2012-10-01 outlook columbus by Outlook Media, Inc

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the polisigh issue

oct 2012 • vol 17 issue 5

inside: endorsements small pond: europia drinking liberally cbus domestic partner registry Equality ohio’s kim welter gay marriage & employment law Senator Sherrod Brown chad’s dnc overview Don’t ask don’t tell repeal highball halloween & new local celebrity bloggers

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2 oct 2012

Um, you got a little something right there... What were you up to?

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image: Chuck Carnahan

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you are here

snapshot

hey! & endorsements

qmunity: local

SALES DIRECTOR Chad Frye / cfrye@outlookmedia.com

small pond

NATIONAL ADVERTISING Rivendell Media - 212.242.6863

insightout

ADVERTISING DEADLINES Reservations by the 15th of each month. Art in by the 20th.

the other side

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF & ART DIRECTOR Christopher Hayes / hayes@outlookmedia.com

complete the circuit

MANAGING EDITOR Erin McCalla / emccalla@outlookmedia.com

super mario world

feature: drinking liberally

feature: domestic partners

calendar

feature: equality ohio

CONTRIBUTING DESIGNER Robert Trautman

feature: employment law

feature: sherrod brown

INTERNS Alisa Caton, Chuck Carnahan, Nick Frye, Aleyna Hamilton, Jayra Harris, Andrew Keller, Emily Kreuz, Michelle Menuez, Tom Musyka, Brandon Walker, Ayana Wilson

feature: dnc overview

feature: obama lgbt graph

feature: repeal dadt

feature: party voting graph

feature: high ball

deep inside hollywood

creative class

40 42

bookmark: bears bulls & the ballot box fashion forward

savage love

local celeb blogger

scopes

politics are political... On the way to the party at Level celebrating the historic moment that Barack came out (so to speak), I placed some calls home to share in the moment with my family. As it happened, the person that I thought most would relish in what this meant, was too blinded by partisan politics to see past their disdain for our President and give him credit for what he had done for our community and me. Scars still run deep from the 2000 and 2004 elections when it felt like, for many of us, that our family and friends were voting against us personally, validating the abhorred rhetoric being spewed as political tactic. Many won’t soon forget what it felt like having conversations with the people that were supposed to have our backs, rationalize voting for Bush over our civil liberties with phrases like, “I’m not a one issue voter,” “You’re rights are important too, just not as much as all these other issues combined (ie, war, wealth, taxes, guns, etc). To this day, I haven’t been able to articulate to those closest to me just how hurtful it is when they vote for people that are outright anti-LGBT. I don’t know if any of us really have. What I do know is, it isn’t “just politics,” it’s my life. I’m tired of people hiding behind this absurd fallacy that we aren’t supposed to hold each other accountable for our politics. It’s similar to the notion that we are supposed to be okay with screwing each other over in business, because “it’s just business.” Well, it’s not. It’s a cop-out. Touting that phrase is basically saying ‘I have a free pass to be ignore my moral compass.’ Why is that okay? And when it comes gay rights, rationalizing someone’s homophobic rhetoric comes across as, at best, patronizing, but more over it’s a flat out kick in the gut. Why don’t they get that?

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This political season, I challenge all of you to challenge those closest in your life that support antiLGBT candidates to explain how our second class citizenship is something they are fine with. How they can look us in the eye and I say I want you to be happy, to have the same rights as I do and then vote the exact opposite. It makes no sense to me. Maybe because I’m on this side of it, I understand it better. But if the tables were reversed and the issue was race or gender, there is no way I could vote for people that were blatantly racist or sexist. But that’s how I was brought up. I was raised to believe that we are equal, that you should always do the right thing, you stand up for people who need it, you treat people with respect and above all, you fight for your family and friends. To that point, I’ve seen my family come around. That member who reacted negatively in May, has since affirmed that my rights are the most important thing. They haven’t specifically said they are voting for Obama, but I’m hopeful that if nothing else, maybe they’ll just skip the top of the ticket. Since the President and Vice President - the most powerful men in the world - have come out in favor of full equality, the tenor of the conversation has changed. Now we have the long awaited line in the sand that we can point to and say “Are you going to stand with me and the people fighting for my rights, or are you for the guy that wants to amend the constitution to make sure I never get them?

OWNER & PUBLISHER Christopher Hayes

HEADQUARTERS Outlook Media, Inc. 815 N High St, Bsmt Ste G Columbus, OH 43215 614.268.8525phone 614.261.8200 fax www.outlookmedia.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Alisa Caton, Anjali P. Chavan, Phillecia Cochran, Jack Fertig, Chad Frye, Chris Hayes, Andrew Keller, Linda Ketcham, Marcus Morris, Tom Musyka, Eric Peters, Mario Pinardi, Romeo San Vicente, Dan Savage, Regina Sewell, D.A. Steward, Mickey Weems, Ayana Wilson CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS & ILLUSTRATORS John Crider, Chris Hayes, Erin McCalla, Robert Trautman, Andrew Williams, Chuch Carnahan

CYBERSPACE http://www.outlookcolumbus.com http://www.outlookmedia.com http://www.networkcolumbus.com http://twitter.com/outlookcolumbus http://facebook.com/outlookcolumbus outlook columbus is published and distributed by Outlook Media, Inc. the first day of each month throughout Ohio. outlook columbus is a free publication provided solely for the use of our readers. Any person who willfully or knowingly obtains or exerts unauthorized control over more than 5 copies of any issue of outlook columbus with the intent to prevent other individuals from reading it shall be considered guilty of the crime of theft. Violators will be prosecuted. The views expressed in outlook columbus are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the views, policies, or personal, business, or professional practices of Outlook Media, Inc. or its staff, ownership, or management. outlook columbus does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness or reliability of any interpretation, advice, opinion, or view presented. Outlook Media, Inc. does not investigate or accept responsibility for claims made in any advertisement. Outlook Media, Inc. assumes no responsibility for claims arising in connection with products and services advertised herein, nor for the content of, or reply to, any advertisement. All material is copyrighted ©2012 by Outlook Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

NEXT MONTH: It’s that simple.

the healthy choice issue

Christopher Hayes Publisher

Remember to vote!

oct 2012

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PRIDE NIGHT @ CREW

08.25.2012

08.29.2012

DOMESTIC PARTNER REGISTR Y

08.29.2012

PRIDE NIGHT @ CLIPPERS

08.30.2012

Proud of our community, our city...

...and our out, proud Servicemembers.

Chad Frye’s best friend: also weird.

NETWORK COLUMBUS

LEGACY FUND HONORS

09.12.2012

09.13.2012

But we love these boys, too!

Wine-soaked gays are happy gays!

Steve and Michael: Besties forever!

A t wo-lady white party!

We love these boys!

MICROBREW FEST

INDEPENDENTS DAY

OBAMA

09.14.2012

09.15.2012

09.17.2012

Oh, LEdwards, you rock!

Kate and Erica = Crafternoon Delight!

Wolf and Brown A Love Like No Other...

Gingers for Obama!

OBAMA

ANNIE LEIBOVITZ @ WEXNER

ART FOR LIFE

09.17.2012

09.21.2012

09.22.2012

Yes. We. Can. Again.

04 oct 2012

Y DOMESTIC PARTNER REGISTR

“And this was my submission to Guys with iPhones”

Pants for Life

Visit the outlook facebook page to see more photos of these events and others.

Oh my god, is that Greg Dodd?!

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Hey, join outlook as we team up with Pants Camp for the AIDS Walk. See our ad to walk with us!

oct 2012

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Dear Editor,

ways within reach; and members of the US LGBT community are in a unique and disI rarely if ever read mainstream homosexual tinctly powerful position to support an ormagazines or anything but from the view- ganic human rights movement in point I have, I see that there is a lot of elit- developing countries. The recent gay ist mentality throught Outlook and other marches - the first ever - in Kenya and magazines. I am caucasian but very proud Uganda are proof positive of that. of my Wendat ancestry. I am not going to explain about the Wendat but more to exThe Foundation for Sustainable Developplain my feelings why I feel your magazine ment (FSD) is dedicated to enhancing the is elitist and gives other homosexuals a capacity of community organizations bad name. around the world to address local health, social, environmental, and economic isI see your magazine as a white supremacist sues. By participating in one of our philanmachine that panders to the wealthy, white, thropic trips abroad, American travelers white toothed, well tanned, muscular, encan become instant advocates - and help dowed sort of men that unfortunately isn’t effect long-term support of human the majority of homosexual men nor lesbian rights. women. Sure you have included blacks and some other ethnic groups but mainly as a Through one of our Global Service Trips or curiosity for those who seem interested in ProCorps program, participants can do just their culture, problems, etc. I would like to that. LGBT philanthropists can also disee more about Asians, Pacific Islanders, rectly fund specific programs at one of our Native American Indians as well. As for 10 global sites, where they can make colspirituality I have seen some things about laborative decisions for implementing FSD’s “pagan” beliefs and non monotheistic be- grassroots development programs. As they liefs, but more likely Judaism or Christianity learn about sustainable development, are covered than any other. donors’ funding choices allow the target community to craft long-term approaches I would like to see more positive images of for sustainability. And as donors interact normal, working class, average men and with and support local leaders and changewomen and especially if they aren’t white makers, they will stamp a lasting positive and perfect looking as your magazine unimpression of themselves (and the Amerifortunately projects that only WASPS apply can LGBT community at large). and others don’t bother. To be sure, the fight for equality is ultiI am in my 40’s,work in the hospitality inmately up to each individual community dustry and live paycheck to paycheck to and aggressive attempts by one society to survive, pay taxes, pay bills like everyone impose its beliefs on another would be reelse and definately need to see a change in sentfully perceived as an affront to culture the way you portray homosexual persons. and heritage. But by making a lasting impression in the hearts and minds of those Sincerely who will shape the future of a developing community, proud members of the LGBT Rob participants can guide the course of developing human rights for the better. To our friends at outlook: columbus: We hope you’ll share details with your readWhile there is still much to do to achieve ers on how, with one of our philanthropic equal rights for all US citizens, the LGBT travel programs, they can bring change to community has accomplished a great deal and be changed by - LGBT communities in in our fight for equality and tolerance. How- select communities around the world. ever, in many developing countries around the world, the cultural atmosphere is far All our best, less understanding of alternative lifestyles. David Andrusia, Human rights campaigns in these areas Marketing & Communications Officer often absent; and those that do manage to david@fsdinternational.org gain some momentum can be met with fierce and untempered opposition. * EDITOR NOTE: We like to print the letters just the way we receive them - spelling and But the light at the end of the tunnel is al- grammar errors included.

6 oct 2012

outlook’s 2012 Political Endorsements For the 2012 election cycle we have decided that our endorsements would be based on a simple litmus test: Our you pro equality? When the leader of the free world stands up and states unequivocally that he believes in equal rights for all Americans, than we feel that any politician should be able to state their position on our rights forthright. At this point in the gay rights movement, we can only support those people that fully support us. If both candidates are pro equality, then we examined their voting records, longevity in supporting gay issues, and interaction with the community. To that end we offer the following endorsements. For President/Vice President of the United States we proudly endorse Barack Obama (D) and Joe Biden (D) who are fully supportive of GLBT equality. For United States Senate we endorse Sherrod Brown (D), a champion for GLBT rights, Ohio and the middle class. For Representative to Congress in the 3rd Congressional District we endorse Joyce Beatty (D). We are excited to send this strong advocate to Washington. For State Representatives we endorse in the 17th Ohio House District Mike Curtin (D); 18th Ohio House District Michael Stinziano (D); 19th Ohio House District Ryan P. Jolley (D); 20th Ohio House District Heather Bishoff (D); 21st Ohio House District Donna O’Connor (D); 22nd Ohio House District John Patrick Carney (D); 23rd Ohio House District Traci Johnson (D); 24th Ohio House District Maureen L. Reedy (D); 26th Ohio House District Tracy M. Heard (D). For Franklin County Commissioner we continue to support two great friends to the community and endorse Paula Brooks (D) and John O’Grady (D). For Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas we endorse Maryellen O’Shaughnessy (D), though running unopposed deserves mention for her history of standing up with our community. For County Sheriff Zach Scott (D) gets our endorsement. Zach is pro equality and continues to make sure the sheriff’s department treats our community with fairness and respect. For County Recorder we proudly support our community’s own Terry J. (TJ) Brown (D). For County Coroner we again endorse Jan M. Gorniak (D) who, like O’Shaughnessy, also runs unopposed, but deserves mention as a long-time supporter and friend. For Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court we endorse Mike Skindell, William M. O’Neill and Yvette McGee Brown. For the 10th District Court of Appeals Judge we endorse Gary Tyack (D) and Peggy Bryant (D). And For Judge of the Court of Common Pleas we endorse in General Division Kim Brown and Stephen L. McIntosh, and in Domestic Division Elizabeth Gill.

Take this page with you when you go to vote!

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Erin’s love of $5 margaritas often takes her to Cantina. Though she rarely remembers eating, she senses it’s damn good.

oct 2012

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The GLBT Community Mourns The Loss Of Mag Publisher & Friend

Event Center, 700 Creekside Plaza, Gahanna, Ohio 43230. This year’s venue provides more space than past years, allowing more people to participate.

outlook would like to acknowledge the passing of one of our friends and friendly competitors, Joe Cecchini, the publisher of CUE magazine. Joe, we thank you for your service to your community. You will be missed.

Your support of the Moonlight and Martinis is needed. By attending the event, you will be helping to propel the work of Camp Sunrise and help send kids to Camp Joy for a week in the summer of 2013. For 51 weeks a year these children face very adult problems. For one week a year they can leave it all behind. Please consider supporting our state’s many youths who are affected by the impact of HIV/AIDS and joining us on November 9th.

We asked Isaac Bendele from CUE to submit a few words about Joe: “This is one of the few times I, and many in the CUE staff, have been left without appropriate words to describe how we are feeling. The news of the passing of Joe Cecchini has been very difficult to process. His life touched each one of us and he will be greatly missed. His vision, and unrelenting passion, pushed those around him to become better. Specifically, Joe’s vision and hope for CUE from the beginning was for the publication to be a vehicle for change in our community. Giving back, donating to local non-profits and helping with HIV/AIDS awareness, will continue to be our focus in his memory. Joe Cecchini was a friend to all of us. He will be profoundly missed by many, however, his impact and his desire to better the world around him will live on in each one of us. His legacy will live on in our actions each day in our hearts.” - Isaac Bendele and the CUE Magazine Staff

Tickets for the event range from $75 for general admission to up to $2000 for various sponsorships. Visit http://2012moonlightandmartinis.eventbrite.com/ to purchase tickets or for more info.

31 LGBT Icons Celebrated for LGBT History Month 2012 Equality Forum announced the 31 Icons for LGBT History Month 2012 in October. “The 217 Icons, including the 31 Icons for 2012, demonstrate the impressive and diverse international impact of the LGBT community,” stated Malcolm Lazin, founder of LGBT History Month and Executive Director of Equality Forum.

