19. For each tax return pre- complimentary booze and food. Yeah! pared that day - or prepared from appointments made that day - Business Builders will donate

Isn’t he just sooo cute! You just want to pinch his cheeks. Either set.

january 2010

9

10-39_OLW_24in_ODD_ 12/23/09 9:52 PM Page 1

State Treasurer Kevin Boyce:

Census Creates Jobs, Determines Resources and Representation

by Michael Daniels

MD: How are the data used and what difference does it make?

Every ten years, it comes around. The US Cen- KB: Every year, the federal government allosus, with its forms and workers striving to cates more than $400 billion to states and count every individual in the United States. His- communities based, in part, on census data. torically, GLBT folks have been underrepreCensus data affect school budgets, including sented – our relationships didn’t officially even the distribution of Title 1 funding and college exist. But with the 2010 Census, all that tuition grant and loan programs. Funding for changes. new construction such as highways and hospitals; community services and school lunch proState Treasurer (and former Columbus City grams are also affected by census data.

Councilmember) Kevin Boyce chairs the 2010 Community planners use census data to deterComplete Count Committee for the State of mine where to build new development and Ohio. We asked him the how, what, why, and where to provide public transportation. Particiwho cares of the upcoming count. pation is important as it directly affects the quality of life in your community. In addition, Michael Daniels: What is a Census? What the Census data will help to determine Ohio’s questions are asked? representation in the U.S. House of RepresentaKevin Boyce: Article 1 Section 2 of the U.S. Con- tives during the next decade. stitution mandates a population count every ten years of everyone residing in the United MD: When does the Census begin and end?

States: in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the Is- KB: In mid March census questionnaires are land Areas. The count includes all residents – mailed and delivered to households. April 1, people of all ages and races; citizens and 2010 is Census Day. In late April/early May noncitizens. The count determines the number Census takers will begin making visits to of seats each state will have in the U. S. House households that did not return a questionnaire of Representatives. With only ten questions, the by mail. On December 31, 2010 the Census Census questionnaire is easy to complete.

Bureau delivers population counts to the PresiHouseholds are asked to provide key demodent. graphic information, including: whether a housing unit is rented or owned; the address of MD: When are the collected data available? the residence and the names, genders, ages KB: The basic population count for the nation and races of others living in the household. will be on our President’s desk by December 31, 2010. In March of 2011 the Census Bureau de-

10

january 2010

livers redistricting data to the states.

MD: How many jobs are created by the Census? How much do these jobs pay?

KB: 1.4 million temporary workers will fill a variety of positions across the country. Pay ranges from $8.75 to $19.50 an hour depending on the job and location. In Ohio we are projected to fill over 20,000 jobs. Some of these jobs could last until the end of July. These jobs can range anywhere from 20-40 hours a week and are perfect for those currently in transition, snowbirds, college students and those simply just trying to supplement their income. For a list of jobs in the Ohio area, visit: ohiomeansjobs.com to view the complete listing. To sign up to take the test, call 866.261.2010 or visit www.census.ohio.gov for more information.

partner” or “husband/wife” and who live in the same household and file on the same form will be counted as a same-sex couple. Data products will show numbers of same-sex couples, as well as a breakdown of both categories (unmarried partner and spouse). One thing to note is that for the first time in the history of the US Census, there will be a special report on samesex couples, which will show demographic information such as: race and ethnicity, geographic location and whether families have children.

MD: How should transgender people answer the question regarding sex- should they check the sex they were assigned at birth or the one that reflects their gender identity/expression at the present time?

KB: The census relies on self-identification.

Transgender individuals should self-identify on the form as male or female – how they see themselves.

MD: Does the 2010 Census ask about sexual orientation or gender identification? Why or why not?

KB: Orientation and gender identification are not asked on the 2010 Census Decennial form. MD: Where can I go to learn more about the The US Congress determines what questions Census? are asked on the Census form.

KB: We have a link on our website (www.ohiotreasurer.org) or you can directly go MD: If the Census doesn’t ask about sexual to www.census.ohio.gov for more details. orientation, how will GLBT couples - married and unmarried - be counted?

[Ed Note: Want to encourage the government to KB: Same-sex couples who self-identify will be actively count all GLBT people by asking the counted in official bureau data products after question directly on the Census form? Visit the 2010 Census concludes. Two people of the www.queerthecensus.org for information.] same gender who self-identify as “unmarried

People in racially mixed households should have the person of color as person number one on their Census form. It makes a HUGE difference in counting!

outlookcolumbus.com

38-11_OLW_24in_ODD_ 12/23/09 9:19 PM Page 2

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

outlookcolumbus.com

Malcolm, we love you AND your Mama!

january 2010

11

12-37_OLW_24in_ODD_ 12/23/09 9:48 PM Page 1

President Obama; It Is Still Climate Time

by Deborah Steele Last month in Copenhagen Denmark world leaders come together to negotiate a new international treaty to replace the Kyoto Treaty (the protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change aimed at combating global warming). As this is being written the outcome of these negotiations remains unknown. Overall our history on climate change is nothing to be proud of; we all recall hearing about how the United States never signed the Kyoto Protocol.

Now we have a President who is quoted as saying “the issue of climate change is one that we ignore at our own peril” yet the writing on the wall is not so clear if we are finally going to join the world in working together to help solve this crisis.

When Obama took office the goal was to work on passing strong science-based legislation here at home before the climate summit in Copenhagen, (what became known as cap and trade) in order to come to the table with substantial emission reduction targets already in place.

This would have allowed the United States to show up in better standing with the global community rather than being the ridiculous largest historic emitter of greenhouse gasses who has yet to own up to our responsibility. To no surprise corporate polluters are extremely intimidated by the notion of ending our dangerous dependence on fossil fuels and are actively pressuring our elected officials and citizens not to kick our bad habit. The climate legislation introduced in Congress this past spring became so weakened by these culprits that it falls far short of what science says we must do in order to avoid runaway climate change.

There are deep well-lined pockets behind this deplorable mission to undermining climate legislation. Since Obama has taken office, on a low estimate, polluters are spending over $300,000 every day to put off ending our addiction to dirty energy sources. While the summit has ended, their funding to impede action that works to solve our climate problems will not cease anytime soon. Their tactics include creating confusion around the science of climate change and if the conversation shifts to the necessity of addressing climate change, they play the blame game and say China will only con-

12

january 2010

tinue to pollute. While it is true all countries need to be working towards solutions, to date we continue to not admit our responsibility in this, nor have we instated any legislation that will significantly reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. These characters hope we do not pay attention to the fact that China has already surpassed the United States in solar panel and wind turbine manufacturing. Overall these thugs don’t really care where the conversation or argument goes as long as we don’t take action, resulting in them continuing to roll in record profits while destroying our planet.

Tackling global warming, this is the issue of our generation and will define the Obama presidency. While this is a big problem, people uniting to take on oppressors is a story that has played out before.

As long as there have been groups profiting off of others they will do anything to maintain their stronghold. While at the moment we may be holding the world back in solving climate change, the United States has a strong history of overcoming huge obstacles once we become significantly appalled by an atrocity. The excellent news is the majority of citizens want our government to take strong action to address climate change. Today what is needed is a social movement on the same scale as the civil rights era that demands our elected officials take science-based action. More and more people understand not only the necessity but the opportunity to solve this problem. Already, Toledo, Ohio produces the most solar panels in the country. We have the manufacturing base to build the new technologies right here in our state. Building green energy sources will provide two to three times more energy than fossil fuels can and at the same time provide a safer climate.

Even though the summit has ended, there is no better time to be sure the President hears your voice on this matter. No matter what happens in Copenhagen, it will be the people power that gets our country back on track. Right now you can log on to greenpeace.org to see our take on the outcome of Copenhagen and learn how you can get more involved. This is the time to remain steadfast and urge Obama to carry out his campaign promises of tackling climate change. Mr. President, we still need a leader, not a politician.

If Obama doesn’t take action after seeing that Knut look-a-like, he never will.

outlookcolumbus.com

36-13_OLW_24in_ODD_ 12/23/09 9:35 PM Page 2

Meredith, you’ve got style

by Mette Bach

But more to the point, I think her invisibility in the media has something to do with her age and gender and her calmness as a human being.

This is why it rocked my world when Baxter made her big announcement, even Maybe it’s because I watched all of her though she acknowledged that she was made-for-TV movies. merely telling her side of the story before As a real-life mother of five, Baxter either the tabloids exposed her.

Maybe it’s because the theme song to kept the cameras away from her family or Family Ties still gets stuck in my head else the cameras weren’t interested be- Still, when was the last time a woman now and then. cause, in spite of her multiple marriages, over 60 was given the airtime to discuss there was nothing juicy to uncover. sexuality at all? And here was Baxter, a Maybe it’s because, growing up in suburbeautiful and clearly together woman bia in the 1980s, television played a for- Baxter is not the stuff of headlines. Like talking about a moment she could have midable role in raising me, teaching me Elyse Keaton, Baxter seems pretty kept private. what was right and wrong and what was grounded. Sure, she starred in TV movies normal. Nothing said “normal” quite like playing characters who were out of con- “This is a political act, even though family sitcoms - this is frightening, I trol: she taught me about eating disorthat’s not what it feels like to me,” she know. ders, drug addiction and murderous said. “If anybody knows someone who’s divorcees raging against their ex-husgay or lesbian... they’re less likely to vote So when Meredith Baxter told the world bands. against them to take away their rights... she’s a lesbian, I couldn’t help but smile.

If I can be that lesbian you know now But all along the media treated her as okay.”

Baxter, who played my favorite TV mom, though her own life mirrored the safe sitElyse Keaton, has generally kept herself com that made her career.

Baxter publicly outing herself reminded out of the spotlight. In part, this says me that the most radical way to treat something about her ability to negotiate Granted, the Keaton family were the hip- sexuality is to make it normal. And if Baxpersonal space and privacy for herself pies on the block, willing to discuss teen ter isn’t the perfect person to do that, I and her family in an industry obsessed pregnancy and make jokes about Readon’t know who is. with the minutiae of celebrity gossip. gan, but their Ohio home was still a bastion of normality and heterosexuality. outlookcolumbus.com

I bet we’ve been together for a million years, and I bet we’ll be together for a million more... sha la la.

january 2010

13

14-35_OLW_24in_ODD_ 12/23/09 9:52 PM Page 1

The New GLBT Pope Problem

by Wayne Besen It is time to admit that the gay community has a gigantic Pope problem. Under the leadership of Benedict XVI, the Vatican has become an implacable foe of liberalism, modernity and basic rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. Rome has eagerly jumped with both feet into America’s culture wars and is working on a global scale to punish or purge ideological dissenters within the church. This aggressive activism presents a formidable new front in the fight for parity one with considerable political clout and financial resources.

Last week, a coalition of totalitarian religious activists and radical clerics joined forces to unveil the “Manhattan Declaration” at Washington’s National Press Club. This rambling manifesto, written by former Watergate felon Chuck Colson, called for “Christians” to disobey laws they didn’t fancy and to ignore civil rights laws that protected GLBT people from discrimination. It was a dishonest document filled with historical revisionism that promoted theocracy, encouraged anarchy and supported the dissolution of the rule of law. It falsely portrayed right wing Christians as vic-

14

january 2010

tims, even as they pledged to work tirelessly to Catholic involvement with arch-conservative deny equality to those who would not adhere politics is growing by the day. In May, Catholic to their sectarian church rules. groups tried to stop President Barack Obama from speaking at a Notre Dame commenceAn extreme manifesto of such breathtaking ment ceremony because of his pro-choice pocynicism and insincerity is no surprise coming sition. from what passes for “leaders” in today’s evangelical circles. It was striking, however, Earlier this month, Providence Bishop Thomas that more than 15 key American Catholic Tobin put the clamp on Rep. Patrick Kennedy leaders signed on to the “Manhattan Declara- (D-RI), banning the lawmaker from communtion”. Signatories included heavyweights such ion because he is pro-choice. This was remias Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York and niscent of The St. Louis Archbishop refusing to Donald Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington, DC. give communion to Senator John Kerry during This was clearly a call to arms and a powerful his presidential campaign. signal that the Roman Catholic Church is taking their gloves off to fight political battles in The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis America. has suddenly begun to steer GLBT Catholics to 12-step programs that promise to “cure” hoThis hands-on involvement from Rome has mosexuality or support them in a lifelong passed the “trend” stage and appears to be celibacy. The Catholic Diocese in Sioux Falls, official policy. Consider the significant inSouth Dakota urged its 128-thousand memvolvement the Catholic Church had in stripbers to oppose an attempt to bring legalizing ping marriage rights away from GLBT couples embryonic stem cell research to a public referin a Maine referendum held earlier this month. endum. (I guess the sacrosanct “people’s right to vote” on controversial social issues In the same manner, on June 11, the Washing- only applies to same-sex marriage) ton, DC Archdiocese threatened to abandon the homeless and quit charity work in the Dis- In fighting back, we must remember that the trict if it had to comply with anti-discrimina- Vatican is launching these attacks from a potion laws. Catholic Charities had the audacity sition of weakness. It has yet to recover its to believe it was entitled to collect $8.2 million moral authority from public exposure of ramin tax dollars meant to serve all DC residents, pant child sexual abuse scandals that cost and then still get to handpick whom it deems the Church billions of dollars in legal settleworthy of assistance. ments.

What in the Hell are those things on his scarf? Letter openers? Club sandwich picks? Catholic throwing stars?

The Vatican appears to be acutely aware it is losing its worldwide market share. It is basically defunct in the Middle East, where the religion began, and on life-support in Western Europe, where it once prospered. In Africa, Rome competes with Islam and Anglicanism for a shrinking slice of the pie. (Who can forget that while in Africa the Pope said condoms could make the AIDS crisis worse?) South America, one of its few remaining strongholds, is losing Roman Catholics to evangelical faiths by the millions.

Instead of competing against the conservative evangelical brand, Pope Benedict has decided to embrace it, shaping a conspicuously political Catholicism that embraces extremism and drives out dissenters. The Vatican has become so doctrinaire that it recently launched an invasive probe into the lives of America’s 60,000 nuns to enforce anachronistic rules. In January, Benedict welcomed back excommunicated Bishop Richard Williamson who denied that millions of Jews died in Nazi death camps.

Fortunately, Benedict is a cold, unsympathetic figure and the majority of American Catholics often ignore his edicts. The strategy for the GLBT community should be to stand up to Rome and help mobilize mainstream Catholics to fight back against an authoritarian Pontiff who is hell-bent on making the Catholic Church as unpopular and unappealing as His Holiness. outlookcolumbus.com

34-15_OLW_24in_ODD_ 12/23/09 9:23 PM Page 2

outlookcolumbus.com

Krav Maga is a mixed martial art developed by the Israeli army, and used by their scary intelligence agency, the Mossad! Chad found out the hard way.

january 2010

15

16-33_OLW_24in_ODD_ 12/23/09 9:51 PM Page 1

Rights, Slights and Wrongs

by Regina Sewell You pray to God each day /That your son won’t turn out gay And your daughter won’t bring home / Someone like me Timbuk 3 “Prey” Stage a demonstration / And call on every dove To pass the legislation / To legalize our love Legalize it /Legalize our love Timbuk 3 “Legalize our Love” Six states, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont and New Hampshire, now allow same sex couples to legally wed.

Last October, President Obama signed legislation that makes assaulting someone for his or her sexual orientation or gender identity a federal crime and he’s vowed to purge “don’t-askdon’t-tell-but-we’ll-still-beat-the-crap-out-of-you-and-do-ourbest-to-purge-you-from-the-military-because-we-can” from the books. A celebration is in order, and yet those state laws don’t really translate into full legal rights because the Defense of Marriage Act, (DOMA) prevents the federal government from recognizing same sex marriage. And, states like California and Maine also passed legislation legalizing gay marriage only to repeal those rights the first chance voters got. And even though it’s nice to hear a president say he supports us, we’ve learned that talk is cheap when it comes to our rights. That’s how we got stuck with DOMA and “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” in the first place.

