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2014
CONTENTS 6 THE TASTE BUDS Food Trucks
8 SCENE Hellin Bedd: Always Colorful
10 SCENE: LEGACY Fred and Howard
11 MOVIES Summer Movies Shoot Straight
12 PARENTING I Have To Go Potty!
14 GAY GAMES A Game Everyone Can Play
16 Bartender of the Month Laurie Barron, Little Rock
18 SCENE 2014 HRC Gala
20 SEXPERT Sexual Independence
22 FEATURE Lance Demaline: Future of Equality
26 PERSPECTIVE Loving Ourselves
28 PRIDE YEARBOOK 2014: Created Equal
32 DEVELOPMENT The Columbus Parklet Project Pops Up Downtown
34 SARA SHARES Give Your Shoulder Angel Her Due
36 COUPLE Kaleisha Johnson + Carolyn Evergin
42 FITNESS Playing Safe This Summer
45 ADJOURN Angel Lemke | Finding Our Freedom Lance Demaline | Model Ray Lavoie | Photographer
On the Cover:
Quorum Columbus Magazine is published monthly by Qmunity, LLC. Quorum Columbus Magazine issues are FREE at distribution locations throughout the greater Columbus area. COPYRIGHT© 2014 Quorum Columbus Magazine. Reproduction without expressed written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. All rights in letters, manuscripts, photographs, drawings, illustrations, and artwork sent to Quorum Columbus Magazine will be treated as assigned for publication and copyright purposes and are subject to Quorum Columbus Magazine and Qmunity, LLC terms and conditions. All models are at least18 years of age. All photographs included are posed for by professional models or willing participants in Quorum Columbus Magazine except as otherwise noted. Neither said photographs nor accompanying editorial is indicative of sexual orientation. The publisher of the magazine does not assume responsibility for statements by advertisers. ALL CONTENT AND RELATED MEDIA ARE COPYRIGHTED © 2014 BY QUORUM COLUMBUS MAGAZINE. All rights reserved.
JUly
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quorum crew Jerry Turnes
Andrew Johnson
Multimedia Creative Manager / Designer
Feature Writer
Angel Lemke
Erik Hays
Managing Editor
CFO
Patrick Butler
JM Rayburn
Heather Doughty
Craig Chadwell
Mike Moffo
Columnist
Photographer
Graphic Designer Illustrator
Graphic Designer Social Media Manager
Graphic Designer
Columnist Graphic Designer
Columnist Account Executive
Sara Ernest
Michael Greenhouse
John Henry, Jr
Bowen Marshall
Adrian Jay Neil-Hobson
Allyson Fridley
Columnist
Columnist
Columnist
Columnist
Columnist
Photographer
Mike Lovett
Josh McConaughy
Kris Littler
Joshua McCarty
Contributor
Distribution Coordinator
Isaac Bendele
Mickey J. Hart
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Editor
Amy Tannenbaum
Also on the crew:
Ray LaVoie, Feature Photographer Clayton Walter, Contributor Meg Alley, Contributor Lori Hollenbaugh, Event Coordinator Clare Hughes, Graphic Designer Mimi Webb, Scene
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Bigger and Better | MICKEY J. HART Columbus is an amazing, progressive and LGBTQ-friendly city. I realize this is not news to anyone who lives here, but I feel it needs to be noted while in the afterglow of Pride weekend. The Pride festivities have become a city-wide celebration with many Columbus-based corporations and TV stations taking part. It just keeps getting bigger and better! This month we welcome Angel Lemke to the Quorum crew as our Managing Editor. In the short time she has been with us, I have come to appreciate the gifts she brings to our publication. We are thrilled to have her on board; she will elevate the quality and depth of Quorum Columbus. In this issue, Andrew Johnson, our newly appointed feature writer, spotlights Lance Demaline with Columbus HRC and efforts to impact the future of equality, Taste Buds Craig Chadwell and Mike Moffo offer a sampling of favorite Columbus food trucks, and Sexpert John Henry shares a reflection sexual independence. We also cover those getting ready to make a splash at the Gay Games 9 in August, review steps for a safe and active summer, learn about the “parklet� movement and get some potty training. To wrap up and fully welcome her to the crew, we give Angel Lemke the last word with the Adjourn column. Mickey J. Hart Editor
#jointhequorum
Far From Ordinary Street Meat TASTE BUDS
| CRAIG CHADWELL & MIKE MOFFO THE HEAT AND HUSTLE of summer is now in full swing. Whether you’re out and about looking for a quick bite or heading home after an evening involving “a few” cocktails, you should definitely check out the multitude of food trucks around Columbus. This month, The Taste Buds took their spirit of food adventure out on the road to bring you some of the city’s must-visit food trucks. Let’s jump right in with the Taco Trucks. They’re everywhere! Our favorite, Junior’s Tacos, resides in the side lot of the Dairy Family Convenience Store at Fifth and Highland Avenues. Our recommendations include the carnitas/pork taco for Mike and the fish taco for Craig. (Yeah, yeah. Go ahead and snicker. They’re amazing.) Two soft corn shells wrap around each taco. To learn about Junior’s and keep up with the latest on this food genre in Columbus, go to tacotruckscolumbus.com. If you happen to be at Seventh Son Brewing Company, 1101 North Fourth Street, you’re almost sure to find a great food truck there. Between Teodora’s Kitchen, featuring Panamanian foods, Challah!, featuring traditional Jewish deli foods, or That Food Truck, featuring local products and grass-fed meats, there is always a variety of great grub. Each of these is worth a taste! Check out Seventh Son’s food truck schedule at seventhsonbrewing.com, or keep up with That Food Truck at:facebook.com/ThatFoodTruck.
If you haven’t tossed down a 1/6-pie sized slice of Mikey’s goodness, then you haven’t experienced some of the best food truck fare.
