12.04.08 Outlook Weekly - Glitter and Be Gay by Outlook Weekly

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HOP Y A D HOLI • E L L TONVI MARY JO H UDSON • SHOPPING IN CLIN

2 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY OWNERS AND PUBLISHERS Michael Daniels & Chris Hayes EDITOR-IN-CHIEF / ART DIRECTOR Chris Hayes hayes@outlookmedia.com

SNAPSHOT

What better place than U to watch the Buckeyes thrash Michigan? OSU proved it can win a meaningful game as long as the opponent sucks, and the gays and gals at U proved that queers dig sports, too!

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

GO BUCKS! NOW, WHO’S PLAYING?

THE KINSEY SPECTRUM, BROUGHT TO LIFE

THE OWNER GETS 2 PICS, LOSERS!

HIGH SPEED DRAG

PICK THE GIRL, WIN A PRIZE

WHAT ARE THEY HIDING?

ONE DENTIST, TWO PRETTY SMILES

WHERE’S SHEMP?

BUSINESS & ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Michael Daniels mdaniels@outlookmedia.com NATIONAL ADVERTISING Rivendell Media - 212.242.6863 ADVERTISING DEADLINE Each Wednesday 8 days prior to publication. Call us at 614.268.8525.

Nina West brought her A-game to U for a Thanksgiving Eve show. Nina’s greatest hits still sound fresh, and here’s to hoping the turkey-addled audience realized they were in the presence of greatness.

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TREASURE HUNTER AT FOUR O’CLOCK LOW, CAPTAIN!

DEC 04 - DEC 10 2008 VOLUME 13 NUMBER 23

DEC 04 - DEC 10 2008

5 SECONDS LATER... HE PUKED!

SNAPSHOT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .........2 ABOUT TOWN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .........3 ANYTHING BUT STRAIGHT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .........4 COMMUNITY CORNER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .........6 POLI SCI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .........8 EARTH TALK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......10 OUT BUSINESS NEWS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......13 EXAMINED LIFE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......15 FEATURE: GLITTER & BE GAY . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .16-20 SHOPPING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...22-23 GALLERY HOP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......24 DEEP INSIDE HOLLYWOOD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......25 ARTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......25 FILM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......26 MUSIC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......26 CLASSIFIEDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......27 SAVAGE LOVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......29 THE LAST WORD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......31 SCOPES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......31 NEXT WEEK: GAY MUSLIMS & JEWS

OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 3

ABOUT TOWN THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4 IS YOUR FINANCIAL HOUSE IN ORDER? Saving & Investing in a Volatile Market @ The Huntington Center, 41 S High St, 10th Floor, RSVP & submit questions to 614.241.3082 or tasha.booker @uwcentralohio.org: The United Way of Central Ohio Key Club presents this important table chat. Space is limited; call for availability. 6p-7:45p; free. WHAT ARE THE SMART KIDS UP TO? Locovore Bot Student Showcase @ Haskett Hall Gallery and Soundstage, 156 W 19th, artandtech.osu.edu: Check out the fall juried showcase of work by undergraduate and graduate students in the Art + Technology program in OSU’s Department of Art. The students are working in new media, hybrid forms, video, holography, 2D/3D, animation/modeling, robotics, digital imaging, and web-based artworks. Thu 5p-9p, Fri 11:30a-4p; free. CULTURE FOR THE KIDDIES ZOOM Family Film Festival @ The Wexner Center for the Arts, 1871 N High St, 614.292.3535, wexarts.org: The Wex has a slew of family-friendly films and events to stimulate the wee ones, including classic Saturday morning cartoons. Dec 4-7. See website for times; $3. GO COUNTRY FOR A CURE Emerson Drive @ The Newport Music Hall, 1722 N High St, 614.294.1659: Emerson Drive performs to raise funds for A Christmas to Cure Cancer, with 1520 items to auction. A great show and a great cause. 8p; $20 advance, $25 day of. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5 THE HOTTEST CAROLERS IN TOWN Joy! @ King Avenue United Methodist Church, 299 King Ave, 614.228.2462, www.cgmc.com: The Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus opens its 19th season with the annual holiday tradition, Joy! Families are invited to join the chorus as they perform new holiday songs and a timeless collection of carols. Fri 8p, Sat 2p & 8p; $15. FOR YOU BOOK NERDS Author Steve Doocy @ The Columbus School for Girls, 54 S Columbia Ave, 614.464.1032, www.thurberhouse.org: Thurber House Evenings with Authors presents Doocy reading from his latest work, Tales from the Dad Side: Misadventures in Fatherhood. 7:30p; $18-$20. NO HUMBUGGERY HERE Musical Celebration Concert @ Mershon Auditorium, 1871 N High St, 614.292.3535, music.osu.edu: The OSU School of Music presents its annual showcase concert. This fast-paced musical extravaganza features over 300 student musicians and singers performing in 16 different ensembles. 8p; $6-$10. KOZ I SAID SO, CHUMP! Dave Koz @ The Palace Theatre, 34 W Broad St, 614.469.0939, ticketmaster.com: Pop instrumentalist/saxophonist extraordinaire Dave Koz will once again delight Columbus audiences with his smooth jazz hits and holiday favorites. 8p; $27.50-$62.50. WHAT MATTERS MOST THIS SEASON A Christmas to Cure Cancer Dinner @ NorthPointe Conference Center, 9243 Columbus Pike, Lewis Center, 866.233.9393, www.achristmastocurecancer.org: This year’s event will feature a seated dinner and guest speakers David E. Schuller, MD of The James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cabot Rea of NBC 4, and Joel Riley of 610WTVN. Music from Kelly Delaveris Proceeds benefit the Stefanie Spielman

by Adam Leddy

Fund for Breast Cancer Research. Dinner 6p, auction 8p; $100 for the evening, $50 auction/concert only. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6 HOW GAY Glitter & Be Gay @ The Center on High, 1160 N High St, 614.930.2260, stonewallcolumbus.org: Stonewall Columbus hosts their annual holiday bash. Featuring Jazz Mary, a festival of trees auction, an artisan fair, and more. Children can meet Santa 4p-6p. 6p-10p; free. See our feature story for more info. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7 I LIKE MY HOUSES HOW I LIKE MY MEN: BIG AND OLD Olde Towne East Homes for the Holidays Tour @ The Columbus Public Health Building, 240 Parsons Ave, 866.468.3401, ticketweb.com: The goal of the Homes for the Holidays Tour is to raise awareness of the Olde Towne East neighborhood and inspire community progress and historic preservation. This year’s tour features a living crèche display & a green workshop where kids can make holiday decorations out of recycled materials. 1p-7p; $10 adv, $15 day of. NO JUNK IN THIS TRUNK Jewelry Trunk Show @ The Columbus Museum of Art, 480 E Broad St, 614.221.6801, www.columbusmuseum.org: Local jewelry artist Veda Gilp and others will display their wares. 1p-4p; free. See pg 30. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9 CHECK OUT THESE GAMS The Rockettes @ Nationwide Arena, 200 W Nationwide Blvd, 614.431.3600, www.experiencecolumbus.com: The world-famous Rockettes kick up their 76-year history of fantastic holiday entertainment. Tue-Wed, 4p & 7:30p, $25-$72. ONE MORE TIME FOR CHANGE “Things Are Gonna Change!” @ Rumba Café, 2507 Summit St, 614.268.1841, www.makejazznotwar.org: The Jazz Poetry Ensemble perform their election celebration show. 7:30p; name your own cover. DISGRACE YOURSELF ON THE MIC Karaoke with DJ Dawn @ Liquid, 1100 N High St, 614.298.3000, www.liquidhotspot.com: Test your chops against the city’s finest vocalists, or whoever shows up to sing. Every Tuesday. 8p-12; free. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10 HAPPY B-DAY, MR. MITTY Thurber Birthday Gala @ The Westin, 310 S High St, 614.464.1032, www.thurberhouse.org: Celebrate the 114th birthday of James Thurber with five-time Emmy Award winning writer Joe Keenan, winner of the 2007 Thurber Prize for American Humor and current writer for Desperate Housewives. 6p-9p; $125. WHO’S HOLDING MY QUEEN? Card Night @ Liquid, 1100 N High St, 614.298.3000, www.liquidhotspot.com: The cards fly fast and furious at Liquid. Dec 10 & 17. 7p; free. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11 PRO-EQUALITY? MEET THE EQUALITY PROS Equality Ohio Membership Party @ U, 782 N High St, 614.224.0400, equalityohio.org: Meet, greet, and network with other pro-equality people in the greater Columbus area, and support a great organization. 6p-8p; $35. IT’S WHO YOU KNOW Network Columbus @ Sage American Bistro, 2653 N High St, www.networkcolumbus.com ; Outlook's holiday shindigextravaganza. A purely social event. Gifts galore, great fun and fun! See pg 9 for more info. DEC 04 - DEC 10 2008

Winds of Change 4 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY

The Reader Poll

ANYTHING BUT STRAIGHT

by Wayne Besen photo by Marcus Morris

Gingrich and the Republicans wrested control of Congress. Most of the tangible victories during this period occurred in the courts, relegating most GLBT people to cheering bystanders. During these days of malaise, technology afforded people the ability to engage in activism without leaving the house. While these notable technological advances have greatly aided the GLBT movement, they also allowed many people

to be anesthetized by the Internet. It soon became a movement of elite movers and shakers, with little room for direct action. The upside to the Passive Era was that aspiring gay insiders actually did sometimes get inside the halls of power and earn a voice in the political process. Our organizations became more professional, better organized and institutionalized, which meant that they were not always on the brink of bankruptcy and could plan for the future. But make no mistake: we are not the same movement we were prior to Nov. 4. Having our marriage rights stripped away by a slim majority in California was a transformational experience for many gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. I have lost count of the number of people

who have approached me to say that they never thought they were the political type - until now. These people will bring new ideas and untapped energy that will significantly strengthen our work. It is still unclear how this influx of fiery emotion will change the movement. But, I will make the bold prediction that those organizations that do not adjust to this new reality will wither and die. Newer, sleeker models will replace those that remain stodgy and continue to fight by fax, without incorporating the heat on the street. The new activism is a hybrid of direct action and digital activism. It is evolving, mutating and morphing by the day. The groups that figure out how to be a conduit for this anger - and effectively turn it into a force - will lead the movement in the coming years. This is a rare moment where the pain of Proposition 8 meets the possibility represented by Barack Obama. A great many people can now see that passion can lead to real progress - and they demand a role in creating change. Lastly, the rules of the Mormon, Catholic and Evangelical churches are now enshrined into civil law. We are all unofficial members of these religious institutions and captive to their narrow, sectarian rules. They have effectively hijacked the state and now govern our personal relationships and private lives - whether we like it or not. I think people are finally awakened to this existential threat and willing to fight back. On Nov. 8, I stood in freezing weather with hundreds of Chicagoans. A few weeks ago in Washington, 900 protesters braved a tornado watch to rally in front of the Capitol. Far from a victory, anti-gay forces unleashed a ferocious storm with powerful winds of change that will only end with the sound of wedding bells.

If you put up a Christmas Tree, do you use a live or artificial tree? 59% Artificial 29% I don't put one up 12% Live NEXT WEEK’S QUESTION:

What is your faith tradition?

Log on to: www.outlookweekly.net to take this week’s poll.

