MEET BRIAN Trans* Awareness Month | Open Streets Columbus The Best Concert | Pumpkin Treats OC MAY 2014 2014 NOVEMBER
HAPPY THANK YOUTHANKSGIVING! JUDGE BLACK! STEAL ME --TIMOTHY i’M FREE! OR QUORUM COLUMBUS LGBTQA MAGAZINE
It’s All About Choice
STRENGTH • STYLE • SCRATCH-RESISTANCE Designed for today’s man, Triton is the ultimate jewelry collection that fuses inspired artistry, innovative engineering and contemporary metals to create bold statements. Whether a pop of color or a textural design, the choice is yours.
Meyers Jewelers est. 1966
Experience the family difference!
www.meyersjewelers.com
©2014 Triton
Pictured rings: Triton TungstenAIR,™ Triton Tungsten Carbide TC 850™
6 SEXPERT Trans*lating Sexual Health
28 SCENE HRC Federal Club Drag Fashion Show
8 SCENE Kaleidoscope’s Garden Party
30 COUPLE Angela Robertson & Allison Husko
10 MOVIES Universal Pictures: Telling Our Stories
32 NEW BUSINESS Getting Beyond Business As Usual
12 TASTE BUDS Whatcha Eatin’ , Pumpkin?
33 SCENE A Murder Mystery
14 SCENE Capital Pride Concert Band
34 DEVELOPMENT Open Streets Opens Columbus
16 FROM THE ARCHIVES Sylvester: Mighty Real
36 SCENE Howl-O-Queen
18 BARTENDER Dale Grinstead-Mayle
38 FITNESS Don’t Know Squats?
20 SINGULARLY SINGLETON Celebrating Survival
40 CRAB RACES Crab Racing with Kris
22 COVER Meet Brian Thiele : Journeys of Self-Discovery
45 ADOURN Voices from the Center - Rashida Davison
QuorumColumbus.com Quorum Columbus Magazine is published monthly by Qmunity, LLC. Quorum Columbus Magazine issues are FREE at distribution locations throughout the greater Columbus area. COPYRIGHT© 2014 Quorum Columbus Magazine. Reproduction without expressed written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. All rights in letters, manuscripts, photographs, drawings, illustrations, and artwork sent to Quorum Columbus Magazine will be treated as assigned for publication and copyright purposes and are subject to Quorum Columbus Magazine and Qmunity, LLC terms and conditions. All models are at least18 years of age. All photographs included are posed for by professional models or willing participants in Quorum Columbus Magazine except as otherwise noted. Neither said photographs nor accompanying editorial is indicative of sexual orientation. The publisher of the magazine does not assume responsibility for statements by advertisers. ALL CONTENT AND RELATED MEDIA ARE COPYRIGHTED © 2014 BY QUORUM COLUMBUS MAGAZINE. All rights reserved.
On the Cover:
Model | Brian Thiele Photographer | Ray Lavoie
Winner - Best Feature New York Lesbian and Gay Film Festival 2014 +11 other awards!
THE WAY HE LOOKS
DON’T MISS THIS
AWARD WINNING
FILM!
GFC EXCLUSIVE BEGINS NOV/14
! " "
!#
Family portraits, headshots and still life. (614) 323-6314 m e @ R a y L a Vo i e . c o m
Quorum Columbus Erik Hays
Jerry Turnes
Amy Tannenbaum
Managing Editor
CFO
Web | Multimedia Creative Manager Designer
Columnist Photographer
JM Rayburn
Heather Doughty
Jeffrey Wise
Craig Chadwell
Mike Moffo
Graphic Designer Illustrator
Graphic Designer Social Media Manager
Graphic Designer
Feature Writer
Columnist
Columnist Account Executive
Sara Ernest
Michael Greenhouse
John Henry, Jr
Adrian Jay Neil-Hobson, Jr
Tom Queen
Sile Singleton
Columnist
Columnist
Columnist
Columnist
Columnist
Columnist
Isaac Bendele
Mickey J. Hart
President & Publisher
Editor
Patrick Butler
Allyson Fridley
Kris Littler
Angel Lemke
Joshua McCarty
Also on the Crew:
Photographer
Contributor
Distribution Coordinator
Ray LaVoie, Feature Photographer Meg Alley, Columnist Clayton Walter, Columnist Calvin N. Cooper, Columnist Clare Hughes, Graphic Designer Tad Niemann, Account Executive Robert Wilson, Account Executive Mimi Webb, Scene
This Month’s Contributors: Rashida Davison, Writer Matt Vant, Photographer
CONVENE
Many Thanks | MICKEY J. HART IT’S THE TIME of year set aside to count your blessings, so allow me to share four things for which I am thankful: ~ I am thankful for LGBTQ community leaders like Chris Cozad and Gloria McCauley for their years of dedicated service to improve the quality of life for LGBTQ Ohioans. Quorum Columbus congratulates Chris and Gloria on their recent Legacy Fund Honors award! ~ I am thankful for the National LGBTQ Task Force for updating their name to reflect the inclusiveness of the organization and for NLGBTQTF’s partnering with a coalition of minority rights organizations to fight voter suppression through training volunteer election monitors and through their voting rights hotline: 1-866-OUR-VOTE. ~ I am thankful for my best friend Myles Stickle for bringing me the joy of song through his participation in the Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus. The CGMC kicked off their 25th season as the featured guests at Capital Pride Band’s fall concert. The concert was outstanding; both ensembles keep getting better each year! ~ I am thankful for TransOhio and the support they provide to trans* citizens and for their efforts to educate all Ohioans about trans* people and issues. I encourage you to honor the lives of trans* people by attending the Transgender Day of Remembrance vigil on Thursday, November 20 at 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary of King Avenue United Methodist Church.
In this issue we celebrate the trans* members of the LGBTQA community in recognition of National Transgender Awareness Month. Meet Brian Thele in our cover story about his second coming out by Jeffrey Wise. Our Sexpert John Henry reflects on the sexual health needs of trans* folks. Rashida Davison, TransOhio’s Education and Outreach Coordinator, wraps up this month’s issue with insight into the lives of genderqueer community members. We also cover a variety of other topics. Tom Queen recounts the talents of Sylvester: “The Queen of Disco” and his Columbus performance. JM Rayburn shares the story of a peaceful street takeover and fills us in on what is to come from Open Streets Columbus. Sile Singleton celebrates survival with a reflection about International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day. Mike Moffo and Craig Chadwell, our Taste Buds, bring you a sampling of local pumpkin pastries and pies. Happy Thanksgiving! Mickey J. Hart Editor mickey@quorumcolumbus.com
#jointhequorum
PHOTO | RAY LAVOIE
SEXPERT
| JOHN HENRY, JR AS A SOCIETY we, for the most part, tend to avoid conversations about sex. The very topic makes us uncomfortable and self-conscious, even when talking to people with whom we are having sexual relations. This reality has resulted in many negative outcomes, including wide-spread misinformation on sexual health and public safety. I encourage people every day to talk about sex and to learn all that there is to know about their bodies and how they work. We too often forget that sex is a unique experience for each individual body. For trans* people, this information and these conversations can be even more difficult to navigate. The trans* community has long struggled with acceptance and understanding of their identity from gay and straight cisgender people, or individuals who do not feel a conflict between the sex they were assigned at birth, their bodies, and their personal identity. Never is this struggle more apparent than when we talk about sex and anatomy as it relates to trans* people.
