Rainbow Cincinnati

Reprinted from Greater Cincinnati GLBT News:

President Barack Obama told ABC News today that he now supports same-sex marriage.
After opposing it for years, he said his position had evolved into one that’s more in line with the Democratic Party base and even Vice President Joe Biden.
In an interview with ABC News’ Robin Roberts, the president said that his change was based on conversations with his own staff members, openly Gay and Lesbian military service members and conversations with his wife and daughters.
Here’s some of what the president told ABC News:
“I have to tell you that over the course of several years as I have talked to friends and family and neighbors when I think about members of my own staff who are in incredibly committed monogamous relationships, same-sex relationships, who are raising kids together, when I think about those soldiers or airmen or marines or sailors who are out there fighting on my behalf and yet feel constrained, even now that ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’ is gone, because they are not able to commit themselves in a marriage, at a certain point I’ve just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same sex couples should be able to get married.”
North Carolina voters overwhelmingly passed a constitutional amendment that defines marriage as solely between a man and a woman, but not much is expected to change immediately.

GLBT NewsMay 2012 Full Print Edition

Reprinted from Greater Cincinnati GLBT News:

Congratulations to Chris Seelbach and the Cincinnati City Council for passing domestic partner benefits by an 8-1 vote. Having openly LGBT elected officials matters Equality Ohio leaders said, “We are proud to have supported Chris’s campaign and his efforts to pass domestic partner benefits."

The measure passed 8-1, with only Charlie Winburn opposing it. Councilman Chris Seelbach, Cincinnati’s first openly Gay council member, promised to introduce the idea as one of his first priorities. Offering the health insurance is fair to same-sex couples.

Covington officials agreed to offer similar benefits, which should be available starting July 1. They said they acted quickly in order to beat Cincinnati.

GLBT News April 2012 Pmd e.mailer

GLBT News March 2012 e.mailer

GLBT News February 2012 e.mailer

What better day?
(Appears in Print edition of GLBT News; Michael Chanak contributor)

Pride celebration planning meetings always turn to history of the community, the event and who was involved. Such was the case on December 6, 2011 when five former Cincinnati Pride Marshals, Cheryl Eagleson, John Maddux, Rusty Lockett, Michael Cottrell and this columnist attended the first open Cincinnati Pride planning meeting of the 2012 season.

We know that much of GLBT history remains told by word of mouth and story telling. I think Ron Clemons said it best that evening – the rainbow is a spectrum of all ages.

Cheryl, John and I suggested former marshals being part of the parade as a group, or staged in an area along the parade route to be recognized, or at a party such as Cheryl hosted in 2009 for the former marshals. All these ideas were put forth to help our communities become more aware of the long and rich history of contribution and leadership that has brought us to this point.

Who did we miss? We promised the 2012 organizers a list of former marshals. All of us need to confirm with the community who the marshals in Cincinnati were over the years. Here’s the list we have developed, if you know of someone we missed, a name misspelled, drop me a line,
Michael Chanak.

Karen Aronoff-Holtmeier
Phebe Beiser
Randy Bridges
Doris Marks Callis
Michael Chanak
Michael Cottrell
David Crowley (Deceased)
Michael E. Dorobek (Deceased)
Cheryl Eagleson
Patti Herrmann
Rev. Dr. Paula Marie Jackson
Scott Knox
Kathy Laufman
Rusty Lockett
Dr. John A. Maddux
Scott McLarty
Megan Neal
Dr. Shane Que Hee
Victoria Ramstetter
Worley Rodehaver
Dr. Ronn Rucker
Peter A Thompson (Deceased) “Peaches LaVerne”
Marian Weage
Dr. Larry Wolf

What better day to celebrate nearly 40 years of local history, with various starts and stops along the way, than our own Cincinnati Pride celebration?

Thirty attend annual center membership meeting. Welcome Crystal Loomis to our board. Officers for 2012, Rusty Lockett - President, John Maddux - Vice President, Josh Garner Treasurer and Denise Taylor - Secretary. The meeting and holiday cheer party was held Wednesday evening December 14, 2011.

Crystal is our newest member, age 26. She's officially from Springfield, OH but now lives in Northside and went to the University of Cincinnati. She started volunteering at age 13. She's currently a volunteer for three groups. As she says "I really enjoy helping people and being involved in the community; it is one of my passions." Crystal joins other "at large members" of the Board - Michael Chanak, Toby Martino, and Bill Abney.

Pride Night 2012 - the date is Friday, September 7! Rusty Lockett, the group's president and chair of the Kings Island event, says plans are already underway to continue to grow this regional fundraiser for the local Center. As usual, the ticket price will include parking with the parking area opening at 5 pm and the amusement park at 6 pm. Children rides and the water park at closed at the time of year the fundraiser takes place. For information, entertainment, ticket sales etc. check by the summer of 2012 at Pride Night at Kings Island.