At Four String Brewing Company, and various places around town, you’ll find another favorite of the more traditional carnivore variety: OH! Burgers. These gourmet mini-burgers (we won’t insult them by using the word “sliders”) are worth the hunt. Because they’re small and because variety is the proverbial spice of life, we suggest trying a couple different burgers. A standard burger and a BBQ burger are a good onetwo. The price is reasonable and the quality is great. Their sweet potato chips are a must! You can track down OH! Burgers at: facebook.com/OHBurgers. You know we can’t wrap up a food truck review without hitting Columbus’s venerable king of food trucks: Mikey’s Late Night Slice. If you haven’t tossed down a 1/6-pie sized slice of Mikey’s goodness, then you haven’t experienced some of the best food truck fare. We suggest a slice of the Spicy-Ass Pepperoni drizzled lightly with the signature Slut Sauce. (If you don’t know about Slut Sauce, we don’t have space to explain. Just trust us on this one.) Mikey’s is an amazing LGBTQ community ally that appreciates all people, so they definitely deserve support! And hey, where else are you going to find 20-plus varieties of Faygo soda? Follow Mikey’s trucks at: latenightslice.com. Other Food Trucks that deserve an honorable mention include Ajumama Korean, Pitabilities, Dan’s Deli, and Explorer’s Club. To track a food truck when the urge hits or if you’re just feeling like getting out of your normal “grub groove,” check out: • foodfort.com • roaminghunger.com/cmh • streeteatscolumbus.com You can catch them all in one place on August 15 & 16 at the annual Columbus Food Truck Festival held at the Columbus Commons. Learn more at columbusfoodtruckfest.com. The Taste Buds will be ready! Craig & Mike have been a couple for more than 12 years and were married in Washington, DC, in 2011. They are the proud parents of three young adults. They appreciate friends, riding their motorcycles, reasonably-priced local eateries, good wine, and a nice IPA beer.With the amazing number of excellent locally-owned restaurants in Columbus, they always encourage you to “eat local” to support local businesses.
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JULY 2014
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SCENE
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Fred & Howard: C ommitted C ommunity SCENE: LEGACY
| MICKEY J. HART
B uilders
The unveiling of a commemorative plaque in German Village on June 17th was a reminder that today’s LGBTQ community stands on the shoulders of some amazing activists, organizers and trail blazers. Hausfrau Haven was very lively, as more than 80 friends, neighbors and well-wishers gathered to celebrate the legacy of Fred Holdridge and Howard Burns. The couple, who were life and business partners for more than 50 years, were the founding proprietors of Hausfrau Haven, community organizers, activists and merry makers. The event began with videographer John Clark presenting an oral history video about the men. After the crowd made its way outside, Geoff Schmidt, whose family’s restaurant made the plaque possible, shared a few stories. Prior to unveiling the plaque on the storefront, Beth Ervin offered a dedication lauding the couple’s commitment to historic preservation, to the neighborhood and to enjoying life. Ervin said, “Today we are dedicating this plaque to two unique human beings who had a huge and lasting impact on our very special neighborhood. It also will serve as a valuable reminder of the importance of community pride, without taking ourselves too seriously.” In addition to honoring Holdridge and Burns, the society also presented the 2014 Fred & Howard Award to long-time village members Ed and Barb Elberfeld. The roots of the Columbus LGBTQ community are deep in German Village. In recognition of this, the German Village Society is developing the Gay Pioneers in German Village Tour. Test versions of the tour with feedback session will be conducted on July 24, August 2and August 10. Each tour is limited to 15 people. To take part in one of the test tours email: smarsom@germanvillage.com. See the commemorative video: GermanVillage.com
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PHOTOS | Allyson Fridley
MOVIES | CLAYTON WALTER WHERE ARE THE gay superheroes? The gay gunslingers, action heroes and adventurers? Where are the gay vampires, explorers, aliens and athletes? It’s easy to wonder about the film industry’s lack of gay protagonists in the midst of summer blockbuster season. Every weekend for a few months, giant movies are being unleashed on the spectacle-starved masses, who are treated to a slew of explosions and car chases, along with a skimpy side dish of hetero romance. You’d be hard-pressed to find a gay or bisexual protagonist amongst the uber-straight ranks of Wolverine and his ilk. Even in the specialty market, the LGBTQ offerings are few and far between: a documentary like Before You Know It here, a small-scale drama such as Love is Strange there. That the heroes of summer are all straight is no surprise: the big studios are most interested in targeting teenage boys, who love their stunts and are the most likely group to drive a box office to mammoth numbers. What’s more alarming is the lack of any sexual minority supporting characters.
Most movies (and TV shows, plays, etc.) about LGBTQ characters are about dealing with their sexual other-ness. There are lots of movies about a character coming out, and coming to terms with who he or she is. The other major camp is the LGBTQ romance, which often comes with the characters’ baggage of being comfortable with PDA, introducing their love interest to friends and family and other typical relationship hurdles that they might find more daunting than those in hetero relationships. What I crave, and what I imagine others do, too, are characters of incidental sexuality. A great example is Aaron Yoo’s character, Thom, in Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist. Thom is a character who is gay, but is also other things: musician, friend, comedic relief. The audience knows that Thom is gay, but it isn’t his defining trait. There are other things on his mind than anxiety about his place in society and the possibility of finding love. This isn’t to say that anxiety and romance and all the other turbulent emotional dimensions of being a sexual minority shouldn’t be fodder for storytellers on the big screen. There are tons of great movies that focus on such experiences. But a character being gay, or lesbian, or transgender, or bisexual, is only a sliver of a fully formed character: it’s an important characteristic, perhaps even the most important for many, but there’s no reason to stop and solely focus on a character’s gender identity and sexual orientation. While I don’t expect Hollywood to start reimagining its comic book money-makers as gay crusaders, or to have a lesbian superspy take on a world threat in some theoretical original blockbuster (if such a thing exists anymore), here’s to hoping that the huge casts of these multi-million dollar projects start to reflect a greater diversity of people. Maybe it can help pave the way for a transgender person to someday save the world.
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PARENTING
| MEG ALLEY AHH, THE RESTROOM. What is an easy choice for most, has become a skillful navigation for our family. When many of us have to go, there is very little thought involved beyond locating the nearest available place, but for people who are transgender, the decision is far more complex. I never knew such complexities existed until I started raising a transgender child.
Much to my surprise, I discovered many interesting and creative methods to stand while peeing, most of which are made for adults, and more specifically, transgender adults (offering additional options that wouldn’t “fit” into Braelin’s pants). We narrowed it down to a bright pink silicone “funnel” with a tube attached. To our surprise, we discovered by chance that my mother already had one in her car!
My son Braelin and I were out to dinner a few weeks ago when he said that he had to go potty. Since Braelin is reaching an age at which most children no longer go to the restroom with their moms, without hesitation I said, “Just go. It’s right over there.” He stood up with a concerned look on his face and slipped into the seat next to me. He whispered, “But mommy, if I go in the girls’ room, they will chase me out, and if I go in the boys’ room, I’ll have to sit down and someone will notice.”
After some assistance, Braelin had accomplished his first stand-up-to-pee-like-a-boy and looked at me with the joy of a kid on Christmas morning. The excitement was magnetic. He insisted on calling Grandma to say thank you. I stood to the side and cried. My mom cried. In a single moment, all that complexity evaporated into delight and elation. Potty time could become less complex again.