OU RCE

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DEC 04 - DEC 10 2008

8 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY

Call in Gay: Day Without A Gay Prop 8 Protest

POLI-SCI by Adam Leddy

GAY FORMER MAYOR TAKES HIS STORY ON THE ROAD Palm Springs remains a tempting vacation destination for GLBT people all over the country. In 2003, the city proved just how welcoming it is by electing an openly gay African American man, Ron Oden, to its highest office. Now the former mayor, who declined to seek reelection in 2007, is touring the country and offering his thoughts on leadership, coming out, and the passage of Prop 8. I caught up with him a few hours prior to a stop in Zanesville. Adam Leddy: You’ve held elected office since the early nineties. When did you come out? Ron Oden: I was elected to the city council in 1995 and I ran for mayor in 2003. I wasn’t out when I was first elected [to city council]. It’s not that my life was hidden; I’d just never made a public statement until the late 90s, when I went to the San Diego pride festival and someone set off a tear gas bomb. When I returned to the city, I said I had attended the festival not as a representative of Palm Springs, but of the LGBT community. AL: What was the reaction in Palm Springs? RO: It was no surprise to anyone. I was in a relationship at the time, and we did everything together. There was no outcry. It was business as usual. For other people it was a concern more than it was for me. I was naïve enough to believe that who I was as a person and the skill set that I would bring to the office would be more important. I had been mayor pro-tem two or three times before I ran [in 2003]. People said they just weren’t sure if the city was ready, and I said, ready or not, here I come! AL: How have racism and homophobia come into play as you’ve held and sought office in California? RO: There are some people who have their biases, and they’re not going to change. There were others who initially may have had some skepticism, but they got over it. Certainly the LGBT community is not free from racism. When Prop 8 passed, the first thing people said was, “How can blacks and Latinos vote for that proposition?” Of course they want to ask me and make me the spokesperson for the black community. The first thing we should ask ourselves is what have we done to build a bridge to those communities? I think there are some basic questions we need to ask ourselves. Are Pride parades just for us to build bridges to the dominant culture, or are they for us to build bridges to other minority communities? If the latter, then what are we doing to work toward that end? What is our goal with this? That’s something that we need to ask ourselves. AL: What needs to happen next in terms of building those bridges? RO: The message of equality needs to be clarified. First of all, it needs to be clear in our own minds. When we say civil rights, people tend to think of the struggle for African Americans. There DEC 04 - DEC 10 2008

is a likeness to the issues that the LGBT community faces, but there is a difference between likeness and sameness. It is offensive to some people, and not just people in the African American community, when [civil rights] are spoken of as the same. Certainly [LGBT rights are] a civil rights issue. But many things that are specific to one community are not the same for the other. AL: What went wrong with the Prop 8 campaign? What happened? RO: The first part of the No on 8 campaign was phenomenal. When they did the polling, we were way up. Then, the Yes campaign’s first message hit and had nothing to do with Prop 8 and marriage equality. Their message: This is what happened in Boston: they taught your children [that gay marriage was ok], and the same thing will happen here. Any sane parent knows that no one can force education on your child that you don’t approve of. That’s just stupid. Then they had Gavin [Newsom] saying “whether you like it or not,” which was taken out of context. But what that said to a lot of people was, “Whether you like it or not, we’re gonna get married. Whether you like it or not, we’re gonna teach your children.” That fearful, hateful message was effective. To me, we started trailing their message and falsehoods rather than simply sticking with our message and Prop 8. That’s my assessment of what happened. There was a lot of out-of-state involvement in support of Prop 8. I thoroughly agree that on some issues the Mormon Church crossed the line, but they certainly were not the only denomination to do that. So is it fair to single them out the way we did? I don’t think so. I think that guilt can be shared across the board. So if you’re going to boycott one, boycott them all. Immediately in Palm Springs we had a march. We had people who tore a cross out of an elderly woman’s hand, and that is the image people had of Palm Springs. That is not who we are as a city, as a community. Do I understand the frustration of people who reacted that way? Of course. I understand that sense of loss, and grief. It’s understandable for members of our community to feel the way they do. But those images hurt us, and hurt us significantly. If we want respect, then we give respect. We need to act respectfully to everyone, whether they supported us or not. AL: In light of that image, what should would-be visitors know about your city? RO: Palm Springs is one of the most unique places on the planet, where you can live in harmony with others and be who you are. I think if we had focused simply on who we are and sent that image to the world, it would have done a lot more good than the image that went out over the wire.

Gays, lesbians, and straight allies plan to call in “gay” to volunteer within their local LGBT communities on December 10, 2008 to protest passage of antigay constitutional amendments in Arizona, Florida, and California. Wherever possible, gay Americans and allies plan to volunteer for local gay and civil rights organizations across the country through a brand new national database at www.daywithoutagay.wetpaint.com. In addition, a national one-day boycott of anti-gay companies will be in effect throughout December 10. Every day since Election Day, thousands have protested up and down streets in cities across California, including in Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco and Sacramento. A national, grassroots coalition of LGBT activists have followed in their footsteps. Now gay citizens and their allies are teaming up to show America and the world the compassion, the love, and the positive spirit of the gay community through service. On December 10, the gay community along with forward-thinking companies like Morgans Hotel Group will take a historic stance against hatred by donating their time to a variety of different causes in order to raise public awareness of the need for LGBT equality in marriage and in other civil rights. To search or post a volunteer opportunity, visit http://daywithoutagay.org/ and join the more than 100,000 others who have already posted, joined, or visited the site to make a change in their community. For more information contact http://daywithoutagay.org/

Tavares Tapped For Leadership Position With National League Of Cities Councilmember Charleta B. Tavares, chair of the Health, Housing & Human Services and Workforce Development Committees, has been appointed chair of the National League of Cities’ (NLC) Advisory Council by NLC President Kathleen Novak during the Congress of Cities and Exposition in Orlando, Florida. “There are tremendous changes taking place on the national level in the area of intergovernmental relations, the economy and the advancement of new models of governance. Cities like Columbus and organizations like the NLC have an opportunity to advance a new framework for addressing today’s challenges by understanding that we cannot ‘fix’ the economy without better understanding it and also fixing governance and politics. Our efforts will help us to develop a positive and more productive relationship with our federal partners to serve the needs of our residents,” said Tavares. The NLC Advisory Council is composed of municipal officials who have served on the NLC Board of Directors and continue to serve in elected office. The Advisory Council plays a pivotal role in the CityFutures Process, an NLC initiative that helps municipal officials connect public and policy discussions to the reality of what is happening in America’s cities and towns. Officials also carry out individual roles in supporting NLC’s goals in advocacy, communications and membership (visit www.nlc.org and the 2008 Futures Report: The Future of Our Hometowns and Our Nation, Governing Economies In The 21st Century). Three Tavares sponsored resolutions were adopted by NLC delegates during the Orlando conference. One was in support of the Cradle to Prison Pipeline Campaign, a national call to action to stop the funneling of tens of thousands of youth, predominantly minorities, down life paths that often lead to arrest, conviction, incarceration and, in some cases, death. A second looks to eliminate disparities in health care among members of racial and ethnic communities through an increase in educational programs, the recruitment of more minority health and behavioral health care providers as well as interpreters for health clinics and hospitals to overcome language barriers that may affect the quality of health care. A third resolution sponsored by Tavares and adopted by the NLC deals with the foreclosure crisis and supports federal legislation that expands CDBG funds to include foreclosure prevention services including homebuyer counseling, credit repair, and mortgage restructuring counseling. Tavares was also elected 1st Vice President of the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (NBC-LEO) during NBC-LEO’s annual Board Meeting at the NLC meeting. NBC-LEO was created in 1970 to represent the interests of African American elected officials within the National League of Cities. NBC-LEO strives to increase African American participation on NLC steering and policy committees to ensure that policy and program recommendations reflect the concerns and needs of the African American community. The group also works to inform its members on issues being discussed by national leaders, and to devise ways of achieving their community objectives through legislation and direct action. Tavares is a former member of the Board of Directors of NLC, and currently serves on its Advisory Council. In addition she served as a member of the 2007 Nominating Committee. The NLC is the nation’s oldest and largest organization devoted to strengthening and promoting cities as centers of opportunity, leadership and governance. The NLC is a resource and advocate for 19,000 cities, towns and villages.

OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 9

DEC 04 - DEC 10 2008

10 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY

EARTH TALK

CodyR, courtesy Flickr.

From the Editors of E

Dear EarthTalk, What are “eco-villages?” I’ve heard of one in New York near Ithaca and another one called Arcosanti being built in Arizona. Jim Killian Eco-villages are essentially designed communities intending to be socially, economically, and ecologically sustainable. Environmentalist Joan Bokaer developed the vision for the first eco-village, which would eventually be built on the outskirts of Ithaca, New York, while on a continent-wide walk for sustainability across the United States in 1990. In Context magazine publisher Robert Gilman helped refine the concept through his research, writing, and speaking on the topic. In 1996, the first residents moved into the EcoVillage at Ithaca, and a movement was born. According to the nonprofit Global Ecovillage Network, some 420 eco-villages exist in both urban and rural settings around the world today. The defining characteristics of an eco-village, according to Robert Gilman’s seminal 1991 article, “The Eco-Village Challenge,” include “human-scale, healthy and sustainable development, full-featured settlement, and the harmless integration of human activities into the natural world.” Gilman also said that ecovillages should limit their populations to 150 individuals, which is the maximum size for any working social network according to the teachings of sociology and anthropology. While the term eco-village did not come into common usage until the 1990s, the concept may in fact be older. Arcosanti, a self-described “experimental town” in the high desert of Arizona, 70 miles north of Phoenix, has been under construction since 1970 and eventually will be the home of some 5,000 forward-thinking residents. In keeping with the concept of

clustered development so as to maximize open space and the efficient use of resources, the large, compact structures and large-scale solar greenhouses of Arcosanti occupy a small footprint - only 25 acres - within the community’s 4,000-acre “land preserve.” Italian architect Paolo Soleri designed Arcosanti according to his concept of “arcology” (architecture + ecology), whereby, in his words, “the built and the living interact as organs would in a highly evolved being.” Underpinning the concept is that “many systems work together, with efficient circulation of people and resources, multi-use buildings, and solar orientation for lighting, heating and cooling.” Those interested in learning more can attend a four-week workshop at Arcosanti to study building techniques and arcological philosophy, while getting a chance to contribute to the city’s ongoing construction. To date, some 5,000 participants have all had a hand in the construction of Arcosanti. Some other “intentional communities” designed with sustainability in mind around North America include Cobb Hill in Vermont, Vegan in Hawaii, Dancing Rabbit in Missouri, Maitreya in Oregon, Dreamtime in Wisconsin, Paz in Texas, Earthaven in North Carolina, Prairie’s Edge in Manitoba, and Kakwa in British Columbia. For information on these and other eco-villages, the Ecovillage Network of the Americas as well as the Global Ecovillage Network offer extensive resources for free online.

CONTACTS: EcoVillage at Ithaca, www.ecovillage.ithaca.ny.us; Robert Gilman’s “The Eco-Village Challenge,” www.context.org/ICLIB/IC29/Gilman1.htm; Arcosanti, www.arcosanti.org; Ecovillage Network of the Americas, ena.ecovillage.org; Global Ecovillage Network, gen.ecovillage.org.Grist, www.grist.org, Salon, www.salon.com. GOT AN ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTION? E-mail: earthtalk@emagazine.com. Read past columns at: www.emagazine.com/earthtalk/archives.php.

DEC 04 - DEC 10 2008

PARTNERSHIP BET WEEN SWACO & BOMA COLUMBUS TO PROMOTE RECYCLING IN COLUMBUS OFFICE BUILDINGS Building Owners and Managers of Columbus (BOMA) is banding together with SWACO to promote recycling. The local association of BOMA represents approximately 85-million square feet of office space. Members of BOMA are affiliated with 70% of the downtown buildings and 60% of all buildings across the greater Columbus area. “We look forward to working with BOMA Columbus,” says SWACO Executive Director Ron Mills. “With their representation locally, we believe this can be an important opportunity in the management of the Franklin County waste stream.” BOMA Columbus’s executive director, Cindy Smith, is excited about the SWACO partnership. “Some of our members have begun recycling programs on their own. However, we believe a concerted effort with the backing of the experts at SWACO will have a greater impact. We understand that a lot of the trash that comes from our buildings consists of prime recyclables such as paper and cardboard. This partnership will help us identify what we can recycle and put us on that road.” Mills notes that over 40% (or about 375,000

tons) of what goes to SWACO’s Franklin County Landfill annually is paper, cardboard or other fiber. “That is the equivalent of a pile of paper one and a half football fields in diameter (150-yards) and over 950 feet high. To put it in perspective, the home of BOMA is on the 13th floor of the LeVeque Tower in downtown Columbus. The LeVeque Tower is 555 feet tall.” SWACO is the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio. We believe today’s throwaways are the foundation for tomorrow. In doing so, we act as a catalyst to bring about innovative waste reduction and recycling projects. Our recently opened Green Energy Center turns landfill gas into compressed natural gas to fuel cars and trucks. It has a current capacity to replace 250,000 gasoline gallon equivalents per year. Currently under construction is the RASTRA project which will mix post consumer polystyrene with cement to construct lightweight building panels that are highly insulated, moisture proof, fire proof and termite resistant. SWACO also provides consumers recycling opportunities around Franklin County through 200 recycling drop off-locations, at major sporting and entertainment venues, at Columbus City Schools, The Columbus Arts Festival and other locations. SWACO provides leadership and advice for businesses wishing to begin recycling and waste reduction programs as well. SWACO operates the Franklin County Landfill, and three transfer stations in addition to other programs. For more info visit www.swaco.org and www.boma.org.

NEW OIL SHALE REGULATIONS A STEP TOWARD NATIONAL ENERGY SECURITY Environmental Extremists Vow to Block Development of World Class US Oil Reserve and the Key to Reducing Foreign Oil Imports Americans for American Energy hailed the publication by the US Department of the Interior of new commercial leasing regulations for oil shale as a major victory for the nation’s drive to be more independent of foreign oil imports. AAE also warned policy makers in Washington not to take steps backward to destroy the fledgling oil shale industry as it moves forward with stalled research that could unlock more American oil reserves than are contained in the entire Middle East. AAE anticipates that national environmental groups will step up their campaign to shut down any development of new American oil from oil shale as soon as the new Congress convenes and the Obama administration takes power in January. “Americans won’t soon forget $4 gasoline and we should recognize that a big part of the answer to solving our oil and transportation fuel supply is right here at home,” said Greg Schnacke, president of Americans for American Energy. “The new leadership in Washington would be making a huge strategic mistake

if they heed the call from the environmental extremists to block this important domestic energy resource.” The new regulatory framework includes strict rules that apply to the industry regarding operational requirements, environmental rules and constraints, royalty and rental rates and other administrative regulations. Before any site-specific plans of development could be approved, additional NEPA environmental analysis would be conducted. “Industry planners have said all along that they could not move forward with the $1 billion-plus investment for the research and development needed for environmentally responsible development of over 800 billion barrels of American oil unless clear and established federal regulations were in place. If Washington doesn’t mess this up, we can change the equation on America’s dangerous reliance on foreign oil,” said Schnacke.

OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 11

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OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 13

OUT BUSINESS NEWS by Adam Leddy

SPOTLIGHT

Mary Jo Hudson Department of Insurance

For years, Mary Jo Hudson was the face of Central Ohio’s LGBT community. Appointed to the city council in 2004, she won re-election the following year, erasing any doubt that the city is ready for openly gay leaders. When Governor Strickland tapped her to head the Department of Insurance, Hudson left the hustle and bustle of electoral politics for an equally challenging, and energizing, vocation. As LGBT folks search for a community leader of her stature to fill the niche she established, Mary Jo is working tirelessly to make sure that her department weathers a tough economic climate. When we chatted over the phone, she was in high spirits and eager to say hello to the community she served for so many years. Adam Leddy: What services does the DOI offer Ohioans? What does the department actually do? Mary Jo Hudson: The department oversees just about every aspect of our insurance markets in Ohio. So primarily, we license and oversee from a financial perspective insurance companies and agents who do business in Ohio. We have a total of 1661 insurance companies that write business in the state. Of them, 259 are based in the state - we call them “Ohio domestics.” When the company is based in Ohio we have primary regulatory responsibility. By most state standards, 259 companies is a lot. We also license insurance agents. There are currently almost 256,000 licensed agents in Ohio. Of those, about 82,000 are based in the state. We have about 270 employees, so we have to leverage our work and coordinate with other states, make good use of the technology at our disposal, and work really hard. We’re here to assist consumers and make sure that our insurance markets in Ohio are safe, sound, and competitive. AL: How does the current economic crisis affect our insurance market?

MJH: I ask that question every day. Because of the current regulation on insurance companies, many of them will not be affected as much as other financial service companies. Insurance companies are required to have their investments diversified in such a way that the assets they need to cover potential liabilities are fairly liquid. If the investments are managed well, the companies should remain safe and sound. There are some lines of business where their business is dropping - they still have sufficient assets, but their assets are dropping. We continue to monitor and do “stress tests” and work very closely with the companies we monitor to make sure that they are safe to be in the Ohio market. AL: How does the department interact with small business owners? MJH: We have a lot of information available for small businesses and consumers. We have a tool on our website, www.ohioinsurance.gov, called Insure U (in our Consumer Links section). It provides good information for small businesses about insurance basics. What I say to small business owners is that it won’t answer all of their questions, but it will help them ask their insurance agents good questions. Additionally, we work with a lot of coalitions to address the tough health insurance market, and small business always has a seat at the table when we have those discussions. AL: What if someone has a complaint against his or her insurance company? MJH: You can contact us toll free at 800.686.1526. We have a team of specialists who can help with any line of insurance business. You can also file a complaint electronically through our website. Often, folks have questions about understanding their coverage, and our consumer services division can help get those answers from insurance companies. We work very well with the insurance companies.

I have to tell you that the department was really tested in September, by the windstorm. It was what we call a 100-year event, with some of the largest losses we’ve experienced in the past century. The storm affected every county in the state. We have a disaster recovery team in place here that works with the insurance companies, and the response from the companies was terrific. We had very few complaints from consumers. The department was able to help a lot of people out, but the insurance companies did a great job, even though they were spread thin because they had sent people to Texas to deal with things down there. We also have a special team that helps seniors with Medicare issues: the Ohio Health Insurance Information Program, or OSHIIP. Our OSHIIP reps are here and all over the state, and folks can call us with questions about their Medicare coverage. Within the next six weeks I expect we’ll take over 10,000 calls for Medicare Part D open enrollment. AL: What do GLBT people need to be aware of regarding insurance law in Ohio? MJH: There are a couple of things. On the Insure U tool, there is a nice section on domestic partner issues. Not just benefits, but also issues like car insurance: if you have two cars, each under one partner’s name, and you take turns driving them, you need to make sure your partner is listed as an additional insured. Likewise, if your house is only in one person’s name, you need to make sure that the contents are fully insured. Your partner may have to get renters’ insurance. You may have to do some legal work to make sure your partner is covered. It’s important for GLBT folks to work with an insurance

agent who is familiar with unmarried partner issues, and who you can feel comfortable talking with. As healthcare reform is talked about on a national level, we need to make sure GLBT people are represented in that discussion. We need to make sure that coverage will recognize domestic partners. Also, trans people are discriminated against significantly in health insurance. Often if they go to get an individual policy, they can’t get it. So it’s not just transitioning that’s the issue; if they have bronchitis, they don’t have coverage. That issue requires a lot more education of decision makers and employers. AL: Governor Strickland has been praised for your appointment and for his executive order banning discrimination against state employees on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. It seems this is a good time to be gay in state government. MJH: The governor and his administration are terrific to work with, and I feel very fortunate to work with Governor Strickland. He requires that everyone have an open and welcoming environment for GLBT people. He really walks the walk and I feel privileged every day to work with him and his team. But I will say, I do miss working within the GLBT community, and I am so glad for every minute I spent doing that. For more information, visit www.ohioinsurance.gov . For consumer services, call 800.686.1526; OSHIIP, 800.686.1578; law enforcement/fraud hotline 800.686.1527.

TLAondemand.com and Logo Partner to Deliver Content Nationwide Leaders in LGBT entertainment unite to provide fans with 21st century options TLAondemand.com and Logo announced today a groundbreaking new partnership that will bring TLA customers Logo’s unique and outstanding programming. Selected programs from Logo’s award-winning line-up of films and television shows will now be available for on-demand viewers on the TLAondemand.com website. Since its inception, TLAondemand.com has brought millions of global exceptional options in entertainment. By partnering with Logo, a national

leader in LGBT programming, TLAondemand.com has access to some of the 21st century’s finest gay and lesbian-themed dramas, comedies, documentaries, reality shows and news. Within the first two weeks, Logo fans or novices can watch the first two seasons of Noah’s Arc, followed by season one of theBig Gay Sketch Show, the hilarious cartoon Steve: The Happiest Cay Couple in All The World, and the reality show Shirts & Skins. “Whether it’s online, on-air or on mobile phones,

Logo aims to deliver its award-wining content to our LGBT viewers and their friends wherever they want it,” said Lisa Sherman, Executive Vice President, General Manager, Logo. “This partnership with TLA allows us to continue in our quest to superserve our tech-savvy audience on as many platforms as possible.” “We’re extremely excited about our new relationship with Logo,” said Scott Cranin, Editorial Director for TLAondemand.com. “Logo offers the finest LGBT

entertainment and TLA offers the best on-demand and DVD entertainment, so it’s a natural marriage of two strong, like-minded partners.” TLAondemand.com customers can immediately check-out the first week of Logo entertainment options by traveling to www.tlaondemand.com. For more information on Logo, please log on to www.logoonline.com.

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OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 15

THE EXAMINED LIFE by Tom Moon, MFT

Three Gay Solutions While our tribe has made incredible progress in the past several decades, it’s also true that some basic realities in our experience still haven’t changed much. Being gay still means, for most of us, to grow up as an outsider, as the “other,” as the one who doesn’t fit. So it’s not surprising that one of the strongest desires most of us have is to belong, to find community & “family,” and to build intimate connections with others in which it’s safe to be ourselves. But it’s hardly surprising that, having grown up being denied real community and belonging, many of us aren’t at all sure how to go about creating these things for ourselves as adults. Many of us find “solutions” to the problem of community and connection in ways that compound, rather than resolve, our suffering and loneliness. I’ve noticed, in my work over the years with gay men, that much of what causes unhappiness in the gay community can be traced to three of these solutions, all of which can be understood as attempts to find short-cut solutions for the need to belong. These are: 1. The “Sex” Solution Today the typical young urban gay man has an abundance of sexual opportunities unavailable to his straight counterparts, except for a

few rock icons and movie stars. This may be one of the great advantages of gay life, but in a world where real intimacy, closeness and belonging are much harder to come by, it was perhaps inevitable that many of us have learned to “major” in sex – to expect it to provide a happiness and fulfillment which it can never do by itself. The mistake here is not having too much sex (How much is “too much”?) but expecting too much of the sex we have. For many of us, sex and sexual attractiveness have become the measure of all things. Having sex “validates” us, whatever that means. Being sexual has come to represent being lovable, being worthy of self-esteem, being cared for, belonging. It’s become an instant fix for loneliness, low self-esteem, depression and boredom. 2. The “Love” Solution Some gay men are contemptuous of this ”shallow” preoccupation with “meaningless” sex, and pride themselves on their own depth because they’re committed to the loftiest of all human goals – finding a boyfriend. As I’ve said many times before in this column, I’m convinced that romantic love, not Christianity, is really the dominant religion in America. This religion has many evangelists in pop culture, especially in Hollywood, and it appears to be especially popular among straight women and

gay men. This is the faith that out there somewhere is your soul mate – the one person on the planet who was specially created to meet all your needs. For verily, you’re nobody ‘til somebody loveth you, and you shall not taste of salvation until you surrender your life unto Mr. Right. There are many harmful effects to belief in this fantasy. Devotees of this religion typically believe that life doesn’t really begin until they’re transformed by romantic love, so they focus on what isn’t here, on the magical future, on the ideal – ordinary life seems just too dull to merit much attention. The result is that they devalue or ignore important values, such as nonsexual friendship. Paradoxically, excessive romantic fantasy can also cause people to sabotage real partnerships, because their expectations of lovers are impossibly high, and because real relationships can seem so boring and mundane when compared with the shining ideal. The sad irony of the religion of romanticism is that devotion to the Perfect Connection actually fosters separation and loneliness. 3. The “High” Solution We’ve always had significant issues with drugs and alcohol in our communities, but today we have more chemical options for selfdestructiveness than ever before, and use of that deadly and perennial favorite, crystal

meth, continues to be re-discovered by every new generation. Substance abuse in our community, like the previous two solutions, is, at least partly, an attempt to find a shortcut to intimacy and connection. We use alcohol to lower our social inhibitions, crystal to intensify sexual connections, and chemical cocktails at the clubs to help create an intense (if brief) experience of tribal unity. It isn’t necessary for us to become joyless puritans in order to avoid the pitfalls of these three solutions. Balance and moderation are important, but what’s indispensable is to learn not to mistake the facsimiles of intimacy for the real thing. Genuine love and community with others are mostly not about the excitement of hot sex, the agony and ecstasy of romance, or the intensity of merging with others in drugged states. Fundamentally, they aren’t about any kind of high. They’re less intense in that sense, but also more durable, reliable, and satisfying. Those men who understand this are the men best equipped to create in their own lives the kind of community in which real intimacy is possible. Tom Moon is a psychotherapist in San Francisco. His website is tommoon.net.

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FEATURE STORY

GLITTER & BE GAY AT STONEWALL

COLUMBUS

GLITTER AND BE GAY!

DEALING WITH THE HOLIDAYS - ASK JUDY ON SWC T V

Stonewall Columbus is hosting their annual Glitter & Be Gay Holiday Event. This holiday spectacular includes a Festival of Trees auction, music by featuring performer JAZZMARY, a cash bar, two Santas (traditional & hunky) and, new this year, an Artisan Fair where you can purchase homemade gifts from local artists! Plus there are a Children’s Creation Station and family photos with Santa Bob from 4p-6p. Drink up and hang out because Hunky St Nick makes an appearance later in the evening. Make it an evening or a stop on your hop! You’ll have a ho ho ho of a good time. Glitter & Be Gay will be held during the Short North Holiday Hop on Saturday, December 6th at the Center on High, 1160 North High Street from 4p-10p. Free admission. For more information about this event visit http://www.stonewallcolumbus.org/events/glitterandbegay

SWC TV is pleased to present board member and professional coach, Judy Herendeen’s first segment in her series of talks with the LGBT community. She addresses concerns about how to handle family problems during the sometimes wonderful, sometimes stressful holiday season. To see this segment: http://www.stonewallcolumbus.org/archives/367. As the series progresses, Judy will present positive ideas, links to websites and articles that will help our community live a healthier, fuller life. A few questions will be answered by Coach Judy in upcoming segments, so if you have a question, please send it to info@stonewallcolumbus.org. Your question may be chosen to be answered on SWC TV in the coming months.

