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2 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY OWNERS AND PUBLISHERS Michael Daniels & Chris Hayes
SNAPSHOT
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF / ART DIRECTOR Chris Hayes hayes@outlookmedia.com
In what is sure to become an annual rite of fall, HighBall Halloween brought a healthy dose of fashion and fright to High Street. The city’s most fashionable boys and girls paraded the strip, and revelers maintained a level of decorum appropriate to a first-class neighborhood. See you next year! Photos by Robert Trautman
ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR / PHOTOS Robert Trautman traut@outlookmedia.com MANAGING EDITOR Adam Leddy aleddy@outlookmedia.com COVER IMAGE: ROBERT TRAUTMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Mette Bach, Danielle Buckius, Wayne R Besen, Chris Crain, Jennifer Vanasco, Tom Moon, Regina Sewell, Leslie Robinson, Gregg Shapiro, Mick Weems, Julianne French, TF Barton, Romeo San Vicente, Jeff Fertig, Simon Sheppard, Tristan Taormino, Dan Savage, Felice Newman, Tim Curran, Chris Hughes, Stephen J Fallon, J. Eric Peters, Brent Wilder, Jacob Anderson-Minshall, Cheri Meyers, Marcus Morris
BUSINESS & ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Michael Daniels mdaniels@outlookmedia.com NATIONAL ADVERTISING Rivendell Media - 212.242.6863
Equality Ohio hosted a historic statewide summit of faith leaders in the Statehouse atrium. EO provided attendees the organization's expertise on lobbying, advocacy, and media relations. A broad spectrum of faith traditions were present, and state Rep. John Peterson (R-2nd) offered rousing remarks. Photos by Adam Leddy
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READERSHIP: 210,000 PEOPLE / MONTH Outlook Weekly is published and distributed by Outlook Media, Inc. every Thursday throughout Ohio. Outlook Weekly is a free publication provided solely for the use of our readers. Any person who willfully or knowingly obtains or exerts unauthorized control over copies of Outlook Weekly with the intent to prevent other individuals from reading it shall be considered guilty of the crime of theft. Violators will be prosecuted. The views expressed in Outlook Weekly 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 Weekly does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness or reliability of any interpretation, advice, opinion, or view presented. Outlook Media, Inc. does not investigate or accept responsibility for claims made in any advertisement. Outlook Media, Inc. assumes no responsibility for claims arising in connection with products and services advertised herein, nor for the content of, or reply to, any advertisement. All material is copyrighted ©2008 by Outlook Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
NOV 20 - NOV 26 2008 VOLUME 13 NUMBER 21
NOV 20 - NOV 26 2008
North Congregational UCC hosted an amazing weekend of events with the trans community. Keynote speaker Rev. Malcolm Himschoot wowed the crowd, and participants left with a commitment to build a stronger trans community in central Ohio. Photos courtesy of Ed Hoar.
SNAPSHOT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .........2 ABOUT TOWN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....3,30 GAYETY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .........4 POLL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .........4 COMMUNITY CORNER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .........6 COMMENTARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .........8 OUT BUSINESS NEWS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......11 EXAMINED LIFE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......13 EARTH TALK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......15 FEATURE: HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE . .. . . . . . . . . . .19-26 CLASSIFIEDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......25 DEEP INSIDE HOLLYWOOD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......27 ARTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......27 SAVAGE LOVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......29 THE LAST WORD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......31 SCOPES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......31 NEXT WEEK: WORLD AIDS DAY
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 3
ABOUT TOWN by Adam Leddy
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20 FOR THE LITERATI Thurber House Evenings with Authors presents Louis Bayard @ the Columbus School for Girls, 56 S Columbia Ave, www.thurberhouse.org: Gay author Bayard will read from his new historical thriller, The Black Tower, a mystery set in Paris in 1818. 7:30p; $20. OMG, LYNDON LAROUCHE WAS RIGHT! Pangea @ Drake Performance and Event Center, 1849 Cannon Drive, 614.292.2295, theatretix@osu.edu: Mind control? Global corporate conspiracy? The fate of mankind? Pangea is a terrifying and intriguing exploration of 21st-century “what-ifs.” Thu-Fri 7:30p, Sun 3p; $12-$18. MAKE THIS ONE OUT TO MY IMAGINARY FRIEND Arcadia Day @ the Columbus Historical Society, 51 Jefferson Ave, info@columbushistory.org: Courtesy of Arcadia Publishing, ten Columbus authors will sign copies of their books. 5:30p-7:30p; free. WHICH ONE SINGS ‘RED NECK WOMAN’? Reba McEntire & Kelly Clarkson @ the Schottenstein Center, 614.431.3600: The 2 Worlds, 2 Voices tour hits Columbus. 7:30p; $47-$57. DON’T LOOK DIRECTLY AT HIS BLINDING WHITE TEETH Harry Connick, Jr @ the Ohio Theatre, 55 E State St, 614.469.0939, ticketmaster.com: Connick decks the halls and jingles some bells with a holiday concert. 7:30p; $40-$67. WHAT YOU NEED IS MORE WARHOL Peel Slowly and See: Warhol, Music, and Image @ the Wexner Center for the Arts, 1871 N High St, wexarts.org: A panel discussion featuring musician Dean Wareham, Mark Richardson, critic and managing editor of Pitchfork, and Barry Shank, OSU professor of comparative studies. At 8p, Dean Wareham and Britta Phillips will be performing 13 Most Beautiful...Songs for Andy Warhol’s Screen Tests in a multimedia concert featuring new music composed for Warhol’s famous 4-minute film portraits. Discussion 5p, free; concert 8p, $12-$14. DRINKS WITH THE FLORA Cocktails at the Conservatory @ Franklin Park Conservatory, 1777 E Broad St, 614.645.1800: Meet new people and welcome the weekend. Cash bar every Thursday, excluding holidays. 5:30p-10p; free. ROCK HARD Third Thursday @ Liquid, 1100 N High St: Chrissy Foster loves rock and will entertain with originals and covers. 8p-11p; $5. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21 AND THE QUEENS SANG ALONG Cabaret Urbain @ OSU Urban Arts Space, 50 W Town St, 614.292.2295: Fourteen students and two pianists will perform thirty excerpts from operas such as Carmen, Gianni Schicchi, Don Giovanni, Barber of Seville, and Don Pasquale. Musical theater and cabaret will include selections from Guys and Dolls, West Side Story, The Merry Widow, Little Shop of Horrors, and Les Miserables. 7p-10p; $25. GOOD NIGHT, GREAT CAUSE Katie Reider benefit concert @ Liquid, 1100 N High St: Performances by Donna Mogavaro Band, Robin Stone, Alexis Antes and many more. 8p; $5.
MAKING YULE COOL Holiday Hoopla XVII @ Shadowbox Cabaret, Easton Towne Center, 614.416.7625, shadowboxcabaret.com: The annual holiday rite is full of original sketch comedy that pokes fun at our undying will to make the holidays perfect. Featuring rockin’ seasonal tunes from house band BillWho?. Complete with return acts from the hilarious sendup “The Santa Babies” and disgruntled reindeer Dasher, Hoopla rings in the holidays with wit and style. Thru Jan 3. Tue-Fri 7:30p, Sat 7:30p & 10:30p, Sun 3p & 7:30p; $20-$30. PRESENT AND FUTURE DRAG ICONS CCAD’s 3rd Annual Drag Show @ the Canzani Center, Cleveland & E Gay: Nina West, Anisa Love, Samantha Rollins, Gavin Danger, and Natasha West perform, along with the best CCAD amateur talent. Following the show, a Q & A with performers. Proceeds benefit CATF. 8p-10p; suggested donation $5. STICK IT TO MICHIGAN Beat Blue Pep Rally @ U, 782 N High St, 614.421.CAFE: Virgina West, Capital Pride Band, OSU GLBT Alumni Society, and Spinners invite you to show your scarlet spirit. Enjoy the game the following day with free brats. 9p; free. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22 STUFF MICHIGAN OSU VS MICHIGAN @ SCORE BAR, 145 N 5th St, 614.849.0099, scorebarcolumbus.com: Enjoy the game at your sports authority. Kegs and eggs, $12 beer buckets, free hot dog and nacho bar. Kegs/eggs 8a; free. STOP TRAFFIC AT WALL STREET Monthly Traffic Jam Party @ Wall Street, 144 N Wall St, 614.464.2800: The color of the glow stick signifies availability: green sticks for available, red for taken, and yellow for willing to play. Come see the colors and get to know your own Green or Yellow. $5; 9p. NOW THAT THEY CLOSED THE OTHER FULL MONTY… The Full Monty @ Emerald City Players, 6799 Dublin Center Road, Dublin, www.emeraldcityplayers.com: The endearing tale of six unemployed steelworkers who let it all hang out to make ends meet. Thru Dec 6. Fri-Sat 8p; $13-$15. See page 30 for more info. SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 23 SEEKING DRAMA KINGS AND QUEENS Messiah on the Frigidaire auditions @ Emerald City Theater, 6799 Dublin Center Dr, Dublin, 614.470.1525: Seeking men late 20s-late 50s, women late 20s-mid 40s, boys very early teens. Bring headshot and resume if available (not mandatory). Audition will be reading from the script. Sun-Mon, 7p; free. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26 CHECK THE CIRCUIT BREAKER Nina Pop Unplugged @ Union Cafe, 782 N High St. 614.421.2233, columbusnightlife.com: Nina shares hilarious stories and sings her new Christmas spoofs as well as some old favorites! Followed by DJ Rob Engel for Thanksgiving Eve. 8p; free.
NOV 20 - NOV 26 2008
4 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
The Reader Poll
GENERAL GAYETY by Leslie Robinson
Last week we asked:
What is the worst present to get during the holidays?
The Emotional Roundup and the usual fundamentalist Christian outfits poured money into the campaign to rid gays of the right to marry. Their religious conviction that homosexuality is a sin stands between me and my civil rights. I’m bloody tired of these groups forming a blockade like the Spanish Armada. You’d never know that in its decision legalizing same-sex marriage the California Supreme Court explained that religious entities would be as untouched as vestal virgins. Allowing gays to marry “will not impinge upon the religious freedom of any religious organization, official, or any other person; no religion will be required to change its religious policies or practices with regard to same-sex couples, and no religious officiant will be required to solemnize a marriage in contravention of his or her religious beliefs.” So you can continue to discriminate merrily within your own faith. But that wasn’t good enough for these churches, and they pulled out all the ecclesiastical stops on Prop 8. That’s not all I’m bitter about. In California African-Americans went to the polls intent on voting for one of their own - and against gays. Some 70 percent of black voters backed Prop 8, even as they voted overwhelmingly for gay-friendly Barack Obama. LGBT voters helped African-Americans achieve their previously unthinkable goal of a black president. African-Americans helped LGBT folks return to second-class status. The situation has more ironies than Sarah
Palin has skirts. On and after Nov. 4 we saw African-Americans of all ages crying with joy. Obama was a symbol for them that they have made it at last. Prop 8 was a symbol for us that we haven’t. I’m optimistic. Now that I’ve vented my negative emotions into the atmosphere, I can acknowledge that I absolutely believe we’ll get what we want and deserve. History really is on our side. Gay marriage will continue to move forward - and sideways, backward and diagonally. As president, Obama will model a happier attitude toward gays generally, assuming he keeps his promises. This will help all LGBT people, but my hope is African-American gays will benefit most; Prop 8 underscored how often black gays are between a rock and a hard place and another rock. What I find myself seriously pleased about is that I’m not the only one who’s mad. The stealing of rights in California pissed off gays so much they took to the streets to protest. That’s my idea of fabulous. Leslie Robinson lives in Seattle. E-mail her at LesRobinsn@aol.com.
2nd-Hand Sex Toys
47%
Fruitcake
16%
Window’s Vista
16%
Candy Panties
11%
Dreidel
0%
Other...
11%
• snowman-shaped candle • crabs
NEXT WEEK’S QUESTION: Do you think people with HIV should be prosecuted for not revealing their status to sexual partners? Log on to: www.outlookweekly.net to take this week’s poll.