“practicing” gay or lesbian pastors. It’s hearing people you grew up tell you, “marriage should be between a man and a woman.” It’s hearing someone who claims to love you tell you that you’re going to hell. And it’s the pain of worrying deep down inside that something’s wrong with you because you’re different and wondering if your parents really love you.

The best way, I think, to deal with these and other slights and wrongs is to use “emotional judo.” In judo, the idea is to bend and blend with the attack and use the attacker’s force against them. This makes it possible for someone small to successfully defend themselves against someone very large. In practice, it’s like a dance that, if executed properly, will get the target of the attack out of the way so that they don’t take a direct blow.

“Emotional judo” is a different way to “dance” with the attacker. It gets us, (at least our ego) out of the way so that we don’t get knocked out by the impact of the hurtful policy, action or words. Emotional judo involves eliminating the “hooks” that allow those policies, actions, and words to hurt us emotionally.

To do this, remind yourself that those policies, actions or words are not about you. They are rooted in other people’s anger, fear and greed. Another crucial part of eliminating the hooks involves doing meditation, journaling and/or therapy to heal the wounds that make the policies or words hurt so badly. For example, many people in my generation grew up feeling, deep in the core of our being, that being queer was really, really bad. We got the message, either directly or indirectly, that being attracted to someone of the same sex or deviating from society’s Meanwhile, conservative groups like the Family Research gender scripts was not acceptable. The message many of us Council, The Traditional Values Coalition, The Christian Coaliinternalized was something like, “I’m unacceptable as I am. If I tion, Focus on the Family, Concerned Women for America, Amer- don’t act straight or like a real boy or real girl, my parents won’t ican Family Association, and the Southern Baptists are doing love me. And if my parents don’t really love me, I’m not worth their best to make sure that we never get basic rights. Add to loving.” This is a core wound. Removing that hook involves rethis that nut jobs like Fred Phelps and his merry band of hate moving the connection between the message and our own mongers (famous for protesting Matthew Shepard’s funeral sense of worthiness. It means coming to a place where we feel flaunting “God Hates Fags” signs), periodically grab the that we are absolutely and completely worth loving just as we media’s attention with a new twist on gay bashing. are, warts, queerness, size, annoying habits and all.

While the political maneuvering and hate rhetoric are frustrating and annoying, it’s the day to day “slights and wrongs” that really hurt. It’s the frustration of learning that if you and your partner were a “real” married couple, you’d be covered by insurance for an extra $150 a month, but since your relationship isn’t recognized, you are expected to pay $450 a month for the same benefit. And you have to pay taxes on that “benefit” because of DOMA. It’s realizing that your insurance doesn’t cover the child you and your partner had or adopted together if you weren’t the birth parent or person who signed the adoption papers. It’s the realization that you lost all rights to the house you’ve been helping to pay for or providing in-kind services such as housecleaning, laundry, cooking, grocery shopping, and home repairs when you and your partner broke up because the FHA loan you got wouldn’t let an unmarried couple sign off on it and the mortgage is not in your name*.

At a more emotional level, it’s hearing your nephews and nieces say, “That’s so gay” when they are putting each other down. It’s having a snotty nosed teenager yell, “fag” or “dyke” when you cross the street. It’s hearing your parents refer to your partner as your landlord. It’s feeling your partner’s discomfort when you reach for his or her hand at a family birthday party because they are afraid that their family will be uncomfortable with this overt display of affection. It’s the sense of fear you feel every time you come out to the Maytag repairman, the hotel reservations agent, your doctor, or the random person in your yoga class because you don’t know how they’ll react. It’s the sense of self-disgust you feel because you sometimes let people assume your partner is a member of the opposite sex. It’s knowing that many churches who claim to be GLBT friendly still won’t ordain

16

january 2010

Taking action also helps defuse some of the sting of slights and wrongs. Rather than sitting passively and feeling sorry for yourself, come out, make noise, protest, call and/or e-mail your legislators, and speak to the folks in the HR departments where you work about discriminatory company policies. Confront harassers and gently but firmly educate folks that just don’t get it that their statements are not OK. Taking action will not only help you, it will help all of us.

For more suggestions about how to work through the emotional baggage that allows you to get hooked into anger, shame and other negative emotions and/or for help with responding to emotional and physical attacks, check out my book, “We’re Here! We’re Queer! Get Used to Us!” It’s available through my website: www.ReginaSewell.com. * I know that you’d like to believe that your partner (or their family in the case of your partner’s death) would never screw you, but death and break-ups bring out the worst in people. In such circumstances, people say and do things you’d never imagine. If you have children, joint property or shared finances, it’s best to meet with an attorney familiar with working with GLBT clients to get your wills in order and to legalize your financial agreements.

Regina Sewell is a mental health counselor. To ask a question, propose a column topic, read about her approach to counseling, or check out her books and other writing, go to: www.ReginaSewell.com. Her most recent publication, “Sliding Away” can be found in Knowing Pains: Women on Love, Sex and Work in Our 40s, edited by Molly Rosen.

The Family Research Council, The Christian Coalition, DOMA, Don’t ask Don’t Tell...at least Lady Gaga is on our side.

outlookcolumbus.com

32-17_OLW_24in_ODD_ 12/23/09 9:20 PM Page 2

outlookcolumbus.com

Merri Bame is Chad’s communication coach. We imagine she sometimes finds that overwhelming.

january 2010

17

18-31_OLW_24in_ODD_ 12/23/09 9:50 PM Page 1

18 january 2010

Why do the spa lesbians have cocaine on their lips? Or is it rock salt? Or were they just kissing Nina after her Confections Tour?

outlookcolumbus.com

30-19_OLW_24in_ODD_ 12/23/09 9:24 PM Page 2

Don’t ask, Don’t give

by Jennifer Vanasco

The idea is this:

President Barack Obama was AWOL when it came to the marriage vote in Maine and the partnership vote in Washington.

The DNC was worse, actively working against us by sending out an email to Maine Democrats asking them to campaign for New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine – instead of asking them to man phones in their home state, working for marriage equality.

Despite a supposed commitment to gay civil rights expressed in the DNC platform and by the Obama campaign and administration, there has been relative silence on our issues.

That needs to change.

And thanks to John Aravosis and Joe Sudbay, it’s about to.

Aravosis and Sudbay run the political website Americablog and this week, angry about the Administration’s inaction around Maine, they declared they had enough.

So they are launching a financial boycott of Democrats called “Don’t Ask, Don’t Give.” outlookcolumbus.com

The most powerful tools we have to fight this sort of blindness are money and media Gays and lesbians should stop giving money attention, and this boycott highlights both, to the DNC and President Obama until ENDA because they get less money but more passes and Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and DOMA (negative) media attention. are overturned.

It’s a brilliant strategy.

“It’s really more of a ‘pause,’” than a boycott,” Aravosis and Sudbay say on America- As Americablog says: “Democratic leaders blog.com. “Boycotts sounds so final, and see the LGBT community as a guaranteed angry. Whereas this campaign is temporary, source of cash, regardless of their broken and is only meant to help some friends promises. They think we, and those who President Obama and the Democratic party support us, have nowhere else to go, that - who have lost their way. We are hopeful there’s nothing we can do. It’s time to draw that via this campaign, our friends will keep our own line in the sand, and use the one their promises.” thing that matters to the Democratic Party: our money.”

This is exactly the right thing to do.

For this strategy to work, we all need to join Americablog lists almost 40 grievances, in on the boycott. First, you should get over large and small, against the President, the to Americablog and sign the pledge form – leader of the Democratic Party. Together, and stick to it. the grievances paint a portrait of a man who is not just refusing to show leadership But even that’s not far enough. The DNC on our issues – he seems unaware of why needs to know that this is not laziness. It’s our issues are important. not just that the economy is lousy or that we want to spend more money on Christmas And the DNC, despite including us in their presents. platform, seems to be hardly aware that, post-campaign, we exist.

So give as much as you can to a gay activist group, national or local, of your choice, instead. Send in the receipt for the donation to the DNC with a note explaining that your money went elsewhere and why.

Will this hurt Democrats? Will it make it more likely that much more repressive Republicans get back in power? Americablog addresses these types of questions. Their answer is no – I fear that actually, the answer is yes.

But that’s the point.

The DNC and President Obama need to start taking us seriously. They will only do that if we start affecting their pocketbook. Gays and lesbians raise a large amount of funds for the DNC. Until our major issues are addressed, it is time we close the gayTM. Don’t give until the DNC and Obama have met their obligations to us. We have waited long enough.

Jennifer Vanasco is an award-winning, syndicated columnist. Email her at Jennifer.Vanasco@gmail.com; follow her at Twitter.com/JenniferVanasco.

I wonder how many other people confuse their Chase credit card with their debit card and rack up fees like Chris does? Anyone?

january 2010

19

EVEN

20-29_OLW_24in_ODD_ 12/23/09 9:50 PM Page 1

by Mickey Weems 2009 was the Year of the Homophobe.

Gay marriage initiatives are losing almost everywhere, it seems. We had our wake-up call in 2008 when a majority of the good citizens of California voted against Gay marriage. Since then, it’s been downhill.

Our Gay leaders have done everything to sugar-coat the issue, even dropping the G-word. Instead of “gay marriage” (contains the offensive word “gay”) or “same-sex marriage” (contains the offensive word “sex”), the preferred term is “marriage equality.” Like that was going to fool anybody.

We tried showing America how beautiful our couples are. We portrayed LGBTQ families as wholesome. It didn’t matter. More often than not, homophobes don’t see “gay” as people. They see us as it - an incoherent mass of non-procreative sex acts. Defective, immoral, and inferior when compared to Straight.

ports of angry queers chasing the police, yelling, “GET ‘EM! FUCK ‘EM!” Women and men alike took to the streets and shouted, “GAY POWER!” But even “gay” was too much for some of us. The rainbow flag was also too scandalous, so some of our more timid and power-hungry siblings (HRC) decided to whitewash the gay right out of their movement, and restricted their colors to blue and yellow, leaving out communist red, tree-hugger green, flaming orange and that faggy, faggy shade of lavender.

Pink, of course, was out of the question. Squares don’t like triangles.

Years later, we can see for ourselves just how effective the HRC has been. Not. An Immodest Proposal One huge problem with Gay identity is Straight people’s obsession with SEX, same-SEX marriage, and homoSEXuals. They look at us and they see cocksuckers, carpet munchers, and fudge-packers. But we can use their fixation on sex to our advantage. Rather than pandering to their sensitivities, let’s capitalize on that obsession.

Not only is “gay” an insult among our youth (as in “Ugh, that’s so gay”), it’s also a punishment. When Major Nidal Malik Hasan murdered his fellow soldiers in Fort Hood, the reaction of American bigots was to accuse all Muslims. The solution: kick all openly Muslim military personnel out of the Armed Forces. In other Let’s fuck with homophobes by ridiculing their silly words, treat them like they were Gay. ideas based vaguely on sex, like the Defense of Marriage Act. No real surprise, this recent attempt at the gayification of Muslim Americans, since Muslims are beaten up If only Straights can get married because of the sancabout as much as Gays are. And those of us who are tity of procreative sex, then all non-procreative sex openly Gay and openly Muslim, holy shit! We are walk- should be considered Gay, and restricted to our people ing punching bags. only. For example: What to do about homophobes? I say let’s fuck with them. If I can paraphrase Hank Williams, Jr., fucking with homophobes is our family tradition.

A Proud History of Fucking We have always been an offensive people, even when we don’t mean to be.

The Gay Vagenda and Vanilla Marriage: DOMA Versus DOSCA 20 january 2010

Back in the early days before Stonewall, activists tried their best to be inoffensive and even invisible. They called themselves “homophiles” because “homosexual” was too scandalous. An early American Lesbian organization called itself the Daughters of Bilitis (DOB) for that same reason. Homophiles and the DOB required their members to dress and behave gender-appropriately. Can’t have butch women or queeny men setting us back, can we?

But eventually the Daughters came out and said, “Fuck off” in their own way. They held the first National Lesbian Convention in 1960, despite the fact that calling a woman a “lesbian” was considered an insult, and “lesbianism” was treated like a communicable disease.

“Sucking cock has been an important tradition for those of us who are Gay men. As such, it is an insult to us if Straight women suck cock, especially if they have husbands. They betray the sanctity of vanilla marriage.”

We could call it the Defense of Sucking Cock Act or DOSCA. And let’s add a DOEPA, DOBFA, and even DOBOA (for defense of cunnilingus, anal sex, and masturbation, respectively).

Although procreative sex is popular among Straights, non-procreative is even more so, married or otherwise.

If we could get Straight Americans to associate Gay people with the pleasures of spicy Straight baby-free lovemaking, we’d have our rights in no time.

On a Side Note: In Praise of Oral’s Sex As if to cosmically prove my point in a rather twisted fashion, televangelist Oral Roberts died on the same day the City Council in Washington DC voted to legalize Gay marriage, which is the very day I am writing this article (December 15).

Here is a quote (word for word, and completely out of It wasn’t until Stonewall, however, that we as a people context) from the late great Oral: “Only one organ publicly claimed the word “gay” and screamed it at made can bring forth light. It’s the male organ. It’s not the top of our collective lungs. It’s been ours ever since. in lesbianism.”

When we went from “homophile” to “gay,” all sense of No, I guess a shining dick is not in lesbianism, except hetero propriety went out the window. The Stonewall as a novelty dildo. Thank you, Mr. Roberts, for amusing Riots were sparked by an unknown female dressed in us more than you’ll ever know. Requiescat in pace. men’s clothing who didn’t like being pushed into a paddy wagon and so decided to push back, and all hell broke loose. Later, a chorus line of drag queens fucked with riot police by performing dance routines in front of them and singing obscene songs. There are even re-

Don’t caress the hand too much or Kanye will come runnin’ out yellin’ ‘No Homo!’

outlookcolumbus.com

28-21_OLW_24in_ODD_ 12/23/09 9:47 PM Page 2

outlookcolumbus.com

Mr. Frye once had a little too much “juice” at an Ani concert, and made himself his very own “untouchable face” somewhere in the bushes.

january 2010

21

22-27_OLW_24in_ODD_ 12/23/09 10:17 PM Page 1

The National Agenda

by Elliot Fishman He begins the conversation talking about Congress and ends it talking about Columbus. She starts out with the March and finishes with the NAACP.

important,” said Nipper. “We heard it at the March on Washington and post Proposition 8 (California’s anti-marriage-equality referendum).

But there’s a lot of opposition. We need to find meaningful and less sexy opportunities which can engender equality, perhaps at the administrative and regulatory level,” she said.

But when it comes to the LGBT political agenda, leaders of two very different national advocacy groups have remarkably similar goals for the coming year.

Health care may well present just such an opportunity. Advocates have worked to include LGBT equality in many aspects of the Obama health insurance overhaul and the bills before ConHuman Rights Campaign President Joe Solgress. To Solmonese, these measures will have monese, and the Rev. Darlene Nipper, Deputy Ex- significant impact on equality for gay and lesecutive Director of the National Gay & Lesbian bian families.

Task Force, talked in separate interviews about the challenges of legislation, the importance of “When we went to the White House Summit on state and local organizing, and the value of Health Care a while back,” he said, “we pointed building on each other’s strengths. They also re- out that domestic partner benefits are taxed, vealed different - but complementary - apwhile the benefits for married couples are not.” proaches to the national movement for LGBT The summit participants, he said, were surprised rights. by this disparity. “We said, if this bill is really going to be about bringing health care opportuniThe two leaders identified three priority areas of ties, then we have to eliminate this unfair tax,” work for 2010: said the HRC exec.