SHIMMER & SHINE! Fine jewelry never felt so socially responsible! On Saturday, December 13th from 10a-7p, 25% of all sales made at The Diamond Exchange will directly benefit Stonewall Columbus. Complimentary champagne cocktails will be served in the morning with wine and cheese served in the afternoon and evening. If you are not interested in buying and would prefer to browse, a donation box will be available for contributions to Stonewall in any amount. The Diamond Exchange is located at 22 West Gay Street, Columbus, 43215. Located right on the corner of Gay & High Street with convenient adjacent parking. Phone 614.228.2002. For more information about this event visit http://www.stonewallcolumbus.org/events/diamondexchange

ARE YOU READY TO BE RAZZLE DAZZLED? DEC 04 - DEC 10 2008

BECOME A MEMBER, WIN AN IPOD NANO For almost thirty years, thousands of LGBT people have been touched and their lives have been changed by the work of Stonewall Columbus. Now the organization has grown to facilitate a vibrant community center that offers personal enrichment classes, a senior companion program, a health and wellness clinic, education and faith forums, high school outreach, diversity and arts initiatives, financial workshops and housing seminars. Stonewall continues to be the driving force on LGBT issues and our Center is the “first stop” for many in the LGBT and allied community. Stonewall Columbus sets the pace for increasing the visibility and acceptance of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. Become a member of SWC before December 31, 2008 and your name will be entered to win a brand new IPOD NANO! Whether you’re committed to their advocacy work, moved by their seniors programs, connected to empowering their youth, touched by their life-saving health services, or enriched by their personal development classes, there are many reasons to support the Center on High. By becoming a member today, you are investing in the future of this community & supporting an organization that changes and even saves the lives of thousands of people each year. To become a member: www.stonewallcolumbus.org and click the link at the top of the page.

Looking back to the summer of 2006, I don’t think anything could have prepared me for the life-changing experience of being a counselor at Camp Sunrise. The children who come to Camp Sunrise are just like any other children who go to summer camp, except that each of them is in some way impacted by HIV/AIDS. Camp Sunrise provides services not only to children who are infected with HIV but also to those who are grieving, coping, or simply managing a life that is directly affected by the disease. Nearly 70% of the kids who come to camp have brothers, sisters and/or parents who are living with or have been lost to HIV/AIDS. For 51 weeks out of the year these children face very adult problems, but camp gives them that one week when they can leave those issues at home and be kids. Camp Sunrise put my life in perspective and forced me to realize that the issues and challenges I face in life are minuscule compared to what these children have to live and cope with on a daily basis. Last year I found myself wondering how I could give back to an organization that has significantly changed my life and the lives of so many others. I began brainstorming, then realized the answer was simple: I have a lot of great friends in the Short North community who have always supported me and would do almost anything if I just asked them. So I sat down with my dear friends Virginia West, Nina West and

Alexis Stevens, and with their talented input and the artistic genius of my cohort & friend Greg Galvin, we created Razzle Dazzle. Last year’s show was a huge success, but in an attempt to make this year’s show bigger and better, Greg and I have been planning the show since we got back from camp in August. This year, prepare to be Razzled and Dazzled like you’ve never been before. We have an all-star cast lined up for this year’s show which will be hosted by the infamous Virginia West herself. The list of performers includes Alexis Stevens, Hellin Bedd, Maria Garrison, Penny Tration, Vee Love, Fancy Punasti, Pretty Punasti, Freesia Balls, Gavin Danger, Cool Ethan, the Royal Renegades, the Columbus Stompers and the Ohio Roller Girls. Of course, you never know what we have up our sleeves, but there might be a couple of surprises in store, so don’t miss out! Razzle Dazzle is on Saturday, December 20, at Axis Nightclub. The doors will open at 7p and the show starts at 8p. Tables are $40 and can be reserved at Union Café, or via email to razzdazz2008@gmail.com. All proceeds will benefit Camp Sunrise. If you have questions or would like to know more about Razzle Dazzle or about Camp Sunrise, please contact Chad Vogt at 614.214.7945.

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FEATURE STORY by Chris Hayes

Nothing represents the holidays better than drag queens. And nothing says drag queen better than the West clan. Kicking off the holiday season, Virginia and Nina West assemble another cast of misfits for a holiday competition like no other. Come taste the Miss Peppermint Stick Nationals at Axis Nightclub this weekend. It’s sure to leave you sticky. I sat down with Nina and Virginia to find out more about the girls’ new show, private parties and their holiday plans. Chris Hayes: Hey girls, I hear you have ah holiday hootenanny coming up. What’s this show all about? What can we expect? Virginia West: Well, it’s basically our take on a Christmas pageant… I mean what says Christmas more than a bunch of men with duct tape on their no-no spots dressed up like women competing for a fake title? We have quite a fun group of girls competing so it should be very interesting to see who takes the coveted title of Miss Peppermint Stick National home! Nina West: The show is filled with gals from all over this glorious land we call the great US of A!! We have Parah Sailin from Alaska, a gal from the Everglades in sunny Florida, a girl from the lip of Appalachia, and even a sassy gal from Compton, CA! Each of these girls, and others, will be bringing their holiday cheer to the Miss Peppermint Stick National pageant, and I can guarantee it will be a bloodbath of holly and ivy as these Christmas queens fight for the minty crown! CH: Who’s all in the show? And what are the dates, times and prices? VW: Myself and Nina of course, Sherry Dribblelipz (the gender whore), Freesia Balls, Maria Garrison, Diamond Hunter, Pretty Punasti, Sandy vonLipshitz, Hellin Bedd, and some surprise guests of course! I hear that Miss Alaska is coming to whip some butt!!!! NW: The dates for this superb pageant being held at Axis Nightclub are December 6 and 7. Tables are only $40 and general admission is $7! If you hurry, great tables are still available for Sunday. CH: How are you ladies spending the holidays? NW: This really is my favorite time of year! The packages and paper, the tags and bows! I will be spending the holiday with my closest friends and loved ones, eating, and eating. I usually like to bake some goodies, have some of my favorite gals over, maybe sip some hot cocoa spiked with some Bailey’s and then wander the neighborhood in various states of undress, singing our favorite carols. And of course, I will make my way home to Mom and Dad’s to have a heated discussion or two. LOVE the holidays! VW: As I usually do, eating. I may do some skiing DEC 04 - DEC 10 2008

with my husband, but more than likely I will just keep eating. I’m a close friend of Hellin Bedd’s, so I may watch her eat as well. CH: Will you be doing any entertaining? How exclusive are those events? VW: Absolutely! We will be having a West family Christmas dinner at my house, which is really just another reason for all of us to eat, get drunk and make prank phone calls. Like last year, we are sponsoring Christmas gifts for a family from CATF who are less fortunate. It’s a very exclusive event….last years party brought in some big names like Darcell (of Solid Gold fame), Tina Yothers, Valerie Bertinelli, and everyones favorite alien ALF. NW: I will be heading over to Virginia’s for the aforementioned lovely and quite exclusive engagement, where the guest list includes a who’s who of somebody’s and some nobody’s. We try not to make a big deal about the nobody’s. I mean, it is the holiday, so we want everyone to feel good. So, I guess that knocks out the ‘exclusive’ part, right? Other than that, I will be hosting a fun Christmas Show at Union on December 18 with friends Freesia, Samantha Rollins, and Leena De La Valentine, and collecting canned goods and needed items for the Columbus AIDS Task Force. CH: Any tips for a good holiday party? NW: The best holiday party is only as good as its free bar. Getting through the holidays can be trying for many, and seriously, the best way to cope is to have some liquid cheer. And Nina West. VW: HOT DIPS!!! Its all about how many crock pots you can get going at once. My mother always taught me you have to be a chef in the kitchen and a whore in the bedroom! CH: How about a good holiday outfit? NW: Have you seen the cover? VW: I prefer a cat suit. It’s VERY unusual that I wear them, as I am usually clad in anything from the Kathy Ireland collection. I also enjoy a nice outfit from Liz Claiborne (petites) CH: What are you drinking this holiday season? Any particular shot preference? NW: I love eggnog. Creamy and fattening. PERFECTION. I would drink a cup of gravy if I wouldn’t get stares. VW: I love any shot…as long as its not penicillin! CH: Ginny, how does it feel to have your baby is grown up and holding a crown of her own? VW: I am soooo proud of her! I can’t believe how far she has come! I remember the first day she walked up to me and asked if I’d be her momma. I was working at Union at the time. I was 21, she was 20.

That was two years ago… hehehehe. I saw something in her and I thought “she’s gonna be something someday.” And now look, she’s one of the best in the country! I love it because she keeps me on my toes and always pushes me to be a better performer. The dynamic we have together I believe is incredible! I think this is just the first in a long line of successes to come for her! CH: Any plans on running for EOY yourself? Any other pageant? VW: That’s the 100,000 question! Hehehe. No, I mean if I had 100,000 dollars I absolutely would! I won’t say never, but right now I have a lot on my plate, plus an incredible husband and 3 wonderful dogs. I will most likely be competing for something around Ohio this next year! NW: I know Virginia has a very full plate, but having her at my side through all of this has meant so much, and only strengthened our bond. I hope that she does decide to compete at some point, and if she does, I will be there to see her succeed. Stage mother or not, hearing her scream “Put your balls away!” from the wings, makes me so proud. CH: So Ninster, your appearance schedule is pretty hectic from here on out. Where are you headed next? How much will you be gone in ‘08? NW: I am traveling a bit, but I really do consider it a huge opportunity and honor! I will be doing a small little Christmas tour in Birmingham and Montgomery, Alabama the weekend of December 19 and 20. After that, things will really get crazy in ’09. But how awesome is that? Travelling from Atlanta to Dallas, to Chicago, to Toronto, Omaha, and everywhere in between. I will be maintaining most of my Columbus appearance schedule but with some small changes throughout the year. My annual March show will be only one weekend and it will be back to a basic flair. Other than that, you wanna get some Nina? Check my calendar on the officially Nina website, http://www.superdragqueen.com! CH: What all duties do you have to perform as Entertainer of the Year? As mother of the EOY? NW: I go and essentially get to be fabu! I actually go from Prelim to Prelim representing the system, making sure the contest is run with fairness and integrity. And there is the out-of-town trade. Trade is national titleholder speak for the Hotel Hospitality Rating System we, as national titleholders, have to hold to high standard. Marriotts, Holiday Inns, HoJos. There is a system. And I am being briefed on it right now. But, of course, this is all top secret and cannot be shared, otherwise I would have to kill you. And it is the holiday season…so, let’s forget I ever mentioned trade, eh? VW: Well, as the mother of the Entertainer of the

Year, I get to travel with her and scream at her from the wings. You know, things that stage mothers usually yell: Smile! Look at the Audience! Your wigs falling off! Show a little more cooch! You know, just the typical things. CH: What do you want Santa, a distinguished patron or a fan to bring you this year? NW: Happiness and peace. And a muscle-bound elf. And by elf, I mean like a nice 6’ tall guy. Wow, can you imagine a muscle-bound elf? Did someone turn the heat on in here? Oh, gosh, is it hot in here or is it just me…let me undo this button on my blouse…who said muscle-bound elf? Oh, this is embarrassing…oh gosh…Can we talk about fetish? Wow…does anyone know any hot musclebound elves? WEIRD, right? Weird? Or hot? VW: I’d prefer a big check. Or a rump roast for the cast. Oh, and of course world peace! CH: And finally, five quick questions. First naughty or nice? NW: Naughty. Very, very naughty. And by naughty I mean nice. VW: Nice…and Nice & Easy, a girl’s got to keep a natural looking hair color with a blend of three tones at all times. CH: Fruit cake or fruit salad? NW: Fruit cake topped with fruit salad with a nice delicious sugary glaze. Too much? VW: Fruit cake…ah hell…any kinda cake. Although I do toss a nice salad… CH: Worst Christmas gift? VW: Used sex toys. NW: The used sex toys Virginia got, which she then used and then passed on to me. And smegma. CH: Best Christmas gift? VW: Anything casino or skiing oriented. NW: Just the time. Look, the best gift you can give someone is your time and self. Let’s refocus to what the holidays should and always have been about! A Virginia and Nina Christmas Show! And… another great gift? Rehab. People will open it up and go “huh??” but they will really appreciate it 12 steps later. Hopefully. Happy Holidays! CH: And finally, candy canes or Candy Panties? NW: Neither, though I do enjoy sweet things, I don’t look good in stripes. VW: Candy Panties. Why have a small cane when you can have the whole Panties? The Miss Peppermint Stick National Pageant runs Dec 6-7, at doors 7p, show 8p. $40 tables, $7 general admission. Tables reservations avail at U.