It never crossed my mind until that moment how much energy goes into something as simple as going to the restroom. These are things that most people never have to contemplate. I am fully aware of the challenge, yet I still took for granted the privilege to know exactly where I can safely use the potty. Not only will Braelin face the typical challenges of most kids, he will also have to carefully maneuver his way in and out of the restroom. He might be old enough to use the boys’ room on his own, but what does he do when he gets there? I had never considered the difficulties that sitting down in the stall could create. Not everyone in this world is as accepting and tolerant as I hope. The potential for bullying and physical harm is real for him. Allowing him to use the boys’ room could be dangerous. How could I keep him protected or at least diminish the possibility of harm? If you’d have asked me before I had children if I’d ever be on a quest to find a device to allow a person with female genitals to stand to pee, I would have said that you were nuts. As parent, I am willing to go to any length to protect my young. It’s a primal instinct: If there is a chance I can ease his difficulty, I will. Period.
Allowing him to use the boys’ room could be dangerous.
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A Game Everyone Can Play GAY GAMES
| ANDREW JOHNSON That is one of the main reasons Dan Doremus, 37, is joining more than 10,000 athletes from around the world to compete at the 2014 Gay Games in Cleveland and Akron on August 9-16. Doremus, a swimmer and coach with the Columbus-based swim team Ohio Splash, will be joined by teammates Don Sgontz, Andrew Peppercorn and Rob Ellis. The Games were designed to change the perception of gay athletes and promote global inclusiveness in sports. They are open to any athlete, regardless of sexual orientation, race, age, gender or religion. It’s that synergy that appeals to Doremus. “Celebrating gays in sports is important to me because it’s an area where there is still marginalization,” he said, citing Michael
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Celebrating Gays in Sports
Sam, the first openly gay NFL player. “The fact that it’s in Cleveland, Ohio, in our backyard--there’s no way I could miss it.” Though Doremus, who started swimming when he was 6 months old, is hoping to have personal best times in his events (50-meter and 100-meter freestyle as well as the 50-meter, 100-meter and 200-meter breaststroke), he is mostly looking forward to competing with his friends and teammates from Splash. “I’m more excited about seeing a bunch of friends and fellow swimmers from Splash, who have either never competed in an event or are really new to it, have the experience of being in a big, international event with a lot of pomp and circumstance and seeing what that’s like,” he said.
One of those newer swimmers is Sgontz, 52, who has been swimming for only six months and is competing in his first Gay Games. “I wanted to force myself to get in shape,” he said. Sgontz is approaching the Games with one clear goal in mind: “not to embarrass myself,” adding that he is most looking forward to his 50 freestyle (he will also tackle the 100 freestyle and 50 breaststroke) because “it’s the one I know I can swim all out without dying.” Death hyperbole aside, he signed up because he wanted to be a part of what is probably a once-in-alifetime event for many people. “I want to experience the whole thing, with all of the gays. I want to be part of the biggest sporting event in the world.” Echoing Sgontz’s sentiments is Peppercorn, 36, who returned to swimming last year after a 17-year hiatus. “My work is very stressful. It (swimming) has changed my outlook on life,” he said. “By having an hour, every night, six nights a week, where all you have to do is focus on swimming down the lane and back--it’s truly a place of meditation of freedom. Until you’ve put on goggles and hopped in the water, you don’t really understand what that’s like.” Though it took some encouragement from a friend to sign up, he now realizes how necessary it was for him to compete. “I think it’s important I can prove to myself that I can do this. Entering my late 30s, to be able to compete again with all groups from all walks of life is very exciting,” he said. “More than anything else, just participating and being a part of history is reward enough.”
Though he can’t believe he’s spending his vacation in Cleveland, he is glad to have his family and friends see him compete. “I’ve pressured my partner to come,” he said, adding that his partner, Michael, is an organist for whom he has attended recitals, conventions and workshops. “He owes me.” It should be no surprise that the Ohio Splash teammates are excited to meet with a diverse group of people with various skill levels. It’s what they know. “Splash is always about the camaraderie. It’s filled with a team of people who came from all walks of life, all different ages, all different skill levels, who somehow coalesce as a team and get along,” Doremus said. “It has something for every type of
Celebrating gays in sports is important to me because it’s an area where there is still marginalization Ellis, 59, shares his teammates’ enthusiasm for meeting and competing against people from other countries. Unlike his teammates, however, he has elected to swim stamina events 400-meter, 800-meter and 1500-freestyle, in which he says he has the best chance of winning a medal, as well as the 200 and 400 individual medley races.
swimmer, from someone who can barely make it to the other end of the pool to someone who swims five days a week. You don’t have somebody excluded. We don’t have an A or B division or rec league. We just have one team.”
PHOTOS | Allyson Fridley
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BARTENDER OF THE MONTH | ANGEL LEMKE Laurie has been calling Little Rock home since the beginning in June 2013. A ten-year veteran of the industry, she loves working with a team of “extraordinarily talented” people. “That’s probably my favorite part of being a bartender, getting to hear variations on the human experience.” With live music, great conversations and beloved regulars, Little Rock gives Laurie a strong sense of community and always keeps her entertained. Laurie is especially proud that, during last month’s Pride Week, Little Rock celebrated their allyship to the LGBTQIA community by renaming their monthly dance party from “too darn loud” to “too darn proud.” Whether you stop in to check out the free jukebox, curated by the staff and featuring everything from Madonna to The Smiths, or to enjoy one (or more!) of the 30 beers on tap, you’re sure to agree with Laurie that Little Rock is a place where “it’s impossible to get bored.”
WHO:
Laurie Barron
WHERE:
Little Rock 944 North 4th Street Columbus, OH 43201 614-824-5602 littlerockbar.net
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COCKTAIL:
The Elvis Lamp Four Roses bourbon + Crabbies ginger beer *Served in a mason jar over ice with lime
FUN FACT:
Laurie recently started to learn the art of fire breathing/eating.