• Gaining equality for same-sex couples; • Making discrimination against LBGT persons Nipper took a somewhat broader approach to the illegal; and impact of health reform on. “It’s a great issue for • Repealing the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t the Task Force,” she said, “because we see LGBT Tell” policy. people and we see people who are LGBT who need access to health care.” She pointed out that “We have to take a very thoughtful approach, but the community is often ignored in federal health I’m confident we can make progress” to give care surveys and said that inclusion in these surLGBT persons “an equitable experience wherever veys would be a “critical piece” in making sure they are,” said Solmonese. He said last year’s that health care is uniformly accessible to LGBT passage of the Matthew Shepard and James persons.

Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act was the “signature success” for the community and opens Investing efforts on other less-prominent measthe door for movement on the other three goals. ures can also have a high return. The Family Medical Leave Act, which requires businesses to Nipper agreed: “2010 will be a meaningful and provide leave to employees whose family mempowerful year,” she said, pointing to some of the bers have medical problems, currently does not policy successes of last year, including counting define family to include same-sex couples. MakGLBT households in the upcoming U.S. Census, ing the definition more inclusive may not seem redefining families for HUD housing programs, important, Solmonese said, “but if you’re a parand establishing an LGBT resource center at the ent who can’t take leave to tend to an ill partner Department of Health and Human Services. or child, the impact is huge.”

Marriage Equality. Losses on state marriage equality issues in Maine and New York - plus the likely failure of the New Jersey legislature to affirm same-sex marriage - have clearly tempered national leaders’ appetite to pursue broad-brush approaches to the issue, such as the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Both Nipper and Solmonese spoke about same-sex marriage in more nuanced terms - mostly avoiding the use of the word “marriage” - but seemed assured that gains will be made to close the gap in equality for same-sex couples.

“The community is at a place where this notion of full equality [for same-sex couples] is really

22

january 2010

GLBT movement. ENDA would add sexual orientation and gender identity to the list of prohibited types of employment discrimination under Federal law.

“We anticipate it will pass,” said Nipper.

Solmonese was a bit more cautious. “The President will sign whatever passes,” he said, “but we want to make sure that the bill we get is the bill we want. We have to be very thoughtful and careful with how it is managed.” He explained that as part of managing the bill, there have been a couple of delays in committee, so that it would not languish over the Congressional break and lose its momentum.

The HRC president also noted that even with a

Both Nipper and Solmonese also suggested that passage may be possible for the Domestic Partner Benefits and Obligations Act, which would equalize the treatment of benefits for same-sex couples and their families. Nipper also proposed looking for additional equalization of benefits for LGBT Federal employees, such as the pension changes instituted by the Office of Personnel Management and the recent inclusion of domestic partners in policies affecting diplomats and other employees at the State Department.

Joe Solmonese

Employment. The long-pending Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) is poised for passage in 2010 and would be a major win for the

To learn more about HRC and NGLTF goto: www.hrc.org and www.thetaskforce.org.

outlookcolumbus.com

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

• • • • • • • • about town • • • • • • • • Art Pad Gallery, 4969 N High St, 614.888.8966, www.artpadgallery.com: Come see artwork from a variety of artists in line with the theme, “These are a few of my favorite things.” Artwork and holiday gifts will be for sale! Jan 5; until 6p.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 8 WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THAT SHOW? Josh Blue @ The Funny Bone, 145 Easton Town Center, SUNDAY, JANUARY 3 614.471.5653, www.columbus(PROBABLY) DOESN’T HAVE ANYTHING TO funnybone.com: Head over to The Funny Bone to see Josh Blue, winDO WITH TRANNIES Trans-Siberian Orchestra @ Na- ner of Last Comic Standing’s tionwide Arena, corner of Nation- 2006 season. Don’t be alarmed by that. He’s actually funny. Jan 8 wide and Neil, 614.246.2000, www.NationwideArena.com: If you - 10; Times vary by show; $20. thought you would never have to opportunity to see old men wish- TATTOOS FOR EVERYONE! ing they used to be in an 80s hair Moral Tales @ Havana, 862 N High St, 614.421.9697, columband, think again. Performing busnightlife.com: Scottie Niemet rockin’ Christmas classics, the brings you this night of Trans-Siberian Orchestra is in town and you can see them for a disco/house not like anywhere reasonable (or not so reasonable) else. Funky fun and good martinis price. Jan 3 & 5; 7:30p; $25, $38, every second Friday. 10p; free. $48, and $58.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 15 HAPPY BIRTHDAY! TUESDAY, JANUARY 5 Chris Hayes’s B-day: Your faNET WORK IT January Speaker Breakfast @ vorite publisher turns 37 today. In Champps Lennox, 1827 Olenlieu of gifts, just find him a hustangy River Rd, 614.298.0833: band.

Join guest speaker Sue Doody, President of Lindey’s Restaurant, SATURDAY, JANUARY 16 and the Columbus Young Profes- IT’S ALL ABOUT LAYERS & BEAN SOUP sionals Club for breakfast. NetWinter Hike @ Hocking Hills work in a casual setting and get State Park, State Route 664 in advice on business and careers. Hocking County, about 12 miles Even better than that, this event southwest of Logan, includes bagels, pastries, and 740.385.6842, www.hockcoffee. Yum! You must register inghillspark.com: Enjoy Winter’s for this event. Jan 5; 7:30a - 9a; splendor on this 6-mile trek from $5.

Old Man’s Cave to Ash Cave.

Layered clothing and good THERE’S NO REASON TO BE ASHAMED footwear recommended. Bean OF THOSE LEG WARMERS! soup, corn bread and hot cocoa Punk Rock “Aerobics” @ Surely are available at Cedar Falls for a Girl Saloon, 1126 N High St, donation. A shuttle bus returns 614.294.4900, www.surlygirlsa- hikers to Old Man’s Cave. Continloon.com: Run over to Surly Girl ual starts from 9a-11a; free.

Saloon for tasty food and drinks or to get in a quick work out.

IF YOU WANT TO PRETEND YOU’RE Semi-structured “aerobics” are CLASSY held every Tuesday and feature Dianne Reeves: Celebrating music by The Ramones, The Sarah Vaughan @ Vets Memorial Clash, and more. Jan 5 (every Center, 300 W Broad St, Tuesday); 6:30p - 8p.

614.221.4341, www.fcvm.com: Four-time grammy-winning jazz RAINDROPS ON ROSES AND WHISKERS vocalist Dianne Reeves will inON KITTENS voke the memory of “The Divine “These Are A Few Of My Favorite One.” Vaughan’s career spanned Things” Holiday Group Show @ several decades and will be cele-

brated with this one time performance. Jan 16; 8p; $18, $25, $42, $45, $56, and $64.

mainstay. Come sweat both upstairs and down every fourth Friday. Fierce DJs and a diverse crowd found no where else in MONDAY, JANUARY 18 town make up this epic party.

DOES THIS GIVE NEW MEANING TO EAT- Mom? Is that you? 10p; cover.

ING OUT? SOME PEOPLE CAN STILL DIG CHICAGO. Restaurant Week @ Dozens of Participating Eateries. RestauSOME PEOPLE. rant Week in Columbus is in full Spinning Wheel @ The Southern force. Participating establishTheatre, 21 E Main St, ments will be offering a 3-course 614.340.1896: Featuring famed menu to patrons at a fixed, musician Bruce Wermuth, come cheaper price (and no, the price enjoy the music of Blood, Sweat, does not account for your kickin’ & Tears and Chicago. If that’s back a few). The Mid Ohio Food your thing, then this is your thing.

Bank will benefit from this week- Jan 22 & 23; 8p; $49, $46, and long event. They’ll receive a $41. $5,000 donation on behalf of the participating restaurants and THURSDAY, JANUARY 28 (614) Magazine. A full list of BECAUSE DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE WON’T BE HERE restaurants can be found at www.restaurantweekcolumbus.co Owl City @ The Lifestyle Communities Pavilion, 405 Neil Ave, m. Reservations are highly recommended. Jan 18 - Jan 23; Any- 614.461.LIVE (5483), promowestlive.com: Now is your chance to time; $15-$35. get a thousand hugs from ten thousand lightning bugs. OpenEDUCATE YOURSELF Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day @ ing for Death Cab Owl City is Every Place In The U.S. Take the Deas Vail and Lights. Maybe day to honor the work of Dr. Mar- they’re not too bad. This show tin Luther King, Jr. Jan 18; All was originally scheduled at NewDay; free. port Music Hall, but was moved when the show sold out. Jan 28; TUESDAY, JANUARY 19 6p; $14.

DOES THIS HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE “STEP UP” MOVIES? SATURDAY, JANUARY 30 Alfred Hitchcock’s “The 39 NO THANK YOU, PINK FLOYD! Steps” @ The Palace Theatre, 34 Oz With Orchestra @ The Ohio W Broad St, 614.469.9850: Win- Theater, 39 E State St, ner of 2 Tony Awards, “The 39 614.469.0939: We all want our Steps” is a joy for all ages. This own pair of sparkly red heels, but comedy had a cast of only four some of us just can’t have them. performers playing over 150 Live vicariously and enjoy this characters! Jan 19 - Jan 24; 8p; classic movie with music re$22.50 and $52.50. moved and instead performed by a live orchestra. If not for the FRIDAY, JANUARY 22 music, just go to watch Judy runILLUMINATE YOUR NIGHT nin’ around lookin’ all fierce. Jan Andre Watts @ The Ohio Theater, 30; 7:30p; $18, $32, $33, $42, 39 E State St, 614.469.0939: If $45, $55, $56, and $64. you just read his name and found that a little light bulb went off in GOTTA LOVE BALLS your head, go check out Watts Grande Winter Ball @ The Ohio performing Beethoven’s “EmStatehouse, High & Broad, peror” concert. You’ll see his per- 614.466.3774, www.ohiostateformance and think, “Wow this house.org: Come waltz or simply was a great idea.” Jan 22 & 23; observe at the annual Grande 8p; $60, $48, $40, $32, $27, and Winter Ball. Hosted by Civil War $18. Choices! re-enactors, you can dress in Civil War attire or just as you are.

MAKE YOU SWEAT Reservations are required. Jan Sweatin’ @ Axis, 775 N High St, 30; 7:30p - 9p; free!

614.291.4008, columbusnightlife.com: The alternative dance party finds a home at this

calendar outside JAN10_Calendar 12/21/09 7:32 PM Page 1

FRIDAY, JANUARY 1 RESOLUTION #1: BECOME LESS OBSESSED WITH DRAG QUEENS New Year’s Day @ Your Personal Celebration Destination. Don’t lie.

You spent New Year’s Eve getting’ loco. Spend the first with family, friends, loved ones, whoever. Sit around and make resolutions for the new year. Just don’t say you want to lose weight. You know you won’t stick with it.

calendar inside JAN10 _Calendar 12/21/09 7:33 PM Page 1

• • • • • Stylings Lee Press on Beard = $42.50 Vintage Miami Vice Jacket from Rag O Rama = $123.50 Armani Classic 2-Piece Tuxedo = $$1,995.00 Mister Right Packer VixSkin = $48.00 x 3

Royal Renegades starring in Fear and Men’s Clothing in Las Vegas January 2010

photography by robert trautman

December 2009 S M 6

calendar Networking

7

T

F

S

1

2

3

4

5

8

9 10 11 12

S M 3

4

T W 5

6

T 7

February 2010 F

S

S M

T W

T

F

S

1

2

1

2

4

5

6

8

9

8

9 10 11 12 13

7

3

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

27 28 29 30 31

24 25 26 27 28 29 30

28

31

Bars-Clubs Sunday

Monday 27

11:00 AM Brunch & Showtunes @ U 6:00 PM Stippers @ Q Bar 8:00 PM Sunday Night Players @ Wall St 9:00 PM Strippers @ Score 9:30 PM Strippers @ Exile 10:00 PM Karaoke @ Level 10:30 PM Strippers @ Havana 11:00 PM Strippers @ Tradewinds II

Tuesday 28

12:00 PM Dollar Days @ Flex 1:00 PM Happy Hour @ Tremont 4:00 PM $2 Bitchy Mondays @ Club D 5:00 PM Happy Hour @ Blazers 8:00 PM Martini Monday @ Havana 8:00 PM Karaoke Monday @ U 9:00 PM Service Industry Night @ Level 10:00 PM Trivia & Comedy @ Q 10:00 PM Karaoke @ AWOL

3 11:00 AM Brunch & Showtunes @ U 6:00 PM Stippers @ Q Bar 8:00 PM Latin Dance Night @ Wall St 9:00 PM Strippers @ Score 9:30 PM Strippers @ Exile 10:00 PM Karaoke @ Level 10:30 PM Strippers @ Havana 11:00 PM Strippers @ Tradewinds II

10 11:00 AM Brunch & Showtunes @ U 6:00 PM Stippers @ Q Bar 8:00 PM Latin Dance Night @ Wall St 9:00 PM Strippers @ Score 9:30 PM Strippers @ Exile 10:00 PM Karaoke @ Level 10:30 PM Strippers @ Havana 11:00 PM Strippers @ Tradewinds II

17 11:00 AM Brunch & Showtunes @ U 6:00 PM Stippers @ Q Bar 8:00 PM Latin Dance Night @ Wall St 9:00 PM Strippers @ Score 9:30 PM Strippers @ Exile 10:00 PM Karaoke @ Level 10:30 PM Strippers @ Havana 11:00 PM Strippers @ Tradewinds II

24 11:00 AM Brunch & Showtunes @ U 6:00 PM Stippers @ Q Bar 9:00 PM Strippers @ Score 9:30 PM Strippers @ Exile 10:00 PM Karaoke @ Level 10:30 PM Strippers @ Havana 11:00 PM Strippers @ Tradewinds II

31

Wednesday 29

4:00 PM 5:00 PM 7:30 PM Club D 8:00 PM 8:00 PM mers

Karaoke @ Q Top Shelf Tuesday @ Havana 3 Olives with Jazz Mary @

4:00 PM 5:00 PM 7:30 PM Club D 8:00 PM mers 8:00 PM

Karaoke @ Q Top Shelf Tuesday @ Havana 3 Olives with Jazz Mary @

4:00 PM 5:00 PM 7:30 PM Club D 8:00 PM mers 8:00 PM

Karaoke @ Q Top Shelf Tuesday @ Havana 3 Olives with Jazz Mary @

4:00 PM 5:00 PM 7:30 PM Club D 8:00 PM 8:00 PM mers

Karaoke @ Q Top Shelf Tuesday @ Havana 3 Olives with Jazz Mary @

4:00 PM 5:00 PM 7:30 PM Club D 8:00 PM 8:00 PM mers

Karaoke @ Q Top Shelf Tuesday @ Havana 3 Olives with Jazz Mary @

4:00 PM 5:00 PM 7:30 PM Club D 8:00 PM 8:00 PM mers

Karaoke @ Q Top Shelf Tuesday @ Havana 3 Olives with Jazz Mary @

Team Trivia Tuesdays @ Level Cheap Date Night @ Slam!

4 12:00 PM Dollar Days @ Flex 1:00 PM Happy Hour @ Tremont 4:00 PM $2 Bitchy Mondays @ Club D 5:00 PM Happy Hour @ Blazers 8:00 PM Martini Monday @ Havana 8:00 PM Karaoke Monday @ U 9:00 PM Service Industry Night @ Level 10:00 PM Trivia & Comedy @ Q 10:00 PM Karaoke @ AWOL

5

Cheap Date Night @ Slam!

Team Trivia Tuesdays @ Level

11 12:00 PM Dollar Days @ Flex 1:00 PM Happy Hour @ Tremont 4:00 PM $2 Bitchy Mondays @ Club D 5:00 PM Happy Hour @ Blazers 8:00 PM Martini Monday @ Havana 8:00 PM Karaoke Monday @ U 9:00 PM Service Industry Night @ Level 10:00 PM Trivia & Comedy @ Q 10:00 PM Karaoke @ AWOL

12

18 12:00 PM Dollar Days @ Flex 1:00 PM Happy Hour @ Tremont 4:00 PM $2 Bitchy Mondays @ Club D 5:00 PM Happy Hour @ Blazers 8:00 PM Martini Monday @ Havana 8:00 PM Karaoke Monday @ U 9:00 PM Service Industry Night @ Level 10:00 PM Trivia & Comedy @ Q 10:00 PM Karaoke @ AWOL

Cheap Date Night @ Slam!