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NOV 20 - NOV 26 2008
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I’m mad. I’m angry that Proposition 8 passed. I’m mad that Californians voted to ban samesex marriage. They kicked gays and lesbians into the La Brea tar pits. Never before has a state yanked away gay marriage after it had been legalized. California has historically led in the area of social change. The state Supreme Court’s decision last May granting gay marriage sure looked to be the latest example. Now California leads in heading backwards. The about-face was so fast the whole state must have whiplash. Gay Golden Staters suffered a soul-crushing overnight demotion to second-class status. On Nov. 4 they had the right to marry; by Nov. 5 they didn’t. It’s as though the sandman flew around sprinkling sand and pilfering privileges. Straight Californians told their gay neighbors you’re going back, back to the realm of domestic partnerships/civil unions/wedding rings made of daisies. And if our state Supreme Court said that makes you separate-but-unequal, that’s the point! You’re lesser and we’re going to make sure you know it. From the privacy of voting booths. Oh, and if writing discrimination into our constitution seems a bit distasteful, not quite American or Californian, well, sometimes ya gotta do what ya gotta do. It’s a cross we’re pretty sure we can bear. I’m bitter. The Mormon Church, the Catholic Church
TIM
CATEGORY
NOV 2 ’04
NOV 17 ’08
DIFFERENCE
AMERICAN DEAD
1,122
4,201
3,079
AMERICAN WOUNDED
8,124
30,794
22,670
IRAQI CIVILIAN DEAD
16,342
97,094
NATIONAL DEBT
$7,429,629,954,236
$10,578,639,151,691
DAYS ‘TIL 2008 ELECTION
1,463
-13
80,752 $3,149,009,197,455 (1,476)
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 5
NOV 20 - NOV 26 2008
6 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
COMMUNITY CORNER LOG CABIN PRESIDENT PATRICK SAMMON ANNOUNCES DEPARTURE Log Cabin President Patrick Sammon will be leaving his position early next year. “After five years at this organizaby tion and more than two e by e! years leading Log Cabin, I am ready to tackle new challenges. I’ll be doing documentary filmmaking, which is what I did before joining Log Cabin’s staff,” said Sammon. “I told Log Cabin’s national board earlier this year I would be moving on after the election. I’m proud of the progress we’ve made and I know Log Cabin is well positioned to impact the GOP’s future direction.” “We thank Patrick for the excellent job he has done as president,” said Log Cabin national board chairman Pete Kingma. “His communication ability and political skills served the organization very well.” Log Cabin’s Board of Directors has started a national search process. “After Patrick’s strong leadership, we are confident we’ll find an excellent candidate to lead Log Cabin Republicans and the Liberty Education Forum,” said Kingma. Sammon will stay in his position until the end of January. “With the election behind us, it’s a good time to make a transition,” said Sammon. “I have put my heart and soul into this organization and I am proud of our achievements.” • In a tough election year, 75% of Log Cabin’s endorsed House and Senate candidates won reelection as the organization provided more financial support than ever before to our congressional allies. • Under Sammon’s leadership, Log Cabin built close ties with Sen. John McCain’s campaign and had a strong presence at the 2008 GOP convention. “Sen. McCain’s inclusive campaign was an important step forward as we educate GOP voters about the importance of fairness and freedom for gay and lesbian people,” said Sammon. • During the GOP presidential primaries, Log Cabin stood up to Gov. Mitt Romney’s use of gay and lesbian families as a wedge issue. Our television and radio ad campaigns in Iowa and New Hampshire educated Republican voters about Gov. Romney’s real record. “We’re glad our party nominated a candidate Log Cabin could proudly support,” said Sammon. • Log Cabin helped secure 35 Republican House votes on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. Their votes provided the margin of victory. • Sammon expanded Log Cabin’s work on HIV/AIDS issues with the addition of Dr. David Reznik as a health policy advisor. • Log Cabin built strong ties to New York GOP state lawmakers. In the assembly, the organization helped gain unprecedented bi-partisan support on a marriage equality bill. Log Cabin also built close ties with inclusive GOP state senators, whose votes will be needed to bring marriage equality to the Empire State. • Log Cabin’s “Republicans Against 8” campaign helped secure GOP opposition to California’s marriage amendment. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced his opposition to Proposition 8 at Log Cabin’s national convention in April. “It is deeply saddening that Proposition 8 passed, but I’m proud NOV 20 - NOV 26 2008
of our work in gaining GOP allies to oppose the measure,” said Sammon. “I thank all Log Cabin members who provided generous support for our work. I’m grateful for your commitment to this organization,” said Sammon. “I will continue assisting in any way I can to advance Log Cabin’s mission.” “Log Cabin has a huge opportunity to influence the Republican Party’s renewal in the months and years ahead,” said Kingma. “The GOP’s brand is severely damaged. Log Cabin will be an important part of the effort to revive our party with a unifying philosophy that brings people together around inclusive GOP values instead of wedge issue politics,” said Kingma. Log Cabin Republicans promotes legislation to provide basic fairness for gay and lesbian Americans and works to build a more inclusive GOP. The 30-year old organization has state and local chapters nationwide, a full-time office in Washington, DC, a federal political action committee and state political action committees.
BROADEN TECHNOLOGIES PARTNERS WITH SALVATION ARMY ADOPT-A-FAMILY FOR HOLIDAY PC GIVEAWAY PROGRAM Broaden Technologies and the Salvation Army will provide twenty refurbished computers to needy central Ohioans through their Holiday PC Giveaway partnership. Qualifying individuals will be low-income, disabled, or senior citizens. Applicants must write a letter explaining how receiving a computer would improve their quality of life and why they cannot afford to purchase one. A blank contest application is available at www.broadentechnologies.com/giveaway. Only the first 500 letters received will be reviewed. The deadline for receipt of letters is November 29, 2008. Winners will be announced and computers awarded on December 17, 2008. Winners may be asked to provide documentation that they are disabled, low income, or seniors. Winners also must agree to appear for a winners photograph on December 17, 2008. Additionally, Broaden Technologies is seeking donations of computers for refurbishing and resale to low-income, disabled, and elderly Central Ohio residents at a minimal cost. To donate or to request additional information, please contact Broaden Technologies, LLC,1931 Parsons Ave, Columbus, 614.754.8841, or email Maureen Whalen at mwhalen@broadentechnologies.com.
SHEPHERD INITIATIVE ENDS TEN YEARS OF SERVICE The Shepherd Initiative was founded ten years ago in response to the picketing of Matthew Shepard’s funeral by Christians. SI became an inter-denominational force in Central Ohio, advocating for the full inclusion of GLBT people in Christian communities of faith. Shepherd Initiative hosted two conferences in Columbus on “Homosexuality and Christianity,” attracting people from over thirty states and bringing in articulate speakers from diverse faith perspectives. Shepherd initiated the first positive Christian presence at the annual Pride parade in Columbus and became a regular presence at the parade, encouraging various churches to participate. Today, churches make up almost a third of the parade participants. After ten years of work, the Shepherd Initiative is folding its tent, but will leave a lasting impact on
Ohio’s equality movement. As one of its final acts, Shepherd’s board of directors authorized a $7,500 grant to Equality Ohio to develop a web-hosted directory of GLBT-welcoming places of worship across the state.
LAMBDA LEGAL ON PROPOSITION 8: RACIAL SCAPEGOATING IS DESTRUCTIVE AND UNACCEPTABLE In the wake of the passage of Proposition 8 in California, Lambda Legal Executive Director Kevin Cathcart issued the following statement: “As an organization that has fought for so many years for marriage equality - and continues to do so - we join with many others in expressing our disappointment and outrage at the recent passage of Proposition 8 in California. We are also deeply disturbed at the racial scapegoating and blaming in which some members of the LGBT community, allies, and media have engaged. The focus on data from exit polls that are misleading or simply wrong misses the important point: A bare majority of voters approved Prop 8, including voters from every racial and socioeconomic group and in every region of the state. Blaming African American or any people of color voters is foolish. If we had 400,000 more “no” votes from any racial, ethnic, age and religious group - or rather, from all groups together - we would have won. “We all need to continue to direct our energy to educate and motivate our community and allies to achieve equality. And we must also fight discrimination wherever it exists. Our opponents spent millions of dollars to produce a barrage of deceitful ads intended to frighten and mislead voters. Our challenge is to continue to expose the scare tactics and misinformation. When we defeat the lies, we win. “‘Divide and conquer’ is the oldest political strategy in the world and we must not fall victim to it. People of all races, ethnicities and faiths are part of our LGBT communities, and we have fought together for equality and must continue to do so. The passage of Prop 8 threatens not only marriage equality but the very meaning of the equal protection guarantees of the California constitution. That is why the LGBT legal groups are working together with other civil rights advocacy organizations to challenge Prop 8 as an invalid vote to change the fundamental principles of the California constitution. The lesson of this struggle is clear: we must fight and win together.”
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY MARKS 33RD GREAT AMERICAN SMOKEOUT Thursday, November 20, is the 33rd Great American Smokeout, and the American Cancer Society continues its tradition of providing free resources to help smokers quit. The Great American Smokeout was inaugurated in 1976 to inspire and encourage smokers to quit for one day. Now, 44.2 percent of the 45.3 million Americans who smoke have attempted to quit for at least one day in the past year, and the Great American Smokeout continues to encourage people to commit to making a long-term plan to quit for good. With all the resources available to help smokers quit, there has never been a better time to quit smoking, and the American Cancer Society is here to help. If you smoke, make a plan and set the Great American Smokeout as your quit date. By calling the American Cancer Society Quitline at
1.800.227.2345, people who plan to quit will be able to speak with a trained counselor and receive free, confidential counseling. Studies have found that Quitline can more than double a person’s chances of successfully quitting tobacco. Callers to Quitline can be connected with smoking cessation resources in their communities, social support groups, Internet resources, and medication assistance referrals. Since its inception in 2000, Quitline has provided counseling support to more than 380,000 smokers. The American Cancer Society offers other free resources - through Quitline and at www.cancer.org/GreatAmericans - that can increase a smoker’s chances of quitting successfully, including tips and tools for friends, family, and coworkers of potential quitters to help them be aware and supportive of the struggle to quit smoking. Studies show the importance of social support in quitting smoking, as people are most likely to quit smoking when their friends, family, and coworkers decide to quit smoking. Popular online social networks such as Facebook and MySpace are also becoming support channels for people who want to quit, and American Cancer Society Smokeout-related downloadable desktop applications are available on these networks to help people quit or join the fight against tobacco. “A recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that social networks are helpful in quitting smoking,” said Sarah Wells, health promotions director for the central region of the Ohio division of the American Cancer Society. “Friends and family can help the most by being aware and supportive of the struggle to quit, and the American Cancer Society has resources to help them show support for their loved one who is trying to quit.” Tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the United States. Each year, smoking accounts for an estimated 438,000 premature deaths, including 38,000 deaths among nonsmokers as a result of secondhand smoke. Half of all Americans who continue to smoke will die from smoking-related diseases. Also imperative in this effort to encourage people to quit smoking are smoke-free laws and higher tobacco taxes which make it harder for people to smoke, and protect nonsmokers from tobacco smoke. The majority of US communities are now covered by smoke-free laws, while forty-three states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico have raised tobacco taxes since 2000. Smokers nationwide now face an average cost of $4.32 for one pack of cigarettes, not including all taxes. The rising cost of living is also affecting smokers, as the cost of cigarettes presents an even greater burden. Smoke-free workplace laws and other tobacco control legislation, supported by the ACS and its nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action NetworkSM (ACS CAN), help protect Americans from secondhand smoke and encourage smokers to quit. The American Cancer Society is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by saving lives, diminishing suffering, and preventing cancer through research, education, advocacy, and service. Founded in 1913 and with national headquarters in Atlanta, the society has 13 regional divisions and local offices in 3,400 communities, involving millions of volunteers across the United States. For more information anytime, call toll free 1.800.ACS.2345 or visit www.cancer.org.
