December 2018 - True Q Magazine

DECEMBER 2018

Wrapping Up Election Season These Are A Few Of Our Favorite Things Know Your Status: December 1st Is World AIDS Day

Remembering Matthew Shepard

Join us in Cleveland to honor the work of an outstanding ally and an impactful activist.

DR. CECILE UNGER helped create and advance a multi-disciplinary team at the Cleveland Clinic that provides all aspects of transgender-specific services to patients in Northeast Ohio. She is very committed to this patient population and has been a long-standing advocate for their health and well-being.

GIOVONNI SANTIAGO, a transgender U.S. Air Force veteran, teamed up with his doctor to open the first transgender-focused clinic within the Department of Veterans Affairs at the Louis Stokes VA Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio. Santiago also founded a nonprofit in Akron, Ohio, for transgender and gender-nonconforming youth called META which he funds and runs himself.

December 5 • Greater Cleveland Aquarium

RSVP at equalityohio.org ®

For more information or to sponsor this or future Equality Ohio events, contact Siobhan Boyd-Nelson at siobhan@equalityohio.org or 614-224-0400.

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For more information, contact us at sales@onetruevoiceonline.com or 614.468.0700.

Chief Executive Officer Publisher

Executive Assistant Contributing Writer

Curtis Davis cdavis@team-icsc.com

Jeff Skinner info@onetruevoiceonline.com

Editorial Director Social Media Manager

Sales Manager Contributing Writer

Kaylee Duff editor@onetruevoiceonline.com

Christopher Leaming sales@onetruevoiceonline.com

Contributing Writers Daniel Tirabassi, JT Lucas, J.M. Rayburn, Michael Toland

Contributing Photographers Emily Hirzel, Jeff Skinner, Kaylee Duff, Mike Miller, Jonathan Kosakowski, Ian C Powell Photography

Creative Design Design2Pro

True Q loves feedback from our readers!

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True Q Magazine and True Media Group are proud members of the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.

CONTENTS

December 2018

3 Letter From The Editor

10-12 Remembering Matthew Shepard

“Generation Snowflake” fights back

4 December Events What’s going on in Ohio this month

The Matthew Shepard Foundation has been honoring Matt’s legacy for 20 years

5 Out In The Media

Celebrating activists Dr. Cecile Unger and Giovonni Santiago

Reviews of the latest books, movies, shows and more

13 Equality Ohio Honors Our Allies And Advocates

6 Spotlight On Briden Cole Schueren

7 Spotlight On Queer Yoga

22-23 These Are A Few Of Our Favorite Things Ohioans share some of their favorite holiday traditions

24-25 A New Era For Stonewall Columbus

9 The Truth About Robyn’s Honey

Anxieties are heightened for transgender people during the holiday season

Reader-submitted art and words

19 Challenge Accepted Ohio takes on climate change in American Cities Climate Challenge

27 Know Your Status World AIDS Day falls on December 1 each year

16-17 Creator’s Space

This is her first album since 2010

26 My Month As A Bearded Queen No-Shave November helped me prove that all drag is valid

14-15 Trials For The Holidays

This queer organization focuses on comfort in mind and body

Ohio fell short on progressive voting in the midterms

Central Ohio’s LGBTQ+ community center got a makeover

Get to know this trans artist who is making waves with color

20-21 Wrapping Up Election Season

28 You Are Ohio’s #OneTrueVoice Snapshots from Ohio’s LGBTQ+ community

ONETRUEVOICEONLINE.COM ON THE COVER: The holidays are a great time to catch up with friends and learn about new traditions.

True Q Magazine is published monthly by True Media Group. True Q Magazine issues are FREE at distribution locations throughout the state of Ohio, or available as a subscription for direct delivery online at OneTrueVoiceOnline.com/subscribe. Copyright © 2018 True Media Group All Rights Reserved. Reproduction without expressed written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. All rights in letters, manuscripts, photographs, drawings, illustrations and artwork sent to True Q Magazine will be treated as assigned for publication and copyright purposes and are subject to True Q Magazine and True Media Group terms and conditions. All models are at least 18 years of age. All photographs included are posed for by professional models or willing participants in True Q Magazine except as otherwise noted. Neither said photographs nor accompanying editorial is indicative of sexual orientation or gender expression, unless specifically noted. The publisher of the magazine does not assume responsibility for statements by advertisers.

Cover photo by Jonathan Kosakowski 2 | DECEMBER 2018

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BY TRUE Q MAGAZINE. All rights reserved.

TRUE Q MAGAZINE

LETTER

Letter From The Editor “Generation Snowflake” fights back against the current political administration and social climate centered on bigotry and discrimination.

Winter has always been my favorite of the four seasons. I love that it’s cold. I love wearing sweaters. I love that I don’t have to sweat all the time. I love getting time off school and work to read books I’ve been saving all year. I love watching cheesy movies and drinking hot chocolate. I love not being blinded by the sun all day (although, I could do without it being dark at like, 4 p.m.). I love getting to visit my family. But my favorite part of winter has always been the snow.

Because although I know all of the bad that comes with it (dangerous roads, too cold, etc.), snow is magical. The world takes on an ethereal feeling when it snows. Imagine waking up and looking outside to a world covered in glittering snow.

Imagine taking a walk, and the sun is setting, and everything is soft and quiet and calm. And the sky turns red and purple and everything glows. And for a moment, my heart knows what it’s like to be at home.

I could go on and on. I have written literal poems about how much I love snow. So that’s just one reason why it was (and lowkey still is) hard for me to reconcile the word “snowflake” being used as a derogative.

Millennials have been termed the “Snowflake Generation.”

Because we’re too special. Our shelves are too full of participation trophies. We’ve never worked a day in our lives.

We’re whiny and disconnected from reality for believing we should have control of our own bodies or that our classmates shouldn’t be gunned down in schools or that we shouldn’t destroy our planet with toxins.

Here’s the thing: I am inspired daily by the young adults in our community who advocate for change. Their efforts prove to me that there is not a minimum age on activism (�ust like there is no maximum age on activism). They have been taught by those older than them to never give up, and they’re using those strategies in tandem with new technologies and discoveries. They emphasize the balance between head and heart, between knowing and feeling. These “snowflakes” emphasize empathy.

And you know what? I am only 22 years old. I am constantly changing my approach and learning new things about the

TRUE Q MAGAZINE

I graduated from BGSU in May; photo by Emily Hirzel.

world. I have a long way to go, but what I have learned is that the younger generations have a deep investment in the way things turn out. And I fail to see what could possibly be wrong about that.

This month’s message is this: We say all the time that children are our futures, and it’s true. So that means it is time to start supporting them. Lift up their voices and actually listen to what they’re telling you. Learn from them and respect them, just as they have learned from and respected you. We have a lot of work to do. Our community will only succeed when all of us unique, valuable and special individuals work together.

Love, Kaylee Duff, Editor

DECEMBER 2018 | 3

EVENTS

December Events

What’s going on in Ohio this month? Here’s a selection of great community events happening around the state in December.

SOUTHWEST DECEMBER 8 Make The Yuletide Gay Dayton Come celebrate the holiday season with the Dayton Gay Men’s Chorus with this concert full of fun, frivolity and a little bit of seriousness. This is an annual don’tmiss concert, featuring everyone’s favorite holiday music that is sure to get the Miami Valley area into the holiday spirit.

This year’s concert, Make The Yuletide GAY!, starts at 6 p.m. at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Dayton. Tickets are $20. Visit daytongaymenschorus.org to buy tickets and for more information.

NORTHEAST DECEMBER 21 Winter Solstice Celebration Russell and Newbury Townships

CENTRAL

NORTHWEST

DECEMBER 6 Harmony Project: The Concert for US Sing Out. March On. Columbus

DECEMBER 8 Jingle Bell Run Maumee

Taking place in the world-class Nationwide Arena, Kind Columbus is proud to present the Harmony Project’s The Concert for US - Sing Out. March On. The concert will feature the Harmony Project’s Spirit of Columbus choir; the Harmony Band and Orchestra; and singer, songwriter and actor Joshuah Brian Campbell. The Harmony Project presents a set that brings us together, full of songs that are centered around “the idea of being pro-voice, using the voice for good, speaking your truth and speaking up for others who cannot speak for themselves.” The Concert for US is about bringing the community together, everyone from different walks of life embracing differences and engaging as equals.

Tickets and more details are available at harmonyproject.com.

4 | DECEMBER 2018

The Jingle Bell Run in Toledo is a part of the longest-running holiday-themed 5K race series! The race raises funds and awareness to fight arthritis, the nation’s top cause of disability. All proceeds from the event go to The Arthritis Foundation.

This year’s run will take place at The Shops at Fallen Timbers in Maumee. Participants are encouraged to dress up in a holiday costume or outfit while they run, jog or walk this holiday 5K! Visit the official Facebook page @JingleBellRunWalk for more information.

Hosting or know of a cool event?

