26 N JU
08 0 92 0 L - JU
1 O0 N 13 L VO
H -DA O O !•D M O O ND B A E T I H • RED W THE OFFIC T S E F M O C • IAL PRIDE GUIDE
02 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY OWNERS AND PUBLISHERS Michael Daniels & Chris Hayes EDITOR-IN-CHIEF / ART DIRECTOR Chris Hayes hayes@outlookmedia.com ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR / PHOTOS Robert Trautman traut@outlookmedia.com 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, Dennis Vanke, Mario Pinardi, Rick Kramer, Aaron Drake, Jennie Keplar, Scott Varner, Derrik Chinn, Dan Savage, Felice Newman, Tim Curran, Chris Hughes, Stephen J Fallon, Felice Newman, J. Eric Peters, Crystal Hawkins, Brent Wilder, Matthew Burlingame, Jacob Anderson-Minshall, Matthew Veritas Tsien, Cheri Meyers
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. HOW TO REACH US Outlook Media, Inc. 815 N High St, Suite ii Columbus, OH 43215 614.268.8525 phone 614.261.8200 fax www.outlookweekly.net web www.outlookmedia.com business www.myspace.com/outlookweekly friends www.flickr.com/outlookweekly photos SUBSCRIPTIONS Call 614.268.8525
READERSHIP: 210,000 PEOPLE / MONTH Outlook Weekly is published and distributed by Outlook Media, Inc. every Thursday throughout Ohio. Outlook Weekly is a free publication provided solely for the use of our readers. Any person who willfully or knowingly obtains or exerts unauthorized control over copies of Outlook Weekly with the intent to prevent other individuals from reading it shall be considered guilty of the crime of theft. Violators will be prosecuted. The views expressed in Outlook Weekly are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the views, policies, or personal, business, or professional practices of Outlook Media, Inc. or its staff, ownership, or management. Outlook Weekly does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness or reliability of any interpretation, advice, opinion, or view presented. Outlook Media, Inc. does not investigate or accept responsibility for claims made in any advertisement. Outlook Media, Inc. assumes no responsibility for claims arising in connection with products and services advertised herein, nor for the content of, or reply to, any advertisement. All material is copyrighted ©2008 by Outlook Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008 VOLUME 13 NUMBER 01
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
SNAPSHOT PRIDE MONTH 2008 CONTINUES. FIRST UP WAS THE EVER FAMOUS “OUT WITH OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS” EDITION OF NETWORK COLUMBUS ON JUNE 11 AT U CAFE. WE PACKED THE PATIO, THE BAR AND ON A FEW EXTRA POUNDS WITH ALL THE FREE MUNCHIES, WHILE WE photos by Stonewall, Traut & Hayes MINGLED WITH OUR ALLIED OFFICIALS. NEXT WAS FORE! PRIDE, THE INAUGURAL GOLF OUTING ON SATURDAY, JUNE 14 AT RAY MEMORIAL GOLF COURSE. OVER 60 MOS SCRAMBLED ON THE COURSE HITTING BALLS AND PLAYING IN TRAPS. FINALLY, THE FUNNIEST OF ALL EVENTS LAST WEEK WAS THE PINK PARTY WITH LESLIE JORDAN AT STONEWALL ON SUNDAY JUNE 15 AND HIS SHOW MY TRIP DOWN THE PINK CARPET AT THE SOUTHERN ON JUNE 16. LESLIE IS NOT ONLY HYSTERICAL, BUT HONEST, KIND AND DOWN-TO-EARTH. WE’RE STILL LOL-ING! : )
SNAPSHOT
NETWORK COLUMBUS @ U CAFE
FORE! PRIDE GOLF OUTING
STONEWALL PINK PARTY W/ LESLIE JORDAN
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 03
WELCOME TO PRIDE 2008
Your Officia l G uide To Pride! SNAPSHOT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........2 TOC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........3 READER POLL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........4 COMMENTARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........6 NOT THAT KIND OF GIRL . . . . . . . . . ........8 TRANSNATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........9 OUT BUSINESS NEWS . . . . . . . . . . . . ......11 POLI-SCI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13,15 CITIZEN CRAIN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ......15 FEATURE: 2008 PRIDE HOLIDAY .17-84 WELCOME FROM OUTLOOK . . . . . . ......18 LETTER FROM THE MAYOR . . . . . . ......20 WELCOME FROM STONEWALL . . . . ......22 BRAVO AND PRIDE SAFETY . . . . . . ......24 MEET STONEWALL . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27-36 INTERVIEW: JANET JACKSON . . . . ......38 ENTERTAINMENT HIGHLIGHTS . . . .40-45 FAITH HAPPENINGS . . . . . . . . . . . ......47 EHIBITS OF PRIDE . . . . . . . . . . . . ......49
PRIDE HAPPENINGS AND MAPS . . .52-56 COMMUNITY VOICES . . . . . . . . . . . .58-79 BITCH SLAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ......79 GET ACTIVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ......81 COMFEST/BOOM/DOODAH . . . . . . . ......83 TV: PRIDE WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS . . ......85 DEEP INSIDE HOLLYWOOD . . . . . . . . ......86 ARTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ......86 GALLERY HOP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ......88 MUSIC: DONNA SUMMERS . . . . . . . . ......90 CLASSIFIEDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92-93 PUCKER UP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ......95 SEX TALK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ......96 SAVAGE LOVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ......97 ABOUT TOWN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ......98 THE LAST WORD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ......99 SCOPES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ......99 IN TWO WEEKS: SNAPSHOT PRIDE 2008
Celebrating OUR POWER as a community! We know that Columbus throws the best Pride bashes in the Midwest, if not in the nation, and you’re holding the only thing you’ll need to get you through the weekend. On the next 100 pages - yes, one hundred pages - you’ll find the skinny on all Pride activities, a map of the parade, the festival park, and all the happenings at the local bars and hotspots. Plus we’ve included info on the entertainers, interviews with the divas, and information on the folks who make it all happen, Stonewall Columbus. In addition to our columnists, commentary, and community coverage, we asked our community partners to give us their take what “Our Power” means to them, their agency and the community. Their words are truly inspirational. We are so excited to present this guide to Pride, which is our biggest issue of the year, and our biggest issue to date (besides Chris’s commitment issues ;). We couldn’t do it without you, our beloved readers, from whom we get our power and our drive. Thank you for your continued support. As you work your way through this giant, please recognize our advertisers who are proud supporters of our community and show them that support in return. This is a weekend to be proud, so revel in the fact that we have the best Pride, the best Community, and that you get it all, every week, right here in America’s Greatest Publication Outlook Weekly and now on the airwaves during the great local babble and talk of Radio Outlook. Enjoy yourselves, and have a safe and happy Pride. Chris, Michael & Traut JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
04 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
The Reader Poll Last week we asked:
Next year Pride is a week earlier than normal, taking it off ComFest weekend and moving it to Goodale Park. Do you think this should be a permanent change? NEXT WEEK’S QUESTION:
What is your best Pride’08 memory? Log on to: www.outlookweekly.net to take this week’s poll.
Yes 59% • No 41% Why or why not? • Definitely! It would be fiscal boon for Stonewall as they would get more vendors who typically have to decide between Pride and Comfest, it would be better exposure being part of the Short North and not tucked away downtown, we could have a whole weekend celebration and all the Comfesters could come to our party and we could go to theirs! Wins all around! •I think that the gay community is plenty big and strong enough to have its own celebration apart from any other. Also, more stuff to do in Columbus this way! •Two festivals are better than one. I won’t have to choose between them any more. •It’s better not to have it on the same weekend as Chicago and Toronto. •I want to go to both. i am an older lesbian hippie! •Will this conflict with Cleveland Pride? I think the high visibility of HIGH street is a plus - Goodale Park is a bit like taking it back to the closet •Let’s try it out and then decide. •It’s not as visible or accessible as Bicentennial Park. •How dumb is that!??!? Now there are going to be just a fraction of the people attending! Pridefest should be FREE like Comfest. •Less congested Short North. •Two weekends to enjoy, and no decision to make about which one to attend at any given hour. Plus, “we” deserve a weekend of our own. •Why change tradition. •Yes, I love Goodale Park! There’s a lot more places to get out of the hot sun! •I like making the trip to Columbus to attend both. And I think more people are exposed to Pride when attending Comfest, which is a good thing. •It will make it easier to get to the German Village Haus & Garten tour of homes. Great idea. •I think ComFest increases participation in pride and contributes to our pride event being the largest in the Midwest. Having a festival at the start in Goodale Park and at the end in Bicentenial Park makes it seem like a bigger celebration and
makes it twice as fun. Not to mention that closeted GLB people who usually ignore the gay community can tell friends & family they are going (or went to) Comfest as a cover and end up being caught up in the excitement and possibly taking part in pride festivities. I think it even helps some of our straight friends who might feel comfortable going to Comfest to also get caught up in our celebration. For example, if a straight person who’s ANTI-gay goes to Comfest and appreciates the values that Comfest seems to promote (love, peace, acceptance) perhaps seeing the positive messages surrounding the start of our pride parade may allow them to start to accept people of a different sexual orientation. •Comfest and Pride together is always a great party. •I like to be able to enjoy both festivals separately.... that will be a great change! •much more exposure during ComFest and I think that is good •Comfest draws a large crowd to Columbus, and it is a crowd that is sympathetic to GLBT causes and they’re willing to donate time and money to the issues that afflict the GLBT community. •I get exhausted trying to do it ALL! It is so congested with both events happening. I HATE the stage at Bicentennial Park. Too hot/sunny and the speakers always seem like an afterthought. •Finally - I can enjoy BOTH events! Although the parking will be harder in the Short North - I prefer the park. But what about the parade? Are we starting it downtown and ending in the park?? •Goodale Park is a great place to hang out after the parade. •I think it Makes for a great weekend and only makes sense to have it all together. •I could spend more time at both •If too many things are on the same weekend than none get the attendance and publicity needed. •I think that is a better location, plus it keeps pride in the short north area and vendors/store owners will benefit from it in a positive way.
25%
ALL TIME LOW
SO U RC
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
E : CBS NEWS
CATEGORY
NOV 2 ’04
JUN 20 ’08
DIFFERENCE
AMERICAN DEAD
1,122
4,101
2,979
AMERICAN WOUNDED
8,124
30,333
22,209
IRAQI CIVILIAN DEAD
16,342
92,414
76,072
NATIONAL DEBT
$7,429,629,954,236
$9,396,628,649,005
DAYS ‘TIL 2008 ELECTION
1,463
137
$1,966,998,694,769 (1,326)
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 05
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
06 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
COMMENTARY by Mickey Weems
POWER, LIBERATION, SHAME AND PRIDE Gay Pride was not always about pride. Initially, it was all about Gay power and liberation, and then switched to assimilation, and finally, inclusion. Here’s a brief description of how things changed and why. Stonewall! Before Stonewall, Gay folks were forced almost everywhere in the world to live in shame. Most of those who were brave enough to come out publicly and demand our rights would insist that we all look just like Straight people, whether we wanted to or not. Their insistence was not without reason. Most Americans were fixated on an image of us as gender perverts as well as sexual deviants. As is still true today, much of the fixation was on homosexual men as effeminate and weak. Women didn’t count except as an afterthought. Here’s a quick recap of what happened on June 28, 1969: a police raid on the Stonewall Inn on Christopher Street in Greenwich Village, New York City went sour when Queers under arrest and their rowdy supporters fought back against the cops. Shouts of “Gay Power!” rang through the air, and were almost immediately translated into media sound-bites. 3 days of unrest, spontaneous street demonstrations (including chorus lines of drag queens), and pent-up joy burst onto TV screens across North America and Europe. When the news of the Stonewall Awakening rang out across the world on that fateful summer of ’69, our people’s public rejection of homophobia was characterized as a riot. But even then, it was portrayed as a funny riot and comic men-on-men action, a humorous spectacle of limp-wristed pansies in nelly outfits taunting butch police in their macho riot gear. The tabloids described law enforcers dressed for violence and, as usual, fairies were portrayed as dressed to kill, proof that there is no occasion when one is absolved from making a fashion statement. But Stonewall was more than just sissy-boys mincing about in the streets in hip-hugging bellbottoms and skimpy hot pants. All kinds of people, including women, Straights, and gender-benders across the sexual spectrum celebrated their newJUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
found freedom and solidarity as they threw rocks, bottles, garbage, and coins (signifying the bribes the cops regularly demanded from our bars). Some sources say the first person to actually resist the police was a woman dressed in men’s clothing. But, just as before, the news focused on effeminate men. And there was indeed violence, most of it committed by overzealous law enforcement officers against those effeminate men they so despised. Nevertheless, nobody was killed on either side. Perhaps the lack of fatalities was due to the state of shock the police experienced when these men, women, Transpeople and Straight allies quit playing nice and decided to throw things instead. Even the fighting on our side was more like ridicule than fisticuffs. It was an assault on the police’s collective ego more so than their bodies, a strategy that probably have saved lives in the long run. Stonewall was basically a massive coming out, led by the most abused members of our society. It was a collective NO! to oppression and a resounding YES! to our sense of fun and self-expression. Not many homosexuals who could pass for Straight took the time to take a stand. Stonewall was primarily by those who were sick and tired of being punished for not being Straight enough. Within a year, Christopher Street Liberation Day was celebrated in NYC and other LGBTQ enclaves. Gay Pride celebrations in Germany are still named after Christopher Street rather than the Stonewall Inn.
formists in our midst. Efforts were made to hide away anything that might shock the status quo, anything for which we’d be expected to feel shame, such as undisciplined women in our midst who spoke up against sexism (Lesbians had likewise been given the boot by their mainstream Straight feminist sisters), or he-she/she-he freaks who refused to dress according to society’s expected gender norms. True solidarity among our people went the way of bellbottoms. The attitude of our assimilationist spokesmen was that we should be proud only when we were normal. Queer theorist Michael Wagner coined the term heteronormative (normal as much as possible according to Straight people’s sensibilities) to describe the pervasive regulations of Straight identity and performance that were expected of us as the best means for us to show our “pride,” which was in reality just another closet. This is the moment when “gay” took on the meaning of “White homosexual men” because, of course, only men should be in charge in Leave-It-ToBeaverland. Naturally, Lesbians, Transsexuals, and anyone who did not classify as White felt left out, and too many White assimilationist Gay men in positions of power did nothing to make them feel included. This began in earnest only a short time after Stonewall and continued all the way to the Age of Reaganomics.
Back In The Heteronormative Closet Here in the USA, however, some Gay men were more worried about clean-cut image than tolerance and inclusion. They were tired of being portrayed as prancing pansies. Assimilation was their agenda, which meant that few Lesbians and no Transsexuals or flaming queens would be allowed a voice in the movement or visibility in photo-ops. People of color were, of course, out of the question. We didn’t need liberation, we were told. Emphasis on liberation and power made us sound too much like anti-American communists or Black Panthers. We needed pride, which means we should have the decency to be ashamed of the noncon-
AIDS and Gay solidarity But Gay White men who appointed themselves as our leaders and watchdogs started falling ill along with their not-so-heteronormative siblings. Many were dying. It became distressingly clear that, with all the hysteria against us whether we appeared normal or not, we could never be normal enough. We all needed to quit snubbing each other and protect our own, from the sex worker turning tricks on the street to the Sapphic couple raising their kids in the suburbs to the business executive in the boardroom. The pan-Gay ethics of Stonewall were once again revisited, revived, and reinscribed. None of us were safe until all of us were safe. Gay men and Transwomen of every color and ethnicity as well as
Lesbians, Transmen, and Straight people struggled with AIDS as patients, caregivers, and activists. We were bonded in our sorrow. Our collective love, grief, and anger cleared our heads of less important concerns and petty rivalries. It also helped us to finally not give a damn about what other people thought of us. Gay Pride was no longer the pride of successfully fitting in with society’s expectations. Instead, we learned it would be much better for us if we changed society to fit our expectations. Pride shifted away from the avoidance of internalized shame to the ethics of inclusion. In the Gay vision of our spiritual covenant with each other under Heaven, diversity became a holy commandment that we go beyond tolerance to appreciation. We baptized each other with laughter and silliness, and we were born again. We trasnsubstantiated our appreciation of diversity from a sober stance into a worldwide celebration that wraps our planet in a shimmering rainbow ribbon every summer. We still have vestiges of that old sense of shame that came with the original Gay pride-as-avoidance-of-stigma. Many Lesbians, Transfolk and nonWhite people still do not feel accepted or properly represented, not yet. And we should recognize that a Dyke March or Black Pride is not necessarily geared for the exclusion of others, but rather a chance to focus on an important facet that could only have been possible because of our collective Gay pride in the first place. We are slowly shifting back to the older Stonewall-based sense of “Gay” as “all-inclusive.” Many more of us are warming up to the more provocative label of “Queer,” and no doubt we will have many more labels in years to come. Our people are pushing the boundaries of LGBTQ into new identities for which we do not yet have names. In spite of recession, earthquake, and unnecessary wars, Pride 2008 will be the largest festival humanity has ever witnessed, and the party will continue to grow larger for years to come. It is too big to be packaged without including a few blank spaces for us to inscribe new identities or even leave blank if we so choose. There are many new colors yet to be added to the rainbow.
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 07
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
08 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
NOT THAT KIND OF GIRL by Mette Bach
OUT POWER COMES FROM OUR PAST Thank You We’ve come a long way. This year marks thirty years of Pride celebrations not just in Columbus, not just in Ohio, not just in America. Internationally, queers have spent three decades doing what we do so well – fighting back in the most fabulous of ways by having a giant parade and over-the-top outfits. But, wow. Thirty years. Because I was only two thirty years ago, I think it’s only fair that this column be dedicated to the generations that came before me. I waltzed into doing my queer relationship-themed column, Not That Kind of Girl, with absolute ease. The platter may not have been silver but the opportunity to express myself and to speak openly and honestly about my experiences of my sexuality and my community was handed to me in the most gracious way imaginable. Over the years, I’ve received plenty of emails and accolades from the community. Only a couple of people took the time to write to me to tell me they didn’t like what I stood for and even they were polite about it. That is amazing. I don’t mean to be cynical, but could that have happened thirty years ago? Would I have found a weekly paper willing to run a column
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
that gave positive portrayals of lesbian dynamics? Maybe. Would it have been easy? Likely not. There are countless people who have sacrificed and fought for our rights to speak out. Those are the people I want to thank for the effortlessness of having my voice heard. I have those same people to thank for the fact that I could even conceptualize the possibility of being a queer writer. Queer media exists because we’ve all recognized how important it is for us to have a safe space in which to share our thoughts and ideas and information. This paper is not a given. It is the result of decades of labor and struggle, of hardship and triumph. Chris Hayes and Michael Daniels and the folks involved could have taken other jobs in mainstream media. They could have been paid big salaries to do what they do, but they chose to do what their hearts required of them. It is a big deal that they made these choices and they need to be recognized for it. When I think about the struggles that the next generation faces, I’m optimistic because dialogues have started a long time ago. Systems are in place. Young folks have papers to read. They may grow up in a world that tells them they aren’t okay and they can’t get married (unless they move to Massachusetts or
California – for now). They will be told they are different. They may have to fight hostility and intolerance. But they will know that they are not alone. We are not alone. The queer community spans the entire globe and no matter where we live, the struggles continue. We know we don’t have to accept societal pressures to conform. We know we don’t have to take it on when folks at school or at work or on the bus see us holding hands with our sweetie and glare. If someone has a problem or wants to call us a freak, we know we don’t have to listen. We don’t have be afraid of who we are. Generations before us did not grow up that way. That is why we – all of us – need to thank the heroes who came before us, who were activists or lobbyists or simply people living their lives without fear or shame. The people of my generation and those in the younger generations need to learn from our heroes. We need to pick up the batons they are passing us. We need to understand where we have come from
and where we are going and what this fight is really all about. In my humble opinion, it is about freedom. We want the freedom to love the way we want to love, to touch the way we want to touch, to play the way we want to play. We want the same rights that everyone else has. And, no, we’re not quite there yet. So this Pride, grab those rainbow flags, march in the streets with your fellow queers and be proud of who you are, where you’re from and what good company you keep. Each one of us on our own is strong and together we’re…well…we’re one hell of a parade. Mette Bach is taking the summer off of column writing so that she can work on larger projects. She will be back in the fall.
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 09
TRANSNATION by Jacob Anderson-Minshall
TOP TRANS EVENTS THIS PRIDE SEASON June has become the month for Pride celebrations, and for trans folks, this year offers more venues than ever to show your pride or protest the current political environment. A few events (past and future): New England Trans Pride March With their slogan (“Remember Stonewall? That was us!”) recalling the 1969 New York City riots, the First Annual New England Trans Pride March ushered in the Pride season June 7th when Northampton, MA - the town best known as “Lesbianville, USA” - played host to a thousand trans and ally marchers. The following rally featured trans entertainers and speakers like folksingers Joe Stevens (of Coyote Grace) and Cathy Worthley, and activists Gunner Scott, Monica Roberts and Donna Rose. One of the event’s organizers, Bet Power - Director and Curator of the Sexual Minorities Archives - urged lesbians and gays to “intensify their support of the transgender community.” Fresh Meat Festival Years before the debut of dedicated trans marches, San Francisco’s Fresh Meat Festival provided an annual outlet for transgender artists and their supporters. Launched in 2001 by choreographer Sean Dorsey, Fresh Meat Productions supports established and emerging trans and queer artists. Seven years later, they’re still the only festival of their kind in the US, but they’ve gained such a following they’ve had to move to a larger theater. Fortunately, the relocation to Project Artaud Theater now accommodates ensemble performances like the Transcendence Gospel Choir, the country’s only all transgender choral group (featured in the documentary The Believers). “The Transcendence Gospel Choir does exactly what Fresh Meat is all about,” Dorsey contends. “[They] inspire, affirm, open hearts and minds - all while making really good art. [It’s a] joyful, powerful, deeply moving articulation of the…strength of our community.” This year, Fresh Meat was able to commission five ensembles creating “cutting-edge work in traditional art forms.” Dorsey admits, “I want to have trans and queer communities…see ourselves reflected onstage in traditional culture, to reclaim our place in history as important culture bearers and leaders.” The 7th Annual Fresh Meat Festival runs June 19-22. This year’s performance include the festival’s first opera, trans performers Scott Turner Schofield and Ryka Aoki De La Cruz, and trans musicians Lipstick Conspiracy, Katastrophe and
Shawna Virago. The festival’s Fresh Meat Gallery will exhibit work by transgender and gender variant visual artists. San Francisco Trans March The Fifth Annual San Francisco Trans March, “Marching for a Gender Inclusive ENDA,” will be held Friday, June 27th. Festivities (3p in Dolores Park) feature thirty trans and gender-variant bands, artists and performers. Former HRC board member Donna Rose will give the keynote speech. Nearly 7,500 people came out last year, and organizers are expecting over 10,000 participants in the march, which begins at 7p. Trans Day of Action for Social & Economic Justice On the opposite coast, New York City will be celebrating the fourth annual Trans Day of Action for Social & Economic Justice June 27 at City Hall Park. Organized by the Audre Lorde Project’s TransJustice project, the Day of Action hopes to develope solidarity with other civil rights movements and social justice organizations. Trans Day of Action (myspace.com/transjusticenyc) organizers say they want to let the world know, “The Stonewall rebellion is not over and we will continue fighting for social and economic justice, raising our voices until we are heard.” Twin Cities Trans March On Saturday, June 28, Twin Cities Trans March organizers hope to avoid last year’s snafu, when 200-250 marchers were stopped by Minneapolis police, who insisted the marchers disperse or face arrest - despite a valid permit. The stand-off reportedly lasted forty-five minutes before organizers agreed to suspended the rally. Supporters view the second annual event, (1pm in Stevens Square Park), as an alternative to Pride festivities they criticize for “commercialization [that] draws attention away from vitally needed activism and political education.” An all ages after-party at Pi Bar will feature entertainers like “queernerdcore” band Tough Tough Skin, drag performers Esme Rodrigues and Kysa Bong and the Androgyny Kings. Expect even more options for supporting transgender pride next June. Jacob Anderson-Minshall co-hosts the monthly LGBT literary event, QLiterati! at Portland, Oregon’s Q Center. Contact him at jake@trans-nation.org. © 2008 Jacob Anderson-Minshall JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
10 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 11
OUT BUSINESS NEWS by Chris Hayes
SPOTLScott IGHT: Rousku & Torso Our favorite gay fashion & gift shop in the Short North turns ten this year - a milestone for any business, but particularly a GLBT focused one. We caught up with community entrepeneur Scott Rousku to find out more about him and his store TORSO. Chris Hayes: What prompted you to open TORSO? Were you in fashion? What did you do before? Scott Rousku: My own shopping habits. I looked at my closet and said to myself ‘you didn’t buy any of those clothes in Columbus!’ A light bulb went off and I found my niche. I worked at Functional Furnishing in the Short North for 12 years in management, interior design and visuals. I studied fashion and interior design at the Art Institute of Ft. Lauderdale and worked for Corporate America in fashion and visual design.
CH: What was it like opening a gay business in the Short North 10 years ago? SR: Exciting, scary and immediately rewarding.
CH: Ten years is definitely a milestone. What’s the secret to your success? SR: Customer service and having a great staff. We are truly like a family!
CH: Was there any other gay owned/targeted businesses around back then? What was the SN like? SR: Not really- more art galleries but less bars and restaurants.
CH: How has your business changed over the year? How have you adapted to stay relevant? SR: We’ve grown from a smaller location into a larger one and now have three other venues that are TORSO related businesses. Changing with the times.
CH: How is the changing landscape of the SN affecting you as a business owner? SR: Introducing new people to the Short North helps all of the businesses here. CH: Torso is 10 years old this month. How are you celebrating? SR: We will be having specials all month long. We also have a live DJ every Saturday night.
CH: You have more than one location, no? Where are each and what do they offer? SR: The Short North TORSO store (Fashion Driven) ‘Pop Couture’ in Tradewinds Bar (Fetish & Leather), torsoonline.com (Underwear driven) and now TORSO at Roseland Resort (all of the above!) CH: How much of your business these
days is web driven? SR: At least 25%.
nities greatest power lies? SR: In the size of our Gay/Lesbian/Transgender and Bisexual community!
CH: Do you think you’ll be around another ten years? SR: Yes CH: What advice do you have for people that want to open their own business? SR: Patience!
Torso is located at 772 N. High St, Suite 100, 614.421.7663, www.torsoonline.com. They are open 7 days a week - Mon: 11-6p; Tues thru Thurs 11a-9p; Fri & Sat 11a-10p and Sundays 12p-5p.
CH: What’s hot this season? SR: Andrew Christian underwear and clothing CH: Are there any specials for Pride month? SR: Yes, we currently have $15 specials and 3 for $40 deals. CH: Pride’s theme is “Our Power” this year. Where do you think our commu-
GAY AMERICAN HEROES FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES IMPRESSIVE LIST OF NEW BOARD MEMBERS The Gay American Heroes Foundation (GAHF) is pleased to announce the appointment of four new members to its Honorary Board of Directors and three new members to its Advisory Board of Directors: Charlie David, Thea Gill, Christine O’Leary, and Elliot Tiber have been appointed to the Honorary Board, and Mark Bias, Cate Colgan, and DJ Fr8-0 have joined the Advisory Board. Gay American Heroes Foundation is committed to education and remembrance of those who died because of their sexual orientation and gender identity via a traveling memorial and educational exhibition which will travel across the United States to universities, colleges and communities where hate crimes have occurred. Information on Gay American Heroes Foundation may be found at www.GayAmericanHeroes.com. Honorary Board Members Charlie David has been a host for E! Television , OutTV, here! TV, Pink TV and Life Network. He was the subject of a documentary on The Learning Channel and has appeared as musical guest on VH1, BBC and CBS. In 2005 Out Magazine recognized him as one of the “Out 100” for Remarkable Contributions to Gay Culture at their gala in New
York. In 2007 the Philadelphia Film Society awarded Charlie with their Rising Star Award. In 2008 the Festival del Sol in Gran Canaria honored him with their Best Male Actor Award to Charlie and the male cast of “A Four Letter Word.” Among his many TV and film appearances are roles in “Dante’s Cove,” “Ugly Betty” and Showtime’s “Reefer Madness: The Movie Musical.” David recently completed a screenplay, “Mulligans,” which is currently touring the film festivals. Thea Gill portrayed Lindsay Peterson in “Queer as Folk” and has since been seen on the television series, “Dante’s Cove.” She has won two Leo Awards, for “Best Female Lead Performance” in 2007 and “Best Guest Performance by a Female” for “The Collector: The Mother.” In addition to her acting work, Gill is a talented jazz singer. Christine O’Leary, a comedian, is often referred to as the “Funniest Lesbian in America” and has been compared in comic popularity to Ellen DeGeneres and Lily Tomlin. She is appearing on “The
Gayly Show With Christine O’Leary” on IMGAY.TV Elliot Tiber has written and produced numerous award-winning plays and musical comedies for theater, television and films around the world. A best-selling author, his first novel, “Rue Haute,” was an instant bestseller in Europe and was published in the US under its English title, “High Street.” As a humorist, Elliot Tiber has appeared on CNN, NBC, CBS, CNBC, and 20/20, as well as on television shows in France, England, Tokyo, Moscow, and Berlin. Prior to becoming a writer, Tiber was in charge of issuing permits for public events in Bethel, New York. In 1969, after learning the organizers of the Woodstock Festival had been denied a permit in Walkill, New York, he not only issued a permit for the festival, but he also helped to negotiate the agreement. According to IMDB.com, without Elliot Tiber’s work, Woodstock might never have happened. Acclaimed film director, Ang Lee
(“Brokeback Mountain”), is set to direct the movie based on Tiber’s book “Taking Woodstock: A True Story of a Riot, a Concert and a Life.” As a professor of comedy writing and performance, he has taught at the New School and Hunter College in New York City. Tiber will appear in an upcoming Public Service Announcement on behalf of Gay American Heroes along with ANT, Charlie David, Thea Gill and Reichen Lehmkul, to name a few. Advisory Board Members Mark Bias and his partner Carrie West own MC Film Fest in Ybor City, just outside of Tampa, Florida. They also write a weekly gossip column, “Dishing with Mark & Carrie” which may be found both online and in Buzz Magazine. Cate Colgan is a host on ImGay,TV, a web site based in St. Petersburg, FL featuring videos of events, interviews and other information pertinent to the local gay community. DJ Fr8-0, Miami-born Cuban, began his spinning career with monthly sessions at Buck 15 on South Beach. DJ FR8-0 continues to re-invent himself and makes appearances throughout the SoBe club scene. Other appearances include Barramundi NY, Halo Miami, The Palace Bar, Lakeview Broadcasting Co. Chicago, Catalina Beach Club, Sleepless Night, Gay American Heroes Winter Party Event and Winter Music Conference 2008. JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
12 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 13
POLI-SCI by ACLU, HRC, GLAD, Lambda Legal, NCLR, Equality Federation, Freedom to Marry, glaad, & NGLTF
THE POWER OF PATIENCE Make Change, Not Lawsuits Now that we’ve won marriage in California, should we be bringing cases in other states or suing the federal government? If not, what can we do to help secure the freedom to marry nationwide? Bottom Line. If you’re ready and it’s right for you, get married in California. If you do, claim the name and act like what you are: married. But don’t go suing right away. Most lawsuits will likely set us all back. There are other ways to fight which are more likely to win. Summary: The fastest way to win the freedom to marry throughout America is by getting marriage through state courts (to show that fairness requires it) and state legislatures (to show that people support it). We need to start with states where we have the best odds of winning. When we’ve won in a critical mass of states, we can turn to Congress and the federal courts. At that point, we’ll ask that the U.S. government treat all marriages equally. And we’ll ask that all states give equal treatment to all marriages and civil unions that are celebrated in other states. Couples who want to should get married, call themselves married, and ask (sometimes demand) that family, friends, neighbors, businesses, employers and the community treat their marriages with respect. Making the marriages of same-sex couples a conspicuous part of American society will help us get something we’ll need to win ultimately: public acceptance of equal treatment for lesbian and gay families. [A word to the wise: getting married could have unintended and damaging consequences for some people. If you are in the military, on a visa, thinking about adopting or getting government benefits, you should talk to a lawyer who knows that area, or get in touch with one of the legal organizations] There are many things people can and should do – urgently - to get marriage nationwide. Working together we can defend the transformative wins in Massachusetts and California and build on them until we win equality, liberty and justice for all. But one thing couples shouldn’t do is just sue the federal government or, if they are from other states, go sue their home state or their employer to recognize their marriage or open up the health plan. Pushing the federal government before we have a critical mass of states recognizing samesex relationships or suing in states where the courts aren’t ready is likely to get us bad rulings. Bad rulings will
make it much more difficult for us to win marriage, and will certainly make it take much longer. 1. Should we use the California decision to get marriage in other states? Absolutely, but not necessarily by filing a lawsuit. We all need to be smart about how we go about making progress on this issue. We’ve now won marriage in two state courts (MA and CA) and civil unions in two others (NJ and VT). But marriage cases have also been lost, for now, in five others (AZ, IN, WA, NY and MD). So far, we’ve gotten civil unions and domestic partnerships from legislatures (without court orders) in seven states (CA, CT, HI, ME, NH, OR, WA) but only one legislature has passed a marriage bill (CA), and the governor vetoed it. So, going forward, we’ll use the California Supreme Court’s brilliant reasoning and stirring language to try to persuade legislatures to end marriage discrimination in several states that are nearly ready to pass marriage laws. We’ll show the opinion to courts in Connecticut and Iowa that are already considering marriage cases. We’ll work to identify other state legislatures and courts that may be ready to do the right thing. And we’ll need everyone to help create the climate that helps judges and legislators to do the right thing. Right now, we need to choose the courts and legislatures where we have the best chance of winning for two reasons. First, these efforts take time and money, and we don’t have unlimited resources. We have to pick. Second, as answer number 3 (below) explains in a bit more detail, losses hurt. Courts and legislatures pay attention to what is going on in other states. When we lose in one state, the loss makes it tougher to win in others. A loss on the initiative in California - a loss at the hands of voters—would be particularly damaging to work in other state legislatures and other state courts. That makes the California campaign of prime importance. 2. Should folks from other states get married in California and then sue to get our home states and employers to recognize the marriages? Probably not. Courts have already said that New York will respect marriages from other states and Canada. The problem is, most states have passed laws or constitutional amendments saying that they will refuse to respect the marriages of same-sex couples. It will be tougher to win in those states. We need to lay the groundwork by changing the climate - convincing community leaders, moving public
opinion - before we rush into court. Since states generally do honor marriages from other states, people tend to think the federal constitution, through “full faith and credit,” requires that. Actually, for the most part, states honor out-of-state marriages voluntarily, for common-sense reasons. Occasionally states refuse, for example with marriage among couples too young to marry in their home state. So far, the U.S. Supreme Court hasn’t said the constitution requires “full faith and credit” for things like marriage licenses. Using state laws on honoring other marriages (the legal doctrines of “comity”) is the better place to start. And in a state with a law against honoring the marriages of same-sex couples, suing a private employer or other institution that isn’t part of the government over its refusal to honor your marriage is almost always a really bad idea. They don’t make the law, so they are likely to seem like an innocent bystander to many juries and judges. That makes the odds of winning even more remote. And unnecessarily angers a public whose support we ultimately want to have. That doesn’t mean, though, that you shouldn’t try to convince employers to honor marriages from outof- state. See question 7. 3. What’s the problem with losing a few cases? Since we can’t marry now, we’re no worse off, right? Wrong. Losses hurt, for three reasons. a. It will take longer to win the right to marry in states where we first lose cases, than it would if we waited. As society gets more used to gay and lesbian couples being married, it will be easier to win cases in states that look iffy now. In a few years, the cases just won’t seem like such a big jump. If we plunge ahead and lose cases in those states now, the courts will have to overrule themselves later to go our way. That usually takes a few years at least, and often much longer. That means it is likely to take longer to get a good decision than it would have taken if we hadn’t brought a case early on and lost it. b. It will slow us down in stronger states. It will be easier for us to convince courts and legislatures that the marriage ban should be ended if we win a series of cases – and we win by defeating the California initiative. Courts pay attention to what courts in other states do. If we win most cases, that will confirm that we have the stronger constitutional argument. And while legislatures don’t have to agree, court rulings that say the exclusion is unfair and unequal are a major help to our political arguments.