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 7
NOV 20 - NOV 26 2008
8 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
COMMENTARY by Kathryn Kolbert, president, People For the American Way Foundation
The election brought an extraordinary range of emotions - great joy at the election of Barack Obama and defeat of John McCain, and sadness and anger at the passage of anti-gay initiatives in Florida, Arizona, Arkansas, and California. That sadness has turned to outrage as some white gay activists began blaming African-Americans - sometimes in appallingly racist ways - for the passage of Proposition 8. This is inexcusable. As a mother who has raised two children in a 30year relationship with another woman, I fully understand the depth of hurt and anger at voters’ rejection of our families’ equality. But responding to that hurt by lashing out at African-Americans is deeply wrong and offensive - not to mention destructive to the goal of advancing equality. Before we give religious right leaders more reasons to rejoice by deepening the divisions they have worked so hard to create between African-Americans and the broader progressive community, let’s be clear about who is responsible for gay couples in California losing the right to get married, and let’s think strategically about a way forward that broadens and strengthens support for equality. Others have taken on the challenge of looking at the basic numbers and concluded that it is simply false to suggest that Prop 8 would have been defeated if African-Americans had been more supportive. The amendment seems to have passed by more than half a million votes, and the number of black voters, even with turnout boosted by the presidential race, couldn’t have made up that difference. That’s an important fact, but when African-American supporters of equality are being called racist epithets at protests against Prop 8, the numbers almost seem beside the point. Republicans and white churchgoers, among many other groups, voted for Prop 8 at higher rates than African-Americans. There are few AfricanAmericans in the inland counties that all voted overwhelmingly to strip marriage equality out of the California constitution. So why single out AfricanAmericans? Let’s be clear on who is really to blame: • Conservative evangelical leaders who are unremittingly hostile to the rights of gay people and who put Prop 8 on the ballot and bombarded pastors, churchgoers, and the public with lies about gay people wanting to destroy their religious liberty and come for their children - even suggesting that Christians would be thrown in jail if Prop 8 was defeated. • Mormon church leaders who turned Prop 8 into a national religious crusade against gay couples, badgered Mormons nationwide to give heavily to the campaign, and recruited thousands of foot-soldiers for door-to-door canvassing (special kudos to the courageous Mormons who challenged the Church leadership). • Conservative Catholic leaders who betrayed Catholic teaching about human dignity by enthusiastically joining forces with campaign organizers who portrayed supporters of gay equality as evil and satanic. • “Yes on Prop 8” leaders whose view of the campaign as a battle between good and evil led to an “ends justify the means” campaign that included grossly distorted ads, mailings, and robocalls directed at African-Americans that falsely portrayed Barack Obama as a Prop 8 supporter. There will be plenty of post-game analysis of the No on 8 campaign’s choices and strategies, and that’s not the purpose of this memo. It is clear that the Yes on 8 campaign had a far more aggressive NOV 20 - NOV 26 2008
Blaming Black Voters for Prop 8 Loss
is Wrong and Destructive
and systematic outreach to African-American religious leaders and voters. If we either take black voters for granted because they are “supposed” to be liberal, or we write them out of our campaign strategies because we label them inherently homophobic, we cannot turn around and make them the scapegoat for our failings. Here’s a fact that lends some perspective. On November 4 there was an anti-gay initiative on the ballot in Arkansas to prohibit unmarried couples from adopting or being foster parents. White voters supported that anti-gay initiative by a 16-point margin, twice the margin for African-Americans in the state. So it’s clearly not the case that African-Americans are inherently more prone to supporting discrimination than white Americans. We need a broad and ongoing strategy to create and sustain constructive dialogue at the intersections of race, religion, sexuality, and politics. And it should go without saying that partnership is a twoway street. How many white LGBT leaders and activists have been at the forefront of battles to preserve affirmative action, or raise the minimum wage? The Right’s Big Investments Pay Big Dividends The religious right has invested in systematic outreach to the most conservative elements of black churches, creating and promoting national spokespeople like Bishop Harry Jackson, and spreading the big lie that gays are out to destroy religious freedom and prevent pastors from preaching about homosexuality from the pulpit. In addition, religious right leaders have exploited the discomfort among many African-Americans with white gays who seem more ready to embrace the language and symbols of the civil rights movement than to be strong allies in the continuing battle for equal opportunity. At a series of religious right events, demagogic African-American pastors have accused the gay rights movement of “hijacking” and “raping” the civil rights movement. The effort to stir anti-gay emotions among African-Americans by suggesting that gays are trying to “hijack” the civil rights movement is not new. Campaigning for a Cincinnati referendum in 1993, anti-gay groups produced a videotape targeting African-American audiences; the tape featured Trent Lott, Ed Meese, and other right wing luminaries warning that protecting the civil rights of lesbians and gay men would come at the expense of civil rights gains made by the African-American community. It was an astonishing act of hypocrisy for Lott and Meese to show concern for those civil rights gains, given their career-long hostility to civil rights principles and enforcement, but the strategy worked that year. Eleven years later, however, African-American religious leaders and voters helped pass an initiative striking the anti-gay provision from the city charter. (The story of that successful fairness campaign is told in an award-winning mini-documentary, A Blinding Flash of the Obvious, that is part of a Focus on Fairness toolkit produced by People For the American Way Foundation.) In California this year, national and local white anti-gay religious leaders worked hard to create alliances with African-American clergy; Harry Jackson was busy in both California and Florida stirring opposition to marriage equality. None of the right’s outreach to African-Americans on gay rights issues in recent years has been a secret. Neither has polling that showed some deterioration in African-American
support for full equality. But there hasn’t been the same investment in systematic outreach from the gay rights community. Support Champions, Don’t Undermine Them In the face of the right’s effort to stir anti-gay sentiment among African-Americans, many civil rights leaders have been powerful advocates for LGBT equality, among them Julian Bond, John Lewis, and the late Coretta Scott King. These leaders are deeply committed to the value of fairness and the constitutional principle of equality under the law, and they understand that strengthening the hand of far-right leaders is not in the interest of the African-American community. Angrily blaming African-Americans for the passage of Prop 8 is not going to help open doors for the kind of long-term conversations we need to have about homophobia and discrimination. It will, instead, further isolate and undermine courageous African-American leaders who have taken a firm stand for equality. Alice Huffman, president of the state NAACP, has been an outspoken champion on equality and on Prop 8, and right wing leaders are fomenting attacks on her from within the organization. People like Alice Huffman need our support and strategic thinking, not complaints or condemnation. Broad-brush denunciation of African-Americans by white gay leaders also fosters the incredibly damaging perception that the LGBT and African American communities are two separate, rather than overlapping entities, and undermines the work of African-American LGBT leaders. Religion, Homophobia, and Marriage Equality The far right has aggressively sought to use traditional religious beliefs about homosexuality as a wedge to separate African-Americans from progressive allies and particularly from the LGBT rights movement. In response, People For the American Way Foundation’s African-American Ministers Leadership Council has created an Equal Justice Task Force and made a commitment to a multi-year effort to take on homophobia in black churches and the broader African-American community. As part of that long-term campaign, People For the American Way Foundation conducted focus groups among African-American churchgoers in California in September. Among men and women, and among younger and older groups, we found strong opposition to discrimination against LGBT people in employment and housing. And we found widespread support for legal protections for committed couples. Among all groups there was generally a live-and-letlive attitude toward gay people in their communities and congregations, and recognition that couples deserve some basic legal protections. People For the American Way Foundation produced and ran three radio ads designed to tap that instinct for fairness and encouraging African-Americans to oppose antigay discrimination. But our focus groups also showed us that marriage equality faces a higher hurdle. Many people in our focus groups had difficulty sorting out the difference between civil marriage and marriage as a religious institution. Even some of the most eloquent opponents of discrimination argued that marriage was somehow different because they saw it as an inherently religious act that God had designed to be between a man and a woman. Rev. Kenneth Samuel, chair of the AAMLC’s Equal Justice Task Force, says we need to be in “tough and loving” conversation to
get people to think differently about that question, and to grapple with separating religious belief from commitment to constitutional principles of equality under the law. That’s a hard conversation to have in the midst of a heated political campaign. Samuel was among the leaders of workshops at the California NAACP convention in October on homophobia in the black church. The overflow sessions went on for hours, demonstrating that there is a real hunger for the kind of honest, rousing conversation about homophobia, discrimination, love, equality, scripture, and politics. People’s hearts were changed, even if everyone didn’t end the session ready to fully embrace marriage equality. As an outgrowth of those workshops, Rev. Gerald Johnson, the individual rights and advocacy vicechair of the state NAACP, asked for volunteers to develop and submit a resolution to: “develop partnerships with African-American civic and religious leaders to educate, train, and advocate for cultural competency and sensitivity in the greater African-American community as it relates to gay and lesbian concerns.” That resolution passed overwhelmingly. In preparation for those workshops and other clergy roundtables and training sessions, People For the American Way Foundation created a video documenting right wing efforts to co-opt black churches by embracing and lifting up the voices of anti-gay conservative black clergy. In that video, Rev. Samuel describes religious right leaders who believe welfare is satanic and the minimum wage and other worker protections are ungodly, and he asks, “What are the consequences of lending our voices, our moral and spiritual authority, to those who seek our support to deny the dignity, humanity, and equality of our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters?” Rev. Samuel speaks movingly about the religious journey that led him to begin preaching a gospel of inclusion - and his commitment to stick with it even when a thousand members left his church. He understands how deeply questions of homophobia and marriage are rooted in understandings of scripture and the traditions of African-American churches. Here’s how Rev. Samuel concludes that video: I know that within the black church we have different theological views about sexuality. But I believe we can find common ground against mistreating our brothers and sisters - in the words of Jesus, to love our neighbors as ourselves. And we can find common ground in opposing discrimination in the constitutional principle of equal justice under the law that we fought so hard to make a reality. I believe the black church loses a bit of its soul every time we sacrifice the well-being of our gay brothers and sisters - every time we make political alliances at their expense. I believe it is our calling to be a consistent voice for justice. And I do believe that “A threat to justice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” The LGBT-equality movement needs to recognize that its real enemies are the religious right organizations and leaders who oppose gay and lesbian equality and who devise and fund strategies like Prop 8. And we must commit now to building longterm partnerships with equality-affirming AfricanAmerican clergy and community leaders that will allow us to advance the progressive values that we share.
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 9
JOIN NETWORK COLUMBUS AT SAGE AMERICAN BISTRO [2653 N HIGH] FOR OUTLOOK'S HOLIDAY SHINDIGEXTRAVAGANZA DEC 10, 6P-8P WWW.NETWORKCOLUMBUS.COM NOV 20 - NOV 26 2008
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Spotlight:
OUT BUSINESS NEWS by Chris Hayes
Brian Hawkins
Hairstylist and Make-up Artist Brian Hawkins is living the dream. Like many who spend their working years tethered to a desk, Brian yearned to break out of the corporate world and pursue his true passions. For ten years, first at a mortgage company and then in the auto loans collection department at a major bank, he knew that there had to be a better life out there. The challenge was figuring out which of his passions would lead to professional fulfillment. “I thought about getting into event planning or marketing to use my creativity and collaborate with others,” he says. But that wasn’t quite right, and Brian stayed put, though he was “miserable the entire time.” Opportunity has a way of forcing itself on the seeker, and when Brian fell victim to corporate downsizing, he was faced with a now-ornever moment: stay in his industry or chase his aspirations. “After high school, I wanted to go to cosmetology school, but went to college instead,” Brian recalls. “So when my partner suggested I pursue hair, I went for it.” Brian has been a hairstylist and makeup artist at Waldo’s on High salon in the Short North for over a year-and-a-half, and his bearing is that of a man blissfully content to be doing what he was born to do. He loves working with his local clients while landing exciting gigs all over the country, including Fashion Week in New York, Los Angeles, and Miami. Not bad for a guy who only a few years ago was
Gay Households Cope with Falling Economy New online study shows varied attitudes associated with gender and sexual orientation While many American households cut spending and shift consumer priorities to cope with tough new economic realities, a new national survey conducted online by Harris Interactive shows marked differences in responses based on gender and sexual orientation, frequently with lesbian adults feeling more vulnerable when compared to other populations, while gay men appear less likely to cut back discretionary spending compared to their heterosexual counterparts. A majority (55%) of all US adults indicate that they will be impacted by the economic downturn. Among certain groups the economic downturn is perceived to have more influence.
more likely to analyze a spreadsheet than coiffe a model. I sat down with Brian at U prior to his afternoon shift at the salon - two guys with shaved heads having a lively discussion about hair. Adam Leddy: Tell me a little more about the journey from suit to scissors. Were you scared to make the leap? Brian Hawkins: The plus side, though it can also be a downside, of the corporate world is the stability. Benefits, retirement, all that. When you go outside that, it’s a whole new world. After my bank downsized, I knew I could put my resume out there and get a new job, but I didn’t know if I could stand it. Leaving [the industry] sounded like a really good idea, but it did feel a little scary. AL: Now that you’ve made the change, what is it about Waldo’s that makes you so happy to be there? BH: I love the location and the diversity on staff and among the clientele. It’s a very fun place to work. The salon is under new ownership; if you had seen Waldo’s two years ago, you wouldn’t recognize it today. Christine [Chamness, the owner] takes a lot of pride in what she does. She repainted and put in new flooring. She wants the salon to keep up with the evolution of the Short North.
BH: There are ten stylists including me. We do have our regular clients, but of course we also take walk-ins. AL: You’ve been able to land some exciting gigs outside of the salon. BH: I did Fashion Week in New York and LA, doing hair for several designers for their shows. This July I was the lead stylist at Miami Fashion Week, which was amazing. I got to put my team together and help decide the overall theme of the show. Locally, I’ve done shows for Torso, and when Jackie Warner [star of Bravo’s Work Out] came to town, I did her hair and makeup. I did the Instinct magazine tour when it came to Q Bar, and I’ve also done Instinct in New York. I did hair and makeup for a local writer featured in this month’s Essence. Like any industry, fashion is competitive. I’m a networking whore - that’s pretty much how I’ve made things happen!
AL: Do you have an established group of clients, or is it first come, first served?
AL: What would you say to other people who are in the position you were in before you made your career transition? BH: It’s never too late. Do what makes you happy. Circumstances are what they are and
For example, when asked to think about their own personal circumstances today, 3 out of 4 (75%) adult lesbians say they feel the impact of the severe economic downturn will affect individuals and households like theirs more than others. In contrast, this opinion was held by 60% of heterosexual women and 55% of gay men. Not surprisingly, therefore, when asked about spending for entertainment generally, more than four out of ten lesbians (44%) said they will likely reduce their spending, while fewer than a quarter (24%) of gay men said the same. Similarly, when asked about plans to take a vacation from home lasting more than a week, a clear majority (56%) of heterosexual adults said they were not at all likely to do so within the next 6 months, compared to 42% of gay and lesbian adults. Only 39% of gay men said they were not at all likely to take a vacation, compared to more than half (52%) of heterosexual men.
