Unite Magazine | 1

CincinnatiMARCH/ APRIL 2015

Premier Issue

Chris SeelbachCity CounCILman

How Far We've Come

2 | Unite Magazine

P U B L I S H E R Michael A. Monks

E d i t o r - i n - c h I E f Chuck Beatty

M A N A G I N G E d i t o r Jerod Theobald

C R E AT I V E D I R E C T O R Chad Turner

A & E C O N T R I B U T O R Chuck Beatty

B U S I N E S S C O N T R I B U T O R Shannon Smith

C O M M U N I T Y C O N T R I B U T O R Michael Chanak

FA M I LY C O N T R I B U T O R David Dodge

H E A LT H & F I T N E S S C O N T R I B U T O R Bree Singer

S T Y L E C O N T R I B U T O R Jason Wiff

Sa l e s Chuck Beatty

513.813.8246

Cover photo Chuck Beatty

table of contents

FEATURECHRIS SEELBACH 12

COMMUNITYUNITE NEWS 3SAFE AND SUPPORTED 8LEELAH ALCORN VIGIL 10

BUSINESS SPRING-NEW LIFE, NEW BUSINESS 4LGBT BUSINESS DIRECTORY 22 DIY FURNITURE FACELIFT 6

HEALTH & FITNESS SPRING CLEAN YOUR LIFE 14

FAMILY THE LLAMAS AND THE PAPAS 16

STYLE SPRING STYLE GUIDE 18

A&E BOY BAND SEARCH 20

www.unitemag/cincinnati

unitecinci

@unitecinci

Unite Magazine | 3

Unite News

Welcome to UNITE and best wishes! I would like to say a public goodbye to my friend of 36 years and well-known local publisher Worley Rodehaver of GLBTQ News. His departure left Cincinnati without a paper for the first time in decades until now.

Cincinnati is a hotbed of activism and controversy from John Zeh and WAIF-FM (State v. Zeh 1981) through (Map-plethorpe) exhibit (1990), on to Issue 3 (1993), and now the struggle for marriage equality (2014). Often, the same people who were part of these events were also publishers, editors and contributors. Some proclaim the press is dead, meaning that it and its activism underpinnings are dead. Id offer today the press is not dead, no more than activism for the cause!

Cincinnati has seen a number of newsletters, newspapers, and radio/TV shows come and yes, go. In the late 1970s, when I first arrived in Cincinnati, there was The Yellow Page (1979 1st gay paper in Southern Ohio) founded and published by Walter Williams as part of the old Coalition (GCGC), and subsequently Clarence Graves and Roger Pomplas went independent with the publication. The Gaybeat was found-ed by Ed Hicks and Jonathan Mesinger and was eventually published by Josh Thomas. It ran from 1985-1995. Ed Hicks started a second publication called Noveau which was in print from 1988 to 1996. There were newsletters from Dinah (1979-1988 Sandy Garsey, Wendy Winkler, Phebe Beiser, and Vic Ramsetter) and the GLMA Newsletter (Gay Lesbi-an March Activist 1987 March on Washington) overseen by editor Dr. Shane Que Hee. And dont forget the radical fairy publication To The Root(s) (1988-1989) that Shane, Todd Kamm, Scott McLarty and Larry Wolf were mainstays.

Meantime, Cincinnati, beginning in 1979, enjoyed John Zehs Gaydreams on WAIF complete with run-ins with then-local prosecutor, Simon Leis. Eventually, that show became Alternating Currents (produced by Pat North, Michael Lloyd, Ken Colegrove, Cheryl Eagleson, and me) switched stations a few years back and then went off the air (there is an online version but Ive heard nothing of it). Also, Every-womon followed the same fate as Gaydreams and Alternating

Currents. Alternating Currents was this nations second-longest running radio show until it went off air.