Moonlight and Martinis An Autumn Night To Benefit Camp Sunrise

Icons are selected for their accomplishments in their field of endeavor, their status as a national hero or their significant contributions to LGBT equality.

Moonlight and Martinis is Camp Sunrise’s annual keystone event that raises funds to benefit youth across Ohio who are coping with the impact of HIV/AIDS. This year’s event will be held on Friday, November 9, 2012 from 7p to 10p at the Creekside Conference and

Each day in October, an Icon is featured with a video, biography, bibliography, downloadable images and other educational resources. These resources will be available without charge to the media, educational institutions, organizations and the public at

8 oct 2012

www.lgbtHistoryMonth.com or. Icons are nominated by organizations and the public and are selected by the LGBT History Month Co-chairs and approved by the Equality Forum Board of Directors. The LGBT History Month 2012 Co-chairs are Professor George Chauncey, Chair, History & American Studies Department, Yale University, and Professor Sue Rankin, Education and LGBT Studies, Penn State University. The LGBT community is the only community not taught its history at home, in public schools or religious institutions. LGBT History Month enhances self-esteem, provides role models and makes a civil rights statement of the LGBT community’s impressive national and international contributions. Secretary Arne Duncan launched LGBT History Month 2010 at the U.S. Department of Education. Nancy Pelosi issued a proclamation for LGBT History Month 2011. Check out the videos on outlook’s website: www.outlookcolumbus.com.

Marriage Equality USA Releases Guides To Political Party/Candidate Plans For LGBT People Marriage Equality USA (MEUSA) released an important new resource that voters can use now and over the next four years. Today MEUSA published the first streamlined, sideby-side comparison of the new political platforms just adopted by the major parties regarding marriage equality and related LGBT issues. MEUSA now offers a 1-page comparison table summarizing 94 pages of party platforms into an attractive, bird’s-eye view that’s easy to copy, print, and mail at http://www.marriageequality.org/platforms. “This information on the national political

party platforms is a critical part of Marriage Equality USA’s commitment to education so that all Americans can make informed decisions on Election Day. It is clear from the research that how each of us votes has a profound impact on not just our own lives, but the lives of our LGBT friends and families,” said Brian Silva, MEUSA Executive Director. “Analyzing the party platforms is essential to understanding the political parties’ philosophies and plans;their effect on LGBT Americans has not been documented in one place until now.” “This comparison contains everything you want to know at one glance,” added MEUSA Projects Manager Ned Flaherty. “It’s invaluable for everyone who hasn’t seen the plans for LGBT people described in the political parties’ four-year platforms.” MEUSA’s Election 2012 project already provides a comprehensive resource on the Presidential candidates’ positions on LGBT equality (http://www.marriageequality.org/election2012). “The political parties have taken positions ranging from major anti-LGBT legislation to championing equality for all, so the party platform comparisons are a critical resource for the voting public and all Americans,” concluded Flaherty. Starting in August 2011, a survey was delivered to the office of each active, formally announced candidate via e-mail, web mail, and/or facsimile, and also via certified U.S. mail for which a campaign employee signed a receipt confirming the delivery. Each candidate’s survey showed his or her latest stand on each LGBTIQ issue, based on speeches made, documents signed, and interviews given. All candidates were invited to notify MEUSA of updates to their positions as they occur, up through election day on 6 November 2012. Charts are below.

It’s important to know where candidates and parties stand on our issues. Use these charts to help sway the vote!

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United we stand, divided we fall. Shoes untied, we tumble.

oct 2012

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Europia: A Spirit Store a Buzz Above the Rest by Alisa Caton Writing at outlook teaches you many things: to appreciate a good happy hour, to always have an office refrigerator full of beer and to know where the closest bar or liquor store is located. With that, it is no coincidence that we are only blocks away from Europia Wine and Spirits, the go-to, gay owned and friendly liquor store on High Street. Steven Grabner, owner of Europia, said originally he opened the store because there was a need for it in the Short North, along with his love for wine, spirits and beer, and wanting to make the products he enjoyed available for people. Now, 16 years later, Europia has become a staple in the Short North, and also does its part to give back to the neighborhood. The store is a sponsor of Columbus Pride every year, which comes as no surprise since the staff is “100 percent lesbian, gay and bisexually owned and operated,” and has been since the opening. Europia also works with the Human Rights Campaign Gala to support their wine auction. Over the years Europia has seen a lot of change in the Short North. “This biggest change has been as the demographics of the neighborhood have become slightly more affluent, our products have changed with the

10 oct 2012

change of the neighborhood,” said Steven.

are tasted during each class. “We were able to get a tasting license, which allowed us to Another aspect of Columbus that has introduce people to wines they may not know changed over the years is the move towards themselves and expand their taste,” said local goods. Europia carries most of the local Steven. Some of the previous visitors to the Ohio and Columbus alcohol products. “When tasting have been Brothers Drake, Wine we first opened, the availability of local was Trends and Solera. The next wine tasting is slim. As new products have popped up, we’ve October 18 at 6:30p, and spots are still availstood behind them,” said Steven. “It’s giving able. back to the neighborhood. The neighborhood is so supportive of local grown, local busiLike most companies now, Europia uses soness. Us being in this neighborhood, it’s been cial media as form to keep in constant congreat to do these collaborations with all tact with its customers. Their Facebook is these local distilleries and breweries.” updated almost daily to announce new products on the shelves or to remind people that The store highlights many of these local the weekend is coming up and it is time to products in their gift baskets; an idea that stock up on their favorite drinks to celebrate. Steven said was started due to customer de- Sometimes the posts are just fun postings for mand. Customers can either design a basket the customers. “We here at Europia feel themselves, or choose a themed basket. Thursdays are underrated and need to be Some of the themed baskets include a Bloody celebrated... OK we say the same for Monday, Mary drink basket, or “the ultimate martini” Tuesday and Wednesday. So, Cheers.” basket. “Everything you need, just add ice,” said Steven. The gift baskets range in price Steven has also created a blog for the store, from $49 to $99. where he creates food recipes and then shares what wines would be a great pairing Aside from introducing products to cusfor the meal. “A lot of it was customer driven, tomers through the baskets, Europia also people coming in and asking, ‘Hey, what goes holds a wine tasting once a month in the cel- with this?’” said Steven. “Here’s a new wine lar below the store. The class, which holds 24 and here’s an easy meal.” For example, one of the recipes was lamb and beef burgers people, is lead by a different distributor or with tomato cucumber tabouli and he sugwine maker, and up to eight different wines

Have you been in their cellar?

gested to pair it with a French sauvignon or cote du rhone. Steven posts all of the recipes and pairings to the Europia website, and posts links on the Facebook. He updates the blog once a week, and he said that he tries to keep it seasonal, most of the summer he was posting lighter recipes and wine pairings. With the arrival of fall, the recipes and the store product will be evolving with the season. “As we get into the fall we will have more of the reds and a little heartier whites, as opposed to summer when it’s a little lighter,” said Steven. “We’ve already started getting in the October fest and pumpkin beers.” Whether it is looking for local ale, the makings for the perfect Manhattan, or the right wine to pair with dinner, Europia Wine and Sprits is stocked with the right products and knowledgeable staff to ensure that the drinking needs of the Short North are met. “Because of the location we are in, people are always looking for the newest and latest,” said Steven. “We try to make products easily accessible so they are not having to drive from place to place.” Looking to stock the liquor cabinet? Europia Wine and Spirits is located at 672 N High St. Check out their website: www.europiagourmet.com

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The Garden Party is Chadâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s last chance to wear seersucker and get away with it... so he thinks.

oct 2012

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How to Survive the 2012 Presidential Campaign by Regina Sewell Blow up your TV, throw away your paper Go to the country, build you a home Plant a little garden, eat a lot of peaches Try and find Jesus on your own - John Prine Republicans blame Democrats for our current economic plight and Democrats blame Republicans for enacting policies and laws that crashed the economy in the first place. Neither party has a sure-fire, quick-fix solution. Most voters are frustrated, cynical or just plain scared about our economic situation. Things aren’t looking well abroad either. The CIA/Navy SEAL operation that led to the Osama bin Laden’s death, which should perk up Obama’s reputation, was over a year ago, ancient history in a world who gets its news on Twitter. Add to this, the wars we’re not fighting in Afghanistan and in the Middle East are, at best, troublesome because by now it’s clear that there are no easy answers. Not to worry, domestic social “crises,” like the battle over gay marriage often prove to be a great distraction from economic and foreign policy woes. This election season it’s clear that the politicians are betting that gay marriage will charge people up enough to go to the polls and vote their conscience. Even though polls show that a slim majority of Americans support gay marriage, including prominent Republicans such as Clint Eastwood, billionaire industrialist David Koch and former Republican National Committee Chairman Ken Mehlman, the Republicans have made it clear that they will follow their socially conservative base by approving a platform that would ban gay

12 oct 2012

marriage. Catering to the social conservative base of his party, Romney has vowed to both oppose same-sex marriage and support a Federal Marriage Amendment – one that does not include us*. In contrast, the Democrats placed marriage equality on the party platform. With the polls showing the candidates so close, this strategy took a lot of courage. And while I’ve learned to be cynical about political promises, it feels good to have a political party stand up for my rights. The catch is that this support has invited a backlash. The socially conservative Republicans aren’t having it. The “antigayers” are airing their fear and/or dislike for us in a very public way. The Super Pac attack ads began before the Democratic convention was over and they show no indication of letting up. While most of these attacks slide by, in darker moments, the negative rhetoric the socially conservatives are serving up can rip the scabs off of old wounds caused by not being wanted or welcomed because of who we are. If you are looking for ways to stay sane, or at least not get too crazy, during the last leg of the election, here are some helpful hints: 1. Take a news break. Turn off your TV, stop listening to the radio, put away the paper, avoid news oriented internet sites and social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook where news gets discussed. If total abstinence is too much, try short spurts of abstinence – so that you have at least an hour a day or a day a week where you don’t think about the news or the campaign. If you find that you need a distraction, watch reruns of Frasier, The Golden Girls, South Park, or Sex in the City until you don’t care about the election any

more. Don’t worry about those ads for Depend products. You’ll be grateful for them when you need them. 2. Whittle away the hours you would be reading or listening to the news playing Valet Hustle, SuperGay & the Attack of his ExGirlfriends, or Mini Gay Boyfriend on your iPhone. 3. If you’re feeling a bit angry, try playing WhackA-Mole on your computer. It’s a bit “old school” but there’s something very satisfying about whacking at things in virtual reality. If that doesn’t work, try sticking pictures of the worst offenders on a dartboard and see how many holes you can put in them. Note that this is not role training – you are not practicing as a way to actually injure said offender, you’re only venting your frustration or anger so that you don’t actually feel the need to hurt them or yourself. Stomping on bubble wrap works as well. 4. Indulge your inner drag queen and watch the horribly made Super Pac ads and listen to the idiotic political statements and rip them to shreds. (Warning: don’t let yourself get offended at the low quality and/or stupidity of these ads and statements. It’s not that we’re not worth higher production standards or more intelligent attacks. They are simply trying to reach their target audience where they are at.) 5. Write letters to the Editor of the print and electronic newspapers you read denouncing the social conservative position. 6. Self-care is also an option. If you notice that you are drinking more alcohol, spending more time getting high or eating more high carb, high

Looks like someone got some work done.

fat food, you might need a crash course in selfcare. Experiment with basic self-care techniques to find which work for you now and put the ones that work in your schedule. This week, try journaling every day for 5-15 minutes. Next week, try meditating every day for 5-15 minutes. The week after that, if you’ve dropped exercise out of your routine, add some form of exercise back in – whether it’s actually using that gym membership you’ve been paying for or walking a few miles at the park or around your neighborhood. Also add in healthy food to your diet. Maybe even consider experimenting with how your body reacts to “slow food” – freshly prepared meals using fresh local ingredients and sold at farmer’s markets and small local businesses. 7. Have some fun. Emma Goldman once said, “If I can’t dance, I don’t want to be part of your revolution.” The same can probably be said of any other activity that brings you joy but doesn’t cause anyone else harm. 8. Remember that the election has an end date. If making donations to PACs or candidates feels good - do that. If volunteering feels right, do that as well. And when Election Day arrives, vote your conscience and encourage others to vote as well. *This is a drastic shift from Romney’s earlier stance. In 1994, Romney made a pledge to the Log Cabin Republicans that he would be a leader on gay rights and would support the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. Regina Sewell is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who specializes in helping people find their inner strength so that they can follow their bliss. To ask Regina a question, check out upcoming workshops, or check out her books and other writing, go to: www.ReginaSewell.com .

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RSVP for Network events via facebook and get a printed name tag.

oct 2012

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Is Racial Preference Racist? by D.A. Steward Many have pontificated on the social implications behind racial preference when it comes to dating. [Note: In this article “dating” refers to any interaction involving physical attraction, from hookups to long term relationships.] The Adonis Effect, that continues to plague our community, is based on the idea that the blond hair, blue-eyed, chiseled physique is the image we should all aspire to. And with the transformation in online-dating over the past decade from creepy to socially normative, labeling one’s preferences has become as important and normal as ever. As a kid growing up in a very large Afro-centric family it was always made very clear to me that I was to marry a black woman. When I was nine, my father relocated my immediate family from the inner city to the suburbs, and I remember a main concern among my aunts was that I’d “bring home a white girl.” I never understood why dating a white person was such a threat, but I knew early on that this was a problem.

of college. Was it simply that I had grown up in a town that was 90 percent Caucasian? Or was I dealing with some sort of deep-rooted self-hatred?

polls” and asked friends, acquaintances and colleagues to weigh in on the topic, “Is Racial Preference Racist?” I got some surprising and very enlightening answers.

As a kid, my parents made sure that I was constantly exposed to the history of my culture. Even overcompensating a bit, because they knew how easy it is to lose someone’s racial identity when the primary influence is Aryan. I was raised on the teachings of W.E.B. Dubois, Booker T. Washington, Sojourner Truth, Marcus Garvey, Martin Luther King, Malcolm X and Langston Hughes to name a few. Each week we were required to watch a documentary detailing a period of the Civil Rights struggle.

Many took issue with the fact that I was even asking the question, saying of course it wasn’t racist to have a racial preference, but the ultimate intent behind the preference was the main issue. Others said making any decision based on someone’s race was racist. But most made their points somewhere in between.

I knew much about and was proud of my African American heritage, but I didn’t find it attractive? This just didn’t sit well with me. So then, of course, I did the opposite: I started to only date black men. This definitely opened up a new world in my dating life, but then I found myself running into issues of ignoring or denying my attractions based on race, and this just seemed racist.