The new nationwide survey of 2,449 US adults, of whom 232 self identified as gay or lesbian (which includes an oversample of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender adults), was conducted online between October 20 and 27 by Harris Interactive, a global market research and consulting firm, in conjunction with Witeck-Combs Communications, Inc., a strategic public relations and marketing communications firm with special expertise in the GLBT market. “In light of this historic, severe recession, very few Americans remain unscathed. All consumers must make tougher choices on spending, saving and investing - and our findings highlight some of these personal trade-offs,” said Bob Witeck, CEO of Witeck-Combs Communications. Witeck added, “Gay households are hardly immune, and demographic research confirms that GLBT consumers are not more affluent than others. However, we see lesbians once
sometimes you’ll have to take the long route. I love what I do. Once you’re able to say that, anything is possible. To schedule an appointment with Brian, call Waldo’s on High at 614.294.2887 or walk in, 755 N High St. Mention this profile for 20% off your first service.
again showing more vulnerability than gay men, and while gay men also are scaling back in spending options, it is less so than in heterosexual households. Not surprisingly, while more same-sex households are raising children, proportionately more gay male households remain childless and therefore may feel somewhat freer to make choices in today’s tight economy.” Gay men report that they plan to economize in purchasing gifts for this year’s holiday season, with 60% saying they will reduce spending compared to 50% of heterosexual men. Again, with smaller households and fewer children, this trade-off may be logical for gay males. Interestingly, when it comes to dining at a restaurant, more than a quarter (28%) of lesbians say they are not at all likely to decrease spending on eating meals out within the next six months compared to only 16% of heterosexual women. NOV 20 - NOV 26 2008
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OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 13
THE EXAMINED LIFE by Tom Moon, MFT
Guilt, Rational and Irrational Is guilt ever rational? The experience of feeling guilty can be so corrosive to self-esteem and to the quality of life. Since it very often leads to self-destructive and self-punitive behavior, some wonder if we’d be better off never experiencing it at all. While guilt is one of the most painful of human experiences, our capacity to experience it arises from what’s best in us. We’re able to feel it because we’re social animals, hard-wired for care and empathy toward those close to us. Without our capacity for altruism we’d be incapable of feeling badly about mistreating others. Every experience of guilt has both a feeling and a thinking component. The thinking component is a judgment that somethine one has done, or failed to do, has harmed another person. The emotional component, a response to the judgment, is an intensely painful mixture of depression and anxiety. We all know how bad that feels - the discomfort motivates us to avoid behaviors that make us feel guilty. With this description of guilt in mind, we can say that guilt is rational when our thought process is accurate and irrational when it isn’t. If I’ve done something deliberately hurtful to a friend, my resultant feelings of guilt, and the drive to apologize or make amends, are rational. But it’s also true that much of our guilt is completely irrational. In fact, irrational guilt is so common that it suggests a design flaw in the human mind. The foundation for irrational guilt is set down in childhood, in what’s known as “childhood omnipotence,” or the tendency of children to assume that whatever is going on around them is about them in some way. So, for instance, if their parents divorce, it’s easy for children to think they caused it by being bad kids. Or if Dad drinks and loses his
temper, his children may believe that their behavior caused it. Childhood omnipotence is the design flaw that sets us up for irrational guilt, because feeling implicated in whatever is going on around us inevitably results in leading us to all kinds of erroneous conclusions about our power to bring harm to others. As we mature, we gradually learn that the world doesn’t revolve around us and we grow out of childhood omnipotence. But this maturation is made difficult when parents or others reinforce omnipotent thinking through irrational blaming. If, for instance, Dad blames the children for his drinking, they receive validation that it really is their fault, and can grow up with the idea that they cause the addictions or other problems of people they love. Or if a mother blames her children for her depressive episodes, they can grow up believing that they’re the cause of any unhappiness felt by those around them. The beliefs sustaining irrational guilt are unconscious in the way that breathing is unconscious. Since they originated in childhood they’re so much a part of us that we rarely pay enough attention to them to reassess them with our adult minds. A homophobic environment is a perfect breeding ground for irrational guilt in people who grow up to be gay. Gay kids learn in all sorts of ways that their emerging sexual feelings hurt others. When two boys get caught with their pants down together and their parents go completely berserk, they learn to believe that acting on their sexual feelings causes intense suffering for others. We learn such grim beliefs in other ways, too: when a gay boy sees the disappointment in his father’s eyes because he isn’t going to be the kind of man he wanted him to be; when parents treat him as a source of shame in the
community, and so on. Much of what’s called “internalized homophobia” is this irrational belief that we hurt others merely by being who we are. If this belief isn’t unlearned, it can lead to all kinds of problems later. Some gay men with this belief, for instance, allow themselves to be sexual, but atone for the irrational guilt through self-destructive behavior, like abusing drugs and alcohol. Recovery from irrational guilt involves unlearning the irrational judgments, because the thinking component comes first in any experience of guilt, while painful feelings arise as a response. But this can’t be just a detached, intellectual process; usually it’s important to remember and relive the early experiences that produced the beliefs, which can be an emo-
tionally wrenching experience. But once the beliefs are made explicit and conscious we’re in a much stronger position to overcome irrational guilt, because we can now reassess it with our adult minds, which are better equipped than the minds of children to understand the world and our place in it. Guilt is so painful that most of us do whatever we can to avoid situations that trigger it or run from the experience when it arises. It takes great courage to face guilt squarely and examine it critically, but the resulting benefits in increased capacity for happiness and selfcare can scarcely be overestimated. Tom Moon is a psychotherapist in San Francisco. His website is tommoon.net.
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OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 15
EARTH TALK
State Offers Additional Biodiesel Grants to Ohio School Districts
CodyR, courtesy Flickr.
From the Editors of E
Dear EarthTalk:
How can I determine if it is more eco-friendly to fly or drive somewhere? Christine Matthews, Washington, DC The simple answer is that driving in a relatively fuel-efficient car (25-30 miles per gallon) usually generates fewer greenhouse gas emissions than flying. In assessing the global warming impact of a trip from Philadelphia to Boston (about 300 miles), the environmental news website Grist.org calculates that driving would generate about 104 kilograms of carbon dioxide (CO2) - the leading greenhouse gas per typical medium-sized car, regardless of the number of passengers, while flying on a commercial jet would produce some 184 kilograms of CO2 per passenger. What this also means, of course, is that while even driving alone would be slightly better from the standpoint of greenhouse gas emissions, carpooling really makes environmental sense. Four people sharing a car would collectively be responsible for emitting only 104 kilograms of CO2, while the same four people taking up four seats on a plane would generate some 736 kilograms. Journalist Pablo Päster of Salon.com extends the comparison further to a cross country trip, and comes to similar conclusions. (Differences in the math are attributable to the use of slightly varying assumptions regarding fuel usage and source equations.) Flying from San Francisco to Boston, for example, would generate some 1,300 kilograms of greenhouse gases per passenger each way, while driving would account for only 930 kilograms per vehicle. So again, sharing the drive with one or more people would lower each individual’s carbon footprint from the experience accordingly. But just because driving might be greener
than flying doesn’t mean it always makes the most sense. With current high gas prices, it would cost far more in fuel to drive clear across the United States in a car than to fly non-stop coast-to-coast. And that’s not even factoring in the time spent on restaurants and hotels along the way. Those interested in figuring out driving fuel costs can consult AAA’s nifty online fuel cost calculator, where you can enter your starting city and destination as well as the year, make, and model of your car to get an accurate estimate of what filling ’er up will cost between points A and B. Once you’ve made your decision whether to drive or fly, consider purchasing carbon offsets to balance out the emissions you are generating with cash for renewable energy development. TerraPass, among others, makes it easy to calculate your carbon footprint based on how much you drive and fly (as well as home energy consumption), and then will sell you offsets accordingly. (Monies generated through carbon offsets fund alternative energy and other projects, such as wind farms, that will ultimately take a bite out of or eliminate greenhouse gas emissions). Of course, an individual’s emissions from riding a bus (the ultimate carpool) or a train (many of which rely solely on electric power generated by their own motion) would be significantly lower. Paster adds that a crosscountry train trip would generate about half the greenhouse gas emissions of driving a car. The only way to travel greener might be to bicycle or walk - but the trip is long enough as it is.
CONTACTS: Grist, www.grist.org, Salon, www.salon.com; AAA fuel cost calculator, www.fuelcostcalculator.com; TerraPass, www.terrapass.com. GOT AN ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTION? E-mail: earthtalk@emagazine.com.
Calling all Ohio school districts: The state is set to dole out an additional $250,000 in grants to fund the use of soy biodiesel in Ohio school buses. Thanks to the Biodiesel School Bus Grant program, 21 school districts are already powering their buses with soy biodiesel and providing cleaner air for their students as they are transported to and from school every day. The grant program was included in Gov. Ted Strickland’s biennium budget last July as a result of the legislative work of the Ohio Soybean Association (OSA) and the Ohio Farm Bureau. Schools that did not take advantage of funding from the first round are encouraged to apply for the second round of funding. The grant program is administered by the Ohio Department of Development (ODOD) and promoted through the Ohio Soybean Council’s Clean Air for Kids program. Designed as a cost-savings for schools, grants will cover any cost difference between regular petroleum diesel and B20 biodiesel - a blend of 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent petroleum diesel. “For years, the Ohio soybean industry has worked to grow the state’s soy biodiesel industry. With school districts consuming large amounts of diesel fuel, we have always looked to school districts and encouraged them to use the cleaner burning fuel, but budget constraints have always made it a challenge,” said John Lumpe, OSA executive director. “Today, thanks to the work of Gov. Strickland, we have finally found a way schools can use this homegrown domestically produced fuel at no additional cost.” To be considered for grant funding and download an application, administrators are encouraged to visit www.soybiodiesel.org/kids. School districts are eligible for a maximum of $25,000, and grants will be awarded on a first-come, firstserved basis within four weeks of approval. Applicants will be required to provide information about their fleets and refueling practices, with
Make Every Day A Recycling Day As the country observes America Recycles Day on November 15th, SWACO executive director Ron Mills urges central Ohioans to make every day a recycling day. “This observance draws attention to our need to step up the effort to reduce, reuse, and recycle. However, there are many other opportunities in central Ohio year-round to grow green.” Mills congratulates the citizens of Franklin County who continue to use the 215 SWACO recycling centers at a record pace. “We are on track for a 20% increase as 2008 comes to an end. In each of the last 7 months the recycling totals have amounted to over 1,000 tons. October’s collections amounted to 1,138 tons. Year to date (through October 31st), our recycling collections are 1,700 tons, or 20% ahead of 2007.” “There is more we can do to reduce our impact on the environment,” adds Mills. He points out that residents and businesses are presented with multiple opportunities to recycle more than just paper, bottles, and cans every day.
estimates of how much B20 soy biodiesel will be used. Grants will be paid on a reimbursement basis, and the deadline to apply is May 31. Under the direction of ODOD’s Ohio energy office, applying for the grant program is an easy step-by-step process, and assistance in filing out the application is made available through the Ohio Soybean Council. “It is great to see schools take advantage of this program that requires no additional costs but provides tremendous benefits to school children, and I am hopeful that even more school districts will apply during the second round of funding,” says Dan Corcoran, OSC chairman and Pike County soybean farmer. Schools districts that have been awarded biodiesel grants are: Amanda Clearcreek Local Schools; Anna Local Schools; Black River Local School District; Bowling Green City Schools; Canal Winchester Local Schools; Circleville City Schools; East Clinton Local School District; Elida Local School District; Fairfield Union Local School District; Hardin-Houston Local Schools; Highland Local Schools; Liberty Union Thurston Schools; Licking Heights Local Schools; Marysville Exempted Village Schools; New Bremen Local School District; North Union Local School District; Pleasant Local Schools; River Valley School District; Riverdale Local School District; St. Mary’s City Schools; and Wooster City Schools.
Donations of used and reusable furniture and other household items can be sent to local furniture banks or charity thrift stores. They will see that the pieces find a new home. Leftover building materials such as insulation, tile, siding, and other construction products can be donated to Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore of greater Columbus. Those products are resold to help Habitat provide affordable housing in central Ohio. Many charities in central Ohio offer pick-up services that make the process even easier. For more information on these and other opportunities to reduce, reuse, and recycle on America Recycles Day and beyond, log on to www.swaco.org.
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OUTLOOK WEEKLY’S 2008 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE It’s that time of year again - the time to treat yourself to something pretty. For the 2008 holiday shopping season, we decided to give you more than just one issue of gift getting advice. This year we will be bringing you shopping highlights from a variety of neighborhoods all over town, all season long. We start our guide this year highlighting some hot items found in the Short North. Stroll with Marcus Morris along the High Street corridor and indulge in some of the district’s unique offerings. Then geek out with our selection of got-to-have gadgets and indulge in the delicious 2009 calendars. Finally, get your multi media on with our own Gregg Shapiro who presents this year’s hot music, DVD and books that are sure to keep you warm on these cold winter nights. Plus we’ve included some shopping safety tips and the HRC buying guide. We start however with a few oddities and eccentrics that we just had to share. Enjoy and happy holidays!