Submit it to our calendar at

onetruevoiceonline.com/submit-an-event.

Spend the longest night of the year in The West Woods of the Geauga Park District. From 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., they will be hosting indoor and outdoor events that explore the roots of our modern holiday celebrations. Inside, there will be food, warm drinks and live music from the Pilgrim Brass Choir, alongside solsticecrafts. Guests then travel outside and walk the self-guided candlelit Solstice Traditions Trail, enjoy a bonfire and watch interactive skits with costumed interpreters — all of which are aimed at featuring solstice traditions from different civilizations and cultures. Remember to dress for the weather! You can learn more at geaugaparkdistrict.org.

SOUTHEAST DECEMBER 31 New Years Extravaganza Athens Ring in the New Year with the Southeastern Ohio Rainbow Alliance at their first-ever New Years Extravaganza! The night features art by local LGBT artist Luke Boyd and tunes spun by DJ Logan Savage. You definitely won’t want to miss the epic Passion Works Studio ball drop! This “dress to impress gala” will be held at ARTS/West; doors open at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25, and include champagne and non-alcoholic toasts. The Extravaganza has $5 drinks and free desserts throughout the night. All proceeds from the event go to the Southeastern Ohio Rainbow Alliance. To learn more, visit the event host on Facebook at facebook.com/seohrainbow.

TRUE Q MAGAZINE

REVIEWS

Out In The Media The True Team review some of their favorites!

The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue, Mackenzi Lee. 528 pp. Katherine Tegen Books. $18.99.

By Kaylee Duff

Photo by Kaylee Duff.

Gentleman’s Guide, the New York Times Bestseller and Stonewall Honor Book, is an adventure from start to finish. Readers are taken on a journey across Europe, as protagonist Henry “Monty” Montague goes on his Grand Tour with best friend (and crush!) Percy and sister Felicity. It’s historical fiction, but still hits every mark I look for in a feel-good read. Monty’s voice is witty and engaging. It’s fast-paced, humorous and romantic. The genius behind Gentleman’s Guide falls in Lee’s unique balancing between the hijinks and the more serious themes being explored. Because on one hand, there’s the wild and scandalous adventures the trio has; Monty streaks naked through Versailles, there’s an insane amount of drinking, they’re kidnapped by fake pirates. But the characters are also discussing heavy topics such as ability/disability, race, sexuality, gender imbalances, imperialism, toxic masculinity and addiction. And it all feels completely natural. The reader is able to think about these topics while also enjoying the comedy of the situations. On a craft level, this book is about as tight as they come. With descriptions that feel like poetry and art, Monty’s authentic voice, and pitch-perfect pacing and flow, Lee’s writing is unquestionably brilliant. But above all else, Gentleman’s Guide is a queer love story. It’s a story about finding the love for oneself, about recognizing your own worth. It’s a story about falling in love with your best friend, and realizing that after everything else is gone, love and happiness alone remain. This book is perfect for readers of all ages looking to go on an adventure with characters who are full of heart, sarcasm, beauty and tenacity.

The Holiday Calendar

By Chris Leaming

Debuting on Netflix in November, The Holiday Calendar is the perfect cheesy Christmas movie to get you into the holiday spirit. It follows an aspiring photographer that works for a local studio that specializes in “pictures with Santa.” Right off the bat, you get a sense that she is not exactly where she wants to be at this point in her life. One thing I love about this movie is that the main character comes from a biracial family. I feel this is one of the first (if not the first) feature films I have seen that has a white mom and black dad. As the name of the movie claims, the main character does receive a special calendar. The viewer goes on a journey with her and her friends regarding said calendar. There are definitely ups and downs on this journey, but like all great Christmas movies, everyone gets the wonderful, happy ending they needed all along. You get a feeling that Netflix followed the Hallmark Channel’s recipe for making the Ultimate Holiday Film, and I am more than okay with that. Sometimes all we need is a little bit of cheesy holiday cheer. So be sure to make your favorite cup of hot chocolate, light up the fireplace and get ready to enjoy The Holiday Calendar with your loved ones.

TRUE Q MAGAZINE

Super Drag, season 1

By Jeff Skinner

Super Drag is an adult animation Netflix series. In the first episode, you will meet three coworkers — Ralph, Patrick and Donizete — at a department store. These three gay men dress up as drag queens, and are known as “super drag!” Ralph is known as Safari; Patrick as Lemon; and Donizete is Scarlett. Their mission is to take down the Evil Queen, Lady Elza. Fun fact: Ginger Ming, Shangela and Willam from RuPaul’s Drag Race voice the characters in this series! You can tell by the first episode that this is definitely a raunchy comedy, which isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. In the first five minutes of the show, you see Lemon letting the bad guy go just because of his gorgeous looks. When I saw that, I laughed and thought, “what a typical drag queen!” It’s super short; there’s only five episodes, and each are 30 minutes long. If you like adult animation, “inappropriate” jokes and drag queens, then Super Drag is the show for you.

DECEMBER 2018 | 5

PROFILE

Spotlight On BRIDEN COLE SCHUEREN

Hearts.

Briden with his mural.

Get to know this trans artist who is making waves with color!

Name: Briden Cole Schueren negative relationship. I was trying to do selfdiscovery and find my happiness. That piece was about the growth and getting out of the negativity. With these dark clouds that were surrounding the growth, and there were these really light clouds that were welcoming me into the happiness.

Age: 30 Medium: I am a little bit ADD with my artwork, but I love it. I do photography, painting, metal, and mixed media. I’m also working on wax, with encaustic. I’m working with oils and acrylic. I also do metal work and carving into metal. Anything I can get my hands on.

Why is creating art meaningful to you?

Creating art is meaningful to me because it has helped me get through a lot of struggles. I never really thought of it as a good outlet until I was working on a couple pieces when I was going through a darker time in my life. After I completed them, I had such a weight lifted off my shoulders. I felt like I had graduated. I was able to let those emotions free and attach them to that piece, and then sell it or give it away. It’s something I have to do to keep myself happy.

Who and what inspires your art?

Salvador Dalí. As far as visual artists, he is somebody that I look up to as inspiration. He’s also very ADD and queer. He has made artwork as far as film, sculpture, drawing, and paintings; he does it all. His artwork is very abstract, surrealist. Where you know what the object is, but it’s not a real thing. Sometimes my artwork can come off like that, where it is not possible for that to be real, but I made it look like a tree of some sort. Also Dr. Suess. Him and his color palette. I’m very much into color, and testing the limits of what I can do with color.

How did you start? What was your beginning?

My grandmother is an artist. From a very, very young age, I would paint with her. It would be things like fruit and still-life. Her aesthetic is… You would look at it and think it would be sold at a Cracker Barrel. It’s still very cutesy,

Fluffy Balloons.

and she is very talented and very beautiful. She works with oils and acrylics, and does flowers and animals. I also do flowers and do nature, but I do my own twist to make it a little bit more me. My parents do not have any artistic abilities; that’s what they say, that it skipped them and went into me. I went to school at University of Dayton, for graphic design. I’m mainly self-taught when it comes to my art.

Do you have a favorite piece or collection?

It’s hard because as I’m continuously working, I’m growing and developing myself as an artist and [developing] different strengths. I just completed a couple pieces yesterday, and I’m like, I love this!!

There’s one that is called Fluffy Balloons. It looks like really skinny, long trees, kind of abstract and you know they’re trees. Very Dr. Suess-y. The colors are very emotional. I was going through a very turmoil part of my life, just being very depressed and in a very

Check out Briden’s solo art exhibition, Not Lost, But Found, at John Glenn International Airport through January 2019, via the Ohio Art League. Visit him online at thatguysart.com and follow his Instagram @briden_schueren.

6 | DECEMBER 2018

My second piece was one that I worked on like, six years ago. I didn’t sign it; I didn’t feel like it was finished. I just kind of put it off to the side, maybe I’ll get back to it. About two years ago, I picked it back up and completely re-did it. That one was also talking about life struggles. I identify myself as poly, so I’m open to multiple partners and that experience. I was in a struggle through that, and this was me finding that source. Talking about how I always have my heart out first, no matter how much I’ve been hurt. That piece was really striking.

The thing that I’m actually hoping to write a book on, and create a series with, is Josie and the Traveling Balloons. I’m actually just now re-working the character. It’s a character I made that is gender non-conforming, that goes on a quest to find themselves and to find happiness. They have these balloons — that are actually recycled lightbulbs that I found, that I turned into her little balloons that they hold up. They’re just this happy little person, that’s just kind of figuring out who they are. But they don’t go by any [specific] pronouns; if you call them he, she, them or they — they’re just happy to be existing and finding out journeys in life. That’s been kind of a work in progress.

Trying to make a whole series of Josie, and then making it into a children’s book. And then going on tour, because I bought a school bus.

If you had to choose one meal to eat for the rest of your life, what would you choose?