After coming out to my family and dealing with the intense fallout that ensued, I noticed that most of the men that I’d typically find myself dating were white, and the disapproval from my family shifted from my sexuality to my partner selection. I remember in college a distinct conversation with a friend who asked me if I preferred dating white guys or black guys. Another black gay friend and I quickly agreed that we weren’t against dating black men, but when walking into a room white men were whom we first noticed.

As I mentioned, I’m not the only one who has obsessed over this question. Every social discipline from the Ph.D. research sociologist to the bigmouthed blogger has studied racial preference in the LGBT community. Grindr and other online profiles are filled with phrases like “no asians,” “whites only,” “Latinos need only apply” and one particularly stinging one I found, “more into vanilla and spice than chocolate and rice.” But is this language racist? Is using race as a factor when choosing someone to date politically incorrect?

I had issues with this revelation throughout much

I conducted another of my famous “unscientific

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One response was that racial preference is not racist, but it is discriminatory and prejudice, focusing on the point that “everyone’s a little bit racist,” to steal a quote from my favorite musical. An older gentleman referenced the Civil Rights Movement, saying he’s dealt with “real” racism during the 60s and simply being more attracted to someone who’s white over someone who’s black or vice versa was insignificant in the grand scheme of racial injustice. And one commenter said they only date within their race because of simply not wanting to deal with the social implications. Being gay and a mixed race couple would elicit too much discrimination from those around them. Also when dating people outside their race, someone said they were often “fulfilling some fetishistic desire,” which made them feel like a thing instead of a person. Scholars often attribute racial preference in dating to a narcissistic society. Selfishness is a natural human instinct of survival, which can often be translated to self love, so it would only make sense that we’d be attracted to a reflection of our-

selves. This is why you’ll often see a person romantically paired with someone who looks like them. But we often fight against the rules of innate survival. Many say monogamy goes against the rules of nature, but marriage, even with its flaws, is one of this country’s largest institutions. So, why haven’t we evolved past racial preference? I talked with a lot of people about this subject, but this comment was the only one that gave me one of Oprah’s famous “Aha! Moments.” “Having a preference is fine, but no one has met every person in a particular race, so you can’t say I’m not attracted to Asians, because you haven’t met every Asian person in the world to know that. If your preference is Latino, but you wouldn’t turn away someone who’s black if you found you were attracted to them, that’s fine. But if you just wouldn’t date someone in a certain race and you’re hell bent on making sure that doesn’t happen, now that’s racist.” I’ve come to a point in my life where I really don’t have a racial preference when it was comes to my dating life. I need your personality to be what I’m most attracted to, we can figure out everything else. As a society, we’re starting to learn that when we put limits on love, we limit the best of ourselves. I definitely agree that giving a certain race preferential treatment in your love life isn’t the most racist of actions, but when you’re actively excluding an entire race from the dating experience, it’s time to reevaluate some things. And if you are using the terms “no blacks,” “blacks only” or any derivative thereof in your online profiles, it’s time you ask yourself, what do I really mean?

Who remembers Hands Across America? Chris got to participate in the part that went through Carey, OH.

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Hey look! Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a big gay movie coming to Wex! Side note: We at outlook always keep the lights on.

oct 2012

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Job Creationism and Other Articles of Faith by Mickey Weems Faith is not the enemy of reason. But hatred is. Hatred is emotional meth. It gets people fired up and focused. Hatred also makes people stupid when their emotions are manipulated in the name of faith. Strategic hatred has been the Republican game plan since the election of Barack Obama. Fueling the hatred is the notion that Christian America is under attack. Freedom isn’t free, we were told, and believers in Jesus are barraged with panic-inducing visions of Gays, women, Muslims, Mexicans and Blacks running amok in America. Here are some Conservative Articles of Faith, thanks to pressure from the Tea Party: 1. God will not allow climate change by human pollution to occur – nowhere is global warming mentioned in the Bible. Extremes in weather are actually caused by moral pollution, such as abortion, Gay marriage and restrictions on assault weapons. 2. Poverty is just one step away from wealth. In fact, Poverty is simply the Lord’s way of telling people to get off their butts and work. The poor get what they deserve, as do the rich, because wealth is proof of God’s favor. 3. The wealthy are made in God’s image. They mimic the Creator by being Job Creators, even when their wealth comes from manipulating the market (Goldman Sachs), practicing vampire

16 oct 2012

capitalism (Bain Capital) and siphoning money from government support for higher education (for-profit colleges). Jesus was kidding when He said (slightly paraphrased) it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a job creator to go to Heaven. 4. Creationism is an acceptable scientific alternative that should be taught in schools and paid for by public funds. If Americans want to believe that the world is 6000 years old, their opinion should be considered as valid as that of geologists. 5. Scientists should not contradict elected government officials or preachers. Scientific evidence should never trump governmentcorporate interests or government-supported religious crusades (cases in point: North Carolina passed a law banning information about rising sea levels because it might hurt the real estate market. Texas, Kansas, Alaska and New Hampshire passed laws requiring doctors to tell women seeking to terminate a pregnancy that abortion causes breast cancer). 6. Women’s sovereignty over their bodies is a threat to national security. Women who become pregnant when sexually assaulted should bear their rapists’ children, and the biological fathers should not be denied shared custody with the offspring. If the Lord didn’t want that child, the raped woman would not have gotten pregnant. 7. America is a republic, not a democracy.

wholesale amputation of logic as that which we’ve seen since September 11, 2001. But let’s not hate on hatred. It is a tool in our survival kit as a species and, in itself, not necessarily evil. Hate makes the world simpler and more manageable when indecision could lead to harm in the face of danger. When we hate, our bodies trigger any number of neurochemicals that sharpen our sense of who we are. We get high off of hatred, especially when it is mixed with loyalty. The differences between hatred and compassion are reason and duration - when we hate, reason is the servant of our anger. When we are compassionate, reason helps us listen to others. Hatred is a short-term fix, while compassion is geared for the long haul. Humans are communal animals – we enjoy belonging to something bigger than ourselves. The entire sports entertainment complex is built on that feeling. Sports allow us to be completely unreasonable as we express the intoxicating union of loyalty to the team and hate for the opponent, preferably in a setting where we realize it is just a game. It is inappropriate, however, to engage in politics the same way we engage in the temporary fantasies offered by the sports industry. Politics has long-term consequences in the real world. The hate that Conservative leaders invoke is aimed at those they see as weak, either in numbers or in comportment or in political influence.

Hatred can bind a group together by blinding them to everything but that group’s self-interest. Compassion unites the world by expanding one’s self-interest to include the world, not just a team in competition with others. Compassionate people are not really selfless – compassion expands who we are to include the world and experience the greatest rush of all: empathy. Here’s the test as to who is hate-based and who is compassion-based: look at a politician’s record on bullying. Hard-core haters cannot see bullying as a problem because they live in a world defined by hate, not compassion. When some of the Republican speakers made sly remarks about the sanctity of no-homo marriage during their convention, that was the mean big kid picking on the weaker kid, no matter how warm and fuzzy the rest of their narrative. Here are more examples: Labeling all Muslims as extremists: bullying. Harassing women who go to Planned Parenthood facilities: bullying. Checking IDs of suspected undocumented workers for no reason: bullying. Routinely heckling scientists when they speak on climate change: bullying. Intimidating voters at the polls (watch for it!): bullying. Supporting ex-gay ministries, especially those that use coercion and physical torture: bullying. It’s time for the Republican Party to kick the hate-habit, and stop kicking those they perceive as weak.

Only hatred has the power to produce such a

Chad was known as the playground bully. If the kids didn’t perform musical numbers, he’d beat the crap out of them.

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Did you guys here about the Clock Project downtown? DRAC is helping to restore two historic clocks.

oct 2012

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How I Imagine Them Behind Closed Doors by Mario Pinardi

Anyway, let’s get dirty!

The only thing political advertising is good for is drowning out our loud asses when we are getting it on. Hey, Hubby and I are both bigger men, so “noise happens” – don’t judge. I have started to count the days when I can watch the television without hearing some preposterous nonsense about what candidate did what and when. Most of the political advertisements are morphed through creative editing and selective sound bytes. I guess I am a skeptic. The only factual piece of information that I do know about our political celebrities is that they are all human and they are all imperfect. Think about it - the President of the United States puts his own pants on and poops alone (I hope). Since it is political season, I thought I would exercise my creativity and bring some humanity to some of our political leaders in the media currently. No one is safe from my snarkiness, and no one is safe from my warped sense of humor. If you are an uptight political zealot, stop reading now or you will waste your time telling me what an awful person I am and what an awful gay I am for not being so politically serious. My political views are like my under pants – I reveal them if I know you well.

Who thinks the President and First Lady are a sexy couple? I think they ooze sensuality and honest romance, and they both are pretty fit individuals, too. I can imagine them getting into some sub/dom play. I can see Michele taking control with a leather whip and the President would be, in a leather skin-tight jumpsuit, getting just as frisky. As much as I adore Anne Hathaway, Michele Obama would make a great Catwoman and she would fill the suit well. Meeoww! Their sexual energy and foreplay would just explode on to the White House lawn, causing the Secret Service to wince. Now, I will leave the rest up to your imagination.

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Mitt and Ann seem like the wholesome “Leave It To Beaver” type, but these are the ones that are the kinkiest and are the most closeted. I bet they have a secret executive fetish lounge, with a plethora of interns acting as hosts and clean-up crews. I can picture the Romney’s hosting fetish parties for the rich and influential – scat, watersports, food, and plushie love – a whole smorgasbord of messy for those who have a secret to keep. And, if you are into “daddies,” Mitt has a silver hot-

ness about him. If you think about it, Mitt’s Mormon upbringing may have fostered a lot of repressed sexual needs and exploration. In Romney’s lounge, I can picture Chris Christie, shirtless, and sploshing with other bears. I can see , naked and orange, (only gays tan as much as Boehner) taking it up the butt from a plushie. I bet Mitt hosts these parties in his “magic underpants” and Ann is elegantly hosting in lace, head to toe. I know you are probably grimacing or giggling, however, fetishes are real and we all have them. I have always thought that Rick Santorum and Sarah Palin were gay. I think they have a rough sexiness about them. I can see them both in gay porn. I think Rick and Colton Ford would be a hot pairing. Rick could be his sub, and Colton would do all kind of hardcore kinky things to him. Who wouldn’t love to see Rick get fisted while in a sling? Or, watching Rick getting a “facial” from Colton and other porn honeys could be kind of hot and exhilarating at the same time. And, what about Sarah? I can see her getting a lucrative contract with Jenna Jamison’s production company. Sarah is pretty and is toned, too. I wonder if she is flexible? You have to have some agility in order to “scissor.” What a

Those boots were made for walking... all over Mario’s twig and berries.

great piece of marketing – a Jenna and “Scissoring” Sarah porn series. They would both make millions! I think I should send them both a marketing proposal. And, let’s not forget Bill. Bill Clinton is the epitome of horny, hot daddy. I mean he plays the sax, he is a respected philanthropist, and apparently he has a sexy peen, too. Besides Monica and his own wife, Bill also banged Lois Griffin - you know you have mojo when you bang a popular cartoon! Bill, I salute you and your mojo – and if you want to experiment, call me <wink>. The point to my inane and crass behavior is that our political leaders and celebrities are human, they have human needs, and none of them are perfect. When you decide to get on your soapbox and preach about loathing someone’s behavior, I want you to realize that all of us have needs and that it is not up to us to decide what is socially acceptable or not. As long as we do not infringe on others without permission, having needs is OK - even the President. Remember to always be a survivor and never a victim. Now, who wants to start a Bears for Chris Christie Facebook page? Anyone in Jersey want to help?

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It looks like a Shazam graveyard.

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Drink Early and Drink Often by Tom Muzyka When I hear the phrase “drink liberally,” the first idea that comes to mind isn’t politics. In my experience, liberal drinking normally precedes car fires, wailing infants and plagues of locusts. Luckily, Columbus is host to more positive role models at the bar. Drinking Liberally is a national group that talks progressive politics over drinks; we actually have two branches in our fair city, which both meet monthly to gab over a brew or two. With the coming election and a bad case of the DTs, I decided I needed to find out more. The original Columbus Drinking Liberally group has been around since 2006, while Drinking Liberally Olentangy formed this past autumn. Membership is informal, and thirsty citizens will often participate in both groups, sometimes going farther to drop in on other national chapters when they’re traveling. This sense of camaraderie extends as far as the annual summer convention, where members can check in on what their compatriots are up to around the country over a nice cold one. Drinking Liberally started off in New York City in 2003 as a response to conservative politicians’ “free passes” from the media and public opinion. It began as a support group and think tank that evolved into a social networking event and quickly gained popularity; there are now dozens of groups across 46 states. Ohio has six so far, but given our valuable electoral votes, I would not be surprised to see more emerge soon. I spoke with one of Drinking Liberally Columbus’ quadrumvirate, Kelan Craig, about the group in an effort to learn more about Drinking Liberally and see if he could pick up my tab. He described original recipe Drinking Liberally as “a little younger and is made up of more downtown-oriented young professionals,” and professed there is no rivalry between the groups. In fact, Drinking Liberally encourages members to create new chapters when needed, and it speaks to the Columbus political scene that we have several groups. It’s “an informal, inclusive progressive social group,” he added, providing an outlet to talk shop and “raise a glass to progress.” Kelan went on to describe a typical

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monthly meeting, which he said is “very casual” and more of a gathering than a meeting. He then referenced “Robert’s Rules of Order,” to say that there are no formal rules, thus proving that he is still a political science nerd, even if a casual one. The number one topic on the agenda? “Who’s going to order the next round!” Over drinks and pizza, members talk about news items, most recently focusing “on the campaign trail with CNN or MSNBC on in the background.” Discussion isn’t restricted to politics, though of course it’s the topic more often than not; members often bring friends and family to help finish a pitcher, so conversation varies. The main goal is for everyone to have a good time, be social and share their enjoyment of talking politics. I asked him about drinking games, imagining Biden leading a round of “Never Have I Ever” during late night sessions in Congress. The group sadly doesn’t share my vision nor try to reenact such a scene, but Kelan said that they do “play Debate Bingo during primary and general election debates,” and political trivia is a frequent event. “We haven’t delved into any serious drinking games,” he admitted, “though ‘political (beer) pong’ or ‘flip-flop cup’ have a nice ring to them!” Cheers to that. All drinking aside, Drinking Liberally will occasionally bring in guests to lead discussions about local issues such as a ballot item or an upcoming candidate race. Kelan and the other co-hosts seek out activists and campaigners to speak to the group as often as possible, encouraging members to become more involved in action and not just talk. I would make a pun about politicians and talk versus action, but it feels too easy. “All are welcome,” Kelan stated, “If we can learn something new or be introduced to a new perspective, we’re all better for it.” There is no criterion for guests to come speak other than willingness to listen to differing opinions and remain open-minded. In the recent meetings, one of the main features has been watching the primary debates. October will be a busy month for the group, as they are planning “debate viewing events” for each of the Presidential and Vice Presidential debates, in addition to the normally scheduled monthly meeting. Kelan promises to bring “some serious debate bingo and convention

trivia,” to the mix for these. Members were pumped for the recent Democratic National Convention, as well. A few traveled to Charlotte, NC, to meet with progressive drinkers from all across the country. They witnessed the speeches firsthand and basked in the “spirit and excitement leading up to the November election,” although part of that sentiment might have been seen through booze-colored glasses. Regardless, our fellow Ohioans represented our enthusiasm for the democratic process and brought back some of the fervor of this election season. It should be no surprise that many liberal drinkers involve themselves in other discussion groups and activism throughout Columbus, participating in community groups and nonprofits, and generally being upstanding citizens. The group of people “is unique,” Kelan mused, in their “attempt to join appreciation for a good beer or cocktail and conversation about events and issues that matter.” Because why should being active in the community mean you can’t be buzzed while doing it? There are many ways to get involved, whether you come for the conversation, the company or the refreshments. Search for “Drinking Liberally Columbus” on FaceBook and like their page; you can also sign up for their mailing list on their section of the Drinking Liberally website, at livingliberally.org/drinking/chapters/OH/Columbus. For the politically savvy on the go, you can always catch their latest tweet on twitter.com/DrinkingLibCols. The easiest way, though, is just to “show up and crash the party!” Just be ready to pay for the next round. The next Drinking Liberally Columbus meets at 7p on Thursday, October 18th at High Beck Tavern in German Village. Drinking Liberally Olentangy meets at 6p on Wednesday, October 24th at the Roosters at 3370 Olentangy River Road. When asked for a summary of the Drinking Liberally experience, Kelan offered this: “They always say, ‘Don’t mix politics, religion and money.’ So, we’re going to mix ‘em all at the bar! What could possibly go wrong?” Famous last words, my friend. Famous last words.

outlook has its own boozing group. It’s called Drinking A Lot.