Courts still have considerable moral authority in America, especially on the constitution’s requirements of fairness and equal treatment. By contrast, early and unnecessary losses in Arizona and Indiana hurt our other cases, including in New York, Washington, and Maryland, where we lost by close margins and the courts adopted contorted reasoning from those decisions. And because, so far, more marriage cases have been lost than won, taking on a principled but long-shot case and racking up more losses now just makes it harder to convince other courts and legislatures. c. It will hurt gay people on other issues. The constitutional arguments that we make in the marriage cases also appear in our cases about other issues, such as employment, adoption, or custody. If we bring a marriage case in which a court says that the constitution does not protect us, those arguments will be harder. 4. Shouldn’t we try to get a case to the U.S. Supreme Court as soon as possible to settle the issue once and for all? No. The history is pretty clear: the U.S. Supreme Court typically does not get too far ahead of either public opinion or the law in the majority of states. For example, few states still had laws requiring segregation or outlawing interracial marriage by the time the Court struck those laws down. Most states had already struck down or repealed their own laws against same-sex intimacy when the Supreme Court invalidated Texas’s law. Right now, we need to make gains in both public opinion and state law. The current court has been taking a pretty narrow view of civil rights and civil liberties. Even the strongest gay rights case the Court has decided - the Lawrence case striking down laws against intimacy for gay couples-said it was not going to say anything about formal recognition of same-sex relationships. There are also serious risks if we go to the Supreme Court and lose, especially if we’ve asked it to set aside state limits on marriage. We could still ask state courts to strike down marriage bans under state constitutions, and we could still ask state legislatures to pass marriage laws. But most state courts and legislatures pay attention to what the U.S. Supreme Court says about constitutional principles of fairness and equality. It will be harder for us to get state courts to strike down laws excluding same-sex couples from marriage if the U.S. Supreme Court has said they are okay under the federal constitution. continued JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
14 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
STOP GETTING DUI’S WWW.TRAVELOOKOUT.COM
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
TRAVEL SAFE • TRAVEL SMART WWW.TRAVELOOKOUT.COM
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 15
A loss now may make it harder to go to Court later, and we may need to. It will take us a lot longer to get a good Supreme Court decision if the Court has to overrule itself. Let’s not forget: it took 17 years to undo Bowers v. Hardwick, the 1986 Supreme Court case that upheld Georgia’s sodomy law. And that was fast for the Supreme Court. 5. Should we get married in California and then sue the federal government to get it to honor our marriages, say for example, for immigration, tax, or social security? Not yet. In 1996, Congress passed a law saying that the federal government would discriminate against the marriages of same-sex couples (the socalled “Defense of Marriage Act” or DOMA) by denying them all the protections that the federal government gives to all other validly married couples. As a result, the federal government for four years has been discriminating against the marriages of Massachusetts same-sex couples. It will, as things now stand, continue to deny equal treatment to same-sex couples that marry in California. One way to get rid of “DOMA” would be to have Congress repeal it (something many of the leading candidates for President have said they favor) or repeal parts of it. Another option would be to sue, but suing is complicated. A case like this could easily wind up at the U.S. Supreme Court. Our chances of winning could well depend on how the case is put together. For example, a case would have little or no chance if your home state doesn’t honor your marriage. A case would not be a very good shot unless you had suffered serious harm because of the federal government’s refusal to honor your marriage. Narrow focused cases are likely to have a better shot than broad, diffuse ones. We’ll need to work closely with experts who study the Supreme Court to build a case with a reasonably good chance of success. And last, but not least, we’d need to make sure that a case wouldn’t have unintended consequences for you. For example, a case focused on immigration could lead to the deportation of the non-American member of a binational couple. 6. If we’re not going to win by suing more states or the federal government now, how are we going to win? There are two things we need to do to win the freedom to marry nationwide. First, we need to change the law. Like other civil rights movements, we are doing that state by state, starting with the states where we have the best shot. In some states, we’ll get marriage through the state legislature, to show that it has popular support. In other states, we’ll go to the courts, to show that excluding samesex couples is inconsistent with basic principles of fair play. When we’ve been successful in the states most likely to go our way, it will be easier to win in other states. When we’ve built significant support we’ll ask the federal government to give our marriages the same treatment it gives all other marriages - including them in federal laws and programs. Congress could do that in a single bill. Even as America embraces, state by state and in the federal government, the view that it is unfair to exclude same-sex couples from marriage, a few states may hold out against the emerging consensus. Ultimately, the key to national equality may be the federal government, as it has been in all the other civil rights movements – but national resolution comes after groundwork, not in one roll of the dice. The second thing we need to do, as explained more in the answer to question 7, is convince America to accept the change, to accept the idea that our constitution does not allow discrimination. Equal treatment under the law is all we are asking – not more, not less. 7. So if we shouldn’t generally be suing, what
should we be doing? Neither court decisions nor legislatures can make effective, enduring change in a democratic republic as diverse as this one unless people either come to agree with the change or accept that it is required by an important higher principle. That was true with segregation, it was true with sex discrimination, and it will be true with discrimination in marriage. Changing the law through Court decisions based on fundamental principles of fairness and equality helps persuade people that change is the right thing. But the most powerful agent of change in America is people. Nothing moves Americans more on LGBT rights generally and marriage in particular more effectively than conversations that all LGBT people can have with our friends and family members about how it feels to be treated differently and why that is so unfair. Believe it or not, many of our friends and family members don’t realize the burdens and barriers we face, but most would agree that our constitution guarantees the same equal protections to everyone, and that no one should be treated differently. We’ll win marriage because individual couples get married, tell their family, friends, co-workers and community that they are married, and talk in very practical terms about why it is so important. And about what it means to be same-sex and married, with all the fundamental freedoms that others have. Simply getting married and telling people will help get those conversations going. But you shouldn’t stop there. The win in California was no accident. Cities in California started adopting Domestic Partnership policies in the mid 80s. The state adopted its first law in 1999, and expanded it over the next six years. Courts in California have been deciding important cases about discrimination since the 70s. With the victories in Massachusetts and California, we should be able to win marriage more quickly in other states. But we still need to lay the groundwork. Ask your employer to include your spouse in the health and benefit plans; ask them to do a domestic partnership policy if they decline. Ask your town to establish a local domestic partnership registry. These are some of the concrete tasks and tactics that people can do that will create the climate for the advances we all want, rather than rolling the dice on litigation. Doing those things will have practical benefits. But maybe more important, they’ll spark the conversations we need to make the changes in law enduring and real at a day-to-day level. 8. The most important thing now is to hold on to the win in California. Marriage in California will transform the national debate on the freedom to marry. It will do that because the decision is well-reasoned constitutional law from the most influential state court in the nation. It will do that because California is an American trendsetter. But marriage in California will do those things only if we can hold onto it. There is a proposal on the November ballot to ban marriage between lesbian and gay couples. That proposal would put into the California Constitution a clause that only allows heterosexual marriages. The fundamental freedom to marry would be denied to lesbian and gay couples, and the concept of treating people differently would be written into the California Constitution. We think we can beat this because Californians don’t want unnecessary government intrusion into their lives and don’t want people treated unfairly under the Constitution So please, send whatever you can to Equality for All (http://www.equalityforall.com), the campaign to defeat the initiative and preserve the freedom to marry in California.
CITIZEN CRAIN by Chris Crain
WHO’S RIGHT ABOUT JOHN MCCAIN? One gay group calls he’s another George Bush, while another claims he’s a maverick free from conservative anti-gay clutches. Who is right? The general election isn’t even a month old and already two leading gay political organizations are fighting over whether Republican presidential nominee John McCain is a friend or foe to gay and lesbian voters. The Human Rights Campaign was first to attack, issuing a report last week claiming McCain represented “four more years” of anti-gay hostility in the White House. Much in the HRC report is not new, but it’s nonetheless striking to see compiled in one place the Arizona senator’s long and consistent record of opposition to absolutely any form of gay civil rights: * Opposes employment protections * Opposes hate crime legislation * Supports “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” * Opposes gay marriage and supports the Defense of Marriage Act * Favors state constitutional amendments banning marriage, civil unions and domestic partnerships at any level of government, as well as recognition of any of these from other states. * Favors state constitutional amendments that would ban public entities - local governments, agencies, public universities and hospitals, etc., from providing health insurance and other benefits to the domestic partners of their workers, students, etc. * Opposes adoption by gay couples * Supports the ban on HIV-positive immigrants and backed a Jesse Helms measure blocking HIV prevention aimed at gay men * Supports the nomination of strict constructionist judges who reject “judicial activism,” which is essentially anything that limits the elected branches’ ability to trample on gays. That is a very daunting and very damning list, pretty much matching bullet for bullet George W. Bush and most conservative Republicans. In fact, candidate Bush in 2000 had not yet come out against employment protection and hate crime laws; that only happened last year when the White House issued veto threats on both bills. McCain’s policy positions certainly belie the “party maverick” reputation he has cultivated over the years, mostly based upon government reform and not social issues - about which he cares little and thus cedes entirely to those in his party who care a lot. McCain is even backsliding on the one and only gay issue on which he has stood up to Christian conservatives: the Federal Marriage Amendment. Back in 2004, McCain voted against the FMA, calling it “antithetical in every way to the core philosophy of Republicans” – not because it was discriminatory, mind you, but because it violated “states’ rights” - that is, the recognized authority of states to decide questions relating to marriage. (States’ rights, as any history student can tell you, is a rather malleable “core principle.” This week
it protects progressive states who want to marry gays, but last week it protected bigoted states that wanted to keep their Jim Crow laws or other “peculiar institutions.”) Now McCain has even walked away from this “core philosophy of Republicans.” Pandering for conservative votes in the early primary state of New Hampshire, McCain said he would support a federal amendment banning gay marriage if DOMA is struck down, a second state supreme court strikes down hetero-only marriage laws, or “a large majority of Americans come to perceive that their communities’ values are being ignored and other standards concerning marriage are being imposed on them against their will.” That’s the kind of fair-weather “friendship” that only a gay Republican could love. The HRC report on McCain ignores, of course, his close relationship with the Log Cabin Republicans. The gay GOP group, in response, slammed the HRC report as an unfair representation of McCain’s “open door” to Log Cabin and his “record of inclusion.” Keep in mind that McCain’s Log Cabin coziness is mostly ancient history, dating back to the Republican presidential primary in 2000, when the gay GOP group sided with McCain against Bush. That was an entirely different John McCain, of course. The Arizona senator has since gone from calling out “agents of intolerance” like Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson to kissing their rings and coddling their evangelical supporters. Log Cabin’s Scott Tucker is claiming otherwise, publicly insisting McCain “won the GOP nomination with no help (and with outright hostility) from many so-called ‘social conservatives.’” Tucker conveniently ignores McCain’s evangelical fencemending - a.k.a. ass-kissing - not to mention the obvious current reality: However McCain got here, he has no prayer of winning the White House without the enthusiastic support of those very same “socalled ‘social conservatives.’” In the end, he will be every bit as indebted to them as if he were Mike Huckabee himself. Log Cabin may be right that McCain doesn’t care much about social issues like gay rights, but neither did George W. Bush and we know how that turned out. The important thing is that both men have a record of opposition to any form of gay civil rights and a demonstrated willingness to pander to the right. The leadership of Log Cabin should rethink things before its too late, and demand something more than a token concession from McCain in exchange for - perish the thought - endorsing this man for president. Chris Crain is former editor of the Washington Blade and five other gay publications and now edits GayNewsWatch.com. He can be reached via his blog at www.citizencrain.com.
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
16 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 17
AY D I OL H IDE R P Y PP A H
FUN • APS M • INGS T S I L R A ENTERTAINM ENT HIGHLIGHTS • B JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
18 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
Welcome to the Pride Guide!
We’re happy to present this guide to Columbus Pride Holiday. Here you’ll find everything you need to navigate the weekend including events, maps, listings, community resources, interviews and stories on Pride’s theme, “Our Power.” We start with each of us at Outlook giving you our take. Enjoy!
When I started with Outlook Media over five years ago, we were solidly the owners of the GLBT market, and we remain so today. But over the last half decade, I’ve seen many changes in our demographics – changes that are themselves indicative of the power of our community and our economic, political, and social power. Five years ago, about 90% of our readers identified as GLBT. Today, that statistic is around 65-70%. This shift is not because Outlook has lost any of the GLBT market, but rather because an incredible number of progressive non-GLBT folks have joined our revolution, becoming active and loyal readers, involved in our community and sensitive to our issues. Five years ago, about 90% of our advertisers were GLBT-owned businesses. Today that statistic is around 60%. Again, this shift is not because we’ve lost any GLBT-owned advertisers, but because many non-GLBT-owned businesses have become aware of the power of our market, respectful of our demographics, and actively seeking our business, our patronage, and our dollars. Five years ago, about 90% of Network Columbus attendees were GLBT folks. Today that statistic is around 65%. And, you guessed it, it’s not because we’ve lost any GLBT professionals, but rather because many non-GLBT business owners and professionals are now aware of us, and are actively reaching out to our community for networking, social, and professional contacts. Five years ago, I had to make call after call, and send email after email, to get politicians and candidates to attend our events or screen with us for endorsements. In the last election cycle, we spoke to nearly every single candidate in every single race – and many of them called in to us, asking to be screened and actively seeking our endorsement. Our annual Out With Our Elected Officials event routinely draws dozens of officials and candidates at the local, state and even national level. These demographic shifts are nothing short of seismic. They are but a few metrics by which we can measure our power – socially, economically, and politically. The GLBT community of Central Ohio is coming into its own, and we are taking our rightful place at the rich, diverse, and inclusive table. As we celebrate Pride, so should we continue to celebrate Our Power, looking to the Future, respecting our Past, and most of all, reveling in our Now. Happy Pride!
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
Having just put Outlook’s first 100-page paper to bed, you’d think I might not have any power left. True I haven’t slept in a week, but I’m jazzed. Putting together this issue, an issue themed around our community’s power, has been nothing short of inspiring. With a paper 3 times the size the 3 of us normally put out, it would have been easy to get caught up in the mechanics of ‘getting the book done.’ But reading account after account of the different people, places and projects that our community finds power in, kind of gets you motivated, which is exactly what Pride should do! I hold a unique position in our community being the Editor-In-Chief of our community’s queer paper - a position I’m thankful of everyday. As I see it, Outlook is the conduit from which our whole community can communicate. I’m just the gatekeeper, so to speak, and maybe the wrangler (yeah I’m one tough customer, and yeah I know what I like when I see it – who got that reference?). I’m here to get the good word out, get you motivate to participate and get you in on deadline. I’m here to make sure we have a paper each week that represents our whole community as accurately and fairly as possible, while still holding people accountable. I know it’s a fine line and maybe a rare approach, but it’s working and it gets me up in the morning. Our philosophy at the paper has more to do with getting the information out there, stirring the debate, and giving voice to those that find it hard to speak, than it does with breaking an overdramatized story, sensationalism or bringing someone down. Believe me, we could be one hell of a tabloid if we wanted, but that’s not us. That’s not Outlook. We are this community’s paper and we want to do our part to build bridges - within our ranks and with those outside - open doors, and lift people up. And it’s people, this community, from which I get my power. Your stories, your struggles, your lives inspire me every day to do a better job, to get our voices heard, and to stay relevant. Whether you’re one of our brave activist lobbying the statehouse, or visionary sport enthusiasts bringing a national gay conference to town, or just a parent in the suburbs raising our next generation, or a mother marching in the parade for the first time this year to support her son, or a lawyer just coming out after age 50, or a kid walking into Kaleidoscope so she can just be, or a camp counselor for HIV affected kids, or someone who “doesn’t relate to the gay community” or a drag performer working her way to a national crown, or a group of kids telling their coming out stories, or someone struggling with depression/addiction, or someone who loves bar trivia, or someone who stomps/spins/marches/flags/chorals, or someone who sings along at Show Tune Sundays, or someone who just is, you all are a party of this community - a community I’m proud to serve. Thanks for the opportunity and the inspiration. Happy Pride and Happy Days!
I first spoke to Chris and Michael at Outlook Weekly’s then Worthington location in the summer of 2005. I had contacted them to help get the word out about an art show I was curating called 44 Boards, which was benefitting HRC Columbus. I never would have imagined that that conversation would eventually lead me to working at Outlook a couple years later. It’s crazy how things work and working at Outlook has been quite the experience. Having been living my own life, gay as it might have been, I didn’t realize what being “out” really meant – at least not in this fashion. When you work at the gay paper, you have to be out there in the community, you have to engage in order to be effective. I had never worked in any place where things were this open and affirming. Since it’s basically our job to be gay, our office is home of “just being yourself.” It’s so nice not having to worry about coming out to my co-workers or watching what I say about my boyfriend around certain people or butching it up to feel safe. I can just be myself. It’s an environment that is open, positive and encourages me to push myself further as a person and artist. It was easy at first for me to hide behind my camera and just take your picture, not participate in outreach process of the paper. But that’s not what Outlook is about. So as uncomfortable as it might have been, I’ve started to engage with you all and get to know you and the world is much bigger for me now. Working at Outlook has put me in touch with such a wide and unique variety of people I probably would have never met otherwise. Whether it’s been through our own Network Columbus, a Stonewall social event, a fundraiser for one of our many community organizations, or even a pub crawl, getting to know more of the community has opened a whole new arena for me and helped me become more comfortable with myself. Thank you for that. The whole process has been extremely inspiring to me. To see the impact we have as community and as individuals is amazing. Seeing this has helped me grow dramatically since I first started at the paper. Through these many experiences I’ve had has helped me realize the power we have to encourage, strengthen and help each other grow. I have been able to grow dramatically thanks to others giving me opportunities and encouraging me to do more. I hope that some of my encouragement to others has helped them grow. If we push each other to do more positive things as a community, whether it’s the GLBT or general community we will expand our power and do great things. We can do it together!
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 19
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
20 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
The Mayor’s Welcome & Proclamation M M C W E P H AYOR
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
ICHAEL OLEMAN
ELCOMES VERYONE TO RIDE OLIDAY
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 21
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
22 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
Welcome to Pride FROM STONEWALL COLUMBUS’S PRESIDENT AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
SWC Better Than Ever
Why is $5 Important?
HAPPY PRIDE, Columbus!
HAPPY PRIDE, Columbus!
Thank you! Thanks to each and every one of you for supporting Stonewall and our community. Without you, we wouldn’t be celebrating 27 years of service. Without you, we wouldn’t be able to show you how much we appreciate YOU by throwing one of the largest Pride Celebrations in the nation. We estimate hosting approximately 115,000 of you this year…So, enjoy! It’s also important to recognize and thank the Staff and Board of Stonewall Columbus. Without their hard work, we wouldn’t be where we are today. Last year, we saw ourselves with a skeleton staff and board who pulled some serious overtime. Today, we have an incredible staff of Karla Rothan, Michele Fregonas, Suzie Simpson and John Herman who work daily to keep things running smoothly and keep moving us forward. In 2008, we also welcomed several new board members who have all eagerly jumped in to support our mission. Also in 2008, we were blessed in having an actual Pride Coordinator who has worked tirelessly with the Staff and Pride Committee to ensure that this is the best Pride…ever! Thanks to Jan Richards for her hard work and dedication. It takes the whole team to continue to be a family with vision, passion and a focus that is the continued enhancement of the lives of the LGBTQ community. Stonewall has consistently been the home and meeting place of stellar programs and services (such as men’s and women’s support groups, recovery groups, book clubs and fitness groups). Since the celebration of our new multi-purpose room, Studio One, in 2007, we have seen utilization of the Center more than double. We turn the rooms in our center over 2 and sometimes 3 times a day. We currently welcome approximately 50 groups who use the Center and are the home of 26 diverse programs and services which include Diversity, Health and Faith initiatives. It’s refreshing to have our board meetings convene in one of the smaller conference rooms because every other room in the Center is in use! Now that we have a place that the community can call “home” (an actual community center!), look for our offering of programs, services and cultural events to continue to increase to help and to entertain our diverse community. Our Pride Celebration is one of the largest…and best in the nation. The continued progress of our community is incredible and it makes me so proud!! But, we have to remember not to take these accomplishments and progress for granted. Celebrate this weekend…Celebrate who you are…who we are…and collectively OUR POWER! Enjoy it and revel in how far we’ve come…and let’s try to carry our pride and confidence through the rest of the year to be thankful and remind how far we are going to go…together!!! Much love, Kelly Jaeger President, Stonewall Columbus
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
I want to take the opportunity in this letter to the community to thank the extraordinary committee that has made this event possible. Under the leadership of Pride Coordinator, Jan Richards and Chair of Pride 2008, Joe Stefanko, this will prove to be the largest Pride Holiday in the history of Stonewall Columbus. We have over 100 float entries and 175 vendors that will be coming together and participating in this year’s festivities. People from all over the Midwest from Chicago to New York are converging on Columbus so GET READY! Pride 2008 is going to rock this city like never before with an anticipated 120,000 participants. Stonewall has been very fortunate to have many local and national sponsors to help us with this event. We have also had many individuals donate money through Pride Circle and the 3000 Steps Campaign. This parade and festival costs approximately $85,000 to produce. Stonewall Columbus stretches to the limit every year to make it happen and if you have not had a chance to help, there is still time. If you have purchased your dogtags already, that is great. You will be admitted into the park for free! If not you will be asked to pay an admission of $5. This money goes directly back to making Pride happen. Below is a list of the approximate costs of producing this Festival and Parade. Please note that this does not include staff time at all. Police: $5,000 Insurance: $7,000 Beverages: $15,000 Volunteers Shirts: $5,000 Entertainers and Equipment: $16,000 Publicity: $5,000 Permits: $2,000 Rental Equipment for Street Closures and Park: $15,000 Monthly Special Events (5k Run, Golf Outing, Art Show, Diversity Weekend, Our Power Concerts): $10,000 Cleanup for Parade, Goodale Park, and Bicentennial Park $5000 Total: $85,000 Stonewall Columbus is committed to producing this event for years to come and your help as a donor or volunteer is very much appreciated. Thank you and Happy Pride Columbus, you deserve it! Karla Rothan, Stonewall Executive Director
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 23
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
24 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
The Power of Preparedness Bravo Gives Tips On How To Stay Safe This Pride Holiday
Safety at Pride by Gloria McCauley and Chris Cozad At the culmination of Pride month, the LGBT community has many reasons to be proud. There have been enormous gains politically and socially. But we are not yet “equal” The people who hate us and our communities see these gains, and our Pride, as fodder to continue their efforts to harm us in any way possible. BRAVO receives more Hate Crime reports in June than in any other month. Just last week, 2 young gay men fled to Columbus from a neighboring state after one of the men was shot by a family member in an incident that was part hate crime, and part family violence. They chose Columbus because of our reputation for having a large and vibrant LGBT community. They sought “safety in numbers” and hoped that they would find resources to help them rebuild their lives. In 2007, BRAVO documented over 200 incidents of hate violence against LGBT people in Columbus and Central Ohio. While it is true that Columbus has a large and vibrant community and there are resources, like BRAVO helping these young men to survive – there is still too much hate in our community. Pride Holiday is a fabulous and fun weekend for us all. We celebrate, and play and revel in the full diversity that is the LGBT Community. Sadly, in addition to the leather and sequins there is also always the ubiquitous far right Christian protesters who would burn our flags or mace us. Their presence serves as a disappointing reminder that we still have a long way to go. BRAVO encourages you not to engage with these bigots. If education worked, they wouldn’t be there. You can’t change their hearts and minds – they are there simply to antagonize us into confrontation. Don’t give them what they want, turn the other cheek (especially if you are wearing chaps) and walk away. As we move with Pride through the streets, let’s remember to keep ourselves, our families, our friends, and our communities safe. Pride is knowing how to take care of ourselves and each other. Pride is learning to trust your gut instincts. Pride is being out and pride is looking out for each other. We have every reason to be proud – but unfortunately we also have very real reasons to be cautious. To that end, we offer some safety tips: In The Parade: -If you encounter protesters, don’t respond to them. Remember, if they were reasonable people, they wouldn’t be protesting! -Follow the requests of Parade Security. These are community members who have volunteered to keep us all safer. JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
In The Streets: -Stay with a group, especially when walking between parks, parties and bars -Project confidence- be aware of your surroundings. -Carry a whistle or another way to make a lot of noise. -Trust your “gut:” If a situation doesn’t feel right, follow your instincts and leave. -If you are harassed, it is not usually a good idea to respond. Don’t give the thugs the attention they are seeking. In The Clubs: -Watch your drink: people can slip various drugs, like GHB or other date rape drugs, into your beverage to impair you -If you meet someone new, introduce them to a friend or to the bartender. (Especially if you decide to leave with them!) -Don’t overindulge. It is impossible to make good decisions if our faculties are impaired. -Partying affects your awareness and judgment. Heat makes it worse. Drink water! -Have a designated driver- or volunteer to be a designated driver. In Our Neighborhoods: -More visibility sometimes is more opportunity for neighborhood problems. If there have been problems with a particular neighbor, they may use it as a rationale for escalating hostilities. -Participate in Neighborhood groups or blockwatch activities Remember – whatever happens – “Don’t Take it! Report it” call BRAVO! As the LGBT community is empowered, proud and visible, those who hate us are emboldened. Hate Crimes spike all over the country during June, Ohio is no exception. You are not alone. BRAVO can help. Don’t try to “fix” these situations by yourselves. We have trained crisis intervention specialists available in both our staff and our helpline volunteers (1-86686BRAVO) who can help you look at all of your options, walk you through the various steps of dealing with the situation and provide life saving advice and referrals. If you need help: You can reach BRAVO toll free at 1.866.86.BRAVO or on the web: www.bravo-ohio.org
BRAVO was launched at Pride 1996 and has been providing quality community service to Columbus and Central Ohio ever since. BRAVO’s vision has always included state-wide outreach. Beginning with the 2008 Pride season BRAVO has launched outreach efforts and services in Cleveland and Cincinnati. BRAVO traveled to pride events in both cities. In addition to outreach and distributing safety whistles, BRAVO conducted needs assessment surveys to help focus efforts and learn more about the individual communities. BRAVO’s mission is to work to eliminate violence perpetuated on the basis of sexual orientation and/or gender identification, domestic violence and sexual assault through prevention, advocacy, violence documentation, and survivor services – both within and on behalf of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender communities. BRAVO services include: • Statewide toll-free helpline 866-86-BRAVO • Crisis Intervention • Liaison with Law Enforcement / Police • Courtroom advocacy • Support groups • Referrals • Assistance to victims accessing the criminal justice system • Documentation & statistical analysis of incidents of violence • Cultural Competency Training • Self Defense / Street Safety Seminars BRAVO is a founding member of the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP). BRAVO is the only agency in Ohio working on issues of violence against & within the LGBT Community. For more info: • NCAVP Annual Reports on Hate Crimes & Domestic Violence www.NCAVP.org • www.BRAVO-Ohio.org
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 25
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
26 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 27
Meet Your Hosts
Stonewall Columbus: The Center on High
STONEWALL COLUMBUS: VISIONARY, INCLUSIVE, & FUN by Karla Rothan, ED Stonewall Columbus - the leading visionary, inclusive, and fun-spirited GLBT organization in Central Ohio - sets the pace for increasing the visibility and acceptance of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) community. We continue to be the driving force on GLBT issues and our Center is the “first stop” for many in the GLBT and allied community. In response to community need, Stonewall routinely adds programs to our growing roster, facilitates ever-increasing numbers visiting the Center, increases visibility for other agencies, and brings new and innovative perspectives to our service delivery. It is our intent to continually expand programming so that community members seeking a variety of services and activities - in addition to the base services and ongoing support groups we offer - can find ways to connect with others in a safe, comfortable and culturally enriching environment. As the leading organization on GLBT issues in the Central Ohio area, we have made countless strides in educating the larger community, increasing social awareness, and collaborating on political advocacy by providing stronger programs, services, and alternative social activities. As we move towards an exciting milestone of celebrating 27 years in the community, we are building on past accomplishments, developing sustainable systems and growth processes and focusing on strengthening not only our agency, but the Central Ohio GLBT and allied community by enhancing our Community Center, The Center on High. Stonewall Columbus exists because of our strong partnerships with other agencies, our tireless supporters, and the many volunteers and community members that generously give of their time, talents, and support. We look for-
ward to partnering with our Columbus community so that we may jointly improve the lives of those we serve. Stonewall Columbus continues to lead the fight in Central Ohio for equal rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals. The Board and staff accomplish this through implementing Stonewall’s strategic plan and concentrating on its brand elements of being visionary, inclusive, and fun-spirited. Through compassionate and intelligent planning, resource prioritization, and increased service delivery, Stonewall has consistently succeeded in reaching greater numbers of the GLBT and allied community in Central Ohio. Our Mission Stonewall Columbus serves the Central Ohio LGBT community by providing a community center and offering programming and services that enhance the well-being and visibility of our diverse community through discovery, affirmation and celebration. Each program or service presented at the Center on High aligns with at least one of the organization’s core values: Health, Diversity, Faith or Art. Stonewall Columbus supports good health in body, mind and spirit. Stonewall Columbus recognizes that the LGBT community is diverse and it is important to embrace that diversity making sure that all feel welcome at the center. Stonewall Columbus acknowledges the need for some LGBT people to maintain their faith and the organization strives to help people reconcile their true selves with their faith. The Center on High is located in the Short North Arts District and participates in the arts community by presenting and encouraging artists of all mediums.