I mean, I love peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. They’re just simple, and I can always be like you know what, I gotta go and eat real fast, I can make myself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

TRUE Q MAGAZINE

PROFILE

Spotlight On QUEER YOGA This Columbus-based organization focuses on both mind and body in a queer-centered space.

By Kaylee Duff Queer Yoga is a class presented by Queer Behavior, a grassroots led organization dedicated to offering gathering spaces for central Ohio’s LGBTQ+ community. They have two yoga classes in two different locations: on Tuesday in Clintonville and on Thursday in the South Side. The Tuesday class is long-standing tradition, but the Thursday class is a new effort to bring yoga to a new part of town that is more accessible for many in the community.

“The goal was really to create a space for people who wouldn’t necessarily be comfortable going into some of the established studios, for whatever reasons,” explained Carlos del Rio, an organizer, teacher and facilitator for the Thursday classes.

Queer Yoga finds its foundation accessibility in every form possible. The classes are intended to be achievable for participants of all levels and experiences with yoga. Classes are taught by seven different instructors on a rotating basis, and each instructor has their own style. “I strive to make my classes accessible for all levels, but also, with options for more challenging poses,” said Becca Alexander, an instructor, facilitator and organizer for the Tuesday classes. “I try to offer modifications for every pose, for those who might find them too challenging, but also offer more challenging options for those who are more experienced.”

Another part of that accessibility is simply found in offering a space for everybody.

Most traditional yoga studios are targeted towards an athletic, white, cisgender female body. Because of that, many people in minority identity communities (especially queer people, people of color, differently abled people and older people) often feel threatened by those studios. Queer Yoga offers an experience outside of that box, where people can come and feel comfortable no matter how they identify.

“I think that that’s really the thing that drew me to Queer Yoga, as somebody who’s both queer and a person of color. We get into a lot of situations that feel very tense, that are more stressful than valuable in these spaces that are supposed to be restorative,” Carlos said.

That is why the organization has created an environment that, at its core, is contemplative and therapeutic in all of the ways that yoga should be.

TRUE Q MAGAZINE

Five of the seven Queer Yoga instructors; photo by Emily Hirzel.

At the beginning of every class, the organization reminds participants that Queer Yoga is a safe(r) space, because they don’t assume anyone’s identity based on gender, sex, sexuality, age, race, ability or any other kind of identification that might come with value judgments. Instead, they simply offer a space where community members can come as they are, and identify and express themselves in ways that are meaningful.

within my body. Not just be present in my body, but really make my body a friend,” Ashton explained. “There’s just such a lack of tools to cope with dysphoria, specifically gender dysphoria. I want to bring this to specifically the trans community, as well the gay community, where there’s a lot of narratives your body has to look this way to be acceptable. I definitely want to help use yoga as a tool to unpack those kind of narratives.”

Yoga is a great practice for connected with your body in a way that most other activities don’t emphasize. For trans-identified instructor Ashton Colby, Queer Yoga and yoga in general offered an empowering alternative journey.

After transitioning, Ashton fell into the commonly seen narrative surrounding hypermasculinity, until a friend at school suggested he try yoga to counteract muscle pain earned from constant gym time. “I remember sweating, and it was very powerful. I really got a lot out of it, and it really felt like it was a workout,” he recalled. “I was really surprised about how much I liked yoga, because when I first heard about it, I was like whatever.”

But then it ended up being one of the most influential and reparative parts of his life.

In addition to being affirming and accessible, what makes Queer Yoga so important is that it’s a specifically queer-centered community space. Our current social climate makes finding these spaces of familiarity even more crucial, Carlos explained. “There’s just a pandemic expectation to hide who we are, to conform in ways that are not necessarily healthy to our own self-concept.” So the organization has cultivated a place where it is reiterated that queerness is okay.

After leaving school, Aston was able to continue practicing yoga because of Queer Yoga’s accessible price (every class is $6!).

Eventually, Ashton decided to become a yoga instructor — specifically to give back to the trans and LGBTQ community. “The way that I use yoga is as a tool to self-regulate emotions, and really find a sense of safety

Ashton brought up that it’s also important to offer a place for queer people to gather that is centered on holistic wellness, and is separate from the bar and club scene so engrained in our local queer culture. Queer Yoga is the perfect place to be a part of community beyond what is offered in other spaces like work, school or bars.

“Yoga is a form of exercise. It’s a form of mental discipline, a form of relaxing,” said Becca. “To be able to do all of that in a space that is queer-centered, that has this level of comfort to begin with, is very special. I think it’s an important thing to offer.”

Queer Yoga classes are $6 to attend. All are welcome; just bring your own mat!

For more information, visit them at facebook.com/QueerBehavior.

DECEMBER 2018 | 7

MUSIC

The Truth About Robyn’s Honey

In her first studio album since 2010, international star Robyn reminds us about humanity, sadness and unapologetic fun.

By JT Lucas I work in retail. Songs about getting familiar with a particular elderly overweight gentleman in hopes that he might bring you a diamond ring (*cough* “Santa Baby” *cough*) trigger me and do not offer me a great deal of comfort and joy. But behold! Our favorite Swede has left us a sugary, sticky-sweet gift under those pine trees we inexplicably kill for the season. I consider this to be a fourth quarter miracle! Konichiwa!

Admittedly, Robyn has been quite depressed over the last few years. Her eightyear absence from the music scene was caused by the death of a close friend and the (temporary) end of a serious relationship.

For a while, it seemed certain that she never intended to return. From time to time, we would hear collaborations with Rökysopp, Metronomy, even The Lonely Island, but we were always left looking for that follow-up to Body Talk (2010). Then, a few months ago, we were offered a video of Robyn wearing her third-best bathrobe, telling her fans that she missed us and would reconnect with us via Honey, a new album that would TRUE Q MAGAZINE

come within the month. Shortly after, she released “Missing U,” and almost immediately, we were able to understand the reasons for her absence.

If I were to make a complaint about Honey, it’s that it is definitely short. Nine tracks and 40 minutes feels small compared to her time spent away, leaving me hoping that there might be a Honey, part 2. It’s her most ambient album to date, and even has a bit of a disco vibe at times. Although there aren’t many of her trademark moments of leaving your heart on the dance floor and dancing on your own through the tears, there is a wide range of emotional depth to this album, perhaps drawn from her experiences over the last 8 years.

The opening track, “Missing U,” is sad. It speaks to the most basic sadness triggers in losing someone: that empty space next to you in the bed, that scent that lingers on the pillow. “Send to Robin Immediately” tells us that we can’t afford to wait to tell someone how we feel with a real sense of urgency. “Ever Again” is an anthem for heartbreak survivors, proclaiming to the world that we will never ever experience heartbreak and sadness again, at least until the next time. In “Human Being,”

Robyn explores a world in which AI has taken over the world and humans are something like a pet to them. Where does this range in emotional depth? It doesn’t. I just thought that was cool. But then again, I also thought that Robyn was a fembot.

Through most of Robyn’s adult career, there has been nothing ingenuine about any of her work. Honey is very honest, occasionally sad, weird at times (see: “Beach2k20”), but very unapologetically her. Those who fondly remember that sweaty show she had in Columbus back in 2011, in the middle of hot July at LC Pavilion (so named at that time), will be excited to know that she is going on tour in 2019! While she is not slated to have dates in Columbus at this time, she is absolutely worth traveling to see.

JT Lucas is a Columbus-based music enthusiast, frequent concert-goer and a Carly Rae Jepsen superfan.

DECEMBER 2018 | 9

COVER STORY

Matt’s legacy lives on.

Remembering Matthew Shepard

In honor of their 20 years of work, we spoke with Executive Director Jason Marsden about the legacy of the Matthew Shepard Foundation.

By Kaylee Duff Matthew Shepard would have turned 42 years old this December 1st, had he not been attacked and left to die in October 1998 on account of his sexual orientation. This tragedy was turned into a beacon of perseverance, as Matt’s parents used their grief to advocate for a safer and more compassionate world. Since then, the Matthew Shepard Foundation has been serving America’s LGBTQ+ community to push for visibility, inclusivity and safety. They urge the community to honor Matt’s memory by advocating for change in our daily lives, which we can do through embracing diversity and erase hatred.

True Q’s editor talked to Jason Marsden, the Executive Director of the Foundation. Jason has been serving in this position for ten years. He was a volunteer since the beginning, and a personal friend of Matt’s.

Kaylee: I figured we could start with a summary about the creation of the Matthew Shepard Foundation, and some of the things you all do.

Jason: When Matt was in the hospital, and after he died, thousands of people sent sympathy cards, get-well cards, letters and other messages, as well as over a 100,000 emails — which was extraordinary in that era — to the Shepards, expressing their grief or hope for social change.

A lot of people had enclosed donations. No one really had asked them to do that. The Shepards really had to spend some time thinking about what the appropriate use of those funds would be. They felt, because of the extraordinary media coverage, that they had an opportunity to take 10 | DECEMBER 2018

advantage of people’s attention to anti-gay hate crimes and to hatred in general against the LGBT community.