Photo | Joshua McCarty
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PHOTOS | RAY LAVOIE
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Columbus
HRC GALA 2014
SEXPERT SEXPERT
| JOHN HENRY, JR
INDEPENDENCE
THIS MONTH, WE celebrate the independence of our nation and our shared values of liberty, justice and equality. These ideals are what unite us as free members of society. However, when we think of these qualities, we often fail to consider them on an individual level. We understand them in the abstract as goals for which we should all strive, but how do we claim our own independence? Our sex lives share a similar struggle. When we talk about being sexually liberated, what does that really mean? Once again, we think about it in broad terms. Some may claim to be sexually free because they are not confined by rigid cultural norms and expectations. We often express this sexual independence by being open to new experiences with different partners. While these experiences free us from the confines of conformity, we are often oppressed by something much stronger. Constant fear of STIs, unplanned pregnancy and emotional trauma prevent us from being truly free. True sexual liberation comes on the individual level. Each person needs to discover what satisfies their desire and how to minimize fear. We have agency and choice when it comes to our sex lives. When I talk with people about harm and risk reduction, one thing I stress with everyone is having conversations with partners. There is nothing liberating about the fear of the unknown. Asking questions about someone’s sex life is never easy, but the benefits far outweigh the risks. If a potential partner refuses to have these conversations or is uncomfortable talking about these things, this may not be an ideal partner. It is very possible to be sex positive and health conscious. In fact, these two qualities combined are the only path to true sexual freedom. I encourage everyone to claim their own sexual independence.
Free confidential HIV and STI testing is available at ARC Ohio’s locations. Anonymous HIV testing is available. For more information call 614-299-2437 or visit ARCOhio.org
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FEATURE 22
JULY 2014
The Future of Equality | ANDREW JOHNSON IN HIS OWN WORDS, Lance Demaline isn’t sure what he wants for his future. Though the 29-year-old will soon earn his MBA from Ohio University, he doesn’t have a clear path on what he wants to do with his life. What he is certain about is his work with the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and pushing toward LGBTQ equality. Demaline’s involvement with the HRC Columbus started in 2010 when he and his partner, Mark Blair, attended the organization’s annual gala.“It was the first time that I realized there was an organization solely dedicated to promoting and advancing equality,” he said. “When I went to the dinner, everything clicked. I knew injustices occurred before that, but the dinner gave me the opportunity to engage and do something about it. Ever since then, I’m been fighting tirelessly.” Given that he enjoys entertaining and has a passion for fundraising, he joined the Federal Club, which hosts social events, such as house parties and happy hours, for members who donate an annual amount of at least $1,200. He is currently in his second year as cochair and recently received the organization’s New Leader of the Year award, which he earned for creating a positive culture in the Federal Club and bringing 12 new donors to the $1,200-or-more level of giving. Those funds help support the organization’s numerous tactics for reaching equality. The HRC is in the midst of trying to pass the Employee Non Discrimination Act (ENDA), which will protect employees from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. It also has a number of programs, including Workplace Discrimination, the anti-bullying program Welcoming Schools and the Global Engagement program, which reaches out to other LGBTQ organizations around the world.
we don’t fully understand what people before us have gone through
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FEATURE
“It’s that sharing of knowledge and education that Demaline says is vital to the campaign’s mission. “Engaging our youth is very important because I feel like, even in my generation, we don’t fully understand what people before us have gone through, people who had a tougher time growing up and being out. Our generation takes that for granted,” he said. “It means we’re changing, but we can never lose sight of where we’ve been…we can never lose sight of how much more work we have ahead of us.” A large part of that work is seeking marriage equality. Demaline has been with his partner for six years, and they both wear commitment rings. But he has said he is not getting married until it is legal in the state in which he lives. “I could go to Illinois and get married and get a certificate, but it’s not recognized in Ohio. It’s me standing up and making a point that says it’s still illegal for me to do this in Ohio,” he said. “I have friends that are getting married in other states. I don’t take away from that, but I don’t want them to lose sight that just because you’re married doesn’t mean that where you live, marriage is legal.”
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PHOTOS | RAY LAVOIE
“Columbus is very progressive. It’s very encouraging to see our local leadership and the LGBT community in general engage and come together as one,” he said. “From my own personal experience in Smalltown, USA, there are still prejudices and discrimination that occur…There’s a lot more work to be done, and we can’t lose sight of that because we live in Columbus or in Cleveland. Once you get outside of those areas, it’s not as friendly.“ Demaline came out at 22, but he wasn’t out to his family until he moved to Columbus, and moving to the city was his call to action. “I realized there’s a whole bunch of injustices that exist. I’m not one that can sit by and complain about it. I have to be part of a solution,” he said. “If we can make one child in rural Ohio feel comfortable coming out at an earlier age, then I feel like that’s a great success.” He knows achieving equal rights is going to be a fight, but it’s not one he’s prepared to quit any time soon. “It’s a steady process. As long as we’re steady, consistent and never give up, we’re going to have equality.”
FEATURE
Though Demaline celebrates Columbus for its progress – citing Columbus’ score of 100 on the HRC’s Municipality Index that ranks municipalities based on LGBTQ- friendly policies and procedures and Mayor Michael Coleman and the Columbus City Council being honored with HRC’s 2014 Equality Award – the Wauseon native recognizes that work still needs to be done in the state’s rural areas.
From my own personal experience in Smalltown, USA, there are still prejudices and discrimination that occur.
PERSPECTIVE
LOVING OURSELVES WHILE WE LOVE OTHERS
PERSPECTIVE
| ADRIAN JAY NEIL-HOBSON THROUGHOUT OUR LIVES we develop different relationships. It starts at birth with our parents and extended family and, as we grow, we start developing relationships that can last a lifetime with friends, co-workers and lovers. Relationships, no matter what kind, are a necessity for our growth, but what happens when a relationship becomes toxic or unhealthy? Recently two friends of mine attempted suicide after their intimate relationships failed. Each of them believed they had given all they could and did all they could do to make it work, but for some reason, no matter what, the relationship failed. They believed that they had invested every aspect of themselves into that relationship. They gave that other individual everything. As I listened to them discuss their experiences, I began to think about the times I have felt the same way, as if I had given so much of myself that I had nothing left to give and had nothing left to live for. I felt as though my life was over after the relationship ended, and no matter how badly they mistreated me, I wanted them back. It made me wonder where this comes from. How do we as human beings get ourselves into relationships that are unhealthy and leave us feeling even more empty and alone?
Sometimes loving yourself means letting go of those who aren’t contributing to your life in a healthy way.