STONEWALL COLUMBUS DIVERSITY INITIATIVE The current board and staff of the Center on High are focusing on many initiatives. But one of the most important is their outreach to increase the people of color involvement. They are planning strategically to stabilize and secure the community center’s future, but know this means the center needs to have the entire communities support and involvement. The Stonewall Diversity Initiative began the year collaborating with other existing GLBT groups in the community. In an effort to improve attendance and participation, we scaled back on attempting to do monthly events. We wanted to the community’s input on what they wished to see this diversity committee accomplish within the upcoming year. Some of the collaborations that have taken place over the last quarter included the Diversity/PACT bowling event in March that was very successful. We had our first Stonewall Diversity/N The Kno event at East Village, a basic mixer and ‘get to know’ one another type of event. The Stonewall Diversity group also sponsored a karaoke event at East Village. We received great responses from the community and we will offer additional karaoke events in the near future. We will also collaborate with the Columbus Gay Men Chorus on a karaoke event. Conversations have already begun. For the past three to four months we have been working diligently on the Pride Diversity events. The Stonewall Columbus/ N The Kno Pride Diversity weekend was held June 20-22. Moving forward after Pride, we look forward to working with the diversity group from Nationwide Insurance. We have already supported and participated in some of their events and they have supported and participated in our diversity events as well. That is very exciting for the community to see the
growth of LGBT groups in some of Columbus’ key businesses. We believe there is a bright future for the diversity committee here at Stonewall, as well as, the many with other groups within the community. The committee’s hope is to continue to collaborate with many of these wonderful organizations in en effort to build and strengthen what is already in existence. Interested parties that are willing to assist in creating our future mission and vision statements and assist at meeting the needs of the community are always welcome. We think its important that we continue to strive for these types of goals to ensure we are providing what the community wishes to see. Thus far, we have worked with a small key group on planning and producing many of our 2008 events. We would like to take this time to thank each and every one of them and we look forward to their continued participation and support. If we are to leave you all with anything at this time, I would say that this is a learning experience for all of us. We are making some mistakes along the way, but learning from them as well. Our goal is for everyone to feel and believe that the Stonewall Community Center, The Center on High, is for everyone. Everyone is welcome! And we are working hard to be it, provide it, and welcome it… We are becoming more culturally sensitive and welcoming to everyone. Interested persons wishing to participate or give suggestions to the diversity team can contact Wanda J. Ellis at wandajellis@aol.com or Letha Pugh at letha_pugh@yahoo.com. For information on the Pride 2008 Diversity events, access: http://columbuspride.org/diversity. For information on the 2008 Pride events, access http://columbuspride.org/. Happy PRIDE ! JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
28 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 29
Your Center Programs & Services Stonewall Columbus :1160 North High St, Columbus, Ohio 43201, 614.299.7764, www.stonewallcolumbus.org
BRAVER: 2nd Tuesday - 7p Buckeye Region of American Veterans for Equal Rights (BRAVER) is the Central Ohio Chapter of American Veterans for Equal Rights, a non-profit service organization of Active, Reserve and Veteran Armed Service Members. We are dedicated to full and equal rights, equitable treatment for all present and past Service Members regardless of sexual orientation or identity, and the challenging of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and other discriminatory policies based on LGBT status. Contact: Robert braverinfo@sbcglobal.net Brutha2Brutha - Columbus Men’s Social and Activity Association - NOT MEETING AGAIN UNTIL SEPTEMBER On May 8th we will be meeting at 7:00 pm at Longhorn Steak House, 2520 East Dublin-Granville Rd. (161 & Cleveland Avenue). Afterward, we are going bowling. Email for future meetings. A peer social group for gay men of color and their friends who seek to participate in social, recreational and spiritual activities and events of interest to members. Our diverse membership consists of professionals ages 18 and up who want to do more than ‘club’ or party on the weekends and choose instead to investigate more intimate and deep connections with other gay/bi black and Hispanic men in Central Ohio. Contact: Rick Daniels - ric_mcdaniel@hotmail.com Buddhist Meeting – Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism: 3rd Thursday - 7p - 8:30p An open and all-inclusive group whose purpose is to provide an atmosphere for learning and studying Nichiren’s Buddhism, with the teachings based on the Lotus Sutra, along with chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, which means, “The devotion to the Law of Cause and Effect through Sound.” Contact: Gayla - lotuslipz2002@yahoo.com or Monic monic@wowway.com B.U.G. - Bisexual United Group: 1st Tuesday - 7p A support/discussion group for Bisexuals. Facilitated by William D, Stinchcomb. Contact: William Stinchcomb stinchcombwd@yahoo.com CATF HIV Testing: 1st Thursday - 4p - 7p & 2nd Saturday – 10a - 12p FREE HIV TESTING AT STONEWALL COLUMBUS CENTER ON HIGH. The Columbus AIDS Task Force (CATF) is proud to offer Free, Anonymous HIV Testing at Stonewall Columbus Center on High. The test utilizes an oral swab that requires no blood and no needles. Results are ready in less than 30 minutes. Contact: Zack - zackkerr@catf.net or 614-340-6737 or Shaun - shaunwhybark@catf.net Community Drum Circle: 2nd Saturday - 4p - 6p Open to all drummers; there will be some facilitation and free style drumming. Led by B. Wahru Cleveland. Contact: B. Wahru - wahru@hotmail.com Gay, Joyous, and Free Narcotics Anonymous: Every Saturday - 7:30p A weekly support group of GLBT individuals who are struggling with and/or recovering from drug addiction. Girl Spot: 1st & 3rd Sunday - 5p - 7p Girl Spot is an LBTQ women’s social group in the Columbus area. We are here to fill the social gap between the bars and the home for LBTQ women, to have a little fun, make a bit of a difference and create a real presence in the community, so that everyone always has a place to go when they are new to town, going through a bad break-
up, coming out, or just fine with life but wanting some new friends. We host Game Nights at Stonewall Center on High on the 1st Sunday of each month from 5-7pm. 3rd Sunday events include: movie nights, live art festivals, local outings and dinner parties. Contact: Email Megan at mckntsh3@yahoo.com or Shelley at shelleym@hotmail.com GLBT Hiking Club: Seasonal - Varies This seasonal (Spring, Summer, Fall) social group meets at various locations throughout Central Ohio to hike and enjoy the wonders of nature. Hiking trips/outings vary. Facilitated by Larry Paynter. Contact: Wolfpup28469@aol.com LinkOUT - LGBT Young Professionals of Central Ohio: Last Wednesday - 7p Day listed is usual meeting day - check with Contact below to verify meeting dates and sites. Our vision is to shape the future of the young LGBT professional community making Central Ohio a desirable place to call home. LinkOUT engages young LGBT professionals and connects them to LGBT serving organizations and other communities in Central Ohio. As a group of young professionals from diverse fields, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds, we: • Serve as the voice for young LGBT professionals. • Provide an educational/awareness forum for issues that affect our community. • Organize social and professional networking opportunities. • Serve as a connection to community resources and encourage community building. • Facilitate community service and civic involvement. • Encourage professional development opportunities. Contact: Joel for info on meetings - JDiaz@wexarts.org Men’s Book Club: 1st Monday - 7p Read & discuss pre-chosen books. Contact Richard for current book information. Contact: Richard - staffhumbleservant@yahoo.com Men’s Coming Out Group: 2nd & 4th Monday - 7p Drop-in discussion group for men of all ages to share their issues with coming out and provide a place to meet others who may be going through the same transition or who have already come out. Contact: Paul Todd todd.65@osu.edu Men’s Discussion Group: 3rd Tuesdays - 7p Interested in meeting new people? Looking for support? Hoping for direction? The group is open to any interested participants and offers the opportunity to meet and interact with gay men from a variety of backgrounds. In today’s world, gay men are commonly faced with challenges, frustrations, and advantages that are unique to their world. Each month, our group meets to talk about this experience. Topics include: meeting new people, developing a support network, dealing with stress from families, responding to homophobia in the workplace, and becoming more involved in the gay community. Participants benefit from receiving support and feedback from other gay men who face similar challenges. The group is lead by Jim Broyles, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist who offers the perspective of an experienced counselor. Come join us! Contact: Jim Broyles - gcps2@sbcglobal.net NOW: Once per Month - Varies The National Organization for Women (NOW) is the largest organization of feminist activists in the United States, which has 500,000 contributing members and 550 chapters in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. NOW works to eliminate discrimination and harassment in the
workplace, schools, the justice system, and all other sectors of society; secure abortion, birth control and reproductive rights for all women; end all forms of violence against women; eradicate racism, sexism and homophobia; and promote equality and justice in our society. The Columbus/Central Ohio Chapter meets once per month at the Stonewall Center. Contact Lauren Strasser for meeting details. Contact: Lauren Strasser - laurenstrasser@yahoo.com Older Lesbians Organized for Change: 1st Saturday March, - 11a - 4p (OLOC)Sept. Nov., Jan. (July - Indian Lake) A national organization of older lesbians, 60 and over, OLOC has local groups around the country and functions under the leadership of a national Steering Committee. OLOC works toward providing a safe, supportive network for old lesbians while actively working to effect changes that will improve our lives. We work toward our goals by challenging ageism wherever we find it, planning opportunities for old lesbians to gather, supporting and contributing to the Old Lesbian Oral Herstory Project and publishing a quarterly newsletter. Contact: Sally Tatnall - tatnalls@yahoo.com P.A.C.T. - Parents and Children Together: Not at Center A family and social outing group for GLBT parents with children. This group does not meet currently at Stonewall, as the group’s size has outgrown Stonewall’s facilities. For more information regarding membership or the group’s current events schedule, go to the following website: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/stonewallcolumbusPACT/ Sisters of Lavender (SOL): Last Wednesday - 7p - 9p This is a support and social group for lesbian womyn forty and over. The focus of the group will be to address issues and topics of interest to the mature lesbian population. The group is also intended to be a safe harbor for womyn to meet and socialize with other womyn of similar sexual orientation. Contact: markmart@netzero.net or www.sistersoflavender.org Sober, Strong and Free Lesbian Group AA: Every Friday - 7:30p A weekly support group offering hope and help to alcoholic lesbian and bisexual women. SpeakOUT: NOT MEETING AGAIN UNTIL SEPTEMBER Open to people of any gender or sexual orientation, SpeakOUT is an award-winning ally advocacy group for the GLBT community. Founded in 2004, it brings together allies to promote social equality, fight homophobia and educate others on the unique issues of the GLBT community. Contact: Cheri Meyers - speakout_cols@yahoo.com or website at www.speakoutcols.org Stonewall Columbus Diversity Team: Every two weeks - 5:30p – 7p This group has come together to do outreach in the community to ensure all people feel free to be a part of the community center. We work to present unique opportunities to raise awareness of all groups and support sensitivity of all differences. This is a continuing effort and we welcome all to join the initiative. We call it a learning initiative. We meet in accordance with the diversity event schedule. We are proud to say we have partnered with several community groups in an effort to reduce duplication of efforts and to maximize success. Contact: Wanda Ellis - wandajellis@aol.com or Letha Pugh - letha_pugh@yahoo.com
Stonewall Columbus Runners’ Connection Bi-Monthly Spring thru Fall This group meets bi-monthly on a seasonal basis (Spring through Fall). The group initially meets at Stonewall to learn the basics of effective running for good overall health, exercise, race training and fun. The regular bimonthly meetings are held as outings at a variety of locations in Columbus to run/walk. All levels of experience are welcome and encouraged to join us! Contact: kjaeger7@yahoo.com Stonewall Health Check: 2nd Saturday - 10a - 12p This program offers a free nurse-run wellness clinic. Offers Blood Pressure Screening, Nutrition Check, Glucose Screening, Legal Help, & referrals. Craig Ferguson, RN will be on hand to help and answer questions. Often also includes various guest speakers or panels on health issues, fitness walks, etc Contact: Craig Ferguson - craigferguson@gmail.com Transgender, Cross Dressing, Gender Variant Peer Support Group: 1st Wednesday - 7p This is a peer led support group. Open to everyone - FtM, MtF, Cross Dressers, Gender Queer, Intersexed, etc. Facilitated by TransOhio staff. Drop-ins welcome. Contact: Transohio@wowway.com TransOhio: 3rd Sunday - 3p Serves the Ohio transgender and ally communities by providing services, education, support and advocacy, which promotes and improves the health, safety and life experience of the Ohio transgender individual and community. Contact: Shane - transohio@wowway.com TruVoice Ohio: By Appointment - 3p Voice and Communication Therapy for MtF and FtM individuals. Our program addresses all 4 aspects of genderspecific communication and voice, including VOICE (i.e., pitch, breath support, intonation, rate of speech, volume), LINGUISTIC (i.e., choice of vocabulary, types of sentences), NON-VERBAL (i.e., body posturing, facial expressions), and COMMUNICATION STYLE (i.e., role in communication exchange, phrasing, listening). Both MtF and FtM clients welcome. Contact speech-language pathologist Aly M. Rivero, M.A., CCC-SLP to set up an evaluation. Contact: Aly M. Rivero - 614-584-4088 or http://www.truvoice.org Women’s Book Club: 3rd Wednesday - 6:30p A primarily lesbian group with members from many backgrounds and ages. Our aim is to have friendly, thoughtprovoking discussions on a range of topics, generally related to the month’s book. The books vary in genre, ranging from non-fiction to poetry to historical literature to light ‘beach-reads.’ The group is very social and provides an opportunity for meeting members of the community. Contact: Becky - rebeccashaw@earthlink.net Find the Goddess Within: 3rd Monday - 7p A supportive group designed to empower women to connect with and celebrate the inner Feminine Divine. This will be an experiential group facilitated by Shirah Siladie, LISW, who is a holistic psychotherapist who has been helping others to heal heart, mind & spirit for over 25 years. Contact: Shirah Siladie – 614.784.8108
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
30 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 31
Meet Your Stonewall Board & Staff
Name: Judy Herendeen Occupation: Executive Coach Position on board: Board member Years on board/staff/Pride: Just started in June Focus on board: Contribute Our Power: Power is something we have, inside us, each of us, but often have to search for. I am one who often has to search for my power, which I have learned to lovingly call my warrior. I came out when I was older, 35 to be exact. I fought hard against the slowly surging realization that I was different. I think my warrior first showed up then....and when I needed her most. I had never felt strong enough to be who I was inside and to hold my head high. Who was going to love me? Who was going to care? What was going to happen to me in my work and career if I showed up for who I really was? I remember the day all those questions had answers. I had to reach deep inside and ask myself why I didn’t think I deserved to have personal happiness. I found, when I took a hard look, a caring, intelligent, hard working self inside. My strength also came from the inside, the same place where my innocence, my compassion, my wisdom all live. This strength I found, deep inside was my warrior, waiting to give me courage and make me strong. When I reached inside and found my warrior, I put her on, dressed her in a long red scarf and headed tall into my world. I wasn’t in that world long before I found a community of friends who had put their red scarves on long ago, but had patiently waited for me to join them....
Name: Andrea Ebreck Occupation: Attorney; Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease, LLP Position on board: Board Secretary Years on Board: 2.5 Focus On Board: Personnel; Strategic Planning Our Power: Stonewall Columbus’ Pride 2008’s theme, “Our Power,” strikes me as being especially relevant at this point in our community’s history. It reminds me of a quote I’ve always liked about the strength of the Constitution lying entirely in the determination of the citizens who defend it, which has been attributed to both Thomas Edison and Albert Einstein. No matter who said it, it’s always resonated with me, and I feel the same way about “Our Power.” Our power, the power of the Central Ohio LGBT community, lies not in our financial, social, or political influence, but rather in our determination, our tenacity, and our willingness to keep fighting. 2008 marks the ten-year anniversary of my coming out. I believe that the personal is political, and I am proud to be “out” in all aspects of my life. I am also extremely proud to be a part of Stonewall Columbus, an organization whose greatest strength, like the Constitution, has always been the people who have fought to protect it. There is no question that “Our Power” - all that Stonewall has accomplished over the years - is due to the bravery of our founders, the generosity of our donors, and the tireless commitment of our staff, board, and volunteers. To me, Stonewall Columbus, the Center on High, and the Pride festival are compelling examples of “Our Power” as a community. Happy Pride!
Name: David Glisson Occupation: Attorney Franklin County Public Defender Position on Board: Board member Years on board: First year Focus on board: Fund raising and volunteering on projects Our Power: I am excited about being involved in Stonewall with the hope that some day being GLBT is a non issue in our society. Until that time is realized Stonewall is a critical need of our community. It provides support (empowerment) to all. It also provides a place where we can be ourselves. At the geographic core of the Central Ohio Gay Community is our headquarters on High Street. I reside some 17 miles from the headquarters, but still find its location a powerful statement that we are a visible in this community. We have arrived and can be proud. Take Pride and celebrate.
Name: Jay Poroda Occupation: Sales & Training Consultant Position on board/staff/Pride: Member, Stonewall Board/Hospitality Co-chair for Pride Years on board/staff/Pride: Newly appointed to the board May 2008 Our Power: What is the power of our community? As I began to write, I wanted to define our power as strength, courage and resilience, but I then realized that while each of these characteristics describe us, they do not adequately define the power of our community. Our true power lies in the ability of each one of us to put dreams into action for the betterment of our community. When Harry Hay and others formed the Mattachine Society in 1950 to fight for equality, they dreamt of a time when we could live openly and without shame. When our brothers and sisters stood united in the face of injustice during the Stonewall riots in 1969, they dreamt of an equal and just society. When Drs. Hetrick and Martin founded the Harvey Milk High School for GLBT youth in New York, they dreamt of a school that was safe, secure, nurturing and challenging for its students. What is our power? It is the power of our dreams! Marriage rights, equal protection under the law, repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” . . . just dream, and then act; that is our power!
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
32 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 33
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
34 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
Meet Your Stonewall Board & Staff
Name: Shane Morgan Occupation: Software Developer / TransOhio, director and founder Position on board/staff/Pride: Stonewall Columbus, member of the Board of Trustrees Years on board: 1st year on Board Focus on board: Besides my general responsibilites of being on the BoT, my focus on the BoT and for Pride has been to create a strong bridge into Central Ohio’s Transgender community. To give the COT community a direct connection to their community center and organize events and gatherings which help to provide an opportunity for transgender people to become more organized as a community, more affirming and more welcoming to a community who is often forgotten. Our Power: For me, the theme “Our Power” resignates deeply. There’s power in coming out as Transgender, regardless of how one identifies along the gender identity spectrum (just as there is power in coming out as gay, lesbian or bisexual). When I came out (for the first time) as a butch dyke at 18, I felt like I actually owned myself and had a vested interest in who I was. When I came out as Transgender and began to physically transition, I found a new me. A better me. There’s a sense of internal strength, which manifests in the most amazing ways. I created a community of supporters who supported me. There’s amazing power in sharing your story with others. There’s amazing opportunites to grow, emotionally and spiritually by sharing oneself. For me, that’s what’s fueled my community involvement and my advocacy. Being out as a Transguy. Being Queer. For me, there’s power in claiming that. I have no shame about the scars across my chest. I have no shame in being Transgender. It’s part of who I am, part of my story. It’s part of my journey in being the best person, friend, son, uncle, advocate that I can possibly be. It’s part of my power. It’s part of Our Power.
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
Name: Letha M. Pugh Occupation: Registered Nurse Position on board: Board Member at large Years on board: 6 months as member, 1 year as a volunteer Focus on board: Stonewall Health Check Committee Chairperson and Diversity Committee Co-Chair Our Power: The words “Our Power” to me have a number of significant meanings. When I think of our community and the range of diversity within it, “Our Power” takes on a meaning of encouragement, strength and adversity. We have come a long way in demanding what is right and just, and the staying “power” to see that through is part of what makes “Our Power” such a meaningful statement. From a personal standpoint, I see my journey to where I am now as a testament to the power of living for what is right, just and fair. As the oldest daughter of a teenage single mother, I had to find the “Power” within myself to be the best person I was capable of being. I did not do this alone. In the late 1990’s in Lincoln, Nebraska, I was fortunate to be surrounded by many older lesbian women who took me under their wings and showed me that I could be...me. I did not take this “education” lightly, but made a commitment to one day give back to the community that gave me my power. I now want to continue the legacy by giving back to my community. The Center on High is an organization powered by the people...an organization that has made a commitment to the community to be the leading organization on GLBT issues in the Central Ohio area. We have made countless strides in educating the larger community, increasing social awareness, and collaborating on political advocacy by providing stronger programs, services, and alternative social activities. Let the “power” you harness lift us as a people with all the legal, civil and human rights we are entitled to.
Name: Richard P. Harrison, Jr. “Rick” Occupation: Assistant Director and Director of Development, Central Ohio Diabetes Association Position on board: Member, Board of Directors; Past and Current Volunteer Years on board: Board (new member); Volunteer for Pride & SWC in general – 4th year Focus on board: Fundraising; Sustainability; Community Outreach Our Power: It took me far too long to understand what power meant when it came to reclaiming my personal Power. Growing up at a time when some of the freedoms GLBT people enjoy today were not within grasp… led to years of self loathing, denial, being afraid and becoming a workaholic in lieu of having any sort of personal life. Living in SE Ohio exasperated the situation with little to no support structure for GLBTQ and even less social outlet. A mid-life epiphany was the wake up call I needed to make some determinations on what needed to be more important in my life and to no longer live in the shadow of who I really was. Moving to Columbus which is blessed with an active and vibrant GLBT community helped me regain my power. While I can’t make up for lost time per se, I can insure that I am going to do my utmost to never take things for granted again and to stand tall and proud. I get involved as a volunteer with the organizations I do to help pave the way for those who come after me as was done by those who came before with the hope that one day, individuals who are gay will no longer be faced with self loathing, denial and being afraid to be who they are because of the lack of acceptance from others. That can only happen if we all reclaim Our Power…to not accept being marginalized and to reclaim basic human rights. Happy Pride!
Board Member: Kelly Jaeger Occupation: Financial Analyst-Team Lead for BMW Financial Services Position on Board: President Years on Board: 4 Our Power: What does “Our Power” mean to me? When I think of “Our Power”, it makes me think of the community as a whole. I think back to the days when, although we fought hard to be recognized for “who” are, we still had to hide. We couldn’t be who we are in public. We had to sneak out to that one place where we could all gather and celebrate…and, really, just gather to be somewhere together with others who were like us. The community banded together and worked so hard to bring us where we are today. Think about it, the Pride celebration that 100,000 of us enjoy today started 27 years ago as an activist march of a few hundred people who simply wanted us all to be recognized. Today, we can walk down the street holding hands with our partners. There are many places where we can gather and be who we are…and a nice part of that today is that many of those places are shared with our allies. That’s something that you didn’t see years ago. Our community still has struggles and many obstacles to overcome but…in OUR POWER…we will continue to move forward. Thanks to those of you who have worked so hard over the years…thanks to those of you who continue that work today…and thanks to the young leaders who will carry that work forward. Happy Pride Columbus…enjoy…
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 35
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
36 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
Meet Your Stonewall Board & Staff
Name: Wanda J. Ellis Occupation: Ohio Department of Job and Family Services - Policy Developer II Position on board: Board Vice President Years on board: 4 years Focus on board: Diversity i& Faith initiatives Our Power: Happy Pride Columbus Ohio and welcome to those who have come to join us in the celebration! ‘Our Power’ for me definitely touches on the Center’s cohesive team which consists of our Board members, our Executive Director – Karla Rothan, our great staff, and our many supporters and volunteers. I am so proud of Stonewall Columbus. We have had so many challenges, but are working hard to overcome them. I think we are heading in the right direction. The right direction started when we hired Karla Rothan. She worked hard as our Interim Center Director and just showed such promise. We then began our quest for our ED and Karla Rothan just stood out in a pool of successful applicants. We have never been happier with our decision to sign her on with Stonewall Columbus, the Center on High. With her leadership, the staff, the development of our board, and the never ending support of our community, I feel we have a powerful team. As we reach for our future development of the Stonewall Campus, the growing and building of our community, the LGBT community will stand together in power. I dream about how all our LGBT organizations work together as one and become one of the most powerful LGBT communities ever. I wish to thank Stonewall Columbus for their part in assisting me in my growth, strengthening me, and continuing to grow and assisting in making us all who we are and who we are becoming. The other source of my power is God and my family. The constant in my life is God who continues to love me and lead me. The other constant is my wonderful family. I feel like I’m the luckiest person when it comes to my family’s love and acceptance. It has allowed me to grow to be who I am and to be proud of who I am. As an African American, I could not be me, be out and strong in my convictions without the love and support of my family. JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
Lynn Wallich Occupation: Administrator/Ohio Department of Education Position on Board: Board Member Years on Board: 4 Focus on Board: Stability Our Power: Stonewall’s power is in its stability. Stonewall is becoming a stable entity in the community and is finally establishing a vision that is recognizable. Board members are mature and work together as a team to secure common goals and strategies for the Center. A great accomplishment for Stonewall is the purchasing of its own building and working very hard to stabilize funding sources.
Name: Karla Rothan Position on staff: Executive Director Years on staff: One year as the Interim and One year as the ED Focus on staff: Creating a fiscally sound productive and efficient nonprofit organization that serves our LGBT community at the Center on High Our Power: My father was a significant influence in my life. He died tragically and suddenly in a car accident when I was thirteen years old. Although I did not have him for very long, I learned a great deal from him. He taught me that to be powerful, you must find inside yourself a center of being. You must establish a place of calm, no matter what is happening around you. This is not easy to do in a hectic world full of surprises and I am not saying that I have mastered the technique at all. I do strive to find that place every day of my life in loving memory of him.
Name: Suzie Simpson Position on staff: Center Coordinator & Pride Entertainment Coordinator Years on staff: 1 1/2 year on staff as Center Coordinator – about 10 years as Pride Entertainment Coordinator Focus on staff: Helping the Center run smoothly - Setting up & expanding groups that meet at the Center - Working on events for Stonewall Our Power: “Our Power” to me means our individual power, which when combined with others, can create all kinds of change in the world. It’s the old saying of the personal is political. I believe it all starts one on one; we affect others by what we say & do & it creates a domino effect. When you have an event like Pride & see hundreds of thousands of folks marching together & hanging out, it definitely vibrates a lot of energy into the Universe that is hard to ignore! It makes us feel empowered & strengthens us. On a personal level, I see someone like my dear friend Katie Reider struggling for her life, & receiving so much power from friends & strangers sending good thoughts, prayers, $$, & healing energy to her. No matter what level, it all definitely makes a difference in making the world a better, more peaceful place!
happy prid e!
Name: Michele Fergonas Position on staff: Office Manager Years on staff: 8 Months Our Power: Power to be oneself.
Name: Jan Richards Position on staff: Pride Coordinator Years on staff: 1st year on staff, many many years as a volunteer Focus on staff: All things Pride Our Power: Our power comes from gathering together in one place to say to the world we’re here, we’re happy and you can’t take that away from us. It’s the power of perseverance and persistence, which will eventually lead to our full equality. It’s the power to celebrate our unique existences and the rare gift we are to the world. Our power is in our Pride and our Pride celebrations. Happy Pride everyone!
Name: Joe Stefanko Occupation: Field Operations Manager for Homewatch International, Inc. Position on Pride: Pride 2008 Chair Years on Pride: 10 yrs/ 6th year as Chair Focus on Pride: Over see all pride planning, events and activities presented by Stonewall Columbus. Our Power: “Our Power” for me is the focus on the past, present and future of the gay movement. We need to remember that the Pride Holiday is not only a celebration of our diversity and the “power” we have obtained over the past 40 yrs, but it is also a time to remember those that have struggled to gain these opportunities and freedoms we now enjoy. We now must take the next step and decide what we want for our future and for those that will follow us. “Power” is about making a difference for the betterment of all.
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 37
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
38 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
Meet Your Grand Marshall
Janet Jackson JANET JACKSON PRIDE PARADE GRAND MARSHAL Janet E. Jackson, President and CEO of United Way of Central Ohio, is Grand Marshal of the 2008 Pride Parade. Under Jackson’s leadership, United Way is advancing the common good by creating opportunities for a better life for all. She is dedicated to setting and achieving concrete goals that address the root causes of problems and helping people achieve the building blocks for a better life: a quality education that leads to a productive career, income that can support a family through retirement, good health and a safe place to live. Prior to coming to United Way, Janet served six years as Columbus City Attorney and nearly 10 years as a judge on the Franklin County Municipal Court. Her honors and awards include The Woman of Achievement Award from the YWCA of Columbus, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award from the Columbus Education Association, and the Wittenberg Alumni Citation Award, which recognizes those who have brought honor to Wittenberg through exceptional accomplishments in which service to humanity is placed ahead of personal gain or recognition. Jackson received her bachelor of arts from Wittenberg in 1975. Jackson was inducted into the Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame in 2001. In 2008, she was named an “ally” by Equality Ohio for her lifetime support of equality. Janet currently serves as vice chair of the Central Ohio Workforce Investment Board and as a member of the boards of the Columbus Coalition Against Family Violence and The Center for Child and Family Advocacy. We caught up with Janet to find out more about her, the gays and the UW and the parade. CH: Congratulations on being named grand marshal of the parade this year. What does being grand marshal mean to you? JJ: It is obviously a great honor both for me and for United Way of Central Ohio. It means that United Way is being recognized for our strong commitment to diversity and inclusion CH: How well does the UW and the GLBT community work together here in Columbus? JJ: We have formed a strong bond of trust and teamwork over the years. United Way has learned a lot about issues facing central Ohio’s GLBT community from our relationships and partnerships with GLBT organizations like Stonewall Columbus and CATF. These relationships have led to successful projects like the GLBT Census already and we look forward to many more in the future. CH: Over the past year UW has done two major initiatives (Census & Pride Leadership) into the GLBT community of Central Ohio. Can you tell us about them and why it was something UW wanted to take on? JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
JJ: At United Way we believe in data-driven decisionmaking, so when CATF and Stonewall Columbus approached us about conducting a survey of the GLBT community we were eager to help. Since we have conducted community-wide research many times in the past, we were able to help facilitate what eventually became the GLBT Census of Central Ohio. The result of this census is the most comprehensive data ever compiled on the GLBT community. It will help United Way and its partners explore new services that effectively target the most pressing problems facing the GLBT community. The Pride Leadership program provides education to GLBT leaders that will help them attain positions on the boards of nonprofit organizations. We believe diverse groups make the best decisions and that many different points of view need to be represented in the decision-making process of nonprofits. Pride Leadership is a way to help make sure that the strengths, needs and concerns of the GLBT community are reflected in decisions that affect us all. CH: Why is it so important to have diversity and inclusion in our communities? JJ: Central Ohio is becoming more diverse. That diversity makes us stronger and we need to recognize and embrace that fact. When we include more diverse voices and points of view in our shared decision-making we make better decisions that are supported by a broader base of our community. CH: What other resources are available for the GLBT community through UW? JJ: Everyone can access the results of the GLBT Census of Central Ohio on our website liveunitedcentralohio.org. They can also get more information on the programs and initiatives we support, including our longstanding support of CATF. CH: What’s something about UWCO you’d like the GLBT community to know that they might not? JJ: United Way of Central Ohio has been dedicated to diversity and inclusion and engaged with the GLBT community for a long time. We began funding support of CATF in 1990; instituted domestic partner benefits in 2001; and elected an openly gay Board of Trustees member and instituted a non-discrimination policy that applies to all funded programs in 2003. We also want every member of the GLBT community to know that our programs are here to serve them. Need does not discriminate and neither does the help provided by United Way. CH: How can the GLBT community get involved with UW? JJ: Give, advocate and volunteer. Give - we want people to know that giving to United Way is the most effective way they can help people in central Ohio. Everyone in our community is connected and interdependent, and we must work together to respond to the problems that face us.
Giving to United Way creates lasting change. When a child succeeds in school, we all win. When people are healthy and have productive careers and safe places to live our community is stronger. We can continue to make central Ohio a better place to live, but it takes the contributions of everyone to make that happen. Advocate - we want everyone engaged with United Way to advocate for our work through wordof-mouth, to let others know that partnering with United Way is an effective way to help others. We also want people to be aware of and involved with public policy issues that affect the well-being of our community. United Way of Central Ohio’s public policy agenda addresses the areas where we can most effectively facilitate lasting, positive change. We’re speaking out and we want our supporters to join us. Together we can advocate for the policies that will move us all forward. Volunteer - We want people to volunteer through United Way. Many people know about our annual Community Care Day, which is the largest single volunteering event in our area, mobilizing over 5,000 people. But they don’t know we also have many other volunteer efforts. For example, this year we helped organize over 120 volunteers to provide free tax preparation for hardworking low- and moderate-income people, resulting in over $2.3 million in refunds. Those refunds help people become more financially stable and strengthen our local economy. We know that volunteering connects people in a way
that giving and even advocating cannot. And once that connection is made it is strong and long-lasting. People can give, advocate and volunteer at liveunitedcentralohio.org. CH: The theme this year is “Our Power.” Where or in what do you find your power? Where does UW? JJ: I find my power through service. It has been my honor throughout my career to serve in many roles that help people in our community who are less fortunate obtain help and justice. At every step of my career I have served with those who are dedicated to helping others through service, and it gives me strength to know that every day we can work together to make a difference in people’s lives. The United Way movement gets its power from the millions of donors and volunteers who are dedicated to improving lives and building stronger communities. We are truly a donor- and volunteer-driven organization and that has been our great strength for decades. Catch Janet Jackson in the Pride Parade stepping off at 1p from Goodale park and traveling south on High St to Bicentennial Park. You can then join us this year at the Pride Brunch on Sunday, June 29, as Stonewall honors Janet Jackson as this year’s Grand Marshal. Brunch is 11a-1p at the Westin (310 S High St). Tickets are $35. More info: www.columbuspride.org/brunch.