The year 1985 brought Gay Cable network thanks to Roger Eikenberry, Mark Bailey, Steve Buescher (now of gaycincin-nati.com), et al. The show continued until 1988 thanks also to Michael Leamon and Jimmy Price. OutFront GL TV was on cable from 1989 to 1994 and was run by Steve Hempker, Cynthia Brown and Dr. John Maddux and added Northern Kentuckians to Cincinnati viewership. Since then, I am not aware of any over the air/cable GLBT programming in the area.

Worley Rodehaver took up the charge with GLBTQ News (1996) until his death in July 2014. In the late 2000s, Sam Robinson published the QCity News. Rich Sherman in-troduced cnkyscene (2011), continued by Chuck Beatty to become UNITE Cincinnati. UNITE Cincinnati, you are now part of the legacy! May the circle be unbroken!

Cincinnati welcomes uniteby Michael " Goose" ChanakUnite CinCinnati

Michael is a retired P&G employee advocate/activist for Gay/Lesbian inclusion in Equal Employment Policy (1985 - 1992), division diversity facilitator; corporate adviser on HIV issues and gay community, published writer, journalist, publicist and broadcaster.

4 | Unite Magazine

Leo Tolstoy once said, Spring is the time of plan and proj-ects. Spring brings new life and new hope. Hope breeds passion and this is what should burn in the hearts of entre-preneurs. Passion is the crux of any new business and there has never been a better time to start one. On both sides of the river, there is a wealth of support for entrepreneurs.

Cincinnati is home to one of the top business accelerator pro-grams in the United States, The Brandery, which is in good company with fellow accelerators Cintrifuse and CincyTech. The entrepreneurial bug has also taken hold of Northern Kentucky which is home to a host of business accelerators like e-zone, UpTech, and Bad Girl Ventures. With all the buzz and support, many are toying with the idea of starting their own business the question is, should you?

There are several obvious necessities an entrepreneur needs

Spring - New Life, NeW...Business?

like money and a bit of business sense, but both of these needs can be addressed by business accelerator companies. They can find investors and give you a mentor, but to be suc-cessful, there are traits an entrepreneur must have that money cannot buy and accelerators cannot supplant: vision, passion, confidence, and old- fashioned grit.

VisionYou cannot have a business without an idea. Visionaries have ideas, but they derive them after they recognize a need or at least anticipate one. This recognition enables them to suc-cessfully implement their business or product. They do not just create a product or business with the hope that someone would like it, but with the knowledge that someone would. Not every idea will make big bucks, but hey, as long as you arent putting your house on the line, pitch your idea to an accelerator there is a thing such as pure dumb luck!

PassionIt needs to be said again: passion is what should burn in the hearts of entrepreneurs. It is palpable and persuasive. Its

presence can be felt not only in your heart, but it can capture the hearts and minds of those around you. Because passion is contagious, your passion for your business or product will infect and persuade others to share in your love for your prod-uct or business. All great things were accomplished because of someones passion so dont expect much without it.

ConfidenceThis one is pretty self-explanatory. Confidence, like passion, is infectious. It gives you courage to believe in yourself, take risks, and act on opportunities. Confidence encourages others to believe in you and what you are saying. In turn, it enables you to persuade consumers of the quality of your business or product, effectively lead employees, and overcome obstacles as well as the objections of naysayers.

Old Fashioned GritThis is arguably the most important trait. If passion is fuel, then this folks is your Molotov cocktail. Grit is a certain resourcefulness to do whatever it takes when your back is against the wall. A prettier word would be perseverance or determination, but grit is not something pretty. It is a char-acteristic only revealed when you are down to your last dollar, have nowhere else to go, or whatever other clich phrase you can think of. Grit is the complete refusal to give in or let up, the sheer determination to succeed, to fight and to continue fighting when there seems to be no other way to go but down. Grit is hanging on when everyone else would have let go. It is finding a way to go back up or around the obstacle but never defeated by it. Grit is the relentless REFUSAL to succumb to failure. All the money in the world, all the business mentors, and that sheer dumb luck cannot teach you these traits or replace them, but to be a successful entrepreneur you must have them. So, if you are debating starting a business this spring remember you have all the external necessities at your fingertips and if you embody the above traits what are you waiting for?