BOWSER BEEFY BROWN ALE - BEER FOR DOGS Now Dasher, now Dancer, now Prancer and…Bowser? It seems poet Clement Moore left someone out when he penned his famous “A Visit from St. Nicholas” Christmas verse. Mice, reindeer and even eagles get the nod in this holiday reading tradition, but man’s best friend receives nary a mention. 3 Busy Dogs, however, is making sure dogs are not left off Santa’s gift list this Christmas Eve with a holiday present idea that epitomizes the ultimate in canine/human bonding experiences. The company’s non-alcoholic Bowser Beer aims to heat up not only the winter temperature but also the hearts of loyal companions this holiday season. According to “Between Pets and People: The Importance of Animal Companionship,” during times of adversity or trauma, “[pets] bonding behavior can foster a sense of security” in their owners. With that type of bonding, it’s no wonder that so many animal lovers consider their pets to be members of their family. And no canine mommy or daddy would begrudge her or his furry friend a little something from St. Nick underneath the
Christmas tree. Bowser Beer enables dog owners to play Santa while simultaneously increasing the canine/human bond. Jenny Brown, 3 Busy Dogs’ chief executive officer explains, “When you think of holiday bonding, what does it typically conjure up? Spiked eggnog, festive cocktails or a hot toddy in front of the fire are just a few of the visions ABSOLUT DISCO Holiday Gift Package that dance through For the same cost as purchasing a one-liter or 750 people’s heads at ml bottle of ABSOLUT Vodka, receive the ABSOLUT Christmastime. Why DISCO gift package. It is by far one of the season’s shouldn’t Bowser (or hottest holiday must-have items. $21-$27 @ EuBelle) be able to parropia while supplies last or your local liquor store. take in those celebratory festivities?” Well now doggies The Official Amanda Lepore too can tie one on in CelebriDuck honor of the holidays Amanda Lepore and The Pope with an all-natural, will now be joining each other healthy Bowser Beer. Salt-free with in the bubble bath! Amanda homemade chicken or beef broth and Lepore has now been trannypure malt barley extract, the canine formed into a CelebriDuck. beverage contains no hops or alcohol. This rubber duckie was voted Bowser Beer’s manufacturer, 3 Busy one of the “Top 100 Gifts” by Dogs, also offers the perfect thing to Entertainment Weekly. The put under your mistletoe….your very Amanda duckie is the first own dog’s picture on the label! CusCelebriDuck to ever be protomize the labels with your favorite duced sans the trademark Santa’s little helper or surprise someduck bill, as Lepore didn’t want to obscure HER trademark one on your holiday list. $20 @ Posh lips. $30; $40 with autograph @ Pets Boutique, 743 N High St. www.everythingamanda.com, www.celebriducks.com, 614.299.7387 or www.amazon.com www.patriciafield.com/amandaleporecelebriduck.aspx NOV 20 - NOV 26 2008
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Shop Smart - Shop Safe This Holiday Season
FEATURE STORY
by Lawrence F. Loesch
10 GIFTS WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE by Marcus Morris ’Tis the season for splurging on your loved ones. While legions of shoppers are heading to megamalls like Easton or Polaris, why not check out what’s hot in the gayborhood? The Short North’s boutiques offer items you just can’t find in the ’burbs, and as an added bonus, you’ll be helping out GLBT-friendly small businesses. To get you started, here are ten ideas that will be a delight come the holiday season: Byzantium, 1088 N High St, 614.291.3130, offers a great assortment of beads and wares from places like Africa, India, South America, and the Middle East. I loved the Guatemalan Skull Votive Candle Holders, $25. Add a tea light, and you’ll have the Nightmare Before Christmas.
At Milk Bar, 1203 N High St, 614.754.8802, you can find labels like APC and Rag and Bone, but the grey herringbone tweed hat from Brixton Ltd, $49.50, should be on the list for anyone fashionable. Your bitch will love to run around in a “I Have 2 Daddies/Mommies” tank, $19.95, purchased at Posh Pets Boutique, 743 N High St, 614.299.PETS. It’s one of those things that is frighteningly adorable for pet lovers and beats the hell out of another rawhide bone. A great gift for your loved ones is the Firehouse Hot Chili Mix for $7.99. Global Gallery, 682 N High St, 614.621.1744, offers this soup mix, which is assembled by the Women’s Bean Project of Denver. Check out the organization at: womensbeanproject.com. Get your twang out with a George Jones Cigar Box Purse, $18, from What the Rock?!, 1194 N High St, 614.294.WHAT. This locally made handbag is silly, fun, and packs just the right amount of kitsch for a night out. I think it would be a great accessory for a New Year’s party. This one is not just for the ladies. It could be the perfect piece of décor for any boy. I’d like one. Hint, hint.
NOV 20 - NOV 26 2008
Everyone loves a furry muff. Jinny, 844 N High St, 614.291.3600, has adorable brown fur earmuffs that I think are very chic. The Jocelyn rabbit fur earmuffs, $65, are the perfect gift for someone who wants to be fabulously warm.
Some days you feel really pure, some days you feel like a whore. Some days you just want to have a bath and forget about it all. Torso, 772 N High St, 614.421.7663, gives you the option to choose. The Virgin/Slut Bubble Bath, $10, is a fun way to allow the mood to decide how you want to get clean. After a raunchy night, pour in a capful of Slut bubble bath, and try to remember what happened. Soul Classics, 765 N High St, 614.299.2290, has a variety of amazing shoes, and you probably won’t be able to stop at just one pair. Go for something bright and colorful like the Nike Air Max Lights, $95. These multicolored shoes are not for those who want to blend in, but who wants to blend in? I like anything that involves fashion and reading. Tigertree, 771 N High St, 614.299.2660, matches the two perfectly. The Maxine, Dear Belt Buckle, $23, takes illustrated covers of books and puts it into the buckle. For $32 you can add a really great leather belt. The best part is that when you choose a belt buckle, you get the book! It’s two gifts in one. The French are known for their ability to romance. Many people have fantasies of taking a trip to Paris, but save the trip and buy a vibrator instead. The Garden, 1174 N High St, 614.294.2869, can give you all the romance of France in your bedroom: the Talking Head Audio-Enhanced Vibrator, $139, actually speaks French! With the economy in the toilet, a trip abroad is tough, and the chance to have an encounter with a sexy Parisian is only a few blocks away. (This multi-lingual toy also speaks English, but the danger there is you just might start talking back.) Bonjour!
With the economy on a turbulent rollercoaster ride, more people than ever have credit problems. While these credit problems don’t derail the law abiding among us, they will likely bring more predatory thieves to our holiday shopping season. Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, is historically the busiest retail shopping day of the year and what many consider to be the “official” beginning to the holiday season. But as the holiday season gets into full swing, some crooks and predators are celebrating their “holiday cheer” with assorted mayhem, misdeeds, and misdemeanors. As vice president and general manager for the New York City region of the largest American-owned security officer services company, and as a former NYPD deputy chief, I have seen my share of holiday crime. I offer the following 10 tips for a safer shopping experience to ensure a joyous holiday season: Strut While You Shop - Thieves and predators are on the lookout for body language that conveys vulnerability. Criminals look for easy marks such as people who are slouched over, preoccupied, or fumbling with packages. Walk confidently and be alert when you maneuver through crowded malls and parking areas. Don’t Shop Till You Drop - While Madison Avenue may say otherwise, security professionals advise that consumers avoid holiday shopping fatigue. Keep your shopping bags in your sight at all times, and don’t burden yourself with too many bags or packages. No Flashing - Displaying large sums of cash is a powerful lure to greedy thieves. Use checks or credit cards whenever possible and never leave your credit card on a store counter. While “bling” may be king, avoid wearing visibly expensive jewelry during holiday shopping jaunts. Where Is Waldo, or Your Wallet and Purse? - While the worldwide search for Waldo may be fun, the same spirit of joy is missing when a purse or wallet has gone MIA. Carry your handbag or purse close to your body with the clasp or flap secured and facing toward you. Never leave your purse on a store counter, on the floor in a restroom, or in a dressing room. Maintain Pack Mentality - There is safety in numbers, so shopping with friends whenever possible is highly recommended. Report Suspicious Activity - Report suspicious people or situations to mall security. Be aware of unusual movements or anyone who gets too close for comfort. Avoid Parking Lot Isolation - Chock-full of goodies during the holidays, parking lots are targeted locations for the theft of valuables from vehicles. Parking in an isolated area rolls out the welcome mat for criminals, so park near other vehicles or in high pedestrian and vehicle traffic areas. Tuck packages and valuables out of sight in your vehicle, and make sure that your windows are closed and doors are locked. Parking Lot Readiness - Be aware of noises and movements and have your keys in your hands, ready to open your vehicle. Be sure to look into the vehicle’s front and rear seat before entering it, and lock your vehicle as soon as you get in. Keep Guard and Windows Up - If someone approaches your vehicle inquiring about directions, do not open your door or roll your window down. If you have car trouble, remain in your car and use a cell phone to call for assistance, or return to the mall and notify security. Collect Cash with Care - If your holiday shopping includes a trip to an ATM, be alert for ATM skimmers. Skimmers can be installed on an ATM’s card reader to collect or skim your card information. The thieves can then use the stolen information to access your account. Avoid this by using ATM machines inside bank lobbies, under video surveillance, that are less likely to be tampered with. Be sure to shield the keyboard as you enter your PIN and keep your card in your possession. Don’t accept help from random people at the ATM and if the machine keeps your card, call your bank immediately. While criminals and predators are most prolific during the holidays, effective security precautions require a conscious awareness of one’s environment virtually every day of the year. Maintain vigilance, common sense, and caution to shop smart, and safe, during the holidays. Lawrence F. Loesch is vice president/general manager for AlliedBarton Security Services’ New York City region. Loesch served as a deputy chief for the NYC Police Department and has held corporate security positions for Credit Suisse First Boston and UBS/Paine Webber. He can be reached at: Larry.Loesch@alliedbarton.com.
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 21
NOV 20 - NOV 26 2008
22 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
FEATURE STORY
GADGET GOODNESS: Trackstick II Personal Tracker Tracksticks Tiny GPS location recorders capable of continuously logging their own location histories for extended periods of time. The Trackstick records its own location, time, date, speed, heading and altitude at preset intervals. Includes GPX photo stamping feature for adding your favorite photos to you own maps. $179 @ www.gearthstore.com SmartShopper Don’t wander the supermarket aisles looking for items you “think” you need… let the SmartShopper keep track while saving you time and money. This gadget magnetically adheres to most refrigerators or mounts on wall. It usese voice recognition software with 2,500 pre-programmed items and errands (you can add your own unique items and brands) so you can speak your list as it comes up and then prints out your list right out of the unit, by category (i.e Deli, Frozen Foods, Spices, produce, etc) when you want it. It also flags coupons and can designate quantities. $99 @ Brookstone, Sur La Table, www.smartshopperusa.com iPig A stylish, compact iPod dock with unsurpassed sound quality. 25 watts of high quality sound featuring 5 speakers, including a 4 inch subwoofer. Touch volume controls located on the ears, LED Smiley light, remote control, multiple iPod cradles and custom bass control. Comes in white, pink, or yellow. From $139.99 @ www.speakal.com
Top Chef: The Game Whether you’re a gourmet know-it-all or a culinary novice, you’re invited into the Top Chef kitchen - and the competition is just heating up. Compete against a lineup of tough and talented chefs and have your dishes judged by host Padma Lakshmi and head judge Tom Colicchio. $19.95 @ www.topchefthegame.com Pogo Stylus The first stylus specifically designed for iPhone and iPod touch, for faster typing, greater comfort/control and a familiar input method for navigation. $19.99 @ ThinkGeek.com, www.pogostylus.com Samson Technologies: G-Track USB Microphone High-quality USB condenser microphone with a built-in mixer and audio interface allowing for simultaneous recording of vocals and instrumentals. $149 @ www.samsontech.com
Fast Food Calorie Counter Eat out and still watch what you’re eating. This app features 3,000 menu items from the 29 most popular fast food chains. Whether you are counting calories, carbs, fiber or fat grams, this helpful guide will empower you to make better choices or allow you to “cheat” occasionally without feeling guilty. $9.95 @ www.Handango.com PhoneyCall Provides the perfect excuse by ringing your phone at a pre-set time, pre-set “name” and an actual recorded voice on the other line in case you’re bad at faking it. This Blackberry app let’s you make fake calls to yourself real enough to fool anyone! $9.99 @ www.Handango.com Ascendo Fitness Keep track of all your fitness and nutrition goals and stay on track for that killer Brad Pit or Jessica Biel body. With this app you can set weight goals, measure your progress and calculate numerous fitness ratios all on your Blackberry! $29.95 @ www.Handango.com
iSP100 Mini Portable Stereo Speaker Ideal for iPhone 3G, 2G, iPod and MP3 players: Powerful built-in surround sound speakers. $34.99 @ www.i-luv.com iMM173 Dual Dock Alarm Clock Enjoy your favorite tunes with top quality acoustic speaker sound and the properly proportioned mix of forward and backward sound waves. Compatible with any iPod with dock connector (Excluding 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gen iPod). $129.99 @ www.i-luv.com
EYE CANDY: CALENDARS FROM WWW.10PERCENT.COM
Nothing helps getting you through a tough day at work like pretty pictures. Get yourself or your mom one of these hot calendars, and everyday will be a good one next year. Boyfriend Of The Month Photographer Ohm Phanphiroj has scoured the globe to bring us this collection of the world’s most handsome male models. Your heart will flutter like a schoolgirl’s with each new month! $14.95 NOV 20 - NOV 26 2008
Bear Men Another year of muscle-bound, rugged, manly men in this top selling title. A favorite with those who enjoy their men as real and un-manicured as nature intended them to be, the calendar is filled with hot, hunky bears in provocative natural settings. These masculine studs will keep bear lovers satisfied throughout the year. $15.95 Jackie Warner’s Work Out 10% is thrilled to introduce this hot new title featuring reality television’s
superstar fitness celebrity Jackie Warner, from Bravo’s Work Out. With each month, this calendar will help you obtain and maintain that rocking Hollywood body with helpful tips from the most sought-after personal trainer in the entertainment industry. $14.95 Playgirl There’s no publication more synonymous with erotic nude male photography than Playgirl! It’s known the world over for showcasing the sexiest men
around. Big Daddy is honored to return with this second collection of our favorite pin-ups. $15.95 Provocateur: Women The elegance of female sexuality is wondrously captured in our signature women’s calendar. Renée Jacobs injects a breath of fresh air with tasteful, lovely shots that show the female form in all her power, grace, sensuality and vulnerability. $15.95
HRC BUYING GUIDE The Human Rights Campaign Foundation has been improving the lives of LGBT Americans for decades. Our commitment to equality extends to the workplace, as we prepare to release our 2009 Buying for Equality guide. As we enter the holiday shopping season, this guide will help consumers quickly and efficiently search major American corporations to see if they have policies in place that promote equality and fairness for their LGBT employees. You can view this year’s guide at www.hrc.org/buyersguide. The buying power of the LGBT community is expected to exceed $2 trillion by 2012. Businesses are increasingly focused on fair-minded practices to accommodate these overwhelming statistics. Today, millions of workers are employed by businesses that prohibit employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression, have adopted strong policies on diversity and inclusion, and offer health care and partnership benefits that address the unique needs of LGBT individuals and families. Where we spend our dollars has remarkable potential to positively - or negatively - affect the LGBT community, because businesses wield tremendous influence in the ongoing fight for equality. As the Human Rights Campaign Foundation continues to work with companies to improve their workplaces, we are also committed to helping Americans support businesses that support equality. This year’s Buying for Equality guide includes listings from a record 260 companies that received a perfect 100% score on our 2009 Corporate Equality Index, a one-third increase over last year. You can view our 2009 Corporate Equality Index at www.hrc.org/cei. The Corporate Equality Index has become the preeminent tool used to measure where corporations stand on equality for the LGBT community. The Corporate Equality Index has been cited in most major news outlets including Fortune magazine, CNN, MSNBC, and CNBC.