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 39
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
40 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
Meet Your Entertainment Pride Fest
© Stephan Willey
LORI MICHAELS: ME & THE GIRLS “THE Dyke Diva” is a Jersey Girl turned National Headliner... “Living My Life Out Loud”the full length debut CD by Out Artist Lori Michaels- celebrates life and diversity-with a national tour to support the official CD release -making routine stops at various Pride Festivals. Me & The Girls has become “a must have act” anywhere out there and audiences everywhere just can’t seem to get enough of this Lori Michaels “pop”ular show. In the words of GO! magazine “she is a new Renaissance woman.” In addition to being a powerful, edgy singer/songwriter, she is a musician of the first order. As former Billboard editor and Sirius Satellite Radio host Larry Flick puts it, she “breaks the stereotypes of queer music” – and is drawing a fan base as broad as her talents. Our Power: Living My LIfe Out Loud (By Lori Michaels) “As Founder & President of the nonprofit organization, REACH OUT, INC. (www.reachoutinc.com)- my life has been touched -for many years- by people who have inspired me to be the best that I can be. And, when it comes down to it, you can only be who you are. You hold the power to make anything possible. Be true to yourself and do what you can to help everyone reach out. I am proud to be able to be such a big part of the GLBTI community- as an entertainer and really, just as someone who cares about our community. I hope to be able to actively continue all of our musical and charitable efforts in the most genuine of ways. And, I am ever so grateful for the opportunities to do so... JADE ESTEBAN ESTRADA Jade Esteban Estrada has performed at over 200 Pride events worldwide. Out magazine christened him “the first gay Latin star” and NBC News calls him “America’s Prince of Pride.” The governor of Kentucky recently paid tribute to Estrada by commissioning him the title of “Kentucky Colonel,” the highest honor awarded by the Commonwealth of Kentucky which acknowledges outstanding ambassadors of goodwill and fellowship around the world. He joins other honorary colonels which include Winston Churchill, Bob Hope, Ronald Reagan and Pope John Paul II. He is the host JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
of the 19th Annual GLAAD Media Awards on the Bravo Network. www.getjaded.com. Our Power: “I think it was Spiderman who once said “with great power comes great responsibility.” I have been blessed to be able to perform for many different kinds of people around the world. I admit that sometimes I forget that not all people feel liberated. I don’t always remember that some are scarred with a history bigotry and sometimes violence. I’m reminded of our collective past by meeting the people who are still standing They tell me their stories. I use my power to stay active. I keep performing I try to keep the word “gay” in the conversation because I believe the more we get out, stay out and talk about our lives we can start a dialogue with those who feel oppressed. This is when the healing can begin – when we can be not just activists, but human, too. Our power is in our ability to talk about our past so that we may guide the next generation of responsible and powerful men and women.” UNECC & FRIENDS One can easily make comparisons to sensational GLBT Rapper Unecc (Pronounced Unique) and the Websters word. With a passion for music and overall love for the people,Unecc has definitely set out on a mission with a purpose. Born in the Bronx, NY, and raised in Schlobhm Gardens one of the worse Projects in America and native home of singer song/songwriter Mary J. Blige. Unecc has over come many of life trials and obstacles. From losing her biological mother to AIDS at age 9, being separated from her family in New York for 18 years, to recently almost losing her Step Mother whom she considers her mother at the hands of her father, who is now serving 10 years for the assault. Unecc credits music as her outlet for pain. “Slowbomb” her debut single, calls the perfect segway to her upcoming album “Life is Beautiful”. While loving hip hop, Unecc always makes time to share her support for the G.L.B.T community. From her contributions to the “Fo Dem Ladeez Tour”, hosted and produced by Luster Dela Virgione (who is also the rappers manager). This is show like no other. The two have
managed to mix Gender Bending, Live Hip Hop and R&B as well as Dance all into one show. The show is hit that everyone is trying to get. Unecc is also apart of the “Unity Tour”, with fellow GLBT rappers Bigg Nugg and DaLyrical. The Unity Tour has went from the Midwest to the East Coast and will be out West this Fall. Not only is she a working musician but she also started and been operating her very own label HIT M ENTERTAINMENT since January of 07. Unecc is proving that we have talent and a voice just like any other artist . Columbus Pride 07 was her first march in the parade and her group UntouchablE (herself and her younger brother E) debuted at Rocking In The Streets, and also entertained on the main stage before Expose. A very big compliment seeing that there is not alot of HIP HOP in Pride Festivities. Unecc is hitting the stage again this year, and trust you wont want to miss what or who’s coming this time. Unecc intends to continue spreading HUMAN Love Support and Unity across the country and soon around the world. Our Power: I am very excited to be asked back by Stone Wall to participate in the Pride Events this year. I have alot of fellow artist especially Hip Hop who do not get a chance to even showcase at some festivities. I appreciate everything giving to me...including LIFE. Life is Beautiful... I used that statement every single day and I don’t get tired of it. We as Humans need to sit down sometimes and really look at OUR WORLD... because it is OUR POWER..that can make or break this world. WE as HUMANS have the POWER to CHANGE our thoughts and judgments of our fellow HUMANS! When I first started to put myself out in the music scene... I did not want to be a “OUT ARTIST”...my mind was changed as soon as I seen the lives that I was changing by just being “ME”. I can remember being a kid in high school and being afraid of my secret getting out. So to hear high school kids, college kids, and even graduates Thank Me for what I’m doing...it makes it all worth it. At the end of the day its not about money...sex...etc... its about LIFE... which we are all entitled to LIVE... I refuse to stand in false images!!! I’m PROUD to BE GAY... I’M PROUD TO BE ME! I was inspired by LISA Left Eye LOPEZ @ the
age of 13...its because of her that I am here today. I represent EVERY STUD WORLD WIDE EVERY BLOCK, and I REPRESENT LISA LEFT EYE LOPEZ...because she truly was Beautiful Soul that MUSIC is missing. Always be PROUD of WHO YOU ARE! I want to dedicate my show to my Mother CAROLYN JAMISON for ALWAYS LOVING ME and showing me the LOVE OF A MOTHER... I LOVE YOU MOM! CAPITAL PRIDE BAND Hear the Pride The Capital Pride Band of Columbus is an Ohio-based GLBT organization that formed in 2003, and currently has a membership of over 50 instrumentalists. The musical backgrounds of members range from band directors and those with degrees in music, to others who have not touched their instrument since high school. Our “all are welcome” policy applies to anyone interested in membership, regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, and of course, sexual orientation. Their Mission is to create quality musical and social experiences for our members and community through a variety of performances. We provide an open, inclusive, and fun atmosphere while promoting the joy of music, friendship, and personal growth. GAY MEN’S CHORUS MATTHEW ARNOLD, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Matthew Arnold is completing his inaugural year as Executive Director for the Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus. Matthew began singing with the Chorus in 2002 before joining the Board of Directors as the Special Events Director in 2006. During his time on the board, Matthew promoted and organized Forte! as the annual fundraising GALA event for the CGMC. Soon after, he began as the CGMC’s fi rst Executive Director. Over the past year, he has helped organize the operating procedures for the Chorus and worked hard on promoting CGMC in the community. In the coming years, he will continue to work closely with both the Artistic Staff and the Board of Directors to develop exciting visions and opportunities for the Chorus and its members. Prior to working with the chorus, Matthew worked for the Columbus Association for the Performing Arts (CAPA) in
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 41
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
42 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 43
Meet Your Entertainment Pride Fest
Association for the Performing Arts (CAPA) in Columbus and Out North Contemporary Arts House in Anchorage, Alaska. He holds a degree from Capital University. Our Power – Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus: Maybe it’s the young college student in rural Ohio seeing a large group of gay men singing, dancing, and celebrating who they are with the Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus. This student stands on his chair applauding, tears rolling down his cheeks, because for the first time in his life he knows it’s OK to be gay. Maybe it’s the woman whose marriage was destroyed after 35 years, because her husband informs her that he’s gay. After months of gutwrenching sadness and mourning for her loss, she accepts an invitation to see the Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus perform. Swept away in the beautiful music and comforting atmosphere, she finally realizes she “gets it.” Maybe it’s each of the singing members of the Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus, performing proudly to showcase their own personal artistry and musicianship. Or it’s standing firmly in front of the Ohio Statehouse during each Pride festival to sing, “Marry Us,” knowing one day we will all share the rights of LGBT individuals in California, Massachusetts and other states across the country. The individuals in the Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus believe strongly that they will have continued opportunities to open up minds and soften hearts through the power of music. CGMC fully embraces the opportunity to be ambassadors of the LGBT community in central Ohio, and to live its mission of “Voices Raised, Lives Changed.” FLAGGOTS - MATT EISERT PURE ENERGY! Nothing compares to the deafening roar of the crowd from the time we step off until we break ranks at the end of the Columbus Pride Parade…NOTHING! It’s hard to explain until you’ve personally experienced it, but it can be overwhelming at times. Flaggots do what Flaggots do because we know we can make a difference to the hundreds of thousands of adoring fans who come to stand as one. “OUR POWER” truly comes from our fans - their approval and their encouragement - for without them, we would have no purpose.
Onlookers are usually MESMERIZED by our “Flaggotry” and we promise that this year will be better than ever! Flaggots Ohio is now 1 of 15 GLBT Color Guards of its kind across the US and Canada! Since our inception in 2002, 9 of those units have emerged…with many of them asking of my help to build a similar organization. What an honor! My name is Matt Eisert and I’m originally from Erie, Pa. I moved here to Columbus, OH in 1988, have been a Realtor with Carriage Trade Realty since 1994, and am the Co-Founder and current proud Director of Flaggots Ohio, LLC. I hope you enjoy this year’s show! HAPPY PRIDE! WOMEN’S CHORUS The mission of The Columbus Women’s Chorus is to foster excellence and innovation in the performance and presentation of women’s music and, through our community of voices, to entertain and educate our audiences, enich and enlighten minds and spirits, encourage societal change and open hearts to diversity. CWC was founded in 1989 by thirteen women. Its first performance was in March 1990, at the National Lesbian Conference Regional Caucus meeting. CWC’s mission is to foster excellence and innovation in the performance of women’s music, to entertain and educate, and to enrich and enlighten minds and spirits. It receives funding from the Ohio Arts Council, the Columbus Foundation, and from many other donors, and performs throughout central Ohio in a wide variety of events. The Chorus rehearses every Monday evening from September thru June, and welcomes new members. For more information, call 614.878.3684 or visit the chorus web site www.cwchorus.org Our Power: Powerful Voices - The Columbus Women’s Chorus is proud to be a singing home for Columbus women of any sexual orientation. We openly sing about love, life, and many other topics from the perspective of gay, straight, and in between. As a women-only space, CWC is empowering of its members. In singing together about our formidable grandmothers, our feminist fore-mothers, our beautiful daughters, and our sisters around the world, we nourish our sense of connectedness
to other women and our power to effect change. HABEEBA’S BELLY DANCERS - ALISSA ZIEMER Alissa began dancing with Habeeba’s Dance of the Arts six years ago, and enjoys performing both with the troupe and as a soloist. She has entertained groups at both private parties and public events in Columbus including the Columbus Art Festival, Comfest, Gay Pride, Grandview Lazy Daze, Hot Times Festival, Midwest All-star Show, Upper Arlington Art Festival, and various fundraisers, as well as other events throughout Ohio, Kentucky, and Michigan. Alissa enjoys all types of dance, but especially appreciates the versatility and empowerment afforded by belly dancing. In her free time, Alissa enjoys spending time riding vintage Schwinn’s and playing lawn games in Goodale Park with her partner. Our Power: We all have the power to make a difference, but it takes cooperation, courage, support, and persistence. When I am frustrated or faced with an unfair situation, I try to remember not only the past, but also the future. It’s important to use our power to help break down barriers and promote a more tolerant world by being leaders throughout our communities and opening people’s eyes to new possibilities. DJ SEAN I’m a little ways from my home in Miami, Fla., where my three sisters, two nephews and mother still live. I left Miami back in 1995 to attend UNC-Chapel Hill, where I earned a degree in online journalism that led to work at local NBC and ABC TV affiliates, as well as CNN.com. I’ve was blessed enough to win two Emmys for my work. My deepest passions are volunteering and keeping up with House music. Few other things resonate in my soul like giving back to my community and laying down a track that soothes the soul. Our Power: I’m a comic book junkie, so the quote from Spider-Man comes to mind: “With great power comes great responsibility.” I don’t know that I necessarily have great power, but I do know that I have great responsibility to help other people when I can. I regu-
larly stock condom & lube boxes at German Village bars for CATF, deliver meals for Meals on Wheels once a month and lend a hand at Stonewall when I can. Yeah, I still have a life, but I really do believe that I can only keep what I have by giving it away. I think I have the power to help, inspire and motivate, so I’m passing it on. FABULOUS JOHNSON BROTHERS - AARON PICKERING Aaron is the singer and one of the principal songwriters for The Fabulous Johnson Brothers. With a powerful, energetic and magnetic stage presence, Aaron and his band of brothers (and sister!) know how to rock the party. A musically and personally diverse, 7 piece soulrock-pop band, with influences from Prince and Michael Jackson to The Red Hot Chili Peppers and The B52’s. Started as teenage friends, over the years the band has developed a loyal grassroots following, a crowd as diverse as the band itself. Last summer the band was one of the top 20 finalists on FOX Television’s Next Great American Band. They continue to write, perform and produce original music as well as “guilty pleasure cover songs” that everyone can enjoy. For MP3 downloads, upcoming shows, mailing list and more info, check ‘em out online at: www.thejbros.com Our Power: Our power is defined by the ability to accept ourselves and love ourselves. As well as, to love and accept others for their differences. A good friend of mine recently came out. Through her journey, I have reflected back on my own personal experience. I am so great full for all of the beautiful friends and family I have in my life, and how much their unconditional love have shaped who I am as a person. I’ve committed myself to making sure my friend has a similar experience. That kind of love and support allows us to break down walls and redefine what it means to be gay. Or better yet, to be a human being. Music and performing allows me to communicate these experiences and share it with others, regardless of sexual orientation, gender, race or class. When I look out into an audience and see all different types of people singing and shaking their stuff, I am struck with how powJUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
44 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 45
Meet Your Entertainment Pride Fest, Rock’n & Qasis
erful that is. When we let go of our boundaries and love and accept ourselves and the people around us, we experience something bigger, together.
LISA O. & FRIENDS Lisa Odierna, a native of OHio was born in Ashland. Lisa grew up singing in the church, her roots encompass gospel music. Her most proud years was being accepted as a singer for Walt Disney World where she lived and performed for three month increments. Upon leaving for college she began to discover jazz and blues and performed in many on-campus productions heralding the legends of our times. After graduating from the University of Hawaii she landed in Washington D.C. pursing her business career and music became her hobby. After a few moves, Lisa landed in Columbus five years ago and reignited her singing career by auditioning and performing with several blues bands. Lisa spend two years performing with the "Zen Blues Band". In addition she has accomplished several solo projects and has performed with jazz pianists for one night gigs. Lisa has performerd for the Oscars party at Wall Street, Club Diversity, Baxley Monk, Barrister Hall and several more local venues.
Rock’n Stars
Qasis Headliners
MELISSA FERRICK Singer/songwriter Melissa Ferrick emerged in 1994 as part of a group of new female alternative singer/songwriters, much in the vein of Liz Phair. Ferrick began singing in coffeehouses after dropping out of college, eventually winding up in Boston. Her major breakthrough arrived one night when she replaced Morrissey's opening act for the rest of the tour. The tour earned her a small cult following as well as a contract with Atlantic Records. ‘94 Since then she has released he critical reception for her stripped-down second album, Willing to Wait, Everything I Need, Freedom and Skinnier, Faster, Live at the B.P.C.
KIMBERLEY LOCKE http://www.kimberleylocke.org Performing Friday June 27th Her debut album One Love hit stores in mid 2004 and spawned the #1 Billboard Hot 100 Sales Single for ‘8th World Wonder,’ where Kimberley became the third ‘Idol’ to enter the chart at number one. In three short years, Kimberley has scored 4 top 10 Billboard AC hits including “8th World Wonder,” and “I Could.” By 2005 Kimberley Locke was busy with her endless possibilities. Kimberley began working on Based On A True Story late 2005 not merely as a singer, but also as a songwriter, co-penning 10 of the albums 12 tracks. This album showcases all of her raw emotions, character and journey.
PEPPER MASHAY http://www.peppermashay.com Performing Saturday June 28th As the former leader singer of the vocal group “Voyceboxing”, International Dance Diva Pepper Mashay has made her mark in the entertainment industry. Pepper’s background credits read like the who’s who of the music industry including, Christina Aguilera, Tina Turner, Celine Dion and Ray Charles. Pepper’s movie credits include The Bodyguard, Strapped, What’s Love Got To Do With It and Under Siege 2. She has been seen on The Jay Leno Show, Models Inc and The Arsenio Hall Show. Got to Give the People (What They Want) is Pepper’s latest CD that was release January 2008.
PRETTY BOYS Galadriel Masterson - Vox/Lyrics, Hopey Rock Lead Guitar/Vox, On drums- D. Patrick/ Second Guitar- Sweet Dougy V aka The Truth, On Bass- Gil Kasner aka GMoneyInternationalCurrency. They say they sound like the song that will save your life when the sun is shining and your heart is black. like the beat on a dancefloor in a gay club that will make you wanna be rich, famous, and french kiss, like eight million years of life expierence and 45 laugh lines around our eyes, like the shock of betrayal and like the people we loved who died... like who we are and the sum of our thoughts right now, right here in Brooklyn, New York. Dream Big. Dream Bigger.
FRENCHIE DAVIS http://www.frenchiedavis.org Performing Friday June 28th After returning to the states from Germany, Frenchie auditioned for American Idol where she made her mark on the show, and turned out to be a huge favorite with America to win the show. In 2003 she was cast in the Broadway show RENT which she took a leave of absence to portray ‘Effie White” in the West coast tour of the play DreamGirls. In November 2008 Frenchie will be starring in (with her Amiercan Idol friend Ruben Studdard) the 30th Anniversary touring road show of the hit broadway play “Ain’t Misbehavin”. Frenchie is also in the process of starting to record her “debut” CD.
REGINA SAYLES http://www.reginasayles.com Performing Saturday June 28th This cutting edge singer/songwriter was born in the small town of Tiffin, OH. Her stage presence and personality only add to the huge voice that comes out of her 5’2” body. Regina’s influences are a variety of artists that mix genres of Rock, Soul, Country and Jazz. She takes pride in versatility and enjoys singing to each and every member of an audience. She finds herself best described as a mix between Aretha Franklin and Janis Joplin. Her first 7 song cd It’s Home tells stories about things she’s gone through and people she’s known for years or for only 5 minutes. Everyone can relate and feel every emotion Regina sings about. JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
46 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 47
Pride Highlights Faith Happenings The Power in Believing
The Power in Believing: Pride Intertraditional Faith Events Stonewall Columbus Pride 2008 will offer an intertraditional celebration of life and community to begin Pride Day. This year’s service will include much greater intertraditional diversity (e.g. interfaith, etc.) among organizers and participants than previous years’. Organizers will hold the service at 10a (three hours before Parade kick off) on Saturday, June 28 at the Gazebo in Goodale Park (120 W. Goodale Blvd.), situated between North High St and Neil Ave. (The Gazebo sits in Goodale Park’s northeast corner.) This celebration of life and community will include prayers, meditation, readings and music and also will reflect a range of diversity of traditions and beliefs found in churches, faith communities and a comparable organization that support LGBT Pride and equality. First Congregational Church (UCC), Green Faerie Grove, the Humanist Community of Central Ohio, King Avenue United Methodist Church, New Creation MCC Church, The Reformed Catholic Church, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church & University Center, SGI Buddhists, Summit on 16th (UMC), Three Cranes Grove and a member of St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church will all be participating. “Our community has much to celebrate given the range of diverse traditions - Christian, Jewish, humanist, Buddhist, Druidic, Pagan and others - that join together to celebrate Pride,” said Eric Peters, co-chair of the Intertradition Subcommittee of the Stonewall Columbus Pride Committee and a member of King Avenue United Methodist Church and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. “And I am deeply grateful to the Pride Committee, especially Jan Richards, and to my co-chair, Cindy Turvy from Summit on 16th (United Methodist Church), for making possible this important work.” The Stonewall Columbus 2008 Intertraditional Subcommittee has been delighted also to learn of other services related to Pride 2008. Congregation Tifereth Israel will hold a special service, a traditional Shabbat service led by Cantor Jack Chomsky, “to welcome those who
will be taking part in celebrations over the weekend,” wrote Cantor Chomsky in a recent press release. Cantor Chomsky continued, “This service is part of an effort by the event organizers to reach out to and acknowledge diversity in the faith community.” Congregation Tifereth Israel, a synagogue in the Conservative tradition, will hold the Shabbat service at 7p on Friday, June 27 at 1354 E Broad St near Franklin Park in Columbus’s Near East Side with ample parking available behind the building. For further information please contact Congregation Tifereth Israel at 614.253.8523. The SGI GLBT Nichiren Buddhist Group will have a booth from about 11a-5p. at the Pride Festival. Gayla Preston, a member of the group, said, “Please feel free to stop by and learn more about the great practice of Buddhism.” On July 13 from 1p-3p at Stonewall Columbus (1160 North High St at the intersection of High and Fourth Ave). For further information please contact Gayla Preston (614.499.5097) or Monic Cunningham (614.204.1420). Three Cranes Grove will hold a Summer Solstice ritual soon; for details 614.263.7838. The Reformed Catholic Church, including parishes from Columbus (St. Sebastian and St. Luke), Toledo (Holy Cross) and Ft. Wayne, Ind. (Holy Redeemer) will set up both an information table and a chapel at the Pride Festival with Masses celebrated at 2p 4p. and 5:30p. The Reformed Catholic Church is a Sui Juris Catholic Community, not in communion with the Roman Catholic Church. For further information please contact Archbishop Phillip Zimmerman (866.769.0075 or via e-mail to PresidingBishop @ReformedCatholicChurch.org). The Stonewall Columbus Intertradition Subcommittee will hold a Celebration of Life and Community at 10a in the Goodale Park Gazebo. All are welcome. For further information please contact Pride Coordinator Jan Richards (614.930.2265) or subcommittee co-chair Eric Peters (J_Eric_Peters@yahoo.com or 614.GAY.7423).
TIFERETH ISRAEL TO HOST SHABBAT FOR PRIDE WEEKEND Congregation Tifereth Israel is pleased to hold a special service at 7p on Friday, June 27 to welcome those who will be taking part in celebrations over the course of the weekend. The service will be a traditional Shabbat service led by Cantor Jack Chomsky. This service is part of an effort by the event organizers to reach out to and acknowledge diversity in the faith community. “Shabbat is God’s great gift to the Jewish people — indeed to the whole world,” noted Cantor Chomsky. “This is a gift that comes to all people who choose to accept it. It does not discriminate on basis of gender, sexual orientation, race, age, or anything else. We are happy to celebrate an ordinary Shabbat for an extraordinary weekend for our city’s GLBT community.” Congregation Tifereth Israel is located at 1354 East Broad Street on Columbus’ near east side — near Franklin Park. Ample parking is available behind the building. For further information, contact Congregation Tifereth Israel at 614.253.8523
INTERTRADITIONAL CELEBRATION OF LIFE AND COMMUNITY A celebration of life and community will be offered at 10a on Saturday, June 28 (right before the Pride Parade kicks off) at the Goodale Park . The Stonewall Columbus Pride Committee and its Faith & Traditions Subcommittee (a first this year) have organized this celebration. This year’s participating communities of traditions are First Congregational Church (UCC), Green Faerie Grove, Humanist Community of Central Ohio, King Avenue United Methodist Church , New Creation MCC, SGI Bhuddists, St. Sebastian’s Reformed Catholic Church, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church & University Center, Summit United Methodist Church, St. Francis Roman Catholic Church and Three Cranes Grove. All are welcome. In fact, please come.
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
48 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 49
Pride Highlights
Exhibits of Pride: The Power of Creativity and Stor ytelling Artist Highlights
Queer Art On Exhibit the Entire Month of June Stop by the Center to view it Monday - Friday 9a-5p One of our greatests powers, is our ability to be creative. Queers have long been the vanguards in the arts community, and this exhibit keeps that theory well in its place. Please join Stonewall for An Exhibit of Pride running the month of June at the Center on High. The community center has been transformed into an exquisite gallery with fifty works by twenty-six artists. The show was juried by three professionals in the field and the work is outstanding. Juror, Nicholas Hill comments, There are some really wonderful works submitted! The mediums consist of frescos, sculptures, oils, and photography. Paul Richmond s beautiful oil painting, Not Just a Closet, was chosen to promote the event. The exhibition is open all month long so please stop by the center and marvel at what your GLBT community has created in the art world. A $5 donation is requested but not mandatory.
Robert Trautman is a graphic designer by trade. But in the last year was involved in over 13 exhibits of his artwork ranging from group to solo shows. Most of the exhibits showed a mixture of photography and digital illustration techniques. While a few showed his love for painting, which has become more of his focus in 2008. Robert uses a couple of different monikers. The Hot Wetness which is mainly for his personal artwork projects. He also works with two other amazing individuals as Digestive Design which is a relationship where art and design often meet 50/50 on most projects. Robert payes his bills via his daytime job as designer / assistant art director for OutlookWeekly. So yes Robert is a busy boy, but really loves what he does.
Jim Arter is a Columbus based visual Artist, painter and sculpture. Jim is the Associate Artist for the Community Arts Education Program of the Greater Columbus Arts Council. He is cofounder of the Children of the Future program, an arts based after school program for inner-city youth ages five to twelve. Jim is one of the original designers of Art for Life , an art auction that benefits the Columbus Aids Task Force, and has been a contributing artist since the first auction. Jim is the recipient of the 2007 Columbus Aids Task Force s Critic s Choice Award for his Standing Gum Wrapper sculpture, the South Side Settlement House 2005 Arts Freedom Award awarded to those who have utilized their talents to elevate the human condition through art. , the 2004 Governor s Award for Arts in Education , 2004 Director s Award from the Columbus Aids Task Force, the Ohio Art League s 2000 Outstanding Contributions to the Arts Award , and the Honored Artist Award from the Arts Foundation of Olde Towne for his dedicated and untiring efforts to better the community through the arts .
Pride of Ohio in two ways – by visiting the Ohio Historical Society website at www.ohiohistorystore.com/donation.aspx you can make a donation online using a credit or debit card. You can also make a donation by sending a check or money order to Ohio Historical Society, c/o GOHI, 1982 Velma Avenue, Columbus, Ohio. Please note in the memo section of the check that your donation is
for GOHI. You can also see the exhibit this month at Stonewall Community Center along with the gay artists mentioned above.
GOHI’S PRIDE OF OHIO PREMIERES AT PRIDES IN JUNE The new GOHI traveling display, Pride of Ohio, premieres at Pride Festivals in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati and Dayton in June 2008. Pride of Ohio, a set of three banners, showcases a total of 16 LGBT Ohioans with an image and biographical information. The eighteen notable LGBT people illustrate the contributions, achievements, and accomplishments made by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Ohioans. The banner display is the first of a multi-part project to educate Ohioans and raise awareness about LGBT citizens and our place in the fabric of our state. The second phase involves the collection of oral histories from LGBT Ohioans, and “Photo Fairs” to digitize photographs, preserving them in an archive of LGBT Ohio history. Phase three of the project is the creation of a comprehensive touring exhibit that incorporates artifacts of LGBT Ohio history. To create Pride of Ohio, members of the GOHI Exhibit Committee researched and identified more than thirty notable LGBT Ohioans, narrowing the list to eighteen. Some people profiled will be more familiar than others – Paul Lynde, for example, is a
cultural icon from “Bewitched.” Bibliophiles, though, can learn about Barbara Grier, Mary Oliver, Hart Crane, Jacqueline Woodson, and Michael Cunningham. Jazz lovers may focus on Billy Strayhorn. Philosophers have Judith Butler. Photographers can take note of Berenice Abbott. Architecture enthusiasts have Philip Johnson to admire. And everyone can savor the life of Natalie Clifford Barney, American expatriate and Paris literary salon hosts, who lived and loved as she damn well pleased. GOHI, the Gay Ohio History Initiative, is working to preserve, archive, and curate the history and culture of the LGBT citizens of Ohio, to tell the truth about our lives, to create opportunities for understanding of both the past and what is hoped for in the future, to share LGBT culture and history with all Ohioans, and to encourage us to savor our existence. Savoring our lives is something we can forget to do, and something that society has often discouraged us from doing. With Pride of Ohio, GOHI celebrates LGBT Ohioans, and offers information and education to both LGBT and straight Ohioans. You can make a donation to support the costs of
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
50 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 51
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
52 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
Pride Holiday Events Your Complete Guide To Columbus Pride Holiday 2008
Pride Holiday 2008 Pride Parade Saturday, June 28 Pride Parade 2008 Lineup by 12p at Goodale Park (floats enter off Neil Ave at Poplar) Step off at 1p Buttles to High; End at Bicentennial Park
Pride Holiday 2008 Pride Festival Bicentennial Park 11a – 7p Emcee: Marga Gomez Performers Start at 2:15p Habeebas Belly Dancers Women’s Chorus Capital Pride Band Unecc & Friends The Flaggots The Fabulous Johnson Brothers Lori Michaels: Me & the Girls Gay Mens’ Chorus Lisa O. Jade Esteban Estrada 5:45p Headliner: Jennifer Holliday DJ Sean JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
THURSDAY, JUNE 26 After Stonewall @ Whetstone Branch, Columbus Public Library, www.columbuswcw.org. Come see this amazing documentary of our progress and our power. 7-9p, free. Three Wise Men: Jack, Jim and José @ Exile, 893 N 4th St, 614.299.0069, www.exilebar.com. Drink specials on Jack Daniels, Jim Beam, and José Cuervo. Country Concert finals @ Score, 145 N 5th St, www.scorebarcolumbus.com. Come and find out who will have a chance to sing with Kenny Chesney. Alternative Pub Night @ Liquid, 1100 N High St, www.liquidhotspot.com. Hosted by CD 101’s Leslie James, Coors Light bucket specials, wings & blue cheese dips. 8-10p. Pride kickoff show with Nina West, Virginia West, Alexis Stevens, Samantha Rollins and Friends @ Axis, 775 N High St, 614.291.4008, www.columbusnightlife.com. 11p. It’s Raining Men @ Tradewinds II, 117 E Chestnut St, 614.461.4110, www.tradewindsii.com. Miss Maria’s special Pride show with her hot men & special guests Fancy & Hellin Bedd. 11p. FRIDAY, JUNE 27 Martini Madness @ Exile, 893 N 4th St, 614.299.0069, www.exilebar.com. Drink specials, happy hour 4-9p. Disco Down @ Tavern on the Lawn, 340 Greenlawn Ave, 614.444.9000, www.tavernonthelawn.com. Disco music, prizes for best 70s attire and all the flower power you can handle. Doors 4p, happy hour 4-7p. Tracy Temple @ Club Diversity, 863 S High St, 614.224.4050, www.clubdiversity.com. Enjoy the sounds of this local favorite. QASIS Pride @ Q bar, 205 N 5th St, www.qasispride.com. Kimberley Locke performs tonight! See our website for details and cover charge. Royal Renegades @ Wall Street, 144 N Wall St, 614.464.2800, www.wallstreetnightclub.com. Kick off Pride 2008 with the Royal Renegades drag kings annual Pride show. Doors 8p, show 9p. Hot New Erotica @ Score, 145 N 5th St, www.scorebarcolumbus.com. Join us for the hottest new male erotica from across the USA. Hosted by Entertainer of the Year Dee Ranged. $5. Glow Party @ Liquid, 1100 N High
St, www.liquidhotspot.com. DJ Warren spins retro 70s, 80s, and 90s. 80s happy hour and drink specials. 5-9p. Rockin’ in the Streets @ East Village, 630 N High St, www.columbusnightlife.com. Rockin’ in the Streets returns for two nights! Gates 6p. Purchase tickets online or at the gate. Pride Friday with a special pride edition FREE CD @ Axis, 775 N High St, 614.291.4008, www.columbusnightlife.com. Alexis Stevens and Hot College Jocks in Pump Lounge and DJ Rob Engel beginning at 10p. See our website for prices and to purchase tickets. Patio Draft Party @ Woof’s, 2063 E Livingston, www.woofscolumbus.com. No cover, $1 draft Bud Light, $4 pitchers. Disco Inferno @ Tradewinds II, 117 E Chestnut St, 614.461.4110, www.tradewindsii.com. Dance Your Ass Off! 10p. Golden Girls Review @ South Bend, 126 E Moler St, 614.444.3386. Come spend time with some of your favorite oldies but goodies in this drag review. 11p. Georgia Jackson @ Pyramid II, 211 N 6th St, 614.228.6151. Come join Georgia – Miss Jackson if you’re nasty – and her friends. 10p. Cookout @ AWOL, 49 Parsons Ave, 614.621.8779. No cover, so come eat our food! 5p. James Blackmon @ James Club 88, 55 W Long St, 614.223.1213, www.jamesclub88.com. Full buffet, too many drink specials to mention. James plays at 8:30p. $3. SATURDAY, JUNE 28 Stonewall Pride Holiday 2008: The Main Event! The Stonewall Columbus Pride Holiday is considered to be the largest Gay Pride celebration of its kind in the Midwest and is one of the top 10 in the country. Last year Columbus, Ohio received national acclaim in The Advocate as an unexpected yet fabulous destination for Pride. This year marks our 27th anniversary of Stonewall Columbus Pride Holiday as we rally toward a bigger and better event than the greater Columbus GLBT and allied community has ever seen. Last year over 110,000 people attended the event to celebrate our culture and revel in our community spirit. Pride Holiday is a crucial fundraising venture for Stonewall Columbus and dollars raised go directly back to the continued
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 53
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
SPONSORED BY
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
54 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
Pride Holiday Events Your Complete Guide To Columbus Pride Holiday 2008 programs and services at the Center on High, the LGBT community center of Central Ohio. Over 100 floats will travel down High Street. Janet Jackson, president and chief executive officer of The United Way of Central Ohio will be this year’s grand marshal. The parade kicks off from the west side of Goodale Park at 1p. Admission to the park is $5 and free to those wearing their 2008 commemorative dogtags. Our headliner is the Original Dream Girl, Jennifer Holliday. Marga Gomez will be our Mistress of Ceremonies at the Main Stage. Entertainment includes Jade Esteban Estrada, Lori Michaels: Me & the Girls, Gay Men’s Chorus, the Flaggots, Capital Pride Band, Women’s Chorus, Habeebas Belly Dancers, Lisa O., Fabulous Johnson Brothers, Unecc & friends, and DJ Shawn. The Second Stage will feature drag artists all day. Slammin’ Shots @ Exile, 893 N 4th St, 614.299.0069, www.exilebar.com. Drink specials, happy hour 4-9p. Pre-Pride March Kickoff @ U, 782 N High St, 614.421.2233, www.columbusnightlife.com. Bar & food specials. 10a. Havana Nights post party @ Havana, 862 N High St, 614.421.9697, www.columbusnightlife.com. PrideFest @ Tavern on the Lawn, 340 Greenlawn Ave, 614.444.9000, www.tavernonthelawn.com. Enjoy our patio for great food and drink. Show your Pride dog tags and receive 15%
off. Singer Lisa O from 8-11p. Doors 1p. Debé & Bobby @ Club Diversity, 863 S High St, 614.224.4050, www.clubdiversity.com. Enjoy the sounds of these local favorites. Post Parade Party @ Liquid, 1100 N High St, www.liquidhotspot.com. With DJ Warren, the Liquid ladies, go go dancers, drag kings, and Cuervo. 3-6p. Come back for the dancing with DJ Chaos at 10p. QASIS Pride @ Q bar, 205 N 5th St, www.qasispride.com. Frenchie Davis and the fabulous Pepper Mashay perform tonight! See our website for details and cover charge. Pride Ball 2008 @ Wall Street, 144 N Wall St, 614.464.2800, www.wallstreetnightclub.com. Continue your Pride celebration at the biggest and best dance party in town. Doors 6p. Karaoke @ Tremont, 708 S High St, 614.444.2041. Come sing your favorites at the bar that’s closest to Bicentennial Park. 10p. After Pride Beer Bust @ Score, 145 N 5th St, www.scorebarcolumbus.com. Food, sports teams, box dancers, cornhole, pool, X-box, Game Cube, skeeball and lots of beer. Rockin’ in the Streets @ East Village, 630 N High St, www.columbusnightlife.com. Rockin’ in the Streets returns for two nights! Gates 6p. Purchase tickets online or at the gate. Unity party @ Axis, 775 N High St, 614.291.4008, www.columbusnightlife.com. With Virginia West, Nina West, Alexis Stevens, Andria Michaels and Samantha
Rollins in Pumps Cabaret and DJ Alan Saunders beginning at 9p. See our website for prices and to purchase tickets. We Are Family @ Tradewinds II, 117 E Chestnut St, 614.461.4110, www.tradewindsii.com. Come and march with our float. Tradewinds and Plugged Nickel restaurant open 2p, dance bar opens 4p. Wet Chest Contest @ Woof’s, 2063 E Livingston, www.woofscolumbus.com. Sign up for $250 in cash and prizes. Free Colt Studios DVD to the first 100 at the door. DJ Bear spinning all night. Sponsored by Club Columbus. 10p signup. Special Guest DJs @ Slammers, 202 E Long St, 614.469.7526. Special DJs all weekend, and tonight partake of $12 domestic buckets. Georgia Jackson @ Pyramid II, 211 N 6th St, 614.228.6151. Come join Georgia – Miss Jackson if you’re nasty – and her boys. 4p. Drink Specials @ AWOL, 49 Parsons Ave, 614.621.8779. Opening at 1p. Dane Terry & Tamra Ellis @ James Club 88, 55 W Long St, 614.223.1213,. Full buffet, too many drink specials to mention. Music 8:30p. $4. SUNDAY, JUNE 29 Stonewall Pride Brunch @ Westin Great Southern Grand Ballroom. Celebrate our diversity and our pride with the annual brunch, and help us thank this year’s grand marshal, Janet Jackson. 11a-1p. Visit www.colum-
ROCKIN IN THE STREETS QASIS AT Q JUNE 27TH LINE-UP AT EAST VILLAGE FRIDAY Door Opens at 6p- 1a
JUNE 27TH & 28TH - 2 nights/twice the fun! Both nights for $20. or $12. for 1 night. Lots of great entertainment. Benefits Stonewall, Girlz Rhythm n' Rock Camp, & Katie Reider. I can't think of a funner way to spend Pride nights or better causes to support! FRIDAY: Headliners MELISSA FERRICK, Drew Davis, Natalia Zuckerman with special surprise guests Susan Warner & Trina Hamlin!, 2 Chix & a Drum, Lori Michaels; Me & the Girls!, Hot Cha Cha, Viva's Bellies, Unecc & friends, Rain Maxwell, Mary B, Hosted by Luster. SATURDAY: Headliners PRETTY BOYS(new video Bon Voyage produced by Pink!), Hope Vitellas, Chrissy Foster, 2 Chix & a Drum, Blue Umbrellas, Spoken, Viva's Red Light Burlesque JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
buspride.org for tickets and pricing. Bat n Rouge Pep Rally @ U, 782 N High St, 614.421.2233, www.columbusnightlife.com. Bar & food specials. 1p. Bat n Rouge @ Afrocentric High School, corner of Livingston & 4th. www.clgsa.net. If you’ve never seen melting dragqueens playing softball, you can’t miss this. Come for the fun, food, and fellowship, and raise money for Stonewall Columbus, BRAVO, and Camp Sunrise. Entertainment at noon, first pitch at 3p. $7.50 advance, $10 at the gate. Sunday Night Live @ Wall Street, 144 N Wall St, 614.464.2800, www.wallstreetnightclub.com. Close out Pride weekend with sketch comedy, live vocals, and a little bit of drag. Doors 8p, show 9p, dancing following the show. Call to reserve tables. Male Strippers @ Exile, 893 N 4th St, 614.299.0069, www.exilebar.com. 9p. Drink specials. Georgia Jackson @ Pyramid II, 211 N 6th St, 614.228.6151. Come join Georgia – Miss Jackson if you’re nasty – and even more of her boys. 6:30p. B4 & After Bat n Rouge @ Tavern on the Lawn, 340 Greenlawn Ave, 614.444.9000, www.tavernonthelawn.com. Join us before and after the game for amazing beer specials. Doors 1p. Bat n Rouge Afterparty @ Score, 145 N 5th St, www.scorebarcolumbus.com.