Team Trivia Tuesdays @ Level

19

25 12:00 PM Dollar Days @ Flex 1:00 PM Happy Hour @ Tremont 4:00 PM $2 Bitchy Mondays @ Club D 5:00 PM Happy Hour @ Blazers 8:00 PM Martini Monday @ Havana 8:00 PM Karaoke Monday @ U 9:00 PM Service Industry Night @ Level 10:00 PM Trivia & Comedy @ Q 10:00 PM Karaoke @ AWOL

11:00 AM Brunch & Showtunes @ U 6:00 PM Stippers @ Q Bar 8:00 PM Sunday Night Players @ Wall St 9:00 PM Strippers @ Score 9:30 PM Strippers @ Exile 10:00 PM Karaoke @ Level 10:30 PM Strippers @ Havana 11:00 PM Strippers @ Tradewinds II

Eastern Time Time Zone

January 2010

T W

Team Trivia Tuesdays @ Level Cheap Date Night @ Slam!

26

Team Trivia Tuesdays @ Level Cheap Date Night @ Slam!

1 12:00 PM Dollar Days @ Flex 1:00 PM Happy Hour @ Tremont 4:00 PM $2 Bitchy Mondays @ Club D 5:00 PM Happy Hour @ Blazers 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

2

Team Trivia Tuesdays @ Level Cheap Date Night @ Slam!

Thursday 30

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 8:00 PM Futuristic Karaoke @ Exile 8:00 PM 3D Weds @ Q 10:00 PM Extreme Strippers @ Q 10:00 PM 80s Video Dance @ Wall St

4:00 PM $3 3 Olives Night @ Level 4:00 PM Leather & Fetish @ Flex 4:00 PM 3 Wise Men @ Exile 8:00 PM CW & HipHop @ Wall St 8:00 PM Thursday Thrust @ Tradewinds II 8:00 PM Long Island @ U 8:00 PM Disco Night @ Martini Park

6 4:00 PM Biker Bear HH @ Tradewinds II 4:00 PM LevelTini Night @ Level 7:00 PM Trivia & Karaoke @ Score 7:00 PM Fiesta Night @ U 8:00 PM Futuristic Karaoke @ Exile 8:00 PM 3D Weds @ Q 10:00 PM 80s Video Dance @ Wall St 10:00 PM Extreme Strippers @ Q

7

23 8:00 PM Margaritas @ U 10:00 PM Dance Your Ass O" @ Axis 10:00 PM Lesbian Dance Night @ Wall St 10:00 PM DJ Jeremy James @ Level 11:00 PM DJ T Cruz @ Q

29 4:00 PM Get Your Mojo @ Level 8:00 PM Flirtinis @ U 9:00 PM Live Bands @ Havana 10:00 PM College Nite @ Wall St 10:00 PM DJ Pat Finn @ Q

4 4:00 PM $3 3 Olives Night @ Level 4:00 PM Leather & Fetish @ Flex 4:00 PM 3 Wise Men @ Exile 8:00 PM CW & HipHop @ Wall St 8:00 PM Disco Night @ Martini Park 8:00 PM Thursday Thrust @ Tradewinds II 8:00 PM Long Island @ U

16 8:00 PM Margaritas @ U 10:00 PM DJ Jeremy James @ Level 10:00 PM Dance Your Ass O" @ Axis 10:00 PM Lesbian Dance Night @ Wall St 11:00 PM DJ T Cruz @ Q

22

28

3 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 8:00 PM Futuristic Karaoke @ Exile 8:00 PM 3D Weds @ Q 10:00 PM Extreme Strippers @ Q 10:00 PM 80s Video Dance @ Wall St

15

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

4:00 PM Leather & Fetish @ Flex 4:00 PM 3 Wise Men @ Exile 4:00 PM $3 3 Olives Night @ Level 8:00 PM Long Island @ U 8:00 PM Disco Night @ Martini Park 8:00 PM CW & HipHop @ Wall St 8:00 PM Thursday Thrust @ Tradewinds II

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

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

21

27 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 8:00 PM Futuristic Karaoke @ Exile 8:00 PM 3D Weds @ Q 10:00 PM 80s Video Dance @ Wall St 10:00 PM Extreme Strippers @ Q

8

14

4:00 PM $3 3 Olives Night @ Level 4:00 PM Leather & Fetish @ Flex 4:00 PM 3 Wise Men @ Exile 8:00 PM Long Island @ U 8:00 PM Disco Night @ Martini Park 8:00 PM CW & HipHop @ Wall St 8:00 PM Thursday Thrust @ Tradewinds II

2 8:00 PM Margaritas @ U 10:00 PM DJ Jeremy James @ Level 10:00 PM Dance Your Ass O" @ Axis 10:00 PM Lesbian Dance Night @ Wall St 11:00 PM DJ T Cruz @ Q

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

4:00 PM $3 3 Olives Night @ Level 4:00 PM Leather & Fetish @ Flex 4:00 PM 3 Wise Men @ Exile 8:00 PM Long Island @ U 8:00 PM Disco Night @ Martini Park 8:00 PM CW & HipHop @ Wall St 8:00 PM Thursday Thrust @ Tradewinds II

20 4:00 PM Biker Bear HH @ Tradewinds II 4:00 PM LevelTini Night @ Level 7:00 PM Trivia & Karaoke @ Score 7:00 PM Fiesta Night @ U 8:00 PM Futuristic Karaoke @ Exile 8:00 PM 3D Weds @ Q 10:00 PM 80s Video Dance @ Wall St 10:00 PM Extreme Strippers @ Q

Saturday 1

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

4:00 PM Leather & Fetish @ Flex 4:00 PM $3 3 Olives Night @ Level 4:00 PM 3 Wise Men @ Exile 8:00 PM Long Island @ U 8:00 PM Disco Night @ Martini Park 8:00 PM CW & HipHop @ Wall St 8:00 PM Thursday Thrust @ Tradewinds II

13 4:00 PM Biker Bear HH @ Tradewinds II 4:00 PM LevelTini Night @ Level 6:00 PM Network Columbus 7:00 PM Trivia & Karaoke @ Score 7:00 PM Fiesta Night @ U 8:00 PM Futuristic Karaoke @ Exile 8:00 PM 3D Weds @ Q 10:00 PM 80s Video Dance @ Wall St 10:00 PM Extreme Strippers @ Q

Friday 31

30 8:00 PM Margaritas @ U 10:00 PM Dance Your Ass O" @ Axis 10:00 PM Lesbian Dance Night @ Wall St 10:00 PM DJ Jeremy James @ Level 11:00 PM DJ T Cruz @ Q

5 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 College Nite @ Wall St 10:00 PM DJ Pat Finn @ Q

6 8:00 PM Margaritas @ U 10:00 PM Dance Your Ass O" @ Axis 10:00 PM Lesbian Dance Night @ Wall St 10:00 PM DJ Jeremy James @ Level 11:00 PM DJ T Cruz @ Q

Page 1/1

www.outlookcolumbus.com liberal & asinine

22-27_OLW_24in_ODD_ 12/23/09 10:17 PM Page 2

Democratic majority in Congress, passing a proLGBT bill is still a challenge. “We have a proequality majority in the leadership,” Solmonese said, “but don’t confuse the Democratic majority with a pro-LGBT majority.” The gay community must rely on peer-to-peer lobbying by the three openly gay members of Congress - Barney Frank (D-MA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and newcomer Jared Polis (D-CO). Solmonese also said that “on any progressive issue, the Senate is a huge challenge.”

State and Local Politics. After years of fundraising and territorial disputes between the national and local LGBT organizations, the community seems to have arrived at a new era of federalstate-local collaboration. The approaches of the two organizations to state and local politics also provide insights into the groups’ different philosophies.

for LGBT issues. Nipper also noted that NGLTF often helps in the drafting of local legislative nondiscrimination proposals, to ensure that the rights of transgendered persons are protected.

While HRC also puts staff members on the ground for support on certain state issues, its perspective is one of determining how state matters fit into the national agenda. On the marriage issue, for example, Solmonese said “we need to Nipper emphasized NGLTF’s work on grass roots take stock of where we are in the state debates training and organizing. “We trained the folks on and look for the next set of states, beyond New Military Service. Repeal of the infamous “Don’t the ground in Maine and in Kalamazoo,” she said. York, New Jersey, and Maine, and determine Ask Don’t Tell” policy, essentially prohibiting mili- The Task Force’s “Creating Change” national con- where we can be most successful.” Solmonese tary service by openly gay and lesbian Americans, ference on movement building is also an example also said that HRC continues to “actively moniis the third leg in the 2010 tripod of naof how NGLTF supports and tor” potential GLBT adoption bans in several tional priorities. Consensus has grown empowers local groups states. among military and civilian leadand leaders to ers alike that the current advocate Solmonese emphasized, however, that HRC folscheme does not work and lows the lead of state and local organizations has in fact diminished the especially that of Equality Ohio. country’s defense readiness. President Obama “Where we have a strong statewide LGBT organihas also called for rezation and well-respected leaders, like with peal of the policy, which Equality Ohio,” we work hard to coordinate efforts was actually enacted and focus more on electing fair-minded federal into law by Congress. officials. Not all states have this type of leadership and organization.”

That view, however, is not unanimous. AlIn Ohio this year, Solmonese said, HRC will be though Congressman very involved in “electing a pro-LGBT Senator. “ Patrick Murphy (D-PA) The organization will also be directly involved in has sponsored the repeal the re-election of Columbus congresswoman in the Military Readiness Mary Jo Kilroy (D). “Mary Jo has been with us on Enhancement Act (MREA), every issue, and we will be on the ground in supno corresponding Senate port of her,” he said. sponsor has been identified.

“Columbus, Ohio and Orlando, Florida are AmerSolmonese said, “We are looking ica’s battlegrounds,” said Solmonese. “We will be for the best vehicle to move that on the ground there for the foreseeable future.” bill” and noted that hearings will likely occur after the first of Collaboration and Cooperation. Both Nipper and the year.

Solmonese dispelled any notion that the two organizations somehow compete or refuse to cooperate with each other. The truth is quite the opposite, they say.

Rev. Darlene Nipper

outlookcolumbus.com

Force that we’ve had in years.” Solmonese said that the two organizations worked especially well together in the effort to defeat Maine’s anti-gay marriage referendum.

Allies and Organizing. Much of the LGBT movement’s work - on any level - involves building alliances and “creating an equitable environment” for GLBT persons, as Solmonese said.

This year, HRC will enhance its “Health Care Equality Index,” in which hospitals and major health care providers are graded on their friendliness to LGBT customers - largely in the same way that HRC grades corporations in its well-regarded “Corporate Equality Index.”

The health care index started, Solmonese said, when he met with a group of lesbian mothers in Kansas. One of the women, not the biological mother of her child, described the obstacles she ran into when she tried to take him to a hospital emergency room. Solmonese said he felt there must be some way to encourage hospitals to be more culturally competent with their LGBT patients, and he thought that a system based upon the Corporate Equality Index might be the ticket.

“Quite honestly, we could not have done the Health Care Equality Index had our Corporate Equality Index gained such credibility,” he said.

Nipper was philosophical when discussing NGLTF’s efforts at building alliances. “As we move away from the margins of society into the center, we have to show up and care about issues which affect other societies and in a way which resonates with them,” she said. The Task Force, she said, is focusing on finding allies with groups with which there may not be complete agreement on certain issues, but where there are clear intersections of interests.

“As Martin Luther King, Jr. said, ‘injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere,’ and we must see how critical it is to work on issues important to other groups, just as we ask them to work on “The Task Force is a known convener and ours,” she said. collaborator,” Nipper said. “We facilitate the National Policy One example is that she regularly meets with Roundtable,” which alleadership of the NAACP. “The extent to which the lows a variety of national LGBT movement is able to ally with the NAACP LGBT organizations to and others is the extent to which we will be succome together and coor- cessful,” she said. dinate efforts, she said.

With respect to HRC, New Year’s Resolution. Both leaders were she said, “we do work pressed to identify one thing, which if accomwell together, and it’s plished by the end of 2010, would mean that the been a good year for LGBT community had a good year. that.”

Nipper said, “If we got health care reform from Solmonese also high- which LGBT items were not stripped, we will have lighted the “close work- had a great year. That would be an awesome ing relationship” he year.” has with NGLTF Executive Director Rea Carey Solmonese was more equivocal: “If we could point (who was on vacation to some measure of easing the economic burden and unavailable for an on same-sex couples, if we could get ENDA interview for this passed, and if we could repeal DOMA, that would story). “I give a lot of be a great year.” credit to Rea Carey. We have the best relation- He paused. “And two out of three would be a good ship with the Task year, too,” he said.

Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (sldn.org) is dedicated to ending discrimination against and harassment of military personnel affected by "Don't Ask, Don't Tell". january 2010

27

28-21_OLW_24in_ODD_ 12/23/09 9:47 PM Page 1

The Evolution of Activism

by William Ashley Another year has come and gone for LGBT politics in Ohio.

While, nationally, we witnessed the fight for marriage rights in several states and the District of Columbia, the State of Ohio was engrossed in a battle for arguably even more basic rights: to own property and work in all of Ohio’s 88 counties free from discrimination. In May 2009, the Equal Housing and Employment Act was introduced into the Ohio House of Representatives with over 25 percent of the delegation as co-sponsors. The EHEA made it through the State Governance Committee a month later and officially passed the Ohio House in mid-September. Additionally, several localities, cities, and counties throughout Ohio enacted their own antidiscrimination laws regarding housing and employment.

The EHEA faces a more difficult hurdle in its next destination – the Ohio Senate. Senate President Bill Harris has publicly declared the EHEA to be unnecessary in Ohio. As the higher house tends to work from a top-down perspective, many groups are currently lobbying for Senator Harris’ attention on this issue.

It seems safe to say that 2010 will see the EHEA, or a similar bill, fight for passage in the Ohio Senate. The year should consist of this agenda. Marriage equality may be the national hot-button issue, but after speaking to Ohio-equality leaders, I can tell you that marriage equality is simply not feasible for the coming year. Ohio activists need to pool their resources into a measurable win, a victory that can continue to build momentum for this ongoing war of civil rights. This measurable win will be the passage of the EHEA. While this may be difficult in the Ohio Senate, it is most definitely not insurmountable. A clear and concise victory is what this state needs to push us into the – forgive me for quoting national Congressional leaders on an entirely different issue – “right side of history.”

In terms of Ohio leadership in the fight for LGBT equality, there is a bit of evolution at play. Lynne Bowman, executive director of Equality Ohio, is turning in her state badge and heading to the national stage. Bowman leaves Equality Ohio for Equality Federation, the national alliance of state-based advocacy organizations. Stepping up to lead Equality Ohio will be Susan Doerfer, who previously led the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland. Fortunately for outlook, both leading ladies agreed to answer some questions about their accomplishments, career transitions, and the 2010 agenda for Ohio LGBT policies.

WA: What situation did you learn the most from during your tenures at Equality Ohio and the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland?

LB: The last year 18 months of fundraising to support the vision of Equality Ohio has certainly been a great learning opportunity for me personally and for everyone else in the organization. We’ve had to be creative in our fundraising methods and even more focused than we’d been previously on finding ways to get the work done while not spending a single penny more than we needed to.

SD: I learned the most from my experiences with George Forbes, The Call & Post Newspaper, and The Cleveland NAACP. After the Domestic Partner Registry passed, there was opposition coming from mostly African American conservative pastors.

In an editorial board meeting with The Call & Post Newspaper, there was an honest discussion that led to better understanding on both parts. As a result, The Call & Post endorsed the Domestic Partner Registry and the Cleveland NAACP passed a resolution to support the Registry.