MANY TRANS* PEOPLE DO NOT HAVE THE LUXURY OF READILY AVAILABLE RESOURCES TO LEARN ABOUT SEXUAL HEALTH As a cisgender gay man, I didn’t receive comprehensive sex education. My guess is you did not either—the sad truth is that most of us did not. That being said, over time I was able to inform myself on how my body functions and how it interacts with others during sex. Many trans* people do not have the luxury of readily available resources to learn about sexual health that most cisgender people take for granted. Just finding inclusive health care providers can be a struggle. As an LGBTQ community, we claim inclusiveness and acceptance but often stumble on its application to the “T”.
6
NOVEMBER 2014
How do we come to understand and appreciate the uniqueness of our trans* community members without being offensive and objectifying trans* individuals? I do not have, nor do I claim to have, all of the answers. I, like most, strive to understand how to navigate these complex issues in a way that does not reduce a person to what body parts they do or do not have and what they do with them. Let me be clear that it is absolutely unacceptable to ask questions about anyone’s anatomy or sexual practices in most social situations. However, as we muddle through the seemingly endless preferred terms and acceptable pronouns of trans* individuals, what is most important to remember is that trans* people, like all people, are individuals, with individual needs, preferences and health concerns. Reducing anyone to an anatomic difference or sexual variant is no less harmful than judging someone based on the color of their skin. Trans* identities can remind all of us that our sexual practices are always unique and that it is inour best interests not to assume things about our partners’ bodies, regardless of how they identify. Communicating about our needs while protecting ourselves and our partners is, as always, key to maintaining sexual health. Many of us are moving toward an understanding that trans* individuals are as unique a population as any. There is not one singular trans* identity, just as there is no singular gay identity, lesbian identity or bisexual identity. We are all the architects of our own identities. We have individual interests and abilities far beyond our gender and sexual identity. We all must work to better understand and value the full range of identity possibilities and respect people for what they are: human beings who can love, think and strive to create a better world for everyone. Learn more: TransHealth.UCSF.edu Trans-Health.com TransOhio.org
SCENE
GARDEN PARTY 2014:
8
NOVEMBER 2014
CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF KALEIDOSCOPE
PHOTOS | ALLYSON KARI JASINSKI FRIDLEY
MOVIES UNIVERSAL PICTURES: TELLING OUR STORIES | CLAYTON WALTER IN MAY, I left behind the chaotic Ohio weather for sunnier California skies. The sunshine is constant, as is the traffic, and my dreams remain unscathed in the midst of a harsh, exclusive industry. I moved here to pursue a career in screenwriting, as do so many others. While I try to figure out what to do with the scripts I have finished and continue to tinker away on a slew of others, I find myself struggling with a question that lacks an easy answer. I’m gay, and I want to write movies. Does that mean I’m obligated in some way to tell queer stories? There aren’t enough queer movies out there, though the amount of quality queer filmmaking is certainly on the rise. Many of the queer-themed films that are made, and especially those that burst (somewhat) into the mainstream, usually aren’t made by queer filmmakers. I wrestle with what it means to be a minority in an industry dominated by old, white straight men on a daily basis, and I haven’t even come close to breaking into the monolithic, intimidating film industry yet. On one hand, queer filmmakers have the opportunity to tell stories of sexual minorities with an insight that straight, cisgender filmmakers cannot possess. That’s not to say that those filmmakers can’t make insightful queer films. The opposite is repeatedly proven true. For instance, Ang Lee’s Brokeback Mountain is a pinnacle in gay film, however tortured the characters’ sexuality might be. It’s often an artist’s prerogative to explore new territory, to try new things, to tackle unfamiliar ideas. I’m grateful that straight filmmakers take on queer material and often do so with grace and poignancy. Queer filmmakers who produce content about straight characters don’t always receive the same praise. I’ve been asked by friends why the script that I’m most proud of writing – and most determined to see produced – doesn’t have a queer character in it. And sometimes, I feel guilty about it. But I shouldn’t. There’s something in the human brain that makes us eager to categorize. The world is easier to understand if we can divide it up into smaller, more easily digestible boxes. We look for similarities and differences so that we can make sense of what’s around us and so that we can activate the cynicism and criticism that often result from such pastimes.
10
NOVEMBER 2014
In the writing of this article, I started thinking about queer films by queer filmmakers, straight films by queer filmmakers, and so on, trying to find patterns in order to make broad, sweeping statements about what creative artists should be doing. Great art is universal. It transcends the dividing lines, blurring the differences between us by making us realize deeper truths. Art has the unique power to connect us, and none more so than film, the most commercial of all art forms (though queer films don’t always pack much box office punch). A film like Hong Khaou’s Lilting – about a man helping his late boyfriend’s mother find love at an assisted living center--paints a picture of love being love, regardless of differences in culture, language, orientation and race. A great movie is a powerful thing. I dream of a Hollywood where what a filmmaker is pales in comparison to who he or she is. A great film is a great film, regardless of who makes it, or why, or for what intended audience. Queer stories should be told by anyone who wants to tell them, just as straight stories should, and we should celebrate the diversity of visions, the breadth of ideas, the riches of the arthouse theater. Yes, queer filmmakers making queer movies are worthy of celebration – Andrew Haigh and Stewart Thorndike and PJ Raval have made masterful work, perhaps because of their personal connection to their material – but so are straight filmmakers making straight films, or straight filmmakers making queer films. Any good story told well has the power to affect change, to inspire, to make us cry. That’s one of the reasons I love movies, and want to make them.
THE TASTE BUDS
| CRAIG CHADWELL & MIKE MOFFO AS YOUR DESIGNATED foodie fanatics, we try to find a balance between eating healthy and, well, enjoying all of the food we can, but as we head into comfort food season, there’s one food which we consider a favorite: pumpkin pie. And being adventurous types, we’ll venture into pretty much all things pumpkin, as long as they’re – well, honestly, we have no additional criteria. That’s just who we are. We’ve roamed all over town from bakeries to restaurants to provide our personal perspective on some primo pumpkin pastries and pies. Oh, whoopie pie, how can we go wrong with you? At the Pattycake Bakery in Clintonville, you’ll find many vegan and organic treats that range from the impeccably fancy to the just plain delicious. Pattycake’s pumpkin offering is the Pumpkin Spiced Whoopie Pie. Throw some cinnamon marshmallow frosting between two extremely moist pieces of pumpkin cake, and you’ll want another one...or a nap. Great choice.
So what’s that? You’d just like some regular old, ‘Merican pumpkin pie? Have we ever let you down before? Oh, no. We sampled those, too, just for you. For a locally-owned restaurant, best all-around pumpkin pie (with or without the whipped cream), we vote for Tee Jay’s Country Place. Whether you’ve visited their Parsons Ave location at 2 a.m. and forgot they had pumpkin pie (or forgot your own name), it’s worth a stop-in when you need a quick pumpkin pie fix.
Moving south down High Street to the Short North, we found one of the favorites of our adventure: The Pumpkin Cheesecake Tart at Piece of Cake Bakery. The description placard describes this as a “graham cracker crust topped with a decadent pumpkin cheesecake finished with cream cheese and caramel.” While we know what all that says, we’re not that fancy. We call this “Yum. And another yum tomorrow.” If you’re in the Short North, give this a try.
With one hundred-plus years of history in Columbus, Resch’s Bakery at 4061 E. Livingston Avenue in Whitehall is our pick for the best traditional pumpkin pie. It’s not too sweet “naked,” but those with a sweet tooth will be more than satisfied by adding a dollop of whipped cream.