So they created the Matthew Shepard Foundation as a vehicle to advance their work. At that time, they thought maybe it would go on for a few years, while there was media and public interest in the case. They focused initially on trying to convince parents to accept and embrace their LGBT kids, and to advocate for LGBT-inclusive hate crime legislation.

That work began in the winter after Matt’s death. Unlike a lot of similar organizations that arise out of an individual tragedy, it has continued to hold public interest and they have continued to do that work.

What different types of work does the Foundation do?

Our primary work is to raise awareness around hate crimes. All hate crimes — racial, religious, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability.

The vast majority of hate crimes are not about sexual orientation. We work on the issue broadly, in coalition with groups that represent other minority identity communities. We try to raise awareness amongst people who may be victimized.

We urge victims to report. The majority of victims of hate crimes who are surveyed report that they did not notify the police that they were victimized, for a variety of reasons — mistrust of police, fear of being outed. Not every state or locality has a hate crime law, despite the federal law. That only applies to capital felonies. The vast majority of hate crimes are simple assault, vandalism, burglary, property destruction.

There are five states that don’t have hate crime legislation at all. [Editor’s TRUE Q MAGAZINE

COVER STORY note: Those five states are Arkansas, Georgie, Indiana, South Carolina and Wyoming] Across the 50 states, who’s included in that law and how severe the punishments are varies wildly.

On the enforcement side, we work with police and prosecutors across the country. We hold hate crimes training for police officers or district attorneys, somewhere in the country that either has a higher rate of hate crimes or has demonstrated a lack of reporting in their statistics. In most states, police don’t get hate crime training in cadet programs at their academies. That’s changing, slowly. We have legal and law enforcement professionals who provide those trainings, free of cost to the departments and communities where we see a need.

We urge law enforcement agencies to report. The FBI collects statistics on hate crimes every year, from the roughly 18,000 law enforcement agencies around the country. But it’s not mandatory for the departments to report those statistics. And it’s not mandatory for them to make sure those statistics are particularly accurate. In 2017, for instance, 87% of law enforcement agencies reported that they have zero hate crimes in their jurisdiction. We know from social science and from Department of Justice Research that just isn’t true. They either didn’t hear from the victims, they didn’t take in the case in a way that identified it as a hate crime, or something else went wrong with the reporting process.

Judy and Dennis Shepard at a speaking engagement.

Matthew Shepard.

We work very hard to try to persuade municipalities and counties and make sure their police and sheriffs are actually providing meaningful statistics. We did see an increase in reporting in the last year, but there’s quite a bit to go. There’s close to 2,000 agencies out there that still are not providing their statistics. That just starves the public of information about hate crimes. It makes it harder for them to be aware and to protect themselves.

Beyond that, we do other work more broadly around advancing understanding and compassion. We support productions of The Laramie Project all over the world. We support productions of other works that commemorate Matt. There’s a beautiful choral oratorio called “Considering Matthew Shepard” touring the country. There’s a wonderful documentary film, Matt Shepard Is A Friend Of Mine, that’s frequently shown in festivals, colleges and other institutions. There’s a book of poetry dedicated to Matt (October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard)

by Leslea Newman, who’s a highly regarded lesbian poet.

We talk to the media and we talk to community organizations. We do speaking engagements at colleges and schools, and participate in panels and conferences devoted to these issues. We do that all with our little staff, and Judy and Dennis Shepard, and a budget of about a million dollars a year.

In the past 20 years, how have people’s thoughts and perceptions about the reporting and prevention of hate crimes changed?

I started in 2009, which was the year the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr., Hate Crime Prevention Act was passed and signed into law by President Obama. That was the first major change that occurred — that sexual orientation and gender identity became covered under the federal hate crime law. We and many other organizations had been pressing for that legislation for over ten years.

That’s when we started participating more aggressively in hate crimes trainings for law enforcement. Because there was a brand new law, and there was a huge need to educate police and prosecutors about it, in those first few years after it passed.

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We started to see much higher visibility around the issue of hate crimes. Gradually, we started to see local media cover local cases a little more frequently and comprehensively. We started to see prosecutions under the act. We started collecting case studies of actual hate crimes that occurred, so that we could talk to the public and law enforcement and law makers concretely about examples of why the law mattered, and why the law should be enforced as thoroughly as possible.

During those early years, the marriage equality debate started to make advances in public opinion and in the legal system. The groundwork was completed to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, to allow members of the military to serve openly. All of those changes started to impel other changes in the workplace, in schools and in anti-bullying efforts. There was just a very broad feeling amongst LGBT people and their allies, that we were on a really obvious forward path to achieving these goals.

Starting in 2015, and continuing through last year, hate crimes started to go up again, for the first time in a long time. There had been a long, very gradual downturn in the number of hate crimes reported every year.

In 2015, they went up, and they went up again in 2016, and again in 2017, which was the first time in this century that they’ve gone up three years in a row. This past year, they went up by 17%. There’s a statistically significant increase in the number of people who are being victimized based on their identity.

There are a lot of policy reversals that are being attempted, and there’s a much more hostile social climate towards minorities in the U.S. than there was three years ago. I think political rhetoric has played a very large part in that. It’s played a large part in the number of hate crimes increasing.

It’s really got the attention of people in every minority identity community, that our social progress is in peril of reversal. Also, as individuals, we’re potentially more likely to be victimized, as a result of that social and political climate. We can definitely look back and see meaningful progress. But this current political atmosphere is a very strong reminder that progress can be taken away, if we’re not vigilant about protecting it.

On another subject, the different artistic projects supported by the Foundation, why do you think using art is such an effective and meaningful way to share your message?

I think artistic works will be the chief way in which Matt’s legacy will attained and preserved. I like to explain what we do by saying that people DECEMBER 2018 | 11

COVER STORY aren’t reasoned out of things that they weren’t reasoned into in the first place. Homophobia, racism, sexism, other forms of bigotry are engrained and learned behaviors that come from people’s upbringing and their social climate. Most of the time, they don’t make a rational choice to believe those things. What’s helpful about artistic works that tell Matt’s story is that they cause people to feel empathy and greater understanding for Matt as a fellow human being, and rethink the way that they respond to hatred and other forms of conflict between demographic groups.

It’s our hope, and a reasonably well-documented one, that when people sit through a production of The Laramie Project, or they listen to “Considering Matthew Shepard,” or they read moving poetry, or they hear Melissa Etheridge’s song or Elton John’s song about Matt, that it reaches them in a different way. A way that makes it harder for them to dismiss the issue and more likely to feel something warm and compassionate.

We are always looking for a way to get through people’s intellectual and ideological defenses, to make them understand at a more human and visceral level what hatred can do to people, to families, to communities.

The Laramie Project and other works just really lay that out there — how much grief and anger and sorrow and regret and disagreement come out of something as horrible as a high-profile hate crime in your town.

It challenges people to think, “how would we respond if that happened here? What have I done as an individual person to be part of the solution?” Those are all questions people don’t wake up in the morning expecting to ask themselves, but that really present themselves when they experience one of these works.

It’s the same with Judy and Dennis speaking. I’ve seen them go speak in front of sixth graders. The students know that these are parents whose son was killed because he was gay. You could hear a pin drop in those presentations. They ask thoughtful questions. “What role does religion play in this?” “Why was it so hard to get this law passed?” Questions that adults should be asking, frankly.

We can tell that it’s because they felt for these people; they see these folks in front of them, talking to them, who are obviously still in mourning. And they get it. It works that way with adult audiences, too, but especially with kids. We find that we can make them feel a little bit more about why this is important. The thinking will come later if they’re inspired to consider the issue. Reaching them on an empathetic, emotional plane — at whatever age — is the most effective way to get people to shift their beliefs.

So what’s next for the Matthew Shepard Foundation?

Anything planned for the next 20 years?

We already have more than a dozen law enforcement agencies on our waiting list for hate crimes training next year. We’ll be hard-pressed to do all of those, unless we can grow our teams. We’re teaming up with a university, a couple other nonprofits and a couple of law firms to build out a bigger version of our training program, so that we can reach more officers. As a part of that, reach the media in those communities, reach the LGBT and other minority community activists in those places. That’s going to require us to grow a little bit, probably by both adding members to our team and building a team of volunteers around the country, who can pick up some of this work in different regions.

We’re continuing to expand our support for artistic works. I have a retired high school English teacher on my team who is building curriculum and classroom materials for teachers to use. We’ve seen that The Laramie Project has largely been performed by high school and college theatre classes and programs. In the last few years, more and more teachers have been bringing it into the classroom. We’re trying to pull our lens back a little bit and bring in some broader perspectives around The Laramie Project in particular, but also the documentary film and the oratorio and Leslea’s poetry, so that it can be useful to teachers in a broader range of subject matter.

12 | DECEMBER 2018

The Matthew Shepard Foundation erases hate.