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OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 19

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FEATURE STORY

SANTA BOB BRINGS JOY TO ALL by Adam Leddy Santa Bob has been bringing joy to Columbus children - and their parents - for fortyeight years. His resemblance to the jolly man from up north is uncanny, from the real white beard to the twinkling eyes to the kindly, slightly gruff voice. His “ho, ho, ho” is a joyous bellow, pitch-perfect from five decades of practice. Over the years Santa Bob has learned a lot about children, families, and the holiday spirit, and he shared a little bit of that experience with me, including his many years of work on behalf of people living with HIV/AIDS. AL: What makes performing as Santa fun for you after all these years? SB: Just seeing the looks on the faces of the children and the adults. I enjoy playing Santa for the elderly, too. They get just about as excited as the little kids. Years ago, my old art teacher was in a convalescent home. My sister worked there and she asked me to come out and see him. He was in the fetal position and he didn’t talk to anybody, just laid on his side facing the wall. The only time he turned over was when they had to change him or feed him. This man had not seen me in thirty years, but when I walked in his room and said “Ho, ho, ho!,” he said my name and actually flipped over to see me. My sister started crying. It was just so touching. I know this sounds morbid, but I go pay my

respects to a lot of people, and I’ll see my picture with them, from parties I did for them over the years. It’s kinda neat and I get a little teary-eyed when I see it. I’ve often wondered how many people’s homes have pictures of me in them. AL: You started doing Santa when you were very young. SB: I started when I was 13 years old. I was in a school play and my teacher made me my first suit. I started playing for a few of the rich families around town and made $5 or $10. I thought I was making big bucks! Of course, it’s never been about the money for me. I do parties for people who can’t afford to hire Santa, and churches and things like that. AL: You’ve also worked with children who have HIV/AIDS. SB: I worked for AIDS Service Connection when they were around. We had an office at the church on 3rd and High. I worked for them for about 3 years. I met a lot of interesting people. When I started out we had almost 200 children with AIDS. It was so devastating. It was hard for me to see some of those kids so sick. AL: Do you still work with that community? SB: I still do. I’m doing the Oldtimers’ Club Central Ohio party down at the Pyramid and a benefit at the Tremont. Both of those are for the Pater Noster House.

AL: How have children changed over the years? SB: Well, they want more and they’re very demanding, but when you’re there with them, they’re still just as sweet as can be. Parents will ask if I get upset when they [the children] pull on my beard. I encourage it! It’s not going to come off, you know.

me to come in after midnight on Christmas Eve. They met me outside with all the toys. The little girl had fallen asleep on the couch in front of the tree, and my job was to wake her up as I was putting gifts under the tree. The look on that little girl’s face! It was just awesome. I still tear up talking about it. That little girl’s a mother herself now.

AL: What’s your favorite memory as Santa? SB: Probably twenty years ago, a lady called me for her sister. Her sister had a daughter; they lived down on Whittier Street. They wanted

You can bring the kids to meet and take a picture with Santa at the Center on High’s Glitter and Be Gay event, this Saturday, Dec 6 from 4p-6p, as part of Holiday Hop. Stonewall is located at the corner of 4th and High. More info: www.stonewallcolumbus.org.

DEAR SANTA… A TIME-HONORED TRADITION

SANTA IN AMERICA

by Marilyn Loeser

There are two ways to get your wish list to Santa. You can stand in line at the mall with all the other kids and when you finally get to sit on Santa’s lap, you have exactly enough time to tell him what you want before the “elf” snaps your picture and your parents lead you away. Or, you can take your time and write a letter to Santa about how well behaved you’ve been all year and add a list of the toys you’d like to find under the tree on Christmas morning. Your letter can be as long as the paper you’re writing it on. When you’re finished, just put it in the mailbox. Getting the Letter to Santa Santa Claus has a lot in common with the Postal Service. For more than two centuries he’s relied almost exclusively on USPS to bring him letters from girls and boys. This holiday season will be no different. The Postal Service is gearing up for a huge mail delivery to the North Pole to help Santa and his elves get ready for the big day. You can just put your letter in the mailbox and your carrier will make sure Santa gets it or you can send it directly to: Santa Claus, 5400 Mail Trail, North Pole, AK 99709-9998. Ask your parents to help you address the letter and put on a stamp. Like all mail, it’s important that letters to Santa include a complete return address with the ZIP Code. DEC 04 - DEC 10 2008

Helping Santa Help Those in Need While Santa receives most letters addressed to him at the North Pole, some are made available to organizations and individuals who want to help him. Many Santa letters are answered by his helpers: charitable organizations, postal employees and individual volunteers who want to help make children’s holiday wishes come true. There are simple safeguards in place before a child or family’s information is shared. First an individual or organization fills out a form so that the Postal Service knows who is reading the letters. Information includes current address and phone number. After showing photo identification issued by the state or a federal agency, a customer can request up to 10 letters to review. If a customer selects a letter or letters, the customer records all the information regarding each letter selected. Organizations can request as many letters as are available, but similar paperwork and identification is required. If you want to help, contact your local postmaster to find out where you can participate. They can also answer any questions you may have. Writing letters to Santa is a tradition many children look forward to, adding a little more excitement to this magical season.

Santa Claus’s image is everywhere. He’s everywhere! And, contrary to the belief that it’s all about commercialism, I’d like to think it’s more about magic and hope. The American version of Santa Claus got his inspiration and name from the Dutch legend of Sinter Klaas. As early as 1773 his name appeared in the American press as “St. A Claus.” Author Washington Irving gave Americans their first detailed information about the Dutch version of Saint Nicholas in 1809, and that was followed by the 1823 poem “The Night Before Christmas,” by Clement Clarke Moore. Santa’s American transformation continued as illustrator Thomas Nast depicted a rotund Santa for Christmas issues of Harper’s magazine from the 1860s to the 1880s. Nast added Santa’s workshop at the North Pole and Santa’s list of the good and bad children of the world. A human-sized version of Santa Claus was depicted in a series of illustrations for Coca-Cola advertisements introduced in 1931. Santa’s Christian-era legacy goes all the way back to Europe and the country that is now Turkey. The 4th century AD Bishop Nicholas of Smyrna was very rich, generous and loving toward children. Often he gave joy to poor children by throwing gifts in through their windows. The Orthodox Church later raised St. Nicholas to a position of great esteem. The Roman Catholic Church honored Nicholas as one who helped children and the poor. St. Nicholas became the patron saint of children and seafarers. In the Protestant areas of central and northern Germany, St. Nicholas later became known as der Weinachtsmann. In England, he came to be called Father Christmas. Writing letters and visiting Santa Claus - no matter what he’s called - have become part of holiday tradition and celebrations around the world.

OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 21

DEC 04 - DEC 10 2008

22 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY

SHOPPING

A FAIRY’S TAIL Channel your inner Cheshire Cat with photographer Justin Monroe’s highly anticipated coffeetable picture tome, Down the Rabbit Hole, from publisher Bruno Gmünder. Steeped in the surreal fantasy, sinister humor and visual allegory of Lewis Carroll’s famous fable - among other notable fairy tales (Janice Dickinson as Glinda the Good Bitch, anyone?) - the artist’s 160-page paperweight features pseudo-celebs - like M4M adult actors Cody Fallon and Erik Rhodes - in highly conceptualized (and often compromising) positions. Which is a good thing. Because while Monroe’s deftly defined debut may never end up on an artschool curriculum, at least it proves that porn stars can still get better jobs than the rest of us. ($97; Amazon.com, TLA.com) XXXMAS You wouldn’t let your tree go untrimmed, and the same goes for your crotch. Spruce up those jingle balls with festive follicle dye from Betty Beauty, “color for the hair down there,” available in two holiday hues - LOVE betty (red) and LUCKY betty (green). Free holiday stencils in seasonal shapes arrive in each kit. ($14.99; BettyBeauty.com) SILVER LINING Known for its culturally diverse designs and celebrity clientele (Tiki Barber and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson are on the shortlist), Cruz Azur lives up to its motto “Bold, Brave, Spirited” with three new men’s jewelry collections. New lines include “The Holiday Horns,” inspired by old-fashioned Christmas tree lights, available in five vibrant colors: ivory, green, yellow, black and red; “The Holy Peace Rosaries,” celebrating 50 years of the peace sign, which was created on February 21, 1958, to protest nuclear war; and “The Joy of Music,” featuring a pair of headphones set against a CD-like, round silver pendant. “The holidays are a time of cheer and whimsy,” explained Austin Smolka, Cruz Azur founder and head designer, “and we aimed to reflect on that spirit in the new collections. ($65$120; CruzAzur.com) BLITZKREIG Stand out in a sea of iPhones and Androids with Blitz, the back-to-basics mobile device from Verizon Wireless. Quick and easy texting is the name of the game with Blitz, which features a level handset combining a large screen and the convenience of a QWERTY keyboard with reliable messaging and voice features. Additional specs include V CAST Music support, a microSD slot with support up to 4GB, stereo Bluetooth, a 1.3 megapixel cam, and VZ navigator. Which’ll come in handy the when you wake up on some dude’s floor downtown. ($69.99; VerizonWireless.com) FRONT LOADER That boy’s built like a bulldozer! Maybe not, but at least he’ll look like it in Ginch Gonch’s Load’N & Dump’N briefs. Made from a

DEC 04 - DEC 10 2008

breathable, body-conforming stretch fabric (95% cotton/5% Lycra), these multiple truck skivvies feature a quarry of diggers and haulers while the signature 1 ¼-inch microfiber elastic logo waistband and matching trim offers a hip and polished look. Briefs come in four day-laborer colors - blue, red, green and black. You provide the beeping sounds when he backs that ass up. ($31; GinchGonch.com) FOND MEMORIES Turn those dust-collecting home videos into timeless digital treasures with iMemories, the first online company to integrate digital conversion of old family films with online sharing, editing and storage capabilities. Just send your media - including VHS, DVD and any other type of film - to iMemories’ start-ofthe-art facilities and they’ll organize digitally remastered personal movies into clearly labeled scenes for you to easily identify, edit and safely share with the world. Just don’t press your luck; nobody wants to see your “Viagra Diaries.” ($19.99 and up; iMemories.com) FINE FURRY PHOTOS Roll over, Rover, man has a new best friend! Debbie Rosenfeld’s Pet Portraits are a hoot for the holidays. Bring your favorite furry companion (on four legs, anyway) to Schiller Park, Goodale Park, or Debbie’s studio and leave with professional photos immortalizing your bond with your best friend. In-home shoots are available, too. (Sitting fee $150, framed portrait prices vary with size and quantity; www.debbierphotography.com)

MERRY MARGARITAS Feliz Navidad, indeed. Essential Artist Bottles from 1800 Tequila make it easier to drift away to a sunny south-of-the-border beach with nine limited edition decanters dressed in the works of previously undiscovered artists, such as Atlanta-based graphic designer Dosa Kim and illustrator Hannah Stouffer of San Francisco. Perfect for an agave connoisseur or the average cocktail enthusiast, these unique and decorative bottles will be the center of attention on any bar. Until the stripper arrives, of course. ($34.99; 1800tequila.com) MILK DOES YOU GOOD Make a statement and put your dollars to work for equality. What political junkie or film buff wouldn’t love an HRC MILK cap or shirt honoring the slain Mayor of Castro Street? Harvey and the Human Rights Campaign are a perfect fit for the holidays. (Hat $19, Tee $25; hrc.org) FULL STEAM AHEAD Little luxuries - like having delicates professionally pressed - are the first to go in times of recession. Luckily, Whirlpool can help you channel your inner Donna Reed with its Fabric Freshener, a portable device that revives clothing while relaxing wrinkles. Using only water - no chemicals here - the Fabric

Freshener immerses textiles in a blanket of steam for 30 minutes, leaving them looking and smelling like clean laundry. Collapsing to the size of a small vacuum, this mechanical George Jefferson can easily travel on a business trip or store under a bed. ($219; Whirlpool.com) POTENT QUOTABLES Self-proclaimed “Gay Pimp” Jonny McGovern knows how to make a statement. And you will too in his slim-fitting, super-deluxe line of extra faggoty apparel. You’ll draw stares of disdain and elevate discomfort at the family table with tees that shout out loud your recent secrets. Take your slut of a sister, for instance. Tell her how much you really love her with a fast and frank “Girl, I Fucked Yo’ Boyfriend.” Yep, that should do the trick. Jonny McGovern’s Gay Pimpin’ T-shirts are printed on American Apparel’s 100% cotton jersey knits. ($20.90 and up; GayPimp.com) BOTTOM’S BUNKED Pack your bags for a gay vacay. OUT Adventures offers 80 exclusive small-group LGBT tours to destinations that span the globe. During your trip you’ll stay at locally owned hotels, travel with local guides, support local craftsmen (and -women), and eat at local restaurants. OUT Adventures guarantees that no “gay” premiums are attached to their getaways, which are available in five unique styles: Active, Family, Comfort, In Style and Independent. In addition, tree huggers in the groups - (listen up, lesbians) - can sleep easy knowing that their carbon footprint is kept to a minimum as the company subscribes to a “leave no trace” philosophy. If only your ex would do the same. ($1,000 and up; www.outadventures.com) SCARED STRAIGHT Nothing says Christmas quite like innocent children shrieking with terror as a stranger dressed in red drags them kicking and screaming onto his lap. Now this time-honored rite of passage is celebrated with a hilarious collection of more than two hundred and fifty priceless photos of kids' traumatic trips to Santa's workshop. Scared of Santa offers a cornucopia of photographic funnies - from sixty-year-old family heirlooms to last year's howlers - along with delightful commentary on those unforgettable childhood visits to scary ol' Saint Nick. ($9.95, harpercollins.com) TAKE A CHANCE ON ME Unleash your inner Dancing Queen with the 2-disc special edition of Mama Mia that includes a fabulouse sing-along bonus feature as well as interviews with the all-star cast. It’s like karaoke at home. ($34.98, www.mammamiamovie.com)

OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 23

SHOPPING by Marcus Morris

CLINTONVILLE GIFT GUIDE Outlook’s gift-giving tour continues. This week: north to Clintonville! Clintonville is the land of midcentury homes and IPA drinkers. There are also plenty of great shops with gifts for people you love. I had plenty of fun checking out the boutiques of Clintonville, and I think that the personality of each one is reason enough to support them. The experience of shopping in a neighborhood where people live, love, and are merry is something that we can all get excited about. The megamalls cannot compete! Most of the time the party begins at the bar, but why not start at home? At The Winemaker’s Shop, 3517 N High St, 614.263.1744, I suggest the Beginner’s Beermaking Kit, $120. The gift of booze will keep on giving, and it is a great way to learn about what it is you are drinking. You can get recipes for your favorite brew and have fun creating something unique to your tastes. Once you’ve created your own homebrew, you can have your friends over for a tasting party. Booze makes the people come together. www.winemakersshop.com. At Embassy, 3347 N High St, 614.262.6223, you’ll find some of the most individualistic tennis shoes in the city. My faves were the Nike SB Dunk Low Mosquito, $104.99. I think color and personality are where shoes are headed, and you won’t be a wallflower with these. While you are there getting shoes, indulge in a Skate Deck, $56+. You can either nurse the nostalgia for riding a skateboard, or put one on the wall as art. Embassy carries decks created by local artist Cyrus Fire, and it would be an interesting gift to add to the mix. www.embassyboardshop.com. If you are feeling fatigued from all of the shopping, then head a few blocks south to Pattycake Vegan Bakery, 3009 N High St, 614.784.2253. Pattycake makes me very happy! I am sure that we have all said we have found the “world’s best” cookie or cupcake, but are they vegan? At Pattycake, they

make dessert for people who care what goes into their bodies, but don’t want to sacrifice taste. They carry cookies, muffins, cakes, and on occasions, the most delicious Whoopie Pies I have ever had. Prices vary depending on the dessert, but when you have a bear sliding down the chimney on Christmas Eve, make sure you give him a vegan cookie. www.pattycakeveganbakery.com. Skreened, 3327 N High St, makes shirts with you in mind. Instead of having to choose the last Madonna shirt you can find, find a JPEG you really love and go over to Skreened. The shirts are made on American Apparel T’s, starting at $16 for every size you can imagine, and the options are endless: t-shirts, hoodies, onesies, and even dog onesies. I have at least 100 different ideas for shirts, and I could probably come up with a million more. There is no minimum order, but you surely won’t make just one. I say make a shirt with Jem and The Holograms. You will be my hero. Skreened.com. Everyone carries a bag these days. All the boys have some sort of pursey sling, and not every lady wants to carry a Vuitton. To be unique, you must go to Seagull Bags, 3343 N High St, 614.223.0272. Seagull makes waterproof, high-quality courier bags. They also make hip bags and backpacks. The Hip Bag, $50, is perfect for your wallet and cell phone. The custom bags are amazing! A custom bag will take about 8 weeks, and starts at $75. I suggest getting a custom bag, but they do have a few ready-made bags in the shop. Another great idea: pick up a gift card, and let someone special make his or her own bag. There are a plethora of fabric colors to choose from, and the bags are beyond chic. When I stopped in the shop, I fell madly in love with the Octopus Inc. Cycling Hats. The hats start at $22, and they are insane! You could have a really cool bag and hat by the time you leave Seagull, and be fashion-forward to boot! www.seagullbags.com; www.octopusincorporated.com. DEC 04 - DEC 10 2008

24 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY

FEATURE STORY

Holiday Hop: Saturday, Dec 6th

Marcia Evans Gallery

Kickstart

In December, the Gallery Hop morphs into the incomparable Holiday Hop - the opening salvo of Columbus' urban holiday season. Upwards of 20,000 visitors share an evening of pure energy under the brightly colored, everchanging lights of the High Street arches. With more than 20 years of tradition, the Short North is renowned for the excitement of its Gallery Hops. The first Saturday of every month, thousands of visitors come to celebrate art and partake in an evening of fabulous sights, dynamic sounds, great food, unparalleled shopping, and cosmopolitan fun. Though many shops are open earlier, the Gallery Hop offi-

Mahan Gallery The Art Exchange, LTD, 17 E. Brickel St. / 614.464.4611 Exhibit Title: Tangible Assets Artist(s): Marti Steffy, Curtis Goldstein, Cynthia Vardhan, Roxanne Smith-Mansell, Doug McLarty, LaVon Van Williams, Eve Warnock, Clint Davidson, Carolyn Beavers Art Media: All mediums Artist Reception: Saturday, Dec 6 About the Exhibit: Many Ohio-based artists. Original, gift ready items in various sizes and affordable prices Cookware Sorcerer 688 N High St / 614.228.8678 Exhibit Title: Funky Kitchens Series Artist(s): Petersen Thomas Art Media: Acrilic on Canvas About the Exhibit: A lively approach to everyday cooking implements. Local artist with an international reputation

Rebecca Ibel Gallery

Rivet DEC 04 - DEC 10 2008

Echoes Art & Antiques 24 East Lincoln Street / 614.291.9101 Exhibit Title: Smoky Brown Artist(s): Grandma Smoky Brown Art Media: Acrylic on Board / Canvas About the Exhibit: Popular Ohio. Collection of original pieces from private collections - all for sale . His pieces have been favorites at the last three Art For Life events affiliated with the Columbus Museum of Art.

cially starts at 4 p.m. and runs to 10 p.m. with restaurants and bars staying open considerably later. On a typical Hop, more than 40 galleries and non-traditional art venues (restaurants, boutiques, and personal service shops) spotlight the best of established and emerging Ohio-based artists. They also feature the works of nationally and internationally acclaimed artists. On the streets, performers settle into the many nooks of the District to entertain the throngs of Short North fans. Saxophonists, singers, improvisational dance troupes, even stilt walkers and stage characters add to the unforgettable experience.

pm Gallery

Kathryn Gallery Through The Eyes Artist(s): Jacob Samblanet Art Media: oil on canvas & digital prints on canvas Artist Reception: Saturday, Dec 6 About the Exhibit: Jacob Samblanet’s vivid and imaginative oil paintings explore his colorblindness through a study of color and inventive shapes. His b/w digital drawings on canvas give a look into a world of no named characters that walk around his mind.

Palnik Studios 14 East Lincoln Street / 614.298.8496 Exhibit Title: The Clown and The Sage / The Cartoon Art of Paul Palnik Artist(s): Paul Palnik Art Media: The Fine Art of The Cartoon Artist Reception: Saturday, Dec 6 About the Exhibit: Palnik delightfully reveals the profound and the absurd in his original drawings, paintings, prints and books.

The Lamp Shade 990 N High St / 614.299.6442 www.thelampshade.com Exhibit Title: Tracy Van Niel’s Stone/Beaded Jewelry Artist(s): Tracy Van Niel Art Media: Woven Beaded Jewelry About the Exhibit: Unique and wearable art jewelry incorporating vintage, contemporary and semi-precious beads; handmade lampwork glass beads; and one-of-a-kind semi-precious stone, glass or clay cabochons.

pm gallery 726 N High St / 614.299.0860 pmgallery.com Exhibit Title: Sturgill and Volker and Ornaments! Artist(s): Susan Sturgill and Paul Volker Art Media: Etchings, drawings and paintings About the Exhibit: Limited edition etchings and drawings by Susan Sturgill and Buddha and Wild Beast paintings by Paul Volker. Also featuring ornaments in a variety of media by artists from all over the US and Canada

Sherrie Gallerie 694 N High St / 614.221.8580 www.sherriegallerie.com Exhibit Title: Artificial Phylum Artist(s): Rain Harris Art Media: ceramic sculpture About the Exhibit: Rain employs an aesthetic, which revolves around pushing her work until it is on the verge of visual collapse. As she adds each sequential layer, the last element added threatens to push everything too far. The visual excess ties everything together. Studios on High Gallery 686 North High Street / 614.461.6487 Exhibit Title: Wearing Art! Artist(s): Sue Quellhorst & Deb Johnson Packer Art Media: Fiber About the Exhibit: Hand knitted sweaters, jackets, purses and scarves for all your holiday occasions.

Waldo’s On High Hair Salon 755 N. High St. / 614.294.2887 Mahan Gallery www.waldosonhigh.com 717 N. High Street / 614.294-3278 Rebecca Ibel Gallery Exhibit Title: Ashley Cole Exhibit Title: From Left to Right 1055 N High St / 614.291.2555 Artist(s): Ashley Cole Artist(s): Andrew Lundberg Exhibit Title: Holiday Show Art Media: Acrylic on canvas Art Media: painting, printmaking Artist(s): Laura Bidwa, Linda Gall, About the Exhibit: Ashley cole will be Artist Reception: Saturday, Dec 6 Rory Krupp, Laura Sanders, Julie Tag- displaying series of acrylic paintings About the Exhibit: Ohio artist Andrew gart which are inspired by dance and nauses oil and silkscreen to create a va- Art Media: paintings, watercolors ture in variety sizes that ranges from Kathryn Gallery riety of effects, from flat and detached Artist Reception: Sunday, November 23 $200-$650. 642 N. High Street / 614.222.6801 to delicate and deeply involved. His About the Exhibit: An Ohio group show kathryngallery.com choice of application on metal helps to of gallery artists including oil paintWhat the Rock?! Exhibit Title: JalinePol and Bob Kliss signify the weight of the subject mat- ings and watercolors. 1194 N High St / 614.294.WHAT Artist(s): JalinePol and Bob Kliss ter. (9428) Art Media: oil on canvas and blown Rivet Exhibit Title: Sweet Stella Designs glass Marcia Evans Gallery 1200 N High St / 614.294.8697 Trunk Show About the Exhibit: JalinePol’s work con- 8 East Lincoln St. / 614.298.8847 Exhibit Title: Stuff This! Plush Group Artist(s): Amy Neiwirth sist of heavy impasto, bold colored flo- Exhibit Title: Holiday Salon Show Show Art Media: Polymer clay, resin, vintage rals which seem to leap off the Artist(s): Selection of Gallery Artists: Artist(s): Over 30 participating objects canvas. Bob Kliss’ whimsey, yet eleJ. Donnelly, S. Morin, D. Kellogg, BJR, artists-local, national, and internaArtist Reception: Saturday, Dec 6 gant, “bobtanicals” dazzle with L. Wesner etc. tional About the Exhibit: Sweet Stella Deunique colors and forms. Art Media: Acrylic & Oil Paintings, Art Media: plush signs is all about juxtaposition: kitschy Wood & Bronze Sculpture, Prints & Artist Reception: Saturday, Dec 6, meets classy, funky meets refined, traKickstart Glass About the Exhibit: Stuff This! Second ditional meets modern, found objects 913 N. High St. / 614.291.7100 About the Exhibit: Paintings, Prints, annual plush group show featuring meet handmade creations. Exhibit Title: In The Head And Sculpture & Hand Blown Glass. over 30 artists from around the world.

OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 25

ARTS by Gregg Dodd

THE PEOPLE’S ART COLLECTION : THE ART OF THE OHIO STATEHOUSE The Ohio Statehouse is not only the seat of Ohio government; it also houses one of the state’s greatest collections of art. The Statehouse art collection has been created to benefit the people of Ohio by telling the story of our great state. The art depicts the hopes, dreams, values and aspirations of Ohioans, and commemorates our state’s accomplishments and struggles. Artworks and monuments have been added to the building and grounds throughout the years to preserve the public memory and to create a consensus about what is important to Ohio. The works share themes of conflict, courage and growth. Many people consider the building itself a work of art. The Ohio Statehouse is one of our nation’s finest examples of Greek Revival architecture. Early Ohioans wanted their capitol building, completed in 1861, to serve as a symbol of the state’s democratic form of government. The architects looked for inspiration from the art and design of ancient Greek temples to illustrate our enduring state pride and faith in democracy. The Rotunda is the center-

piece and great gallery of the Statehouse. Its height, shape and colors are intended to evoke a sense of awe and respect. Perry’s Victory, by William Henry Powell, was the first painting commissioned for the Statehouse in 1857. The painting commemorates Oliver Hazard Perry’s victory over the British on Lake Erie in the War of 1812. The Signing, by Howard Chandler Christy, was unveiled in August 1945. The painting represents a key moment in Ohio statehood. The 1795 Treaty between Native Americans and the United States allowed settlers into the territory below the Greene Ville Treaty line. Ohio was carved from the Northwest Territory to become a state in 1803. Christy’s Dawn of a New Light was installed in 1950, placed in storage in 1964, and reinstalled in 2001. The piece pays tribute to the great Ohio native and inventor, Thomas Edison. Edison is depicted at three stages of his life: as a home-schooled youth, a young inventor and an elderly man with over 1,000 patents. Wilbur and Orville Wright, by Dwight Mutch-

ler, was commissioned in 1957, unveiled in 1959, put in storage in 1964 and reinstalled in 2004. This massive portrait weighs nearly 800 pounds and honors the inventors of the airplane and their hometown of Dayton. President-elect Lincoln posed for Thomas Dow Jones in 1861, and the artist’s LincolnVicksburg Monument was unveiled ten years later. It is believed this is the only bust that Lincoln actually posed for. Following Lincoln’s assassination in 1865, Ohioans commissioned Jones to sculpt this marble memorial to the President’s achievements and to the soldiers of the Civil War. In a world where art can be a driving force for creativity and innovation, the People’s Art Collection provides a connection to Ohio’s rich cultural heritage. We hope that you’ll visit the

“People’s House” and learn about all the important works of art and the individuals and events that they honor.