Hopping east a couple of blocks to Italian Village for lunch and in hopes that they would have a pumpkin treat, we visited Cray. This one, kids, is a must. We actually had one of our children along for this part. After a lot of “Mmm” and “Oh m...Oh...Oh, my,” she gave the verdict on Cray’s Mini Homemade Pumpkin Cheesecake: “It’s an amazing, gooey pumpkin pile drowned in graham cracker.” Whether her description is enticing to you or not, this one warms the soul with its fresh-from-the oven temperature and taste. (Check out the September issue online for more about Cray’s many delights.) Heading southeast into Olde Towne East, we knew we had to check out The Angry Baker. We were able to sample the last-forthe-day Pumpkin Oatmeal Cream Pie. Two oatmeal-heavy, wellspiced cookies with a not-too-sweet, just right filling added yet another satisfying variation to our pumpkin sampling cornucopia.
Another place that we really liked was Just Pies. With locations in Worthington, Westerville and Gahanna, you’ve got a bit of a hike from downtown, but it’s worth the effort. It’s a great place to go, especially if you’re looking for a couple different pies because they have a great fresh-made variety. If holiday travel or just an urge to road trip while the weather still permits takes you a little further past the boundaries of Columbus, we’ve got you covered for pumpkin pie tastes regardless of which direction you’re heading. If you’re heading north, you’ve got to check out the G&R Tavern in Waldo. Pie slices the size of your head! To the west, visit Henry’s Sohio just outside West Jefferson. They no longer have gasoline, but their pies and food are legendary. To the south, check out Ben & Joy’s in Mount Sterling. And if you’re heading east, just keep going until you get to Pittsburgh. Grab one of those mammoth pastrami sandwiches with cole slaw and french fries and everything-butthe-kitchen-sink from Primanti Brothers. You won’t have room for pumpkin pie and you won’t care if you ever eat pie again. See? We’ve always got you covered. Happy pumpkin-eating, our foodie Pilgrims!
12
NOVEMBER 2014
SCENE
Capital Pride Concert Band: |MICKEY J. HART CAPITAL PRIDE CONCERT BAND held their fall concert, Could it Get Any Better?, on October 18 and 19 in the Capitol Theatre at the Riffe Center. The concert featured the Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus, and for those fortunate enough to attend, it was a moving night of music and emotions. The concert concluded with the first public performances of It Gets Better. Trumpet section leader Julie Houg commissioned the song for the band to call attention to anti-gay bullying. Adrian Helser wrote the song and was on stage both nights to help bring it to life. This first-ever collaborative effort was overseen by the band’s artistic director, Leigh Briggs, and the chorus’ artistic director Dr. Timothy Sarsany. ABC6/FOX28 Meteorologist Marshall McPeek served as the Master of Ceremonies. Both ensembles are celebrating anniversary years. CGMC has a full season of concerts lined-up to mark 25 years. Capital Pride Band has been making music for 10 years. You can catch the Capital Pride Band at Union Café on select OSU game days, in parades and at their spring concert. Next up for the CGMC is their annual holiday show, Joy! Welcome Home, in December.
14
NOVEMBER 2014
PHOTOS | MATT VANT
Could
it get any better? Capital Pride Band’s Upcoming Events: Pep Band: OSU vs. Michigan State at Union Café / Nov. 8 Pep Band: Union Café’s Beat Michigan Pep Rally / Nov. 28 Holiday Brass: Village Lights in German Village / Dec. 7 Spring Concert at the Lincoln Theater / March 28 For more details or tickets visit: CapPride.Org
CGMC 25th Anniversary Season: Joy! Welcome Home / Dec. 5, 6, 7 and 10 VOX with the Columbus Jazz Orchestra / Feb. 20 & 21 Our Story, Our Song / March 20 – 21 Illuminati: Songs of the Spirit / May 3 Divas: Dead or Alive / June 26 – 28 For tickets visit: ColumbusGayMensChorus.Com.
FROM THE ARCHIVES
Sylvester: Mighty Real
| TOM QUEEN
RECENTLY, I WAS in the audience at a Glamazons’ drag show at Wall Street Nightclub, and was fortunate to see Diamond Hunter’s performance of You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real). As someone who lived the disco era (yep, I had a disco dancing outfit with extra-wide bell-bottom pants in care-free polyester!), I knew that the soaring falsetto voice in this song belonged to the legendary Sylvester. However, I’m willing to bet that most of the “youngsters” that were in attendance that night knew little, if anything, about this mega-talented, groundbreaking singer, often referred to as “The Queen of Disco.”
Sylvester James, Jr. was born on September 6, 1947 in the Watts section of Los Angeles. His grandmother, Julie Morgan, was a well-known gospel singer, and inspired him to sing in the choir of his Pentecostal church. Sylvester was referred to as the “Child Wonder of Gospel” due to his remarkable talent. As he entered his adolescence, he embraced his homosexuality, resulting in persecution by his church. He lived on the streets of LA for a while, but in his early 20s he moved to San Francisco, where he became a member of the legendary avant-garde gender-bending performance troupe, The Cockettes (coincidentally, Divine was also a member for a short time). It became apparent that Sylvester’s talents were too great for him to remain a member of the ensemble, and the success of his gender-bending solo shows—where he channeled the likes of Billie Holliday—led him to leave the troupe and start a solo singing career. His second album of disco songs became a huge hit, thanks in large part to the aforementioned You Make Me Feel (Might Real), as well as Dance (Disco Heat). His backup singers on some of his biggest hits were a couple of plus-size ladies named Izora Armstead and Martha Wash, who were then known as Two Tons O’ Fun, but later better known as The Weather Girls. I’ll take your gay card away if you don’t know that these ladies later recorded the timeless gay anthem, It’s Raining Men. There is a Columbus connection to the Sylvester story: Corbett Reynolds, who many will remember as the creator of the Red Party, (which some credit as the birth of the gay circuit party), had a nightclub in a converted theater in Franklinton from 1977 until 1985 called Rudely Elegant. For one special occasion in 1982, Corbett booked Sylvester to perform. As former Columbus resident Kirk Donnan recalled to me: “Sylvester was an amazing singer who put on an unforgettable performance.” Sylvester’s career continued to soar. He pushed the boundaries of gender by wearing make-up and “big hair.” While the suit-and-tie types in the music industry didn’t know what to do think about this, he continued to record popular disco hits like Do Ya Wanna Funk. Often his live performances channeled the energy of his Pentecostal upbringing, and he would remark after especially good shows that “we had service.” Sylvester’s hugely successful career was cut short when he succumbed to complications of the AIDS virus early in the days of the plague, passing away on December 16, 1988 at the age of 41. His best recordings remain fresh and deliciously danceable, and his legend continues to rise with the recent Off-Broadway show, Mighty Real: A Fabulous Sylvester Musical, as well as a similarly-named documentary film in the works, Mighty Real.
16
NOVEMBER 2014
Celebrate!
