Contact Your Representative about the Matthew Shepard Act!

If that doesn't work for whatever reason, click here to view the PSA by Judy Shepard entitled "Ten Years"

The HRC is urging you to contact your US Senators and Representatives to support HR 1913 -- the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (the "Matthew Shepard Act"). Our local guy, Steve Driehaus, is one of the original 42 co-sponsors in the house and he is being hounded by the right telling him not to vote. It's important you call or email him today!

To contact Steve Driehaus specifically, his phone is (202) 225-2216 and you can send him an email here.

Massive Community Calendar Update

An update is way overdo, so I'll try to cover as much as possible -- sorry if I leave someone out, just shoot me an email: queercincinnati@gmail.com


Julia Serano Lecture
April 22nd, 7pm at the University of Cincinnati
Serano, an Oakland-based writer, spoken word performer, trans-activist, and biologist, will be giving a talk at UC in Swift 500 on entitled "Transsexual and Trans Feminine Perspectives on Sexism." Serano published Whipping Girl: A Transsexual Woman on Sexism and the Scapegoating of Femininity in 2007. (TransOhio post.)



cincYPac and the Cast of MTV's "Take the Stage"
April 23rd, 6pm-8pm, Cadillac Ranch
cincYPac -- Cincinnati's Young Professional Political Action Committee -- is hosting a night where you can meet the cast of MTV's hit reality show, "Take the Stage," that is hosted right here in Cincinnati. Check out their Facebook event for more information -- the event costs $15 (and $5 for students).



Pride Night with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
April 24th, 8pm+
The CSO will be welcoming the LGBT community for the 6th year in a row to a fabulous evening of music, followed by a cocktail party at Corbett Tower. Tickets are $40, includes both events. Check out the CSO website for information on the promo code and how to order your ticket.



PrideLove Sexy Singles Party
April 24th, 8pm-11pm, Below Zero Lounge
The wonderful ladies and gentlemen of PrideLove invite you to a hot little singles party at Below Zero lounge, hosted by darling Penny Tration, including a Sexy Singles Auction. (Formerly featured on QueerCincinnati.com.)



CAC's Contempory Fridays: SPIN
April 24th, 9pm-1am, Contemporary Arts Center
The CAC continues its highly successful parties with "The Price is Light," along with Northside Nick and Chris Collins. The one I went to -- months ago, now -- was actually a lot of fun. Check out their Facebook event.



First Friday with HRC
May 1st, 8pm, Golden Lion's Lounge
HRC's second First Friday cocktail hour will be held at the Golden Lion's Lounge in Clifton -- per the Facebook invite, you can be sure to check out their event (and you actually can, considering the times -- well done, HRC) before you head off to...



Cincinnati Guerilla Queer Bar -- Month 3
May 1st -- TBA
Even I don't know where it's going to be, guys, but I've been told to make sure that everyone saves the date!



Lucky Ladies Speeddate
May 3rd, 3pm-6pm, Yadda Club (Covington)
Check PrideLove's flyer for the upcoming event for all of our fabulous single ladies out there.



stop) aids Guest Bartending Night
May 3rd, 6pm-10pm, Below Zero Lounge
I will feature this more later because I think it's going to be an awesome night. But, the education team of STOP AIDS (all of them true hotties) will be behind the bar, and every dollar you give goes to stopping AIDS right here in Cincinnati. (Facebook event)



Judy Shepard Speaks
May 5, 7pm, Great Hall of the Tangeman Center on UC's Campus
After her last speech was cancelled due to illness, Judy Shepard comes to speak at the University of Cincinnati. She's worth watching, folks; I would go.



Ethan Philbrick's Cello Recital
May 9, 8pm, St. John's Unitarian Church
Check out his Facebook event. (Ethan is both a fellow blogger and the organizer of CGQB -- and then he got cutie-patootie Jeff of centsinnati to sweettalk me into posting it, so another fellow blogger -- so I'm posting this "personal event" based on their status as bloggers. But Ethan's an amazing cellist and worth checking out, I think.)



Making Beautiful MUSIC Together
May 9th, 7pm-10pm, the DOCK Complex
The ISQCCBE and the Cincinnati Men's Chorus will be hosting a special charity event at the DOCK to support local charities... and each other. Check out their Facebook event.



Queen City, Music City
May 30th at 8:07pm, May 31st at 3:07pm, National Underground Railroad Museum
The next Cicninnati Men's Chorus show will focus on music straight out Nashville -- including tunes with hints of country, gospel, jazz, and bluegrass. The 30th and 31st will be their Pride shows, with a special musical nod to the LGBT movers and shakers in music. Check out their website for more information.



Miami U. LGBT Alumni Reunion
June 18-21, Oxford, Ohio
As part of the bicentennial celebration, 1809 LGBT Alumni are calling all alums to come and support the association, as well as join them in special events like a reception with Pres. Hodge and a special viewing of Freeheld (2008 Academy Award short documentary winner, produced by MU alums).