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 23
NOV 20 - NOV 26 2008
24 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
DVDIVA
MUSIC by Gregg Shapiro
After the presidential transition, the crumbling economy, and the endless war, the subject that is most likely weighing on people’s minds is the holiday season. There are parties and meals and gifts and an assortment of other celebration preoccupations to tend to. Holiday music should be the least of your concerns. With the holidays more than a month away, here are some musical suggestions to reduce the stress. The divas. A Winter Symphony (Manhattan/EMI), the first-ever CD of Christmas music by Sarah Brightman, is every bit as lush and schmaltzy as one might expect from the queen of pop-crossover opera. Brightman does Abba on the album opener “Arrival,” newly adapted into a vocal piece. Other contemporary selections include Vince Gill’s “Colder than Winter,” Neil Diamond’s “I’ve Been This Way Before,” Roy Wood’s “I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday,” and John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s “I Believe In Father Christmas.” Of course, Brightman also includes plenty of classics, including “Silent Night” and “In The Bleak Midwinter.” (Sarah Brightman performs at Quicken Loans Arena on December 2.) Newcomer Ledisi puts a gospel spin on the songs of the season on It’s Christmas (Verve Forecast). In addition to four notable originals, Ledisi works wonders with “Please Come Home For Christmas,” the Motown classic “Give Love on Christmas Day,” and “Silent Night,” to name a few. Broadway and television diva Kristin Chenoweth has a voice made for singing, as you can hear on A Lovely Way to Spend Christmas (Sony Classical). A favorite of the GLBT community, Chenoweth has fun on tracks like “Christmas Island,” “Sing,” “Sleigh Ride/Marshmallow World” (with John Pizzarelli), and the countrified “Come on Ring Those Bells.” Chenoweth gets serious on “Do You Hear What I Hear?,” “What Child Is This?,” and “Born On Christmas Day.” Caroling, Caroling: Christmas with Natalie Cole (Elektra/Rhino), a compilation of tracks from two of Natalie Cole’s Christmas CDs, features eight songs, including a duet with her late father Nat “King” Cole on “The Christmas Song.” Like Sarah Brightman, Mary Chapin Carpenter has also released her first Christmas album. Come Darkness, Come Light: Twelve Songs of Christmas (Zoë) boasts a half-dozen Carpenter originals, including the title tune, “Christmas Time in the City,” and “Bells Are Ringing,” along with a few standards. A male diva if there ever was one, jazz vocal legend Al Jarreau delivers his long-promised holiday music album Christmas (Rhino). Containing NOV 20 - NOV 26 2008
what Jarreau himself refers to as “Jarreauisms,” the album features distinctive renditions of traditional and popular carols, as well as several original compositions. The bands. With the formation of his band the Boxmasters, actor and musician Billy Bob Thornton moved a bit closer to being taken seriously as a musician. Still acting (he can be seen in Eagle Eye), Thornton was also able to preside over the release of the Boxmasters’ selftitled debut album and the holiday disc Christmas Cheer (Vanguard/Sawmill), with twangy takes on a half-dozen seasonal favorites from “Silver Bells” to “Happy X-Mas (War Is Over)” and darkly humorous originals “Slower than Christmas” and “Christmas in Prison.” Following Leigh Nash’s solo exercise, contemporary Christian act Sixpence None the Richer has regrouped in time for the holidays. On The Dawn of Grace (Nettwerk), SNTR perform a pair of originals, as well as “Angels We Have Heard on High,” “Some Children See Him,” Joni Mitchell’s “River,” and more. Just in time for the underwhelming reception they received for their reunion CD and tour, New Kids on the Block’s 1989 Christmas disc, Merry, Merry Christmas (Columbia/Legacy), has been rereleased. There is something mildly novel about the dated disc, and it will surely inspire nostalgia and swooning in some listeners. The Count Basie Big Band joins Tony Bennett for A Swingin’ Christmas, which lives up to its name. The variety packs. We Wish You A Metal Xmas and a Headbanging New Year (Armoury) lives up to its premise and its promise by running a dozen Christmas carols through the metallic wringer. Dave Grohl, Alice Cooper, Scott Ian, Tommy Shaw, Ronnie James Dio, Lemmy Kilmister, and other hard-rocking stars pummel and wail their way through “Deck The Halls,” “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” “Little Drummer Boy,” and others. In addition to a number of familiar favorites, Putumayo Presents a Jazz & Blues Christmas (Putumayo) features a number of unique tunes including “Christmas Celebration” by B.B. King, “Santa’s Blues” by Charles Brown, “Xmas Baby” by Riff Ruffin, and “All I Ask for Christmas” by the Mighty Blue Kings. The compilation Christmas A Go-Go (Wicked Cool), a product of Little Steven Van Zandt’s “Underground Garage,” includes rarities by Keith Richard (“Run Rudolph Run”) and Bob Seger (“Sock It To Me Santa”), along with “All Alone on Christmas Day” by Darlene Love with the E Street Band and “Santa Claus Is Surfin’ To Town” by Soupy Sales. The aforementioned Ledisi can be heard on The Essential Now That’s What I Call
Christmas (UMG), along with newcomers Colbie Caillat and Carrie Underwood and veterans like Donny Hathaway, John & Yoko, Johnny Mathis, the Chipmunks, and Brenda Lee. The sounds of Christmas past. The original soundtrack to the early 1960s “Christmas television spectacular,” The Story of Christmas (DRG) features the Roger Wagner Chorale backing up Tennessee Ernie Ford, who sings and speaks the story of Christmas. Originally released nearly 40 years ago, Great Orchestral Music of Christmas (DRG) consists of 20 holiday songs performed by the Hollywood Bowl Symphony Orchestra, 12 under the direction of Carmen Dragon (father of Daryl Dragon - the captain in Captain and Tenille) and eight under the baton of Alfred Newman (uncle of Randy). Hanukkah harmonies. Lights: Celebrate Hanukkah Live in Concert (Craig’N Co) is the soundtrack to the public television special of the same name. Led by Craig Taubman, children’s musician turned Hebrew hitmaker, the disc of Hanukkah tunes also includes performances by the Klezmatics (featuring gay Lorin Sklamberg), out jazz sax player Dave Koz, Michelle Citrin, and actress/singer Mare Winningham, whose “A Convert Jig” is worth the price of admission. Aside from Lights, new Hanukkah music is in short supply this year, but check out the reissue of the Barry Sisters’ Our Way (Reboot Stereophonic). The “queens of Yiddish swing,” turn their attention to popular tunes on this 1973 release and put a kosher stamp on “Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head (Trop’n Fin Regen Oif Mein Kop),” “My Way (Mein Vaig),” “Love Story (A Meiseh Fin Liebeh),” and other beloved tunes. Although there is nothing specifically Hanukkah-related on The Jewish Songbook: The Heart and Humor of a People (Shout! Factory/JMG), it is nevertheless certified kosher music. The heart of the disc is Neil Sedaka’s reading of “My Yiddishe Momme” (a song he was born to sing), and “Raisins and Almonds” by the above-mentioned Koz. Out Klezmatic Alicia Svigals joins Herb Alpert on “Mein Shtetele Belz” and folk legend Theodore Bikel takes on “Sabbath Prayer” from Fiddler on the Roof. Adam Sandler turns in a serious and sincere “Hine Ma Tov.” Divas Lanie Kazan and Barbra Streisand also grace the disc. Humorous numbers such as Rob Schneider’s “Bagels and Lox,” Jason Alexander’s “Shake Hands With Your Uncle Max,” and Triumph the Insult Comic Dog’s “Mahzel (Means Good Luck)” bring some levity to the proceedings.
by Gregg Shapiro A recent study by GLAAD revealed an increase in LGBT characters appearing in primetime series, following what had been described as a “three-year slump.” ABC lead the pack in recent years with programming that included Brothers and Sisters, Ugly Betty, Desperate Housewives, and Cashmere Mafia. Now, recent seasons of several ABC series are available on DVD for repeated viewing. Gay brother Kevin (Matthew Rhys) and boyfriend Scotty (Luke MacFarlane) weathered the storms of their relationship and the intrusive Walker family in the second season of Brothers and Sisters. Under the watchful eye of openly gay creator Greg Berlanti, Brothers and Sisters remained a consistently entertaining and powerful dramatic series. The five-disc DVD set of Brothers and Sisters contains the complete second season and a multitude of special features, including deleted scenes, bloopers and outtakes, “TV Dinners: Food from Season 2,” and much more. It was only a matter of time before Marc Cherry, the out gay man behind Desperate Housewives, introduced a same-sex pair on Wisteria Lane. Season four marked the arrival of gay couple Bob (Tuc Watkins) and Lee (Kevin Rahm). They joined Andrew (Shawn Pyfrom), gay son of Bree (Marcia Cross), as recurring GLBT characters on the show. In addition to dealing with homophobia and featuring a commitment ceremony, the fourth season of Desperate Housewives also featured the series’ trademark mix of sex and suburban intrigue. Ugly Betty is probably the gayest of ABC’s primetime programming, and not just because it is set in the world of fashion publishing. First, there are the men of season two. There is a man for every taste: hot stud Daniel (Eric Mabius), hot nerd Henry (Christopher Gorham), hothead Gio (Freddy Rodriguez), flaming Marc (Michael Urie), and hilarious Suzuki (Alec Mapa). Add to that ruthless diva Wilhelmina (Vanessa Williams), trans diva Alexis (Rebecca Romijn), matriarch Claire (Judith Light, longtime friend of the LGBT community) and titular diva Betty (America Ferrara), and you can’t go wrong. And what singing, dancing, fashion-forward gay kid’s heart isn’t warmed by the presence of Justin (Mark Indelicato), a TV character to whom they can finally relate. Marc even managed to land himself a boyfriend, Cliff (David Blue), for a few episodes in the gayer-than-ever second season of Ugly Betty. Of course, the appearance of newly-out Lindsay Lohan in season three only ups the ante. For now, there is the five-disc complete second season of Ugly Betty, with bonus features ranging from deleted scenes to “Betty Bloops” and a whole lot more. Of course, the gayness doesn’t stop there. There’s openly gay actor T. R. Knight playing Dr. George O’Malley on the expanded five-DVD edition of season four of Grey’s Anatomy. The four-disc complete first season of the quirky Eli Stone, co-created by the aforementioned Berlanti, includes music and appearances by gay singer George Michael. Private Practice featured gay storylines in its first season. Caitlin (Bonnie Somerville) was the lesbian member of the Cashmere Mafia, acting alongside Lucy Liu and others, while trans actress Candis Cayne played Carmelita, love interest of Patrick (Billy Baldwin) on the first season of Dirty Sexy Money, which you can watch, with plenty of bonus material, on DVD.