1777 East Broad Street | Columbus www.fpconservatory.org | 614.715.8100 eventsales@fpconservatory.org Indoor & Outdoor Venues New Venue Opening in 2015
SCENE BARTENDER
| ANGEL LEMKE SINCE THE PROHIBITION ERA, German Village residents have been able to enjoy a tavern on Sycamore Street, but its latest incarnation by the owners of Harvest Pizzeria has been open one year this month, and Dale GrinsteadMayle has been there from day one. Dale says, “Honestly, it’s the best place I’ve ever worked!” He loves working at a place with a “really remarkable atmosphere” and enjoys serving drinks that draw on the bar’s historic nature. Dale says, “We offer a variety of fantastic drinks using spirits that have been around since the early days of the bar.” Hometown proud, they also offer a great selection of Ohio brews. In addition to drink specials, you can check out the fantastic food. Dale advises, “Our Harold’s Barbeque Chicken and Banana Tart make up one of my favorite meal combinations.” When he’s not behind the bar, you can find Dale and his husband Matt enjoying the outdoors at the Scioto Audubon Metro Park. He feels especially lucky to be a part of Columbus’ LGBTQA community. Dale says, “Columbus’s big city mentality, combined with the Midwest hospitality make for a unique environment.” Dale puts that Midwest hospitality into practice at The Sycamore. “We are a neighborhood restaurant, but we consider anyone who comes through the front door our neighbors, too!”
WHO:
Dale Grinstead-Mayle
WHERE:
The Sycamore 262 E Sycamore St. Columbus, OH 43206 614.754.1460 TheSycamoreGV.com
18 36 18
NOVEMBER 2014 AUGUST 2014 NOVEMBER 2014
COCKTAIL:
Sycamore Sazarak – Bulleit Rye, five-spice infused simple syrup, orange bitters + a flamed orange
FUN FACT:
Dale is currently in barber school and plans to establish a Downtown barber shop in 2015.
PHOTO | JOSHUA MCCARTY
SINGULARLY SINGLETON
Celebrating Survival At least, that was my plan. Unfortunately, the problem with tucking undesirable stuff away is that it always finds a way to gain prevalence in your life. Always. I have an intimate relationship with being the survivor of queer self-inflicted death. To be honest, many of the folks who know me have no idea how close I’ve come to adding them to the macabre category of suicide loss survivor.
| SILE SINGLETON I HAD NO IDEA how many nationally-recognized “special occasions” in addition to Thanksgiving, Transgender Day of Remembrance, Veterans’ Day and Election Day there were in the month of November. There are at least 8 more. The one that really caught my spirit and refused to be relegated to my internal cache of Trivia Pursuit answers was International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day, which happens to be the Saturday before Thanksgiving. It’s the one day a year when people affected by suicide loss gather around the world at events in their local communities to find comfort and gain understanding as they share stories of healing and hope. My initial thoughts were peripheral. I thought that it was a great idea and that a lot of folks could use the support. I wondered if there was any place that used the day to add visibility to LGBTQQI suicide rate. I tried to recall whether it was a documented fact that these rates were higher among queers of color or if that’s something I simply believe to be true just being a member of QOC communities. I didn’t have time to look it up, so I filed it away for later inquiry.
20
NOVEMBER 2014
One of my biggest challenges to staying alive has been coming to terms with the racism and its twin classism in the LGBTQ community. We all want to believe that queers don’t hate like that. To date, I’ve personally experienced 15 gay people taking their own life and or making really poor decisions because of hate/ isolation that resulted in the end of their life. Five of those folks were white; eight of them identified as transgender. While suicide impacts all types of people, you’d have to be willfully ignoring the world around you to be unaware of the epidemic—actually what the press is calling it—of “LGBTQ Youth Suicide.” If this is true, then it must also be true that there is an epidemic of “LGBTQ Survivors of LGBTQ Youth Suicide Loss.” So it stands to reason that there isn’t one of you out there whose life is not touched, and I would say radically affected, by this information. So let’s do our community a solid. On November 22, light a candle for all survivors. Call up those friends you’ve not seen since the funeral and just tell them you love them. Post a Facebook message celebrating the lives of those left behind and our courage to carry on. Remind yourself that it’s good that you are still here and you matter. Care. It’s not just another “dumb Hallmark holiday.” Learn more: SurvivorDay.org
COVER STORY
MEET BRIAN THIELE:
JOURNEYS OF SELF-DISCOVERY | JEFFREY WISE BRIAN THIELE has a deep raspy voice, facial hair, and even a swagger about him which befits his masculine stature. No one really thinks twice about Brian’s gender. What is not obvious about Brian is that his family and friends used to refer to him with female pronouns. Brian is a female-to-male (FTM) transgender person, and it has been quite a journey to become the man he is today. If you know the daunting, yet humanizing process of coming out and saying the words “I am gay,” you know the questions that come first. Who to tell? How will it affect life, work and relationships? You understand what it is like to come to terms with a part of yourself which does not align with what society has accepted and expected of you and how alienating, frightening and sometimes even dangerous the process it can be. You also know the importance of honesty and integrity to being your authentic self. Imagine having to go through the process of coming out twice. Brian, like many trans* individuals, has come out twice: once about his understanding of his sexual orientation and once about his gender identity. Brian grew up in a small town just north of Chicago. As a child he liked to play with trucks and to dig in the mud. His two best friends were boys. He always kept his hair cut short and from the perspective of his actions, he was a gender-normative boy. By the time puberty hit, things began to get more confusing. Everyone in his life may have regarded him as a tomboy, but they still saw Brian as a girl. 22
NOVEMBER 2014
PHOTOS | RAY LAVOIE
COVER STORY
BRIAN, LIKE MANY TRANS* INDIVIDUALS, HAS COME OUT TWICE: ONCE ABOUT HIS UNDERSTANDING OF HIS SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND ONCE ABOUT HIS GENDER IDENTITY. 24
NOVEMBER 2014
PHOTOS | RAY LAVOIE
To fit in, he started dating guys because that was what the “other girls” were doing. The intimate relationships did not go anywhere since he simply did not feel anything for the guys. For Brian, guys were his buddies, not crush material. Around age14, with the help of a friend, Brian accepted that he was different. As is true for many who identify as gay, lesbian or bisexual, the journey that brought him to this point was confusing and in some ways very painful. His body being femaleassigned and his natural attraction to women being apparent, “lesbian” seemed to be the only fitting description. Not fully understanding the true nature of his gender identity, he came out as a lesbian. Brian’s evolution of thought and acceptance of himself would progress through the next decade of his life. Brian was 16 when he first saw Boys Don’t Cry, the movie about the life and death Brandon Teena. It was the first time he had the thought that perhaps it was indeed his perceived gender which felt off. Being young and still somewhat ignorant of the possibility and ramifications of being trans*, he joined the U.S. Air Force at age17. Nine months later he was honorably discharged under the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy due to his sexual orientation. After a brief time living back in Chicago, Brian found a home here in Columbus. As a lesbian, Brian felt our city allowed him to find his niche. During this time, the truth was becoming more and more evident to Brian. Not knowing exactly what the nagging feeling caused by embracing his identity as a lesbian was, Brian fell into a depression. Thinking a change in scenery would do him good, he moved to West Palm Beach, Florida to attempt a new beginning. It was there that he met a friend who would change his life forever.
COVER STORY
PHOTOS | RAY LAVOIE
As with all geographic cures, the excitement of his new home faded, leaving him again with that nagging uneasiness which drove him to make the move in the first place. A deeper depression set in. It was during this time of feeling alone and completely misunderstood that Brian contemplated taking his own life. With a bottle of pills in hand, a series of thoughts crossed his mind including his memory of watching the movie Boy Don’t Cry, and he considered the possibility that perhaps he had not completely explored his gender identity. Soon thereafter, his friend verbalized the conflict for him for the first time, and with that the metamorphosis from his old-self to his new-self began. Their conversation opened the platform he needed to finally come to terms with the newly understood aspect of his identity and helped him get to know himself all over again. The moment he realized that he was indeed a man, his life began to make more sense. The depression was replaced by the joy of contentment and liberation. The years of not fully understanding himself were finally over. And the necessity to come out a second time became clear. Brian decided to move back to Columbus since it felt most like home. Now, almost two years since the realization, Brian feels more in tune with who he is than he has ever felt before. For Brian, coming out has been much more than a single revelation that changed everything. It has been long, difficult journeys through which his self-realization has indeed become compounded joy.