FONDA RETURNS TO BROADWAY WITH MOISES KAUFMAN

LANDON’S CAREER REMAINS HOT WITH BURNING PALMS

SOON, WE’LL ALL BE SPARTACUS

She’s a producer, memoirist, exercise guru, and multi-Oscar-winning actress, but film legend Jane Fonda’s roots go all the way back to Broadway. And while she hasn’t strutted and fretted her hour upon the stage since the early 1960s, Fonda is preparing her return to the Great White Way in a new play written and directed by Moises Kaufman, the gay writer behind The Laramie Project. 33 Variations focuses on a musicologist (Fonda) and her study of Beethoven’s obsession with a particular piece of music. Fonda hasn’t been completely absent from the stage - in recent years, she’s participated in several one-nightonly special presentations of Eve Ensler’s The Vagina Monologues. Get ready for New York to be abuzz when the woman who was Barbarella returns to Broadway this winter.

Burning Palms may sound like a clothing-optional gay resort, but it’s actually the new film written and directed by Christopher Landon, the openly gay son of TV legend Michael Landon. On the heels of Christopher’s success as the co-writer of the hit Disturbia, this Hollywood legacy returns with a new satire that pokes fun at the residents of various segments of Los Angeles, and Burning Palms boasts an interestingly eclectic ensemble. Slated to star in the film are Dylan McDermott, Shannen Doherty, Lake Bell, Nick Stahl, Zoe Saldana, Adriana Barraza (Babel), Colleen Camp and Rosamund Pike. They’ll play characters whose storylines overlap in five different vignettes set in different L.A. neighborhoods. Watch for the smoke in 2009.

The smash success of 300 put muscular, leggy men in togas back on the cultural radar, and Xena exec producer Sam Raimi (who directed some obscure art films with SpiderMan in the title) intends to keep them there. Raimi is one of the driving forces behind Spartacus, a new series for the Starz cable channel that centers around a legendary slave rebellion against the Roman Empire. Insiders say the show will shoot for the same intense violence and distinctive graphic-novel look of both 300 and Sin City, so Romeo figures that means lots of oiled up, brawny lugs fighting each other to the death in leather miniskirts. And that’s good TV! Spartacus starts shooting in New Zealand at the beginning of the year with an eye to unfurling its muscular majesty on Starz next summer.

The Ohio Statehouse is more than a monument to our past; it’s where history happens! The Statehouse is open weekdays from 7a-6p and weekends 11a-5p (closed on holidays). Free, guided tours are offered Monday through Friday on the hour from 10a-3p, and on Saturday and Sunday from 12p-3p. Tours depart from the Third Street information desk. Groups of 10 or more are requested to call in advance to ensure a guide is available. Contact 888.OHIO.123 for more information or to schedule a group tour. For more information about the Ohio Statehouse visit www.ohiostatehouse.org. Gregg Dodd is the deputy director for communication, marketing, and events at the Ohio Statehouse, marketing & events for the Ohio Statehouse, a member organization of the Columbus Arts Marketing Association. For more information, visit www.camaonline.org.

DEEP INSIDE HOLLYWOOD by Romeo San Vicente

KIDMAN AND THERON GO OUT FOR DANISH Nicole Kidman and Charlize Theron both won Oscars for playing lesbians and for wearing fake noses - in The Hours and Monster, respectively - but the mind reels about what kind of prostheses will be required for their next movie. The Danish Girl will star the duo as real-life artists Einar and Greta Wegener. Einar (Kidman) began life as a man but later became the world’s first transsexual in 1931; Einar’s road to womanhood began when he stood in for a female model in a painting that Greta (Theron) was creating. Anand Tucker (Shopgirl, Hilary and Jackie) will direct from Lucinda Coxon’s adaptation of David Ebershoff’s book. Look for Kidman and Theron to astound the world almost as much as the real Wegeners did, when The Danish Girl eventually hits theaters.

Romeo San Vicente keeps 300 stored in his iPhone as a little pick-me-up on those down days. He can be reached care of this publication or at DeepInsideHollywood@qsyndicate.com.

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FILM by Adam Lippe

THE GAY ACTION HERO IS STILL IN THE CLOSET Since the invention of postmodernism, it has been quite easy to find homoerotic subtext in any film involving bonding between members of the same sex (Lord of the Rings), men who like to hold guns (any buddy-cop action movie from Lethal Weapon to Damon Wayans’ gun literally up Adam Sandler’s ass in Bulletproof), or women who like to hold guns and bond (Thelma and Louise). And while it sounds like fun to guess about the un-intentions of the filmmakers, it is more than a little condescending and homophobic considering that the goal seems to be to identify that the characters are gay, and how embarrassing it is that the filmmaker doesn’t know what is plainly obvious. It is the new, politically correct way to reveal gay panic. However, it is entirely a different story when the director tells the audience that the character is supposed to be gay, yet doesn’t let the actor in on the secret. Louis Leterrier, who directed Transporter 2 and co-directed the first film, stated unequivocally in an LA Times article a few years ago that Frank Martin, the title character played by Jason Statham, is gay: “I was very afraid of doing a Steven Seagal kind of movie - very formulaic and predigested…Action fans in general are pretty homophobic. You see these tough guys who say, ‘The Transporter, that’s such a great movie!’ If they only knew they’re really cheering for a new kind of action hero.” Statham and writer/producer Luc Besson denied it, claiming that Leterrier was using his imagination, or something to that effect. However, anyone who brings Leterrier’s admission to the table before

watching Transporter 2 can’t miss the character’s sexuality. Amidst the amusingly ridiculous action sequences (including one exceptional fight where Statham beats off multiple foes with a fire hose), the normal love interest for these types of genre films is tossed aside, as Statham rebuffs every offer. It seems that Besson is missing his own subtext, always casting anorexic looking younger women who look like young boys as the objects of lust, including Milla Jovovich in The Fifth Element, Anne Parillaud in La Femme Nikita, Natalie Portman in Leon/The Professional, and Kate Nauta in Transporter 2. That trend continues in Transporter 3 with Natalya Rudakova, a bony skeleton of a woman with a face full of freckles, whom Statham turns down in scene after scene. When they eventually kissed/had sex (in one of the least convincing embraces in the history of filmdom), the crowd of action fans who attended the free screening booed, including one guy who loudly exclaimed, “I want my money back!” Leterrier, who has already moved on to bigger and more expensive things (The Incredible Hulk), probably would have laughed and been highly amused by the lengths Besson goes to un-gay his hero. While all the usual characteristics of the Transporter series are there - idiotic decisions that forward the plot, foreign actors speaking phonetic English (the movies are all shot in France), incoherent chases and fights that defy logic and gravity the dialogue starts taking on a lot of unintended meaning. A fishing and male bonding trip yields the

gem, “That’s a big one, don’t let him get away.” Statham tells a male friend, “You know I love your schnitzel,” before removing his shirt to reveal a svelte body that later glistens as he fends off a large number of opponents in hand to hand combat. Rudakova’s character is even less subtly battling with sexuality issues. In a lengthy monologue she discusses her distaste for sausage, and how she wants to take Statham to a restaurant so he can experience “fish like you never had.” The plot hinges on Rudakova’s father trying to stop her kidnapping by a character who goes only by the name Johnson. Besson finally addresses the issue when Rudakova offers her services and Statham says he’s not in the mood. She asks if he’s gay, in response to which he laughs and says no. In going to bed with Rudakova, it seems Statham’s character is trying to prove to himself that he can sleep with a girl, even if she looks like a pre-pubescent boy. Transporter 2 dealt with all this while throwing together a series of action scenes so over the top that the only possible response was to laugh with the film. The first film actually attempted to be a legit action film, and failed because its budget and look were closer to an early 90s direct-to-video affair. The second film didn’t have any more money, so it threw any sense of plot or character momentum away in favor of fantastic stupidity. Perhaps feeling dwarfed by the no-holds-barred leaps of logic and disregard for the laws of physics in the recent Wanted and Statham’s own Crank (neither film held back for a PG-13 rating like the

Transporter films), Transporter 3 only faintly attempts to be as outlandish as the second entry. Mostly it just feels cheap, with sped-up footage posing as car chases and frantic editing that renders the fights incomprehensible, as the camerawork never backs away enough to give us a sense of place. While it is true that Transporter 2 also fell into the trap of continuously avoiding explanations for how Statham got out of unimaginable danger by simply cutting away, the lack of ingenuity inspires in the viewer only the desire for a nap. It appears that, for now, the gay action hero still can’t find his footing, even by clicking his heels together three times.

MUSIC by Adam Leddy

Von Iva Catches a Break Life is good for Von Iva. The San Franciscobased trio, lavishly hailed by music critics for their impossibly eclectic electro-pop-punk fusion, has launched a frenzied US tour in support of Girls on Film, their latest and much-lauded release. Add to that the group’s forthcoming film debut in the Jim Carrey vehicle Yes Man, and it appears that the girls from Von Iva are on their way to stardom. The tour included an Election Night gig in Columbus, and Becky Kupersmith, one of two gay band members, fielded some questions from Outlook. Adam Leddy: What did you enjoy most about performing for a Columbus audience (at Bernie’s)? Becky Kupersmith: The show was very special due to the election! In the middle of our set, Obama officially won, which we announced from the stage to a deafening roar of cheers. It was pretty cool to be in Ohio, a contested state, when the results came in and everyone cheered. After the show we watched Obama’s acceptance speech with a big group of people at the show. Very speDEC 04 - DEC 10 2008

cial night. The show was also great because it’s our first return to Columbus after we played here for CD101 Day, so a lot of people came from that. AL: Who in the group is gay? BK: Kelly & Becky. AL: How do the experiences of the queer band members influence the creative direction of the group? BK: I’m not sure that it has any effect on the creative direction. I think it’s important to be out, but I don’t really know if that affects our music or songwriting. A big message of our music is to not be afraid and let yourself go, which I guess is a big part of coming out. AL: What sort of crowd do you see at a Von Iva show? BK: All types! The best crowds get sweaty. AL: Tell us about landing the Jim Carrey gig. Is this your big break?

BK: The music supervisor saw our CD at Amoeba and after listening to the music thought we would be a great fit. I think it’s great to be exposed to a whole new audience! AL: What’s the most ludicrously over-the-top, outlandish piece of praise you’ve received from a rock critic? BK: I believe LA Weekly wants to lick Jillian’s legs…?

AL: As you tour the country, do you find that audiences in the heartland appreciate the music as deeply as audiences in San Fran? BK: More so at times! People in the heartland aren’t so jaded; they seem more open somehow, and want to have fun. In the big cities you encounter more cynicism, but we’ve managed to overcome that.