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OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 25
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NOV 20 - NOV 26 2008
26 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
BOOKMARKS
by Gregg Shapiro Look at the calendar. It’s that time of year again. The days are getting shorter, the temperatures are getting chillier, and you’re probably thinking of ways to make good use of all that time you’ll be spending indoors. Or maybe you’re in the mood to get some holiday shopping out of the way. If you’re a reader, or if there are readers on your gift list, then you are in luck, as there are plenty of books to fill your autumn hours, or to give as presents. GLBT nonfiction. It’s been another banner year for GLBT titles, and the nonfiction choices for the fall season are abundant. Subtitled “an oral history,” E. Patrick Johnson’s Sweet Tea: Black Gay Men of the South (The University of North Carolina Press, 2008, $35) gives “voice to a population rarely acknowledged in Southern history” via a series of fascinating interviews. Matt Rothschild’s memoir Dumbfounded (Crown, 2008, $23.95) bears the telling subtitle “Big Money. Big Hair. Big Problems. Or Why Having It All Isn’t For Sissies.” Janet Malcolm’s award-winning Two Lives: Gertrude and Alice (Yale University Press, 2007, $13) is newly available in a paperback edition. In Are You Guys Brothers? (Author House, 2008, $16.95), Brian McNaught chronicles his 30-year relationship with spouse Ray. Feminist and bi writer Jennifer Baumgardner puts human (and in some cases, familiar) faces on a complex issue in Abortion & Life (Akashic, 2008, $16.95). Martin Duberman has written more than a dozen nonfiction books, including Cures: A Gay Man’s Odyssey, Stonewall, and The Worlds of Lincoln Kirstein. Four of Duberman’s plays- In White America, Posing Naked, Mother Earth, and Visions of Kerouac - are compiled under
one cover in Radical Act: Collected Political Plays (New Press, 2008, $18.95). GLBT fiction. Gay writer Drew Ferguson delivers one of the most promising fiction debuts of the year with The Screwed-Up Life of Charlie the Second (Kensington, 2008, $15). Ferguson has crafted a contemporary coming-of-age story that is at turns heartbreaking and humorous. Lammy-winner Shawn Stewart Ruff makes his debut with Finlater (Quote Editions, 2008, $15.50). Several gay fiction writers are returning to print this season. Mattilda Sycamore Bernstein is back with So Many Ways to Sleep Badly (City Lights, 2008, $15.95). For those who enjoyed Father’s Day, the first novel by Philip Galanes, his second work of fiction is Emma’s Table (Harper, 2008, $23.95). Bart Yates has returned with The Distance Between Us (Kensington, 2008, $24). Acclaimed novelist Larry Duplechan makes one of the boldest comebacks of the year with Got ’til it’s Gone (Arsenal Pulp Press, 2008, $17.95), his first novel in 15 years. Men Without Bliss (University of Oklahoma Press, 2008, $24.95) is a collection of short stories by Rigoberto Gonzalez. GLBT presence. GLBT writers and characters are figuring prominently in mainstream writing. “It Is Romance,” from novelist Joe Meno’s brilliant new short story collection Demons In The Spring (Akashic Books, 2008, $24.95), is the story of a gay high school teacher who falls madly and deeply in love with his students, male and female. The extremely well timed State By State: A Panoramic Portrait of America - 50 Writers on 50 States (Ecco, 2008, $29.95) edited by Matt Weiland and Sean Wilsey, is a wondrous essay collection. Among its GLBT contributors are Alison Bechdel (on Vermont), Randall Kenan
(North Carolina), Carrie Brownstein (Washington), and David Rakoff (Utah). Acclaimed gay writer David Leavitt was one of three writers on the “prize jury” for the 2008 edition of The O. Henry Prize Stories: The Best Stories of the Year (Anchor Books, 2008, $14.95), edited by Laura Furman. GLBT visuals. Dale Lazarov, renowned for the sexually graphic comic series Sticky, has teamed up with illustrator Amy Colburn for Manly (Bruno Gmunder, 2008). Without dialogue on the pages, the homoerotic illustrations for the three segments - one involving a police officer, another about boxers, and the third featuring a “hot librarian” - do all the talking. Cross-dressing glam-rock legends the New York Dolls are celebrated in the shocking pink-covered photo book New York Dolls: Photographs by Bob Gruen (Abrams Image, 2008). The picture book Three Wishes: An Intimate Look at Jazz Greats (Abrams Image, 2008) features photos of Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Betty Carter, and Marian McPartland, and a quote from gay jazz legend Billy Strayhorn. Other titles. Singer and actress Diahann Carroll, who counts Michael Feinstein and Bob Mackie among her friends, tells her story in The Legs Are The Last to Go: Aging, Acting, Marrying & Other Things I Learned Along the Way (Amistad, 2008, $24.95). At the other end of the musical spectrum, Laurie Lindeen of the all-female rock band Zuzu’s Petals has written the rockin’ memoir Petal Pusher: A Rock and Roll Cinderella Story (Atria, 2008, $24). Finally, Tom Vanderbilt’s Traffic: Why We Drive the Way We Do (and What It Says About Us) (Knopf, 2008, $24.95 ) is available in an audio book edition, a perfect diversion for those stuck in, well, traffic.
ghostgirl Webstore Launches for Holiday Season The ghostgirl girly goth boutique, a webstore selling branded fashions and accessories inspired by author Tonya Hurley’s New York Times best-selling novel, is open for business. Items available through the shop include ghostgirl hoodies, girly goth tank tops, Rest In PopulariTees, R.I.Pant sweats, R.I.Pjs and ‘ever feel invisible?’ retro bubble, see-through ‘unbrellas.’ The line of sportswear, sleepwear and even home décor is created by Ms. Hurley and manufactured by Firebrand Live. The ghostgirl girly goth boutique is at www.ghostgirl.com, Hurley’s Webby Award-winning website that inspired NOV 20 - NOV 26 2008
the book series. Fans can also shop for ghostgirl ‘body bag’ totes emblazoned with the silhouette of Charlotte Usher, aka ghostgirl, with logo printed inside and a gg prayer candle with black wax and real rhinestone embellishments and a truly unique ‘possess-me’ tee, an all-over graphic t-shirt. More products will be added to the mix in the coming months. Tonya Hurley’s best-selling ghostgirl hardcover novel, the first in a series, is also available for purchase at the site. ghostgirl, published by Little, Brown and Co, is the story of a misfit teen who is literally dying to be popular. www.ghostgirl.com
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 27
DEEP INSIDE HOLLYWOOD by Romeo San Vicente
ZETA-JONES WALKS - AND DANCES - LIKE AN EGYPTIAN What do Catherine Zeta-Jones, Hugh Jackman, Steven Soderbergh, Cleopatra, choreography, and 3D glasses have in common? If you guessed “everything,” then you have even more strangely specific Busby Berkeley dreams than Soderbergh, whose next big idea involves just that. The acclaimed filmmaker wants to stage an all-singing, all-dancing, all-3D, big-budget musical version of Cleopatra, starring ZetaJones and Jackman, and is in talks with those stars to make his vision a reality. There are no other details at the moment, but the very idea that this could take place should be enough to warm the heart and excite the over-the-top imagination of Chicago-loving, Wolverine-lusting, musical-loving queers (not to mention all those Jaws 3D fans in desperate need of stuff fake-flying off the screen) everywhere. More two-dimensional details coming soon.
ROSIE O’DONNELL PURSUES AMERICA
GAY PRODUCERS TACKLE BACHARACH
AT LAST, THE BIG GAY MUSICAL
You may miss seeing Rosie O’Donnell taking Elisabeth Hasselbeck down a peg or two on The View every day, but Rosie’s keeping herself very busy on the small screen. Following her recent hilarious appearance on Little Britain USA and her upcoming gig hosting a new NBC variety special, Rosie will be starring in and executiveproducing America, a new movie for the Lifetime network. Based on the book by E.R. Frank, America tells the story of a troubled 16-yearold and his struggles with the foster care system. The title role of the teenager hasn’t been cast, but O’Donnell will play his therapist, and Oscar nominee Ruby Dee has signed on as the boy’s caretaker. Yves Simoneau (HBO’s Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee) will direct. See America first in February.
Now that Mad Men has made 1960s office politics sexy all over again, perhaps it’s no surprise that gay producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron (Chicago) are talking about reviving the Burt Bacharach musical Promises! Promises! on Broadway. A tuneful take on the Billy Wilder classic The Apartment, P!P! was a big hit on the Great White Way in the late ‘60s. (It’s also the show that gave us “Turkey Lurkey Time,” so memorably performed in the recent movie Camp.) While no one has yet signed on the dotted line, Sean Hayes and Anne Hathaway recently participated in a workshop reading in New York and are presumed (read: fervently hoped) to be the first picks for the lead roles. Since it’s still early in the process, an opening date has yet to be promised.
Gays and musicals go together like chocolate and peanut butter, so it seemed inevitable that someone would combine the two. And so we have The Big Gay Musical, which started shooting in October. Directed by Casper Andreas (whose Slutty Summer and A Four-Letter Word were popular on the gay film-festival circuit), Big Gay Musical tells the story of two gay songand-dance men. One of them has abandoned the search for Mr. Right and chooses instead to get slutty, like all the chorus boys he knows, while the other copes with issues of family and faith. The cast includes vets from just about every recent Broadway show, from A Chorus Line and Mamma Mia! to Wicked and Xanadu. Look for Musical to pop up at next summer’s fests.
Romeo San Vicente has been known to launch into numbers from Merrily We Roll Along at the most inopportune moments imaginable. He can be reached care of this publication or at DeepInsideHollywood@qsyndicate.com.
ARTS by Jaclyn Reynolds
Watercolor Paintings Capture the Richness of Life The four elements of air, earth, fire, and water are as essential to life on earth as they are essential to the creation of the art we enjoy. Each element is used in its own way to create various forms of art. Airbrush and glass blowers use air, or breath, to create amazing works of beauty. Many of a painter’s pigments are based on materials from the earth. Ceramic and glass artists use fire to mold and harden their materials into their desired, often breathtaking, designs. And of course water, mixed with paint, is essential to the painting technique of watercolor. One of the loveliest aspects of watercolor is how well the medium is able to capture the zest of life, light, and all the elements that are a part of our vibrant existence. In the Ohio Arts Council’s Riffe Gallery, viewers will be able to experience “The Ohio Watercolor Society: 31st Annual Juried Exhibition 2008,” an exhibition featuring 67 original watercolors in all their richness and magic. The festival will be juried by Alvaro Castagnet, a Uruguay native who has earned an international reputation painting, teaching, and judging watercolor exhibitions. When choosing work for this exhibition, Castagnet looked for
paintings that developed an instant reaction in him. He believes a painting should always stand out for a reason beyond its image. “True artists paint from their heart and they display the ability to capture the intrinsic side of life,” said Castagnet. “True painters have the ability to transmit the magic of life on the everyday world around us.” Upcoming demonstrations include: • November 23, 2p-4p: “Getting the Dogs Out of the Kennel” with Judy Anderson, who will demonstrate how to take an unsuccessful painting from bland to grand. • December 7, 2p-4p: “Working Through Creative Blocks” with Sharon Stolzenberger, who will show how to create a mixed-media piece using techniques such as stamping, image transfer, collage, acrylic, and drawing to complete a painting. Jaclyn Reynolds is Communications Specialist for Ohio Arts Council, a member organization of the Columbus Arts Marketing Association. For more information, visit www.camaonline.org. For more information about the Ohio Arts Council’s Riffe Gallery, visit www.riffegallery.org or phone 614.644.9624. To find arts and cultural events throughout Ohio, visit ArtsinOhio.com.
NOV 20 - NOV 26 2008
28 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
NOV 20 - NOV 26 2008
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 29
SAVAGE LOVE by Dan Savage
I have to say I’m disappointed. Proposition 8 passed in California, as did antigay-marriage amendments in Florida and Arizona. Decency and compassion suffered a horrible blow, and I was hoping to hear a few words from you about it. Some inspiration before I took off from work to go and protest the Mormon Church. Maybe you had your column written already, but couldn’t you have pulled an all-nighter in order to write something more relevant? A Loyal Reader Sorry, ALR, but due to the vagaries of the deadtree media, I file these columns roughly a week in advance, and it went to press on Tuesday morning, before any election returns were in. (Please note: At my house, “filing a column” doubles as a euphemism for taking a crap. Make of that what you will.) But here’s my election-night reax, a week late, for what it’s worth: I voted for Obama, gave money to Obama, and cried when CNN called it for Obama. But the approval of the Mormon-bankrolled anti-gay-marriage amendment in California quickly snuffed my Obama buzz. I had expected anti-gay-marriage amendments in Arizona and Florida to pass, of course, but voters in California - particularly those who voted for Obama, against the rights of same-sex couples, and for the rights of farm animals - came close to ruining election night for me. But let’s look on the bright side of the anti-gaymarriage amendments, shall we? The openly Republican governor of Florida, Charlie Crist - who got engaged to a real live girl when he was in the running to be McCain’s VP - won’t have to marry a real live girl now. Because it’s illegal for gays to get married now in Florida - right, Charlie? And even in California there’s a little good news: Voters approved this year’s anti-gay-marriage amendment by much smaller margins (52 to 48) than they approved an
anti-gay-marriage law back in 2000 (61 to 38). So… uh…we’re winning, even as we’re losing. Or something. But now, to honor Barack Obama’s historic victory, I will answer questions that were e-mailed by readers on election night. While you were obsessing about election returns, there were people out there writing to me about… I am a completely straight guy. I am madly in love with my girlfriend. One night, she was giving me oral and stuck a finger in my ass. I was uncomfortable at first, but in a little time I began to like it. I found it felt so good. Now my girlfriend asked if I wanted to try a butt plug. At first I said, “Yes!” But now, the more I think about it, I am starting to think it may be gay. My question: Is there something gay about using a butt plug? Guy With Anal Interests I’ve dedicated my life to reassuring panicky straight boys that a little anal stimulation won’t make ’em gay. My oft-stated position: If a guy and a girl are doing it during sex - whatever it is, whatever it looks like - it’s straight sex. And, yes, that includes a pair of straight girls making out to turn on a straight boy, as well as the far less common straightboys-making-out-to-turn-on-a-straight-girl scenario. But no more. From now on I intend to sow gay panic when and where I can. Maybe straight men, who voted in overwhelming numbers for the various anti-gay shit on their ballots, won’t be so quick to strip gay people of their civil rights if they’re worried that one false move - or one finger up the butt - can turn them gay. So for the record, breeder boys: A finger in the butt can make you gay, using a butt plug can make you gay, doing it doggy style can make you gay, playing with your nipples can make you gay, fucking a woman in the ass can make you gay, wiping from front-to-back can make you gay, standing
up to pee can make you gay, and watching dudes hump dudes on ESPN - Ultimate Fighting Championship - for sure makes you gay. I hope you can help. My boyfriend gets home from Afghanistan next week, and I want to surprise him with anal. I can’t find anything online about preparing for it. I don’t want to be messy. It’s always clean in porn videos. Please advise. Desperate Careful there, Desperate, I’d hate to see your boyfriend turn gay. But if you want to risk it, get your hands on a copy of Tristan Taormino’s The Ultimate Guide to Anal Sex for Women. But don’t blame me if he wants to gay marry you afterward. I’m a 21-year-old bi guy, and I was recently hanging out at my university’s Queer Collective when the issue of the “F” word came up. I argued that it was okay to use the word so long as it’s not derogatory. The lesbians, however, thought that it was disgusting slang, almost like using the “N” word to describe black people. What do I do, Dan? Is the “F” word off limits? Flabbergasted About Glossary
but tolerable. Me on top is unbearable. My husband is aware, and sensitive, to this issue. He makes sure I’m relaxed and will change positions or stop when I ask. Will it get any better? I want to have sex without any hesitation. Painful Intercourse Needs To Stop Here’s an idea that might help, PINTS: Have more sex but less vaginal intercourse. Get some oral sex sessions into the mix, along with some mutual-masturbation sessions; in other words, sex you can have without hesitation right now. Then go see a doc to make sure there isn’t a medical issue here. If there isn’t, slowly work vaginal intercourse back into the mix, experimenting with new positions and lubricants, without eliminating oral and mutual masturbation as stand-alone sex acts you can enjoy with the husband and sex acts you can transition to when vaginal intercourse isn’t working for you. I’m a straight white boy of 25 who is very excited about Obama’s victory and the landslide in Congress. Proposition 8 is still undecided, though, while they count votes. I wanted you to know that I’m rooting for you, my uncle, his partner - his husband, actually, as of last week - and every gay man and woman in California.