This changed the course of the opposition. We have kept that collaboration going, continued having honest conversations, and have forged new ground between the LGBT and the African American communities.

William Ashley: In your respective organization, what was your greatest accomplishment?

Lynne Bowman

Lynne Bowman: I think the greatest accomplishment I had as executive director during my time at Equality Ohio is that the organization has remained true to the values of the founders in the way we worked with other partners, the way we talk about and approach the work that we do, and the value we continue to place on an inclusive and transparent model of operations.

Susan Doerfer: My greatest accomplishment has been making The Center available to all who need it.

28

january 2010

Are all humans derived from apes or is it like on Star Trek where we come from different animals? I think Michael looks much more like a chinchilla.

outlookcolumbus.com

N

20-29_OLW_24in_ODD_ 12/23/09 9:50 PM Page 2

WA: What do you think you will take from the Equal Housing and Employment Act in your past experiences into your new posi- the Senate. There’s a saying that if you tions? chase two rabbits you’ll lose them both. In my opinion, the EHEA needs to be the sole LB: I’ll take a couple of things with me from rabbit for 2010 in Ohio. While there may be Equality Ohio to my new job with the Equal- some opportunity around benefits and safe ity Federation. Foremost is the knowledge of schools, if the EHEA is going to be signed the power that exists in state organizing by the governor, there may not be any better and statewide LGBT organizations across time than 2010 to make that happen. the nation. Virtually every single bit of progress for LGBT people that exists in the SD: I believe that basic rights such as emnation is at the state and local level. Many ployment, housing and public accommodaof those successes have occurred in states tions are, and should be, the focus for 2010 that have organizations with pathetically in Ohio. LGBT Ohioans need to have the miniscule budgets but a heck of a lot of fo- right to work, live in our homes, and particcused and committed people. Imagine what ipate in life in Ohio. could be done across the nation and federally if there was a focus on making those WA: What policies are out of our reach — state organizations even stronger than they meaning we should not expect to see already are. much progress throughout the coming year?

Second, but no less important, is how many people want to be involved in this work. As LB: The one policy I don’t think we’ll see a movement, we need to continue to figure any movement on either in Ohio or at the out more and better ways to make sure op- federal level in 2010 is relationship portunities are accessible for everyone to recognition. contribute time and passion. We need a broader menu of opportunities rather than SD: Overturning the constitutional a selection of Choice A or Choice B. All ac- amendment banning same-sex tivism can be good activism and we need marriage in Ohio is out of reach to find better ways to embrace it. in 2010. As I said previously, LGBT basic rights are at stake. In And finally – we’ve got to broaden our order to overturn the amendagenda. We can’t continue to ask for sup- ment and work on sameport for our issues if we’re not actively en- sex marriage in Ohio, gaged in supporting other issues related to we need to expand social justice. In Ohio, as in other states our grassroots orand federally, we’re not there yet. ganizing in every corner of Ohio. It SD: A commitment to improving the lives of is going to take all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender a lot of work people. My time in Cleveland has taught and a lot of me a lot about inclusivity and exclusion money to within the LGBT community. launch a successful WA: What policies, do you believe, are the campaign. main focus of 2010 for Ohio LGBT citizens? Are they the same policies that we should be focusing on?

WA: Any final words before moving onto the next stage of your careers?

have been able to contribute my passion to our collective work. I look forward to watching Equality Ohio grow in the future under LB: My time leading Equality Ohio has been the leadership of Sue Doerfer. five of the best years of my professional career. The people I’ve had the opportunity to SD: I am looking forward to the opportunity, work with and the work that I’ve had the and I am ready to take on the challenge! chance to be part of have impacted me in ways I’ll never forget. The pro-equality community across Ohio is a special community of people, and I’m honored to

LB: Federally, I believe repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell and passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act by the end of 2010 may be all we can expect to see, depending on how things go with the economy and the war. I am very interested to see where things go with some of the pieces contained in Congresswoman Baldwin’s recently introduced healthcare bill; that may be a sleeper where we could see movement.

At the state level, the entire community is going to need to be focused on passage of outlookcolumbus.com

Ohio HB 176 needs all the help it can get. Call your Senator and tell him or her why it’s important to you!

Sue Doerfer

january 2010

29

30-19_OLW_24in_ODD_ 12/24/09 9:38 AM Page 1

HITCHCOCK STEPS INTO COLUMBUS

by Rolanda Copley Mix a Hitchcock masterpiece with a juicy spy novel, add a dash of Monty Python, and you have Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps, debuting in Columbus at the Palace Theatre January 19-24. In this Drama Desk Award winner and two-time Tony Award winner, a cast of four breathlessly and hilariously reenact over 150 characters from Hitchcock’s 1935 film thriller with just a few props, a lot of theatrical ingenuity, and split second quick changes.

and daring actors. Some sort of magic is made out of nothing. Audiences love to be part of this experience. I look at the play in the English music hall tradition – music is under most of the action. Plus actors playing so many roles – changing parts and locations so fast – there’s definitely a sort of a ballet going on there that audiences find exciting to watch.

RC: How much of the play is from the original 1935 classic Hitchcock film?

AITKEN: We almost do the film frame by frame… [Playwright] Patrick Barlow’s dialogue is at least 60% from the film.

We’ve added more jokes and more references to Hitchcock’s other movies throughout.

RC: You continue to cast the play with unfamiliar actors. Why? AITKEN: I think that’s one of the reasons Director Maria Aitken received a Tony nomination for her production of The 39 for the play’s success. Watching someSteps on Broadway. In London, the show one you know from TV can distract from won Best Comedy at the Lawrence Olivier the story. From the beginning, I realized Awards and has played more than 1,000 we can’t do this with well known names. performances. It has since been mounted I’m thrilled with the actors who are doing in seven other countries, including Aus- the national tour. tralia and Israel. Here’s what Aitken had RC: To what do you attribute the worldto say in a recent Q&A: wide popularity of the play?

RC: What was your concept on how to AITKEN: This play is a completely mad, put the Hitchcock film and Patrick Bar- mutating baby. I think it’s because audiences are charmed by the notion of herolow’s script on the stage?

AITKEN: I had to justify the fact that there ism, old fashion virtues, and of course, were only four actors playing all the parts Hitchcock.

- so I envisioned some small rep company in the 1950s in England where this RC: What has given you the most satisfaction as the director of The 39 Steps? leading man wants to play the heroic AITKEN: Kids who are brought up with lead character. He can only muster a leading lady if he gives her three parts to technology come to the theatre and see smoke and ladders and bodies and no play. And there are two old annoying expensive special effects, and they are vaudevillians left over from some other production at that theatre. He tells them thrilled. They feel the play for themselves they have to play all the rest of the roles, –it’s not about money, it’s not about sets all 150 of them, and play them straight. and costumes… it’s about imagination.

But they don’t always behave like they Presented by CAPA and Broadway Across America, are supposed to. This causes a lot of ten- Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps comes to the sion and conflict back stage and some of Palace Theatre (34 W. Broad St.) January 19-24. that spills out onto the stage. Audiences Tickets are $57.50, $52.50, $27.50, and $22.50 at the Ohio Theatre Ticket Office (39 E. State St.), all love that.

Ticketmaster outlets, and www.ticketmaster.com.

RC: And the point of doing the play this way?

AITKEN: The whole point about the production is that it is homage not only to the Hitchcock film but also to the theater itself. It’s done simply with smoke, four trunks, three ladders, and overworked

30

january 2010

To purchase tickets by phone, please call 614.469.0939 or 800.745.3000. www.capa.com Rolanda Copley is Publicist for CAPA , a member organization of the Columbus Arts Marketing Association. For more information, visit www.camaonline.org.

ProMusica finds its voice

by Ashley Grimes

The second regional premiere of the evening, Letters from Lincoln (2009), is by returning composer Michael Daugherty. Daugherty scripts in song, accompanied by orchestra, the intimate and moving letters written by President Abraham Lincoln. The letters document Lincoln’s spirit and perseverance from his youth as a poor boy from Kentucky to his infamous assassination as President of the United States. The piece is sung by guest artist Christopheren Nomura, baritone. Nomura himself has been described by The Boston Globe as “a face to watch — and a voice to hear.”

“At a certain point in his development, a gifted young composer becomes more than the sum of the influences he has absorbed from tradition, more than simply an amalgamator of other composers’ styles, more than an imitator, more than a disciple, more than a transmitter of conventions. He becomes an adept, he speaks in a tongue that has not previ- The two regional premieres on February 7 will be ously been heard, he finds his voice.” added to ProMusica Chamber Orchestra’s 60 world Maynard Solomon: Mozart - A Life and 46 regional premieres, and 51 commissioned new works.

On February 7, ProMusica Chamber Orchestra will present a one-night-only concert featuring works The evening opens with Mozart’s Symphony No. 29, a that highlight the power of finding one’s voice. The work marked as a turning point in his development stage of the historic Southern Theatre (21 E Main St, as a composer at the young age of 18.

Columbus) will host the concert’s two regional premieres as ProMusica and guest baritone ChristoTickets range from $5 to $46. To purchase tickets in pheren Nomura bring these two tales of music to life. advance, call 614.464.0066 or visit www.promusicacolumbus.org. Tickets can also be purchased at the The first of two regional premieres that evening is a door up to an hour before the concerts at its respecwork by composer Derek Bermel titled A Shout, A tive venues.

Whisper, A Trace (2009). Bermel’s piece was inspired by the composer Béla Bartók and the struggles he Also, join Christopheren Nomura with ProMusica faced after immigrating to the United States from Chamber Orchestra for Songs of a Wayfarer on Febhis home country of Hungary, as documented in let- ruary 6 at 5:30p, in the acoustical splendor of the ters he wrote to loved ones back home. The letters ex- Pontifical College Josephinum’s St. Turibius Chapel. pressed feelings of exile and yearning amongst the General admission tickets are $30. crowds of New York City. Bermel eloquently captures these feelings of struggle in this work, commissioned To learn more about ProMusica Chamber Orchestra visit www.promusicacolumbus.org. Ashley Grimes is Communication and Speby American Composers Orchestra and ProMusica cial Event Manager with ProMusica Chamber Orchestra, a Chamber Orchestra for the Serge Koussevitzky Music member organization of the Columbus Arts Marketing AssociaFoundation in the Library of Congress. tion. For more information, visit www.camaonline.org.

Four breathless people filling 150 spots? Sounds like last Friday.

outlookcolumbus.com

18-31_OLW_24in_ODD_ 12/23/09 9:50 PM Page 2

outlookcolumbus.com

That’s two months without hot boys in a Rolando ad. This may be a sign of the apocalypse.

january 2010

31

32-17_OLW_24in_ODD_ 12/23/09 9:19 PM Page 1

32 january 2010

We LOVE Carl and Brian at Blooms, though we’d love them more if they wore bloomers.

outlookcolumbus.com

16-33_OLW_24in_ODD_ 12/23/09 9:51 PM Page 2

A SINGULAR MAN:an interview with Tom Ford

by Gregg Shapiro

David and Christopher were great friends and I met Christopher Isherwood a couple of times. I A Single Man, the film version of the Christopher don’t think I made a great impression. We didn’t Isherwood novel of the same, marks Tom Ford’s become great friends. But I was impressed and I directorial debut. The fashion designer turned began to read everything that he had ever writfilmmaker joins the ranks of directors such as Ju- ten. Fast forward to five years ago when I became lian Schnabel and Sofia Coppola who broke new serious about really making a movie. I was going ground, personally and professionally, with their through a bit of what could be called a midlife feature-length motion picture presentations. crisis after having left Gucci and one career and actually thinking, at that time, that I wouldn’t be Set in the early 1960s, stunningly recreated with going back to fashion. I was having a very hard a careful and reverent eye, A Single Man takes time seeing my future. I knew I wanted to make place in a single day. College professor George movies and I thought, “Well, this is the perfect (Colin Firth, who has never been sexier), distime.” So I opened a production office in Los Antraught over the sudden death of his longtime geles and I started reading every script that was companion Jim (the always charming Matthew circulating. I optioned a couple of books and Goode), is planning to go out with a bang. Liter- started to develop them as projects, but nothing ally. He has a gun and he is getting his affairs in was really speaking to me. One day, driving to my order, which includes an intimate, yet distant, office I realized that I was thinking of this characevening with best gal pal Charlotte (a stunning ter George. This book has stayed with me for 25 Julianne Moore), before getting on with the task years, I should pick it up and read it again. at hand. But life has other plans for him, including the unexpected interest of student Kenny GS: What was it like to read it again?

(Nicholas Hoult), who is more than a little hot for TF: Reading it from midlife was an entirely differteacher. ent thing for me. It spoke to me in a completely different way. George is a character who cannot Diplomatic, with a great sense of humor, Ford see his future. He is struggling to live in the preswas very enthusiastic about talking with me ent. Christopher Isherwood was a very spiritual about his first film. We spoke in early December guy. He spent the second half of his life studying 2009.

Vedanta here in Los Angeles at the Vedanta Center and was constantly trying to live in the presGregg Shapiro: I’d like to begin by asking you to ent. And the book (A Single Man) is very, very please say something about what it was about spiritual. The first line of the book is “Waking up Christopher Isherwood’s book A Single Man begins with saying am and now.” And that’s also that made you want to make it into a film? the first line of the film. I just had an intuition Tom Ford: I first read this book when I was about and a feeling that this book really spoke to me.

20 years old and I was living in West Hollywood in And that the themes of the book were universal the early ‘80s and I was an actor. What spoke to and timeless, in a sense, and also very timely for me about the book then was the character of the moment we were living through.

George, which is so beautifully written by Mr. Isherwood that he really seems real. And, of course, GS: I’m glad that you mentioned timing. Your he was real, because he was really Christopher film is being released a couple of years after Isherwood writing, as many of Christopher’s Guido Santi & Tina Mascara’s doc Chris & Don books or stories have an autobiographical char- about Isherwood and Don Bachardy. acter and this was very definitely an autobiogra- TF: I love that documentary! phy of Chris, in a way. Shortly thereafter, I had a friend who was living with David Hockey at that GS: Me, too! Do you think this constitutes an time and I used to spend a lot of time at David’s. Isherwood revival? outlookcolumbus.com

TF: Well, I would certainly hope so! I was already working on my project when that film was finished. And, of course, I watched it many times and know Don Bachardy and spent time with Don working on this film. It touched me in many ways, just because of the personal connection to Don. I would love to see an Isherwood revival. To me, he was a great writer. He predicted, in the book, the dumbing down of culture. I think a lot of young people don’t know his work. Also, his depictions of gay life were so matter of fact, so straightforward, that they were revolutionary at the time. In today’s world, because we’ve come a long way and we’ve had a lot of people put themselves on the front lines to get us where we are today, we have the benefit of living in a world where these things are not particularly shocking.

GS: Right, because he was writing in a preStonewall era.

TF: Absolutely! The way he depicts the relationship is very much the way…I’ve lived with the same guy (Richard Buckley) for 23 years and it’s very much my relationship. It’s about love. It’s about two people who are together. I still have friends to this day who occasionally say to me something about my “lifestyle.” And I’m like, “What lifestyle?” The scene where George and Jim are lying on the sofa with the dogs is a scene right out of my life. That’s my lifestyle.

said, “You should. You would be a great filmmaker.” Which is one of the reasons that I’m happy that Harvey has the distribution (through The Weinstein Company) for America. He’s very passionate about the film and he’s a very passionate person. He was always very supportive.

GS: Who are some of the directors whose work you admire or would consider to be influences on you as a filmmaker?

TF: Hitchcock, number one, probably. The usual suspects—Kubrick, Antonioni. One of my favorite films is called Umberto D. by Vittorio De Sica. It’s about a man and his dog. It’s almost a silent film, even though it’s not a silent film. There are long moments where you become very intimate with this man and what’s going on. It’s a very emotional film. There are moments like that in my film. Really just watching George; we need to become very attached to him by becoming very intimate with him.

