A Community Passing

If you did not hear all ready, a pillar of Cincinnati's LGBTQ community has passed from us. June Delph, long time supporter of organizations like PFLAG and the Greater Cincinnati LGBT News, passed last night around 8:00pm, surrounded by family, much as she would have liked.

I did not know June Delph, but I know her mark on the community. Months ago, I thought it was funny when I realized the mural, on the picture attached here, was on the side of the building where I reside and I realized, "I was meant to live here." The Delphs have been fierce donors to great causes in the city, giving time, money, energy, and enthusiasm with a passion and single-mindedness towards equality, love, and hope. From everything I knew of her, she was an inspiration. I know PFLAG, for one, will be sorely lacking for her passing. She and her husband were regulars at the meetings, giving comfort and support.

Bless her, and bless all parents who mark their own child's lives through love and dedication to others.

From the ISQCCBE mailer today:

We are writing to let you all know that our Dear June passed away at 8:00 last night. She was at home and surrounded by her adoring family. A memorial service will be held for her at 2:00 on Tuesday, July 7 at the Norman Chapel, Spring Grove Cemetery. June would love as many Court members as possible to attend and remember her "in face." She loved each and every one of you. Of course, you are all welcome no matter what you decide to wear.

Truly a touching story, truly an amazing woman. I did not know her, but it is hard to be in the know in the city, or even to be gay in the city, and not feel the amazing and wonderful effects this woman had on my life.

I wish I had known her, at all.

Focus on ALL Families

IMPACTCincinnati is pulling out all stops, again. The little organization that could, that arose from the organizers of the November 15th JoinTheImpact protests here in Cincinnati, is taking on Citizens for Community Values -- the vitriolically anti-gay, fundamentalist organization based in Sharonville (just north of Cincinnati). Just how anti-gay you may ask? Of the seven actions listed on the front page of their website, three are anti-LGBT, and three are a strange effort to stop hotels from carrying porn.

In the same vein as groups like Phelp-A-Thon, nearly a dozen local and statewide organizations (including IMPACTCincinnati, Equality Ohio, Planned Parenthood, GLSEN, UC's Out on Campus, etc. etc. etc.) have teamed up to raise money in the shadow of CCV's annual fundraising banquet... which is occurring next Tuesday, April 21st at the Cintas Center on Xavier University's campus!

From the Facebook event (and the Facebook group):

The Xavier Alliance invites the greater Cincinnati and Xavier communities to the University's greenspace for an evening of inclusive, diverse family fun!

On April 21st, Citizens for Community Values (CCV)-- an extreme right-wing organization-- is hosting their annual fundraising banquet in the Cintas Center on Xavier University's Campus. CCV, whose mission is to "reduce destructive behaviors" contrary to their ideals, has channeled millions of dollars into anti-family and anti-equality legislation, including the Defense of Marriage Act in Ohio, Article XII in Cincinnati, Proposition 8 in California, and most recently, an attempt to overturn marital equality in Iowa. Citizens for Community Values is directly affiliated with Focus On The Family, the Evangelist Colorado Springs organization that preaches controversial so-called biblical truths and were big Proposition 8 donors.

In response to such blatant bigotry on our campus, the Alliance has teamed with numerous student and community organizations to produce "Focus on ALL Families"-- an evening of REAL family fun. Bring your friends, family, and children for a night of fun activities-- including face painting, animals from the zoo, cotton candy, balloon animals, and snacks-- all while embracing the assortment of characteristics and qualities that make all families so wonderfully diverse.

While CCV addresses diverse communities with divisive and hateful rhetoric, the Alliance refuses to sink to their level. Instead, the evening will remain positively focused on the ideals of inclusivity, progressiveness, and acceptance.

A ticket for CCV's banquet would cost you nearly $500-- that's $500 that would inevitably be used towards anti-equality and anti-family legislation throughout Ohio and the rest of the country. Instead, HELP SUPPORT PROGRESSIVE STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS ON XAVIER'S CAMPUS!! Equality Ohio is leading a national fundraiser, asking people and organizations to donate $5 to show their support for diversity and progressiveness on Xavier's Campus.

https://secure.ga3.org/01/give2eo [QC.com: *see note]

CIRCULATE THIS LINK-- HELP SPREAD THE WORD!! Even if you can't attend the event, please consider donating $5 for the sake of diversity and inclusion!