26
NOVEMBER 2014
Bringing Hope. CHanging Lives. a year of powerful results. arC ohio pharmacy filled over
10,000
75%
prescriptions for 536 patients
1,458
medical appointments were scheduled
457
patients received
care
of ARC Ohio Medical Center patients received adherence and medication counseling
65%
of ARC Ohio patients achieved viral suppression, as compared to the national average of 25%
with your help, the Aids resource Center of ohio medical Center and Pharmacy has been changing lives in our community, and throughout ohio, for over a year. ArC ohio’s statewide prevention and testing programs and full-service pharmacy bring health and hope in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The power of change is in our results.
Visit us to fill all your prescriptions. We’re full-service and open to the public. 1033 n. high street | monday – friday, 8:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Call 614.340.6776 for more information.
AIDS RESOURCE CENTER OHIO Vision. Voice. Victory. Akron Athens CinCinnAti ClevelAnd Columbus dAyton JACkson limA mAnsfield newArk toledo arcohio.org
SCENE
CMH FASHION WEEK:
28
NOVEMBER 2014
HRC FEDERAL CLUB DRAG FASHION SHOW
PHOTOS | KARI JASINSKI
COUPLE
30
NOVEMBER 2014
PHOTO | AMY TANNENBAUM
Angela Robertson & Allison Husko
| AMY TANNENBAUM
Growing up on opposite ends of the country – Angela in Ohio and Allison in California – they are amazed that their paths crossed one day in March 2013 at a bar in Dayton. Allison had just relocated to Ohio after graduating with a degree in theatre; Angela was in the U.S. Air Force and was out celebrating a friend’s promotion at a local bar where Allison was serving. Instead of waiting an hour for a table, Angela’s friend stole someone else’s open table, and Allison was their server. Allison immediately noticed the table’s guilty expressions and learned of their misdeeds, but she took note of Angela and decided to let them stay. “It was a unique situation, I don’t know what came over me,” Allison says. “She was just so cute. I wanted to talk to her, I guess.” Allison started flirting, but Angela was completely oblivious. Maybe the thought didn’t cross Allison’s mind since she was at an Irish pub; Allison was dressed in a plaid mini skirt and knee highs — a “pretty heterosexual place,” as Allison describes it. After bringing out the group’s first round of drinks, Allison walked away and revealed the plaid mini skirt tucked into her underwear. She was absolutely mortified, but the group loved it. “Her first introduction to me was my butt,” says Allison.
and suggested that Allison practice at the Bruce Munro lighting exhibit. It was in the outdoor courtyard full of LED flower booms as Allison was reciting a Shakespearian monologue that Allison dropped down to one knee and presented a ring — and Allison said yes! Their relationship works because of communication and balance. “Allison has a calming effect on me,” says Angela. “She’s brilliant and intelligent. We have great conversations. I feel completely at ease with her at all times. I feel like I can tell her anything.” She also describes how coming from different backgrounds and having had unique experiences has helped them conquer things together. Being in the Air Force for 11 years, Angela values the openness that she found when Don’t Ask Don’t Tell was repealed. “Once ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’ went away, it was game changer for my life, for the better,” Angela explains. “I was very gun-shy at first when it was repealed, but I was very surprised at how warm the response was. I was welcomed with open arms.” Allison also describes a calming affect that Angela has on her. She says, “Ever since I met Angela, I feel healthier… I like that she’s not a theatre person, but she has respect for and interest in the art.” Allison explains that Angela is able to ground her throughout her hectic career, and she’s been a source of support for her at countless auditions. “I was jaded when I met her. I didn’t think this was real, that people really do meet someone when they aren’t looking,” she says. “You meet someone at a bar and bam… I feel so incredibly lucky, and I don’t know what I did to deserve her.”
I was jaded when I met her. I didn’t think this was real, that people really do meet someone when they aren’t looking.
While Angela was away from the table, Allison picked one of Angela’s friend’s brain on how to connect. After his initial confusion, the friend caught on and morphed into matchmaker. Allison joined the group for a drink after her shift, and she and Angela talked all evening. By the end of the night, Allison made the move and gave Angela a big kiss in front of a patio full of people. Again, it was against her character — “I was never someone to hit on anyone or make the first move,” says Allison. Angela asked her out the very next evening — and they’ve been together ever since. “I knew she was special right away,” says Angela. Allison moved to Columbus to be with Angela six months later. They moved to Italian Village together, and they love the neighborhood there. In particular, they enjoy the culture, art, proximity to work and the sense of community it offers. Allison also has fallen in love with Columbus– it has proven to be more than she ever expected of a city in Ohio. They even got engaged at one of Columbus’ most beautiful landmarks, Franklin Park Conservatory. It was the day after one of Allison’s theater performances – in fact, the first time Angela saw her on stage – and she had a terrible cold and an audition ahead for which she needed to prepare, but Angela insisted
Now that they’re engaged, Allison and Angela are looking ahead to some major life changes. Allison plans to start a theatre graduate program, and this will likely take her away from Columbus. Angela is ready to go with her and is planning to take a year off from the Air Force so that they can relocate and get settled in their new city. And that’s on top of planning a wedding, which they are currently envisioning with close friends and family in Las Vegas. “It amazes me how lucky we are and that it all worked out. It feels like we won the lottery,” says Angela. “We have the support of both of our families, everything has worked out perfectly. It’s funny how our meeting was such a chance meeting – if my best friend didn’t steal that table, I wouldn’t have met Allison.”
NEW BUSINESS
GETTING BEYOND BUSINESS AS USUAL | CALVIN N. COOPER WITH ELECTION DAY occurring this month, I’m reminded of the words of Apple CEO Tim Cook, “Today, we have an opportunity. We have an opportunity to continue our progress with respect to race; and also to embrace immigration reform; and eliminate discrimination of the GLBT community…I’d like to… encourage you to set forth your tiny ripple of hope. You might just find you can change the entire arch of history.”
Nationally, nearly 200 municipalities in some of the 29 states without LGBTQ discrimination laws have banned such discrimination within their city limits. In Ohio, several municipalities have non-discrimination laws on the basis of sexual orientation, including Athens, Bowling Green, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Coshocton, Dayton, East Cleveland, Newark, Oxford, Summit County, Toledo and Yellow Springs.
While Cook has never publicly stated his sexual orientation, he’s been named Out Magazine’s most powerful gay person. He’s been very vocal about workplace discrimination, and last year he authored a Wall Street Journal op-ed about why workplace equality is good for business. He’s spoken about LGBTQ rights and discrimination to the United Nations and other audiences.
LGBTQ Workers Still Hide Who They Are
Today, LGBTQ people in the workforce face a patchwork of discriminatory federal, state and local laws, as well as varying private sector policies and, fortunately, a shifting national sentiment, all of which impact the business sector and our individual careers. No one should be made to feel uncomfortable about who they are at work. Feeling marginalized and unwelcome holds negative consequences for both employers and employees; it impacts retention, employee morale and productivity. Feelings of alienation and loneliness are too familiar for LGBTQ people and can be a major distraction and barrier to success. Protective laws and policies make a big difference in protecting the financial and job security of LGBTQ people in the workforce. Changing Landscape for LGBTQ Workers Over the past decade, workplace equality for LGBTQ employees among major corporations has grown. In 2002, only 61 percent had sexual orientation in non-discrimination policies, and 3 percent had gender identity in nondiscrimination policies. According to the HRC Foundation, almost all Fortune 500 companies now have workplace protections on the basis of sexual orientation (91 percent) and a majority have gender identity policies (61 percent). Currently, 21 states and the District of Columbia bar firing employees for their sexual orientation. In Ohio, former Gov. Ted Strickland issued an executive order in 2007 that prohibits discrimination in public employment based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity, but in the private sector, discrimination is still legal throughout our state.