GS: And it’s so beautiful to look at. I’ve described it as looking through a vintage fashion magazine.

TF: Oh, I wish you didn’t say that.

GS: More like a book of photographs. The shots are so beautifully framed.

TF: Thank you! I suppose I should take that as a compliment; I know it’s meant as one. I guess it’s GS: Sure, I’ve been with my partner for 17 just that, for me, style without substance is nothyears, so, yes, it’s very much like that. ing. So the substance in the story was the most TF: Aw, congratulations! important thing. Of course, there is a layer of style. If I were a director working in a different GS: Thank you. You talked a little bit about your era, I would have had to be at MGM. I don’t think career change. Was there always something in I’d probably know how to make anything but enthe back of your mind that made you believe hanced reality, because that’s what comes natuthat someday you would become a filmmaker? rally to me (laughs). Again, this is a man who TF: It has been there for a long time. I’ve loved thinks this is his last day, so he starts the movie film for so long. I’ve been obsessed with film for in a very surreal, overly lush, over-colored way. so long. I would say that it was really 15 years Then the world starts to pull on him. ago that I decided that this was something that I definitely wanted to do. I told Harvey Weinstein GS: And naturally darkens as the day goes on. that one night when we were standing in London Playing George in A Single Man is not the first at a restaurant after the opening of a play. I said, time that Colin Firth is portraying a gay charac“I really want to make films” and he encouraged ter. He did so most recently in Mamma Mia! me. He didn’t laugh at me, he didn’t giggle. He Was he always your first choice for George?

I haven’t been as classy as Colin Firth seems since that night I went to Axis and didn’t take my shirt off.

january 2010

33

34-15_OLW_24in_ODD_ 12/23/09 9:23 PM Page 1

WICKED MENZEL GOING TO GLEE

production to happily typecast the swaggering star is called Battle: Los Angeles –Rodriguez’s As if this show couldn’t get any gayer, Broadway’s second movie with the word “battle” in the title alliance with Glee –specifically, the show’s stuck- – due sometime in 2010. The film just wrapped like-glue ties to Wicked – continues to pick up its Lousiana shoot (tax breaks for film crews!) steam and may even spark a renewed love of and its plot concerns, well, a battle in Los Angeshowtunes in America’s heartland. First they les, with Rodriguez co-starring as a member of brought in Kristin Chenoweth as a boozy, waythe military. Romeo’s money is on our gal busting post-grad ringer-singer. Then came that rousing some skulls.

“Defying Gravity” number. And now, the Wicked witch herself, Idina Menzel, is about to join the THE KENNEDYS ARE COMING cast for the second half of its hit debut season as the coach of McKinley High’s rival glee club, Vocal They’re the closest thing this country has to a Adrenaline. Still not enough for you? Then add royal family, and they’ve played historical roles in new cast member Jonathan Groff, who co-starred everything from the highest level of politics to the in Spring Awakening with Glee’s vocal powerquirkiest moments in fashion. So it’s fitting that house Lea Michele, as Vocal Adrenaline’s lead the History Channel makes the Kennedy family male voice (and rumored love interest of part of its own history – the first scripted project Michele’s character). It’s enough to cause a Glee to air on the cable outlet – with the eight-hour overload. miniseries, The Kennedys. Co-created by 24 producer Joel Surnow, the series, due to air in 2011, MICHELLE RODRIGUEZ GEARS UP FOR BATTLE will focus not only on the dynastic aspect of the legendary clan and the powerful men it produced, When lesbian-dream-date Michelle Rodriguez but the women involved in their lives as well. started her career in 2001 with the film Girlfight, This, of course, means that the iconic, enigmatic did she imagine becoming the next Audrey Hep- Jackie Kennedy will be front and center and, if gay burn? Or did she have a sense that she would be- men of a certain cultural bent get their wish, come American film’s go-to gal for tough there will perhaps be at least a side trip down the ass-kickings and weapon-brandishing? Because, road to Jackie’s crazily entertaining Grey Gardens as her recent action turn in Avatar shows, the relations, The Beatles. OK, the latter may be askcamera loves her when she’s got a gun – and ing for too much. But we can hope. she’s using it. Meanwhile the next big budget Tom Ford- continued from 33

the book, hoping that she would respond to it. She was the very first actor to say yes. The fact that TF: He was my first choice. I wasn’t going to be she attached herself immediately was a real help able to get him and so I moved on to another actor in lending credibility to the project. because Colin was going to be working. I was at the Mamma Mia! premiere chatting with Colin. I GS: Matthew Goode will also be familiar to gay had another actor attached who had been ataudiences from GLBT theme films such as tached for about six months. I was looking Colin Brideshead Revisited and Imagine Me and You. up and down and I was so upset. It was so clear How did you know he was right for Jim? to me that he had to be George. About a month TF: I just felt it. Every time I saw Matthew on later, the actor that had been attached had to pull screen in anything I loved him as an actor. What out because he had to take a movie where he was George loved about Jim is Jim’s, and I don’t use going to make some money, which I totally under- the word simple in a derogatory way, simple qualstood. All of a sudden, our schedule had moved ity. He’s straightforward, he’s honest. He’s very, forward and Colin was wrapping Dorian Gray very American, in all the good things that America quicker than anticipated and he was available. I stands for; very moral, very up front, very straightimmediately got his e-mail from a friend, eforward, very determined, very sure of himself. mailed him, FedExed him the script. He read it That’s what attracts George to America and that’s within 24 hours, e-mailed me back that he loved what attracted George to Jim. I thought Matthew it and had some questions. I jumped on a plane to would be the perfect actor to play that. Matthew London, where I live part of the time. He came over also has a lot of sensitivity. In the bar scene where for drinks, we went to dinner. I showed him all the he meets Colin for the first time, the look in his visual imagery that I had of the film and talked eyes conveys so much love instantly in such a him through what I thought the film was about. I short amount of time. made him comfortable, I think, working with me as a first-time director and we had a handshake GS: It’s getting to that time of year when people deal at the end of the meal. A month later we are assembling “best of” lists and there is lots started shooting. We shot in 21 days. of buzz about the Oscars and other awards. Are you gearing up for what’s to come?

GS: Playing Charlotte is Julianne Moore, a long- TF: I’m very proud of the movie. For me, it was a time favorite of gay filmmaker Todd Haynes’… great accomplishment. I’m very happy with it and TF: (Laughs) it has so far received really terrific response from most people that have seen it. That’s made me GS: …who is truly remarkable, too. enormously happy. I don’t like to count my chickTF: I like to think she’s a longtime favorite of ens (laughs) before my eggs hatch. I’m going to everybody’s. I love her! I love her as a person and just be very happy with where we are. as a friend. I love her as an actress. I wrote that part, which is very different than the character in GS: Earlier you were singing the praises of Har-

34 january 2010

ELLEN: COMIC IN A COMIC They put Tim Gunn in a comic book already, so why not Ellen? If that’s the kind of pop-culture question that you hold your breath over, you can exhale: it’s happening. Bluewater Comics has just announced a March 2010 release date for Female Force: Ellen Degeneres. No, she won’t be a superheroine. But she will be the next woman in line to get the company’s biographical comic book treatment (after Michelle Obama, Oprah and J.K. Rowling). And it’s about time, really. Ellen is, after all, one of TV’s most powerful daytime vey Weinstein, but there was a recent controversy regarding Weinstein Company’s decision to “de-gay” the previews of A Single Man in terms of its marketing in some places. What was your response to that?

TF: I don’t think the movie’s been de-gayed. I have to say that we live in a society that’s pretty weird.

For example, you can have full-frontal male nudity on HBO, yet in cinema, you can’t have naked male buttocks. You can’t have men kissing each other without it being considered adult content. So in order to cut a trailer that can go into broad distribution in theaters and on-line in order to attract people to the film, certain things had to be edited out. But it wasn’t an intentional attempt to remove the gayness of the movie. And then I think a quote that I said was blown up in The Advocate, where I said I didn’t think of myself as gay. What I meant by that was, of course I’m gay. I’ve always been openly gay. I’ve lived with the same man…everything about my life has been openly gay. (Laughs) I’m perfectly proud of the fact that I’m gay. I don’t define myself by my sexuality. For me, this is not a gay movie, this is not a straight movie. This is a movie about love. It’s universal.

For me, I would love to see our culture come to a moment where love is love. Love between two men, two women, a man and a woman—they’re all on the same plateau and they are love. That’s what I meant by that.

GS: What about the criticism that it’s just Colin and Julianne in the poster?

TF: That’s marketing 101. You take the two biggest stars of the film who give a great performance and you have to feature them in the poster (laughs). You need to get an audience to see the film. People who love Julianne need to see

movers and shakers, beloved by mainstream audiences and a permanent part of television history thanks to coming out on primetime network TV in the late ’90s on her sitcom Ellen. And think of the comic-book adventure possibilities with characters like Portia and Anne (!) along for the ride. The more Romeo thinks about it the better it gets.

Romeo San Vicente once had a thing for Jeremy Piven back when Ellen was on. He realizes he might be alone on that one.

He can be reached care of this publication or at DeepInsideHollywood@qsyndicate.com.

her so they can say, “Oh, Julianne Moore! I want to go see that.”

GS: The book A Single Man is dedicated to Gore Vidal, gay author of another landmark book in gay lit The City and the Pillar. Is that a book or is Vidal an author that you would consider for a future film project?

TF: I love Gore Vidal. I’ve only met Mr. Vidal once. I sat next to him at something and he was so mean (laughs).

GS: Uh-oh.

TF: (Laughs) He was really mean and nasty. I thought, “Well, okay, I’m obviously not going to be friends with Gore Vidal” (laughs).

GS: Oh, no!

TF: That’s all right. That’s life.

GS: Do you have an idea of what your next project will be?

TF: I don’t know. I need some space. I’ve written an original screenplay, which I may or may not make.

We finished this (A Single Man) in August. We had Venice (Film Festival) in September, then we had the London Film Festival, the Tokyo Film Festival, the Toronto Film Festival, and we open (in theaters) soon. I’m going to need some distance. I would like to hope that I’m only going to make films that I really love and that really mean something to me.

And that I will resist the temptation to make (laughs) studio films. I need a little space to figure out what I want to say and do next as a filmmaker.

But I absolutely intend to make more films. If I’m lucky I will make one every two or three years, I hope, for the rest of my life.

How many of you screamed with wicked glee when you read that Idina Menzel is going to be on your favorite Lima-based show choir TV show?

outlookcolumbus.com

14-35_OLW_24in_ODD_ 12/23/09 9:52 PM Page 2

outlookcolumbus.com

Chihuly, Chihuly, that girl is hard to get! Hey! Go cremation, go cremation, go cremation, go! I’m not even trying!

january 2010

35

36-13_OLW_24in_ODD_ 12/23/09 9:35 PM Page 1

ED NOTE: Living here we can often overlook all the great things this city has to offer. Sometimes it takes a fresh pair of eyes for us to appreciate what’s right in front of our faces. In that vein, we welcome a new columnist to outlook.

Jason Tanner is a recent LA/Boston transplant that is going to be chronicling his first year here comparing people, places and problems to the other cities he’s lived in, as well as, his adjustment to the Mid-West. We hope you’ll enjoy it and maybe see our Cbus in a whole new way. Let’s us know what you think.

Fresh Off the Bus

by Jason Tanner Allow myself to introduce...myself. My name is Jason and I recently re-located to Columbus from Los Angeles, California. I know what you are thinking, and I have heard it about 50 times over the last five weeks: “why would you leave L.A. and move to Ohio?”

Don’t get me wrong, southern California has some really nice parts to it. Thick layers of smog prevent any view of Mother Earth’s big, fluffy clouds. As dusk creeps over the horizon, there is a bright-orange glow illuminating the skyline. Unfortunately, it is the gaseous burn of pollution and not a glorious sunset. And the view of Santa Monica Blvd. on a Friday night is breathtaking; the tranny-hookers and crack-hos add a lovely accent.

I, of course, jumped at the opportunity to leave the city of angels and try my luck in the mid-west.

Being a young, gay man I was concerned about such a big transition. I was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts and lived on the west coast for eight years.

What do the two have in common? Besides being directly next to the ocean (it makes a difference, trust me), they are both BIG cities - progressive and openminded with engaging gay cultures.

But, I have a confession to make. Living in L.A. made me feel ugly and insignificant. Not to mention, at times, ugly and insignificant. So, fuck the ocean. How would Columbus, Ohio compare?

I forgot how moving to a brand-new city can make you crap your pants - an explosion of nervous energy (pun not intended)! More importantly, would this new chapter of life make my junk tingle with excitement? I was about to find out.

My first weekend in town approached quicker than I could say “Nina West, Super Drag Queen, Huh?” I decided the fact that I was new to the city (no friends) and didn’t know anyone (sad) was no reason to stay home alone (loser). Off to Score Bar I went. It turns out that 7p isn’t the most exciting time to go to a gay bar...anywhere. Ever.

After a few beers, it got pretty busy and there were a lot more people popping in and out. Or maybe I was seeing double, courtesy of Miller Genuine Draft. It didn’t really matter because I made it. I looked around for a moment and exhaled. I felt calm.

Here I was, having a blast watching an OSU game all by myself, and just living in the moment. Nobody talked to me and I was ok with that. Tonight wasn’t about making a new friend. I was on a mission to absorb as much of the environment as I possibly could.

36 january 2010

As an avid people-watcher, I noticed a plethora of Ohio State jerseys, t-shirts and hats. I’m no rocket scientist, but I’ve come to the conclusion that (in Columbus) college football is a joke and everyone LOVES Michigan.

Yes, I am confident of this. Please correct me if I am poorly mistaken! Oh, by the way, that was a joke. If you are the one person who laughed, thank you.

Overall, I really liked Score Bar. Visually, it reminded me of a roller-skating rink, a 50s diner and a bathroom all at the same time. Everyone was laughing and seemed happy. I was starting to believe I could find happiness in Columbus, too. Even though Score isn’t the busiest bar I’ve been too, I’ve been back a few times and every time I walk in I feel “new.”

After a few hours, I was starting to get kind of antsy (score doesn’t have the most comfortable stools), so I started to ask some locals to see where I should go next. By the time I figured out where Union was (and that it is the “it place” to go) it was getting close to 10 p.m. and I was starting to feel overwhelmed and exhausted (I’m 30, give me a break). But, I couldn’t stop now – I wanted to see more.

Which brings me to my sidebar. Parking in Columbus SUCKS! You heard me, Ohio, and I’m sorry. That’s just how it is. Everyone knows this already, but humor me for a minute. I am really surprised at how little parking there is. Thank you.

I ended up finding a spot to park in a poorly lit alleyway on the corner of Give Me and All Your Money. Needless to say, I quickly made my way to the bar.

Shut-the-Front-Door, it was worth the hassle! When I walked in and grabbed a chair at the bartop, I noticed that Lady Gaga’s video for “Bad Romance” was playing and I thought Wow, they weren’t even playing this at the clubs back in L.A. Cool. I felt a second wind coming on.

Being at Union was like sitting in a bar I had been going to forever; an overall great vibe and positive energy. The food was nachotasticly awesome while the lesbian couple next to me was almost as delicious (note to self: Columbus lesbians are NICE and make eye contact! Very cool!).

I walked through my front door around 2:30 that morning feeling very connected with the city. I turned a corner and came face to face with my cold, empty living room. I may have a long way to go but, for now, I feel a little less-new.

There is still much for me to experience being the new queer on the block and I can’t wait to see what happens next. I’ll definitely keep you posted…

“The Boys are Back in Town” was sung by what classic rock band? Thin Lizzy. Not to be confused with fat Cass.

outlookcolumbus.com

12-37_OLW_24in_ODD_ 12/23/09 9:48 PM Page 2

outlookcolumbus.com

Now I know many of you will say “what’s my one vote gonna do?”, Well if only two of you actually do this, your vote is like Godzilla powerful!

january 2010

37

38-11_OLW_24in_ODD_ 12/23/09 10:33 PM Page 1

How DoWe Look?

by Marcus Morris It’s a new year, and a new queer, and 2010 will hopefully be the best year for us all. In this column, I have made it my mission to talk about fashion and style in a way that is often sardonic, but always with love. So I say this: Do we know how we look? Do the people in the gay spotlight realize that their representation of our community affects us all? Do they represent us the way we would like? Or should we care? Here is my take on some of my favorite notables on the “gaydar.”