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Last year, Chris went as Hermey the elf that wanted to be a dentist. That’s the last time he’ll ever shave his beard.

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There’s a Card for That: Welcome Columbus’ Domestic Partner Registry by Andrew Keller When Karla Rothan arrived at City Hall for the signing of a new law, she wasn’t expecting anything big. She was surprised then, when she was greeted not only by every major media outlet in Columbus, but also by Mayor Coleman himself, who had come to commemorate the event with a celebration. “We weren’t sure if they would make a big deal out of it,” said Rothan, “but every newscaster imaginable was there.” The spectacle, however, was not meant to commemorate some large public works project, city partnership or economic initiative; it was meant to celebrate the progress of a group whose celebrations, Rothan admitted, tend to go unnoticed by large media outlets. The bill Mayor Coleman held in his hands was the Columbus Domestic Partner Registry, which for the first time ever, gave a legally recognized way for the Columbus LGBT community to express partnership. The Domestic Partner Registry began processing applications on August 29, and was created to allow non-married, committed couples to streamline the process of proving codependence in a partnership. Normally, for things as disparate as domestic partner health benefits, hospital visitations and even picking up children from school, the burden of proof for LGBT couples is very large, including lengthy power of attorney documents that would be required to authorize such things. But when registered, all that is needed to prove partnership is a small, wallet-sized card. “I think the most surprising part was the fact that we got a wallet card,” said Rothan, executive director of Stonewall Columbus, and one of the first to enter the Registry. “Being able to have that extra recognition to carry with you is nice. Up until this point, when we would travel we would make sure we had our medical power of attorneys for each other. When two men or two women walk

22 oct 2012

into a hospital together, people don’t naturally assume they’re together. This helps us if we were to have an emergency.” The movement to implement the registry grew organically out of the push for increased benefits for LGBT couples in Columbus, according to City Council President Andrew Ginther, especially by groups such as Equality Ohio. “We’ve discovered that stable families create strong neighborhoods, and strong neighborhoods make great cities, so we thought it was important to recognize committed relationships through this registry,” said Ginther. According to Lauren Kinsey, former communications manager for Equality Ohio, the idea was brought up to the council when Equality Ohio sent out memos to various cities about these registries. “We sent packages to different cities on the benefits of creating a registry, and a package of how to do that,” said Kinsey. “Equality Ohio has been involved in all but one of the Domestic Partner Registries organized in the state.” When the moment finally arrived, according to Rothan, it was a natural extension of the laws that groups had been pushing for in Columbus for some time. “As soon as we passed other benefits packages, it only made sense for the city to go ahead and extend a registry, an affidavit proof of partnership,” said Rothan. The Columbus city council, according to Rothan, got behind the idea of a Domestic Partner Registry fairly early on, and councilman Zach Klein and Council President Andrew Ginther played a particularly important role in its passage. “The city had been a leader in several aspects of LGBT life, but one area where we did not have a

piece of legislation or policy was the Domestic Partner Registry,” said Klein. “We had benefits, we ensured that LGBT people weren’t discriminated against, but we needed to complete the puzzle. We needed to ensure that we had a registry so loving couples had a chance to proclaim their partnerships openly.” “Though LGBT couples still have to undergo the same difficult legal hurdles to obtain certain types of partnership benefits, it is undeniable that peoples’ lives will change for the better now that this initiative is in place,” said Rothan. “For those with children who don’t have any documentation, this will be an important piece for them,” said Rothan. “Someone once called the center and said their employer needed proof of their partnership so they could get their partnership benefits. At that time I had to point them to another city. Now I can just say, ‘Go to City Hall.’” According to Terry Brown, another of the first four to register, the Registry makes his life a lot easier, even though he and his partner had legal protections before entering it. “I had to provide a huge stack of documentation before, but now the little wallet card for the domestic partner registry will take the place of that,” Brown said. “That’s probably the biggest visible change. The biggest personal change is that the place we call home recognizes my relationship.” Brown also said that, though it still isn’t comparable to marriage, the proximity of a location that now recognizes LGBT relationships will make the process of gaining recognition much easier for anyone looking to enter into one. “Joel and I have been together 10 years this November, and we flew all the way to Iowa to get legally married there,” said Brown. “But when the opportunity arose to have our relationship legally recognized here, we took it.”

Congrats to all the couples that registered!

Overall, Rothan was also pleased with the process, praising it as very simple for anyone who wants to pursue the Registry. “The whole process is very simple, as you can get the application online, and then you can have a notary sign it,” said Rothan. “But that day was really easy, because we had notaries right there, the mayor was there, and it was a really big day for us.” Registry applications are available online at the Columbus City Council’s website, under the “How Do I?” category. The application requires a $50 fee and proof of financial dependence. But perhaps the biggest victory, in the eyes of some, is simply the fact that that tiny pocket card allows couples to finally, legally express their partnership to the public. “I feel really excited about it,” said Lauren Kinsey. “We can diminish discrimination through exposure. It’s the ‘the more people know us, the more they love us’ model.” She added that this recognition was her motivation for getting involved in the first place. “Our core motivation is how it will change the culture,” she said. “The more familiar people become with our relationships, the more it will streamline major processes.” In the end, the Domestic Partner Registry is only one step towards total equality. However, the people involved will continue to remember this event as the moment where they could finally express their relationships in a public, legal format. “It was very historic,” said Rothan. “Here we are after 200 years, and we’re the first females to ever register in the history of the city. As we move towards marriage, and every single state will ratify marriage eventually, we will say we were some of the first folks to register.

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Check out the Psychic Fair at The Raven at 815 N High St this Gallery Hop and High Ball Halloween.

oct 2012

MONDAY, OCTOBER 29 VOICES FROM THE DEAD Theresa Caputo @ Palace Theatre, 34 W Broad St, 614.469.1045, www.capa.com: From TLC’s “Long Island Medium” Caputo will give interactive readings to audience members. View the controversy or reconnect to a loved one, if you believe in that kind of thing. 7:30p; $40-60.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26 OSU Conference of Race, Sexuality, and Social Justice @ The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, http://moritzlaw.osu.edu/rssj /: This second part of a national conference will continue to discuss sexual equality and includes forefront thinkers on race and sexual orientation issues. 8:30a-5:15p; pricing varies.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 21 BUZZ LIKE A BEE... Kaleidoscope Youth Center’s Garden Party @ Darby House, 925 Darby Creek Dr, Galloway, www.kycohio.org: Everyone loves to drink, but especially when it is for a good cause. Put on your garden attire toast and drink (pinkies up), to support the Kaleidoscope Youth Center. 4p-7p; $50.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25 HALLOWEEN AT SEA Haunted Ship @ Santa Maria, Battelle Riverfront Park, 25 Marconi Blvd, www.santamaria.org: Put on your best Captain Jack Sparrow outfit and see the tale of Captain Booney and his crew on their haunted ship and all of their spooky adventures. The crew is sailing through Sunday. 7-10p; Youth $3, Adults $5.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31 A VAMPIRE BALLERINA BalletMet: Dracula @ Capitol Theatre, Riffe Center, 77 S High St, www.balletmet.org: And you thought glittery Edward was the best vampire around. Watch these dancers put a little grace into one of the original vampire tales. Show runs through November 3. 7:30p; $20-$58

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25 PROTESTING IN PINTS Brothers in Blood @ Gateway Film Center, 1550 N High St, www.facebook.com/events/13904 7862903980: Come out and help with our positive protest of the FDA’s ban on MSM and gay men donating blood. 1p-8p; free.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24 IRISH BLOOD, ENGLISH HEART Morrissey @ LC Pavilion, 405 Neil Ave, 614.461.5483, www.promowestlive.com: Come bask in the 4th gender and see if you can end that streak of celibacy. You’ll have to fight off the crowds, so start practicing your elbow-jabs now. 7p; $45.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10 DON’T FORGET YOUR GLOWSTICKS Tiësto Club Life College Invasion Tour @ Nationwide Arena, 200 W Nationwide Blvd, 614.246.2000, www.tiestouniversity.com: Indulge your inner clubkid and groove to the music of one of the biggest DJs in the business. 7p-12a; $25-40.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10 GIVE ME A LITTLE CREDIT Network Columbus @ Member’s First Credit Union, 1445 Goodale Blvd, 614.462.6850, www.trymembersfirst.com: Rub elbows (and wine glasses) with the hottest queers around, plus learn about changes in credit unions and how that affects your booze money. 6-8p; free.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 7 FALL FOOD FUN Taste of Grandview @ McKinley Field Park, 1661 Goodale Blvd, www.grandviewchamber.org: Everyone loves a good food festival, and this one is looking promising with live music and restaurants from the area serving up some of their best stuff. 7p; free.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5 “DON’T TELL MAMA” Short North Stage: Cabaret @ Garden Theater, 1187 N High St, 614.725.4042, www.shortnorthstage.org: “Come to the Cabaret, old chum.” See the Garden Theatre transformed into Berlin’s seedy Kit Kat Club circa the 1930s. Runs through October 7. 8p; $12-40.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9 BE OUR GUEST, OUR COMMAND IS YOUR REQUEST Broadway in Columbus: Disney’s Beauty and The Beast @ Palace Theatre, 800.745.3000, 34 W Broad St, www.capa.com: The classic children’s story in which magical furniture and talking dishes convince a young lady to fall in love with her kidnapper. Hopefully we won’t bust out and sing the parody “Hey, Girl” lyrics during Belle’s “Bonjour!” I can’t help it - IT’S MY FAVORITE! 8p-10p; $28-100.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4 BOOZING IN THE BUSHES Cocktails at the Conservatory @ Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, 1777 East Broad St, 614.645.1800, www.fpconservatory.org/cocktails.htm: Live music and refreshments await you in the Garden of Eden. Just make sure to keep your serpent in check. With $11 admission you get a $10 food and drink ticket, so overall it’s a bargain. 5:30-10p; $11.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31 TRICK OR TREAT, SMELL MY FEET Columbus’ Beggar’s Night

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27 A MASK BASH Magenta’s Masquerade Ball @ Wall Street Night Club, 144 N. Wall St, www.wallstreetnightclub.com: There is no better fantasy then one with a stranger in a mask, er, or maybe that’s me. 9p; free.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26 Boo at the Zoo @ Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, 4850 W Powell Rd, Powell, www.columbuszoo.org: Come out for this “merry-not-scary” Halloween celebration. The cat suit you’ve been makingg since the Batman movie will have you blending right in. 5p-9p;

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17 RETURN OF THE GREAT PUMPKIN Circleville Pumpkin Show @ Circleville, OH, 159 East Franklin St, pumpkinshow.com: Pull out the stretchy pants and eat your way through all the pumpkin delicacies. The festival also boasts rides, a parade, and Little Miss Pumpkin. 8:30a-9p; free admission.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27 HIGHBALL, LOWBALL, AS LONG AS THERE’S BALLS Highball Halloween @ Short North, www.highballhalloween.com: The one night a year you can dress up and really let loose. Who am I kidding, that’s every night, but when else do you win cash for out-dressing your fabulous peers? 5p-1a; $5.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27 COSTUMES & COCKTAILS Spooktacular @ Level Dining Lounge, 700 N High St, www.leveldining.com: This costume contest is looking for your scariest, or fabulous best. So glitter it up and don’t be afraid to flaunt it, because there is money at stake here people. 10p; free.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19 SO LONG, SUSIE CMA Game Show X: The End @ Columbus Museum of Art, 480 E Broad St, www.columbusmuseum.org: This might be the last round for Susie Starliner and the popular CMA show. You won’t want to miss the Halloween edition. 8p; $10, $5 for mem-

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12 SAVE A HORSE, RIDE A… Professional Bull Riders’ Invitational @ Nationwide Arena, 200 Nationwide Blvd, 800.745.3000: Bust out your Stetson hats, Tony Lama boots and big brass belt buckles: the rodeo is in town. (Well, part of it.) Professional bull riders face off against 2,000 pound bulls for an 8 second ride…sounds eerily close to my usual Friday nights. 8p; $12.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6 TITS FOR CASH The Booby Show @ Junctionview Studios, 889 Williams Ave, Grandview, junctionviewstudios.com: You don’t have to visit a shady club for this show, and all those singles are going into that hands of the Spielman Fund. Buy some art save the tits. 8p-midnight.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6 AIDS Walk 2012 @ Bicentennial Park, 233 Civic Center Dr, www.aidswalkcentralohio.com: Join the fight against HIV/AIDS. Feeling fit? Bust out those running shoes and for a small fee, register to be part of the walk. Haven’t exercised in years? No worries, be a volunteer or open your wallet to donate. 9:30a; free.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14 WALTZING WITH MUSETTA Opera Cabaret: La Boheme @ Shadowbox Live, 503 S Front St, 614.469.0939, www.OperaColumbus.org: Opera Columbus and Shadowbox Live team up to give us the Opera Cabaret performance of Puccini’s La boheme. Not only is it one of the most popular operas of all time it also inspired the Broadway musical Rent. 5p; free.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6 HOP INTO HALLOWEEN Gallery Hop @ Short North, www.shortnorth.org/popularlinks/gallery-hop: The monthly gallery-andfood-fest is back. Be sure to stop by The Raven for a palm or tarot reading. Grab a drink, browse the galleries, check out the human art walking around the Short North. 4-10p; free

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 7 “I’VE BEEN A BAD, BAD GIRL” Fiona Apple @ Palace Theatre, 34 W Broad St, 614.469.1045, www.capa.com: Fiona’s back in the news after getting arrested for marijuana and hash possession. Check out that mugshot... Yikes. You don’t want to miss this “Criminal” singer while she’s in town. 8p; $42-62.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5 HEY MAMBO, MAMBO ITALIANO! Italian Festival @ St. John Baptist Church, 720 Hamlet St, 614.294.5319, www.columbusitalianfestival.com: Queue up the Dean Martin and the Frank Sinatra; leave the gun, take the cannoli. Join the legions of Italian families as they celebrate over pasta. Festival runs through Sunday. 5p11p; $5.