by Shannon C. Smith, Esq.Unite CinCinnati

Business

Unite Magazine | 5

by Shannon C. Smith, Esq.Unite CinCinnati

Shannon is the CEO of Attorney Exchange, a budding, innovative company focused on the realities and needs of the modern day Attorney. She also owns her own law firm which provides general counsel services for business-es and estate planning for individuals. She earned her law degree from the Salmon P. Chase College of Law and graduated summa cum laude from Morehead State University where she captained the Division I womens soccer team.

www.lawofficesofshannoncsmith.com

unitecinci

@unitecinci

Follow us!

6 | Unite Magazine

Whether just starting off in a new place or giving a fresh new look to your current space, purchasing furniture can easily tear through your budget quickly. Having an eye for aesthetics and a penchant for finer looking things is not uncommon in our community but furnishing your space doesnt have to empty your wallet.

Consider shopping garage sales and flea markets or raiding your grandmothers attic to find old pieces that are in need of a little TLC. More often than not, pieces built in yester-year are more solid and were built from better materials than many of the pieces found in the shops today and with a little elbow grease and a small amount of money can be turned into fantastic additions for your decor.

We recently purchased a new home that was part of an estate and many pieces of furniture were left in the house. I was taken with the farmhouse table and hutch we inherited but the dark finish and dated look just didnt work with my plans for the dining room.

Determined to find a way to make it work in the space, I went online in search of hutch makeovers. Once I found the look I wanted, I set about gathering the supplies to make it happen. Some sandpaper and paint was all it took to achieve the look I wanted. Now let me say upfront that Im not a fan of painting over high-quality wood. If you should come across a piece like that, consider stripping it back down to the bare wood and re-staining it or using a natural oil or wax polish to restore its original beauty. My hutch wasnt a high-quality wood so painting over it didnt give me much pause.

To begin, give your piece a good cleaning with whatever household cleaner you have on hand. You want to remove any grease and dirt so your tools can work more effectively. If youre stripping, there are several easy to use products on the market. I am a fan of Formbys Zip Strip. Use it as directed and then apply your new finish.

If youre painting your piece youll want to remove all the hardware (i.e. handles, hinges, etc.) and set them aside, then give it a good feathering with a medium grit sandpaper. A

Furniture Facelift220-grit easily found at all hardware stores is good for this. You dont need to sand it all down to the bare wood, you just want to scuff it up enough for the new paint to adhere and not peel.

The next decision is, spray or brush? I used Rustoleum 2X Spray Paint and Primer-in-One which gives you nice coverage with fewer coats. While I was sanding, I noticed the counter surface had a nice grain so I decided to sand that all the way down and stain it with a lighter stain than the original so it could really show off the grain. If youre going to brush the new paint on, there is a wonderful product on the market called Annie Sloan Chalk Paint that comes in a rainbow of colors and is easy to use. Ei-ther way, I recommend a nice polyurethane or clear coat finish on top of your paint both for protection and ease of cleaning.

After everything dries, replace your hardware, put your piece into place and get ready to proudly show off those before and after pictures to your friends because you will, and you have every reason to be proud of saving that old piece and turning it into something uniquely you!

by George CrawfordUnite CinCinnati

DIY

Unite Magazine | 7

Before moving to Cincinnati and settling down with his partner of 14 years, George lived in seven different cities. A lot of moves and a lot of homes meant learning to fix them up himself. The Do-It-Yourselfer was born of necessity and grew into a passion and hobby over the years.

Before

After

8 | Unite Magazine

When Tevin Brunner, 22, aged out of Montgomery County Children Services on his 18th birthday he had looked forward to living with his family until he secured employment, his own car and the skills necessary to support himself and live independently. This was his plan for his future.

Tevins family did not meet him with open arms.

When I came out, I lost a lot of support, says Tevin. The main reason I became homeless was having no form of sup-port.