The Shepards are booked well into 2019 for presentations to community groups, college students, high schools. They’re flying all over the country, responding to people’s interest in the 20th anniversary. We’re active in a variety of programatic coalitions with the Anti-Defamation League and HRC and other major civil rights organizations, to see if we can get improved legislation moving, now that there’s bipartisan leadership in Congress. We think there may be an opportunity for LGBT-inclusive legislation to get a fairer hearing than it’s had in recent years.

All of the fundraising and staffing and administrative work that comes with a growing organization is only going to be a heavier lift next year.

We’re trying to metaphorically go to the gym more often, build our administrative and institutional elements here so we can take on a larger workload. We had a very positive year in terms of fundraising and new volunteers signing up. All of those indicators are on an upward trend, which is great to see.

What else would you want to tell people about the Matthew Shepard Foundation?

I always close by telling people we’re an organization of eight folks and some volunteers. Our work will only truly be effective if people join us in doing it. We always try to focus our work on inspiring individuals to be a part of this in their daily lives. To confront hatred when they run into it. To live their lives by values that help those around them. To embrace diversity and not reject it. To try to encourage teachers and other adult mentors to reach out to LGBTQ young poeople in their lives.

If we could get millions of people to get up every morning wanting to do that, and doing that in small, daily ways, a huge amount of our work would be accomplished. In fact, the only way that our work will ultimately succeed is if millions of people choose to do it, individually and in tandem with each other. That would be enough to put us out of business, and society would be stronger, and people would be healthier and have more justice.

We just really are so grateful for and humbled by the fact, that 20 years later, people still continue to consider Matt’s story important, and are inspired by it to try and make the world a better place.

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FEATURE

Equality Ohio Honors Our Allies And Advocates This nonprofit is celebrating two local activists who brought change to our community through their impactful work.

By Kaylee Duff If you think about a statewide organization who is dedicated to fighting for Ohio’s LGBTQ+ community, chances are that Equality Ohio is one of the first that comes to mind. Founded in 2005, Equality Ohio is a nonprofit that serves the entire state. They focus their education and activism efforts on the legal and lived inequalities that affect the experiences of Ohio’s LGBTQ+ population.

For over a decade, Equality Ohio has served the community in almost every way there was a need. From pushing for non-discrimination legislation at the citywide and statewide levels to providing resources for those looking for affirming businesses or practices, Equality Ohio is there on the front lines.

The nonprofit is now honoring Advocate several activists around the state in a Giovonni series of Allies & Advocates recognition Santiago. events. These events are “celebrating the people who bring legal and lived equality to life in the places we call home.” Starting on December 5, at the Greater Cleveland Aquarium, Equality Ohio is highlighting the work of one ally and one advocate.

Dr. Cecile Unger and Giovonni Santiago are well-known and revered community members in northeast Ohio. The two worked together to create the first transgender-specific clinic within the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA). Dr. Unger is a dedicated ally to the trans population, and has advocated tirelessly for their health and well-being for years.

Santiago, a U.S. Air Force veteran, was Dr. Unger’s first trans patient back in 2013, when he began his medical transition. In 2014, the two spoke to a panel of doctors about his case — and about how the VA could better serve their transgender veterans.

“There were probably about a hundred doctors in this room,” Santiago recalled. “I told them they should open up a new wing in the clinic.”

They listened. In 2015, the GIVE (Gender Identity Veterans Experience) clinic opened Louis Stokes in the Cleveland VA Medical Center. The GIVE clinic provides comprehensive services and care to trans vets, including everything from speciality consultations to support groups. The creation of this clinic and their teams is absolutely critical and an amazing step forward for the LGBTQ+ community in the state.

On top of all that, Giovonni Santiago does a lot of work as an advocate in the northeast Ohio — and is no stranger to the spotlight.

He has worked with Equality Ohio on passing non-discrimination ordinances in Akron and Cleveland. He’s organized workshops addressing local trans issues, including Trans in the CLE. He serves on the Summit County Advisory Council on Diversity and Inclusion, and was the Cultural Diversity Liaison for Akron’s inaugural Pride in 2017. In 2018, Santiago was named one of Cleveland Magazine’s Most Interesting People. He walked in the LGBTQ portion of New York TRUE Q MAGAZINE

Giovonni Santiago at the GIVE clinic grand opening.

Fashion Week and was on NBC News’s #Pride30 list this year. And he runs his own nonprofit organization, META Center, Inc., which is dedicated to serving transgender and gender non-conforming youth.

Santiago was a preschool teacher when he started META, after hearing stories about kids committing suicide or being bullied for their gender identities on the news and in support groups he worked with. “It was just extremely disheartening. I had to stop talking about it to everyone and just enact that change,” he explained.

Being honored by Equality Ohio for the work he has done is a dream come true for Santiago. “To see that they had me on their radar when I was just doing the work that I felt needed to be done is very fulfilling,” Santiago said when asked how it felt to be a recognized as an advocate.

“Because that means I have been doing the right thing and that people are noticing. It just goes back to integrity, and always doing the right thing even when you don’t think anyone is looking.”

He continued: “It makes me feel like I’m doing exactly what needs to be done as a role model. It’s important work. I’m giving information, and the youth are listening and the adults are listening. That’s just something I can always continue to do and only continue to get better at.”

Visit equalityohio.org for more information about this event and Equality Ohio’s inspiring work.

DECEMBER 2018 | 13

TRANS VIEW

Trials For The Holidays

Anxieties about coming home are heightened for transgender people during the holiday season — but so are the benefits in having a supportive community.

By Daniel Tirabassi The holidays are when people enjoy social gatherings with friends, family and acquaintances. Many feel this time is joyful and enjoyable. Though it is supposed to be a time of acceptance, many transgender people struggle immensely during this time.

There are several reasons this season is problematic for transgender people. The most prominent and understood problems are issues when it comes to family. If a person has recently come out to close members of their family, they’re not always sure how to present to the extended members that they may be seeing for the first time in their newly announced identity. Many are afraid of the reactions they will get from the people that they admire and care for the most.

14 | DECEMBER 2018

To add to the discomfort of the situation, worries about the gifts they will receive from these people also weigh on their minds, especially the minds of younger people. Grandparents are infamous for giving gifts based on the gender of a grandchild.

If a grandparent is unaware of a person’s new identity, or if they don’t accept their new identity, the gifts that are given to a transgender child could add to the dysphoria that they are already experiencing. This could also make a family gathering uncomfortable, not only for the transgender person, but for the members of the family that know and/or accept the newly announced gender identity.

There are also people that come home during this part of the year after a prolonged absence, like going away for school or moving to a new place. Often, transgender people use the

distance from their family to live full time, or at least most of the time, in their true gender.

When going home for the holidays, these people are left with a choice. The choice is to mask their new identity from the family while they are home or use this opportunity to announce this major change to them.

Either one of these options can cause immense stress on the person.

When a person masks their true identity from their family, they spend the entire trip hiding a major part of their life from people they care about. The person is generally forced to withhold stories and information that they want to share, because it would lead to questions about their gender identity. To top it off, they have to deal with being referred to by a name that they may not have used for a long time. This act alone could cause TRUE Q MAGAZINE

TRANS VIEW dysphoria so bad that it can lead to an intense depression. This is added to by having to dress in a manner that makes them uncomfortable and disconnected from themself.

When a person chooses to return home in their true identity, they risk their entire world collapsing during a time that is meant to be joyful. They could instantly be rejected by their parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and many more people. This could leave them without a place to stay while they are home — or worse. Some risk violence from others for merely being true to who they are. Though this is a daily struggle for a lot of the LGBTQ+ community, during the holidays, the fear of these actions actually occurring is heightened.

This brings us to the ever present holiday parties. Granted, a lot a people get nervous when it comes to holiday parties, but transgender people are gravely anxious about functions like this. For newly announced gender-variant people, these parties are often one of the first times that

they choose to present at a large function as their true selves. They are often being introduced to others by someone who is still misgendering them or using their birth name.

Though the person making the introduction might correct themself in the midst of the interaction, it creates a situation to which the transgender person then has to come out to a person without being prepared to do so. This is stressful with one person, but the stress gets amplified with every introduction made throughout the span of the party.

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These situations are also stressful for transgender people who have been living as their true self for a long time. People who may not have seen the person in a long time could end up at one of these parties. I personally experienced a situation like this a few years ago. A great-aunt of mine was at an event and I had not seen her in a number of years.

While she was speaking with my father, brother and me, she asked my father where I was, referring to my birth name. My father then had to explain that I was who she was asking to see and what it all meant. For a person who has been able to pass on a daily basis for years, having to explain it again to someone is nerve-wrecking.

However, even with all the negativity that could surround the holidays, there are many opportunities for the positivity of the season to shine. This is a great time for a transgender person to learn that their family accepts and values their true identity. Many of my transgender friends have told me stories about going home for the holidays to presents that embrace their true identity. One friend told me

years ago that they got a toy from their parents that they asked for every year when they were a child. Since the toy was meant for a gender different than the one they were born in, their parents never thought the toy was appropriate for them. The first holiday after they came out, their parents hunted down the exact model of the toy that they wanted as a kid and left it under the tree as the last present my friend would open. This small gesture proved to my friend that their parents understood who they are and embraced it wholeheartedly.