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31 TRICK OR TREAT, SMELL MY FEET Columbus’ Beggar’s Night

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Ohio’s Equality Campaign Hunts for New Leadership by Alisa Caton This year’s Pride in Columbus proved to be yet another successful weekend of festivities for the LGBT community. It wasn’t until the Monday morning papers hit front doorsteps when many realized that one of Ohio’s prominent gay activists had been arrested during the celebration. Columbus Police picked up Ed Mullen, executive director of Equality Ohio, late Saturday night, June 16. Officers had been called to the scene, on Buttles Avenue, after Ed had come onto the lawn of some complaining residents and threatened them. He took pictures of the house saying to the residents, “Smile now, we’ll be back for you.” Ed was charged with disorderly conduct and menacing, a charge that was later dropped during the court hearing. After the incident, Equality Ohio showed support for Ed and never asked for his resignation, but only a few days after the Pride weekend arrest, he gave it to them anyway. Kim Welter, previously the director of programs and outreach, is now the acting interim executive director of Equality Ohio our statewide LGBT advocacy organization founded in 2006. EO’s mission is to “advocate and educate to achieve fair treatment and equal opportunity for all Ohioans regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.”

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Kim said that during all of the controversy with Ed in June, Equality Ohio had to focus on moving on from the incident and focusing on the purpose of the organization and their work. “Really the only thing you can do is keep doing what you do best and get past it and get back to work,” said Kim. “We’ve really tried to stick to what our mission is, trying to do the work for the LGBT people in Ohio. Keeping a focus on those things, that is what our mission is to do.” Kim is the most seasoned staff member of Equality Ohio, having joined the organization in 2008, which made her the most obvious choice to work as the interim executive director after Ed left. “A lot of what I’m doing now is what I was doing before anyway. I’d always worked very closely with Ed before,” said Kim. “It’s easy for me to know who to talk to and to keep moving along so we don’t lose any ground here while in transition.” Transition is something that the group seems to be used to though, as Ed only came to Columbus last year to serve as executive director of Equality Ohio. Kim said that the organization is able to move smoothly through these changes because of the four-year strategic plans that are set in place. “That doesn’t change, just sometimes how we go about a strategic plan may change,” said Kim.

They are currently working off of the strategic plan for 2011 through 2014. The plan was voted on, and adopted on May 17, 2011 by the board. There are three key goals that the group is focusing on in these four years and those are to “advance proequality legislation and public policies through out Ohio,” “secure Equality Ohio’s financial stability to ensure the organization’s capacity to achieve it’s missions” and “grow Equality Ohio’s reach and ability to effectively and efficiently meet its mission.” Kim said that some specifics to this plan are working to ensure the Equal Housing and Employment Act is passed at the state level, and also the passing of an antibullying policy in Ohio. “We’re always watching for what opportunity we have to make LGBT Ohioans better along the way,” said Kim. This summer, Equality Ohio launched the campaign “Equality Express,” where they traveled around the state to discuss issues in GLBT equality. They registered voters and did community projects to create discussions on these issues and inform those who may not be familiar with them. “LGBT people in conversation with their Ohio neighbors while engaged in helping others is a powerful way to communicate with those who aren’t sure where they stand with regards to LGBT issues. Study after study shows that people are more likely to support LGBT issues if they know someone

Are you a member of Equality Ohio yet? Sign up at equalityohio.org.

who is LGBT,” said Kim. With an effective plan in place, and strong ideas and resources, it is just a question of long-term leadership for Equality Ohio. The board collected resumes for the position until August 31. The batch of applicants was then reduced to a group of 12, a choice, which Kim said was tough by the overwhelming amount of interest that has been shown in the position. After an extensive interview process they will reduce to three candidates. The board hopes to announce the new executive director in November, a choice that the LGBT community, and all of Columbus, will be eager to hear. This fall, Equality Ohio is planning to send one of their staff members, Lee Reinhart, to Maine to support the state’s marriage equality campaign, and bring back some ideas to the Ohio campaign. “We have also been phonebanking to help support Minnesota’s efforts to vote down a marriage equality ban there. These are all skills that are important for Ohio down the line. People are more than willing to help us out. Volunteer nights are Thursday night in Columbus from 6p-8p at our offices and will be starting up again in the Akron and Cincinnati areas,” said Kim. Want to volunteer at Equality Ohio? You can find their offices at 61 Jefferson Ave or contact them at 614.224.0400 or www.equalityohio.org

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Well I went to the fridge to get a cold pop, and it smelled like someone was barbecuing or something...

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How The White House’s Endorsement of Same-Sex Marriage Affects Employment Law by Anjali Chavan On May 9, 2012, President Barack Obama became the first sitting U.S. President to affirm his belief that same-sex couples should be able to get married. Weeks later on May 31st, the First Circuit Court of Appeals declared a portion of the Defense of Marriage Act (“DOMA”) unconstitutional.1 In the coming weeks, the United States Supreme Court may decide to review Hollingsworth v. Perry, the Prop 8 case seeking to strike down the ban on freedom to marry in California; should they decline, however, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision declaring Prop 8 unconstitutional will be the law, thereby restoring same-sex marriage in California. These announcements are just three of many events that have shaped the current landscape in this country with respect to the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (“LGBT”) Americans. As LGBT issues are being placed at the forefront of American politics, employers would do well to pay attention, as these changes may necessitate changing employment policies, educating staff and potentially defending against employment lawsuits for previously unchartered claims, including discrimination based upon sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.

the protections of Title VII to cover sexual orientation and gender identity and will prohibit discrimination in hiring and employment by nonreligious employers with at least 15 employees. ENDA will be a federal mandate proscribing any discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity by both public and private employers - thereby bringing employees living in states without such protections like Ohio,2 Kentucky,3 Pennsylvania4 and West Virginia,5 under the umbrella of federal protection. The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals has found that Title VII protects transgender employees - holding that discriminating against employees who do not identify with their gender, act like members in their gender, or conform with sexual stereotypes is a form of sex discrimination violates Title VII. Barnes v. City of Cincinnati, 401 F.3d 729 (6th Cir. 2005); Smith v. City of Salem, 378 F.3d 566 (6th Cir. 2004). Further underscoring the shifting landscape of LGBT rights was the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (“EEOC”) recent ruling in Macy v. Holder, expanding the prohibition against sex discrimination of Title VII to cover transgender workers.

On June 12, the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee (“HELP Committee”) considered the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (“ENDA”) for the first time in three years, inviting a transgender witness to speak at a Senate hearing for the first time in history. ENDA seeks to expand

In Macy v. Holder, the EEOC held that Mia Macy’s complaint of discrimination based on gender identity, change of sex and/or transgender status can be brought under Title VII. Macy, a former police detective in Phoenix, Arizona, relocated to San Francisco and applied for an open position at the Bureau of Al-

[G]ender discrimination occurs any time an employer treats an employee differently for failing to conform to any gender-based expectations or norms.

derstand these changes, and consider revising their employee manuals and employment policies to comply with these changes.

The growing trend in the United States reveals that employment law is changing and adapting to provide a more inclusive environment for LGBT employees. Even though your state or federal circuit court may not recognize certain protections for LGBT individuals, many cities and counties around the country do have such protections in their local ordinances. As employers are navigating these issues in hiring, promoting, and firing, they should be cognizant of the local, state, and federal laws that may be at play. Employers must take the time to recognize and un-

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(1) Massachusetts v. U.S. Dep’t of HHS, et al., Case Nos. 10-2204, 10-2207, & 10-2214, 2012 U.S. App. LEXIS 10950, (1st Cir. May 31, 2012) (affirming the lower court’s holding finding Section 3 of DOMA which defines marriage for federal purposes as a union between a man and a women, to be an unconstitutional encroachment on the power to define marriage granted to the states by the Tenth Amendment). (2) Ohio prohibits discrimination by public employers based on sexual orientation. (3) Kentucky prohibits discrimination by public employers based

cohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“Agency”) for which she was qualified. Macy originally applied for the position as a man and interviewed with the Director as a man. Macy asserted that the Director told her on two separate occasions that she would have the position pending completion of a background check. A few months after her original application, Macy informed the Agency that she was beginning the process of transitioning from male to female. After the Agency received notice of Macy’s change of name and gender, the agency contacted Macy and told her the position was no longer available due to lack of funding. Macy later discovered that the Agency filled this position with another person. The EEOC found that charges of discrimination based on transgender status or gender identity are cognizable under Title VII’s sex discrimination prohibition and any such claims must be processed by the EEOC. That Title VII’s prohibition on sex discrimination proscribes gender discrimination, and not just discrimination based on biological sex, is important. If Title VII proscribed only discrimination on the basis of biological sex, the only prohibited gender-based disparate treatment would be when an employer prefers a man over a woman, or vice versa. But the statute’s protections sweep far broader than that, in part because “gender” encompasses not only a person’s biological sex but also the cultural and social aspects associated with masculinity and femininity.

on sexual orientation and gender identity. (4) Pennsylvania prohibits discrimination by public employers based on sexual orientation and gender identity. (5) West Virginia provides no protections for LGBT employees. Anjali P. Chavan is a labor and employment attorney at Dinsmore & Shohl LLP in the Columbus office. She has experience in advising and representing private and public employers in all aspects of employment law and labor relations. Anjali served as the Co-Chair of the Silent Auction Committee for Human Rights Campaign’s 2012 Gala, helping to raise over $23,000. She is active in the Columbus community as a member of the Junior League and on the advisory board of her sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta. Prior to joining the firm, Anjali worked for the Institute for Public Representation at Georgetown University Law Center and Human Rights Campaign in Washington, DC.

There’s a pool at the outlook offices on who will get a ring first. No one’s odds are that great.

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outlook staff can often be seen at Impero getting coffee and tracking how Justinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pregnancy is going.

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by Phillecia Cochran

Sherrod Brown: Interview with an Ally

Elections are literally right around the corner and if you haven’t figured out exactly who you’re voting for, you should at least be nearing the “fairly certain” mark. All too often people go to the polls without really knowing whether or not the politician they’re voting for has their back. And those who are uninformed may very well just be taking a shot and hoping for the best. Well, outlook readers (and the rest of Ohio for that matter), Sherrod Brown has your back. He really does. Not only is he an out and proud ally of the community, but he has been since before some of you were born. Having been a member of state and federal government for the better part of four decades, Senator Brown not only has a strong voting record in support of LGBT rights, but he opposed the insulting Defense of Marriage Act in the mid-90s. And was one of only 67 out of 435 members of the U.S. House of Representatives to do so at the time. He was one of 13 senators to take part in the “It Gets Better” video campaign to combat anti-bullying. He currently scores a 100% with the Human Rights Campaign. He supports full marriage equality. He co-sponsors the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), Respect for Marriage Act, Safe Schools Improvement Act, Student Non-Discrimination Act, and the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act, among many others. I had the opportunity to ask Senator Brown a few questions about where he thinks LGBT rights are headed (and what he thinks of Rachel Maddow running for public office).

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Phillecia Cochran: If re-elected, what are going to be your priorities in terms of LGBT rights specifically in Ohio? Sherrod Brown: I’ve stood for marriage equality and I want to see Ohio stand for marriage equality. I want us to be one of the next states to adopt it. We need to pass the Employment Non Discrimination Act (ENDA). There’s just no reason – all of this is a human right and a civil right. We need to erase the vestiges of those days when there was such hostility toward gay rights. PC: From pretty early on you’ve been a pretty loud supporter of the LGBT community – have you seen any backlash from that? SB: In the year that I voted against DOMA, I remember it was not, politically, a very popular vote and I assume that cost me votes at the ballot box because people would say positive things, but I would hear many more negative things. I would hear my opponents attack me for it. Fast forward to 2012 and I think that vote that I made in the mid 90s probably helps me. People say, “Well he stood for something. He still does. He’s out there fighting for us.” And I think it shows a lot about how the public has changed. My wife once said the gay movement is the death rattle of a dying dragon. And that’s what makes me so optimistic. If I were gay I would not say we’ve made progress fast enough, but I do say we’ve moved forward pretty quickly in this country. Not that I’m telling people I’m advocating patience on civil rights or human rights, but it’s pretty amazing how this is changing. And the surveys, the public response to marriage equality and other things, it’s really come a long way. PC: In your opinion, at a national level, what do you think are the most important initiatives for equality next – whether that’s ENDA, equal housing, or fighting DOMA – what do you think is the next best step? SB: Well I think ENDA is probably the most obtainable nationally and most important. I think marriage equality will go state by state – I mean I’d like it to go national in that way, but it will be state by state and I want my state to move on it. I think what we can do probably best in Washington is ENDA right now.

Who’s glad we saved the auto industry?

PC: What would you say, since becoming senator, have been your proudest achievements in fighting for LGBT rights either in Washington or in the state of Ohio? SB: I think the end of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. It was an archaic, bizarre policy, but it was a policy of the government of the United States of America and now it’s not. I mean that was a pretty proud moment. I was at the signing with the president. I mean, with 500 of his closest friends – I wasn’t sitting right next to him, but I remember how exciting that was when all of the service men and women wanted to rejoin the military, and I know a number of them from Ohio, it was just a very exciting moment. PC: There seems to be some public pressure being put on certain issues in Washington. Do you sense that same shift in the politicians as well? SB: Yes. And one of the beautiful things about the democratic system of government is that elected officials eventually respond to public pressure. When a country is changed so dramatically in a decade on issues like the Defense of Marriage Act and issues like ENDA and just issues like gay rights generally – when the country is changing so much, you can bet the congress will follow. You’re seeing it right now, I think, in the votes. When we did the “It Gets Better” video campaign there were all kinds of people to step forward. That wouldn’t have happened ten years ago in the United States. It might not have even happened five years ago. PC: Do you think President Obama’s support for full marriage equality helped him outside of the LGBT community? SB: I think he did the right thing. I’m glad he did it. It was good for the country and I’m glad he did it. I hope that no president in the future will go back on it. PC: I have one final question for you and it’s a very important one. Do you think the country would benefit from Rachel Maddow running for public office? SB: I would love Rachel Maddow to run for public office. I would guess that’s the last thing she’d ever do. She loves what she’s doing. I love Rachel.