At age 18, Tevin utilized online dating and nightclubs to get what he needed, including mobility. Over the span of the next few years, Tevin had foregone his plans for his life and trav-eled throughout the country taking refuge in dumpsters and in abandoned cars when he could not find a couch to sleep on. During the time he had hoped to be enrolled in college working towards his Special Education degree, Tevin was searching for places to sleep on university campuses.

When he returned to Cincinnati, Tevin enrolled in the Light-house Sheakley Center for Youth, a multi-faceted program providing shelter, case management, and mental health and substance abuse services to youth up to age 24.

It made me stronger and the person I am today, says Tevin. No matter what your sexual orientation is or what you have gone through in your life, have faith, remain optimistic and anything is possible.

While the particular details of Tevins story might be unique, the prevalence of homelessness among youth who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning (LGBTQ) is now being recognized in national media publications and is at the forefront of discussions among service providers and gov-ernment agencies. The True Colors Fund, based in New York, is among the organizations specifically dedicated to ending LGBTQ youth homelessness. Tevin is recognized as part of True Colors Funds 40 of the Forty series telling the stories of 40 formerly homeless LGBTQ youth over 40 weeks.

In Cincinnati, there were approximately 1,725 youth up to age 24 who were homeless at some point in 2013, according to data provided by the local Homeless Management Infor-mation System (HMIS). Among Hamilton County service providers, homeless is commonly defined as a person who is sleeping in a shelter, on the street or a place generally not meant for sleeping. Every night, over 100 youth experience homelessness in Cincinnati. Additional young people are couch surfing, moving between homes of family, friends or strangers to have a temporary roof over their head.

Nationally, LGBTQ youth make up 40% of the youth pop-ulation experiencing homelessness yet make up only 5-7% of the general population, according to a 2012 national survey of service providers conducted by Durso and Gates. In Cincin-nati, 15% of the clients at the Lighthouse Sheakley Center for youth self-identify as LGBTQ. While they are dramatically overrepresented in the homeless youth population, there are too few services currently available or designed to meet their unique needs. However, the actual percentage of LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness is likely higher than 15% because some young people wont disclose such personal information. For those youth who have experienced rejection, abuse or neglect by family and peers, they may be reluctant to seek the help they so urgently need due to a perceived fear of re-traumatization.

Community

Safe and Supportedby Meredith HicksUnite CinCinnati

Unite Magazine | 9

by Meredith HicksUnite CinCinnati

Homelessness for anyone is unacceptable in our resource-rich community, says Bob Mecum, president and CEO of Light-house Youth Services, a multi-service agency providing social services to approximately 5,000 families each year in South-western Ohio. Weve worked with tens of thousands of youth over 40-plus years, and there has always been an overrepresen-tation of LGBTQ youth.

A local initiative is led by Lighthouse Youth Services and the local chapters of the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN), Human Rights Campaign (HRC), and Strategies to End Homelessness to improve outcomes for this specific population of young people.

In April, Cincinnati was selected alongside Houston, Texas as the only two communities in the nation to pilot the Lesbi-an, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ) Youth Homelessness Prevention Initiative, led by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). When HUD evaluated communities to pilot this initiative, Cincinnati rose to the top based on a proven record of strong leadership, local collaboration and exceptional data collection through HMIS.

The communitys positive response to the invitation was overwhelming. Safe and Supported was selected as the name of the Cincinnati initiative with the vision that Hamilton County will be a community that is safe and supported for LGBTQ youth.

Over six months, the lead agencies and a multi-system collaboration of over 15 organizations, developed a strategic plan that will better identify what factors put LGBTQ at risk of homelessness and strategies and interventions for youth currently experiencing homelessness. Implementation of this plan began in October and focuses on eight main goals that address the needs of LGBTQ young people for stable hous-ing, social and emotional well-being, permanent connections, education and employment.

Many of the activities from the plan are already underway in the community.

In November, HRC provided the All Children All Fami-lies training to 50 foster care staff, therapists and service area leaders at Lighthouse Youth Services. Recognizing that about 20% of foster youth identify as LGBTQ, the training pro-vided the necessary skills and knowledge for foster care staff and other providers to improve practice and better support LGBTQ foster youth. This will include tailored outreach to LGBTQ families with an invitation to become foster and adoptive parents.