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Relationships, no matter what form, should help you grow, challenge you to be better, and support you. They should never fully deplete you; instead, they should enhance your life. I know it is easier said than done, but if the relationship is not making you better, then you have to cut loose and move on. Sometimes we don’t focus enough on ourselves and this can be very dangerous. Relationships are a vital aspect in our development, but so is self-care! Sometimes loving yourself means letting go of those who aren’t contributing to your life in a healthy way. I am not saying that every relationship you encounter will be perfect all the time because it won’t. Friends argue, lovers argue and, of course, family argues; it’s a part of the relationship and healthy disagreements teach you things about that person and yourself. I am also not saying that you can’t sometimes give more to another person than you do yourself. That’s part of a relationship as well. You will find yourself giving more than the other person in certain ways, and vice versa. It is all about the balance. Yet, when you notice that you are giving more most or all of the time, you must pay attention. You must learn what your limits are. Not knowing what you are willing to accept can lead to physical, mental or emotional abuse. There is no quick and easy solution for this at all, but there is definitely a starting point. You have to first love yourself, which can be hard, especially if you grew up in an unloving environment. However, it can definitely be accomplished. Whether we care for ourselves by reading self-affirmations, seeking a psychologist, or surrounding ourselves with a loving community, it is imperative that each one of us knows how important we are and that we have a purpose and reason to why we are here. Let’s learn to not only embrace others, but to first embrace ourselves.
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PRIDE 2014: CREATED EQUAL
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PRIDE 2014: CREATED EQUAL
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PRIDE YEARBOOK PHOTOS | Allyson Fridley
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DEVELOPMENT DEVELOPMENT
THE COLUMBUS PARKLET PROJECT
DEVELOPMENT
| JM Rayburn JESS MATHEWS, an organizer of The Columbus Parklet Project, recently sat down with Quorum Columbus to tell us about plans to build the first parklet in Columbus on South Fourth Street. What is a parklet? A parklet is a parking space that is converted into “people” space. It is a mini park. In the space, people can sit and enjoy this extension of the sidewalk. It’s appealing to people because all we think when we think of streets are cars and parking. Streets have been underutilized, only serving one purpose. A parklet helps people reimagine the potential of streets and parking spaces. They disrupt the uniformity of street design by creating a space for vibrancy and for people to enjoy. San Francisco piloted the first parklet years ago. The city now has over 40 parking spaces converted into permanent parklets. When I visit San Francisco, my “to do” list always includes visit a parklet. The parklets there have become a destination for me. That’s what I want for Columbus. Why does Columbus need them? Like so many other cities, Columbus is ‘revitalizing’ itself. We’re finally taking note of the bigger picture and not just looking at what’s in front of us. It’s not a fad that people are walking more, biking more or wanting more outdoor gathering spaces. When you give people good places to gather, they’ll gather. People are choosing to live in places that have amenities close to them. It’s all about access and convenience to destinations.
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Is The Columbus Parklet Project a standalone effort or part of a larger organization? The pilot parklet—due to be unveiled in August—is on its own. However, the Columbus Parklet Project has visions of other parklets popping up in multiple neighborhoods, outside of businesses. We recently applied for a grant to expand the parklet project. Should the project be awarded funding, the financial sponsor of the grant will be Transit Columbus. The Columbus Parklet Project feels that Transit Columbus is a great fit. What benefits do parklets provide to the community and to local business? Parklets benefit the community because these “people” spaces are built by the community. Often such projects cost millions of dollars, and they take years with massive amounts of red tape. What’s great about a parklet is that you can go from concept to installation in less than a year. People can see and experience immediate results, which creates more of a personal and vested interest. Parklets add a new dynamic to the street. The space, if located in the right spot, becomes a destination.
A parklet helps people reimagine the potential of streets and parking spaces.
public art, bike parking or lighting, a unique public space is created that truly reflects the unique character and needs of the specific location. Publicly accessible and open to all, the parklet reflects the City of Columbus’ commitment to improve public space and dedication to arts and culture in the city.
positive EXAMPLES
A new kind of public space
Great examples of parklets exist around the country already. This is a proven model that works.
OAKLAND OAKLAND
PHILADELPHIA PHILIDELPHIA
N
SAN SAN FRANCISCO FRANSISCO
How much does an average parklet cost?
How was the parklet location selected?
The cost of a parklet can vary. We’re doing this with basically no money. The majority of our funds have to go toward bagging the meters and the parking space permit. On the Columbus Parklet Project Facebook page, I’ve posted parklet designs from other cities where thousands of dollars have been spent on the design, but it should be noted the majority of parklets happening in other cities are so successful that those cities are now budgeting capital funds to expand their parklet programs, which then becomes a public/private partnership. I’d love to have that type of partnership blossom here. The Greater Columbus Arts Council saw potential in the parklet and awarded us a small grant.
The location for the first parklet will be outside of the Dirty Franks on Fourth Street. I received a lot of raised eyebrows and concern about how fast this street traffic is. This is exactly why I chose the street and wouldn’t back down. South Fourth Street and all the other arterial downtown streets currently serve one purpose: move cars in and move cars out. Our downtown will never succeed if we don’t change that mentality and the design of the streets. I also chose that block because those business owners took a chance on that location when many others did not, and now the block is always bustling with people hanging out outside. I knew it was the perfect location with the perfect audience. It also doesn’t hurt when you have complete support from all of the business owners on the block. They really get it and they understand the need to change the streetscape to place an emphasis on people first, and not the speeding cars.
For more information, visit facebook.com/columbusparkletproject
PHOTO | Columbus Parklet Foundation
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SARA SHARES Give Your Shoulder Angel Her Due SARA SHARES
| SARA ERNEST DOES THIS INTERNAL dialogue familiar to you? “Do it! You know you want to do.” “Don’t listen to her. You have worked too hard up to this point to throw it all away.” “No one will find out. Even if they do, what’s it to ‘em? You are going to enjoy it, right?” “This is not about other people; it’s about you knowing what you did. That’s more important in the long run, isn’t it?” I have certainly been a party to that type of internal dialogue on more than one occasion. Nine times out of ten, it’s over that extra piece of chocolate, just waiting to be eaten, or the sausage, egg and cheese sandwich I can get from the cafeteria for breakfast. Every once in a while though, it’s over something a little bigger (in my mind at least), like taking a hit off a friend’s cigarette when I haven’t smoked in six months or skipping plans I’ve made, just because I don’t feel like going. Occasionally, I come across a situation where I have to wonder if people witnessed the argument between my Shoulder Angel and Shoulder Devil, and if they did, if they even paid attention. I’m sure even if we are not a part of these crises of conscience, we witness them every day.
JUST BECAUSE YOU CAN, DOESN’T MEAN YOU SHOULD.