32
NOVEMBER 2014
In spite of a changing social and legal landscape, over half (53 percent) of LGBTQ workers nationwide are not out at work according to a survey conducted by the HRC Foundation. Although many people surveyed reveal that they believe it is unprofessional to discuss dating and family at work, survey results also reveal that the majority of non-LGBTQ workers do discuss aspects of their personal lives at work during casual conversation. On a weekly or daily basis, 73 percent of non-LGBTQ workers discuss their children; 64 percent have conversations about their spouses, relationships or dating; and 84 percent discuss their social life, such as what they did over the weekend. Coming out in one’s personal life is hard enough. However, many LGBTQ people still face a risky decision to choose to be as open with who they are as their straight co-workers. No one wants to put their financial security or opportunities for advancement in jeopardy, so everyone facing this decision must weigh the pros and cons for themselves. Finding a work family that embraces you and a career that fulfills you are keys to unlocking your career potential. Call to Action “The challenge is to commit and to act,” said Cook. “Human rights and dignity are great philosophical principles. But the hard work of executing on these principles depends on our individual acts every day.” Each election day, we have the opportunity to influence the course of history. More can be done on local, state and national levels to ensure that everyone, regardless of perceived or actual sexual orientation or gender identity, has the ability to realize their constitutional right of the pursuit of happiness. Explicitly protecting the rights of LGBTQ people to add value as productive members of society and to fully participate in the American economy is essential to our social well-being and advancement as a human community. On Election Day, every vote toward full equality counts. Get involved to help make a difference.
SCENE
A MURDER MYSTERY | ISAAC BENDELE
PHOTOS | ALLYSON FRIDLEY
KICKING OFF THE fall season of holiday celebrations with more events than most of us can keep up with, Gregg Dodd’s Murder Mystery Party proved a night in with friends can be more fun than a night out! Transforming his home in the gayborhood into the party of the year in imaginary Shady Oaks, each guest received character profiles, costume suggestions and instructions for inciting drama in advance of the party. Number 22 on #greggslist was a “Who done it” that went all out. Keep up to date on Gregg’s final stretch: Facebook.Com/Greggslist.
DEVELOPMENT
OPEN STREETS OPENS COLUMBUS
34
NOVEMBER 2014
PHOTOS | ALLYSON FRIDLEY
DEVELOPMENT
| JM RAYBURN OPEN STREETS Columbus is part of a growing initiative that temporarily closes streets to automobiles to allow people to use them for healthy and fun physical activities like walking, jogging, biking and dancing. The initiative essentially returns streets to their historic origin as a place for people. Yours truly is on the organizing committee that advocates for our streets to be opened to people. Our group is an eclectic bunch that has organically come together to bring Open Streets to Columbus. Today, there are more than 90 Open Streets initiatives in the United States and Canada. People traffic replaces car traffic, and the streets become “paved parks” where people of all ages and abilities and of all social, economic or ethnic backgrounds can come out to improve their mental, physical and emotional health. Open Streets is different from a festival or street fair because the core objectives are fundamentally different. Indeed, Open Streets are typically part of a broader city or organizational effort to encourage sustained physical activity, increase community engagement and build support for the provision of broader transportation choices.
Columbus’ debut Open Streets was held Downtown on September 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event was a success with several hundred attendees participating in activities such as street Jenga, Twister, breakdancing, hopscotch, sunbathing at the “Scioto Beach” and much more. Inspiration for event programming came from other cities with prior Open Streets events including Minneapolis, Atlanta, Cleveland and Cincinnati. Overall the first event was well received by participants. More than100 surveys were completed and they revealed that the average stay for attendees was about three hours. A majority of respondents indicated they would spend more than $10 if the event was held on a commercial corridor. Businesses would be clever to support an Open Streets event for the economic impact alone. An overwhelming majority of respondents even favor a monthly Open Streets event! In the long term, Open Streets Columbus is expected to evolve into a recurring city program that will expand beyond Downtown, connect more communities, attract more residents and bring more recreational opportunities to an even larger population. The main challenge lies with funding because the lion’s share of funds goes to cover the costs of barricades and law enforcement. Ideally, future sponsors will help the burgeoning Open Streets movement become signature events throughout the year on iconic Columbus streets.
For more information & to schedule your private exam with our doctors,
call ( 614 ) 427-1680 now! COLUMBUS DOCTORS
RESTORE SEX LIFE
Columbus
X $99 for a limited time!
www.columbusmensclinic.com
SCENE
HOWL-O-QUEEN
36
NOVEMBER 2014
BENEFITS PETPROMISE INC.
PHOTOS | ALLYSON FRIDLEY
FITNESS
DON’T KNOW SQUATS? GET TO KNOW HOW TO DO THEM WELL | MICHAEL GREENHOUSE This is the first of a two-part series detailing everything you need to know about the squat. Part two will be in our December issue. THE VITAL AND VERSATILE squat has traditionally been regarded as the King of Exercises by power lifters, team sports players, Olympic lifters, strength and conditioning participants, core performance athletes and bodybuilders. All of these competitors have entirely different goals within their given sport, yet they all perform some variation of the squat. Whether performing at the highest level competitively or simply achieving the body of your dreams, you have to perform the squat, but many are most likely doing it completely wrong. Rounding the lower back, not going below parallel, knees caving in and chest falling forward are all frequently seen bio-mechanical problems. Perform the Perfect Squat Chest Up, Shoulders Back Keep your chest up and your shoulders back. You don’t want your shoulders to round forward, but you also don’t want to hyperextend your back. Sit Back Begin the movement by bending at the knees, which should track in a line close to the border of the first and the second toe. You want to achieve a full-range of motion. Don’t Let Your Knees Buckle While at the bottom of the squat, you should drive your knees outwards. This also holds when you are on your way up back to the full lock out position or extension of your hips. Buckling can cause major strain on the tendons and ligaments in your knees. Squat Equal To or Below Parallel Maximum depth for the squat occurs when the hamstrings fully cover the calves. The degree of hip flexion necessary to reach proper depth is very individual and relies on the flexibility of the entire lower body.
38
NOVEMBER 2014
WHETHER PERFORMING AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL COMPETITIVELY OR SIMPLY ACHIEVING THE BODY OF YOUR DREAMS, YOU HAVE TO PERFORM THE SQUAT. Accelerate Out of the Bottom At the bottom of the lift, begin in a controlled exhalation. The upward concentric phase is essentially a simple motion in which you stand up so that you end up where you started. The ability to stand up fluidly with the right movement pattern is a function of overall structural balance. Drive with the legs and squeeze the glutes during the concentric phase. Keep your chest held high and look straight ahead. Do not look upward at the ceiling or excessively cock the neck. Improve Your Squat by Warming-up First I use the following warm ups with all of my clients before they engage in a heavy squat workout—or any lower body based workout, for that matter. Warming-up will help you practice proper squat form, while opening up the hips. • Wall Squat – 3 rounds x 5 reps • Air Squat with a one second pause at the bottom – 3 rounds x 10 reps • Goblet Squat with a one second pause at the bottom – 3 reps x 5 reps • Walking Lunge – 3 rounds x 10 reps for each leg • Bulgarian Split Squat with a one second pause at the bottom – 3 rounds x 5 reps for each leg If you are not familiar with the above warm-up exercises, check out our next issue for full details about each one and for additional tips on performing more beneficial and safer squats. Until then, stay active!