Annise Parker is a member of the Hillary Clinton-lesbians of style. Her short blondish hair, boring pantsuits, and strand of pearls does nothing for her, and with her visibility on the national scene, she could use a wardrobe change. I say she should start with wearing separates, and end her dedication to poly-blend suits. Also, a hairstyle that actually flatters would be nice. I say she should head to her nearest Nordstrom, and buy an Alexander Wang motorcycle jacket, and show Houston who the real power lesbian is. If she went into City Hall wearing a great motorcycle jacket, and a Michael Kors shift, she would make the political, fashion, and GLBT worlds cream with excitement. Well, maybe I would get excited, while the rest of the world wonders why the Mayor of Houston is wearing a leather jacket, but you get my point.

Carson Kressley. Is he a gay leader? Well, he is a gay icon, which means he is subject to public approval.

He dresses like Phyllis Diller, and seems to think that pulling out the most appalling thing in your closet is called style. It just doesn’t work for him. Also, when did white pants become a yearlong staple outside of Palm Beach? Carson would benefit from a lowering of the fashion volume. I love individuality when it comes to clothes, but how about one genius item of clothing at a time? White linen trousers? Save them for strolling a palm-lined street. Gold leather belt?

Give it back to your sister, or donate it to a queen under 30.

I must shout out Kathy “Where my Gays at!?” Griffin, who is making major changes in her wardrobe. When she first began filming My Life on the D-List, she managed to find any pair of clunky shoes in a 2 mile radius. She also loved wearing anything from the SALE rack at New York and Company. Her overprocessed hair and Botox also gave her the style snaps of a soccer mom. Then, after winning a couple of Emmys, she started working with Robert Verdi, no comment, and he has gotten her into the likes of Carolina Herrera and Oscar de la Renta. If she keeps it up, she could become a trendsetter, but I am sure she would prefer to have a picture on the Worst Dressed Page in US Weekly.

If you are not aware of Tom Ford and you read this column, you should Google him right away [or read the interview on 36]. Tom is responsible for some of the most amazing fashion and fashion imagery of the last 15 years. He shaved the crotches of models into the shape of the Gucci “G,” brought back the chicest part of the 70s in the mid-90s, and manages to have an unapologetically sexual point of view in his work, which is part of the mainstream. He di-

38

january 2010

Belt or midriff? You decide.

rected the film adaptation of the Christopher Isherwood book, A Single Man, and it is definitely a highlight of fashion, film, and style. If you don’t like his film, his ads are amazing. His fragrance was a shot of a male buttocks spread with a cologne bottle wedged in between. You be the judge.

George Michael had a brief stylish moment, and that ended in 1990. I thought he had a good thing going with the distressed Levi 501’s, and the store-bought sun-kissed hair, but after The Supermodels took over his videos, he lost his fashion cred. Now, he seems content to parade around in shiny Versace suits from the late 90’s. It just looks bad. He should just be a good Greek boy and stop wearing foil-inspired clothes. Maybe he should chill out with all the pot and hire a stylist. Cheech and Chong anyone?

Gavin Newsom, an honorary gay, would be my pick for the next president, but his good looks and great political style are reasons why he also sticks out to me.

Politicians wear navy suits, a stupid striped tie, and black shoes, and are as boring as Wonder Bread in a sleep clinic. Gavin is proof that it’s not what you wear, it’s how you wear it. His workings of the same political drag seem fresh, modern, and attractive. His suits are well-cut, his shoes are not cheap, and his striped ties frame a good-looking face. Maybe if the rest of our country’s politicos would get on our side and push for our equality, we could assist them in finding a good tailor, and direct them to the better shoe department at Neiman Marcus.

If there is an icon who is more visible, raise your hand, because obviously, the biggest public champion of our community in the last year has been Lady Gaga. You can’t go anywhere without seeing her wearing some outlandish costume, or insane heel, and a teacup or two. I enjoy a latex Elizabethan gown just as much as the next fag, but what I really enjoy is her absolute commitment to our cause. She was the most visible face of Equal Rights this year.

Whether it was speaking at the March on Washington this past autumn, or using her MTV VMA speech to “thank God and The Gays,” it is clear that she has our goals in her sights. If she parades with us in the nation’s capital wearing Alexander McQueen, we should probably just bow down and watch the Lady work.

That being said, politically though how important is fashion in our quest for rights? When I think of the images of those who fought before us from the 1970s, I do not look at the clothes. Yes, Harvey Milk wore bell-bottoms and polyester suits, but that was a blip on the fashion timeline. What if we had considered what he wore rather than what he had done, where would we be today? If the snapshot of our victories contains some awful clothes, then so be it. (Although, if you want to be in the picture, please leave the Ed Hardy at home. Just sayin’.) I’d much rather have the rights I deserve than a pair of boots from Pierre Hardy - and you have no idea how much I want boots from Pierre Hardy. The previously mentioned names are sometimes well-dressed, sometimes downright awful, but they are all fighting for our right to be ourselves. Maybe once we have success, we can work on wardrobe?

outlookcolumbus.com

10-39_OLW_24in_ODD_ 12/23/09 9:53 PM Page 2

outlookcolumbus.com

Jay Stanforth’s got magic hands! Mormons have magic glasses and underpants!

january 2010

39

40-09_OLW_24in_ODD_ 12/23/09 9:17 PM Page 1

Food is dramatic - Life is delicious.

Episode 38: Sex, Lies and Paella

by Mad Hard Pie It was Sunday night, and through some strange twist of fate, I found myself sitting at Barcelona with world-renowned transsexual entertainers and symbols of excellence, Pi Heya and Fay Berianham. I know, how many more drag queens are going to name themselves after Spanish cuisine? Can’t we move our pun names to bathroom cleaning products or something?

I digress.

The gruesome twosome, most famous for their heavy drinking and penchant for starting bar fires, had called earlier in the day, claiming to have three tickets to the sold out Engelbert Humperdinck concert, and informed me that if I wanted to come, they were going to put me through the requisite pre-show meal. I had no choice; I had to break bread with them if I ever wanted to hear “Quando, quando, quando.”

Out of fear they might embarrass me, I suggested we eat at an establishment no one ever frequents – like Black Olive, but Fay insisted upon Barcelona. Humperdinck and perfectly executed Spanish-inspired cuisine? How could I refuse?

“Barcherlona,” said the Asian Pi, struggling with the pronunciation in the same way she struggled to get knee-high boots around her massive calves. The three of us sat at a beautifully appointed table in the back, cocktails and menus in hand.

“It’s pronounced ‘Barthelona’ if you’re Castilian lisping it” I said, sipping at my glass of Avanti Pinot Grigio, savoring its flavor, and dreaming of being home in bed.

“Barskerlonga,” said Pi, frowning as she spoke.

She obviously recognized that though the sounds coming out of her mouth weren’t right, she was powerless to change them.

Sighing, I spoke. “You know Pi, why don’t you just stick with the girl that brought you, and use your existing lisp, eh?” I took another large swig of wine.

40

“Salty, gurl,” said Fay, looking up from her menu for just long enough to give me a withering look, and take a deep gulp of her Harvey Wallbanger.

“Yea, yea, Pi put you in wheeling chair if you make fun. No joke!” said Pi, her broken English almost an homage to Short Round of Indiana Jones fame.

I began to respond to Pi, but gave up when our very attractive waiter Michael arrived and took our order. Paella and a Caesar for Fay, Cabra Pimenta and the Zarzuela for me, and the Jamon Iberica de Bellota and the solomillo for Pi. With the waiter gone, and our menus no longer held in front of our faces to protect us, the battle for our table began. Pi started by lighting a cigarette, and throwing back her entire Sloe Gin fizz. With the liquor gone, she then beat her tiny Asian fist on the table screaming, “Bring more booze, chop chop!”

While this went on, Fay reached into her enormous purse, took out a solo cup-sized pill bottle, removed a football shaped pill, and popped it in her mouth. When she set the pill bottle on the table, my eyes immediately went to the name of the doctor, who was a well-known veterinarian.

“Mother of God, Fay! What the hell are those?” I asked, my tone one of disbelief.

“Horse tranqs. Percocets haven’t worked since Claudia Mann and I went to Fantasy Fest last year. Now THAT was a vacation. I woke up in a nursing home with a man’s dentures tangled in my wig,” she said calmly as she, too, lit a cigarette.

“Sweet merciful Jesus, Fay! Those pills are for animals! And neither of you can smoke in here!” Fay ignored me, as she finished her drink in one gulp, and then grabbed a passing waiter and ordered two more for her, and the no-longer-screeching Pi. The waiter had the good sense to have them put their cigarettes out, which they did reluctantly.

It was just then we were interrupted – thankfully – by the arrival of our first bites of sustenance. The Jamon Iberico was razor thin and fragrant in a meaty sort of way. Pi immediately attacked it, shoving large fistfuls of the tender meat into her exotic-looking face.

I assumed that Pi was enjoying her solomillo, because of her grunting and her occasional mumbling in Korean. I could smell delicious beef tenderloin, the blue cheese and bacon butter, and caught myself eyeing the braised kale more than once. This caused Pi to begin eyeing me strangely.

“This ham taste like salty butter. Melt in mouth.

Best ham ever in mouth,” said Pi, nodding vigorously as she spoke.

“You no take food. Pi eat meat. You eat dirty sea animal broth, hmm?” said Pi, as she moved her plate away from me like a wild animal trying to protect it’s young.

“Jai ho, girl! It’s acorn fed, sea-salt cured for three years, and just recently legal in the United States; of course it tastes good! I love Iberian ham,” said Fay Hiberianham as one large collagen-filled hand grabbed at the meat, and the other stuffed forkfuls of salad into her mouth.

“This Caesar is the T, honey. I could sleep inside these sourdough croutons. Y’all are late for not ordering this. L-A-T-T-E. That’s with two ts and an e!”

Put off by Pi’s glare, I turned to see Fay stuffing her mouth with paella.

“Is it good, Fay?” I asked, trying to make conversation.

Fay nodded. “The combination of the sofrito, chicken and chorizo is like having a stripper in my mouth in the basement of Havana! Delicious!”

Trying to block them out, I focused on my Cabra Pimienta. The soft, supple goat cheese was perfectly matched with the marcona almond butter. I was enjoying it thoroughly until Fay put afore mentioned collagen hand into the cheese, taking what she pleased like a Soviet leader or member of the Bush family.

Not sure of how to respond, I focused on my food until I was finished, attempting to ignore the conversation taking place between Pi and Fay. They were discussing how one might create a new “peach” with a letter opener and an iced cream scoop.

“Oh this is good too. I’d love to have this injected into my lips,” said Fay, as she continued to stuff her face.

When the check arrived, the girls sat in silence without moving. I hesitantly reached for the check and paid the tab. As I signed the bill, Fay spoke.

Pi shook her head “no,” and then spoke. “Not cheaper than caulk. Caulk for cheeks, lips and butt!”

“Ok, let’s go see Maria at Tradewinds.”

“What?” I said. “What about Engelbert?”

I shook my head and focused on my beloved Engelbert. The girls chatted for several moments about how Cover Girl doesn’t cover boy.

With our appetizers finished, our entrées began to arrive. I immediately dove into my Zarzuela, with each bite tasting better than the last. The rich saffron broth, the perfectly cook lobster, scallops and mussels, and the savory and earthy potatoes puree tickled my tongue. The food was heaven, the company was hell!

Pi smiled “No Engelbert. We make lie to you, you buy fancy dinner. Now we go see hairy Cory pretend to make strip.”

Shocked I sat in silence for several moments, before I turned to each of them and said “You’re both bitches, and no one believes you as drag queens. Hell, no one believes you as men either.

I’m not paying cover for T-dubs so don’t even think about it.”

january 2010 paella |päˈāyä; pəˈelə|noun: a Spanish dish of rice, saffron, chicken, seafood, etc., cooked and served in a large shallow pan. Not to be confused with papaya, Traut!. outlookcolumbus.com

08-41_OLW_24in_ODD_ 12/23/09 9:54 PM Page 2

outlookcolumbus.com

Michael recently presented his Niche Marketing seminar to the American Marketing Association at BoMa. He’ll present it to you too. Call 614.268.8525 to schedule.

january 2010

41

42-07_OLW_24in_ODD_ 12/23/09 9:15 PM Page 1

42

january 2010

Gianduja? Gian dontcha!

outlookcolumbus.com

06-43_OLW_24in_ODD_ 12/23/09 9:56 PM Page 2

Florence: A TuscAn MAsTerpiece

by Aaron Leventhal Any trip to Italy should include a few days in the storied Tuscan city of Florence (Firenze), pop. 400,000. Founded along the Arno River in 59 B.C. by Julius Caesar, Florence has a beauty and creative energy that has captivated both visitors and conquerors alike for centuries.

the world’s most beloved painting; Leonardo da Vinci’s Annunciation; and three galleries of works by Rembrandt, Goya, Rubens and Caravaggio. Caution: Your senses will be completely burned out after the tour. It’s best to relax with a glass of Chianti before any further sightseeing.

L’Osteria dell’ Agnolo – Owned and managed by Luca Bracali, a noted international Revered as Italy’s cultural capital and the photographer and documentary filmmaker, cradle of the Renaissance, Florence has been the Osteria (informal ristorante) was estabhome to such artistic geniuses as Michelan- lished in 1580 as an inn, making it one of the gelo, Dante, Giotto, Botticelli and Donatello oldest continuously operating restaurants in and the powerful Medici papal banking fam- the world. The country-style, two-story tavern ily. has a menu specializing in traditional Tuscan dishes. We enjoyed the ribolita (bread soup My wife Beth and I were blown away by the with vegetables), salad Nizzanda (eggs and city’s wealth of world-class art, architecture anchovies), spaghetti Portofino loaded with and cuisine. Its center is compact and all of shrimp, crab and fish, lemon cake and Chithe major points of interest are within easy anti. It is located near the Duomo at Borgo s. walking distance of one another. Here’s a Lorenzo 24. www.osteria-agnolo.it short list of our favorites.

San Gimignano - For a perfect change of David – He is absolutely divine. Michelangelo pace, take a 1 1/2 –hour bus ride through carved this 15-ft pearly white sculpture of Tuscany’s vineyards, orchards and olive marble from the quarries near Carrera. More groves to one of the most beautiful villages in than a million visitors flock to see this work the region. San Gimignano has retained its and others by the artist at Galleria del’Accad- medieval aura, with winding, narrow, cobbleemia. Commissioned by the Cathedral in stone streets, small shops and cafes and 1501, it is regarded as the greatest sculpture breathtaking views of the hilly countryside. It ever created and worth a trip to Florence just is noted for its fortress towers and Vernaccia to experience the young shepherd boy stowine. ically poised to take down the big dude.

If time permits, check out some of these other The Duomo – The Cathedral di Santa Maria impressive sights: Palazzo Vechio, the del Fiore was begun in 1296 and almost two Medici’s 14th century home; Ponte Vechio, centuries later was topped with a red tiled Florence’s oldest bridge; the Bargello, once a dome that has become an iconic landmark of prison and now Museo Nazionale; the 13th Florence. Designed by architect Emilio de century Franciscan church, Chiesa di Santa Fabiris, the revolutionary self-supporting, in- Croce; and the sprawling San Lorenzo outdoor terlocking brick dome can be climbed by market. scaling up the Cathedral’s 463 stone steps for an incredible panoramic view of the city. Where to stay: We found the Hotel Villani The green-white-red marble exterior walls of (www.hotelvillani.it) to be economical and the church surround the world’s third largest ideally located across from the Duomo. The nave (100 meters). The nearby Museo 13-room inn on the fourth floor of a historic dell’Opera del Duomo has an exhibit tracing building is surrounded by more than a dozen the dome’s amazing engineering feats. outstanding restaurants and is within walking distance of all major attractions.