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A few months ago, I was scrolling through my Facebook feed when I saw a letter to the editor from a somewhat ignorant and horribly homophobic citizen of the Columbus area that had been shared by a friend. I made a comment on the post about the letter writer’s lack of understanding that marriage is a social construction, originally intended for the purpose of selling young women to another family in exchange for land and livestock and was prepared to call it a day. That was until I saw that another commenter had gone to the trouble of looking up the writer’s address and phone number and providing it in the comments section of this post as her contribution to the conversation. Don’t get me wrong: I was disgusted by what the letter writer had to say. There is a strong possibility that this woman is one of the bigots we see every year standing along High Street with hateful, nonsensical signs at the Pride parade. I don’t think, though, that an implied call to violence against this woman is the appropriate response. There were no explicit expectations that the commenter presented on what to do with this information, but I think her reasons for posting the address were clear. The chances of anyone using this information in the manner it was intended were probably pretty unlikely, but the fact that this was the commenter’s initial response was disappointing to me. What makes it OK to encourage people to harass or commit harm to someone just for voicing their opinion? What it comes down to is this: just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. Did the letter writer say some pretty awful things? Yes. Did the commenter have really easy access to the writer’s information? Yes. Does that make it OK? I encourage everyone to think about this and any number of other situations where your Shoulder Angel and Shoulder Devil might duke it out and make up their own minds.
COUPLE
Kaleisha Johnson & Carolyn Evergin
COUPLE
| AMY TANNENBAUM Carolyn and Kaleisha’s story begins before they even met: Carolyn grew up across the street from Kaleisha’s uncle. But it would be many more years before their paths would cross, and before that would happen, they experienced very different journeys. Both grew up in Columbus, came from larger families, and knew they were gay at an early age. Kaleisha came out to her friends and family at 18, and lived openly all through college at Wittenberg University, and for the most part, experienced a relatively easy coming out experience. Her friends and family accepted her. “I pledged a sorority, it was no big deal, nobody cared,” explains Kaleisha. “It was a different experiencethan most people and I feel very fortunate to have had that experience.” On the other hand, for Carolyn, who grew up as a Jehovah’s Witness, coming out was hard. “I had a lot of turmoil to deal with,” recounts Carolyn. “For as long as I could remember as a kid, I liked girls, but I always knew it was wrong. It was never something to consider because of my religion, but I knew what thoughts were going on in my head.” Before Carolyn even came to terms with being gay, she disfellowshipped and left the religion at 21. As a result, she lost contact with many, though her mother never stopped talking to her. She finally came out after spending a few years in Indianapolis. Carolyn’s parents passed before she would have gotten to the point in life where she would have been compelled to come out to them. To this day, she has close family members that refuse to communicate with her because of her sexuality and her shunning from the religion. Carolyn and Kaleisha’s lives finally intersected when they found themselves working in the same department. While Kaleisha had just exited a bad relationship, Carolyn was truly coming to terms with herself since returning from Indianapolis. By the time they met, Kaleisha explains, “I think we were both ready for something different.” Though Carolyn would generally describe herself as the more outgoing one between the two of them, she didn’t seem to get all the hints Kaleisha was dropping: “Her friends had to convince her I was even hitting on her because she didn’t believe it,” says Kaleisha. “We would hang out and talk about music, and I made a mixed tape for her. She played it for friends and they’re like, ‘This girl isn’t hitting on you? Have you heard this song?!’” After an evening out with coworkers,
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I talk to myself a lot and I like to think God loveS me anyway, cause he knowS I’m a good person, regardless of who I love. they realized there was a connection and a few dates later, the sparks were too much to deny. On April 6, 2001, they decided to give their relationship a go. In 2002, they moved in together, and several years later while laying in bed one day, they asked eachother the big question: “Do you want to marry me?” Each of them answered “Yes!” A wedding celebration at the Clintonville Women’s Club followed on April 6, 2013 – 12 years to the day they decided to begin their relationship. “We wanted to do it as a way to just celebrate us, because technically we’re not legally married, but we also wanted to keep our dating anniversary as our wedding anniversary,” says Kaleisha. “Our end goal is still to get married. We want those protections. We’ll probably go somewhere one for the technicality of it all.” Carolyn and Kaleisha’s wedding day was full of love and support from many family and friends who attended. While Kaleisha’s large and supportive family was present, many on Carolyn’s side were noticeably absent. Since many of her siblings have rejoined the religion, they have cut ties with Carolyn. “I don’t feel like I’ll ever go back to the religion ever,” she says. “I talk to myself a lot and I like to think God loves me anyway, cause he knows I’m a good person, regardless of who I love. I try to have faith in the fact that he knows my heart, knows that I would help anyone. My relationship with him personally is more important than what anyone in this religion thinks of me.” Looking forward, Kaleisha and Carolyn are considering the possibility of having children, but they understand there could be a long and difficult road ahead of them. In the meantime, they just celebrated their one year anniversary with a photo shoot for this column!
PHOTO | AMY TANNENBAUM
FITNESS
| MICHAEL GREENHOUSE IT’S SUMMERTIME, time for BBQs, block parties and softball games. Every year when the weather warms up, we grab our gloves and bats and head to the field. There is nothing better in the summer than spending some time on the diamond with close friends. Whether playing softball or enjoying any other “fun in sun” activity, we need to protect ourselves from unwanted injuries and cramps. To avoid the worst, we must warm-up and train the body correctly. Fun only remains fun when we avoid damage and allow our bodies to perform at the highest level possible. Here are a few simple safety tips for before and after the big game: NUTRITION • Eat pure foods that are high in carbs and animal proteins the day before. • Eat foods that are pure, light and easy to ingest on game day. WARM-UP • Foam Roller: Use this to roll out all soft tissue, including thighs, calves, lats and back. • Jog: This allows muscles to loosen up and lengthen. • Dynamic Stretch: This helps the muscles to lengthen and fire. COOL-DOWN • Foam Roller: Use this again after the game to help repair muscle tissue and prevent soreness. • Hydrate: This replenishes the water lost during the game. • Eat pure foods high in protein to assist in rebuilding torn muscle tissue.
Make these simple therapeutic activities into habits any time you have an active day. To help make these activities a regular part of your healthy summer, I recommend keeping a “Pure Fit Wellness Bag” in your car and carrying it everywhere you go, making sure to check the bag every week to update and replenish as needed. The bag should include: • A three foot foam roller to reduce soft tissue tightening and injury. • A 16-ounce water bottle to stay hydrated and avoid heat-related sickness. • Protein or all-natural fruit bars to provide a quick form of nutrition. • A towel to cool the body of sweat. • A change of clothes to avoid skin irritation or cold from wearing wet, sweaty clothes. • A medium resistance fitness band to help with stretching and warming up muscle groups. • A zip lock bag of table, sea or Himalayan salt to help reduce cramps when they occur. Keeping these thoughts close will help you to improve your fitness safety this summer instead waiting for the next New Year’s resolution. Start today!