SATURDAY JUNE 28TH Door Opens 5p Closes 1a 6p-8p Dance Music by DJ John 5p-9p Dance Music by DJ John 7p-8p Lube Wrestling 7p-8p Lube wrestling 8p-10:30p Q-Idol 9p-10p Ohio Native Singer 10:30p –11p VIP Autograph Regina Sayles signing w/ American Idol Kim10p-10:30p Autograph signing berley Locke w/ International Dance Diva 11p- 11:45p Kimberley Locke on Pepper Mashay stage for a full concert 10:30p-11p Pepper Mashay on 11:45p-1a Dance Music by DJ stage John 11p-11:30p Autograph signing Also there will be food, photos, w/American Idol Frenchie Davis chair massages, dunk tank, 11:30p-12p Frenchie Davis on raffle and much much more! stage 12p-1a Dance Music by DJ John
Visit with the cheerleaders and players after the game. More More More @ Tradewinds II, 117 E Chestnut St, 614.461.4110, www.tradewindsii.com. The party hasn’t ended just yet. Come dance to 70s gay anthems, win CDs of those anthems, and see a special appearance by the Bat n Rouge cheerleaders. Raffle Drawing @ South Bend, 126 E Moler St, 614.444.3386.
Outloo k
We’ve been selling tickets all month for a chance to win a scooter or a laptop, both of which were donated. Proceeds benefit Stonewall Columbus and Pater Noster House. Tickets are only $5 each or 5 for $20. 8p drawing. Therapy @ Liquid, 1100 N High St, www.liquidhotspot.com. Meet us for a liquid brunch featuring dress-your-own Bloody Marys for $5.25. 11a-3p.
Booth W CHERRY ST
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 55
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
56 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 57
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
58 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
Our Power: Politics & Progress
HRC
Equality Ohio Our Power is in Each Other
Help Us Reach The Tipping Point
by Adam Leddy
by Kim Welter
One block west of the Ohio Statehouse in downtown Columbus, the LeVeque Tower’s regal edifice is reminiscent of a time when architectural function was subservient to form. The tower’s foundation extends to bedrock, lending the delicate art-deco façade a sense of strength and permanence. Tucked away in a back corner on the nineteenth floor is a five-room office with three external doors facing the hallway. Each door bears on its glass a simple two-word message, to be read in succession as visitors approach the main entrance: Our state. Our lives. Our home. This is the physical office space of Equality Ohio, the first statewide LGBT civil rights organization in Ohio to have office space, let alone a paid staff to fill it. LGBT people and straight allies from all over Ohio have made it possible for that space and that staff to exist, and the message on the doors is their message, a tribute to their commitment to an Ohio where everyone can feel at home. But in many ways, an office is just an office, and the people who work in this particular office are merely the caretakers of a movement that cannot claim any one building or city as its headquarters. Equality Ohio exists not in any demarcated space, but rather in every community across Ohio where LGBT people and their pro-equality allies live their lives as honestly and openly as they can. Our power as a movement comes from our unity, and from our shared willingness to do the hard work of speaking our truths to the people who most need to know what it means to be LGBT in Ohio. It comes from changing the hearts and minds that we can change, and opening a public dialogue even with those we cannot. Our power comes from Chillicothe and Lima as much as it comes from Cleveland and Columbus. It comes less from the places where we are out in great numbers than it does from the places where we are out and alone. Our power comes not from a staff and board of directors that organizes an annual Lobby Day, but from the Ohioans who have the courage to sit across from their legislators and say, You will hear my story. Our power isn’t something we can measure in money, but rather in the generosity of the thousands of Ohioans who contribute what they can to this movement. We’ve come a long way together in the past three years, and we have a long way to go. Equality Ohio will continue to work for an Ohio where everyone can feel at home, and LGBT people and allies all over Ohio will continue to make sure that this movement touches lives in every corner of the state. We’re all in this together, and our power is each other. As a movement, our foundation runs to bedrock; we are strong and we are permanent. JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
When people join together to create change in their community, to push against “the way it has always been,” eventually, they reach the tipping point, when slow gradual change becomes irreversible and gains momentum. This fall, as “change” takes center stage in our national political scene, Equality Ohio will be working to reach the tipping point for the Equal Housing and Employment Act (EHEA) in Ohio. We are taking the “Do What’s Right Ohio” campaign to businesses large and small, economic development agencies, universities and colleges, faith groups, cities and counties, garnering public support for the EHEA. Already, organizations as diverse as The Cleveland Clinic, The University of Toledo, the Greater Cleveland Board of Rabbis, the City of Bowling Green and Franklin County, have publicly supported the EHEA. The tipping point is not far away. For the first time in history, two hearings have been held on the Equal Housing and Employment Act in the Senate. When passed, the legislation will protect Ohioans from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. We expect the bill to see more hearings before this legislative session ends in December. In the meantime, we have begun to prepare to reintroduce the legislation next year – hopefully, with the tipping point behind us. And this goal is not unreasonable, especially when we work together. Talk to your employer, large or small, about supporting the Equal Housing and Employment Act, talk to your city councilpersons or county commissioners about passing a resolution supporting the EHEA. Talk to your local university or college, your local chamber of commerce, your place of worship; in short, talk to everyone. And be sure to follow-up so we can add their name to the ever-growing list of supporters. The only way to raise awareness about this important issue is to make noise about it. Working together with more than two-thirds of Ohio voters who say the law should protect everyone, you have the power to create change in Ohio. Contact us and we can provide you with support documentation, sample resolutions and quick answers to objections. When we can, we are more than willing to go with you to talk to decision makers. Easier still, volunteer with Equality Ohio in your area of the state, donate, become a member or renew your membership. The fascinating thing about creating change is the many ways people can be involved. Want to help us reach the tipping point? Call us at 614.224.0400 or check us out at www.equalityohio.org or www.dowhatsrightohio.com.
The Power of Partnerships The Human Rights Campaign leverages its considerable power to make the country more understanding, fair and safe for GLBT Americans and their families – in the nation’s capitol and in Columbus. The collective strength of HRC’s 700,000 members across the country and of local leaders and volunteers in Ohio was made clear in 2006 when, in partnership with the Stonewall Democrats and Equality Ohio, HRC helped elect fair minded leaders like Sen. Sherrod Brown, Gov. Ted Strickland, Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher, Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner and other fairminded leaders. In 2008, HRC in Columbus, again in partnership with other state groups, is going to flex its political power to deliver the state of Ohio for Sen. Obama, and other fair-minded leaders from the highest federal offices to the state legislature. But more than political power, HRC in Columbus is impacting people’s daily lives – from working with corporate leaders like Abercrombie & Fitch and Nationwide to enact fair and inclusive workplace policies for their GLBT customers and employees. HRC’s also provides a microphone and a platform to fair-minded religious leaders across Ohio and the nation who believe GLBT people and their families are deserving of the full respect and participation of their faith traditions. At home, at work, in the highest of political offices – HRC in Columbus, and across the country, is a powerful advocate and leader for all fair-minded Americans. HRC thanks its local members and supporters for their hard work and dedication – and looks forward to the great work ahead.
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 59
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
60 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
Our Power: Family, Friends and Allies
PFLAG Pride Power by Peg Allemang Don Brennan and Christelie Dunlap contributed to this article. All power has a source. According to the PFLAG National website, the source of PFLAG power can be traced to an event in 1972, when Jeanne Manford started an international movement by marching with her son Mortie in New York’s Gay Pride Parade. Enraged that her son had been beaten at a gay rights protest two months before while police did nothing, she carried a sign at the Pride march that said, “Parents of Gays: Unite in Support of Our Children.” As they say, the rest is history. One year after Ms. Manford bravely proclaimed her love for her gay son on the streets of New York, she organized a gathering of parents of gays and lesbians in a local church with twenty people in attendance. Word spread like wildfire, even without the Internet, about this gathering and similar groups began springing up around the country. Now thirty-five years later, thanks to these brave pioneers, we PFLAGers are part of a powerful State and National organization. PFLAG Columbus is indeed a visible presence at the Columbus PRIDE parade and festival. Since the inception of the PRIDE celebration in Columbus, PFLAG Moms and Dads have proudly marched carrying banners proclaiming unconditional love for their GLBT children. The 2008 PRIDE celebration will be no exception. PFLAGers will be carrying banners, waving from a parade car clearly marked with the PFLAG logo and driven by a loyal friend of PFLAG, John Kost. Other members will be on hand to provide support and educational materials at the post-parade festival table clearly labeled with the PFLAG logo. PFLAG also gains power on PRIDE day from the support of the religious institutions that bravely march closely behind our parade car proudly carrying their church banners for all to see. The power of PFLAG is unconditional love for not only our own gay children, but fiercely and proudly encouraging all who come to us to know and celebrate themselves. Power JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
also comes from embracing the challenge of facing down hatred, recognizing the fear underneath, and converting that fear to understanding with the gentleness of teaching children not to fear monsters in the closet. PFLAG members engage in talking, sharing and giving in ways that touch, inspire and move those around us into action. All the while we are cognizant of the wonderful organization we are representing and strive to behave accordingly. The F in PFLAG stands for family and friends — which is a prime focus of the organization. Our all-inclusive membership is by no means limited to parents. We welcome all GLBT community members into our PFLAG family as well as straight spouses and straight allies. Our planned programs transcend all family/parenting issues, whether transgender, lesbian, gay or straight-spouse. We rejoice in the love and support of our transgender /bisexual/gay/ lesbian friends. PFLAG Power is also manifested in education. The Eric Kohring PFLAG Scholarship at The Ohio State University, dedicated to students who have made contributions to the GLBT community through leadership, volunteering, or research, was the first of its kind in Ohio. Since 1997 due to the partnership with the GLBT Alumni Society at OSU, and the addition of the Harold A. McIntosh and Mark Moffet, Jr. scholarships, this program is now the largest of its kind in the country. PFLAG provides educational material and support for all who come through our portals. We have welcomed young speakers who have formed gay/straight alliances in their high schools. We are also in the process of forming a speakers’ bureau, making ourselves available to speak to organizations who wish to be educated in GLBT issues. As stated in PFLAG’s powerful vision statement: “We envision a society that embraces everyone, including those of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. Only with respect, dignity and equality for all will we reach our full potential as human beings, individually and collectively.” Happy PRIDE, everyone!
SpeakOUT by Cherri Meyers Ever since I learned that the theme for the 2008 Pride Holiday is “Our Power,” I’ve been thinking about what exactly is an ally’s most powerful weapon. Voting is certainly a universal power that all eligible Americans should be exercising. But what can allies do to help in the quest for equality for all people regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity that is unique? Turns out that the answer was right in front of me all along – they can speak out! Ever since we were children, people have been telling us to “use our words.” Straight allies can use their words and share their view points on “gay rights” with others – whether that is at a lobby event in their Senator’s office or just standing around the water cooler at work. They can share their own personal story about why they have chosen to come out as equality advocates. Allies can lead by example – becoming mentors to those around them. Words at their best can inspire people and bring them together. Sometimes, however, the most important words an ally can deliver never come out of their mouths. Sometimes the most powerful thing an ally can do is just be present. Take our family car for example: I have no fewer than six pro-GLBT stickers displayed on my bumper…including one that simply says “Ally” over-top a rainbow background. So no matter where our family travels, people know where we stand and who we support. Sometimes we get a friendly honk and a thumb up – sometimes we get another finger shot our way. I’ll even admit to going out of my way to park next to other cars with more
‘conservative’ messages on their bumpers. What can I say? That’s just me. Still, the idea of creating change by just simply applying a piece of sticky vinyl to your bumper shouldn’t be under appreciated. Judging by the large number of people we catch doing a doubletake when they see a hetero-sexual couple and their two kids climb inside our Ford, people notice those stickers! My husband started a new job a few months back and it took his co-workers about three weeks to work up the nerve to ask why a married guy with kids had gay stickers all over his car. Viola! An opportunity to talk about the issues presented itself… and all my husband had to do was drive to work. On the flip side, sometimes our bumper stickers serve as reminders to the GLBT community that there are straight people out there who care about and support them. When you feel like the world is against you, a car like ours driving next to you on 270 might just make you feel a little less alone. For example: A couple of Pride’s back, we were at the Polaris Olive Garden enjoying an early dinner. When we came out, I noticed a slip of paper under our windshield wiper. I’ll never forget the sense of happiness – and yes, pride – to read the words left for us. It read: “Happy Pride! I, a fellow queer, was parked next to your car. How fun. Much love Dan + Michelle (Michelle is straight btw)” I still have that paper…and I hope that Dan and Michelle still have that happy memory. So allies – use your words this Pride season (and beyond). Whether you choose to say them out loud, write them on a poster and walk in the parade or just stick them on your car, they can make a difference. Words are your power – feel free to start an equality revolution!
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 61
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
62 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 63
Our Power: Diversity & Community United Way – Power in Diversity
TransOhio Christelie Dunlap, Board Our Power – see how we can grow! What is “Our Power” for TransOhio? Community and Unity come to mind immediately! TransOhio’s beginnings were simple. Shane Morgan (now Director) created community on paper - a newsletter, in October 2006. The Power of the Pen. In 2007, the first TransOhio Unity picnic and active involvement in the Transgender Day of Remembrance (“TDOR”) provided a safe spaces for transfolks to meet. The Power of Recognition. A little over a year later, towards the end of 2007, Shane formed a Board and TransOhio began creating more community opportunities. A Symposium, speaking engagements, taking on the monthly transgender support group at Stonewall are just a few. Our Power through Action. There is the “Power in Numbers”, but there is also incredible Power in coming together in community of any size. What’s amazing is how standing together generates allies, and each community grows through friendship, love and respect. You will find each of the TransOhio Board members out and about in support of various LGBT groups and events. We believe in the power of speaking out and personal sharing, and do so at every opportunity. Being Known is at the core of Our Power! We hope to meet you at TransOhio’s Pride booth this year. If you miss us there, visit us online at http://www.TransOhio.org. Share Our Power: know yourself and be known, come as you are, whole and complete.
Shayne Downton, Director of Diversity and Inclusion - Pride Leadership / Project Diversity As with everything in life, actions speak louder than words. When it comes to diversity and inclusion, United Way has always used these words within the context of core values, strategies and implementation. Our work consistently brings diverse people and systems together. Convening them around important issues and empowering them to make decisions that matter most. The key to harness the potential power of diversity is to transform the ideas and conversations to opportunities and solutions where the community will benefit. It is through the implementation of strategies that individuals, organizations and the community benefit and more people from different groups will be served. Diversity can be an action verb and should be a goal for everyone, every organization and every community. It includes tapping people and organizational potential and is important to the United Way system as a whole. In order for the United Way to be successful in a community as dynamic as ours, we have to strive to reflect the complexity and makeup of the community we serve from the top of our organization on down. We know that across our system and community, we serve people from hundreds of different backgrounds and perspectives, so we must be truly committed to diversity and inclusion. Within our own organization and in our volunteer structure, the best decisions are made by a diverse group of people providing their perspective on how we deliver our services and what we deliver. The work that we do to ensure diversity and inclusion has been exciting and comes to life thru opportunities such as Pride Leadership, the GLBT Census, Project Diversity, Cultural Competency Standards, Racial Disparities and the Champion of Diversity Award. We feel we have the tools in place to unlock the power of diversity and inclusion and we are looking forward to continuing our commitment to opportunity for everyone.
Pride Leadership Shelly Nelson My first source of power comes from the ability to be my true self at all times. I am out in every aspect of my life...out to my family, out at work, out at the grocery store. You name the place & I am happy to be out! My power is honesty. My power is being an active member of the GLBT community. My power comes from the opportunity to represent myself in a positive way as a member of the PRIDE Leadership at the United Way of Central Ohio. The United Way’s PRIDE Leadership program is teaching me skills & providing me tools to utilize in a professional setting to express my GLBT identity in such a way that I can become an engaged voice of the GLBT community on a not-for-profit board. It is helping me gain the power & confidence to be OUT even if I am the only gay person in a room full of straight people. It is propelling me to the next level of selfawareness. I am PROUD to have the opportunity to learn & grow & become a better, more grounded member of the GLBT community here in Columbus. My second, and probably most important source of power stems from the person I love most in this world, my partner Andrea. I truly feel like my life is rich and full of blessings and at the core of that happiness is my relationship with her. She is the calm before my storm. She is the main reason why being a lesbian is one of the best things about my life. I would not trade being a lesbian for anything in the world. Our power together as a loving, married couple can’t be denied. Together we are stronger, happier and always more fulfilled. She is my better half in all aspects of my life. I am proud of her, proud of our life, and proud of the possibilities for our future.
UWCO ED Janet Jackson In the words of one of my most important mentors, Marian Wright Edelman, the founder of the Children’s Defense Fund, “Service is the rent we pay for living. It is the very purpose of life and not something you do in your spare time.” I get my power from knowing that every day I can pay my rent for living by giving service to others. I try to organize my life so that helping others is at the center and not at the edges. I also believe strongly in Coach Woody Hayes’ words, “You can never pay back, but you can always pay forward.” Paying forward for me takes many forms, but one of the most satisfying is building bridges between groups in our diverse community. I believe that we have a tremendous reservoir of untapped power and potential in central Ohio, but to access it we have to accept and celebrate our diversity and discover the ways we can work together to build a stronger community for everyone. In my time with United Way of Central Ohio I’ve witnessed groups of volunteers from so many different backgrounds come together, discuss issues freely, and craft effective solutions to problems that affect all of us. I’m energized and empowered by this dynamic and inclusive process and its results. It is the best way I know to pay my rent for living and pay it forward.
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
64 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 65
Our Power: Playing Safer, Playing Smarter A Safer Sex Guide for Gay Men In our Gay community it’s important that we look out for ourselves and each other. No matter what type of sex you are having you are still at risk for STI’s and STD’s. Sex should be fun and you should feel free to be dirty, nasty, kinky, and/or slutty, but make sure to take care of yourself at the same time. Be Good to Your Body • Take care of your Gay body. Drink water and keep yourself hydrated. Eat healthy and stay active. • Take a piss after sex. pissing will help clear out your works and keep you from getting UTI’s. Who said pissing is just for play? • Get cleaned up! Wash, shower, bathe regularly. Reduce common germs in the first place. Get Tested and Communicate • If you are sexually active it’s a good idea to get tested for all STD’s & STI’s at least every 6 months. • Know your body and inspect your goods. Take note of any changes (in color, size, smell, etc.) and have them checked by your doctor. • Educate yourself and be informed about safer sex methods. • Be honest with your partners. Communicate your STD & STI status to potential partners. Protect Yourself and Play Safe • Remember HIV/AIDS isn’t the only risk when you play. You can catch STD’s and STI’s like gonorrhea in your throat and ass if you aren’t playing safe. • Use condoms for all penetrative sex. Barebacking has high rates of HIV and other STD & STI transmission. • Use lube , lube, and more lube! • Use a condom for sucking cock. There has been a significant increase of gonorrhea in the throat. • Use barriers for rimming. Rimming is another great way to pick up STD’s & STI’s. Dental dams and non-microwavable saran wrap are great ways to protect yourself while rimming or being rimmed. • Ask your partner about his STD & STI status and look at his cock or ass. If you see anything (like a sore or a rash) don’t do anything without a barrier. But remember, the only way of having no STD & STI risk is having no sex at all.
Know Your Boundaries • Think about what you do an do not feel comfortable doing. Decide these boundaries before you go out., and stick to them • Leave if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. • Tell a friend where you are going and have someone check in with you later or the next day. Safer Sex When Visting a Sex-Club • Say What you are looking for. • Pay attention to body language. • Ask first, people have varying boundaries. • Communicate concerns to the club staff. • Remember it’s okay to say no. • Be kind, considerate, and polite. Testing Sites Columbus Public Health 240 Parsons Ave Columbus, OH 43215 (614) 645-7417 www.publichealth.columbus.gov Sexual Health Clinic hours: Monday 7:15am-3:30pm Tuesday 10:45am-7:00pm Wednesday 7:15am-10:30am Thursday 7:15am-3:30pm Friday 7:15am-3:30pm Columbus Aids Task Force 1751 E. Long St. Columbus, OH 43203 (614) 299-2437 www.catf.net CATF Hours : Mon-Fri 9a - 5p FOR MORE HOT SAFE SEX TIPS: www.howiroll.info
New Syphilis Campaign Launches In response to an increase in cases of syphilis among men who have sex with men (MSM) in central Ohio, Columbus AIDS Task Force is launching a targeted marketing campaign to inform the community and reduce the number of new cases. The campaign consists of 4 key messages delivered via business-size palm cards, 11x17 posters and t-shirts. Edgy, thoughprovoking and informative, the campaign directs the reader to the Ohio HIV/AIDS/STD hotline where the caller can receive more information about syphilis including local test sites. The campaign will launch in tandem with Columbus Pride activities starting the weekend of June 27, 2008. In addition to Pride activities, materials will be distributed at gay bars, community centers and bath houses. The campaign will run for one year.
Key Messages • The number of new syphilis cases in Ohio has risen 59% since 2000 • In 2006, Ohio ranked 32 out of 50 states for number of syphilis cases reported in the U.S., but 70%* of the syphilis cases in Ohio were reported in Franklin County which represents an alarming local health issue. • Men are diagnosed at a rate 3x higher than females and African American and Latino men are diagnosed at higher rates than white males • While data collected in ODH surveillance stats does not include risk category information for syphilis contraction, local research indicates that men who have sex with men are the population at highest risk for syphilis contraction. • According to the CDC, Genital sores (chancres) caused by syphilis make it easier to transmit and acquire HIV infection sexually. There is an estimated 2- to 5-fold increased risk of acquiring HIV if exposed to that infection when syphilis is present. • Possible reasons cited for increases of syphilis among gay men are methamphetamine use leading to unprotected sex with multiple partners and the Internet’s role in connecting gay men together for casual sex. • Because the behaviors that transmit HIV are the same behaviors that transmit syphilis and because having an HIV diagnosis increases your chances of contracting another STD and contracting another STD when you have a compromised immune system can advance the impact the virus has on individual health, it is critical to address issue of HIV/syphilis co-infection. • The Ohio HIV/AIDS/STD hotline (800.332.2437), which is operated by Columbus AIDS Task Force, will refer callers to local test sites and provide information. Caller-specific demographic data and campaign-related data will be collected. • Test locations in Central Ohio include: OSU Student Health Center: (students only), Columbus Public Health (CPH), Planned Parenthood, Tobias Project, Inc. • Campaign is designed to inform, refer and reduce
Chad McCoury, President/CEO of Columbus AIDS Task Force and Karla Rothan, Executive Director of Stonewall Columbus announce the launch of a syphilis awareness campaign targeting the GLBT/MSM (men-who-have-sex-with-men) communities.
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
66 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 67
Our Power:
Change, Relate, Teach, & Rise Above
The Power of Knowing – Getting Tested Take The Test, Take Control On National Hiv Testing Day 2008 National HIV Testing Day is observed annually on June 27. Member agencies of the Columbus Regional Advisory Group (CRAG) and the Central Ohio HIV/AIDS Consortium are working together to provide additional opportunities for FREE HIV testing and education around the city from June 24 to July 3. Knowing one’s HIV status is absolutely essential. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that about one-fourth of people with HIV are unaware of their infection. An individual who tests positive for HIV and starts care as soon as possible has an increased chance of long-term survival. Events for National HIV Testing Day kick off with a press event on June 25, involving Columbus City Council member Priscilla Tyson and other officials. Various educational outreach events around the city are also scheduled for June 25. Another feature event is a free breakfast, health fair, and presentation at Columbus Public Health on June 27. To honor National HIV Testing Day, free HIV testing is being offered on June 24 at the Ohio Hispanic Coalition, June 26 at the Clintonville Community Resource Center and Dodge Park Recreation Center, June 27 at the Tobias Project, June 28 at the Gay Pride Festival, June 30 at King Avenue United Methodist Church, July 1 at the Union County Health Department, July 2 at the YMCA downtown, and July 3 at Stonewall. The HIV testing process is confidential and anonymous, and results are ready in minutes. These features make it easy to Take the Test, Take Control: the anthem of National HIV Testing Day. For a complete calendar of events and ongoing testing opportunities, please visit www.myspace.com/columbushivtest or call the Ohio HIV/AIDS/STD Hotline at 800.332.2437.
Columbus AIDS Task Force’s MSM Team
In 2005, my best friend became HIV+. As smart as I thought I was, I didn’t know crap about HIV. I realized that I had to wake up and get my shit together. In those next months, I got myself educated about HIV/AIDS and aimed to share my newfound knowledge with others. I volunteered as an HIV Test Counselor at OSU’s Student Wellness Center, which influenced my decision to join CATF. As I look back to 2005, I am amazed at how I changed in just one year. I went from having no care about HIV to being fully invested in the pandemic. When I think of “Our Power,” I think of how we as dynamic human beings are able to change for the better in such a short matter of time. We all have the potential to become better people. Every Pride serves as an opportunity to rally together to share with Columbus the power that we, the GLBT community, have gained in the past year. - Zack Kerr, Coordinator of MSM HIV Prevention, Columbus AIDS Task Force
When I think of “Our Power” for this year’s Pride theme, a couple of ideas come to mind. First of all, I am an extremely community oriented person and believe that in order to progress change, we have to be active in several aspects of the community, not just limiting ourselves to one group. I have only lived in Columbus for a year now, but in that time, I have found a job in which I help fight the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Columbus, and have become an active participant in the Columbus Stompers, a softball team for the gay league, and Columbus HRC. I have found many new friends in this community. By being a bigger part of the community, it allows people to see me and trust me so that I can accomplish more with my job. With being active in the community, my ability increases to help all of us to achieve “our power.” - Shaun Whybark, MSM HIV Prevention Specialist, Columbus AIDS Task Force
Something NEEDS to be done. The HIV/AIDS pandemic is continually affecting more people’s lives and lunging infected people toward death. I repeatedly hear people in the community speak of HIV not being so bad anymore because of the advances in modern medicine; however, this is a stigma that I personally am out to cease. These new drugs and medicinal practices should not be used as an excuse to “whore it up” anywhere. I believe that is where “our power” steps in. Knowledge is the key answer to a lot of today’s situations, and as an MSM Outreach Assistant, my daily aspiration is to shine a real light on this virus and its real consequences. - Christopher Rentsch, MSM Outreach Assistant, Columbus AIDS Task Force
Throughout high school, I thought I had a decent understanding of what AIDS was. Man, was I wrong… It took until I went back to college to realize my misconceptions about the HIV virus and those affected by it. In my time at CATF, I have learned quite a bit – mainly that anyone can be at risk; either through actions or even attitudes (that lead to irresponsible decisions). When I think about “Our Power,” I think of the people who so desperately fought to establish their identities in a bigoted world; from the Stonewall riots in the 60s to the marches on Washington DC to the AIDS Quilt. I think of all the people who fought for governmental recognition of a disease that only had a devastating effect on such a small community. And I think of how now more than ever, we have the power to rise above and make a place for ourselves in this world, as those of us have done many times over. - Craig Lannaman, MSM Outreach Assistant, Columbus AIDS Task Force JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
68 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
Our Power: Friendships and Voting Proud. Empowered. I am. Very. I have struggled to think of what to write for this article. When asked to write something about how proud I feel or what I am proud of this year, I can surely think of things that I am very thankful for and very proud of, however, if you know me, I have a hard time tooting my own horn. But with that being said and with a deadline looming to get this to press, let me just say a few things. Cue the horn section. With Pride, I find myself taking stock in what has happened with the last year for me and the community that I love so much here in Columbus. First and foremost, I am proud to be apart of such a wonderful amalgamation of people – artists, business people, serves, bartenders, politicians - and more. I am proud that I am able to call this wonderful Cow Town home. Without a doubt, it has been a roller coaster year for me, finding success and failure. But I have learned from all of that, and I am proud that, without hesitation, apology, or excuse, I have done what I believe to be the best work I can do right now. I have found strength and an amazing sense of self through all of the love and support I have received from this place I call home. In October, I attempted to stretch my creative muscles and try a one-woman show. My friends came, supported, and cheered. In March, I tried my hand at political satire and stumbled a bit but brushed myself off with a smile, and you, my friends were all there to help me get back on my feet. In February, I made a big decision to enter into the pageant world, competing in Great Lakes Entertainer of the Year. Without flinching, my friends, you, came out to support me, cheer me on, and see me win my first true crown. Yes, I am so proud I won, but I more proud that no matter the outcome, my friends in this community, truly a second family, were there to hold me. Oddly enough, I never saw myself as a pageant girl, and really at times, still don’t think I fit into the mold of what this ideal of a pageant girl should be, and I am proud of that. I am proud that I have grown to learn myself better than ever before and the community that I live in supports me, raises me up, and truly takes care of me. I am blessed. I never have thought otherwise. I am lucky to have such an amazing and wonderful base of friends that will stand behind me and do whatever it may take to see me succeed. I have been nurtured and cared for by this community and my friends within it. It is an amazing feeling that I cannot describe in words and all I can say is thank you. Thank you for letting me have the ability to stand up loudly and clearly, and say, “I am proud.” The theme for Pride this year is “Our Power.” I am proud to say that my greatest source of power comes from all of you out there that continually support me. So, in this, one of the busiest times of the year, I want to take a quick moment to thank people who have sacrificed so much to help see me succeed: Raj, Ray, Virginia West, Patricia Taylor, Michael Council, Wilbur, Rich Penix, Scott Nusbaum, Alan Saunders, Outlook Weekly, Hayes, Daniels, Traut, Stompers, Alexis Fontaine, Olivia Pantene, Carol Payne, Alexis Stevens, Mark Bryan, Jason Pirucki, Katy Malys, Tiff Frost, Shane Carpenter, Jason Hunter, Billy & Ronnie, Anisa Love, Sam Schisler, CLGSA, Flaggots, Spin Columbus, PantsCamp, Chad, Jim, Ann, KTB, Matt E., Briggs, Kover, Greg Smith, Sally Sue, Lita Mannon, Sonja Ross, Jasmine Knight, Arocho, Malcolm Riggle, Sally Blue, Chad McCoury, CATF, Chad V, Gregg, Holly. There are so many more and I know I forgot too many, but…my point is to thank you for helping me feel proud. I truly do…and it would not be without the love and nurturing from Columbus…thank you, the Columbus GLBT community, for giving me the amazing feelings of empowerment and pride. I hope that everyone can find that this year. Much Love, Nina West
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
The Power of Choosing a President Dear OutLook Editor: June brings us Pride and a great time to look back to the beginning of the year and take stock of our accomplishments so far. Looking towards the second half of the year starting in July we can look forward to great new opportunities. As a community of GLBT citizens and our supporters, we must accomplish two “to do” items this year. These items are the opportunities that will bring our country together and move it forward. We must elect Barack Obama our next president. He stands with and for us. He calls us his sisters and brothers. Not only will he help to effect positive change in many ways in our country and the world, he will effectively change the demoralizing, divisive, and anti-gay environment we have all had to endure the past eight years. No more being treated as second-class citizens. We need a transformative experience and this year presents it. We must defeat any attempt to overturn the decision of the California Supreme Court allowing same-sex marriage. The tide is turning in our favor and must not allow the momentum to be lost. Because of our efforts this year, the next generation will enjoy full equality. It is time for our community and our country to rise like the phoenix from the flames and take their rightful and deserved place in the world. The sea change is upon us. If you have time, volunteer. If you have money, donate. If you have both, then do more. If you have neither, then this year is definitely for you! Happy Pride! Sincerely, Zach Waymer Columbus, Ohio
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 69
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
70 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
Our Power: Philanthropy, Pride and Perservation
The Power of Planned Giving by Bill Brownson, Legacy Fund Co Chair Our fight for equality and justice is not at just this moment in time. While our community has already realized many successes and are on the cusp of others, needs unknown today will continue to materialize well into the future. Each successive generation has faced issues prior ones hadn’t conceived-some dire, some hopeful. New generations of LGBT persons - even this generation - will face new issues requiring smart planning and resources. You have the power today to address the many uncertainties we face and in a way that will position you and the LGBT community to be ready for the future. Start by exercising the power you have over what will happen if you become incapacitated or when you pass away. Seize the power you have to control how your belongings and other assets are handled after your death by creating a Last Will and Testament. With other documents you can appoint a person to make decisions for you if you are incapacitated and specify how you wish your funeral plans to be handled. Your Will along with these other important documents puts you in a position of power over important decisions. Without these documents, your wishes will almost certainly go unmet. There are many attorneys and other professional advisors who are familiar with the planning needs of LGBT persons and the families we create. Don’t wait to get this process started. If you don’t know who to call, check out your Lavender Listings for attorneys that advertise there. And when you meet with an attorney and complete your Will, please consider the needs of the LGBT community. It is very simple to name the people and organizations to which you want to leave any investments or other assets. Many organizations, including The Legacy Fund of The Columbus Foundation, are worthy of your consideration. “The Legacy Fund enriches the gay community by linking gifts to today’s needs and tomorrow’s dreams.” Many members of our community have already named The Legacy Fund in their wills or designated the fund as beneficiary of an insurance policy or retirement plan. We are fortunate to still have with us most that have made these decisions. One community member who recently passed away, however, through his Will empowered The Columbus Foundation, through the Legacy Fund, to implement a significant college scholarship program targeted at LGBT youth in his and his life-partner’s names. Over time, your gifts along with good stewardship by community leaders will create a sizable endowment. The grantmaking capacity that comes with a large Legacy Fund endowment puts our community in a position of power. We will be able to address current needs and be prepared for the future. Your future - our future - is in your hands. Today - right now - you have the power to take control of that future. To learn more about The Legacy Fund of The Columbus Foundation, visit www.thelegacyfund.org. JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
OSU Alumni - Scarlet and Gay More than just Pom-Pom’s & Jockstraps… by Jack Miner Ohio State is known for having the most loyal alumni in the nation. In fact, there are more than 250 alumni clubs and societies around the country. What has set the GLBT Alumni Society apart is its dedication to not just bringing alumni together but making a difference at the university. The society, and its members, have helped make a difference for faculty, staff, and students at Ohio State and in part for people throughout Ohio. When our alumni society was founded more than a decade ago, Ohio State was barely on the map when it came to gay and lesbian issues…and the news stories that were fresh in people’s minds were never positive ones. With our activism and advocacy, Ohio State is now considered one of the top 10 schools for gays and lesbians students and the top school in the country for transgender students (Advocate Magazine). We have helped lead successful efforts to add domestic partner benefits, add transgender friendly restrooms to university buildings, increase funding for GLBT programming for students, improve the campus climate for GBLT students, faculty, and staff, and founded the nation’s largest gay scholarship program. We have also used the university as an advocate for gays and lesbians throughout the state…on every issue important to our community, university leadership (through four different university presidents) has been a constant ally publicly as well as behind the scenes with legislators. The GLBT Alumni Society has spent the past month traveling around to Pride festivals around the state. As expected, we have connected with a number of alumni and a lot of Ohio State fans. What we didn’t expect was the large number of high school students who are out and at pride celebrations around the state. With proud parents by their side, they stopped by the Ohio State booth to say that they were going to their campus tour in the coming weeks or already accepted for the fall. Imagine if we would have had that experience...at 16 or 17 years old, knowing that our college was going to not just look out for us for the next four years but for the rest of our lives. That is why we exist and why everyone who is an alumni or just a fan should be a member. For more information visit www.scarletandgay.com. Jack Miner is president of OSU’s GLBT Alumni Society and last year was recognized by Ohio State’s administration as one of its most distinguished alumni.