Uffizi Gallery – Designed by Giorgio Vasari in 1554 as a palace serving the governmental For more information: Contact the Italian functions of the Medici, the Uffizi evolved over Government Tourist Board, www.italiantime into a home for the family’s extraorditourism.com, 212.245.5618. nary private art collection, which ultimately was bequeathed to the city. You need to put Columbus-based travel writer Aaron Levenaside at least a half-day to stroll through its thal is publisher of High Street Neighbormore than 50 galleries displaying more than hoods, www.HighStreetMoneySavers.com.

1,000 classical masterpieces. Imagine expe- Photos by Beth Ervin Leventhal. riencing four galleries filled with the works of Botticelli, including Birth of Venus, possibly outlookcolumbus.com

Under the Pope’s Nose Gay Life Flourishing in Florence, Italy With more than 90% of Italians professing to be Catholic, Beth and I were pleasantly surprised that homosexuality is, indeed, legal in Italy and thriving in most major cities. As recently as 2000, when a half-million gays and lesbians came to Rome for the World Pride events, Pope John Paul II expressed his view that homosexuality was an affront to the church and the Christian values of the Italian capital.

Alexander. We attract visitors from all over the world. The club is also popular with straights who want a place to dance and smoke.”

Tabasco Disco has for years been voted the #1 gay club in Florence. “About 80% of our clients come in single,” said

For GLBT travel information, check out www.PlanetOut.com.

The club opens daily at 10:30p and closes in the early morning hours. The cover charge ranges from 10-20 euros ($15-$30), based on the day and time, and includes the bar and a smoking room, along with a video room showing porn flicks and dark room for free sex, Though the most active gay scenes are in both open only to men.

Rome, Milan and Bologna, Florence has a well-established GLBT nightlife. During a According to the bartenders, the club is visit to Tabasco Disco, the first gay bar in vigilant about safe sex and dispenses Florence (and Italy), bartenders Alexan- free condoms to all men who use the der and Carmelo informed Beth and me dark room. Tabasco Disco is located in an that Marco and Carla, a straight couple, alley near the Piazza della Signoria at Piopened the bar in 1974. Ironically, azza di Santa Cecilia n. 3, Tel: Tabasco Disco is on the site of what was 39.055.213000. Marco and Carla also once the Church of Santa Cecilia. own and manage three other popular gay establishments: Bar 85, Via Guelfa 85/r, Alexander said, “Today gays are free to Tel. +39.055.2645461, only for drinks live and work openly without any proband sex, Florence Baths gay club sauna, lems. We can serve in the military and do Via Guelfa 93/r, Tel. +39.055.216050 whatever we want, except marry.” He and Pensione Matilde, a small 20-room points to Vladimir Luxuria, an Italian ac- guesthouse in an 18th-century building tress, television personality, and politinear the main railway station at Via cian and the first openly transgender Nazionale 17, Tel. 39.055.287379. All of member of Parliament in Europe. (She these establishments are online at lost her seat in 2008). www.tabascogay.it.

When Mussolini seized the remainder of the Papal States, Italy cut a very small onetime check to the Holy See as compensation. Good for Mussolini. Bad for Pius XI.

january 2010

43

44-05_OLW_24in_ODD_ 12/23/09 9:12 PM Page 1

Set me straight. I married my wife several months ago after dating for three years. Things are generally excellent, except for one problem: When my wife gets drunk, she gets crazy flirtatious.

She’ll dance close to people, touch them, hold hands. A couple of times, I thought it went too far and I told her she was making me uncomfortable.

She claims it is just harmless friendliness/flirtation and she would never let anything happen.

band - and she’s willing to tamp it down for your sake, you should “forgive her and move on,” by which I mean “YOU SHOULD CEASE BEING SUCH A FUCKING DOUCHEBAG about (1) the kiss and (2) the flirting and (3) the fucking kiss already.”

That said, STH, I wouldn’t want to be married to a man who claimed to love me but couldn’t forgive me for something so trifling as a meaningless kiss.

So I’m not sure I’m doing your wife any Well, as it turns out, something did favors by talking you off the ledge. Honhappen. After she was dancing, hugestly, STH, someone who is hesitant to ging, and getting kissed on the cheek forgive is hardly husband material. A by a woman I think was a lesbian at a successful marriage is basically an endrecent party, it came out during the less cycle of wrongs committed, apolosubsequent argument that in year two gies offered, and forgiveness granted, of our relationship, she was high and STH, all leavened by the occasional ordancing at a club with several gay men gasm. If you’re having such a hard time and she French-kissed one of the forgiving her for this piddling “betrayal,” friends. While she acknowledges that a STH, you’re not cut out for marriage and line was crossed (which is why she your wife may want to run away before didn’t tell me when it happened), she it’s too late. says it was just a very intense but regrettable “friendship moment” and My husband and I have a “don’t ask, nothing more. She says this gay man is don’t tell” policy when we’re apart. A not bi. few months ago, I hooked up with a guy on a business trip who said he and I’m grappling with three issues: (1) Did his wife have the same arrangement. she cheat? Although we’ve never He was lying. His wife found out and talked about the rules concerning started harassing me on Facebook. I kissing gay friends, we both know she truly feel horrible. How can I know if crossed a line (there was tongue). (2) someone is really in an open relationHow much did she betray me by not ship when they say they are? I am so telling me until after we were married? done.

(3) Am I being a selfish prude by caring about either her aggressive flirting or Fucking Asshole Idiot Losers this kiss? She is very contrite and swears she will calm down the flirtaThe only way to verify that someone is in tion. Should I forgive her and move on? an open relationship is to speak to that Or should I run the hell away before person’s partner - and that would conit’s too late? stitute “telling,” FAIL, and a violation of a “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. But even Seriously Troubled Here a couple with a “please ask, do tell” policy probably has a rule against 2:00 1. No. a.m. calls from drunken hotel-bar pickups. So you’ll just have to trust your gut, 2. Your wife’s failure to disclose a single FAIL, which failed you here. Just rememdrugged-up, blissed-out, pre-exchange- ber this on your next business trip: The of-vows kiss shared with a gay dude on further a married person is from home a dance floor - even with tongue - does and the drunker that married person is, not constitute a “betrayal.” It constitutes the likelier it is that that married person an omission. is lying to you.

I don’t mean to be combative. I’m just wondering what lies in store for me and whether there’s any hope. I’m not a sick bastard in any way but this, and it would be devastating for me to hear that I should skip dating altogether and head to the chat rooms. I would be really grateful if you could offer me some candid - but sensitive - insight on this.

Help Out Pubescent Eproctophiliac Here’s what lies in store for you, HOPE: You’re going to meet guys online who share your fetish. There aren’t tons of you out there, I’m sorry-ish to say, so that means the odds are slim that you’ll meet a fellow eproctophiliac living on or near your campus. And if you do find someone online who lives on or near your campus who shares your kink, the odds that you’ll be both physically and romantically attracted to him - the odds that he’ll be boyfriend material - are slimmer still.

But rest assured: People meet online every day - straight people, queer people, vanillas, kinksters - and fall in love.

If you do find someone online who shares your kink and whom you click with, HOPE, don’t make the mistake of ruling him out as a boyfriend just because you met him in a kinky chat room.

You were in that chat room and you’re relationship material, right? And if you meet a fellow fetishist whom you’re really into who lives on the other side of the country, well, that totally blows. But the rarer a fetish, the greater the lengths a fetishist sometimes has to go to find a partner. If you’re into him and he’s into you and he’s relationship material, get your ass on an airplane and go see the boy. (Take all the usual precautions - get his real name and real phone number, have your first meeting in a public place, make sure someone knows where you’re going, have someplace to stay, etc.).

You’ll also be able to meet guys the normal way, HOPE - in your classes, in bars, at parties, and via non-kink hookup websites popular with gay college boys.

You may wind up partnered with a guy 3. Yes, STH, you are being a selfish I’m a 17-year-old gay male. I’m into who finds you so attractive that he’s prude, and yes, you should forgive her. farts. It took me a while to come to willing to indulge you. Or, like a lot of terms with that. I attend a moderate- people with unique and/or challenging The aggressive flirting could be a prob- sized high school where there are very fetishes, you may wind up in a long-term lem - if your wife is flirting at all aggres- few out gay guys, so I’m desperately relationship with a loving partner with sively. I’m wary of accepting your looking forward to meeting new people whom you enjoy vanilla sex while incharacterization of her behavior at face in college. The thing is, I’ve gleaned dulging your fetish via online porn, value, STH, as your overreaction to the from your column that my fetish is a chats, webcam sessions, and, yes, an kiss leads me to believe that you might handicap. It was hard enough accept- understanding sex worker whom you not be rational about your wife’s behav- ing that I’m gay and harder still to ac- treat with respect and overtip. ior generally. Where you see getting too cept that I have a fart fetish. Do I now near, dancing too close, and being too have to accept that I will never be able So there’s hope for you, HOPE. friendly, a slightly less paranoid/control- to go through the cycle of human sexling spouse might see innocent flirtaual bonding in a normal way, since you Find the Savage Lovecast (my weekly podcast) Tuesday at thestranger.com/savage. tiousness. But if she agrees that her suggest that fetishists like me should every mail@savagelove.net flirting is indeed a problem - if for no stick to sex workers and online-orgaother reason than it bothers her husnized hookups with fellow fetishists?

44 january 2010

Chris’s dad loved to torture his kids with his flatulence by locking the windows on long car rides and blaming the smell on the catalytic converter.

outlookcolumbus.com

04-45-2_OLW_24in_ODD_ 12/23/09 9:57 PM Page 2

outlookcolumbus.com

What’s so mysterious about Ginger’s box? Speaking of box, we’ve hired two new interns named Stephanie & Phillecia, and we are so excited to have them!

january 2010

45

46-03_OLW_24in_ODD_ 12/23/09 9:11 PM Page 1

by Chris Hayes

T u a Tr

At his core, Robert Trautman is an artist.

Born a poor black woman in an angry short gay man’s body, Traut grew up in Northeast Ohio in the quiet town of Kinsman. To pass the time he would take photographs, draw, light things on fire or drink ‘til he puked - sometimes all four.

Wanting more out of his life, Robert headed to Pittsburg where he attended Pittsburg Technical Institute and he honed his skills as a graphic designer.

After graduation, Traut came to the big city to pursue his dream of being a digital artist. You might best know Bob as our former art director and event photographer. If you’ve been out in the last three years, odds are this little cubby took your picture for the paper. Not fully removed from outlook, Traut still lends us his skills during production week to make sure you get the high quality publication you’ve grown to expect.

These days Traut works freelance via his agency Digestive Design, where he does graphic design, web design, photography and art. He can help you design a comprehensive marketing plan for your business and decorate your house at the same

time. His art ranges from paintings, to digital art to photography - or a mix of all three.

Through his art is another way you might recognize the Trautman. He made his first big splash on the Columbus art scene curating the 44 Boards show at Mahan Gallery in 2005 where he had select artist from around the world illustrate on skate decks as a fundraiser for HRC. Since then he’s been wowing us with his personal artistry in shows all over the Short North, Campus and Grandview. He’s got a show up this month in Salon Hotel Lily. He is also one of Junction View’s artists in residence, and works hard at helping make Columbus the Indy Art Capital of the World.

He also works hard at beating Zachery Allan Starkey for this town’s biggest media whore. His most recent tabloid fodder came a year ago when he began dating internationally-renowned drag superstar Candie Panties. The hipster-bear romance was something straight out of Family

Sharpen your brain, Aquarius!

up filth and controversy, blow off steam and get just as nasty Sun and Venus lining up in as you want. It’s going to hapCapricorn should point to ways pen somewhere! You could we can mature more graceeven get some insights out of fully, and otherwise find value all that. in our experiences to help build a more solid future. Alas, CANCER (June 21- July 22): Mars in Leo is provoking bois- Problems in your partnership terous disruptions and show- (or from not having one) can ing off. Your age is showing in cause problems of self-worth.

Affair and had GayTown all aTwitter. They any event. Your dignity deOver-asserting yourself is a even got a mention on Perez. Where most pends on acting it. symptom, not a solution. Ditto couples couldn’t handle the pressure, over-competitiveness. Simply these two lovebirds are going stronger CAPRICORN (December 21 – and humbly being yourself is than ever. That strength landed them the January 19): Looking fabulous the challenge and the solution. gig of bodyguards for Lady Gaga during can come naturally, but a little the March on Washington - and ample effort will pay off! Fortunately, LEO (July 23 – August 22): Putphoto ops. birthdays never hurt Capriting too much energy into corns there! Sex isn’t intended working or working out – or When not chasing down the paparazzi, a to be a competitive sport, but more accurately charging falsie for his baby, or a double espresso, that can make for some hot ahead without focus and foreTraut enjoys listening to music and going role-play. thought – can be very damagto see alternative bands and DJs. His ing. The best purpose of any knowledge of Indy music rivals Apollo AQUARIUS (January 20 – Feb- argument is not to change anhimself, and I a have him fill up my iPod ruary 18): Watch those agother mind, but to sharpen with the latest and greatest every chance gressive impulses. When they your own.

I get - he’s like my own personal Pandora come up, see if you can find a ap. quiet spot to talk with your VIRGO (August 23 – September partner – or a very trusted 22): The drama in your head Robert hopes that being deemed this friend – about whatever is set- can be a great source of cremonth’s local celebrity will finally allow ting those off. When discusative material. In real life it him to hire an intern and scare Korea into sions start feeling only stirs up trouble. To build submission. If you see this superstar out competitive, sharpen your the allure of a great lover, and about, buy him a Madras made with brain, not your tongue! maintain the sense that you orange vodka and give him hug. He loves can offer pleasures yet unhuman interaction.

PISCES (February 19 – March tried.

19): Even in these dark times To hire Traut’s services contact him via you can see opportunities LIBRA (September 23 – Octohis website www.digestivedesign.com. To ahead, but they will take work! ber 22): Home and tradition see some of his amazing art head Your optimism can even inoffer a strong springboard into to Salon Hotel Lily at 864 N spire those around you. Pride your visions for the future, alHigh St (right next to in your work will help you to though those might need reHavana) or go to get ahead. vising. Friendly competition www.thehotwetcan strengthen a relationship, ness.com.

ARIES (March 20 – April 19): perhaps binding you together Baby wants to play, but you’re against a common rival. no baby anymore! With effort, those impulses can be foSCORPIO (October 23 – Nocused into brilliant, construc- vember 21): You are asserting tive creativity. Being better yourself a lot more powerfully than others is a fool’s chalthan you intend. Ask a trusted lenge. Just strive to be your friend to help you monitor own best. your tone and volume. All that power you’re radiating can TAURUS (April 20 – May 20): boost expectations. Living up You may be a little too eager to those could be a challenge! to defend your community and background. Is that even reSAGITTARIUS (November 22 – ally the issue? Time out to December 20): What’s more meditate can help you get to important than your love of a the root of what’s really both- good argument? Seriously, ering you and why your roots consider that question in priare causing agitation. orities before your big mouth wrecks something. There’s a GEMINI (May 21- June 20): time and a place for loud asYour mouth is looking for trou- sertions, and a very good time ble. Have a safe space to stir it can be!

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,

46

january 2010

Traut’s the Hot Wetness. Hellin Bedd is literally warm, and sweaty. There are subtle differences here.

outlookcolumbus.com

02-47_OLW_24in_ODD_ 12/21/09 7:50 PM Page 2

outlookcolumbus.com

If you look real hard in the pics above you can see Derek, Jon and possibly Chris.

january 2009

47

48-01b_OLW_24in_ODD_ 12/21/09 7:14 PM Page 1