The holidays also bring like-minded people together. Community centers, bars and businesses hold holiday events that are aimed at bringing in people who feel rejected or lost. These events have been known to lead to traditions being born and a new family being built. These new families are supportive, caring and understanding of each other making the holidays a more enjoyable and comfortable time for everyone. Even if someone experiences any of the aforementioned trials, they are able to find people that can help them get through it or even become stronger because of it.

The holidays tend to focus on biological family, but in our community, family is often built. Remember to embrace this new definition of family. If nothing else, be there for the transgender people in your life in case others in their life are not. After all, the holiday season is about love, peace and joy. Be the person who gifts that aspect of the holidays to someone else.

Daniel Tirabassi is a trans man whose goal in life is to make the process of transitioning easier for the next generation.

DECEMBER 2018 | 15

ARTS

Creator’s Space We’ve collected some of our favorite reader-submitted art and literature!

Storms Collide

By Sarah Beasley They feel the storm, see it coming But this time know there is no running The clouds are forming, violent, gray Without intent to fade away The sun has gone, the sea now black Two forces meet and can’t turn back As lightning strikes to meet the hail A tyrant falls, it’s fate to fail Best Gift Of All, digital photograph.

By Kimberly Burton.

16 | DECEMBER 2018

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ARTS

A master copy of The Beginning and The End, 1988 by Eric Fischl, oil on canvas, 20” x 30”

By Emily Hirzel

About the Poet:

About the Artist:

Sarah Beasley is a retail worker by day, Twitch streamer by night and a poet when inspiration happens her way. Dark tones in her writing bring light to conflicting morals and ideas, which are common themes throughout her work.

Emily Hirzel is a 22-year-old graphic designer from Cleveland. She is a recent graduate of Bowling Green State University, where she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design.

She currently lives in Columbus with her fiancée.

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About the Photographer: Kimberly Burton is a 24-year old bisexual woman. She currently lives in Bowling Green, Ohio, where she is studying Visual Communication. Along with being a student, she is a mother of one wonderful boy and a cat-mom to two rambunctious cats. You can follow her photography Instagram @krbphotography94.

DECEMBER 2018 | 17

DEVELOPMENT

Challenge Accepted:

Ohio Takes On Climate Change The American Cities Climate Challenge is an unprecedented opportunity for Columbus and Cincinnati to join the ranks of other ambitious cities to significantly deepen and accelerate their efforts to tackle climate change and promote a sustainable future for their residents.

By J.M. Rayburn Last month, we focused on Complete Streets and how to promote safe streets for everyone. This month, let’s expand our view to look at not only streets but buildings, too.

The reason we want to look at streets and buildings together has a lot to do with the fact that they are responsible for about 80% of all citywide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The reduction of GHG emissions is key to tackling climate change and to promoting a sustainable future for residents and businesses. As our dive into Complete Streets revealed, city governments have significant authority when it comes to streets. Cities also have a lot of influence in what gets built — or not built — in your neighborhood. As such, cities have a real opportunity to pilot and implement proven climate solutions and innovations that will help grow the economy, protect public health and improve the quality of life for citizens.

For America’s cities to lead the way in reducing GHG emissions from streets and buildings, it requires a different kind of commitment. Delivering on it will require local innovation, broad-based efforts to grow and deepen public support for a sustainable future, and a relentless focus from city governments to achieve results. To support this vital work, Bloomberg Philanthropies and partners announced a $70 million investment in the American Cities Climate Challenge. Columbus and Cincinnati were recently selected as two of the 20 “Leadership Cities” to participate in a two-year acceleration program. Other cities announced so far include Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Honolulu, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Portland, Saint Paul, San Diego, San Jose, Seattle, St. Louis and Washington, D.C. The 20 Leadership Cities will be provided robust technical assistance and a support package valued at $2.5 million per city. These resources include a philanthropy-funded team member to facilitate the development and passage of high impact policies, training for senior TRUE Q MAGAZINE

leadership to assist with implementation of their proposed climate plans, and citizen engagement support to maximize community buy-in.

Each of the 20 Leadership Cities have their own specific climate action plans. Columbus, for example, is tasked with completing the following actions by 2020: • Deploy a workforce development program for energy efficiency auditors and to increase the number of homes audited with a focus on the City neighborhoods with the highest rates of low-income households; • Accelerate existing and add new financing programs for energy efficiency and renewables for commercial buildings; • Roll out a multimodal trip planning app to drive behavioral insights and engagement strategies to encourage mode share; • Launch a PR campaign to increase ridership on newly expanded highfrequency transit lines.

Cincinnati is the other Ohio city selected in the American Cities Climate Challenge. City leadership there has outlined the following actions to complete by 2020: • Install large-scale renewable generation to power the Greater Cincinnati Water Works utility;

• Power the municipal energy load with 100% renewable energy; • Advance energy efficiency programs for the commercial and residential buildings sectors including the development of a robust 2030 District to engage corporate partners around sustainability.

The American Cities Climate Challenge represents a huge opportunity for Ohio and it’s something we should all should celebrate and support. The responsibility now falls on us as residents and business owners to hold our elected leaders accountable. We must advocate for more resilient, sustainable neighborhoods and local economies. But most importantly, it falls on us to support leaders who recognize that better health, jobs and opportunities tomorrow depend on bold actions today.

J.M. Rayburn is an urban planner with the City of Dublin, Realtor with Coldwell Banker King Thompson and neighborhood commissioner for the 5th by Northwest neighborhood of Columbus. Opinions are his own and not the views of his employers.

DECEMBER 2018 | 19

FEATURE

Wrapping Up Election Season

The 2018 midterm elections brought forth some of the States’ most progressive politicians and policies to date, but Ohio still fell short on equality voting.

By Michael Toland Nationally, the 2018 midterms was filled with some of the most impressive victories yet for progressives. Congress is now poised in 2019 to have more women and minorities than any time in our history. The incoming Congress’ average age is set to drop by 10 years, with more than 25 incoming members at the age of 40 or younger. This is great news! We’re bringing fresh and diverse perspectives to the national stage, which shouldn’t be overlooked.

Winning back a majority control of the House, Democrats are able to put checks and balances against the current administration. The victory is incredible.

Tennessee elected its first woman to Senate, Marsha Blackburn. Arizona elected their first woman and openly bisexual Senator, Kystern Sinema. Connecticut is sending Jahana Hayes, its first black woman to Congress. Jared Polis, the first openly gay man to be elected governor, won his race in Colorado. America sent our first 20 | DECEMBER 2018

Native American women to Congress — Deb Haaland of New Mexico and Sharice Davids from Kansas, who is also the state’s first openly gay member of Congress. Massachusetts elected their first black woman to Congress, Ayanna Pressley. One could go on and on about the nations firsts. Even Michigan passed a slew of progressive ballot initiatives, expanding voting rights, legalizing recreational marijuana use and electing progressives across the state.

So what happened in Ohio? November was brutal for Ohio Democrats and liberal voters. We lost Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State and so on. Democrats in Ohio were unable to pick up a single U.S. House seat (not for lack of trying), netted only four State Legislature Reps and lost a state Senate seat in Mahoning Valley. The Ohio legislature continues to preserve its Republican supermajorities by will of voters. The only bright spot was incumbent Sherrod Brown preserving his U.S. Senate seat, receiving almost 300,000 more votes than Richard

Cordray, the Democratic candidate for Ohio Governor. Ohio keeps moving further toward the right, electing politicians who consistently vote against the interests of Ohio citizens.

According to the Ohio Voter Project, those who show up to the ballot box in Ohio skew toward older generations. Only about 2.1 million of Ohio’s approximately 7.9 millions registered voters are under the age of 35. By party, the state’s registered voter declaration skews heavily Republican, while the largest group of voters choose not to declare affiliation with either Democrats or Republicans.

Ohio’s electorate tends to skew older due to younger individuals leaving the state for college or leaving after receiving degrees from in-state schools. This youth and brain drain continues to impact the state, and until we build the opportunities young people want to participate in, this trend will continue. Those who do stay are concentrated themselves to the “three C’s” — Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati — due to more opportunities present in these cities.

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FEATURE tells us that much. Ohioans care about progressive values, but they don’t see how taxes are helping them. They’re convinced that Democrats will continue to send their taxes to Columbus, instead of funneling that money back to their communities. Meanwhile, Ohio’s Republican politicians have done exactly that.

It seems then we should start talking about progressive infrastructure in Ohio. What’s the long-term strategy? It seems like a no-brainer.

We have diverse urban centers, with powerful local political parties that can drive local voter turn-out, so the question becomes liberal rural turnout. It’s clear that rural communities under Republican leadership in Ohio have done worse. Trump’s trade deals have seen benefits in parts of Ohio, but the effect is limited.