The Gay Ohio History Initiative Perserving Our Past to Protect Our Future by Rob Berger There is little historical record of the comings and goings of the GLBT community in Ohio prior to the 1970s. The majority of what does exist are court and prison records for people who were prosecuted for sodomy, government records about people who were institutionalized for homosexuality and sensationalized newspaper articles about arrests or raids. Our history is important and we cannot let this alone be our story. We have an untapped resource for learning our history before 1970 the GLBT senior citizens who lived during these times. During the early and mid 20th century it was not easy to be gay. Most people did not publicly reveal their sexuality and many went to great extremes to conceal it. Today, we must reach out to our elders and preserve their stories. We cannot afford to lose this resource of a full understanding of our history. TELLING OUR STORY, HEARING OUR STORY Bigots have repressed and diminished our community by treating us as if we were invisible. The story of the GLBT community was largely untold until the recent explosion of books and movies on GLBT life. The increase in media and print exposure has given our community a presence in the larger heterosexual community, educated ourselves and others, and stimulated debate on our national identity and our place in the history of the United States. The time has arrived for Ohio to experience this same GLBT historical renaissance. Every gay person has experienced discrimination or hate. Lately, here in Ohio it is inescapable in the political realm. Every time a GLBT person talks about their own personal journey, it is the beginning of a healing and therapeutic process. But this storytelling is not only beneficial to the person speaking. Each time we hear another person tell their story about being GLBT, it is an affirmation of our collective humanity. LEARNING FROM THE PAST, MEASURING OUR PROGRESS The weapons of bigotry have not changed much. To our enemies, gay people are evil, sinful, mentally imbalanced and sexually depraved. This is an image that has been used to demonize our community for hundreds of years. But our history is also full of lessons. Our stories hold examples of tolerance and acceptance. Our stories also inform us on how to successfully battle for equality today, based upon our efforts in the past. Our history offers us another benefit that is equally as important as learning from the past. Over time we can see that some societal attitudes towards the GLBT community have changed. By knowing the past we can better understand and realistically measure our progress. Today, as our community is used as a political football by Ohio politicians, it is easy to become dismayed and lose sight of some of our long term accomplishments. Knowing our history will help us recognize, remember and celebrate our successes.
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 71
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
72 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
Our Power: Empowering Kids, Inspiring Youth
Camp Sunrise Growing up is tough for a lot of people. If you’re different from your peers, it can be worse. If you are a child growing up with HIV/AIDS, there are times that may seem unbearable. For those children, what a difference a week makes. Camp Sunrise is a nonprofit organization that provides a week long summer camp each year for children throughout Ohio who are grieving, coping or managing a life directly impacted by HIV/AIDS. The week at camp gives the children a place to have fun, build friendships and simply be a kid again in a safe environment, free from the isolation and judgment so often associated with HIV/AIDS. Over 20% of the kids who attend camp are HIV positive and over 70% have brothers, sisters and/or parents who are living with or have been lost to this devastating disease. For 51 weeks a year, the Sunrise Kids face very adult problems. For one week a year, they can leave it all behind. In addition to summer camp, Camp Sunrise also provides year-round activities to give the children further opportunities to meet new friends, catch up with old friends and talk about the pressures and challenges they are currently facing with people who truly understand what they are going through. During Camp, kids age 15-17 are given the opportunity to become a part of the “Sundog Program.” The goal of this important program is to develop confidence, self-esteem and coping skills for older campers who would like more leadership and responsibility. The participants spend the week learning about their peers and themselves. The teens have a weekend retreat prior to camp to help develop a stronger bond before working and playing together at camp. The Sundogs are respected leaders during the week of Camp. The respect they earn and their renewed confidence is something they take with them when they leave. For many of the kids, the one week at Camp is what helps them to cope with the 51 other weeks of the year. They come home from camp energized and more empowered and confident to talk about their own HIV status or to face the challenges of day-to-day life. One by one, the kids of all ages who attend Camp Sunrise are doing their part to educate people and decrease the negative stigma that surrounds HIV/AIDS. They are the faces and voices that help to humanize this devastating disease. The GLBT community in Ohio has long been an important ally and advocate for Camp Sunrise. And that kindness and support is greatly appreciated and critical to the success of the program. Summer camp and the year-round programs are provided free of charge because of generous individual sponsors, corporate sponsors and gracious volunteers. To learn more or to contribute to this exceptional cause, please visit sunrisekids.org. Or join us for Moonlight and Martinis, A Summer Night to Benefit Camp Sunrise on Saturday, July 26 at Miranova. You’ll enjoy an open bar courtesy of Finlandia Vodka and Woodford Reserve, exquisite hors d’oeuvres from top local restaurants and great music. For more information visit www.MoonlightandMartinis.com. JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
Youth Video OUTreach – The Power to Move People Liv Gjestvang, Founder, Youth Video OUTreach Three years ago, when I started Youth Video OUTreach to help GLBT teens create a documentary about their experiences being gay and out in high school, I had no idea how much I would learn from the kids I set out to teach. I wanted to empower GLBT youth to tell their own stories in their own voices, and to do it in front of their high school peers. For the past two years they have, and with a level of courage and honesty that inspires me every time I see it. Our community is changing quickly - this group of 15-19 year olds came to the project committed to demonstrating their pride, their strength and their right to the respect of the world around them. They have spoken in front of thousands of people at an age when many of us could not have imagined being out. I am humbled to work alongside these powerful youth as they grow into the next round of leaders in the fight for equality in our community. Denise Hutchison, Youth Producer, 20 Straws: Growing Up Gay Coming into Youth Video OUTreach I was already interested in art, especially writing. Film is also a media that I have always been interested in and I was excited to make a video. I knew that I would get the opportunity to share my story with others and to hear the other members’ experiences as well. I have always appreciated storytelling, but traveling with YVO, the importance of sharing stories has become even more apparent. Storytelling has been a tool used for countless years. Sharing your stories with others often gives people the chance to see something from another perspective. It allows listeners or viewers to better understand what a person has lived through in their lives. When YVO first started meeting, we began to tell our own stories and I quickly discovered that none were like my own. Each individual story had its own important message that needed to be shared. Storytelling gives a person the chance to express what may have been suppressed emotions and give a person empowerment. Once our video was completed, we began to travel with it and got to meet many inspiring individuals. There have been so many times people have told us that we have given them the courage to finally come out, even after forty years. Sometimes we even get to hear others stories and are all blown away by some of the things people go through and we too get to learn. Whether 20 Straws is shown in our hometown or in Canada, it rests in my heart that somewhere somebody’s life may be changing because of a simple story held dear to us all. With Pride coming up, I hope that we all remember the stories that have come from our community, twenty or thirty or even
fifty years ago. Those stories are the stories that have paved the road for us to continue in the fight for equality. This year, put down the beer, and take at least a moment to remember where we have come from, what people go through, and what we need to do to do to get where we truly deserve to be. Stand up. Speak out. Create change. Aris Kaleps-Clark, Youth Producer, 20 Straws: Growing Up Gay When I think of what our power is, I think of the people we have touched with 20 Straws. I think of the people whose lives have been changed, and I also think of the power that changed us. There is one time in particular, when I first saw the kind of change that was possible. It happened when we presented 20 Straws to a class of future middle school teachers at The Ohio State University. We entered the lecture hall feeling nervous yet excited to show the movie we had worked so hard on, to people who could really use it and change lives in the classroom. It was a great crowd of students and most of them seemed genuinely excited to see the film. We began the movie with introductions, giving our usual information: name, age, school, etc. As the movie began we took our place in the wings and watched both the audience and the screen. During the movie we saw one male student in the audience talking and laughing with the people next to him. We figured he was some straight homophobic guy, who was just there for credit. Some of us were angry, some of us felt hurt and the others just brushed it off. We’ve all dealt with that kind of behavior before at some point in our lives, and we all deal with it differently. After the movie finished, we received a standing ovation, which was very moving - it felt amazing to be validated for the work we had done. We set up for our panel discussion and let the audience ask questions and give us feedback. It was at this point where I discovered how powerful our work really was. The guy who had been talking and laughing raised his hand. He stood up, and, to our surprise, thanked us. He announced that he was gay and our movie had really moved him. We realized we had judged him unfairly and we changed our opinions. And that’s what our power is, change. Changing hearts, lives and even our own perceptions. That screening proved it, and to this day, we have no problem using our power for the world. There is a free screening of 20 Straws: Growing Up Gay on June 26 at noon at OSU Urban Arts Space, 50 W. Town St. For more info www.videooutreach.org.
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 73
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
74 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
Our Power:
Allowing Young People to Be Themselves
Tonia’s Tale
Kaleidoscope - Angie Welman Pride Guides are our annual opportunity to re-introduce our organizations to our community and allies in order for all to have a clear understanding about what it is that we do. So I paint a picture for you…. Kaleidoscope Youth Center is the only youth service organization or LGBT organization in Ohio solely dedicated to working in partnership with, and meeting the needs of youth aged 12-20 who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer youth, as well as those young people who are questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity. Kaleidoscope Youth Center has four central roles. First, the Center is a social support organization: a safe, sober space where LGBTQ teens and their allies gather to meet, talk, make friends, relax and have fun. Second, Kaleidoscope provides learning and educational opportunities through resource materials; a print library of LGBTQ themes, stories and issues; the David Bohnett Cyber Center, and interactive workshops and seminars. Third, Kaleidoscope’s work with school nurses, guidance counselors, gay-straight alliances, parents, and other youth-service organizations provides outreach to the many LGBTQ youth who don’t know where they can turn for support and friendship. Lastly, Kaleidoscope Youth Center is a public advocate, keeping abreast of news and politics that effect the LGBTQ youth community and speaking out and/or informing the public and political representatives of its needs, its interests and its concerns. If you are a young person, you may be thinking “This is great in theory….but is all of this really lame?” Come check it out! We are here for youth aged 12-20. The Center is open Monday through Friday from 3 until 9 pm. During that time, youth have the opportunity to participate in the following activities: Drop In Every day from 3 o’clock until 5 o’clock you are welcome to simply “drop in” here at the Center and be free to just be! This unstructured time period is perfect for checking Email, catching up on homework, talking with friends, playing pool, or just relaxing. There JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
are also KYC mentors available during this time if you have any questions or need to talk with someone about what’s going on in your life. Individual Appointments Have something on your mind that you would like to discuss? Individual appointments are available with someone who is trained to help you. These appointments are private so there is no need to feel embarrassed or scared. No matter what you want to bring up, we are here for you. Have a question about school, work, relationships, safe sex, or depression? You name it, we can talk about it. Contact Angie at angie@kaleidoscope.org to set up an appointment. Tutoring Sometimes we put off homework because we just don’t get it. Many of our mentors at KYC are either teachers or students themselves. This means you have a whole army of people who are willing and able to help you understand your more difficult school work. We want you to be successful in your studies. Whether you need to crunch some numbers or just need someone to proof read your paper, tutors are here to help. Discussion On many nights we hold structured discussions on different topics. These can range from gender identity to coming out, relationships, substance use, school and family. Whatever the topic may be, you are welcome to participate. Come and share your thoughts and ask questions of the group. This is a forum where you can expect to be heard and respected for your personal thoughts and feelings. Check the calendar for nightly topics. Yogay Stressed out? Who isn’t? Yogay is for you! Join our professional yoga instructor for a relaxing and rejuvenating session of yoga KYC style. Yoga is a very relaxing and easy to do activity. Developed in Asia thousands of years ago, Yoga is an activity that connects your mind and body allowing you take time for yourself and replenish your energy. You need not have any prior knowledge of what yoga is to participate. Just bring an open mind and comfortable cloths. After a few sessions of Yogay
you’ll feel like a new person. Pool Tournament Take on your Kaleidoscope buddies in a friendly pool tournament. We have an awesome pool table and a few pool sharks among our ranks. You don’t need to bring your own stick. If you don’t know how to play, just watch and learn, it’s easy to catch on. Shooting Pool is loads of fun. Creative Writing Everyone has a story to share. Taking the thoughts in your head and getting them down on paper can feel great. Writing is a form of art that everyone has the ability to partake in. Writing can express emotion while simultaneously sharpening the ability to speak your mind. Feel free to bring in your writing to share with the group. Or, write something new while you’re here. You could be a poet and not even know it! Smoovie Night Enjoy a movie with the refreshing fruity goodness of a smoothie in the KYC common area. After the movie, join in a discussion about that night’s movie. Everyone’s a critic! Creative Arts Studio Time (CAST) Professional artists are on hand to share tips and guide you through creating your own works of art. Whether you want to come together as a theater troupe, create a mural or simply sketch for fun, this is the night for you! We have tons of art supplies for you to utilize. In the past, our KYC youth artists have displayed their work in galleries in downtown Columbus as well as the Wexner Center for the Arts. Express you through art, and remember the sky is the limit! Club KYC Jam like a star and Dance like a Diva! Club KYC is a time to show your stuff and mix it up! Whether you are a runway star, an upand-coming lyricist or you want to learn how to vogue, bring your talents to the floor. Don’t worry if you’re a bit shy, the mood is intoxicating, and before no time you’ll be just as sicknin’ as the rest. Check-in With all the happenings at KYC, it can be hard to keep track of what is going on with our friends. Therefore, every day at 6 o’clock, everyone in the building comes together for continued
I am still learning to have Pride in myself. This is all new for me. Last year was my freshman year in high school, I met LaTosha. We became very close, but I knew that the way I felt about her was very different than the way I felt about my other close friends. I was very possessive of LaTosha, and didn’t want to share her with anyone else. At times I even felt jealous of the guys that she liked. Soon I began to realize that I liked her as more than just a friend. It was very scary for me to think about it, because I’d heard how the girls in school would talk about “lezzies” and the disgusting things they did. It was hard to figure out whether or not I was just confused, or if I really was a l-e-s... Yuck, I couldn’t even say the word. That summer, because of how out of control I felt, because I couldn’t handle the feelings I was having, I ended my friendship with LaTosha. I never told her why. But I still felt that I had to tell someone what was going on. I decided on my cousin Sheree. Sitting in her room one day, I sort of hinted around the subject, trying to find out what she thought. I was so afraid that she was going to freak the minute I brought it up. But she didn’t. She looked at me very carefully and intently and waited for me to finish. She told me that I wasn’t bad or disgusting, and that it was OK to feel that way. For me, that talk was the first time I ever outwardly admitted to myself or another person how I felt. Even though talking to Sheree made me feel better, there were many times when I felt really down, and isolated. I didn’t know of anyone else who was gay, or had even questioned themselves. I was afraid to tell anyone in school. I felt very left out because I didn’t have a boyfriend, and my friends would always be talking about guys who they liked, who they were taking to the prom. I didn’t belong with them because I wasn’t a part of that world and didn’t want to be. Sonjia and Katie were my two best friends. We had been in school together since sixth grade. They were always there for me and always understood me when I had a problem. I was sure that after they got used to the idea they would open up to me and everything would be the same as it had always been between us. So I just said straight out, “I think that I am a lesbian.” They were shocked. They asked me a couple of questions. But after that one time, they never mentioned it again. Soon we started to talk less and less about anything at all. I don’t know if who I am caused that to happen. But I do know that it made me feel really bad. I learned the hard way that they were not my real friends, and I also learned that I had to be very careful about who I told and who I absolutely could not tell. Finally I decided that it was time I went out and found people that I could talk to, that would understand how I felt: other gays and lesbians my age. I was finally starting to feel empowered. I remember standing outside the door of Kaleidoscope, afraid to go inside. I had no idea what to expect, and I was petrified that I wouldn’t fit in there either. Finally, I just walked in. A funny-looking girl with a baseball cap on came up to me and said, “Hi, I’m Angie.” Angie works for Kaleidoscope and has become one of my best supports and mentors because I know that she values me for who I am, completely. Everyone at the center has always made me feel right at home. It feels great to be able to goof around with them, joking about ourselves and the people around us. If I talked like that with my straight friends they wouldn’t understand. Ever since that first day, I’ve gone back every week. I’ve finally found a place where I can be myself and belong. That’s where I get my pride from. Tonia, 17
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 75
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
76 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
Our Power: Imaging a Better Future
Pride Parade in Mecca “check-in”. During this time, we share high points and low points of our day or week and whatever else comes to mind. You do not have to share if you do not want to, however it is important to be part of the group while others are sharing. David Bohnett Cyber Center Ever want to do more than just surf?! Our Cyber Center offers free internet access, academic resources and skill building trainings. Figuring out how to run different programs like Excel and PhotoShop are a great way to build your resume and impress your friends! Young Activists Participating (YAP) This group is for youth who are ready to create change in their lives, and the world around them. We explore topics such as personal values, decision making, current events, goal setting, and community involvement. Keep It Smart & Safe (KISS) In life there is a lot to think about, and a lot of personal decisions to be made. Wear a glove if you’re making love! Walk until you can talk! KISS is a peer to peer education program that includes life-skills, decision making, self defense and HIV/STD information. Speakers Bureau Do you wish people understood you better? Want to share your own story to educate others? Then Speak UP might be for you. You will have the opportunity to talk with audiences at schools, community organizations, social service agencies, and public events about your life experiences as an LGBTQ youth or ally. Special Events Quarterly special events round out each year. These include: Leadership Retreat Weekend, the Other Prom, Annual Reunion BBQ and the Happy New Queer Dance No matter which of our programs you might be interested in, don’t forget that at Kaleidoscope Youth Center, YOU DON’T HAVE TO COME OUT TO COME IN! After June 25, check out our new website at www.kaleidoscope.org or get more information by calling us at 614.294.5437. www.kaleidoscope.org JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
Kevin Mason At the age of 19, I saw my first Pride parade. I was thrilled with what I experienced. It was also a little intimidating. I wrongly assumed people would look and be just like me. I did not expect Pride to be so large or so diverse. The differences seemed greater than the similarities. Nevertheless, there was a “Pride vibe,” a buoyant feeling that was shared by most everyone there. I’ve felt that vibe at every Pride celebration I’ve ever attended. If you happen to be visiting another city and come along a group of people walking down the street, you can instantly tell that it is a Pride parade. No big colorful banner is needed. It is just a feeling that washes over you. Pride and Pilgrimage Queers going to Gay Pride somewhat resemble the movement of Muslims making the Haj or Pilgrimage to Mecca. I was told by my husband (who teaches world religions) that when you arrive in the Holy City as a pilgrim, you encounter people from all over the world, hundreds of languages, customs, backgrounds, and ethnicities. The differences seem greater than the similarities. To overcome the vast differences among the 2 million or so pilgrims during the time of the Haj, status and cultural differences are purposefully downplayed. Everyone dresses the same, wearing a simple white garment. Everyone is supposed to go through the same rituals in the same order and fashion. And everyone must be Muslim, or they cannot enter Mecca to begin with. Pride, on the other hand, is unity through celebration of difference. Anyone can attend, even our homophobic protesters and ex-Gays. The only restrictions are those imposed by law for public safety, and an ethic of inclusion that discourages open racial, religious, or orientation intolerance. Homophobic protesters and ex-Gays can make themselves known on the sidelines, but they cannot march in the parade, or have a booth within the confines of the festival. Options for clothing are expanded in a Pride parade, including a tolerance for outrageous wigs, costumes, and skimpy clothing. Some traditions can be found in most parades (twinks in Speedos, fierce grrrls with multicolored hair, Leather couples, Dykes on Bikes, Bears freely roaming everywhere, etc.), but
none of these are required either by law or custom. They come out of the participants themselves. The Pride umbrella I like the idea of Pride as a giant rainbow umbrella. The Pride umbrella encompasses all the colors of the Pride flag. It is protective against the elements, those storms of homophobia that even today come right up to the curb at our parades and vent their fury in neatly-printed signs, megaphones, and hurtful slogans in a twisted version of Christian tough love, earnestly urging us to return to the closet and shame-based isolation. I grew up in rural North-Central Ohio (Seneca County) in a house that was a half-mile away from our nearest neighbors. In that kind of isolation, I didn’t think there was anyone like me. In high school, however, a group of us who felt equally isolated banded together as friends. We were all keenly aware that we were not like other people, not even each other. Ironically, most of our circle ended up coming out once we got in college. Take the history of my high school friends and me, multiply it across the Buckeye State, the nation, the world, and you’ll see a grand social movement that starts with the loneliness felt by millions of individuals who experience isolation due to orientation. Pride parades are the logical conclusion of what happens when we discover that we are not like Straight people, but we don’t have to be alone. I now see this phenomenon as a process of human development. Whether it be Pride, coming of age, or just camaraderie, we as Gay people seem to gravitate to people those are like us in our awareness of difference, including Straight people blessed with that same awareness. I think the unique thing about Pride is that we recognize our community and embrace our differences. Queer for a day As mentioned earlier, there is room under the Pride umbrella for all kinds of people, including those who do not consider themselves Gay. This is one day when anyone can be an honorary Queer. We went to Toronto Pride last year. I noticed something in Toronto that I did not necessarily see in Columbus, Cleveland, Atlanta, etc. About half of the 2 million revelers were Straight. It is one thing to have
people say they are supporters, and another for them to take out the time on a weekend to cheer the parade (with their kids!) and attend the various events that followed. It’s also why I don’t mind the commercialization of Pride. How many of us actually support Pride by volunteering, donating cash and/or goods, or any other number of ways we could help make it happen before the event? A small donation to our own Stonewall Columbus (www.stonewallcolumbus.org), the organization responsible for Columbus Pride, is the very least we can do. Pride is more than just a celebration; it is also a major fundraiser for Stonewall’s operating costs. If corporations and local businesses want to use Pride to advertise their products as well as show support through participation and sponsorship, we need to recognize and thank them. I organize Qualia, an annual Gay folklife festival in Columbus, and I am quite aware that it takes a great deal of time, coordination, and money to throw an event such as Pride. Upkeep on that big Gay umbrella isn’t cheap, even if we do only use it once a year. Likewise, I am not upset or critical of the various related marches and parades, such as Dyke Marches and Black Prides. We all express ourselves differently. If groups feel the need to have separate events to show their community, I offer my full support. In saying that, I would also hope they still participate in the larger community version. I would not want to lose my sisters and brothers. Mecca Gay Pride, shouldn’t Mecca have a Pride p First of all, let’s look at how Pride parades have come about in the USA. Each LGBTQ community in each city made up its own mind when it wanted to have its Pride. New York City didn’t tell Columbus if, when or how (and vice versa) because frankly it’s none of their business. I’m not from Mecca. I’m not even from Medina (Ohio). It is not my place to say if the people of Mecca, Medina, or any other city should or should not have a Pride parade. Until they decide for themselves, they are welcome to attend celebrations elsewhere. So, rather than asking Saudi Arabian LGBTQ folks, “When will Mecca get a Pride parade?” my question to them is: “Ever been to Columbus?”
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 77
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
78 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 79
Our Power: Voicing Your Opinion & Affirmations
WHEN BITCHES CARE (please play “I’m Beautiful (Damnit) by Uncanny Alliance covered by Miss M. when reading this) When a drag Queen reads you, you can be ruined socially for months. When she snaps you kudos you’re life is better for decades. Why? Because drag doesn’t lie. It can’t. It’s too busy spinning an aura of illusion and spinning mystique to be so base as to lie. Since the dawn of time (and I was there) Drag Queens have been the heart, conscience and occasionally bail money for the gay and lesbian community. Throw away your tired clichés! The boys in heels heal. Need proof? All over the world Drag events, parties and shows raise money for a whole range of services and charitable organizations. Best in Drag funds Aid for AIDS and The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence raise thousands for everything from gayteens organizations to disaster relief funds. And where would we be without the Imperial Courts and all their efforts over the past 60 years? And do not make me start on Stonewall. Right to marry? How about right to move about a bar freely? Civil rights never would have happened if one mourning queen hadn’t said “No.” (See, you made me start.) It’s the Queens that unconditionally care. “And why not? If you’re gunna look fierce you might as well act fierce and nothing is fiercer-er than kindness, it kills ‘em darling,” says Auntie Luscious drag queen and co-founder of DailyDragQueenAffirmations.com, “Drag Queens are the soul of the gay community. Not everyone will want to admit that, but then again I never wanted plaid to make a come back.” Daily Drag Queen affirmations started with the simple idea that people are basically fabulous. They either don’t know it, forgot it, or maybe, the worse case scenario, they don’t believe it. Through cognitive therapy via daily affirmation from the world’s most fabulous souls telling you how great you are, people are getting reminded. They’re believing it. It works. “We’re in the business of empowerment. I want the world to be a better place and we start that process by making people better. Happier and kinder people making smarter decisions. It’s a chain reaction with a fabulous pendent,” she waxes on, “in early times we (gays and Drag Queens specifically) were the shamans of the tribe and most revered medicine workers, now, with Daily Drag Queen Affirmations, once again we don that role - ready for our close up!” Daily Drag Queen Affirmations is a video web service offering subscriptions ($20 a year) to short videos that give advice, wisdom and/or praise for entertainment purposes and fabulousity. For more info: http://dailydragqueenaffirmations.com/press
Auntie’s thoughts on power... Walking through Harlem in full drag is easy, telling someone you love them is a bitch. I am proud to say I have done both. And although my heart’s been broken once or twice, trust, no one messes with me in drag. At 6’5” plus heel and wig equaling 7 feet of fabulous, I have made red-neck biker kids say “Good Evening Ma’am.” There’s power in the mask. Power in the role that is both in-your-face and completely anonymous. But real power comes from the fabulous that is me by virtue of being me. Playing dress up, the balls to do “that,” the wave of a freak flag, or the lie that tells the truth is not just to sparkle in the limelight: it is a challenge. A call to arms to glorify gloriousness. To laugh at what we are and could never be. Walking the drag paradox, is like a soldier in enemy lines, the enemy being shame, the mundane and, if I may paraphrase Nietzsche, the should-ers and thou shalt-ers. Daily Drag Queen Affirmations is a weapon of wit, faux-diamonds and, oddly enough, honesty fighting a war my darlings, the goddamn war in our hearts. I wave my chiffon to herald the infinite power of self-love, which crosses tribalism and builds bridges from all the fences you’ve been busy building. My feathered boa makes the war fabulous and less scary. Our right to love has always come from our fight to love ourselves. It’s a war we win when we allow ourselves to be truly fabulous and embrace our lives. And in the business of being bigger than life, I can tell you, add glitter, remind yourself you’re fabulous add more glitter because you are! Sure heels hurt like hell, finding just the right earrings a nightmare, and hairspraying your face with Aquanet isn’t exactly a walk in the park (unless of course the park is in Darfur), but what really glimmers brighter than a triple facetted sequins shift is a smile into the false-eyelash-less face in the mirror and saying, “Baby, I love you.” Now that’s some powerful shit. Auntie Luscious, international glamour sensation, has been diva-ing for far too many years. In her infancy, Auntie reigned (and rained) in the ancient Village of East on the Isle of Manhattan. Currently, she occasionally deigns to devilishly rear her perfectly arched brow in the City of Angeles. When not being a dame of leisure and martinis in one of her many estates and bungalows, she is well kept by her custodian David LeBarron, who for reason unbeknownst to her, is aging. The two have formed many unique bonds throughout the epochs from sycophant and slut to the now much more glamorous renaissance man and recluse, and she’s not terribly happy that she’s the recluse.
Respect in the Bars For the past 7 years that I’ve lived in Columbus I’ve gone out to almost every gay bar and even a few straight bars. For the most part the experiences have been fun, light hearted, and a joy. However there have been times that have made me scratch my head and go what??? Now I can appreciate getting dressed up and feeling hot to go out, I do it all the time (hehe), however the attitude kids should be left at home. I can’t stand a group of boyz who think they are God’s gift to this world giving shade and evil looks to everyone who walks by them. It’s stupid, makes you look crazy, and honestly what is the point?? We live in Columbus Ohio… while I love my city, it’s not NYC or LA or even Chicago. None of us are going to get famous or be discovered while dancing at Axis. Having lived in two of those major cities even those people don’t have that kind of attitude. So next time you’re in the mirror in you’re A&F gear, your newly dyed hair, your fake and bake tan, your Lifestyle Fitness body, and your AE jeans… appreciate your look, celebrate your community, and leave that stank ass attitude at home!!!!! Muah, Alexis Stevens • Gay Republicans! (What else needs to be said? It makes no sense!) • We’re the 15th largest city in the country and we’ve got the largest pride celebration in the midwest. So why don’t we ever get the best B-list stars to headline our festival? • Separate but equal sucks. Why do I have to be taxed on domestic partners benefits? Why are beneficiary rights so challenging for the GLBT community? Allow be to be equal and let me off the D-List! • Why is it that persons who have money can get debts forgiven more quickly than those who are truly in need of financial assistance? How come? • What I found interesting about the Democratic Primary was that racism is less acceptable than sexism. • From Dictionary.com crawl [krawl] 1. to move in a prone position with the body resting on or close to the ground, as a worm or caterpillar, or on the hands and knees, as a young child. craw - noun 1. the crop of a bird or insect. 2. the stomach of an animal. Idiom 3. stick in one’s craw, to cause considerable or
abiding resentment; rankle: She said I was pompous, and that really stuck in my craw. [Ed note: Thanks for the catch. You want to job proofreading?} • People that bitch. • Summers here, I love to travel and these damn airlines are charging us out the rear for anything except waiting in line. What’s up with everyone gouging us because of these gas prices, we all need to do something about this, and a stimulus check... Pa-Leese!!! 25 percent of that went to fill my tank 15 percent went towards food in my house and the other 60 was to catch up with the bills that were late because I wasn’t able to pay them due to not getting a raise this year (sorry my own little gripe about that) after getting one 15 years in a row!!! I keep looking for the light at the end of the tunnel but it just keep getting further and further away each time I get closer and it takes more gas to get to the end of that tunnel!!! • Okay, here’s my bitch. We GLBT’s have great advocates. I read them on 365 all the time – BUT they’re preaching to the choir. We need to find a way to speak out to folks that go to the polls, to folks who control our housing and our salaries. We need to tell those outspoken religious a-holes to prove their allegations against us or shut the F-up! I want them to show us just exactly who has been damaged in Mass, Canada or anywhere else because Gays are allowed to marry – foster children. Otherwise shut the F-up • Pride no longer about the community. It’s about sponsors and cash grabbing. • Now that we have a couple states granting us the ability to get hitched, why not continue to formulate the message? What is wrong with a Federal Civil Union? In the end, it is our rights that need protected. I want the same liberties Hetro couples have. They will continue to scream marriage is between a man and a woman. So what if we do not call it a marriage? In the end it is the Hetro community that has destroyed marriage. Let us show them how it is done with our CUs. Got something you want to bitch about? Well now your voice can be heard! Write us 100 words or less about anything that’s up your crawl and we’ll print it in our Bitch Slap column. You can bitch about anything at all, so come on now and get that angst out - it messes up your colon otherwise. JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
80 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 81
The Power of Participating The Capital City Is A Great Place To Get Political. Here’s How!