Safe and Supported is also hosting quarterly events to raise awareness and foster dialogue among community members, youth and service providers. The initiative recently hosted a screening of The Homestretch, a documentary that includes the story of a homeless LGBTQ youth, to an audience of over 150 attendees.

Efforts are underway to secure funding to staff the Safe and Supported initiative and implement the remaining activities outlined in the plan over the next two years.

Cincinnati deserves to be a national model, says Tevin. I thought I was going to be homeless forever until I moved here. Then I saw a light at the end of the tunnel.

For more information about Safe and Supported and Lighthouse Youth Services work to end LGBTQ youthhomelessness, please contact Meredith Hicks at mhicks@lys.org or 513.487.7145.

Let's get social !

unitecinci

@unitecinci

10 | Unite Magazine

Leelah Alcorn Vigil

Unite Magazine | 11

Photos courtesy of David N. Martin

12 | Unite Magazine

Feature

This is the most significant LGBT story in our lifetime, times ten, said Cincinnati City Councilman Chris Seelbach, referencing the multiple same-sex marriage cases from the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals that are now being consid-ered by the United States Supreme Court. This will be the basis for every non-discrimination and any kind of protect-ed class that deals with sexual orientation. Its pretty incredi-ble that we are in the heart of it all.

Indeed, Seelbach is an openly gay member of the governing body in a city that just over twenty years ago voted to add an amendment to the city charter expressly prohibiting the extension of protections to members of the gay community.

Now, Cincinnati has an openly gay member on its city council, offers a domestic partner registry, and has family health benefits for city employees in same-sex relationships. The citys health insurance also includes coverage for trans-gendered employees making a gender transition.

Voters also, eleven years later, decided to repeal Article XII, the anti-gay charter that they had adopted in 1993.

And now, as Seelbach said, Cincinnati finds itself at the center of the same-sex marriage legal battle as the federal appeals court based here bucked a recent positive trend of rulings in favor of LGBT relationships and in a divided vote, upheld same-sex marriage bans in Ohio, Kentucky, Tennes-see, and Michigan. It will be the Supreme Court decision related to those cases that could lead to nationwide mar-riage equality.

Prior to the Sixth Circuits hearing of the cases from the

four states, a pro-gay marriage rally was held at Lytle Park and Seelbach led the charge. Freedom in this country has to mean freedom for everyone, including the gay couples who will speak tonight, the two-term councilman told hundreds of supporters that night last August as reported by The River City News.

Born and raised in Louisville, Seelbach moved to the Queen City to attend Xavier University. He then went on to law school at the University of Dayton, though he has never practiced. Last year, he earned a certificate from an inten-sive government program at Harvard University.

In 2011, with 23 candidates on the ballot, Seelbach squeaked in to claim the ninth and final spot on city council and was reelected in 2013 when the Democrat finished in fifth place. He and his partner Craig Schultz live in Over-the-Rhine in a building that Seelbach renovated, years be-fore the current trend to live and work in the once-troubled neighborhood has made it the envy of gentrification efforts across the country.

Our building was the second renovated in Over-the-Rhine after the unrest in 2001, he said, a reference to the riots that followed police-involved shootings of black men in the neighborhood. The building was awesome when it was renovated and it was great but all the buildings around us were not so great and were falling down and boarded up. My car was broken into every other month.

Now shops, restaurants, bars, and new residences fill the neighborhood which will also be home to part of the new Streetcar that counts Seelbach among its champions. Seel-bach and Schultz share their space with a pair of cats.

How Far We've Comeby Michael A. MonksUnite CinCinnati

Unite Magazine | 13

One of the things I always loved about living in Cincinnati is that we were not New York or San Francisco, said Seelbach, 35. When I moved here, we were perhaps the most anti-gay city in the country, so the opportunity to be a part of the frontlines of a movement was really exciting to me.