Towns like Lima, Mansfield, Chillicothe or Findlay — the old manufacturing centers of the state — are still struggling. Without public investment to keep what is still there afloat, to provide empowerment for citizens of these communities, what happens? It seems clear that progressives must build their infrastructure in these smaller cities and larger towns, and demonstrate their commitment to improving the lives of residents here — because these regional cities influence so much of the surrounding rural communities. We cannot continue to focus on the “three C’s,” as they can only deliver so many votes, and it’s proving to be not enough.

Compounding the issue of liberal concentration to these cities, Ohio’s gerrymandering carves districts comprised of large rural landscapes with small sections of urban areas that limit progressive voting power. Progressives cannot represent themselves or their interests across the state through these district lines.

But another difficult part is building progressive infrastructure across rural Ohio.

Let’s face it, spending the money to build out infrastructures in places progressives are leaving is hard and expensive. Politicians want to ensure they spend their time and money where their votes are, but we’ve seen this strategy repeatedly fail the left. Even having a Democrat run in all 99 state House seats and in 17 state Senate seats wasn’t enough to drive voters to the ballot box.

So what should we do? Do we throw up our hands and give up on Ohio as a progressive state? No! Rural voters connect with progressive values. Sherrod Brown’s victory, especially among rural, blue-collar Ohioans, TRUE Q MAGAZINE

This responsibility is not solely on the Ohio Democratic Party, but all of us who have an interest in Ohio’s success. We all need to make a case for Ohio’s future, and to wrestle it from conservative supermajorities. We must ensure that all ideas are considered. Rural Ohio is facing a consolidated agriculture economy, and while some may agree that messages about inequality are important, they worry more about providing enough to feed their family and support themselves and communities.

When your job has up and gone, and you are trying to find assistance, you might agree that the violence against minority communities is important, but paying your bills, finding employment and surviving is your focus. This is the message that Sherrod Brown grasps more than other statewide Democrats.

So let’s focus on finding common ground between our rural and urban constituents. We overlap on so many key issues; this should come natural. Ohio’s environment is critical to the success of its agricultural and rural communities, and if you attend farmers’ markets in your community, the farmers will express this to you. The urban residents of Columbus pride themselves on passing another metro parks levy, and it’s clear this is a unifying issue.

a thriving regional getaway destination has been permanently ruined. Toledo experiences algae blooms regularly on Lake Erie. This is an issue all Ohioans agree on, and have witnessed become progressively worse under Republican leadership. In Southeast Ohio, fracking, both in and out-of state, are polluting drinking water.

These issues matter! Ohio’s rural communities feed the urban ones, in addition to many others across the country and globe! Protecting the environment is just one way to unite our communities, and something Democrats have always favored, so let’s start stressing it.

Even more, education in both rural and urban Ohio matters. After over $80 million tax dollars were wasted on ECOT by a Republican controlled state, all Ohioans should have been outraged. That was $80 million tax dollars that could have went to local public schools where so many rural and urban residents send their children. Local communities have been starved of education funds, and they are unable shore up enough of a windfall via local taxes to compensate for it. Poor urban communities of color and rural Ohioans face the same issues, and ALL Ohioans who care about the future of children in this state should show up to the polls and vote individuals in who will keep public taxes out of the hands of corrupt forprofit institutions that do not serve the needs of Ohio’s children.

It is on us to educate ourselves about the issues faced by people living across this state. The concentration of progressives in urban communities must make a concerted effort to learn about rural Ohioans and their issues without not dismissing them. Their needs impact us; they matter. Let’s show them. If you’re originally from a small town in Ohio, then go home! Canvass your neighbors, share progressive ideas and gather their ideas on solutions. We won’t convince this state to go blue until we start appreciating that we’re all in this together. All our causes matter.

Progressives aren’t just in urban city centers and outlying suburbs, but all across this state, waiting to connect and be heard by people who are finally ready to listen. Let’s collectively build a state where everyone does better.

Michael Toland is an in-house Financial Operations and Strategy Consultant for a global telecommunications firm, as well as the Institute Co-Chair for New Leaders Council - Columbus.

Meanwhile, places like St. Mary’s and Celina experience toxic algae blooms in Grand Lake St. Mary’s to such a degree that DECEMBER 2018 | 21

VOICES

These Are A Few Of Our Favorite Things The holidays just wouldn’t be the same without these heartfelt, sometimes silly and always authentically human traditions.

By Kaylee Duff Holidays are full of traditions. Things we do every year since childhood, without question, for what can sometimes seem like no reason. From being steeped in religious practices to just plain random, holiday routines are often what we look forward to most. It gives us a break from the constant hustle-and-bustle of buying gifts and avoiding lines.

Every person has their traditions special and unique to their experience.

For example, here’s one of my favorite holiday traditions: My family only eats un-cooked food on Christmas Eve. I’m not entirely sure when or why this started, but for as long as I can remember, my family has eaten cheese and crackers and veggies for dinner on Christmas Eve. We’ll come home from church, and then set up shop wrapping presents, drinking hot chocolate and eating our cold dinner. We always have lots of olives and summer sausage (my mom’s favorite).

So we asked our readers what some of your favorite customs are.

Here’s what you had to say:

22 | DECEMBER 2018

TRUE Q MAGAZINE

VOICES • “I have a playlist of Christmas music that I listen to all season long. Most of the songs are holiday-specific, but I also included some songs that just remind me of the holidays. My favorite is “My Favorite Things” from The Sound of Music, which is not technically a Christmas song, but is usually included in lots of holiday albums and is undeniably an absolute bop.”

• “My family used to hide a pickle ornament in the tree, and whichever of us found it first got to open a present first.”

• “My parents got a divorce when I was seven, so I got to have two Christmas celebrations! I would celebrate with my mom and stepdad on Christmas Eve, and then with my dad and stepmom on Christmas Day! My mom would always cook her homemade noodles and ham.

My dad was always adventurous and cooked something different every year, and sometimes it turned out edible. My dad once got me a BB gun and I shot the brand new siding on his house. I got coal for a few years after that. My mom knew it happened, so she always got me the hottest gadgets that year. I’m starting to think she was rewarding me for ruining my dad’s siding!”

• “Fun thing that my boyfriend’s family does is everyone in the house on Christmas Eve helps prepare a breakfast for Christmas Day. We get in an assembly line and cut fresh homemade bread slices with a slit in the middle, dip then in cinnamon vanilla egg batter, and then stuff them with cream cheese and jam. Then his mom gets up early to bake them, so you wake up on Christmas morning to the best freaking smell ever and get to eat it while the kiddos open presents.”

• “We had this Santa that held a light-up candle that had two modes: no sound or incredibly loud. Christmas morning my grandma and I always woke up extra early just to look at the lights, drink coffee and have heart-to-hearts. And we’d turn Santa’s candle on. Then when I just couldn’t stand it anymore, she’d let me turn the sound on and I’d run upstairs to my sleeping mom, uncle, aunt and grandpa with it. I still usually get up early and turn on the lights even if I’m just sitting with my cat.”

• “Instead of spending the whole day slaving away in the kitchen to make this elaborate meal, our family would make homemade personalized pizzas from scratch (I always thought making the dough and throwing it in the air was the best part). Way more fun and less stressful!”

• “A new tradition for me is to visit the local autism organization as Santa.”

• “Boxing Day Chinese takeout and a movie! We don’t do it every year, but most years it’s in our head to do it the day after Christmas. Also: when my niece and nephew got old enough to help decorate the tree, my mom put out our soft and simple, non-fragile ornaments for them. Even now, when they’re 9 and 11, we still start with those!”

• “If I was spending a holiday with my dad, it doesn’t matter which holiday, we always had to watch the movie Captain Ron.” • “Since I’ve stopped spending holidays with my family, Thanksgiving and Christmas have become a day of Skype. Christmas is my day to completely veg out by myself, order half the Chinese takeout menu and go see a movie.”

• “I have to have chips and dip for New Years. It’s a thing.”

• “We all go over to my grandma’s house and bring different desserts.

Then line dance in the living room while a football game was in the background. When my mom and I went home, we set up the Christmas tree and watch the Garfunkel’s Christmas and Thanksgiving [specials]. We still do it till this day.”

TRUE Q MAGAZINE

• “When I was in grade school and high school, my family and I would bake a bunch of different Christmas goodies for all of our teachers. Every year, they’d all get so hype for these goodie baskets and it made me so happy! Also, my family eats spaghetti and meatballs on Christmas.”

• “Once my sister found out about Santa, my family decided to move Christmas to New Year’s Eve. We still celebrate Christmas on Christmas, but we do all the gift giving on New Year’s. We buy gifts during those couple days in between, when everything goes super cheap.”

• “We get a pair of PJs every year on Christmas and it’s the one present we’re allowed to open on Christmas Eve.” • “My mom makes us wear themed costumes. The mermaid year was great for the guys.”