Professional Portrait Specialist (614) 323-6314 m e @ R a y L a Vo i e . c o m
SouthBend "Still Your Favorite Corner Bar!"
Franklin Co. Childrens Services Benefit Toy Drive Sat Nov 01 - 6pm The Ukulele Cowboy Society Sun Nov 2 - 6 to 8pm O.S.U. Benefit Hosted by Ming Vase Sat Nov 8 - 6 to 9pm
Bobby Hamlin Sun Nov 16 - 6 to 8pm Thanksgiving Dinner & PotLuck Thr Nov 27 - 2pm OCCO Holiday Party Sat Dec 13 - 2pm
Donna Moeavero Sun Nov 9 - 6pm
Hours: Mon / Sat - Noon to 2:30 / Happy Hour Noon to 8 / Sun 12 to 12 Nightly Events call for more info or visit us at facebook.com/SouthbendTavern 126 E. Moler St. Columbus, Ohio (614) 444 - 3386 Southbend@wowway.biz facebook.com/SouthBendTavern
Free WiFi * Free Parking * Never A Cover
CRAB RACES
| KRIS LITTLER GREAT NAMES: Mayor Claw-man, Ménage à Claw, Crabs of Steel, Genghis Claw-an, Shellf Conscious, Annie Moore, Danica Crabtrick, Turtle in a Conch Shell, Skankzilla and In a Pinch. NOT SO GREAT NAMES: Steve, Laura, Mac, Dee, Crab Pitt, The Green One and My Crab’s Dead. FUN FACT: Any crab would love to be invited to Thanksgiving dinner; they believe in carb loading before a big race. UPDATE: “Killer Crabs from Outer Space” had a record turnout. The costumes were great, and the photo op with the Killer Crab Claws was hilarious. If you didn’t see my Crab Master costume, you missed out. It was as if an alien crab race was here to conquer us.
UPCOMING: November 20 is the next “don’t miss” holiday race! Join us for the Thanksgiving themed crab races: the APOCA-LOCKALOCKA-LIPS! The big prize is a complete catered Thanksgiving dinner from Kroger. The turkeys will all be squabbling about it! Hope to see you at the races, Local bar on Mondays at 9:30 p.m. Exile bar on Thursdays at 9:30 p.m. Happy Thanksgiving from the Crabs and Kris! Until next time, stay crabby!
You can follow the crabs on Facebook, CRABRACINGWITHKRIS
4 5 9 16
E 5th Ave
13
23
8 19
11 21 2 18
10
GOODALE GOODALE PARK PARK
th N 4 St
rd N 3 St
Neil Ave
24
E 1st St
Warren St
25
12
T
N HIGH S th N 4 St
rd N 3 St
NORTH BANK
14
22
DDSTST AA OO RR WWBB
rinSgt St ng Sp E SEpri t St E LEoLnognSg
ORAODASDT ST W BERB
SHORT NORTH
DOWNTOWN ITALIAN VILLAGE CLINTONVILLE
OLD NORTH COLUMBUS
DRINK.
DANCE.
4 Club 20 Old North Columbus 20 E Duncan Ave 614.261.9111 8 Exile Italian Village 893 N 4th St 614.299.0069 10 Wine on High Short North 789 N High St 614. 294.8466 13 Local Bar Short North 913 N High St 614.670.8958 14 Slammers Downtown 202 E Long St 614.221.8880
2 Axis Short North 775 N High St 614.291.4008 22 Wall Street Night Club Downtown 144 N Wall St 614.464.2800
EAT + DRINK. 11 12 21 23 25
La Fogata Grill Short North 790 N High St 614.294.7656 Level Dining Lounge Short North 700 N High St 614.754.7111 Union Short North 782 N High St 614.421.2233 MOUTON Short North 954 N High St 614.732.4660 Cray Eatery & Drinkery Italian Village 697 N 4th St 614.745.1693
SHOP. 9 The Garden Short North 1186 N High St 614.294.2869 18 Torso Short North 772 N High St 614.421.7663 19 Torso (in Exile) Italian Village 893 N 4th St 614.299.0069
ENGAGE. 5 ARC OHIO Clintonville 4400 N High St 614.299.2437 24 ARC OHIO Medical Ctr + Pharmacy Short North 1033 N High St 16 Stonewall Columbus Short North 1160 N High St 614.299.7764
MERION VILLAGE
BREWERY DISTRICT SOUTH SIDE OLDE TOWNE EAST
EAT + DRINK. DRINK. 3 6 7 15 17 20
24 Explorers Club Merion Village 1586 S High St 614.725.0155
Cavan Irish Pub Merion Village 1409 S High St 614.725.5502 Club Diversity Brewery District 863 S High St 614.224.4050 Columbus Fuel Bar Merion Village 1312 S High St 614.725.0130 South Bend Merion Village 126 E. Moler St 614.444.3386 The Toolbox Saloon South Side 744 Frebis Ave 614.670.8113 Tremont Brewery District 708 S High St 614.445.9365
DRINK + DANCE. 1 A.W.O.L. Bar + The Barracks Olde Towne East 49 Parsons Ave 614.621.8779
E BROAD
ST
1 CAPITOL SQUARE
D ST W BROA
t St E ToEwTnowSn
COLUMBUS COMMONS
n SStt W W Toown
TOPIARY PARK
in SStt Maain EEM
ichhSStt Ric W WR th S 4 St
DODGE PARK
E EFrFran orrtt St ankf kfo
20
St
ee onoAnvAv HarHmarm
gStSt
sin g sin nn LLaa
W Whittier St 6
SS Oh OhioioAv Avee
rd N 3 St
h StT igH SSHHIG
SCIOTO AUDUBON METRO PARK
rso PaPa rso nsns AvAv e e
E Livingston St
Whihittitti EEW ererStSt
SCHILLER PARK
Gre Greenla wn Ave enlawn Ave
7 WW Jenk inin Jenk s Av e s Av
e
3
15
24
Moler EE M er St St
So Sout uthw hwoo ood Avee
Freb Fr ebisisAv Avee
Gil Gilbe bertrtSt St
LOU BERLINER PARK
SS44thth St St
McCOY PARK
Thur urmmananAvAv Th ee
17
MUNITY RESOURCES
LOCAL & STATE ORGANIZATIONS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
Stonewall Columbus 614-299-7764 www.stonewallcolumbus.org This local community and resource center serves the Central Ohio LGBTQ community by providing programs and services that enhance the well-being and visibility of a diverse
GLAAD www.glaad.org A national organization that promotes fair, accurate, and inclusive media representations of LGBTQ people. as a means of challenging discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Additionally, Stonewall Columbus hosts the annual Pride Holiday.
Human Rights Campaign www.hrc.com The nation’s largest gay and lesbian political organization.