EQUALITY OHIO 614.202.8869; www.equalityohio.org Equality Ohio envisions an Ohio where everyone feels at home; living in families and communities where equality, diversity and inclusiveness are universally valued; and where government protects all people and responds to their needs, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. To achieve this vision, Equality Ohio will: serve as an advocate and champion for fair treatment and equal opportunity for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender citizens; facilitate a greater understanding of our common humanity through education and outreach efforts; engage and empower individuals, families, organizations, businesses and institutions in Ohio’s urban, suburban, and rural areas; and collaborate with local, regional, statewide, and national organizations and government agencies.
STONEWALL DEMOCRATS OF CENTRAL OHIO 614.265.7444; www.stonewalldemocratsohio.org Stonewall Democrats of Central Ohio was established in 1997 for the purpose of Ensuring sensitivity, understanding and support for issues of importance to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) and Allied Community Educating, promoting and electing Democratic candidates who are supportive of such issues. Organizing, educating and energizing the GLBT and Allied Community to work for, support and elect these Democratic candidates.
LOG CABIN REPUBLICANS www.logcabin.org Log Cabin Republicans work to make the Republican Party more inclusive, particularly on gay and lesbian issues. Equality will be impossible to achieve without Republican votes. Working from inside the Party - educating other Republicans about gay and lesbian issues—is the most effective way to gain new Republican allies for equality. Log Cabin also exists as a voice for GOP values among members of the gay and lesbian community.
HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN (HRC) www.hrc.org The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against GLBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all. HRC seeks to improve the lives of GLBT Americans by advocating for equal rights and benefits in the workplace, ensuring families are treated equally under the law and increasing public support among all Americans through innovative advocacy, education and outreach programs. HRC works to secure equal rights for GLBT individuals and families at the federal and state levels by lobbying elected officials, mobilizing grassroots supporters, educating Americans, investing strategically to elect fair-minded officials and partnering with other GLBT organizations.
NATIONAL GAY & LESBIAN TASK FORCE (NGLTF) www.ngltf.org The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Inc. (NGLTF, Inc.), founded in 1973 and incorporated in 1974, works to build the grassroots political power of the LGBT community to win complete equality. NGLTF does this through direct and grassroots lobbying to defeat anti-LGBT ballot initiatives and legislation and pass pro-LGBT legislation and other measures. It also analyzes and reports on the positions of candidates for public office on issues of importance to the LGBT community.
VICTORY FUND www.victoryfund.org True equality for gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender persons will come when talented, committed and qualified openly LGBT individuals step up to lead their communities, to add their voices to the American political debate, and to show that what they want for their own families is the same as their straight colleagues; freedom to
live their lives honestly, without fear and with hope. The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund is the nation’s largest LGBT political action committee and the only national organization dedicated to increasing the number of openly LGBT elected officials at all levels of government. Since 1991, the Victory Fund and its national donor network have helped hundreds of openly LGBT candidates win election to local, state and federal offices.
AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION (ACLU) www.aclu.org Majority power is limited by the Constitution’s Bill of Rights, which consists of the original ten amendments ratified in 1791, plus the three postCivil War amendments (the 13th, 14th and 15th) and the 19th Amendment (women’s suffrage), adopted in 1920. The mission of the ACLU is to preserve all of these protections and guarantees, and to work also to extend rights to segments of our population that have traditionally been denied their rights, including Native Americans and other people of color; lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgendered people; women; mental-health patients; prisoners; people with disabilities; and the poor.
LAMBDA LEGAL DEFENSE & EDUCATION FUND www.lambdalegal.org Lambda Legal imagines a different world - a world of full equality for lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and people with HIV and works to create that world every day by pursuing impact litigation, education and advocacy to make the case for equality in state and federal court, the Supreme Court and in the court of public opinion. Lambda Legal also maintains a national network of volunteer Cooperating Attorneys, which widens the scope of legal work and allows attorneys, legal workers and law students to become involved in the program by working with Lambda Legal legal staff.
SERVICEMEMBERS LEGAL DEFENSE NETWORK (SLDN) www.sldn.org SLDN is a national, non-profit legal services, watchdog and policy organization dedicated to ending discrimination against and harassment of military personnel affected by “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and related forms of intolerance.
LESBIAN & GAY IMMIGRATION RIGHTS TASK FORCE www.lgirtf.org Immigration Equality is a national organization that works to end discrimination in U.S. immigration law, to reduce the negative impact of that law on the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and HIV-positive people, and to help obtain asylum for those persecuted in their home country based on their sexual orientation, transgender identity or HIV-status. Through education, outreach, advocacy, and the maintenance of a nationwide network of resources, LGIRTF provides information and support to advocates, attorneys, politicians and those who are threatened by persecution or the discriminatory impact of the law.
GAY & LESBIAN ALLIANCE AGAINST DEFAMATION (GLAAD) www.glaad.org The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) is dedicated to promoting and ensuring fair, accurate and inclusive representation of people and events in the media as a means of eliminating homophobia and discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. Note: Information on all groups excerpted from their respective websites and/or mission statements. JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
82 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 83
COMFEST - Red, White & Boom - DOO-DAH ComFest: Put Into It What You Take Out Of It
• The basic necessities of life are a right and not a privilege. People have the collective right to control the conditions of their lives.
Michael Daniels
• People should strive to conduct their lives in harmony with the environment.
The other festival in town this weekend is the Community Festival – lovingly known to us all as ComFest, and it’s more than just a place to get drunk and listen to music. There’s a whole philosophy behind the event, and it is guided by its statement of principals, which reads: The Community Festival is guided by its Principles. The Principles are statements of what the members believe is basically important. They are: • We think that people ought to work for the collective good of all people rather than for personal gain. We support cooperation and collective activity rather than competition and individual profit.
RED, WHITE & BOOM 2008 Event Schedule SITE MAP VISIT: www.redwhiteandboom.com 10:00 a.m. NEW LOCATION! BOOM! Central hosted by 97.9 WNCI opens on Long Street east of Neil Avenue See your favorite radio personalities from 97.9 WNCI live starting at 10:00 a.m. with a special appearance by the WNCI Morning Zoo! Be sure to listen to 97.9 for traffic updates to and from BOOM! 11:00 a.m. NEW LOCATION! Food and novelty concessions open on Washington Boulevard The midway presented by Ohio National Guard and US Army is the best place to find hundreds of food vendors, games and inflatables transforming Washington Boulevard into a street carnival. NEW VENUE! Long Street opens This area, located by North Bank Park, will be filled with vendors, an entertainment stage, and the WNCI BOOM! Central. Plus, it’s a great place to view the fireworks! 12 p.m. United Way’s Children’s Park presented by Columbia Gas and COSI opens at Battelle Park Red, White & BOOM! is once again bringing back Children’s Park presented by Columbia Gas and COSI located in Battelle Park. Children’s Park will feature a
Celebrate Liberty & Lunacy @ the 25th Annual Doo Dah Parade! Friday, July 4th, 2008 • 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Parade Line-up: Noon on Park Street & Buttles (Enter from Goodale Blvd onto Park Street heading towards Buttles Avenue.) Volunteer check-in: 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. @ Short North Tavern Street Closures: Park Street (between Goodale & Buttles), Buttles Avenue (between High Street & Neil Avenue), Dennison Avenue (between Buttles and Collins Avenue), Collins (Between Dennison Avenue & Neil Avenue), Neil Avenue (Between Dennison & 2nd Avenue), 2nd Avenue (Between Neil Avenue & High Street), and
• We recognize that there are primary attitudes which divide and oppress people. These attitudes are usually shown by prejudice against people on the basis of age, class, ability, income, race, sex, and sexual preference/ orientation. • We seek to eliminate these attitudes. This year’s theme is “Be The Change.” In the words of the ComFest organizers, the concept is simple yet profound: There’s a lot of talk about change this year, with politicians of all stripes selling—depending on your beliefs—fearful snake oil or pragmatic hope to the electorate. Everyone, except for a handful of devilwide range of interactive and educational programming as well as Millennium Mobile DJ. Thousands of children, moms, dads, grandmas and grandpas flock to Children’s Park. Fun games, educational activities, face painting and more keep children entertained for hours. NEW LOCATION! Entertainment begins at the Radio 106.7 Genoa Park Stage supported by PageTech Check out local and regional talent as live entertainment takes the stage at Genoa Park Stage beginning at 12 p.m. 2:00 p.m. NEW VENUE! 97.9 WNCI Long Street stage opens 4:00 p.m. EXPANDED! Taste of BOOM! presented by the Arena District and Coors Light opens Taste of BOOM! on Nationwide Boulevard in the exciting Arena District comes alive with its very own street party! Featuring Frog Bear & Wild Boar and great food from Columbus’ top restaurants, LIVE music from popular local bands, and interactive games from the Blue Jackets and Columbus Crew. 5:00 p.m. NEW LOCATION! NBC 4’s BOOM! Central opens on the north end of the midway at the corner of Broad Street and Washington Boulevard. Starting at 5:00 p.m. join Cabot Rea and Colleen Marshall along the new midway. It’s a great place to watch the parade and the fireworks. If you can’t be downtown be sure to watch Red, White & BOOM! in High Street (Between 2nd Avenue and Goodale Blvd.) Marchers exit parade at Russell ending up back at Goodale Park. Have fun, please do not throw things or use water, and laugh a lot!! Parade Route: Straggle out Park Street, slope across Buttles, shoot down Dennison, sneak across Collins, scale Neil Avenue, swing East onto 2nd Avenue, and then slide down High Street and scatter near Poplar. No Entry Fee, Just show up! No registration required! After Doo Dah Parade Block Party: High Street (Between Buttles Ave & Russell St) July 4th, 2008 3:00 p.m. – until dark Free More Doo Dah info at www.doodahparade.com or www.myspace.com/doodahparade or 614-228-0621
take-the-hindmost free-market extremists, seems to understand that the current situation is drowning everyone except those with homes on gold-plated stilts. It’s not that benefi cial change doesn’t happen, or that ingrained attitudes don’t evolve. In 1968, five years before the first ComFest, over 440,000 Ohioans voted for a presidential candidate whose platform was built on racial segregation; this year, a black man is a major party candidate for the White House. Sometimes change seems to take too long; sometimes change is regressive rather than progressive. Real life ain’t easy, or predictable. When Mahatma Gandhi said, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world,” he reduced our desire for a better world - and who hasn’t wanted this, ever? - to its fundamental unit: the individual. It isn’t enough to simply desire change; one has to make it happen.” Totally volunteer organized and driven, ComFest expects those who enjoy the festival to give something back – to work on the event, help set up, or clean up.
Pick up after yourselves. Smile at folks. Generally, live by the two golden rules – Behave Yourself, and Don’t Be An Asshole (my words, not those of the ComFest organizers). Now, in the official words of ComFest, “Democracy is not a spectator sport. Community doesn’t happen without citizens stepping up to create the kind of environment in which they want to live. ComFest is a democratic community, so it stands to reason that we need people to participate.” The ComFest organizers continue, “… When you volunteer for ComFest, your efforts multiply in the community. Because ComFest is a not-for-profit organization, and because we don’t have to pay a staff of people, we are able to give back to community organizations such as women’s shelters, community radio, homeless shelters, children’s programs, and many others, in the form of grants and donations. …” “So lend a hand and become part of the party with a purpose. Volunteer! Be the Change! Be ComFest!”
High Definition from 9-11 p.m. on NBC 4.
the Midwest will be shot from Veteran’s Memorial on the north side of Broad Street. Tune in to NBC 4 and 97.9 WNCI for LIVE coverage of the Red, White & BOOM! festivities starting at 9:00 p.m. and concluding at 11:00 p.m. Simulcast of the 97.9 WNCI specially produced soundtrack will be covered on NBC 4 and 97.9 WNCI at 10:00 p.m. Be sure to bring your radio!
6:00 p.m. Ohio Air National Guard flyover NEW LOCATION! AEP Independence Day Parade presented by Saturn of ColumbusThe parade starts at 6:00 p.m. on Broad Street at COSI heading east and marches north on Front Street. Check out the BOOM! map for an overhead view of the parade. 10:00 p.m. NEW LOCATION! FIREWORKS! with the Grand Finale brought to you by Marathon The best Independence Day fireworks celebration in
Red White & Boom: Entertainment Schedule 97.9 WNCI Long Street Stage 2:00p True Connections 3:00p Kathy Whomp. US 4:00p Kim Joyce 5:00p Sir James 5:30p God’s Girl Dawn Selice 5:45p Rico 6:00p Nuthouse Inmates 6:30p Groovment 7:00p Rema & Her Crew 7:30p Keith Staten Group 8:00p Battle Plan Show Band 9:00p Craig McMullan 10:00p FIREWORKS! 10:30p Focus
10:30 p.m. NEW LOCATIONS! Entertainment resumes on the Radio 106.7 Genoa Park Stage, 97.9 WNCI Long Street Stage and 92.3 WCOL Taste of BOOM! Stage United Way’s Children’s Park Stage 12:00p Christina Barth and Ohio’s Youth Entertainers Stage Show 1:45p COSI “Science of Fireworks” 2:15p Short Stop Drum, Dance, & Vocal Ensemble 3:00p Ohio Cinderella Scholarship Program 4:00p Ashley Everts-First Night Columbus Teen Idol Winner 4:45p COSI “Science of Fireworks”
92.3 WCOL Taste of BOOM! Stage 4:00p Ca$hville Productions & Buck City Boyz 4:45p The Sneeks 5:45p Robin Stone Band 6:45p BuzzCrush 8:00p Rissi Palmer 9:00p The Big Spank 10:00p FIREWORKS! 10:30p The Big Spank Radio 106.7 Genoa Park Stage 12:00p Trace Marie and Blue Level 1:45p Celebrate Kids 3:00p City Folk 4:00p Jared Mahone 5:00p Lt. Dan’s New Legs 6:15p The Divide 7:30p Fatkid Dodgeball 8:45p SafetySuit 10:00p FIREWORKS! 10:30p The Divide
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
84 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 85
TV
Pride Month Television Programming Highlights A GLAAD Television Resource Guide June brings lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Pride celebrations to cities across the country, marking a time to reflect on the LGBT community’s progress since Stonewall in 1969. As Pride festivities approach, GLAAD has compiled this guide to LGBT-interest television programming and specials scheduled for the month. In addition, Friday, June 27 is the television premiere of the 19th Annual GLAAD Media Awards on Bravo (7p). This will be the first televised airing of the celebration on a fully distributed cable network. “Thanks to our partnership with Bravo, the GLAAD Media Awards will be available to over 84 million homes, giving people across the country a chance to celebrate these media images and their creators,” says GLAAD President Neil G. Giuliano. “Our community has made such incredible strides toward equality because our stories have been told in fair, accurate and inclusive ways – from journalism to TV storylines to film. Bravo’s acclaimed programming has already shown that TV can portray gay and transgender people fairly and accurately with amazing success.” Following the GLAAD Media Awards, Bravo will televise the basic cable premiere of Brokeback Mountain (9p). Saturday, June 21 The Event (Sundance, 10p) Parker Posey portrays a district attorney investigating the mysterious death of an AIDS-afflicted musician in this 2003
Monday, June 23 Stefan Braun (Sundance, 9p) U.S. TELEVISION PREMIERE Itamar Alkalay’s biopic is about world-renowned Israeli furrier Stefan Braun, whose luxurious lifestyle included a number of beautiful boyfriends and a devoted live-in lover, with whom he had a complicated, enduring romance. http://www.ruthfilms.com/html/m/fs_stefan_braun_m.html
Friday, June 27 19th Annual GLAAD Media Awards (Bravo, 7p) PREMIERE GLAAD’s annual awards ceremony honoring media for their fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the LGBT community and the issues that affect their lives is airing for the first time on Bravo. Special guests include Janet Jackson, Graham Norton, Rufus Wainwright, Sharon Stone, Cindy Crawford, Tom Ford, Kathy Griffin and many more. http://www.glaad.org/mediaawards/ Brokeback Mountain (Bravo, 9p) BASIC CABLE PREMIERE The critically acclaimed, Academy Award®-winning film, which also received the award for Outstanding Film - Wide Release at the 17th Annual GLAAD Media Awards, makes its basic cable premiere.
Loggerheads (Sundance, 11:45p) Narrative involving three overlapping stories of estranged families in three regions of North Carolina, including a young gay man living with HIV and the mother who gave him up for adoption. http://www.loggerheadsmovie.com
http://www.brokebackmountainmovie.com/splash.html
Tuesday, June 24 30 Days (FX, 10p) NEW In this new episode of the GLAAD Media Award-winning series, Kati, the mother of two adopted sons, believes that children should not be raised by same-sex parents. She will live for 30 days with domestic partners Dennis and Thomas Patrick and their four adopted sons in Ann Arbor, MI, and will volunteer with an advocacy group for children with same-gender parents and attend meetings of a local lesbian mothers networking group. http://www.fxnetworks.com
Monday, June 30 Jam! (Sundance, 9p) U.S. TELEVISION PREMIERE Mark Woollen’s highly acclaimed documentary follows an eccentric crew of former roller derby stars attempting to re-popularize the sport. Leading the group is Tim Patten, an HIV-positive San Franciscan who credits roller-derby with keeping him alive. http://www.jamthemovie.com
film. http://www.sundancechannel.com/home/
Saturday, June 28 Being Julia (Sundance, 10p) Julia Lambert (Annette Bening) is a flamboyant American stage actress in 1938 London. Bruce Greenwood appears as Julia’s endlessly supportive gay best friend. http://www.sonyclassics.com/beingjulia/
Sunday, June 22 The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros (Sundance, 12a) U.S. TELEVISION PREMIERE This 2007 film is about a feminine twelve-year-old boy from a criminal gang family who develops a crush on a young policeman, threatening his home life.
Wednesday, June 25 When I Knew (Cinemax, 7:30p) PREMIER Based on the book of the same name, filmmakers Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato pose the question to a number of people, asking them when they knew they were gay. The documentary features vintage photos and home videos to supplement their accounts. http://www.wheniknew.com/
Thursday, July 3 As the World Turns (CBS, check listings) Cyndi Lauper performs on the GLAAD Media Award-winning daytime drama, and offers romantic advice to gay teen Luke Snyder. http://www.cbs.com/daytime/as_the_worl d_turns/
http://www.sundancechannel.com/home/
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
86 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
DEEP INSIDE HOLLYWOOD by Romeo San Vicente
MY FAIR KNIGHTLEY
DEPP AND BURTON CAST DARK SHADOWS
DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES WITH HANDGUNS
NOEL COWARD: A VINTAGE JAMES BOND
It’s only a matter of time before everything old becomes new again. If you live long enough, a remake of your favorite film is inevitable...provided your favorite film isn’t Can’t Stop the Music. Now it’s legendary gay director George Cukor’s turn. His Oscar-winning 1964 film version of the hit stage musical My Fair Lady, a movie that helped solidify Audrey Hepburn’s own legend status, is being remounted. And Eliza Doolittle, the street urchinturned-fancy-lady by the misogynistic Henry Higgins, is to be played by none other than Atonement star and cultural thin-mint Keira Knightley. Producers Cameron Mackintosh and Duncan Kenworthy (Notting Hill, Four Weddings and a Funeral) are wish-listing Daniel Day Lewis to take on the role made famous by Rex Harrison, but nothing’s settled yet beyond Knightley’s current singing lessons. Time to cue the intro to “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly?”
Back in the 1960s, when everything was cooler, a strange little soap opera called Dark Shadows made daytime TV safe for stories about vampires, warlocks, and the undead. That it existed at all is something along the lines of a network television miracle, and the show’s cult following has remained fervent over the ensuing decades. Now, thanks to the nothing-is-ever-weird-enough team of Johnny Depp and Tim Burton, that fan base’s creepiest wishes are about to be granted. A Dark Shadows film - to be penned by gay screenwriter and frequent Burton collaborator John August (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) - is in the works. No word on other cast members or start dates, or even which part Depp will play, but it stands to reason that the man who spent the entirety of Sweeney Todd singing while he slashed throats would naturally choose to sink his teeth into the part of the show’s main vampire, Barnabas Collins, right?
For queer audiences whose TV tastes lean towards the more brutal charms of The Sopranos than to, say, shows about catty, conniving women in upscale neighborhoods, here comes Suburban Shootout. Based on the British series, the dark comedy concerns a woman who leaves the city for a peaceful life in the suburbs, only to discover that she’s caught in the middle of rival gang war between murderous factions of homicidal, stay-athome moms. If that doesn’t sound amazing already, the casting clinches it: hilarious and underrated character actor Judy Greer - the sole funny, wise-cracking presence in 27 Dresses- will take the lead. Best of all, it’s coming to HBO, the place where grown-ups go for shows that are too cool (and violent) for the networks.
The late Noel Coward did it all: he was a playwright, a poet, a novelist, a composer, a director, and an actor (his turn as “The Witch of Capri” in the unhinged Liz Taylor/Richard Burton “art film” Boom remains one of cinema’s oddest moments). He was also, as it turns out, a World War II spy whose effete, overtly gay behavior was the perfect cover. In other words, his life is a movie waiting to happen. Enter Tina Brown, former editor-in-chief of Vanity Fair and The New Yorker, who plans to turn Coward’s wartime adventures into a film. This counts as the earliest of early pre-production, so there are no casting details yet, but it’ll take someone with a George Clooney level of suavity to bring this legendary sophisticate to life.
Romeo San Vicente does it all, too, and well. He can be reached care of this publication or at DeepInsideHollywood@qsyndicate.com.
ARTS by Emily Cable
EMERGING ARTISTS- THE COUCHFIRE COLLECTIVE: INTEGRATE During the period of an artist’s career when they are breaking into the art scene from an educational or career change, oftentimes they are referred to as emerging artists. This label strives to create a unifying quality to a diverse generation of artists who join the creative work force near and far. In 2006, a group of emerging artists in Columbus came together to initiate and integrate their passion for the arts with the community of Columbus through a collective effort. Inspired to “get off the couch and create art,” the artists of Couchfire Collective have done just that by organizing efforts to help one another and other artists across the community. Join the City of Upper Arlington Cultural Arts Division in showcasing the works of art created by these emerging arts in the Concourse Gallery exhibition titled Couchfire Collective: Integrate, on view from June 18 – July 18, 2008. The Concourse Gallery is located at the Municipal Services Center, 3600 Tremont Road, and is free and open to the public Monday through Friday from 8a–5p. The Couchfire Collective is a group of eleven emerging artists who share a common drive to progress as individual artists, develop as a collective and to raise the profile of Columbus’ creative community. Their mission is to provide artists and art patrons with diverse opportuniJUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
ties to make connections and become active participants in the local arts scene. These enthusiastic artists work to promote awareness of the artistic community as an essential component of civic development. The Couchfire Collective artists included in this exhibition are the following: Jen Adrion, Laura Alexander, Ginnie Baer, Tony Belleau, Adam Brouillette, Emily Cable, Adam Crum, Anne Holman, Dave Horton, Andrew Ina, Michael Litzau, Jay Moffett, Mike Reed and Dan Wilburn. The group continues to meet and create works of art in artists’ spaces in Junctionview Studios, located in Grandview Heights, expanding with more members and more art opportunities for the community’s participation. During the fall of 2006 the group successfully created Agora, a community art event that continues to grow every year. Couchfire members plan community art events at Junctionview Studios and throughout the community. Please visit the Cultural Arts Division at www.ua-ohio.net under Parks, Recreation and Leisure or call 614.583.5310 for more information. Emily Cable is Arts Coordinator for City of Upper Arlington Cultural Arts Division , a member organization of the Columbus Arts Marketing Association. For more information, visit www.camaonline.org.
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 87
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
88 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
ARTS
Gallery Hop: Saturday, July 5
MOD MOD Art Exchange, LTD, The 17 E Brickel St / 614.464.4611 Exhibit Title: Summer Group Show Artist(s): LaVon Van Williams, Jr., Curtis Goldstein, Marc Ross, Ric Snead, Betsy De Fusco, and many more Art Media: All media About the Exhibit: Celebrate summer with The Art Exchange. A colorful collection of regional and national artists will be in rotation all season.
Rosendales
Echoes Art & Antiques 24 East Lincoln St / 614.291.9101 Exhibit Title: Smoky Brown Artist(s): Grandpa Smoky Brown Art Media: Acrylic on Board About the Exhibit: Collection of 11 original paintings 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. Lemongrass 641 N. High Street #103/ 614.224.1414 Exhibit Title: I’m Not the Architect Artist(s): Robert Trautman Art Media: Paintings About the Exhibit: Architectural based paintings from collaged photographs of a variety of architectural elements. Lindsay Gallery 986 N High St / 614.291.1973 www.lindsaygallery.com Exhibit Title: Drawings By Morris Jackson
Artist(s): Morris Jackson Art Media: ink and colored pencil on paper About the Exhibit: A tiny world so detailed it has to be seen by this self-taught artist from Columbus.
Mahan Gallery JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
Mahan Gallery 717 N High St / 614.294.3278 www.mahangallery.com
The first Saturday of every month, thousands of visitors converge on the strip, the epicenter of the High Street Experience. They come to celebrate art and partake in an evening of sights, sounds, food, shopping, and cosmopolitan fun. Though many shops are open earlier, the Gallery Hop officially starts at 4p-10p with restaurants and bars staying open considerably later. In the shops...
Sherrie Gallery Exhibit Title: Select Superstition Artist(s): Kat Moya, Jeff Kallet, Brian Aldrich, Fritz Kappler
Art Media: mixed medium, collage, painting Artist Reception: Saturday, July 5 About the Exhibit: This exhibition is a documentation of the sort of things we do when we believe no one is watching, and what we choose for our own superstitious totem. Marcia Evans Gallery 8 East Lincoln St. / 614.298.8847 Exhibit Title: Something's Fishy Artist(s): Debora Joyce Artist Reception: Sunday, July 6 Art Media: Paintings About the Exhibit: Debora will be painting in the Gallery for the July Hop
This month, the Short North will celebrate its 275th consecutive Gallery Hop. Upwards of 20,000 visitors share an evening of pure energy under the brightly colored, ever-changing lights of the High Street arches.
Lemon Grass Philip Miele Law Offices 815 N High St, basement suite FF / 614.299.2940 Artist(s): Michael Dickinson Art Media: Lithographs pm gallery 726 N High St / 614.299.0860 pmgallery.com Exhibit Title: Bowls Artist(s): Marc Matsui Art Media: Ceramic bowls and platters About the Exhibit: Functional and decorative - a bowl is often the first object of beauty and use in someone's life. A favorite bowl will fit the hand or hold just the right amount of salad or be big enough for bread dough. These bowls are colorful and elegant.
Studios on High Gallery 686 North High Street / 614.461.6487 Exhibit Title: Ikebana Flower Containers and Ceremonial Tea Vessels in Clay & Oriental Floral Watercolors on Rice Paper Artist(s): Teda Theis and Nancy Peng Art Media: Vessels in Clay and Watercolor on Rice Paper About the Exhibit: For Teda, mood and atmosphere are the subject matter taking precedence over other elements. Nancy describes her style as a modern realist, integrating elements of abstraction and expression into her work.
Take 2 Apparel 668 N. High Street / 614.299.9820 Exhibit Title: Hollywood Legends Rosendales Artist(s): Various Mod Mod 793 N. High St. / 614.298.1601 Art Media: Black & White and Color 815 N. High St. Suite D / www.rosendales.com Photographs 614.298.8847 Exhibit Title: Art courtesy of Mar- About the Exhibit: Take a trip back Exhibit Title: Calm Promise cia Evans Gallery in time with Take 2 Apparel! PreArtist(s): Tim Lachcik Artist(s): John Donnelly, Jaye Bum- sented in both Black & White and Art Media: Wood, with Ink or Wood- baugh, Petersen Thomas color photographs, your favorite burnt, images of nature. Art Media: Acrylic Abstract & Figu- icons from the past century are rative Abstract Paintings displayed throughout the store as Ohio Art League About the Exhibit: Ongoing display part of Take 2 Apparel’s homage to 954 N High St / 614.299.8225 courtesy of Marcia Evans Gallery. the entertainment industry. www.oal.org John Donnelly, Prof. of Art at Mt. Exhibit Title: Transduce Vernon Nazarene University. Jaye Waldo's On High Hair Salon Artist(s): Matt McCormack Bumbaugh, Prof. of Art, Bluffton 755 N. High St. / 614.294.2887 Art Media: Sculpture University and Petersen Thomas, www.waldosonhigh.com Artist Reception: Saturday, July 5 BA Denison University. Artist(s): Wally Kaplan About the Exhibit: Mixed media Art Media: Variety of Mediums sculpture. Sherrie Gallerie with a focus on rich pastels 694 N High St / 614.221.8580 About the Exhibit: Inlfuenced by Palnik Studios www.sherriegallerie.com the impressionists both in color 14 East Lincoln St / 614.298.8496 Exhibit Title: Summer Show and light to create vitality in the Exhibit Title: God, Man & Cartoons Artist(s): Jim Connell, Edward two-dimensional world. The artist Artist(s): Paul Palnik Jekot and Andy Nassise works in many mediums but finds Art Media: Original drawings, Art Media: Andy Nasisse’s figura- her imagination captured most by books and serigraph prints. tive ceramic teapots, platters and the rich pastel colors. Wally's work About the Exhibit: The God of Car- jars; Jim Connell’s carved ceramic is much more about the essence of toons. The Artist tells us what we vessels and teapots; and Edward her sublects rather than the outtruly need to know. Jekot’s birds, amphibians, lagoside veneer. morphs—acrylic and gouache paintings.
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 89
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
90 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
MUSIC
THE QUEEN IS BACK Nearly two decades since Donna Summer’s last studio album, the “Lady of the Night” has officially returned. Her new CD, Crayons, colors all genres of music: R&B, soul, club and the classic Summer sound that’s branded as the soundtrack of our lives. It’s been a long wait, but the diva doesn’t disappoint: The five-time Grammy winner explodes on tracks like “Stamp Your Feet,” and reclaims her throne with “The Queen is Back.” In a one-on-one chat, “Hot Stuff” Summer discusses why she loves to love her gay fans, and offers advice on how to battle a Barbra Streisand drag queen. OLW: What can your gay fans expect from this album? DS: They can expect some surprises. I know because I’ve had some input back that they’re happy with the surprises they got. OLW: You were one of the first artists to have an intense and noticeable gay following. At what point in your career did you realize you had this legion of gay fans? DS: From the beginning, my whole scene broke out in the gay clubs. I don’t know if I would have a career if it hadn’t been in some ways for the way “Love To Love You Baby” started off and everybody jumped on it. It was really in the gay clubs the song took off - they really embraced that new sound. I have to
give credit where credit is due. OLW: Is there anything challenging about having such an aggressive gay following? DS: I think gay people in general - gay men especially - are very right- and left-brained: They use all the parts of their brain, which I don’t think the average guy does. I think they’re able to look at something, whether it’s your clothing or whatever, and see it from both sides and have a very accurate opinion. That opinion sometimes can be brutal! [Laughs] At the same time, it’s an asset. OLW: You’re always credited as the “Queen of Disco,” but you have a powerhouse voice that’s still evident on Crayons. Do you ever feel underrated as a vocalist? DS: You know, I don’t think about what other people think about me - not to sound arrogant, I don’t mean it to sound that way. I don’t know, I don’t really think about it that much. [Laughs] OLW: How did “The Queen is Back” come about? DS: I had that title for quite some time - it kept coming to me. I asked E. Kidd, who I was writing with, if he thought that would be too pretentious or people would take it the wrong way, like they thought I was arrogant or something. He said, “No, it’s fun, do it.” We sat down and started writing what my career has been to other people and to me.
We loved the results! OLW: Is it true people thought you were a drag queen when you first started out? DS: [Laughs] Oh yeah! It’s very funny, but it’s true. Somebody was doing a drag act of me, only we didn’t know they were doing that drag act. They were promoting themselves in the newspapers as me, and I wasn’t living in the United States yet, so I didn’t know. They were using my music in their act, people would come see them and think that I was actually that person. I think that’s kind of how the rumor got started. We tracked it down and put an end to it. OLW: As a Christian, how do you reconcile your religious beliefs with your acceptance of the gay community? DS: I don’t think I have to reconcile them. I just accept people for who they are. The Bible says you got to love everybody; it doesn’t make any exceptions, so I don’t make any exceptions. OLW: What are your thoughts on gay marriage? DS: I don’t really have an opinion on it, to tell you the truth. I think people have to do what they feel they have to do. Not being gay myself, I don’t have the same frame of reference - do you know what I’m saying? I don’t know what it is to feel like you can never be married or any of that because I am mar-
ried, I have kids and I have all those things. It’s uncharted ground for me personally; I can’t even make a comment on it. OLW: How would you react to having a gay child? DS: I would love my child, there’s no question about it. Love is everything. You have to accept what’s real, and you have to be in truth. So you love people for who they are and for their good qualities. That’s the bottom line, and that’s how I was raised, by the way. OLW: If one of your oldies like “Love to Love You Baby” comes on the radio, do you turn it off or turn it up? DS: I don’t necessarily turn it off; it’s a part of my life. It’s something I’m not running from. If it’s on, it’s on - I just listen. I don’t necessarily blast it! [Laughs] It’s part of what I’ve done in my life - that’s the way it is. OLW: Finally, if a Barbra Streisand drag queen battled a Donna Summer drag queen, what advice would you give the Donna drag queen? DS: Go for the nose! [Laughs] Crayons (Burgundy Records/Sony BMG) is out now. For more info, log onto donnasummer.com.