OUTLOOK WEEKLY â&#x20AC;˘ 27

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DEC 04 - DEC 10 2008

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OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 29

SAVAGE LOVE by Dan Savage

I am a 28-year-old woman who has been with my boyfriend for two years. I would call it a stable, fulfilling, and kinky relationship. I consider myself GGG, and every time my boyfriend has brought up a kink or variation, I’ve been willing to try it. Some things became a permanent part in our play, others have gone into the “tried that, didn’t like it” pile without any problems. Recently, though, there has been a problem. Eight years ago, I was raped. I have had counseling, but I am still sometimes troubled by nightmares and flashbacks. My boyfriend knows this. Lately, though, he has expressed a desire to explore rape scenarios. His ideal setup would be to obtain my consent in advance, then, sometime when the mood struck him, he would “attack” and take me, and I couldn’t say no or use a safe word. Once the “rape” started, he could do whatever he wanted, and I would not be able to stop it. I don’t think I can do this, not without sending me into flashbacks. I told him that and, as this is the only time I have flat-out refused to even try one of his ideas, I hoped that would be the end of it. It hasn’t been. He has been pressing it more and more, and there have been times when I’ve had to leave the apartment, I’ve felt so threatened. I’ve told him that if he keeps pressuring me like this, I will end the relationship. He’s told me that by threatening to leave him, I’m manipulating him, and that I have no regard for his needs. But I just can’t let him rape me, even in play. Am I really being out of line for not giving in to him on this issue and telling him that continued pressure for this would end our relationship? Needs Her Boundaries Dump the motherfucker already. Someone who has experienced a shattering

sexual trauma - rape, abuse, a world-class betrayal - has to make a good-faith effort to put the pieces back together again before entering into a new sexual and/or romantic relationship. We all have a right to expect emotional support from our partners, but our partners have a right to expect that we will be able to meet their reasonable sexual needs. You did all the right things after you were raped, NHB. You got counseling, you got yourself together, and you entered this new relationship ready to be sexual and more than capable of meeting your partner’s reasonable sexual needs. You are, however, suffering from some common aftereffects of sexual trauma nightmares, flashbacks - that you do not have to apologize for and that he has to be considerate of. And considering your history - and considering that your boyfriend knew about your history going into this relationship - ruling out rape play is perfectly reasonable on your part and should have been expected on his. Had this conflict ended with your refusal - even if it elicited a little sulking and douchebaggery on your boyfriend’s part - I wouldn’t be telling you to DTMFA. This rises to the level of DTMFA for two reasons. First, no safe word? Unreasonable. No way for you to call a stop to it? What if he decides to rape you when you have the flu? Or when your parents are in the next room? What if your fucking appendix bursts in the middle of this “scene”? While some rape victims - excuse me: survivors - develop rape fantasies, those fantasies are paradoxically about control; the “victim” in a fantasy rape scenario gets to pick her “rapist,” decides the hour and circumstances, and can call a halt to it at any time. A rape role-play scenario you can’t stop when you decide you’re done isn’t just a rape role-play scenario. It’s potentially rape. Just say no. Second, the pressure. Stitch together all the red flags in China and you won’t have one as

large the one your boyfriend has raised. He’s pressuring you to consent to sex that he knows is highly likely to leave you feeling traumatized. His unwillingness to drop this, NHB, suggests a desire on his part to traumatize you for real, not for pretend. And if you’re already leaving the house because you feel unsafe, I would suggest that he’s already succeeded in traumatizing you. You thought this was “a stable, fulfilling, and kinky relationship,” NHB. You were mistaken. DTMFA. I’m a 17-year-old high-school student, male, into foot worship and humiliation. I’m having problems separating my desire to be humiliated sexually from a willingness to be humiliated socially. A girl is using me as her “fallback.” I like “Nancy” a lot more than she likes me. I was in a relationship with another girl, and that’s when Nancy told me she loved me. So I broke up with my girlfriend, but now Nancy is unwilling to date me. I think she just enjoys having control over me. Nancy is also the only girl I get to indulge my foot fantasies with. The problem is, this gives me the thrill of humiliation, but it means I’m not getting off, yet I’m too turned on to help myself. Anonymous Foot Slave You’ve got a pretty good handle on what’s going on here: Nancy doesn’t want you for a boyfriend, but she enjoys the control she has over you. You’re not even her fallback guy, AFS. You’re merely living, breathing, foot-worshiping proof that she’s sexually attractive and, by putting up with her shit, you give her a palpable sense of how powerful that is and she is. So knowing that, what the hell do you do? Seeing as you get to indulge your foot fantasies with Nancy, something you weren’t able to do with your previous girlfriend(s), I think you should keep seeing Nancy. But resolve to

see her differently. She’s using you, right? Use her right back: Get your foot fantasies indulged, enjoy the thrill of being humiliated, then go home and beat off. But remind yourself, after you’ve come, that she’s not your girlfriend and never will be. And resolve to go to college far, far away from this Nancy person, and never speak to her again. My husband and I were married in a beautiful ceremony a few weeks ago. He’s a transman, and while neither of us hides in any closets, it hadn’t occurred to us to specifically tell my parents that he’s trans he lives his life as the man that he is. One of my mother’s sisters, however, loves starting drama. She did a bit of online digging and found out that he’s trans, and she started informing family members. Now we’re facing family holidays with the knowledge that she may make a scene. How do we deal with this situation? There’s simply not much chance that we can get my parents alone to discuss it before the holidays. Female Takes Male Your aunt can use your husband’s status as a transman as a club - a beat-you-with club, not a golf-and-cocktails club - only as long as you’re not being fully truthful about it, which is sometimes referred to as being “closeted.” Your only choice now is to get out in front of this, FTM. Tell your parents, tell your extended family - tell them now (perhaps in a letter), tell them why you didn’t tell them then (not relevant, none of their business), and tell them why you’re telling them now (aunt so-and-so is a ripe, royal cunt). Download the Savage Lovecast (my weekly podcast) every Tuesday at www.thestranger.com/savage. mail@savagelove.net

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ABOUT TOWN by Adam Leddy

RACONTEUR THEATRE ROOTS FOR MOM & POP Raconteur Theatre Company is thrilled to present a world premiere production of local playwright Sarah Tobin’s Mom and Pop. The work explores the tough choices people make between family tradition and personal dreams. Ed (Sam Blythe) took over the family hardware store in 1958, deferring dreams that would have led him to Memphis. Now his three children are faced with a similar choice: should they take over the stores or sell them? Gail (Danielle Filas) is determined to sell, but Luke (JT Walker) wants the stores to stay in the family. This leaves Eda (Molly St. Cyr-Reid) stuck in the middle. Meanwhile, Ed is nowhere to be found to help guide them. Whatever their decision, they are confronted by an inescapable fact: mom and pop stores are a dying breed. In their personal lives, even Ed’s children find themselves choosing big business over the little guy for convenience. “Every generation has choices to make,” says director Jill Ceneskie. “Not just what path we take in life, but in our principles and priorities. As a part of the Zettler Hardware family, Sarah Tobin is an advocate for small businesses and feels that people should support them. Raconteur wants to communicate that idea in this story; it is as important as the personal struggles that the characters face.” Mom and Pop runs December 4-20 at Columbus Dance Theatre (592 E Main St). Shows are Thur-Sat at 8p and Sun at 2p. Tickets are $10-15 at the door or can be purchased for $12 at http://raconteurtheatre.com/tickets.html. For additional info contact Jill Hartley at 614.313.9922 or email jill@raconteurtheatre.com.

LOCAL JEWELRY ARTIST GETS TRUNK SHOW AT MUSEUM OF ART Local jewelry artist Veda Gilp will be part of the Jewelry Trunk Show scheduled for December 7 from 1p-4p at the Columbus Museum of Art. The Museum Show is being billed as a place to “Find that unique holiday gift you’ve been searching for at the Museum Store at CMA.” Veda creates one-of-a-kind and custom pieces in sterling silver and 14K gold-filled wire and metal, semiprecious gemstones, Venetian glass, freshwater pearls and an eclectic array of “found” items. Her style is her own, a unique vision of classic and modern, always comfortable, giving

the wearer an opportunity to express her (or his) individuality. “I tend to make ‘statement pieces.’ Versatility, texture and a sense of timelessness are key elements,” Gilp said. “I combine textures and finishes: pearls with stone, weightlessness with substance, wire with diamond. Color is everything! I am inspired by the classic elements of design given a contemporary feel.” Veda is also represented at the Cameo Gallery in the Short North and Gentle Wind in Gahanna. She will be at the Essex Gallery Walk in Cincinnati on December 5 and 6.

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

fin

THE LAST WORD by Jennifer Vanasco

Let’s Give Thanks It’s tough to think about Thanksgiving about literally giving thanks - when so many in our community are so angry. It is less than a month after the election, and many of us are still smarting over the great loss that is Proposition 8. We are angry at the Mormon and Catholic churches for funding discrimination. We are angry at the citizens who voted to deny us marriage. We are angry at our own organizations that did not somehow head off the disastrous result in California, as well as the sad, rights-denying votes in Florida and Arkansas. We are angry at ourselves for not predicting the fallout earlier, and for not doing more to help. We are angry, and when we are angry it is difficult to find room in our hearts to be grateful. And yet. We do, in fact, have much to be grateful for. Let’s start with the election of Barack Obama. I don’t just mean let’s be thankful that the man himself was elected president. We don’t know yet what sort of president he’ll be, and

whether he’ll rise to face the country’s challenges with grace and courage. I mean let’s be grateful, and maybe a little astounded, that the American people voted a black man into the nation’s highest office. Let’s be honest. A lot of us who are urban Democrats secretly suspected that this day would never come - that America would be too racist, too scared of “the other” to vote for Obama. But they did. And we should give thanks, because the fact that they did should give us hope. Forty-five years ago, when Martin Luther King, Jr., gave his “I Have a Dream” speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, how many could have predicted that in 2008 we would see a black president? At the time, black people were still often prevented from exercising their right to vote. Right now, when less than a month has passed since California took away our right to marry, it seems impossible that there will come a day when we will have full civil rights. It’s even harder to imagine that 45 years from now

there might be a gay person elected president in a landslide. But now we know that the impossible happens. So let’s give thanks for that. Let’s give thanks, too, at the way gay people have risen in response to the Proposition 8 vote. It could have gone the other way. We could have been so disheartened by the vote that we slunk back into our closets, or started ripping each other apart. Instead, in cities across the country, we have come together for a common purpose. We have stood together and marched together and promised each other that we would be here to fight for our full civil rights. In King’s speech, he referenced the “marvelous new militancy” of African-Americans of the time. Yes. Let’s give thanks for our own marvelous new militancy. Let’s give thanks for our strength and renewed sense of purpose in the face of temporary defeat. Let us, like King, say that “No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

Let us be thankful that we will be able to test our commitment to winning our civil rights with upcoming marriage battles in New York and New Jersey. Let us be thankful for all those who stood with us – Oprah and Keith Olbermann, to name just two influential straight allies - and voiced their strong opinion that denying civil rights to gay people is wrong. Let us be thankful for the family members and straight friends who gasped in shock and dismay when they learned about the vote, and who called to tell us so. Let us be thankful that the arc of history indeed bends toward justice - and that it is certain that our time will come. Let us be thankful that the vote made us angry instead of afraid. Yes, we are angry. And we are right to be. But let us also be thankful this Thanksgiving that we are ready to face the fight before us. We have never been stronger than now; we have never been more unified than now. Let us be thankful that we are, once again, rising up. Jennifer Vanasco is an award-winning syndicated columnist. Email her at jennifer.vanasco@gmail.com.

HOROSCOPES by Jack Fertig

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 20): Efforts to mend fences with neighbors and family can run into resistance. Don’t let that discourage you, but remember that the more you have to say, the more you need to listen before you have your say.

PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 19): Anything you say, especially at work, will be heard loud and clear – so be very careful of what you say! Meditation will help you get better control of your mouth. Charity work is, as always, a good way to help your reputation, unless that’s why you do it.

GEMINI (May 21- Jun 20): Arguments with your partner are probably more loud than serious. Problems with the boss require more attention. Challenge yourself to examine both problems in new ways, and you can come out way ahead at home and at work.

VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sep 22): Your sudden enthusiasm for taking on domestic or community issues may bewilder your partner. Any misunderstandings coming out of that can be turned to your advantage. Look for novel ways to work together to clean up any problems.

CAPRICORN (Dec 21 – Jan 19): Everyone’s worried about money nowadays, but your concerns are somehow a bit cleverer. Confiding in a very close friend will help you to articulate and improve your financial plans, and to offer better advice.

ARIES (Mar 20 – Apr 19): Your wild new ideas may be vastly entertaining, but what practical application do they have? Meditation and inspiration can catalyze those ideas, but they still need focus. The examples or needs of friends suggest a useful direction.

CANCER (Jun 21- Jul 22): New approaches to sexuality could enliven fun and games or take you to deeper, more healing understandings. Or both! Be very careful of your health! It’s too easy now to catch a bug or strain a muscle. Guard your liver and thighs especially!

LIBRA (Sep 23 – Oct 22): Your eagerness to prove a point can have you tripping over your tongue, or over your own feet. Stop, think, relax! Simple logic won’t work here. Look for a wacky, inventive, playful way to reconcile apparently opposing viewpoints.

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18): Ignore advice about money from friends (except maybe Capricorns!). Your own foresight and instincts are best. You know better than most how to weather rude surprises and can at least help people with that example.

TAURUS (Apr 20 – May 20): Sexual adventures are beckoning all over the place, and a friend or two may step forward wanting to take the relationship deeper. Confidence from all this attention can not only boost your career, but help you move up in new directions.

LEO (July 23 – August 22): Your natural aptitude for creative fun gets an extra boost, and easily takes a turn to the erotic. Sex isn’t always the answer to relationship problems, but right now it’s your best bet!

SCORPIO (Oct 23 – Nov 21): Before you spend or invest any money, think long and hard about where you want to be living in twenty years. Putting that money into your home or family now is probably your best bet.

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.

DEC 04 - DEC 10 2008