ARC Ohio 800-252-0827 www.arcohio.org Fights the spread of HIV, works towards reducing its transmission, stigma and the resulting discrimination through education and awareness, and provides quality services to BRAD (Buckeye Alliance of the Deaf ) membership@gmail.com www.bradohio.com Protects and promotes the interests and well-being of deaf and hard of hearing LGBTQ people while increasing awareness about the needs of Deaf and hard of hearing community. BRAVO (Buckeye Region Anti-Violence Organization) 614-294-STOP www.bravo-ohio.org Works to eliminate violence perpetuated on the basis of prevention, advocacy, violence documentation and survivor services. Equality Ohio 614-224-0400 www.equalityohio.org A statewide lobbying organization working to secure equality for LGBT Ohioans. FreedomOhio 614-246-3807 www.freedomohio.com The Freedom to Marry Ohio movement is dedicated to ending marriage discrimination in Ohio. Kaleidoscope Youth Center 614-294-5437 www.kycohio.org Provides advocacy, education, support and a safe environment for LGBT youth in Central Ohio. P-FLAG Columbus 614-806-8025 awareness and understanding for Central Ohio’s LGBT citizens and our families, friends and allies. Rainbow Sisters www.rainbowsisters.info A social and community-oriented group for lesbian women age 40 and over.
NGLTF www.thetaskforce.org The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force is a leading progressive civil rights organization that has supported grassroots organizing since 1973. The National Coalition for LGBT Youth www.outproud.org A wide range of resources available for youth and educators. ARTS & MUSIC Capital Pride Band of Columbus 614-325-1590 www.cappride.org A statewide LGBTQ organization of instrumentalists promoting the joy of music, friendship, and personal growth. They provide a variety of performances each year. Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus 614-228-2462 www.cgmc.com Singing out since 1990, this chorus presents a series of concerts each year. Open auditions held prior to rehearsal for each show. Evolution Theatre Company 614-233-1124 www.evolutiontheatre.org A semi-professional theatre company that presents musicals, dramas and comedies that have not been seen in the area well as new works and world premieres. Imagine Productions 614-398-1110 www.imaginecolumbus.com entertaining and educating community stakeholders. They recognize that empowerment and growth occurs for both the audience and performer. Wexner Center for the Arts 614-292-3535 www.wexarts.org Internationally known contemporary arts center at OSU, programs, as well as a store and a café all under one roof in an architectural landmark. COUNSELING
Sisters of Lavender
614-445-8277
A social/support for women 40 and over. S.O.L. is the oldest lesbian organization in Columbus.
A center for psychotherapy and growth with a long history of working with LGBTQ clients.
TransOhio 614-441-8167 www.transohio.org Serves the Ohio transgender and allied communities by providing services, education, support and advocacy.
Randi Cohen, LPCC-S 614-267-1993 www.randicohen.com Helping adult clients to create a strong sense of self, learn good communication skills, and gain a clearer sense of how others see you.
Why Marriage Matters Ohio www.whymarriagemattersoh.org A marriage equality education campaign supporting the right for any loving, committed Ohio couple to marry.
Shawn D. King, PhD., LISW 614-655-3554 www.shawnkingphd.com Providing individual, family, and group counseling services to the LGBTQ community. Specializing in relationship issues, anger management and mental health services. HEALTH & WELLNESS AHF Wellness Center & Out of the Closet Pharmacy: 614-732-5947 Wellness Center: 614-223-1532 www.aidshealth.org The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) operates Out of the full-service pharmacy, and HIV testing at the corner of N. High St., Suite 350. CHOICES 614-224-4663 www.choicescolumbus.org Since 1977 they have provided counseling, shelter, crisis intervention, education and community and legal support and advocacy to central Ohio residents facing domestic violence. Columbus Public Health LGBTQ Health Initiative 614-645-1493 www.publichealth.columbus.gov As part of the department’s mission to protect health and cultural competency trainings to health care and other service providers. Additionally, their LGBTQ Health Advocate manages The Crystal Club 614-214-4828 www.thecrystalclub.org female impersonators, and other transgender individuals. Huckleberry House 614-294-5553 www.huckhouse.org Established in 1970 to provide a safe place for runaway youth homeless or runaways. NetCare 614-276-CARE www.netcareaccess.org Provides 24 hour mental health and substance abuse crisis intervention, stabilization and assessment for Franklin County Planned Parenthood of Central Ohio, Inc. 614-224-2235 www.plannedparenthood.org The nation's oldest and largest sexual and reproductive health care organization. Trevor Project 866-4U-TREVOR www.thetrevorproject.org Determined to end suicide among LGBT youth by providing nationwide, 24/7 crisis intervention lifeline.
ADJOURN
Voices
from the
Center
| RASHIDA DAVISON “AW C’MON MAN! What happened to our brothers?!” It only took a second to realize that the possibly drunk driver in the Kroger parking lot was talking to me. I first reacted with amusement and then anger, but I knew better than to yell something back. I kept it moving because I knew that if I turned around or if I raised my voice he may “realize” that I wasn’t an effeminate man, but instead a masculine woman and things would only go downhill from there. As a Black, genderqueer, androgynous presenting person, this isn’t the first time this has happened to me. On a recent trip to Philly for the Trans-Health Conference, I was catcalled while walking down the street with my friends. I turned around annoyed, and as soon the catcaller saw me as male, he said under his breath, “You f#@kin’ fag.” I could go on for days telling you all the times this has happened to me and my genderqueer/agender/non-binary siblings. It happens far too often. However, these stories are rarely highlighted in the LGB or even T communities. November is Transgender Awareness Month. Every year we observe Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20 to draw attention to Transgender people who have lost their lives or faced violence due to anti-trans hatred or prejudice. This November, I want to bring awareness to the added layer of violence that is committed within and outside of the LGBTQ community when erasing, silencing and limiting the experiences of genderqueer, non-binary and non-op trans people. We are told: “We’re talking about women right now.” “This is a womyn’s only space.” “You don’t know what it’s like to be a black man in society.”
These statements could not be further from the truth. Being non-binary for many of us means having multiple experiences in society based on what gender we are perceived as. Imagine being sexualized as black women and seen as threatening as black men within the same week or even the within the same day. My friend, Julio Muteithia, talked to me about being harassed by police when perceived as female and then facing further violence once the officer read the gender marker on their driver’s license. We face additional violence when society can’t determine if “that’s a girl or a boy,” if our relationships are “straight or gay” or whether or not we’re “in the wrong restroom” (Hint: Every restroom is the wrong restroom for us in a binary society). However, the “solutions” we are often given, from within and outside of the transgender community, is to take hormones, have surgery, “man up,” “be more feminine” or “pick a side.” We are treated as if “we spent our lives practicing how to be targets,” as T. Miller says in her poem The Other Black Man. Instead of our complexities being celebrated and validated, they are seen as ways to mark us as “not really women,” “not really men” and “not really Trans.” Last year at the Creating Change conference, Laverne Cox made the statement: “To call a transgender woman a man is an act of violence.” I love that quote and want to take it further in saying: “To force non-binary people into a binary system is an act of violence.” So where do we go from here? How can allies work to reduce violence towards genderqueer and non-binary people? One great step is to listen. Allies need to make sure that they are listening to our experiences rather than making assumptions about how we experience oppression in society. Only from there can allies bridge the gap and work in solidarity with folks like us.
IMAGINE BEING SEXUALIZED AS BLACK WOMEN AND SEEN AS THREATENING AS BLACK MEN WITHIN THE SAME WEEK OR EVEN THE WITHIN THE SAME DAY.
Rashida Davison is a Black, genderqueer, activist and filmmaker from Rocky Mount, North Carolina. They live in the King Lincoln District of Columbus and serve as the Outreach and Engagement Coordinator for TransOhio. Their passion is expanding the representations of Trans people of color in media.
2014 NOVEMBER
45