• “Champagne Jell-O shots on New Years Eve.” • “When I was a young boy, my mom’s side of the family would get together at my grandparents house on Christmas Eve. We would have lasagna for dinner and play board games. My brother and I would always look forward to see the bubble lights my grandparents used to light their tree.”

• “Since my girls were in high school, we watch the Christmas morning scene from Female Trouble before we open gifts on Christmas morning.”

• “On Christmas Eve eve, we bake our Christmas cookies then we spend the night in the living room, under the Christmas tree, watching movies and whatever and hanging out.”

DECEMBER 2018 | 23

FEATURE

The renovated Community Center on High; photo by Jeff Skinner.

A New Era For Stonewall Columbus

Central Ohio’s LGBTQ+ community center got a makeover! The new “Center On High” is slated to open to the public in Spring 2019.

By Kaylee Duff Mid-November, Stonewall Columbus (SWC) invited several local LGBTQ+ community leaders, activists and organization members to attend a “first look” at their newly renovated community center. While there, the True Team got a chance to take a sneak peek at what is sure to become a hotspot for education, advocacy and creativity.

The “Center on High” has long been a symbol for queer Columbus, and is being expanded to reflect and accommodate our community’s growth and expansion. The City of Columbus is rapidly increasing in population size and activity; central Ohio’s diversity is growing equally as fast.

The new building coincides with a revamping of the overall aesthetic, as well. Last month, Stonewall Columbus revealed their new logo, which is the most significant change the company has seen to their branding

“First look” of new building; photo by Mike Miller.

24 | DECEMBER 2018

TRUE Q MAGAZINE

FEATURE

Brandt-Roberts Galleries displaying queer art; photo by Jeff Skinner.

Keeping track of time on new SWC clock; photo by Mike Miller.

in 11 years. The new branding system is part of an affirmation that SWC is “a safe and welcoming space for ALL of us,” according to a statement released in November.

Art depicting transgender issues with batthrooms; photo by Jeff Skinner.

Then, on November 16, SWC announced the selection of their new Executive Director, AJ Casey. Casey had been a leader in the community for many years before applying for the new position; she assisted with Stonewall Builds, the official re-build capital campaign. Casey is the perfect fit for the inclusive, welcoming future of Stonewall Columbus.

Through their years of service for the LGBTQ+ community in central Ohio, SWC has always aimed to provide events, programming and space that are accessible and safe for all of us. The new building clocks in at 15,000 square feet total — 12,000 square feet for community program and event space, and 3,000 square feet for offices and conference rooms. You can find building renderings on the Stonewall Builds official website for depictions on what those spaces will look like.

The Stonewall Builds site also includes breakdowns on the campaign’s origins, partners and progress. The site reads: “This is more than a building — it’s a symbol of our future.” Our community wants to ensure that everyone in our community has somewhere safe they can turn to. Our safe spaces should be as inclusive and affirming as possible, for everyone, from all walks of life.

Floors under construction; photo by Jeff Skinner.

TRUE Q MAGAZINE

View from the roof; photo by Jeff Skinner.

Mural of LGBTQ+ icons; photo by Jeff Skinner.

For more information about the Stonewall Columbus renovation and expansion, check out stonewallbuilds.org.

DECEMBER 2018 | 25

DRAG TALK

My Month As A Bearded Queen

I grew out my beard during No-Shave November, and got to explore a type of drag that was new to me.

I was shocked when people said things like, “I don’t like the beard look. I don’t get it!” So I responded to that person and said, “You’re the reason I am doing this look. I want everyone to know that all drag is valid, so for No-Shave November, I am doing bearded looks.” Of course, I got some great feedback, but for the most part people didn’t understand it or like it.

The whole month was rough, not just for my skin and my beard, but also for my emotions.

There were times when I wasn’t accepted.

People didn’t tip me because they said they came for a “drag” show, not a “freak” show.

But I continued to tell my story and deliver my message: All types of drag are valid. It doesn’t matter if you’re a beauty queen or scene queen or a bearded queen. You are valid.

Laughter & Love, Jennifer Lynn Ali During No-Shave November.

Me with Michael Bishop.

By Jeff Skinner Last month, I joined others and participated in No-Shave November. Many donate the money they save on not shaving to cancer research. I decided to use this month to learn more about myself, and experiment with a style of drag new to me — bearded drag.

It all started in October. I was scrolling through my social media when I saw a status that said bearded queens and spooky drag were not “real” drag. I thought to myself, “All drag is valid,” so now here we are!

You know and I know that there are many types of drag. Just to get some outsider advice, I went to a long time performer and friend, Brent Fabian. When I asked Brent what the different types of drag were, he responded: “Pageant drag, camp drag, drag kings, femme queens, male entertainers, burlesque queens, dancing queens, classic drag. All kinds.”

Brent is so right! So that’s why I didn’t shave during November. I wanted to make a statement and let everyone know all drag is valid. I went to a pageant with a glitter beard.

26 | DECEMBER 2018

Me with Sonya Ross, Miss Boscoe’s 2019.

All drag is valid!

TRUE Q MAGAZINE

FEATURE

Know Your Status: World AIDS Day Is December 1st

World AIDS Day is an international day dedicated to raising awareness about the AIDS epidemic caused by the spread of HIV infection, and mourning those who have died of the disease. The day is often observed with education on AIDS prevention and control.

By Jeff Skinner In 1987, James W. Bunn and Thomas Netter (two public information officers for the Global Programme on AIDS in Geneva, Switzerland) had an idea to start World AIDS Day. Dunn and Netter took their idea to Dr. Jonathan Mann, Director of the Global Programme on AIDS (now UNAIDS). Dr. Mann liked the idea and agreed with the recommendation that the first observance of World AIDS Day should be on December 1, 1988.

According to UNAIDS, as of 2017, AIDS has killed between 28.9 million and 41.5 million people worldwide, and an estimated 36.7 million people are living with HIV. In several parts of the world, the death rate from AIDS epidemic has decreased since 2005, the year that AIDS caused the most deaths.

Every year, World AIDS Day has a theme.

The theme for the first year in 1988 was Communication. In 1998, it was Force for Change: World AIDS Campaign With Young People. For four years, 2005 through 2008, the theme remained the same: Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise. This year, the theme is Know Your Status.

The response to the AIDS crisis has been great and we’ve made a lot of progress. In fact, millions of people are currently living with HIV are leading healthy and productive lives. But we still have miles to go. The latest UNAIDS report shows that one of the challenges remaining is personal knowledge of one’s HIV status.

According to UNAIDS, the aim is “to diagnose 90% of all HIV-positive persons, provide antiretroviral therapy (ART) for 90% of those diagnosed, and achieve viral suppression for 90% of those treated.” HIV testing is crucial for increasing treatment and achieving those 90-90-90 targets by 2020. Testing also empowers people by offering choices TRUE Q MAGAZINE

regarding prevention and protection — people can’t prevent the spread of HIV or protect themselves or their partners if they don’t know their status.

Of course, getting tested isn’t always that easy. UNAIDS states that the estimate “more than 9.4 million people living with HIV still do not know their status.” There are countless reasons why people don’t get tested — from the stigma surrounding and discrimination against HIV positive people to lack of access and resources. Currently, companies and healthcare providers are pioneering ways around these obstacles. Opportunities such as self-testing, community-based testing and multi-disease testing services could help those scared of or unable to access “traditional” HIV testing.

Personally, I got tested every 3-6 months.

One day, when I went into my check-up, I knew something was wrong. I explained to a stranger that this time felt different; my body didn’t feel good, my mind didn’t feel good, and I just wanted answers. She and I had a long conversation, and she asked me what I would do if I found out I was positive. I explained to her that my ex was positive, and we educated each other on HIV and AIDS. But I had made a mistake. When my ex and I broke up, I got with a guy that didn’t tell me or didn’t know his status. I responded to her that I will always be honest, and I will always be positive about being positive.

I will never forget August 3, 2013, when she told me I was HIV positive. That is why I believe it is important to get tested and know your status.

DECEMBER 2018 | 27

SCENES

You Are Ohio’s #OneTrueVoice Here’s some featured snapshots from the state’s favorite LGBTQ+ events and hangouts!

Photo by Emily Hirzel.

We Won’t Be Erased - Rally For Trans Visibility November 7 This nonviolent gathering in response to the memo proposing a narrower definition of gender started at the Ohio State House and moved to a nearby park. Speakers included organizer Felicia DeRosa, Rick Neal and other inspiring trans community members.

Photo by Ian C Powell.

Photo by Ian C Powell.

HighBall Halloween October 26-27 HighBall is the way to celebrate Halloween in Columbus every year. It features a fashion show, costume costume, street party, live art and performances and more!

Photo by Emily Hirzel.

Photo by Emily Hirzel.

Photo by Ian C Powell.

28 | DECEMBER 2018

Photo by Ian C Powell.

Photo by Emily Hirzel.

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