MADONNA + CYNDI X DONNA = ASHLEE? By Gregg Shapiro In all the buzz and fuss leading up to the big spring releases by Mariah Carey and Kylie Minogue, the focus seemed to be directed at how each would stack up sonically (and commercially, natch), against Madonna’s anticipated new album. But shouldn’t the question have been how Madonna’s latest would compare to longtime rival Cyndi Lauper’s eagerly awaited return to dance music? Twenty-five years after the release of her debut album Madonna is still going as strong as the Energizer bunny in spite of a number of musical missteps over the years. Remaining faithful to return to the dance direction of 2005’s Confessions of a Dance Floor, the artificially sweetened Hard Candy (Warner Brothers) is the closest Madonna will come to making a hip-hop record. Working with both Pharrell Williams (of the Neptunes) and the ubiquitous team of (Justin) Timberlake and Timbaland, Madonna sounds intent on rotting your teeth on the suggestively sugarless “Candy Shop,” but only manages to get stuck in your dental work. “4 Minutes” ticks off like a novelty tune and half the fun of “Give It 2 Me” is not honoring Miss M’s request. “Heartbeat” is the first song JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
on the disc to actually increase this reviewer’s pulse rate and the same holds true for “Miles Away,” which sounds like an erotic (or is that ironic?) postcard written to Mr. Madonna, Guy Ritchie. “Incredible” almost lives up to its title and “Beat Goes On” is a worthy, if lazy (thanks for the tired Donna Summer “beep beep,” Kanye) dance floor delight. No doubt there are some at kabbalah headquarters who must be scratching their head over the cross Madonna sports above her décolletage on the CD cover, and may continue to do so when they hear the savior, not to mention master and slave, reference on “Voices.” It goes without saying that both Madonna and Cyndi Lauper have developed devoted followings in the LGBT community since the early days of their careers. But it was actually Lauper who, after years of ceaselessly putting action behind her words (did anyone ever see Madge wrap herself in a rainbow flag with her fist thrust in the air?), organized the True Colors tour (now in its second year), bringing together queer musicians and straight allies to raise funds and awareness for a number of LGBT causes. In great voice and singing with what sounds like renewed vigor Lauper has set her sights on dance club culture with Bring Ya To
The Brink (Epic), on which she worked with Basement Jaxx, Scumfrog, Kleerup, queer musician and producer Richard Morel, and others. It’s going to be harder than you think to try and pick a favorite out of songs such as “Set Your Heart,” “Echo,” “Into The Nightlife,” “Grab A Hold,” “Lay Me Down,” “High And Mighty,” “Give It Up,” and “Raging Storm.” She more than earns the parental advisory label on the CD cover with “Same Ol’ Story,” and still manages to soothe us with “Rain On Me.” Of course, where would Madonna and Cyndi have been without Donna Summer, who returns with the surprisingly monochromatic Crayons (Burgundy), her first new studio recording in more than 15 years. “Stamp Your Feet” begins the disc is an empowering cheer, while the dated sounding “Mr. Music” continues the spirit of the stomp. The title track, featuring Ziggy Marley, is not the sequel to the Musical Youth duet “Unconditional Love” one might have hoped for. After making a declaration about her return on “The Queen Is Back,” Summer lashes out at the cost of success on “Fame (The
Game),” one of the better dance cuts on the disc. “I’m A Fire” also pays homage to Summer’s considerable disco past. Like Carly Simon, Summer spices up her repertoire with the Brazilian influenced “Drivin’ Down Brazil,” and is sure to surprise more than a few listeners with the blues tune “Slide Over Backwards.” Who could have guessed that one of the best dance albums of the year would have been put out by poseur Ashlee Simpson? Working mainly with Chad Hugo (the other half of The Neptunes), as well as the criminally underrated Kenna, among others on Bittersweet World (Geffen), Simpson has scored the comeback of the year. A more successful transition from dissed brat to dance diva than Kelly Osbourne’s, Simpson may have actually found her niche. This is the kind of disc that grab’s the listener’s attention right from the start, beginning with the new wave bounce of “Outta My Head (Ay Ya Ya),” and not easing up through “Boys” and “Rule Breaker.” Also of note are “What I’ve Become,” “Hot Stuff,” and the island beats of “Murder.”
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 91
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
92 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
CLASSIFIEDS ADULT CONNECTIONS MEN. CONNECT. EASY. Gay, str8, curious, bi. Instant, live action. Get on & off @ 1800GAYLIVE. Call now 614.410.1555. Free Trial. BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY FLORAL BUSINESS 70-year-old family-run floral business for sale. Established clients, great location. Please call Mary McCarthy at Sunbelt Business Brokers, 614.734.8338, for more information. TEAM DRIVERS Cryogenic transportation expanding tanker runs along I80 corridor. Awesome hometime, pay, benefits. Consistent work available! Avg $3000 gross per week. CDL-A w/X, 2 yrs exp req. Jerry 866.339.0072.
sity efforts; supporting United Way program investment process, strategic planning, evaluation, research and other community impact activities; developing relationships and participating in meetings with local human service agencies, community groups, and key stakeholders. A bachelor’s degree with 2-4 years’ experience in human service preferred; knowledge of diversity & inclusion fields of study preferred; strong problem solving skills; excellent communication skills – oral and written; ability to manage multiple assignments simultaneously; and a thorough appreciation of and commitment to diversity. Candidate must be self-directed and computer literate and skilled in word processing and spreadsheet software. Submit resume via mail, email, fax or in person by July 11, 2008.
United Way of Central Ohio Attn: Human Resources ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF 360 South Third Street DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION Columbus, OH 43215 The United Way of Central Ohio Fax: 614.224.5835 is seeking an Assistant Direc- Email: uw_hr@uwcentralohio.org tor of Diversity and Inclusion. This position is responsible for BANK TELLER assisting the Director of Diver- Looking for an experienced sity and Inclusion in shaping Branch Banker. Must have In and coordinating United Way’s Branch sales experience in the response to internal and exter- financial services industry. nal efforts related to diversity Outbound calling required. and inclusion as well as asPlease direct inquiries or send sisting with tasks and projects resume to: Jeff Bergandine related to United Way’s broader 647 N High St Columbus, OH community impact agenda. 43215, 614.241.5600, or email Specific responsibilities inresume to jbergandine@firstclude: managing and support- communitybank.com. ing the organization’s efforts to reduce racial disparities, DENTIST managing and supporting the We seek personable, qualityChampions of Diversity prooriented associate for busy gram, strategy and initiative family practice. Daily salary. development; assisting with Dr. Michael Mann, 7043 Pearl grant writing and other reRd, Ste 210, Cleveland, OH source development efforts; 44130. assisting with internal diver-
REAL ESTATE CONDO FOR SALE $87,900. Located within 2 miles of Broad & High. 3BR, 3BA, 1500+ sq. ft. Corner unit with balcony overlooking Franklin Park. Seller is retired agent. 614.252.6738. HOUSING/FOR RENT OLDE TOWNE EAST 1096 & 1104 Bryden Rd, 1 BR apartments available, new kitchen, wd flrs, vaulted ceiling, $450/mo. More OTE rentals available. Call Beacon Property Mgmt. at 614.228.6700.
HELP WANTED
Dear Diary, OH BOY! Pride is finally here.. .my favorite weekend of the year! Friday night we’ll Dance in the Streets and walk over to Comfest... .there are so many interesting smells there. Saturday, we’ll watch the parade with all our friends in Columbus. I hope Mary Katherine Gallager struts her stuff again this year. SuperSTAR ! And the Flaggots are always so in sync even while walking down High St. Love and peace and community is everywhere.....it makes my tail wag ! I can't wait to stop by Marshall’s house to visit with Quox and Pogonip. Sunday we’ll watch Bat-n-Rouge.... those gals can really run well in high heels. Wish they had Pride once a month instead of once a year! I’m still hoping to find a new family. Please call my rescue group if you are looking for a new family member. Columbus Dog Connection.com
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 93
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
94 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 95
PUCKER UP by Tristan Taormino
WHY IS SEX WITH SOMEONE YOU DON’T KNOW SUCH A POWERFUL FANTASY FOR SO MANY? I spent Memorial Day weekend reading submissions for the latest edition of Best Lesbian Erotica, the annual anthology I edit. Each year, I like to spot the trends in storytelling; it’s like taking an informal poll of what queer women (and others who write about them) are jerking off to. There was a year when lots of stories were about butch/femme dynamics in the bedroom. Another year, everyone left the bedroom literally - for erotic escapades in unique settings. Then I got an overwhelming number of strap-on stories with lots of genderplay and cock-sucking. I have stepped down as editor, so this collection will be my last, which has had me thinking about what, if any, themes have remained constant in the 14 years I’ve been doing it. One narrative tops the list by a mile: sex with a stranger. This theme really stood out this year; it seemed like about half of the stories were about women getting it on with someone they’d just met. Of course, most of their strangers - in addition to being drop-dead gorgeous - were sexy, available, and highly skilled lovers. Many of the scenarios were romanticized: the “she knew just where to touch me” or “it was like she could read my mind” kind of thing. In other words, no awkward silence in the conversation, no insecurity or doubt, no fumbling with bra straps - everything was smooth and perfect. (Well, they are, after all, fantasies.) Stranger sex is not just a dominant fantasy among lesbian-erotica writers or dykes themselves - it’s pretty universal regardless of gender or sexual orientation. So what is it about sex with someone you don’t know that gets so many people so hot and bothered? Before I go there, I want to acknowledge that there is a spectrum when it comes to how people define “stranger.” Some are purists and want a truly anonymous hookup with someone they’ve never seen before, whose name and history they don’t know. Others have a looser definition of “anonymous”: They will exchange first names, and maybe a few pleasantries or emails, but then it’s right to the sex. Still others
need to have just enough information to feel comfortable that the person is sane and safe. “My favorite thing about sex with people who are new to me is that it’s so fraught with possibility,” says Katie, a 30-year-old software consultant who lives in Vancouver. “It is based almost entirely on chemistry, not on what their job is, or if they meet my criteria for a ‘real relationship.’ You have no idea what’s in front of you, and it has the potential to be every amazing thing you are looking for.” The charge of the unknown and the possibility for pure bliss can be powerful aphrodisiacs for many people. Plus, when an encounter is free of emotional investment or baggage, you’re free - free to be yourself, free to be someone else, free to express yourself in any way you want because the other person doesn’t know you. On the flip side, you can create a fantasy about who the other person is, project your desires onto him or her, tune in to the sexual dynamic, without worrying if you’ll be compatible with your clothes on. “Sometimes it feels like gambling, in the sense that I’m walking into an intimate encounter without enough information to predict how it will culminate,” says Rita Seagrave (KinkMogul.com), a sex and BDSM educator from Columbus who teaches a popular class called “Playing With Strangers.” “I know there’s going to be some sort of jackpot, but I don’t know what that’s going to look like.” Andrew, a fiftysomething guy from New York City, likes anonymous sex for different reasons: “It often lacks a certain depth, and that can sometimes help me focus all of the energy of the encounter right there at the conjunction of two groins. No preconceptions, no expectations: ‘Put it here, pal!’ It can simplify the act of getting off.” Winston Wilde, a therapist from Los Angeles with a doctorate in human sexuality, says that many of his clients engage in some form of stranger sex. The majority of the gay men he treats do, but they also seem to have greater access to potential partners, whether it’s cruising in public places, going to bathhouses, or hooking up through the Web. “Most people look
at anonymous sex with morality and judgment and rarely talk about any positive aspects,” he notes. It’s true: Before you finish telling them about the hot chick in the bathroom stall last night, most psychologists (armchair and otherwise) will cry intimacy issues and fear of commitment. Dr. Wilde has a different take: “Because there is no emotional investment in a relationship, there is no history and no future. The experience can be all about the here and now. It’s not about attachment. It’s very Zen.” Katie, who’s bisexual, says it’s very easy to find sexual hookups online (via Craigslist or dating sites), at sex and kink events, or just at the grocery store. But like most women, she acknowledges that safety is an issue. “Some people get off on the danger,” Dr. Wilde says. “There’s a thrill and a rush that goes along with the sex, whether they admit it or not. Women are usually more cautious and need a sense of safety.” Rita tries to walk the fine line between knowing enough and knowing too much: “It’s difficult to find safe hookups with strangers. While flirting, I am trying to find out as much as I can about this person, but not so much that we don’t feel like strangers. At the very least, I want to figure out if we are compatible, and be alert about any red flags that pop up. I want to make sure they will respect my boundaries before, during, and after our encounter. I want to make sure they understand that I’m not looking for a new boyfriend or girlfriend.” But is it always just about the sex? Rita believes that there is an emotional connection in all her encounters, even the ones with strangers: “With people I love, there is, of course, that deeper sense of intimacy and connectedness. I think sex with strangers is like taking my shirt off and walking topless in a warm summer rainstorm, while sex with my long-term committed partner is like sharing an umbrella and pulling each other close.” Please visit puckerup.com.
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
96 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
SEX TALK by Simon Sheppard
SPEAKING OF
GROUPS
If three’s a crowd, then how does four sound? Five? Ten? Even more? The idea of a whole bunch of men having sex may sound slightly scary to some, but for most of us, it’s a “kid in a candy store” situation. Says one enthusiastic group-sex guy, “I can be a bit shy, so the first time I got involved with more than one man, I was something of a wallflower. But since then I’ve learned to relax, and now it’s a matter of the more, the merrier.” Certainly, an orgy has some sexy advantages over a one-on-one. Perhaps most obviously, there’s choice...and abundance. Face it: Having more than one dick within shouting distance can’t be bad. Exhibitionists get to show off for a bigger audience. Voyeurs get to see more meat. And it’s not just a matter of how many whos you can do. There are more things to do with them, too. If one guy isn’t into feet or frottage or whatever you feel like fucking with, there may be another who thinks it’s the biggest turn-on in the world. Then there are those activities that take more than two. Ever have the urge to be doubleteamed, with one guy using your mouth and another fucking your ass? How about being held down by your hands and feet while you blow one man and another sucks you? The bigger the cast of characters, the more baroque the boffing can get. Booty by the bunch is a boon to pacing, too. If one partner gets temporarily tired, or cums and loses interest, odds are there will be two men to take his place, all erect and raring to go. There’s also the party-mood aspect. A group grope is less likely to seem like an intense search for a boyfriend, and more like a big ol’ dick-sucking shindig, just plain fucking fun. Group sex is a perfect situation for exploration, whether trying out a specific activity, or dipping a toe into the whole hot sea of male/male contact. Compared to one-on-ones, there’s decreased performance anxiety and less possibility of emotional entanglements. Which is not say that everything’s perfect in orgyland. As another partygoer says, “I’ve been in group situations that morph quickly from good sex to nightmare.” Sadly, there are men who just don’t seem to know how to behave. Sometimes substance
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
abuse is to blame - one rowdy drunk or tweaker can wreck a sex party. And sometimes the mix of men just isn’t right, leading to awkwardness for all concerned. “I’ve been in groups where we all knew each other to start with, and in others that were put together over the Internet,” our partygoer says. “And while it’s fun to have fresh meat, things usually go more smoothly if it’s friends who are doing the screwing.” “Sure, commercial sex clubs can be fun,” says a homosexual host, “but there you have guys coming and going, and no control over who shows up. I’d much rather invite some men over to my house for an evening of dick.” If you’re the one putting together a group, there are things to keep in mind. When you come up with an invitation list - or propose a sex session to a bunch of pals - keep compatibility foremost. If fucking’s on the menu, for example, try to balance out the tops and bottoms. Remember that the dynamics for a group of four men is different from a posse of 12. And make sure everybody knows the ground rules, including standards of safe sex and substance use. Even if the group is impromptu, it’s important to deal with such things before the clothes come off. And if you find yourself in a group grope? Even when you have a hard-on, behave. Be a team player. As our partygoer says, “It’s irritating when two guys hit it off, go off into a corner, and act as though the rest of us don’t exist.” Sure, you’re not expected to play with guys you find outright unattractive. But be polite with your brush-offs. Conversely, if several guys are already playing, don’t just barge in: wait for a sign they want you to join them. Above all, be ready for the unexpected. Stay flexible and keep things fluid - though not to the point of messiness. Whether it’s a bunch of frat brothers out for some fun, or a clutch of hardened leathermen performing elaborate bondage rituals, a group of horny guys can provide thrills found nowhere else. So go ahead. Get it on with a group. Simon Sheppard is the editor of Homosex: Sixty Years of Gay Erotica, and the author of Sex Parties 101, Kinkorama, and In Deep: Erotic Stories, and can be reached at SexTalk@qsyndicate.com. Visit Simon at www.simonsheppard.com.
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 97
SAVAGE LOVE by Dan Savage
I’m a 33-year-old man, married eight years and mostly happy. My problem seems common: My wife has lost interest in sex. We have sex once every two months, maybe once a month if I’m lucky. When we do have sex, it seems to be good for both of us. It wasn’t always this way - we used to have great chemistry and were both GGG in better days. I’ve always been faithful, but I’m nearing some kind of tipping point. On a recent business trip, I visited a strip club for the first time. Even though I knew the attention I was getting was fake, it still did the trick. Feeling desired, even in a superficial way, is something I’ve been missing. Once, a long time ago, my wife mentioned that she would be okay with me going to a strip club, so I feel like I haven’t violated our relationship. But I feel like I’m getting pretty close to the boundary. I don’t know what to do. I could try more communication, possibly even try to get us into counseling, but I wonder if that’s fair. The situation doesn’t seem to be a problem for her and every time we talk about it I feel like I’m hurting her feelings. I could also just give up and try to find ways to meet my needs elsewhere. But the thought of potentially hurting her or even losing her as a result is unbearable. I’ve also wondered if a change of medication could help - I know loss of sexual appetite can be a side effect of the birth-control medication my wife takes. Ready To Pop First, RTP, I’m sitting on stacks of mail from spouses - husbands and wives - who aren’t getting any at home, much less halfway decent sex on a bimonthy-or-better basis. So while I appreciate your frustration - I’d be fucking holes I’d kicked in the walls if my boyfriend put out just six times a year - let’s
recognize that (1) things could be worse and (2) you have a decent base here on which to build. Second, RTP, yes to everything - yes to a new form of birth control (perhaps you could get a vasectomy), yes to packing your asses off to counseling (find a counselor who doesn’t believe that the husband is always at fault), and yes to more open and honest communication. A few more yeses: Yes to getting the wife’s hormones checked (how are her testosterone levels?), yes to looking at depression as a possible underlying cause (and good luck eliminating depression if it is), and yes to the occasional visit to a strip club (just as a matter of principle). Third, RTP, and most importantly… Yes to hurting the wife. Telling her about your unhappiness and forcing this issue will hurt her feelings, RTP, but catching you cheating will hurt much, much more. Finally, RTP, I’m thinking that you wrote to me and not, say, Zombie Ann Landers because you were looking for permission to cheat. I have been known to issue a license to cheat now and then, but I can’t in your case. You had a decent sex life early on - good chemistry, greater frequency, GGG action - and you “enjoy” a not-dead-yet sex life now. With some effort, some balls, and some incentive (no license to cheat), you should be able to revive this thing. I am a 31-year-old gay male and have been with my 27-year-old boyfriend for a year. It’s been absolutely amazing and he’s everything I’ve ever wanted. We’ve had some issues concerning trust and communication because our previous relationships failed due to infidelity and being lied to, but we’ve been working on that in therapy. Where it gets complicated is that he proposed on our one-year anniversary. I told him that I thought it was too soon and that I wanted to resolve any and all trust issues
before committing to marriage. Needless to say he was hurt, but he said that he would get over it and would ask me again in a year. My question: Is it possible that I have done irreparable damage to this relationship? Should I have said yes (as I do see myself marrying him someday)? Did I Make A Mistake Seeing as how something as trivial as an ill-considered comment or an unexpected facial can do irreparable harm to a relationship, DIMAM, it stands to reason that something as major as a declined marriage proposal can do lasting harm. I’m not saying that you necessarily fucked things up irreparably by not accepting your boyfriend’s proposal - it’s a good thing that you take marriage seriously enough not to want to rush into it - but if you do see yourself marrying this man one day, you might want to go back and say yes. Accepting a marriage proposal, DIMAM (and all the other gays and lesbians confronting this issue now, thanks to California), only means you’re engaged. An engagement doesn’t obligate you to follow through with the wedding; think of it as going steady on steroids. It does obligate you to move toward marriage in good faith, to work on “any and all” issues that can be resolved and keep your eyes peeled for deal-breaking issues that can’t, and to shit or get off the pot within a reasonable period of time. But that’s all. Oh, and speaking of gays marrying… Homos are marrying in California as of this week (congrats to all), and should a tornado or an earthquake or a meteor or the Incredible Hulk - flatten, say, San Francisco’s City Hall during a big gay wedding, respected leaders of the religious right will rush to cable broadcast studios to insist that the tornado/earthquake/meteor/Hulk was God’s divine judgment, His righteous wrath, the Baby Jesus’s latest
temper tantrum, wocka wocka wocka. “I believe that the judgment of God is a very real thing,” said the Rev. John Hagee, John McCain’s ex-BFF, when asked about Hurricane Katrina, which struck New Orleans just before a “massive homosexual rally,” aka an annual street party called “Southern Decadence,” was supposed to take place in the French Quarter. “I believe that the Bible teaches that when you violate the law of God, that God brings punishment sometimes before the day of judgment. And I believe that Hurricane Katrina was, in fact, the judgment of God against the city of New Orleans.” And God got his way: By drowning all those little old ladies in their attics in the Ninth Ward, God prevented that massive gay rally for one year. So how does a douchebag like Hagee explain away the tragedy in Iowa last week? A tornado struck a Boy Scout camp, killing four and injuring scores more, and the Scouts are famously antigay and antiatheist. Well, we need only to consult the same interview with Rev. Hagee to learn the answer: While all natural phenomena represent God’s “permissible will,” says Hagee, “it is wrong to say that every natural disaster is the result of sin… No man on Earth knows the mind of God.” See how that works? Not every natural disaster is the result of sin, you see, because sometimes natural disasters happen to us, not just to them, and when they happen to us, well, the Lord sure moves in mysterious ways, and no man on Earth knows the mind of God. But let a natural disaster strike San Francisco this week, next week, or ever again, and Rev. Hagee will be able to read the mind of God like it was a large-print edition of Highlights for Children. Download the Savage Lovecast (my weekly podcast) every Tuesday at www.thestranger.com/savage. mail@savagelove.net
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
98 • OUTLOOK WEEKLY
2008 Merion Village Garden Tour The Merion Village Association proudly presents the 9th Annual Merion Village Garden Tour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m, July 6. The event is held rain or shine. A delightful collection of 10 of the finest gardens in Merion Village will be featured, ranging from larger, more expansive gardens to smaller, more private settings. Of particular note is a public garden that was formerly the site of an abandoned carry-out. Adopted in 2001 by the Urban Achievers 4H Group and neighborhood volunteers, it is exemplary of urban greenspaces and adaptive re-use. Whether you come to get new ideas for your own garden, to explore the historic streets and homes of Merion Village, or just to enjoy the holiday weekend outdoors, you are sure to enjoy this unique, not for profit event. Please join us for this annual holiday tradition. Explore at your own pace. Gardens may be visited in any order. Since it’s inception in 1999, the Merion Village Garden Tour remains FREE to the public. Tour maps will be available at the Merion Village Information Center 1330 S. Fourth Street, and also available for download from www.merionvillage.org The Merion Village Information Center will be open the day of the tour, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for tour maps, refreshments and rest room breaks. Neighborhood information and Merion Village Association memberships will also be available. As always, the Merion Village Garden Tour would not be possible without the partnership of our sponsors. The Tour remains free, thanks to their generosity: Columbus alive!, Capitol Engrossing, Coldwell Banker-King Thompson, Dill’s Greenhouse, Dooley & Company Realtors, German Village Coffee Shop, Giant Eagle, The Gledhill Group, HER Realtors Vutech & Ruff, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream, Merion Village Dental, The Arlington Bank, Thurn’s Meats, The Thurman Café, Easy Street Café, Fisher’s Greenhouse, Smith Dodson Lumber & Millwork, Cap Party Supplies, and The Fifth-Third Bank Proceeds benefit the Merion Village Association, The Southwood Elementary Parent-Teachers Organization, and the Urban Achievers 4H Group 43 East Mithoff St: Our garden features a natural stone patio with an awning overhead. We have brick paved sidewalks and a small pond and fountain. We grow a grape arbor and have many perennials and some ornamental trees. The front yard sidewalks are lined with boxwood bushes, wrought iron fencing, perennials and ornamental trees, including a land-
scaped flower bed. 62 East Mithoff St: The garden, situated on a corner lot, evolved without a plan. Many botanical specimens have found a home here, though their names have been long forgotten. Each project completed on a whim, each branch snipped at a moments notice. Our garden can provide ideas and hope to those who don’t know where to begin. It inspires you to simply dig in. 130 East Mithoff St: My garden was inspired by Noony Knowles, my husband’s grandmother, who lived in Oxford, England. She introduced me to heirloom plants, which make up a good portion of my garden. My garden is in the traditional English cottage style, where herbs and vegetables grow beside roses and lavender. In addition, Noony taught me about the importance of fragrance and vertical design in the garden. 131 East Mithoff St: The focal point of ths low maintenance yard is a naturalized pond surrounded by shade loving perennials. This is a work in progress, with plans to replace the deck with natural stone that wraps around the corner of the house. 269 East Mithoff St: Five years ago, a blank slate was created with trees and most plantings being removed. Each year the garden is a work in progress and is nowhere near completion. The ultimate goal is no grass or annual plantings. A tri-colored beech and a weeping purple fountain beech tree highlight the front yard along with several evergreens and hostas. The right side of the home has a butterfly bush garden. The back yard features a Koi and goldfish pond with natural stone and a distinctive waterfall. The specimen tree of the backyard is a Forest Pansy Redbud. Primary perennials are Iris Day lilies, Clematis, thorn-less blackberries and a climbing hydrangea. A mixture of wildflowers is included in the planting beds to add color in the fall. 304 Hanford St: The entrance is through an arbor of roses into a shady area enriched by a soft stream and accented by a goldfish pond. Follow the path into an open area with herbs, vegetables and assorted annuals and perennials. 1295 City Park Ave: Beautiful, private fenced-in sanctuary for peace and relaxation. Garden consists of multiple shaped beds full of hearty perennials, roses, tropical plants and annuals as accents. The stone walkway leads you through this whimsical garden, past the twotier deck with a pond, to a large stone patio with a sunken fire pit, for hours of fun and conversation. This garden also features a bountiful vegetable and flower cutting garden. Stop by,
explore, and lay in the hammock for some peaceful relaxation. 1358 South Fourth St: This young garden began just two years ago when we moved to Merion Village. We literally started from scratch. The front yard was cleared to create the current beds, while the backyard received a complete overhaul, and the old-fashioned brick pathway was re-paved. Though the garden is still in it’s early stages of development, it features a beautiful pergola, a new deck and a serene water feature complete with Koi and frogs. Numerous perennials and annuals bring color to this quaint garden living space. 1557 South High St: My garden is filled with lavish perennials and colorful annuals, with backdrops of evergreen specimen plants. The focal point is a large pond with aquatic plants, foliage and a waterfall. The purposeful use of color, texture and design comes through in the many containers that adorn the yard. 241 West Morrill Ave: One of Merion Village’s hidden gems. Originally the site of an abandoned carry-out, that was torn down leaving a vacant, overgrown lot to host illegal activity, this pocket park is exemplary of the possibilities for urban greenspaces surrounding all of us. In 2001, the site was adopted by the Urban Achievers 4H and nearby neighbors. It has thrived under their attentive care and determination. Finding nature in an urban setting can be challenging. The pocket park provides a refuge for many species of birds and small animals in the many Blue Spruce and White pine trees. Mature perennials and flowering perennials line the winding path through this wonderful urban greenspace. Additions this year include a butterfly garden full of native plants to attract butterflies and birds. With the efforts of the Urban Achievers 4H group, the park will soon qualify as a “Designated Wild Life Area” 1330 South Fourth St: Merion Village Information Center. Tour maps, refreshments, restrooms and information
COLUMBUS NEXT MEETING: JULY 9, 6P-8P; LOCATION: OHIO ART LEAGUE : ART & WINE EVENT - 954 NORTH HIGH ST
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008
WWW.NETWORKCOLUMBUS.COM
OUTLOOK WEEKLY • 99
fin
THE LAST WORD by Jennifer Vanasco
IT’S PRIDE. COME ON IN. It is easy to feel like you’re not part of the community. I get letters like that sometimes, with readers wondering what community I’m talking about, exactly, when I say “the gay community.” Whatever I mean, they don’t feel part of it. Gay organizations don’t represent them, they say, or they’re not necessarily recognized as gay on the street by others who obviously are, or all their friends are straight, or they don’t like gay people, or they don’t fit any gay stereotype. Maybe they’re Republican. Or bi. Or too feminine a woman, or too masculine a man, or they couldn’t care less about marriage, the military and the church. Maybe they just came out, after being married to a woman for 20 years. Or maybe they have married a man, after being partnered their whole adult lives to a woman. Maybe it’s something else. But whatever it is, they don’t feel recognized, or involved, or accepted. When they think of “the gay community,” they don’t think it includes them. Maybe you don’t think it includes you. But our community doesn’t have doors and it doesn’t have gates. If you want to be part of it, you are. Welcome. I know it doesn’t always feel like that. I have lived in neighborhoods, like I did when I was first out, like I do now, where I may see other gay people
on the street from time to time, but I do not know them. I have been through periods when most of my friends are straight, or when the stated concerns of our national organizations aren’t my current concerns. There have been years when I’ve looked around and thought: There is nobody at this lesbian bar who looks like me. There have been seasons when I felt rejected, or unwelcome, or unliked. Days when I wasn’t sure I wanted to be gay anymore. Times when everyone seemed to like the same things, look the same way, think in the same narrow channels – everyone except for me. But the gay world is a big place. It can seem like we live in the small town of Gay, but we are a giant segment of the population and we are not all the same. There are gays who own guns. Lesbians who model. Our brothers work in fashion, media, and music, but also construction, accounting, finance. Our sisters are plumbers and social workers, but also doctors, hairstylists, scientists, interior designers. We are Republican, Democrat, Independent, Libertarian, Green. We don’t vote. We run for office. We play pool in our local bar league. We haven’t set foot in a gay bar since 1983. We own cats, we hate them, we’ve decorated our apartment like a magazine spread, our clothes are in milk crates.
We are butch, femme, androgynous. Sometimes who we are depends on the day. We care about gay history. We don’t. Our walls are devoted to Tom of Finland. We love Andy Warhol. We dress our walls in bunnies and unicorns. We only read gay authors. We will never read gay authors. We don’t care if an author is gay or not. We play an instrument, we play football, we play the lottery, we play for keeps. We take to the streets whenever we see injustice. We are gender queer, we are gender traditional, we are gender neutral, we are the whole conversation around gender makes us shake our heads. We hate the song YMCA. We are totally baffled by musicals, or the love of Cher, or flagging, or the ‘L’ Word, or the Michigan Womyns Music Festival, or all of the above. Our email signature says, “I can’t even think straight.” We display the rainbow flag every pride. We have never owned one. Others have made the mistake of stereotyping us because of our sexual orientation, and often we make that mistake, too. Being gay and lesbian says nothing about us except – well, that we’re gay and lesbian. It doesn’t define our politics, our positions, our jobs, our appearance. To be part of the community, the only door you have to burst through is the one guarding the closet. After that, you’re part of us. Forever. And
whether we agree with you or not, whether we look like you or not, we welcome you as family. It’s Pride. Come on in. Jennifer Vanasco is an award-winning, syndicated columnist. Email her at jennifer.vanasco@gmail.com; Watch her video blog, The Gay Agenda, every Friday on VisibleVote08.com.
HOROSCOPES by Jack Fertig
CANCER (Jun 21 - Jul 22): Sex is so tied to marketing in our culture that everyone should ask him- or herself: How much of your sexual persona is really you, and how much is an effort to conform to an image? Be very clear about your authentic needs and desires.
LIBRA (Sep 23 - Oct 22): You may be taking yourself and your career just a little too seriously. A little fun and some creative effort will offer a much-needed spark of brilliance. Don’t just wait for inspiration - create your own!
CAPRICORN (Dec 21 - Jan 19): Is partnership an end in itself, or should your relationship serve other goals or values? Is your search for a relationship distracting you from more important goals? Take time to sort out these issues twice - once by yourself, and once with your partner or a good friend.
ARIES (Mar 20 - Apr 19): Dissatisfied with home and community? Focus on what you want them to be and how to get there. You will find resistance to your ideas, so invite others to share their perspectives. Be open to new ideas that are in synergy with your own.
LEO (Jul 23 - Aug 22): Pull back from society and attention the way you’d pull an arrow back in a bow. Withdrawal should build tension, helping you to focus on what you really need to aim for in your relationships.
SCORPIO (Oct 23 - Nov 21): You may prefer to be anywhere else but home, but your attention is required there. Wherever you’d rather be may offer clues to improving the domestic or community issues that you are avoiding.
AQUARIUS (Jan 20 - Feb 18): It can be easy to lose yourself in your work. That may be OK - if you can find yourself there as well. If your work doesn’t nurture you, consider what sort of work would, and how to get that job.
TAURUS (Apr 20 - May 20): Expressing your feelings too forthrightly can bother folks in charge, causing setbacks at work. Have a trustworthy, sympathetic friend you can vent with. That pal could even offer advice to help you get ahead.
VIRGO (Aug 23 - Sep 22): Being clear in your ideals is a good beginning, but it’s only that. More important in the long run is the work it will take to bring those ideals closer to reality. The task at hand may seem counterintuitive. Think it through first, but act!
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 - December 20): Your sex appeal usually gets a boost this time of year, but the question for you now is, what does sex communicate? Opening up to your partner, being attentive verbally and otherwise, are challenges worth taking on.
PISCES (February 19 - March 19): Dreams should inform creative efforts, but yours seem to be at odds. Relax, trust in a “higher power,” God, or simple inspiration, and let go of the results you had planned. You could come up with something much better!
GEMINI (May 21 - Jun 20): The temptation to spend impulsively is key to your spiritual questions. Try resisting the impulse to see what frustration comes up. What you’re reaching for may offer clues to what you want at a deeper level.
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.
JUN 26 - JUL 09 2008