Equinox Cincinnati
July 3-5
Hold on to your horses, girls, the next big event in the gay social calendar in Cincinnati may be upon us -- meet Equinox Cincinnati (and their Facebook event). I don't have much more information from the organizers yet, but I've been promised the exclusive ASAP. George (of Metronation and of the Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce) is hot on this one, guys, and says he already has busses filling up from people out of state to come party in the 'Nati. I have a feeling this will be huge. Save the date. (And you are reading that right -- this event is cosponsored by Fountain Square.)


Ohio Lesbian Festival
September 19th and 20th, Columbus-ish
Womyn-only event featuring music, art, and community. Check out their website for more information.



GAY PRIDE DATES FOR THE REGION!!!!!
I'm just going to do a list because there are so many to list off:

• June 6th-14th: Indianapolis, "Circle City, IN Pride"
• June 13th and 14th: Cincinnati, "Squealing with Pride"
• June 19th and 20th: Columbus, "Freedom 2009"
• June 19th and 20th: Louisville, "Kentuckiana Pride Festival"
• June 20th: Cleveland, "Equality through Unity"
• June 23rd-28th: Chicago
• Saturday, June 27th: Lexington, "Stonewall Lives"

You know, looking at Columbus's and Cleveland's themes... aren't you kinda glad we have something at least interesting? Seriously.

Seriously, what did I miss? I know I did. Again, email me if you have anything for the list.

Judy Shepard at UC

I promised I'd write about this to some of the organizers, and seeing it over at Back2Stonewall.com reminded that I had not done so yet.

Judy Shepard is speaking at the University of Cincinnati on Monday, April 6th at 7p.m. at the Tangeman University Center -- the event is free and open to the public. If you have not seen Miss Shepard speak yet, I am instilling this upon you: it is your good gay duty to do so.

And, if you have, it might be wise to go again.

Matthew Shepard, her son, died over 10 years ago at this point. It made sense that, after a few months of mourning, Miss Shepard would travel the country and talk about hate and violence and crime and the awfulness that brought an end to her son's life. Many many people have written lamentations on Matthew Shepard, and there have been far more eloquent people speak on the tragedy ... many years and years ago. It would also be expected that, after a few years, we would expect Miss Shepard to go into relative obscurity, having become exhausted with the fight.

But she hasn't.

For over ten years, Miss Shepard has fought on, and fought hard. She has been a tireless, fearless, and articulate champion for coming out, fighting the fight in your hometown, ending violence, and a whole host of issues that need to be heard. She has not given up; she has not stopped fighting in honor of the dear son she lost so terribly. And she never had a political motivation, at least one not so sharp as, say, Cindy Sheehan. I saw her speak at Miami University years ago, and I remember this being her greatest political message:

Be out -- all day, everyday.

Such power in five words, enough so to influence me for years to come. Every day, I seek to be out because of what Judy Shepard taught me. Every day, I challenge the people who say that my sexuality and gender expression is "not appropriate" because of what Judy Shepard taught me. Every day, I am only myself, lilting speech and sashaying hips and singing musicals and existing just on this side of femme, because of what Judy Shepard taught me.

Miss Shepard taught me to be fearless and unapologetic in my sexuality and in my gender. I will give it up for no one, and that's caused me problems in the past. I was passed over for a job due to me "*ahem* enthusiasm," and I have been called to task at work over my apparent "obsession with my own sexuality." But those are the battle scars we win, and they are far fewer scars than she carries.

Because of what Judy Shepard taught me, I am stronger, better, smarter, sharper.

Ten years later, I suppose there will be the homosexuals amongst us that say: "Been there done that." Or, "Is she still puttering around the country?" Or, "Seen her a hundred times." Or, "That's a tired old line, the Matthew Shepard bit." Ten years later, Miss Shepard could have given up...

...instead she is fighting harder than 99% of any LGBT person I know.

Miss Shepard is legend, she is royalty, she is life. On April 6th, at 7pm, on UC's campus, it will be worth it to you to go back and see why her tired old lines ring truer every day.

On a more personal note, there is a second lesson she tried to impress on us -- "Don't let anyone live rent-free in your head" -- that I am still attempting to live up to everyday.

Also: From our friends at the local PFLAG:

HOWEVER, the amazing guys at the ISQCCBE (Cincinnati's incredibly drag queen society) is putting on a show this Sunday, April 4th 5th at 8 p.m. Location: On Broadway Bar, 817 Broadway Street, downtown Cincinnati. Proceeds to go to PFLAG.

I (Lynne Lefebvre, President of PFLAG Cincinnati) have had my arm severely twisted and will be doing one number!!!

So, if I have to squeeze into a tight little dress and risk embarrassing myself, maybe you would like to join us for the fun.

For those who have never been to a drag show, this is something you might want to try. Certainly would give some contrast to the Easter dinner you wolfed down ealier in the day.