Don’t stop when you leave the field. Make these simple therapeutic activities into habits any time you have an active day. Use these same warm-ups when playing sand volleyball, going running, or riding bicycles. As with any activity that uses your body, you need to correctly warm-up to avoid injury and increase performance. Michael Greenhouse owns Pure Functional Movements and specializes as a personal trainer in the areas of: • Exercise Physiology • Bio-mechanics • Strength & Conditioning • Diet • Rehabilitation Therapy Learn more about his services: facebook.com/purefunctionalmovements purefunctionalmovements.com
SouthBend "Still Your Favorite Corner Bar!" *Ohio US of A Newcomer Benefit for Mary Jane Sat July 5 - 6pm *The Ukulele Cowboy Society Sun July 6 - 6 to 8pm *Annual Independence Day Cook-Out / Potluck Mon July 7 - 2pm *Southbend Titans Benefit Sat July 12 - 7 to 9pm *Autism Awareness Benefit Sat July 19 - 6 to 8pm AWOL/SOUTHMOOR *Bobby Hamlin Sun July 20 - 6 to 8pm *OCCO Murder Mystery Spaghetti Dinner Sun July 27 - 6 to 9pm Hours: Mon / Sat - Noon to 2:30 / Happy Hour Noon to 8 / Sun 12 to 12 Nightly Events call for more info or visit us at facebook.com/SouthbendTavern 126 E. Moler St. Columbus, Ohio (614) 444 - 3386 Southbend@wowway.biz facebook.com/SouthBendTavern
Free WiFi * Free Parking * Never A Cover
LET YOUR SMILE SHINE Cleaning/ Exam/ X-Rays Whitening Tooth colored Fillings (Bondings) Dental Implants Invisilign / Six Month Smiles Crowns P artials / Dentures
Call
for an appointment
(614) 444-9849
1685 Lockbourne Rd Columbus, Ohio 43207
Crab Races
with Kris
CRAB RACES
| KRIS LITTLER
GREAT NAMES Dona-shello, Leonard-go, Raphae-shell, Michaelan-shello, Claw-dia Schiffer, Ozzie Clawsborne, Crabrador, Shooter McCrabbin, Crabby McVie, Crab-tain Picard, Hermisaurus Rex, Claw and Order: Special Critter Unit, Prawn Connery, Crab-stinence, HashTag Shellfie and Hermit the Frog.
NOT SO GREAT NAMES
Dan, Molly, Matt’s Crab, Sparks, Shell-Kebob, Fancy, Penny, Tim McClaw, Nemo, Rose Dawson, Doctor #12, Dude, Stupid Crab and Tartar Sauce Tease.
Come join the race! Local Bar: Mondays at 9:30 p.m. Exile Bar: Thursdays at 9:30 p.m.
UPDATE The Pride Crab Race night was fabulous and Crustacean Sensation! was amazing. Lots of fun prizes, and the turnout was spectacular for both! If you could not attend, you can always check out the pictures at the Crab Racing with Kris Facebook page. UPCOMING EVENTS
The summertime fun continues twice each week! Join us for the races.
FASCINATING FACT
Crabs have no higher anarchy in their world... ALL CRABS ARE CREATED EQUAL!
FOLLOW THE CRABS Crab Racing with Kris
Until then, S t a y C r a b b y !
club diversity 863 South High
Home of the original DRUNKEN GUMMI BEARS!
Where there is NEVER a Cover Tue: Movie Night Thur: Tom Crumley on Piano Sun: Karaoke with Calvin & Jason
Enjoy it with us in a cosy gazebo on our beautiful Backyard Patio!
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DOWNTOWN ITALIAN VILLAGE CLINTONVILLE
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DRINK.
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4 Club 20 Old North Columbus 20 E Duncan Ave 614.261.9111 8 Exile Italian Village 893 N 4th St 614.299.0069 10 Wine on High Short North 789 N High St 614. 294.8466 13 Local Bar Short North 913 N High St 614.670.8958 14 Slammers Downtown 202 E Long St 614.221.8880
2 Axis Short North 775 N High St 614.291.4008 22 Wall Street Night Club Downtown 144 N Wall St 614.464.2800
EAT + DRINK. 11 12 21 23 25
La Fogata Grill Short North 790 N High St 614.294.7656 Level Dining Lounge Short North 700 N High St 614.754.7111 Union Short North 782 N High St 614.421.2233 Circus Short North 1127 N High St 614.421.2998 Barrel 44 Short North 1220 N High St 614.294.2277
28 BossyGrrl’s Pin-Up Joint Old North Columbus 2598 N High St
614.725.5402 00
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SHOP. 9 The Garden Short North 1186 N High St 614.294.2869 18 Torso Short North 772 N High St 614.421.7663 19 Torso (in Exile) Italian Village 893 N 4th St 614.299.0069
ENGAGE. 5 ARC OHIO Clintonville 4400 N High St 614.299.2437 24 ARC OHIO Medical Ctr + Pharmacy Short North 1033 N High St 16 Stonewall Columbus Short North 1160 N High St 614.299.7764
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MERION VILLAGE
BREWERY DISTRICT SOUTH SIDE OLDE TOWNE EAST
EAT + DRINK.
DRINK. 3 6 15 17 20
26 Explorers Club Merion Village 1586 S High St 614.725.0155
Cavan Irish Pub Merion Village 1409 S High St 614.725.5502 Club Diversity Brewery District 863 S High St 614.224.4050 South Bend Merion Village 126 E. Moler St 614.444.3386 The Toolbox Saloon South Side 744 Frebis Ave 614.670.8113 Tremont Brewery District 708 S High St 614.445.9365
DRINK + DANCE. 1 A.W.O.L. Bar + The Barracks Olde Towne East 49 Parsons Ave 614.621.8779
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MUNITY RESOURCES
LOCAL & STATE ORGANIZATIONS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
Stonewall Columbus 614-299-7764 www.stonewallcolumbus.org This local community and resource center serves the Central Ohio LGBTQ community by providing programs and services that enhance the well-being and visibility of a diverse
GLAAD www.glaad.org A national organization that promotes fair, accurate, and inclusive media representations of LGBTQ people. as a means of challenging discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Additionally, Stonewall Columbus hosts the annual Pride Holiday.
Human Rights Campaign www.hrc.com The nation’s largest gay and lesbian political organization.