The Alliance is thankful for the support of various organizations throughout Cincinnati and Ohio in making this event a success, including: IMPACT Cincinnati, Equality Ohio, MUSE, The Cincinnati Men's Chorus, Planned Parenthood, The Gathering, PFLAG, GLSEN, UC's Out on Campus, Gender Bloc, and the Gender Queer Coalition.

Parking is available in the lots nearest the Cintas Center

*Link will take you to an Equality Ohio fundraising page -- and that's ok. Equality Ohio has generously donated their online fundraising capabilities to support this effort, just make sure you type in "Xavier University" in the "dedicated to" field.

I got a chance to chat with Cameron Tolle, lead organizer of the event (as well as leadership roles with IMPACTCincinnati, the Xavier Alliance, and JoinTheImpact), and he said that the event "hope[s] to empower members of the Xavier and Cincinnati communities who believe in more than just CCV's narrow definition of family. As CCV raises money for anti-equality causes next Tuesday, we hope to do our part to support diversity and inclusion."

Now, you all know this queen... I love me some good, saucy activist rhetoric, but there's something I love even more: a carnival. Give me balloon animals and face painting, and I think my life will be quite full -- thank you!

Seriously, though, not a bad idea. Why are the only people who get money on the 21st are people who hate us? If you're a local, consider going... in fact, just go. If you can't, or aren't a local, click the link above (or here) and donate to raise money for progressive and supportive organizations that oppose CCV's narrow ideal of this American life.

Community Events

I have a lot to cover today, so I'll try to make it through it all. I'm also updating my events calendar (to the right of your screen) to reflect these changes:

April 6th-10th, Miami University Awareness Week
Spectrum's (MU's LGBTQ Alliance) week-long series of talks, events, and concerts. I don't have the details on it -- sorry! -- oh, but they do :-). The only note is that there has been the addition of the Pride Parade and the Drag Show has been moved to the 17th of April.


March 26-29
Xavier's theater department will be doing a four show run of the internationally renowned showed, Angels in America. No invitation for me to review though :-(. It's ok. I'm busy. LOL.

Tuesday, April 7, 12:30pm
UC Rally for a full time LGBTQ Coordinator on campus, from their Facebook event: "The University of Cincinnati LGBTQ Students have been told by the Administration that they support All Kinds of Diversity. We have yet to see this support because while we have been given a “permanent” space it is very small and is not adequate for our needs. Also we have not received funding for a full time staff person. It is time to show the administration the support that we have for our community and show them that we need THEIR support for us." I think I'll talk about this in greater detail later.


Friday, March 27, 9:00pm
The Contemporary Arts Center is putting on one of their fabulous parties -- this one entitled spin -- from their Facebook event: "Join us as the CAC finishes the Final Friday circuit! The hottest ticket in town will be the CAC’s Contemporary Fridays re-imagined. On the final Friday of each month* the CAC will cater to this city’s vibrant population of art and night life enthusiasts. With both the Store and the galleries remaining open until 9 pm, downtown devotees can shop and stroll to their hearts’ content. Those with energy to spare can stay for the after party starting at 9pm when the CAC’s Kaplan Hall turns into Cincinnati’s hippest club. This month it is hosted by PROJECMILL**! PROJECTMILL orchestrates amazing multi-sensory dance parties at the Northside Tavern every month as part of their DMF series. Who knows what to expect when they bring their creative energy to the CAC?! —the party won’t stop until 1 am."


Friday, April 10th, 8:00pm
I actually got an email from darling Jori C. on this one, though I lost it so I have to default back to their Facebook event: "The Coochie Chronicles comes in the tradition of the Vagina Monologues. The Coochie Chronicles is a frank, melodic, exploration into the sexuality, lives, politics, stereotypes, and realities of women of color." I am as yet undecided on my attendance, but I think I might actually go!


Saturday, July 11, 6:00pm
Darling Montgomery's next public showing at Scott Knox's foyer at 6:00pm. Again, defaulting to the Facebook event. Sorry, the information is so much more concise!!

And I really want to make sure you all remember two major events supporting two very important organizations in the Cincy area coming up very soon...

• Saturday, March 28th, 7:00pm -- Swoon, to benefit PFLAG-Cincinnati (my blog post) (Facebook event) (Rainbow Cincinnati post) (PFLAG website)
• Saturday, April 18th, 7:00pm -- GLSEN Prom! (my blog post) (Facebook invite) (GLSEN Prom website)

Also: next Pride Meeting is on 4/14 at 7:00pm at the New Spirit MCC. 

If you have an event you would like posted/pimped -- clearly I'm not talking about them much any more, as they are coming in so quickly -- just shoot me an email at queercincinnati@gmail.com or send me a Facebook invite.