The “F” word should only be used to describe voters in California, Florida, and Arizona who cast ballots for Obama and their state’s anti-gay-marriage amendments. We are talking about the word “fuckers,” right?
Stephen
I have a question of a more medical nature for you. My husband and I have been married four months, both virgins at the time of marriage. We have sex three or four times a week and always use lube. The problem is that sex is very painful for me. On my back or from behind is uncomfortable,
Download the Savage Lovecast (my weekly podcast) every Tuesday at www.thestranger.com/savage. mail@savagelove.net
Thanks for the note, Stephen, but Proposition 8 was decided by the time I got it. My condolences to your uncle and his husband.
NOV 20 - NOV 26 2008
30 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
ABOUT TOWN by Adam Leddy
THE FULL MONTY OPENS NOVEMBER 21 Emerald City Players closes its 2008 season with The Full Monty, written by Terrence McNally, with music and lyrics by David Yazbek. Come see if these guys have the guts to bare it all! This American musical, based on the 1997 British film, is the story of six unemployed steelworkers in Buffalo, NY. In addition to losing his job, Jerry is about to lose his son if he doesn’t pay his back child support. When a Chippendale’s-type show is a hit with the steelworkers’ wives and their friends, Jerry
comes up with the scheme of earning a quick buck by putting on a similar show with himself and his buddies. So why would anyone come see a bunch of out-of-shape local guys strip? Jerry has the answer: They’ll go all the way “the full monty.” But The Full Monty is not really about taking off clothes. It’s the touching and funny story of a bunch of guys down on their luck who reclaim their self-respect by working together and reaching an unexpected victory. The Full Monty’s cast of 20 features the tal-
ents of Mark Schuliger, Michael Day, Eric Snyder, Jeb Bigelow, Jay Rittberger, Michael Quinichett, Molly Finney, Emma Harvey, and Amanda Cawthorne. The show is directed by Kathy Sturm and choreographed by Julie Russell and Brooke Andres. This show contains adult situations and language. Thru Dec 6. Fri-Sat 8p & Sun, 11-30, 3p; $13-$15. www.emeraldcityplayers.com
HEAVEN AND HELL AT WALL STREET NOVEMBER 26 Odds are that you’ll spend your Thanksgiving in stilted conversation with drunken relatives, your normally sharp mind fogged by tryptophan and your once-svelte torso swollen to Dom Deluise-like proportions. No one can save you from that. The good news is that Scot Hafler, owner of Wall Street Nightclub, has an invitation for you: rather than spend the night before Thanksgiving fisting breadcrumbs into a dead animal, join him for the 14th annual Heaven & Hell party, a Columbus tradition sure to shake you out of those holiday blues. Scot carved out some time from his holiday schedule to tell Outlook all about the shindig: Adam Leddy: The night of the party, you transform the top floor of Wall Street into heaven and the ground floor into hell. Which afterlife do revelers tend to choose? Scot Hafler: Heaven has always seemed to be a popular space to look down on hell’s dance floor and take in all the sights. However, this party has become one of our largest of the year, so both locations get a lot of attention. We’re excited to introduce a new location this year: purgatory! The club has just renovated a section of the second level into a lounge, complete with sound reducing windows, couches, ambient lighting, and a cocktail person to take and deliver drink orders. AL: What are some of the wildest costumes you’ve seen at H & H? SH: We’ve seen a lot of creative angel wings and devil horns/tails over the last 14 years. “Less is more” seems to be the key to a crowdpleasing costume. It gets warm as the dance floor fills, so the more skin the better! We have
customers paint flames all over their bodies, or blue skies and clouds on their torsos. (Speaking of torsos, Torso clothing store is a strong promoter of our annual Heaven & Hell celebration. They ensure the word gets out to all their customers and provide outfits for our dancers.) AL: What sort of crowd does the party get, so I know whose skin I’ll be looking at? SH: Every Wednesday is Boy Night at Wall Street, so boys make up the majority. However, Heaven & Hell pulls in a very diverse crowd and there is likely to be someone for everyone. It’s actually what makes H & H one of my favorite nights: a great mix of Columbus’s LGBTQ community, all playing together. It creates an incredible energy. AL: What do you have on tap this year for entertainment? SH: We’re excited to welcome a former Miss National Entertainer of the Year - Dee Ranged! She will be performing a “Hot Spot” number that embraces the Heaven & Hell theme and is sure to drop a lot of jaws. The evening’s ambiance will also be enhanced by male dancers from bacKspace dance troupe and a couple dancing demonic shadows. All the evening’s entertainment is structured to complement a high-energy dance floor. DJ Michele Chaney will spin. AL: I understand that Heaven & Hell is a pilgrimage for a lot of would-be angels and demons. SH: I’ve had the honor of working at Wall Street Nightclub off and on since 1989. I know people who attended Ohio State, but have since moved
out of Ohio. When Thanksgiving calls them back to be with family, they tell me Heaven & Hell is part of their annual tradition. They couldn’t imagine a Thanksgiving with family without a celebration with their gay family prior. I look forward to seeing faces I haven’t seen since last year’s party. AL: Do you find that H & H is as “necessary” as it was 14 years ago? What I mean by that is, was the party initially started to give GLBT folks a place to go over the holidays, and if that was the case, do you think that many of us still don’t have a home to go to? SH: I think the motivation to attend has always been different for everyone. It may range from a sense of belonging to a community, to the tradition I mentioned earlier. One thing I do think makes this event special in 2008 is the role the Internet is playing in our lives. With all the social networking sites now available, I believe H&H provides an opportunity to enjoy the energy (and body heat) a PC or Mac just can’t provide. There’s always been something exhilarating about catching someone’s eye and saying that first “hello.” Wall Street’s 14th annual Heaven & Hell party, Weds, Nov 26. Doors @ 10p; extended hours means the party ends @ 4a. $10. Wall Street leases a parking lot on the corner of Wall & Elm - no charge to park there, but early arrival recommended.
COLUMBUS NEXT MEETING: DEC 10, 6P-8P; LOCATION: SAGE AMERICAN BISTRO (2653 N HIGH) ; OUTLOOK'S HOLIDAY SHINDIGEXTRAVAGANZA WWW.NETWORKCOLUMBUS.COM
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OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 31
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THE LAST WORD by Jennifer Vanasco
The Gay Power Movement This is what it feels like to be at the center of history. Right now. This surge of anger. This steady conviction. These regular protests and speeches and op-eds proclaiming our full civil rights as Americans. Not as gay Americans. As Americans. Welcome to the Gay Power movement. The passage of Proposition 8 marked a turning point for us, I think. We are no longer happy with “tolerance” and “acceptance.” We aren’t worried about making people uncomfortable. We are angry. And we want our full civil rights. It is a righteous anger. It is not the wrongheaded anger of church vandalism or anthrax hoaxes (hopefully the white powder sent to a Mormon church last week was from a prankster, not a gay rights activist). It is the anger of a people who will stand together and who will not be pushed down or pushed aside. This is most evident, I think, in a new poster designed by Shepard Fairey, the artist who made the now-iconic red-and-blue Obama
image, available on buttons everywhere. Fairey’s Prop 8 poster says “Defend Equality” in strong red letters. Below, there is a raised fist, with sunbeams radiating out of it. It is an image that says: We will fight for what we believe in. We will march, we will call, we will collect signatures, we will vote, we will canvass. It is an image that is the opposite of the limp-wristed gay stereotype. It is an image of a warrior. For a long time now, we have felt content. We saw our rights progressing slowly forward. Many of us feel comfortably out in comfortable city jobs; more and more of our families accept us; more and more strangers understand that it is inappropriate to make gay jokes or fire people because they are gay. But then, on Election Day, something changed. For the first time, we realized that the country could move backward as it moved forward: An African-American president was elected and important civil rights were taken away from us in California. We realized, suddenly, that our rights are
fragile, that our comfortable place could be taken away by a slim majority vote. This is scary. And scared people are angry people. And angry people fight. My favorite chant at last Wednesday’s protest at the Mormon Temple in New York City was “Gay families under attack. What do we do? We fight back!” It was chanted not by young radicals, whom you often expect to see at rallies, but by men with baby Bjorns and women in business suits. It was couples in their 30s and 40s and 50s. And it was chanted not with desperation, but with a kind of jubilant ferocity. There was a sense that we were finally standing up for ourselves in a real way, on a fundamental issue that unites us all. On Saturday, I was one of the many Americans across the country who protested Proposition 8. The great joy of it, of course, was in knowing that thousands were doing the same thing in cities everywhere. That we were making our collective voice heard. Those of us in New York protested outside city hall in what is known as the Canyon of He-
roes. We half-blocked Broadway, raising a collective shout whenever a tourist waved cheerily from a double-decker tour bus. My friends and I wove through the crowd, making it as far up front as we could, close enough to hear out lesbian Christine Quinn, New York City Council speaker, roar that “the arc of history bends toward justice.” Close enough to hear former Miss America Kate Shindle say that she is straight and though she is conservative on many issues, she is on the right side of this one. We are on the right side - and we will lay down in the streets if we have to, in order to win our equal rights. We will lay down in the streets. We will fight - with words and laws, if not with fists. We are at the center of history. Some day, they will write about us. They will tell stories about the day gays and lesbians put up their firsts and said: enough is enough. Our time for full civil rights is now. Jennifer Vanasco is an award-winning syndicated columnist. Email her at jennifer.vanasco@gmail.com.
HOROSCOPES by Jack Fertig
SCORPIO (Oct 23 - Nov 21): You’re unusually outspoken these days. You may find that relieving, even if - or because - it could scare some people away. Try to keep the golden rule in mind. Honesty without kindness is often just plain cruel.
AQUARIUS (Jan 20 - Feb 18): You’re bound to get more attention, especially at work, than you expect. Be on your best behavior, but don’t let that stop you from being daring and brilliant. Speak out and you will be heard!
TAURUS (Apr 20 - May 20): You and your partner want to explore new paths, but are you both heading in the same direction? Talk it out as you go along and share a terrific adventure. No partner? You should have no trouble finding someone - for now at least!
LEO (Jul 23 - Aug 22): While you can’t just torch the place and rebuild from scratch, there’s still room to indulge your urge to make bold changes at home. A bucket of paint and a few exotic tchotchkes can make all the difference in the world.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 - Dec 20): Vivid dreams, perhaps with a violent streak, reveal a lot about you. Take notes as soon as you wake up, and consider what they mean. Throw some time and energy into a favorite charity. ‘Tis the season!
PISCES (Feb 19 - Mar 19): A rush of new ideas lighting up your brain makes it hard to decide which ones to study and develop. Consult with a teacher for guidance. Even disagreeing with the advice will help narrow your choices.
GEMINI (May 21 - Jun 20): Be careful not to push too hard at exercise. You could get hurt, especially pulling something in the groin, and heaven knows there are better ways to do that! Focus your energy into your work instead, and brilliant ideas will earn notice.
VIRGO (Aug 23 - Sep 22): Your suddenly busy mouth and sharp tongue can blow the shy, modest Virgo stereotype out of the water. Try to be nice! If you must say something vicious about someone, that’s what politicians and celebrities are for.
CAPRICORN (Dec 21 - Jan 19): Aren’t Caps supposed to be serious, hardworking sorts? You’re the belle or beau of the ball, dazzling everyone with your quick wit. Enjoy the fun while it lasts! With a light touch and some foresight, you could draw friends into political projects.
ARIES (Mar 20 - Apr 19): If you can’t keep your clothes on and your mouth clean, at least stay in places where your bawdy assertion is welcome. There is a time and place for everything, even the most absurd obscenities that are filling your imagination.
CANCER (Jun 21 - Jul 22): Your playful mood is very infectious when it’s not hugely out of place. When madcap fun is not appropriate, try to channel that verve into creative thinking. Unleash your wit, and even _you_ will be amazed.
LIBRA (Sep 23 - Oct 22): You need a splurge, but try to keep your spending under control. With some care and focus, you can be very lucky with money. If you really feel you’re not getting what you’re worth, ask for a raise now.
Jack Fertig, a professional astrologer since 1977, is a founding member of the Association for Astrological Networking. He can be reached for consultations at 415.864.8302, www.starjack.com, and by e-mail at QScopes@qsyndicate.com.
NOV 20 - NOV 26 2008