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If you need talking points for the naysayers on Obamaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s LGBT record, check out page 33 and get informed.

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A Dandy View of the Democratic National Convention by Chad Frye Murray Kempton, the famous Pulitzer prize-winning former editor of The New Republic once said, “A political convention is not a place where you can come away with any trace of faith in human nature.” For a man so good-natured and modest, it was an interesting statement and an understandable one. For the most part, political conventions have become little more than salesmanship and formality. The decision regarding a party’s candidate has been generally made well in advance, and what was once an essential part of the democratic process has been, to some extent, turned into an overblown, expensive, timeconsuming pep-rally. And occasionally, they take dramatic and disastrous turn - I watched from the comfort of my home as Clint Eastwood yelled at a chair. Nothing gets old white people riled up like an old white guy yelling angrily. Regardless, I am personally surprised that I report back from my week at the 2012 Democratic National Convention, and convey that this event, while definitely a pep rally, was certainly not lacking in substance. There was a little dust-up stemming from a proposal our very own former Governor Ted Strickland made on the floor regarding Israel (look it up - interesting stuff), frank speech about arithmetic and tax cuts from Bill Clinton, some serious talk about women’s rights and labor and two incredible speeches by Michelle Obama and Elizabeth Warren (I love her). The entire thing focused on the thoughtful and arm-open inclusive principles that have been the hallmark of the Obama administration. The idea is that our society is a confluence of efforts, and that while we reward personal achievement, we recognize that no man is an island. There was much talk about doing it all together, the growth of the middle class and that a sense of fairness should prevail. But what was really important to our community, from my perspective, was that this convention seemed to mark a significant paradigm shift in the way GLBT voters are viewed by the Democratic Party.

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For a long while now, I think many GLBT voters have firmly placed their dollars, efforts and hearts in the Democratic party and its candidates. For a long while we have seen Democratic leaders at GLBT events (particularly fundraisers), and behind closed doors we have often heard party leaders espouse the same ideals that we do: equality under the law in all things, everywhere. The President’s record on the GLBT community (see the diagram on the opposite page) is so strong; this convention was, simply, really gay. And we’re not just talking the openly gay CEO of the Convention, Steve Kerrigan. Jamie Citron, the sharp and exceedingly bright LGBT Vote Director for Obama for America seemed to be everywhere, introducing me to highfalutin government officials, and glad-handing (deftly) the hell out of anyone in the general vicinity - I can’t even imagine what fundraising looked like. But this wasn’t all salesmanship. There was real and significant dialogue between the party and members of the community. The Democratic Party’s LGBT caucus meetings were historic in that the standing-room only crowds included record numbers of LBGT delegates (and numerous Transgender delegates) with every state in the nation represented.

have been able to move our country forward, I believe, in a fair way that respects everybody’s rights, and that’s something that’s the foundation of our country and it’s something we can’t take for granted. We have to fight for it and make our country the more perfect union we know it can be.” Kathleen Sebelius, the Secretary of Health and Human Services visited next, making it clear that the bulk of the legal changes GLBT citizens have seen in recent history have nothing to do with congress. “A lot of what you heard about today is not the law of the land,” Sebelius said. “It really is administrative rules and regulations that are in place and which can be wiped out in a heartbeat. With a change in the White House much of the litany of what you’ve just heard is gone.” She was quick to add that what is wrought in the White House can be undone in the White House, stressing the need for a second term to solidify many of the non-binding changes, including non-discrimination polices in federal housing programs, hospital visitation rights for same-sex partners, and a ban on employment discrimination for transgender people in the federal workforce among others.

“History is being made this week,” said Minnesota gay delegate Rick Stafford, chair of the LGBT Caucus. “With over 550 LGBT Americans who are an official part of the 2012 Democratic National Convention.”

The Caucus meetings were visited by numerous others, including Jill Biden, Barney Frank, Cory Booker (Mayor of Newark, NJ, and a potential challenger to Chris Christie for the Governorship of New Jersey), Tammy Baldwin, Al Franken and of course the charismatic Debbie WassermanSchultz.

The administration rose to the occasion, and instead of dispatching the usual mid-level functionaries, sent the best of the best. Brian Bond, the openly gay Deputy Director of Public Engagement for the Obama White House introduced chief advisor to the President, Valerie Jarret, who he described as “the heart-sleeve of the administration.” Jarret had this to say: “With your efforts we

As the convention closed, the President delivered on the unspoken promise that each Barack Obama speech guarantees -inspirational rhetoric, big-tent ideas and an overall tone of inclusion. But this speech was a little different from others that the GLBT community has heard. Four years ago, the potential repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell was a fantasy, the idea that a sitting President

Who are you calling Dandy?

would endorse same-sex marriage was completely unbelievable, and the thought that an African-American Politician would liken the GLBT Rights movement to the Civil Rights movement was just preposterous. And yet this President has, in the last four years, done each and every one of those things, and much more. He seems to have built the real coalition the Democratic Party has always claimed to be, which was never been more evident to me than at the end of the whole week. As the President gave his speech accepting the nomination, I was seated between a lesbian veteran (Jane) and a male African-American AFL-CIO member (Bill). As the speech progressed, each of them seemed to be positively Catholic about the whole thing - lots of sitting and standing. When the President spoke of labor, Jane sprang to her feet, and high-fived Bill with great enthusiasm. He laughed heartily and grabbed her, and they hugged over top of me. Moments later, the President began speaking of our veterans, and when he reached the place in his speech where he talked about respecting who a person loved, Jane was almost in the air - and so was Bill. He turned to her, gave a thunderous high-five and said, “We got you. You know we do.” Jane smiled as he reached over to give him a high-five and said, almost solemnly, “I know you do. For the first time, I know you do.” Conventions are expensive, and there is a lot of posturing and promising, and heady talk about large ideas. Some could view them as a spectacle - and they’d be right. But for me, this one was different. Not because of what our leaders said, which was typically inspirational. No, what was moving and important for me was seeing two members of the Democratic Party who haven’t always seen eye-to-eye, grab each other and celebrate each other’s contributions to the whole. If that isn’t the ultimate statement about Barack Obama’s influence on the Democratic Party, I don’t know what is. Out of many, one. Isn’t that the point, after all?

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Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like a pride rollercoaster of fun!

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“Because I want to win” - The Repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell by Chad Frye It would seem one can’t swing a dead cat without hitting a story these days about the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Some of these pieces are personal stories from service members celebrating the right to live their lives publicly and some of these are conversations about the effect the repeal has had on the military as a whole (nothing bad happened - big surprise!). But there seems to be a lack of conversation about what it took to really repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, and why the President would choose to take on this controversial, hot-button issue. The Obama Administration and the campaign are exceedingly proud of their accomplishments in the area of equal rights, with the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell sitting squarely in center of their GLBT voter outreach strategy. Naturally, this meant they brought the key players in the repeal process to Charlotte for the Democratic National Convention, and happily handed them a microphone. Valerie Jarrett’s long-time support of the GLBT community is well known, and her role in repeal of DADT was considerable. It is thought that Jarrett’s passionate argument against this unfair practice was what prompted the President to make the repeal a priority. Jarrett explained that this endeavor was not “undertaken to garner votes, or bring the LGBT community into the tent, but rather to sim-

34 oct 2012

ply end something that was inherently unfair and obscene.” Douglas Wilson, the Defense Department’s assistant secretary for public affairs, was one of the more interesting DADT repeal heroes. Wilson is openly gay, and was a big part of the pre-repeal investigation undertaken by the Department of Defense. He was often dispatched to military bases to meet with commanding officers, to interview troops, and get a sense of thoughts on the ground. He recounted with a smile on his face a particularly interesting trip to Fort Hood: “The commanding officer at Fort Hood wasn’t very keen on me asking the questions I was asking and really tried his hardest to regulate who I talked to and when. After one of the outreach sessions, we went to see a tank, the purpose of which was to show me how close quarters were in a tank and how difficult it would be for gay and straight troops to serve together.” Wilson went on, “So, we saw the tank, and at the end, the tank crew lined up in front of the tank, and I walked over to speak to them, and I said, ‘You all have served together several years.’ And they said, ‘Yes, we’ve been together a long time.’ I said, ‘What happens if Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed and one of you told the other four that he was gay? What would you do?’ And person by person - the first person said, ‘Well, my brother’s gay, so it doesn’t matter.’ The second person said,

‘Well, you know, I have so many friends who are gay from high school. It doesn’t matter.’ To each person, it didn’t matter. And the final person said, ‘What matters to me is if this thing is burning, I want someone to be able to pull me out, and I don’t care what their sexual orientation is.’ That’s when I knew it was time. That’s when I knew we could do it.” Wilson added that that his role in the repeal was the proudest moment of his career, not just as a gay man, but as “a citizen committed to the fair principles set forth by our founding fathers.” The administration officials at DNC 2012 were very quick to give credit where credit was due, making it clear that this incredible, seemingly impossible legislative victory didn’t happen overnight, and didn’t occur without a little help from many different areas. The ability to make the repeal happen began with the courts, with public opinion gauged during heightened media attention, through active protest by out, proud and vocal service members, and also through swift and decisive action during legislative wrangling. This wrangling was helped by Service Members Legal Defense Network, Service Members United, The Human Rights Campaign and many other organizations and individuals. Jurists and legal scholars who challenged the law’s premise, and researchers worked tirelessly to compound the data that proved DADT repeal would be better for the military in the long run. Ultimately however, this repeal happened because a few determined

Don’t ask me who I was with last night, and I won’t tell you that it was your mother.

people, empowered by a President, fought passionately to end an injustice. One of those people was Jim Messina, who is currently the campaign manager for President Obama’s re-election campaign, who was the mastermind behind the winning legislative strategy that made the repeal a possibility. Messina has a reputation for being the President’s fixer, and is a force to be reckoned with in DC - Joe Solomnese, formerly of HRC, once left a meeting with Messina saying, “I never want to deal with that guy again.” Regardless of their rough start, Solomnese calls Messina “unquestionably one of the great unsung heroes of DADT repeal.” The two stood side by side on the Senate floor as the bill cleared the body on December 18, 2011. When the 60th vote came in, Solmonese said that Messina began to cry. When Messina spoke about the repeal at DNC 2012, he described his meeting with the President. “The President called me into the oval office and told me that we were going to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. I told him that I might not be the right guy for the job. I’d ruffled some feathers at HRC, and I knew somebody else might be a better choice to handle this particular issue. The President was insistent that I take on running the repeal. We talked at length, and I finally just asked, ‘Why me?’ and the President smiled and said, ‘Because Jim, I want to win.’”

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Voting for Equality: The Parties by the Numbers by J Eric Peters Every time you vote for a Democrat for a legislature (Congress, for example), you vote for a Democratic majority. That’s right - every time you vote for a Democratic majority, you vote for a house or a senate that supports equality regardless of sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Likewise, every time you vote for a Republican, you vote for a legislative majority opposed to our equality. The consistency, persistence and amazing potency with which these patterns hold are truly astounding. The graphics on this page illustrate that. For example, as one box shows, 96.6 percent of

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Democrats in the U.S. Senate voted to pass the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act but only 25.0 percent of senate Republicans did. This pattern holds across issues (nondiscrimination, hate crime, civil union and marriage laws along with marriage bans highlighted in the table), across voting bodies, our nation’s congress, state legislatures and even electorates (the voting public) and over time year after year. In every instance the Democratic percentage of support is higher than the Republican one, although the marriage bans’ numbers actually measure anti-gay antagonism. Help move our state and our nation closer to fairness for basic gay rights and LGBT equality. Go to the polls on Tuesday, November 6th and cast a straight party ticket.

Math doesn’t lie.

Voting body California Colorado Colorado Colorado Colorado Delaware Delaware Delaware Maryland Maryland New Jersey New Jersey North Carolina North Carolina Ohio Ohio Washington Washington U.S. U.S. U.S. U.S.

Issue Marriage ban (Proposition 8) Civil unions

Dems.

Reps.

Date

30% 100%

81% 20%

11/4/2008 4/25/2012

Civil unions

100%

16.7%

5/3/2012

Civil unions

100%

14.3%

5/4/2012

Civil unions Nondiscrimination Nondiscrimination Civil unions Marriage Marriage Marriage Marriage

100% 73.3% 77.3% 85.7% 75.5% 71.4% 91.7% 90%

14.3% 60.0% 41.2% 14.3% 7.1% 4.7% 25% 0%

5/8/2012 6/24/2009 6/24/2009 4/7/2011 2/13/2012 2/17/2012 2/13/2012 2/16/2012

Senate

Marriage ban

100%

9/13/2011

House Electorate House Senate House Senate House Senate House

Marriage ban Marriage ban Nondiscrimination Marriage Marriage Hate crime law Hate crime law Repeal DADT Repeal DADT

19.2% 44% 96.2% 88.9% 94.6% 96.6% 92.6% 98.2% 92.2%

95.6% 81% 21.7% 18.2% 4.8% 25.0% 24.9% 19.1% 8.4%

9/12/2011 11/2/2004 9/15/2009 2/01/2012 2/8/2012 10/23/2009 10/06/2009 12/18/2010 12/15/2010

Voters Senate House – Judiciary Committee House - Finance Comm. House - Appropriations Committee Senate House Senate Senate House of Delegates Senate General Assembly

oct 2012

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Highball Halloween by Ayana Wilson It’s that time of year again. The air has begun to turn crisp, the days have gotten shorter and no matter where you go, you hear the faint sound of sewing machines. They’re whirring and attaching endless cords of beads, feathers and sequins to familiar and new costumes, outfits and uniforms. Those sewing machines are gearing up for Highball, that special day when High Street more closely resembles Bourbon Street, as Columbus celebrates Halloween. This year is the 5th anniversary for the largest masquerade ball held in the state’s capital, and it promises to be even bigger and more spectacular as fashion designers, models, and performers come out in their numbers for the party of the year. John Angelo, founder of Highball Halloween, and his team decided that this year’s theme should pay homage to Columbus’ Bicentennial and its motto of a ColumbUS united. They also wanted to build off the event’s ongoing idea of “Glow,” a theme introduced last year that encourages attendees to be as dazzling as they dare with LED, laser and other glowas-you-are accessories. “[We] wanted to