ARC Ohio 800-252-0827 www.arcohio.org Fights the spread of HIV, works towards reducing its transmission, stigma and the resulting discrimination through education and awareness, and provides quality services to BRAD (Buckeye Alliance of the Deaf ) membership@gmail.com www.bradohio.com Protects and promotes the interests and well-being of deaf and hard of hearing LGBTQ people while increasing awareness about the needs of Deaf and hard of hearing community. BRAVO (Buckeye Region Anti-Violence Organization) 614-294-STOP www.bravo-ohio.org Works to eliminate violence perpetuated on the basis of prevention, advocacy, violence documentation and survivor services. Equality Ohio 614-224-0400 www.equalityohio.org A statewide lobbying organization working to secure equality for LGBT Ohioans. FreedomOhio 614-246-3807 www.freedomohio.com The Freedom to Marry Ohio movement is dedicated to ending marriage discrimination in Ohio. Kaleidoscope Youth Center 614-294-5437 www.kycohio.org Provides advocacy, education, support and a safe environment for LGBT youth in Central Ohio. P-FLAG Columbus 614-806-8025 awareness and understanding for Central Ohio’s LGBT citizens and our families, friends and allies. Rainbow Sisters www.rainbowsisters.info A social and community-oriented group for lesbian women age 40 and over.
NGLTF www.thetaskforce.org The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force is a leading progressive civil rights organization that has supported grassroots organizing since 1973. The National Coalition for LGBT Youth www.outproud.org A wide range of resources available for youth and educators. ARTS & MUSIC Capital Pride Band of Columbus 614-325-1590 www.cappride.org A statewide LGBTQ organization of instrumentalists promoting the joy of music, friendship, and personal growth. They provide a variety of performances each year. Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus 614-228-2462 www.cgmc.com Singing out since 1990, this chorus presents a series of concerts each year. Open auditions held prior to rehearsal for each show. Evolution Theatre Company 614-233-1124 www.evolutiontheatre.org A semi-professional theatre company that presents musicals, dramas and comedies that have not been seen in the area well as new works and world premieres. Imagine Productions 614-398-1110 www.imaginecolumbus.com entertaining and educating community stakeholders. They recognize that empowerment and growth occurs for both the audience and performer. Wexner Center for the Arts 614-292-3535 www.wexarts.org Internationally known contemporary arts center at OSU, programs, as well as a store and a café all under one roof in an architectural landmark. COUNSELING
Sisters of Lavender
614-445-8277
A social/support for women 40 and over. S.O.L. is the oldest lesbian organization in Columbus.
A center for psychotherapy and growth with a long history of working with LGBTQ clients.
TransOhio 614-441-8167 www.transohio.org Serves the Ohio transgender and allied communities by providing services, education, support and advocacy.
Randi Cohen, LPCC-S 614-267-1993 www.randicohen.com Helping adult clients to create a strong sense of self, learn good communication skills, and gain a clearer sense of how others see you.
Why Marriage Matters Ohio www.whymarriagemattersoh.org A marriage equality education campaign supporting the right for any loving, committed Ohio couple to marry.
Shawn D. King, PhD., LISW 614-655-3554 www.shawnkingphd.com Providing individual, family, and group counseling services to the LGBTQ community. Specializing in relationship issues, anger management and mental health services. HEALTH & WELLNESS AHF Wellness Center & Out of the Closet Pharmacy: 614-732-5947 Wellness Center: 614-223-1532 www.aidshealth.org The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) operates Out of the full-service pharmacy, and HIV testing at the corner of N. High St., Suite 350. CHOICES 614-224-4663 www.choicescolumbus.org Since 1977 they have provided counseling, shelter, crisis intervention, education and community and legal support and advocacy to central Ohio residents facing domestic violence. Columbus Public Health LGBTQ Health Initiative 614-645-1493 www.publichealth.columbus.gov As part of the department’s mission to protect health and cultural competency trainings to health care and other service providers. Additionally, their LGBTQ Health Advocate manages The Crystal Club 614-214-4828 www.thecrystalclub.org female impersonators, and other transgender individuals. Huckleberry House 614-294-5553 www.huckhouse.org Established in 1970 to provide a safe place for runaway youth homeless or runaways. NetCare 614-276-CARE www.netcareaccess.org Provides 24 hour mental health and substance abuse crisis intervention, stabilization and assessment for Franklin County Planned Parenthood of Central Ohio, Inc. 614-224-2235 www.plannedparenthood.org The nation's oldest and largest sexual and reproductive health care organization. Trevor Project 866-4U-TREVOR www.thetrevorproject.org Determined to end suicide among LGBT youth by providing nationwide, 24/7 crisis intervention lifeline.
| ANGEL LEMKE I feel particularly lucky to be joining the Quorum team during a month when we celebrate freedom, difficult and unevenly distributed though it may be in this country--and in this world. As I write, I find myself contemplating a quote from philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche’s The Gay Science which has long been framed on my wall: “What is the seal of freedom? To be unashamed before oneself.” Whatever your politics, whatever your lot in life, this is the freedom that I am proud to see so many members of our many communities demonstrating in these pages and in this city. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Freedom Summer, a campaign to register black voters in Mississippi that became a watershed moment in the civil rights movement. Despite incredible violence, the men and women involved in the campaign profoundly demonstrated what it is to be unashamed before oneself, even as the world around them tried desperately to convince them otherwise. At a time when many of the legal victories of that movement are being eroded, I find myself often thinking about what today’s Freedom Summer might look like. (One possible answer is found in Yoruba Richen’s film The New Black, which screened at the Wexner Center in May and is currently on its own Freedom Summer Tour.) Would it involve coming out? Standing up? Marching forward? If, as the philosophers and thinkers I most love would have it, freedom is a fleeting thing, in need of constant renewal, constant vigilance, what can we do, as individuals and as one, to support each one of us in living unashamed? It is a question I certainly cannot answer alone. I end with a second of my touchstone quotes, from the late Adrienne Rich, the great lesbian poet and essayist: “I think of myself...as someone for whom language has implied freedom, who is trying to aid others to free themselves through the written word.” I am honored to play a role in bringing you the words found in these pages and hope that you have found some measure of freedom within.
Angel Lemke is the new managing editor of Quorum Columbus. She is a graduate of Denison University with an MA in English Literature from The Ohio State University. Currently, she is at work on a dissertation on classism and sexuality, tentatively titled, The Dandy and the Redneck, in the interdisciplinary humanities program at Union Institute & University. She lives in Olde Towne East.
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