Community Event: SWOON, by PFLAG

Thanks to PFLAG-Cincinnati for the heads up on this one. You'll note it on the Community Events list on your right.

From their press release:

The Cincinnati Chapter of PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) is presenting the local band SWOON as a fundraiser for their scholarship program. The program provides scholarships for gay and straight-ally students who strive to make the world a better place for gay and lesbian people through support, education, and advocacy.

SWOON will perform on Saturday March 28th from 7 to 10 pm at Below Zero Lounge, 1122 Walnut Street in Cincinnati, 45202. Tickets are $25 for a single and $45 for couples. Light refreshments will be served. Tickets also entitle everyone to a chance to win one of several prizes. A cash bar will be available, promising an enjoyable evening of great music, food and prizes for a great cause.

Swoon members Liz and David Archer love to share their original music and see their audiences having a blast. The band began in England in 1991 and now includes an American member, Gillian Oakenfull. Both Liz and Gill have sung with MUSE. Don’t miss them!

Tickets can be purchased by sending a check payable to PFLAG Cincinnati, P.O. Box 19634, Cincinnati OH 45219-0634. Queries should be directed to Suzanne at 513-240-1193 or emailed to info@pflagcinci.org.

I'm a recipient of this scholarship -- I would not be in school right now if it weren't for this scholarship (whether that's a good thing or bad thing, well, my circadian rhythms will, one day, reset themselves, right? right? please?). In years past, you can almost look at the winners as a Who's Who of Young Gay Cincinnati. Seriously.

I have no idea who the band is, though, so I can't speak to that, and I can't find them on YouTube, otherwise I'd give you a preview.

But, seriously, PFLAG is one of the few organizations in town that has stuck to their purpose with such wonderful and amazing abandon. I've been to their meetings, and I want to hug everyone who walks into those doors. I remember the first tiem I attended, there was a new set of parents there... I don't know why they stuck with me, except I remember them hanging around and generally looking uncomfortable, but not being left alone for all the other parents who took the opportunity to introduce themselves.

I may actually attend this event :-). I know I responded on Facebook in the positive.

Besides, you cannot be in this city and not know the amazing Lynne Lefebvre. I mean, spunky British lady... seriously. I would marry her son, whom I've never met, just to have her as my mother-in-law.

CINCY GAY SCENE: Follow up to Oxford Show

People who do not have access to Facebook or Myspace have requested I post some pictures here of the most recent Oxford Show... HERE YA GO!!!!

Kristy Kay Karolina and Davey Cockett, both of the House of "O"


Davey Cockett, Mr. Magical Makeover 2008

Roman Hands

Coco Bliss, Kristy Kay Karolina, and 21st Birthday Girl (we spank -- and I will even teach you how on YouTube)

Anita Sativa, House of "O"

Kristy Kay Karolina

Clitty McPhearson -- first performance

Vivica LaCroix

Buster Hymen -- first performance

Jazmine Delicious, House of "O"

Dick Zenya, House of "O"

Kristy Kay Karolina

Kristy Kay Karolina in her favorite pose

Again, we raised $2500 for the Cincinnati chapter of PFLAG via the ISQCCBE. Thanks to all!!!

GAY STUFF: Ric Weiland and his $65m donation

Ric Weiland, 1953-2006

This is strange. I had originally penned this saying that this is the third high profile LGBT related death in the last week, but that is not true. Ric Weiland, one of the first five employees of Microsoft and a major investor in PlanetOut (the largest LGBT corporation in the world -- owner of things like Gay.com), actually died in June of 2006 of a gunshot wound to the head. It is reported that he suffered from clinical depression, and the death was ruled as a suicide.

What made news was that, yesterday, Mr. Weiland left $65 million to LGBT and HIV/AIDS related causes ($65m of $160m total bequeathed of his estate), thus making it the largest single donation to LGBT-related causes ever, according to the CNN report. Nineteen million alone went to the Pride Foundation, a funding source for other LGBT organization in the US Northwest. Other beneficiaries included AMFAR, GLSEN, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), Lambda Legal, Parents Friends and Families of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), the Servicemember's Legal Defense Network, and the Lifelong AIDS Alliance, Seattle's local ASO.

All the usual contenders, in other words. Except... no Human Rights Campaign??? $65million would have paid for that nice building they have, wouldn't it???

Regardless of the drama, it is sad that Ric is gone, and I sympathize with his surviving partner, Michael Scaefer. But...

...thank you, Ric. Thank you for remembering.