36 oct 2012

build on that signature. We quickly settled on “Illuminate” as the perfect starting point… so we decided to combine the two into one: Illuminate + ColumbUS = IlluminatUS! We then added the tagline, “Light Up the Night!” Highball will take place on Saturday, October 27th from 5p-1a. Fashion designers, both local and national, will also be there to light things up with the always-edgy, avant-garde fashion shows that have become the marquee events of Highball. Unlike in the past however, this year the Highball main stage moves to the south end of the Short North to a fresh locale at High and Vine Streets, right in front of the Columbus Convention Center. The party moves year to year in order to give the whole district a chance to be in the heart of it all. “The new location rocks!” says Angelo. “We’re using the Convention Center as an ultra-cool backdrop.” One of Columbus’ signature buildings will be turned into a giant movie screen that will be streaming Studio 77 and Little Tree Studios videos, and project live shots of the best attendee costumes so all can share in the carousing. And another great aspect of the new location is access to some 20,000 parking spots that are available in the arena

district, convention center hotels and several downtown garages, as well as, city lots on the other side of the cap, meter street parking and a plethora of bike corrals. Revelers can hope to gear up once again for the Outrageous Costume Contest, where prizes are available for individuals and teams. A veritable buffet of eye-candy, this is Highball for many, a chance to truly witness the inspired, demented, smart and cynical sides of Columbus’ local population. And, as always, the divine Miss Nina West will serve as Mistress of Ceremonies, pumping up the crowd, local live bands and the city’s hottest DJs guaranteed to keep this party going for hours. This Highball also promises to bring out more talent, more over-the-top couture madness and more undiluted drama than ever before as designers prepare for the Couture Costume Fashion Showdown. The professional competitors are “off the hook” this year Angelo gushes, and between all the beauty and styling teams pulling out all the stops, and the productions teams creating larger-thanlife sets, “my heart’s racing just thinking about it!” is the best way Angelo can think of

to describe what’s going to take place. Concerns always seem to surface about public safety, especially when the event demands that the streets be closed in order to accommodate crowds. But this is what makes Highball so inimitable among its contemporaries: it is consistently listed among the top safe Halloween events around Columbus ever year. Parents, children, pets, freaks, geeks and everyone in between can feel secure in the knowledge that the Columbus Police Department, in conjunction with the Short North Association, work tirelessly every year to eliminate threats, and every year, a good time is had by all with very few, if any, complaints. And this year should be no different. Highball Halloween is slowly becoming one of the most notorious and renowned annual events for the city, with numbers anticipated at over 20,000 partygoers for the 2012 celebration. Tickets are $5 at the gate, and there are still several opportunities left to volunteer. For more information, or to sign up, visit www.highballhalloween.com. Hope to see you there!

Does anyone else remember that crazy girl in the owl costume last year? Or the whack job in the lederhosen?

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You can take COTA to Brothers in Blood and HighBall! We swear itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not spooky.

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by Romeo San Vicente

WANDA SYKES HAS HOT FLASHES

After the success of Hot in Cleveland – and what with the whole post-Bridesmaids film culture we’re living in now, one where Hollywood has finally If you’re a film festival nerd or just really into arty- started waking up to the fact that half of the dirty stuff like BUTT Magazine, you probably saw or ticket-buying public is female – it was only a matter of time before women of a certain age got their at least heard about I Want Your Love, the indie movie from director Travis Mathews that featured shot at big screen ensemble comedy. Coming soon, then, is The Hot Flashes (this type of joke will get actors having real sex on camera. If not, it’s still stale quickly, but for now we’ll allow it) from direcmaking the festival rounds, so you have time to tor Susan Seidelman (Desperately Seeking Susan) catch up before Mathews’ latest effort makes and starring a roster of big lady-names like Wanda waves. And it will make waves. He’s teamed up with actor/art-star/overachiever James Franco for Sykes, Brooke Shields and Virginia Madsen. The plot involves a Texas basketball team of former James Franco’s Cruising. What’s it about? Well, high school champs who take on a girls’ statewhen William Friedkin (The Exorcist) directed the highly controversial Cruising in 1980 – in which Al champ team in a series of breast cancer prevenPacino played an undercover detective in the gay tion fundraising games. Camryn Manheim and leather world – Warner Bros. made him cut about Daryl Hannah round out the line-up. There’ll proba40 minutes to satisfy the MPAA and receive an “R” bly be some men in it, too, but do you care who? Didn’t think so. There’s no official release date yet, rather than “X” rating. That footage, now debut you can friend the movie on Facebook if you stroyed, forms the basis for this film’s plot. Not a want, where it is unlikely it will annoy you with lots remake, not a sequel, instead it will be a highly speculative exploration of what might have been. of political posts about the election. And it’ll give Franco yet another opportunity to be conceptually gay-for-pay, just the way we like him.

JAMES FRANCO’S CRUISING IS A THING THAT’S REALLY HAPPENING

NEIL PATRICK HARRIS MAKING MOVIES HE WACHOWSKIS ASCEND TO JUPITER ASCENDING CAN TAKE HIS KIDS TO Even in liberal Hollywood, it’s highly unlikely that an actor whose career involves playing a coarse womanizer on a popular sitcom and making incredibly raunchy hay of his off-screen sexuality in a series of marijuana-themed comedies would allow his preschool aged children to watch him on the job. That’s why it’s no big surprise to see Neil Patrick Harris take on back-to-back roles in upcoming kid-themed projects. Currently he’s starring in a pair of franchise-builders, as a voice (alongside Anna Faris and Andy Samberg) in Cloudy 2: Revenge of The Leftovers, the sequel to the animated hit Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs, and on the days when he actually has to go in to hair and makeup, he’s shooting the inevitable Smurfs 2 opposite a green screen that’ll eventually be populated with more tiny blue creatures. It’s a living. It’s also a kid-friendly way to introduce the idea that dad isn’t just the guy who persuades you to eat your vegetables; he’s also a celebrity, which is why you’ve got your own room, a nanny and a swimming pool.

After years of frenzied speculation, Lana Wachowski – formerly known as Larry – finally spoke about her life in transition. She took the opportunity afforded her by the recent Toronto International Film Festival premiere of the Tom Hank-starring Cloud Atlas to finally address the topic (nonshocker: being famous can be a burden and she didn’t want the press breathing down her neck about it) and did so with the same Matrix-level of coolness fans of the Wachowskis’ work have come to expect. Don’t expect to see her on the talk show circuit with a memoir or on Dancing With The Stars anytime soon (not that there’s anything wrong with that, Chaz-o-philes) but do expect increased movie output from the famous filmmaking siblings. Coming in 2014 is the sci-fi thriller Jupiter Ascending, starring the now-ubiquitous Channing Tatum and Mila Kunis. And when that memoir finally does arrive some day (in 2044 or whenever) you know it’ll be jaw-dropping. Romeo San Vicente is frequently the cause of dropped jaws. He can be reached care of this publication or at DeepInsideHollywood@qsyndicate.com.

Shiver Me Timbers by Linda Ketcham The Santa Maria Ship Museum established the Haunted Ship years ago as a light-hearted activity for volunteers and staff and to raise public awareness of the replica of Columbus’ flagship at the Riverfront. It is an annual fundraiser run by the volunteers that celebrates the end of the April-October season, and over the years it has grown into a large event attracting around a thousand people to the ship. This year’s Haunted Ship will be held October 25th, 26th and 27th, with tickets sold in advance through the Santa Maria website and at the door from 7p-10p each evening. The lines are often long, so it’s not unusual for the festivities to last until midnight. The resident expertise on supernatural attractions comes from the staff, friends, and alumni group of C.A.M.P. (Constructing Assured and Motivated People, a not-for-profit public charity founded in 1991.) When C.A.M.P. began working with the Santa Maria years

38 oct 2012

back, they’d already learned efficient methods of scaring the daylights out of paying customers at their “Haunted Hills” event in Bainbridge, Ohio. They have continued to hone their skills; each year bringing with them improved manpower and props to compliment the ship’s tour guides and volunteers. If you’re brave enough to go, you’ll be introduced to the story of Cap’n Booney and his ill-fated crew when you step aboard with your tour guide. The tale is embellished as the tour proceeds up to the quarterdeck, where you’ll be subjected to a little test to determine if you are indeed a living person or perhaps a ghost in hiding, for the ghost pirates may try to escape the Haunted Ship by taking over a live body. The Cap’n’s cabin holds further surprises as stolen treasures and relics of past conquests are revealed. Then it’s down to the steerage, where we see the remains of some of the crew and witness how they, uh, “live” today.

I’d like to be deep inside James Franco.

Finally, we make our way deep into the ship’s hold to be greeted by yet another creature lurking among the dusty barrels and the clingy spider webs. There, in the deepest darkest part of the ship, is a terrifying relic of the past: be careful, and tread lightly, for we wouldn’t want to disturb his slumber—OHHH NOOOOO! Too late. And we exit the ship quickly. If you are brave of heart or hardly brave, this is a worthwhile excursion - and almost everyone will return to shore safely at this family friendly event. Haunted Ship Oct. 25-27 ticket sales 7p-10p nightly. Advance sales www.santamaria.org. Adults 12 and over $5; youth ages 3-11 $3. For more information about C.A.M.P, visit www.sfacamp.org. Linda Ketcham is the Executive Director of the Columbus Santa Maria Inc.

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But who could ever love a beast....?

oct 2012

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Bulls, Bears, and Ballots, Oh My by Tom Muzyka “Which U.S. Presidents have been the best and worst economic stewards for our nation, the business community, and the average American family? Which political party has demonstrated superior economic performance while serving in the White House?” This is the premise of Bulls, Bears, and the Ballot Box by Bob Deitrick and Lew Goldfarb, local entrepreneurs and political analysts. For Deitrick and Goldfarb, the president is the CEO of the United States, and thus is the ultimate authority in directing our economy. The book lays out the breakdown of how well the economy fared under past presidencies by party line, just in time for this election season. I would highly recommend anyone unsure of their vote this November to read this book; hell, I would recommend anyone read this to better understand politics and realize the difference individuals can make in deciding the country’s future. In fanboy style, I spoke with Bob Deitrick to learn more about how this book came about: TM: Based on the results in your book, were you surprised that Democrats ranked higher on economic stewardship than Republicans? BD: Yes we were. A myth that has been propagated for three plus decades now is that the Republican Party, being the party of business, is the party that is better for the economy. Supposedly, they are the party that brings a greater sense of business acumen and acuity to the table for the American people and our economy. The reality is nothing could be further from the truth. The legend of Republican economic dominance is no more than a myth, and our book proves that statement to be fact. TM: When you began this book, did you intend it as a general review of presidential economic

40 oct 2012

stewardship, or did you time its release to coincide with the election season? BD: Both, indeed, I originally intended to write the book in 2010 but realized that if we could have the greatest potential impact by introducing our book in 2012 during this election cycle. TM: You mentioned in the forward that financial policies are the primary concern for a voter in a presidential election, and social policies like gay marriage are secondary; what advice, then, do you have for a citizen who agrees with a candidate’s fiscal policies but disagrees with much, if not all, other viewpoints? BD: We believe in this notion of prioritization or triage. Social issues are important, very important to some more than others. But one’s economic wallet and net worth are very important also. We believe that one ought to prioritize and then vote for both social and economic and not one over the other. I wrote an entire op-ed about this very topic just this week with respect to the Log Cabin Republicans entitled: “Why The Republican Log Cabin is a House Made of Straw.” TM: You write that “a candidate’s view on economic policy and other financial and tax issues should be explored and considered first and foremost,” (pp 241); in this vein, then, it sounds like voters should research more about their other elected official candidates in the legislative branch for non-financial interests, as Congress is the entity responsible for working with or against the president in deciding these issues. BD: This is a very good question also. At the end of the day, Congress creates legislation so they are the entity responsible for things like DOMA or Don’t Ask Don’t Tell or the Federal Marriage Amendment et al. The president can introduce policy also, but our book focuses on economics and not social is-

sues. The concern we raise is that social issues can often be disguised as red herrings in order to distract voters from the important topic of the day. TM: I did really enjoy your comments on mutual respect for political opponents, pointing out that the political climate has degraded to the point where “it [has] become an acceptable American value to heckle and chide the President of the United States every single day and root for him to fail,” (pp 244). I think this speaks volumes as to the problems we are facing in today’s world of politics and media, problems that taint the election process. BD: Again, the cornerstone of our book and an ongoing touchstone throughout the book is that the values of statesmanship, pragmatism and compromise are paramount. We need to get away from the chiding, heckling and ridicule that is now a theme in every single news cycle. We need to focus on working together cooperatively and not in such an adversarial manner to the extent that we want to see our great country move forward. At the end of the day, we are all Americans - gay, straight, black, white, poor and affluent and we all love this country equally and dearly and we should want what is best for it and for the aggregate. TM: You did not have enough data to include Obama in your analysis, but where would you estimate his ranking amongst his predecessors by the end of this term? BD: I actually wrote an op-ed about this very question comparing Barack Obama’s first term to that of Ronald Reagan for their respective first 3.5 years. Despite the rancor from the right, the reality is that Reagan and Obama inherited a mess from their respective predecessors. On 8 of the 12 data points in our book, Barack Obama has surpassed conservative icon Ronald Reagan in their respective first terms in office. The reality is Obama has

done a very good job bringing a sense of civility, consistency and predictability back to a market, which in 2009 had none when he entered office. So far, after just over 3.5 years, Obama would rank in the middle of the pack of all of the presidents in our study over the past 80 years. He would be 6th or 7th presently just about where Ronald Reagan was over two full terms in office. TM: Naturally, when one thinks of the presidents, Marry-Shag-Kill comes to mind. For me, there’s no competition. I’d marry Lincoln, shag Warren G. Harding, and kill Alexander Hamilton. OK, I know Hamilton wasn’t a president, but look at that smug face. You want to kill him, too. Which president would you marry, shag, or kill? BD: My favorite Republican presidents were Ronald Reagan and Dwight Eisenhower, both were moderate and pragmatists by today’s standards. My favorite Democrats were Bill Clinton and JFK/LBJ on that side of the ledger. FDR and Marriner Eccles are my heroes as well from the book. Statesman like Marriner Eccles and FDR, Reagan and Tip O’Neill are the ones who made this country great! TM: What would you like to say to readers of your book, of outlook magazine, of the general voting public this election season? BD: I would say, please read our book on Kindle or on hard cover or buy it on our website at: www.bullsbearsandtheballotbox.com. Read our book, get informed and vote in your economic interest. Don’t get fooled by all of the hyperbole, mantra, red herrings and commercials, which are designed to distract you from the topics that are important to you. Vote for your wallet! Both Tom and Bob had a lot more to say. To read the interview in its entirety, please visit the Creative Class section at www.outlookcolumbus.com.

Every Republican who thinks their party is more fiscally responsible should definitely read this book.

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They are kinda like a pair of eyes of Mordor. Just drunk versions.

oct 2012

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FLOTUS by Marcus Morris FLOTUS. The acronym should be cast in gold and put on a chain like Carrie Bradshaw’s iconic nameplate necklace. Our First Lady has such swagger in the fashion arena, that she could rock this throwaway piece of jewelry with a Maria Cornejo shift and J. Crew mules, and still look incredibly chic and sophisticated. It is quite lucky for us that in our lifetime we have a First Lady who means so much to the fashion world. While the rest of this issue talks politics, I’m shouting about the fashions of Mrs. Obama. Four more years! Michelle Obama first caught my eye on the campaign trail in a simple Gap trapeze dress and leggings. It stood out among the traditional ideas of how a future wife of a President might dress, because she looked like the women in the audience: the women who would vote for Obama, and the women who make up our country. In contrast, Mrs. McCain seemed to only exist in St. John knits and had a permanently frozen face that made her appear aghast at the attention. Mrs. Obama seemed carefree and joyful, often with a gorgeous toothy smile and was able to engage in a way that Mrs. McCain didn’t. When the President was announced the winner in November of 2008, the First Family got onstage in Chicago looking every bit the emblem of the American future. The children

42 oct 2012

Sasha and Malia looked adorable, and the President looked so distinguished, but Michelle was the star in her Narciso Rodriguez dress. She radiated glamour and became an instant icon for the fashion world. This night was the beginning of the fierce fashion frenzy surrounding her, and she, like Latrice Royale, made them eat it. On inauguration day, the First Lady reigned supreme in her lemongrass look from Isabel Toledo. It wasn’t the color one expected. We might have anticipated a primary red or blue, but it was divine. I do have to read her a little for the inaugural gown. I didn’t love it. I thought she would have looked genius in an amethyst column by Isaac Mizrahi or a maybe something in brilliant blue by Michael Kors, but the Jason Wu dress did set her apart for the traditional ideas about a inaugural evening gown. For the next inauguration, I want to see her in a strong color all day. Perhaps Mr. Mizrahi could whip up a stunning ball gown in carnation red? I’d also love to see her in a brilliant custom day look by Thakoon or Marc Jacobs. In March of 2009, Michelle appeared on the cover of Vogue wearing a stunning mauve shift. It is one of my favorite Vogue covers of all time. (Linda Evangelista in Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche lounging in a field of grass in my all-time fave.) I adored Anna Wintour placing the wife of the President at the top of the fashion heap. I hope that if Vogue chooses to feature the first lady again, the cover

Michelle is def the FLOTUS with the mostest!

would be as elegant and beautiful as the first cover. Since the President was elected, Mrs. Obama has tried to maintain a sense of style while also promoting a need for our country to prevent childhood obesity. She smartly chose a cause that focuses on a need to maintain health and activity in youth while asking everyone to consider what we put in our bodies. Her initiatives have made us take a closer look at what kids are eating and how our country can take a stronger stance on preventing kids from growing up without good health. The planting of a vegetable garden in the White House lawn also asks America to think about where we get our food. It is quite cool to think that our First Lady is working to prevent a new nation of fat-assed people. Throughout the last few years, Mrs. Obama has worn clothes that reflect what a modern woman can be. She can wear a mix of clothes and not just be relegated to a traditional pant or skirt suit. She can wear beautifully feminine dresses from Rodarte one day, and switch to a pair of trousers and Lanvin tennis shoes the next. When she wears her beautiful clothes, initially selected by the Chicago retailer Ikram Goldman, she does so with a confidence and elegance that doesn’t allow herself to be a fashion victim. Fashion should never be the thing that cloaks the person - it should illustrate. From the bold Alexander McQueen to the beautiful collection of Azzedine Alaia dresses she has put forth, I think that FLOTUS is a dream.

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I got somethng you can take care of down there.

oct 2012

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by Dan Savage

harming the struggle for LGBT equality.

I was wondering what you think about the Folsom Street Fair, the annual gay leather/fetish/BDSM street fair in San Francisco. Do you think it is still a socially relevant display? Or do you think that in this time when we are fighting for civil rights and equality that it does more harm than good?

The Folsom Street Fair has taken place on a Sunday in September in San Francisco every year since 1984. Pride parades have been taking place on a Sunday in June in cities all over the country since the early 1970s. And every year, we hear from concern trolls about the damage that’s supposedly being done to the LGBT rights movement by all those drag queens, go-go boys, dykes, and leather guys at Pride or Folsom or International Mr. Leather.

Better Displaying San Francisco I’m pretty sure that the Folsom Street Fair remains socially relevant - and highly so - to folks in the leather/fetish/BDSM scene in San Francisco. It’s also relevant to anyone who believes in freedom of sexual expression. (For an idea of what Folsom looks like, and to see the scale of the thing, search for “Folsom Street Fair” on YouTube.) And it’s important to emphasize that the Folsom Street Fair, which took place last weekend, isn’t exclusively gay. Thousands of straight kinksters attend every year. About the only difference between the straight attendees and the queer ones is that no one claims that the kinky straight people at Folsom make all heterosexuals everywhere look like sex-crazed sadomasochists. (For the record: Sex-crazed sadomasochists are my favorite kind of sadomasochists.) Straight people, of course, aren’t fighting for their fundamental civil rights. Kinky straights can marry in all 50 states, after all, and no one is pledging to kick kinky straights out of the armed forces or to write anti-kinky-straight bigotry into the US Constitution. So maybe it’s not the same - maybe it’s not as politically risky when straight people come out in bondage gear, leather chaps, and pony masks. But straight people are a big part of Folsom, too. But you didn’t ask about kinky straight people. You wondered if the Folsom Street Fair was

44 oct 2012

But everyone acknowledges - even our enemies - that the gay rights movement has made extraordinary strides in the 43 years since the Stonewall Riots in New York City. We’re not all the way there yet, we have yet to secure our full civil equality, but the pace of progress has been unprecedented in the history of social justice movements. The women’s suffrage movement, for example, was launched in the United Sates in 1848. It took more than 70 years to pass the 19th Amendment, which extended the vote to women. In 1969, at the time of the Stonewall Riots, gay sex was illegal in 49 states. Gay sex is now legal in every US state, gay marriage is legal in six states and our nation’s capital (and in all of Canada), and gays, lesbians, and bisexuals can serve openly in the military. (The armed forces still discriminate against trans people.) And we’ve made this progress despite fierce opposition from the religious right, a deadly plague that wiped out a generation of gay men, and - gasp - all those leather guys at Folsom and the go-go boys and drag queens at Pride. We couldn’t have come so far, so fast if Folsom or pride parades were harming our movement. And I would argue that leather guys, dykes on bikes, go-go boys and drag queens have actually helped our movement, BDSF. They demonstrate to all people that our movement isn’t just about the freedom to be gay or straight. Our movement is about the freedom to be whatever

kind of straight, gay, lesbian, bi or trans person you want to be. And freedom, as Dick Cheney famously said, means freedom for everyone - from pantsuit-wearing POS sellouts like Mary Cheney and Chris Barron to kinky straight people and hot gay boys in harnesses. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that cities with big pride parades and events like Folsom are more tolerant and more accepting of sexual minorities than cities that don’t have big gay parades and fetish street fairs. If an event like Folsom were actually counterproductive, BDSF, you would expect San Francisco to be less tolerant and less likely to back equal rights for sexual minorities, not more likely. And finally, BDSF, any attempt to shut down the Folsom Street Fair - or to ban drag queens, gogo boys, dykes on bikes, or leather guys from pride parades - would be so poisonously divisive that it would do more harm to our movement than a thousand Folsom Street Fairs ever could. I’m a female in a relationship with a male. My boyfriend recently told me that he bought a set of butt plugs for himself. He said he’s happy to use them alone if I’m not interested. I don’t mind the idea of him using them when we are together, and I would also be more than willing to peg him if he wanted me to, but I hesitate to tell him. I’m worried this will lead to him suggesting we play in my anal territory, and I am really uncomfortable with this idea. I have IBS; my lower digestive tract and I don’t get on well. I do not trust my body enough to feel comfortable trying that, and I don’t think I could look my boyfriend in the eye again if he put a finger up my butt and something terrible happened. I know when it comes to guys wanting anal sex, your stand is that he should take it first if he wants to give it. So if I am unwilling to take it in return, do I forfeit any right to do my boyfriend with a strap-on?

Looks like the new chess set from the Franklin Mint is out.

I’m Being Selfish? Turnabout is fair play and reciprocity is important, yes, but a person can have a legit physical limitation that makes certain sorts of reciprocal turnabouting impossible. Such is the case with you and your butt. You have a perfectly good reason to avoid being on the receiving end of anal play, IBS, and I can’t imagine that your boyfriend - who is obviously interested in his end receiving regardless of whether yours does is going to object to your offer to plug him or peg his ass even if he isn’t allowed to plug, peg, or fuck yours. Yes, Dan, there are still plenty of straight guys out there who are put off by women who go “too fast,” and oral sex on the first date is typically perceived as too fast. It’s part of a misogynist mind-set, IMHO, that says women who are too sexually assertive are not “relationship material.” Or maybe it’s some ancient male fear of the insatiable nympho who will drain his male power by overwhelming him sexually. Or, more generously, maybe these men think going too fast just speaks to poor judgment (although straight men rarely apply that logic to themselves). Whatever the cause, I’ve experienced it myself, and I found the solution to be to date more sex-positive feminist men who take responsibility for their half of the pacing. I’ve found that feminist men actually appreciate women who are sexually assertive while many non-feminist men are happy to accept the attentions of sexually assertive women while at the same time harboring contempt for us. The Happy Whore Thanks for sharing, THW. Find the Savage Lovecast (my weekly podcast) every Tuesday at thestranger.com/savage. mail@savagelove.net, @fakedansavage on Twitter.

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Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to get wet! Head to the new afterhours club H2O for fun late nights... and really, all day longs, too.

oct 2012

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Hey outlookers, normally we highlight one local celeb in this spot in the magazine, in June we launched a new Local Celebrity Guest Bloggers segment that crosses over between the print edition and our online portal www.outlookcolumbus.com. Every Monday you can log onto our website’s blog (BlogOQueer) and see what this month’s menagerie has to say about the random topics we give them. In print you get their top five that correlates with what they are writing on online. Silly, stupid or highbrow, these Columbus gurus are sure to give you an eyeful. Enjoy!

Sarah Hartnell, Therapist Marion General Hospital

Lauren Michelle Kinsey, Blogger & Writer in Columbus

Top 5 Songs That Get Stuck in Your Head (Read at your own risk)... 5. “Irreplaceable” by Beyonce 4. “Jenny (867-5309)” by Tommy Tutone 3. “Ice, Ice Baby” by Vanilla Ice 2. “Hey Mickey” by Toni Basil 1. “Barbie Girl” by Aqua

My Top Five LGBT Speakers at DNC 2012: 5. SEIU President Mary Kay Henry 4. US Representative Jared Polis 3. San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro 2. US Representative Tammy Baldwin 1. Outgoing US Representative Barney Frank

October 1st BlogOQueer Topic: The Songs that Never End...

October 8th BlogOQueer Question: What were your favorite things about being an alternate delegate at the 2012 DNC?

Linda Flickinger, Policy & Grants Manager at OH Tech

Scott Morrison, Human Resources Coordinator at YWCA

Top 5 Least Favorite Foods: 5. Hamburger gravy 4. Kraft Mac & Cheese 3. Milk 2. Raw fish (aka Sushi) 1. Food with a face or eyes

Top 5 Favorite Columbus Drag Queens: 5. TBD 4. Sable Coate 3. Mary Ann Brandt 2. Virginia West 1. Nina West

October 15th BlogOQueer Question: When you go grocery shopping, what is always in your cart?

October 22nd BlogOqueer Topic: Boys In Dresses

46 oct 2012

Be helpful, Leo! Saturn entering Scorpio alleviates some social conservatism and spells trouble for plutocrats. Mars, Venus, and Mercury all changing signs at the same time will help people develop strategies to make sure of that.

world’s troubles if your problems won’t leave your head. As worries come into clearer focus, so can solutions. Accept kind encouragements from others even if they seem fuzzy and meaningless.

ARIES (March 20 – April 19): Think carefully about your life’s goals. Your LIBRA (September 23 – October 22): ruler Mars entering Sagittarius makes Life in general will get a little easier, you more open and impulsive, but rebut finances continue to be a problem. ality and disappointment will slap Helping others who have it worse will back at you. You can handle it. Exerhelp you keep perspective. Take time cise foresight, responsibility and comalone to prioritize your goals and time passion. with friends to vent your frustrations. TAURUS (April 20 – May 20): To clarify SCORPIO (October 23 – November 21): questions about the future, grasp the The real world is dragging you out of creative challenges of today. Hard yourself but doesn’t look all that real. work brings focus. Don’t do it alone. To stay oriented, keep your priorities Asking your partner or a friend to help in mind and your wallet in your can help improve a relationship – or pocket. Bring your creative and emend a bad one. pathetic insights into practical application. GEMINI (May 21- June 20): Get to work! While energy is high, clear the SAGITTARIUS (November 22 – Decem- decks, set goals and build momentum. ber 20): Of course friends will disapWhen you hit a wall, ask your boss or point you. They’re only human and an authority in your field for help. The you’re not exactly perfect, either! Sort answer need not make logical sense, through your negativity alone or do but practice should clarify it. something charitable to lift yourself out of it. Your positive energy will re- CANCER (June 21- July 22): Living up to turn soon. your promises is largely a matter of managing your moods. Friends want CAPRICORN (December 21 – January to help if you only give them a chance. 19): Your ruler, Saturn, entering Scor- Take time to be alone so you can pio takes you past a career peak into charge up and be ready to dig in. two-and-a-half years of winnowing your friends to those you really value LEO (July 23 – August 22): Focusing and trust. The future looks bleaker your energy into house cleaning or than it is, but you’re enduring and re- community affairs will make you a sourceful. Time is always on your side. force to be reckoned with. Don’t reckon wrong. Your challenge is to lisAQUARIUS (January 20 – February 18): ten to others, to really hear what they Your ruler, Saturn, entering the top of need. Be helpful, not meddlesome. your chart signals a two-and-a-half year career peak. Work hard and VIRGO (August 23 – September 22): shine! Don’t let promises of success Nice or nasty? Venus brings charm tempt you to extravagances. Money and grace to your sign. You’ll need it continues to be uncertain, but with with other planets giving you a hard time you’ll learn to manage in the new critical edge that could easily misfire. economy. As always, focus your critical brilliance on yourself before sharing it PISCES (February 19 – March 19): with others. Home is an uncertain respite from the

Want to be a guest blogger? Contact Erin at emccalla@outlookmedia.com

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I wonder if Virginia has her playerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s card yet?

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