After the repeal of Article XII, We wet on to pass every law we could for LBGT people until just recently when what put us over the edge was including transgender health care, he said. The Hu-man Rights Campaign graded Cincinnati at 100-percent, tying it among the most LGBT-friendly cities in the country. Its incredi-ble to live in this city.

Recently, Seelbach was at the forefront of drawing attention to the tragic suicide of 17-year old Leelah Alcorn, a transgendered teen who threw herself in front of oncoming traffic on Interstate-71 late last year. When Leelah shared her suicide note on her blog, it was Seelbachs sharing of it on Facebook that was among the first places that led the story to nationwide coverage and a trending topic on Twitter.

What I am committed to is when the emotions are dying down, the vigils are over, the online petitions are not being signed by thousands an hour, that we continue the conversation, Seelbach said. We ask ourselves a month from now, how can we prevent this from happening again? How can we support LGBTQ people, young and old? That is beyond laws, its not passing a law, its much more than that. Is that a LGBT center? Is it a better job reaching out to schools? What is that? Its that we have to do more and what does that look like?

During the intense and emotional conver-sations about Leelah Alcorn, the world was focused on the Cincinnati area, Seelbach said. And now we have the ability for the first time ever for most people in the world, people were talking about what it means to be transgender, even if they were saying, I dont understand, this doesnt make sense to me, the fact that a conversation was started is the way a movement is started, and we were at the center of that, Seelbach said.

That is the next frontier of LGBT equality.

by Michael A. MonksUnite CinCinnati

Seelbach accepted an award for Cincinnatis 100% rating on the Human Rights Campaign Municipality Equality Index.

14 | Unite Magazine

Health & Fitness

The spring season is fast approaching and with it, the promise of longer, warmer days. If you are anything like me, the win-ter looks a lot like hibernation - cold days full of long naps, holiday parties, traveling, and my Nanas famous sugar cream pie. When spring rolls around, its time for a change.

Spring, like the dawn of a new day, brings rebirth and the per-fect chance to start anew. The spring season has the incredible ability to revive our souls, our minds and even our bodies. Most of you are familiar with the concept of spring cleaning as it relates to your home. You get rid of the clutter, sweep up the dust bunnies, and vacuum every nook and cranny, but you can do more than spring-clean your home you can spring-clean your life! Imagine what could be accomplished if we got rid of the negative self-talk, dusted off our exercise routines, and swept up our diets. Its never too late to set new goals or make resolutions. Follow these simple tips to start working towards a healthier, happier you this year!

Out of Sight, Out of MindA great way to start the clean-up is by going through your refrigerator, freezer, and pantry. Set aside an hour this week to go through and purge out the foods you dont eat (or shouldnt be eating). Cut down on temptation by limiting the number of processed junk foods you keep on hand. After all, isnt it incredibly difficult to say no to those Pop-Tarts if they are staring you in the face every time you open the pantry door? Go one step further and reduce your waste by donating any unopened, useable food to the nearest homeless shelter or food pantry. If youre in Covington, try Fairhaven Rescue Mission. If youre north of the river, try Over-The-Rhine/Wal-nut Hills Kitchen and Pantry.

Brown Bag ItWith your newly-purged pantry and a little extra effort, you can be well on your way to creating healthy, affordable, and delicious lunches. Taking your lunch is not only a great way to keep your waistline in check, but it will keep you from eating out, saving you hundreds of dollars. Packing your own

lunch allows you to be in control of the food (and how much of it) youre putting in your body. To ensure that your lunch packing goes as smoothly as possible, try creating a week-long lunch menu on Sunday, pre-pack each lunch the night be-fore, and establish a reminder system so that you dont forget it!

Dust off the RustOur bodies are truly incredible machines. Like any good machine, they must be cared for and maintained in order to function optimally. If your body is a bit rusty from underuse, its time to knock off some of that rust and become a well-oiled machine by adding in daily physical activity. I think we can agree that no one starts training for a marathon by actu-ally running a marathon, so keep it manageable and realistic. Start by scheduling smaller increments of physical activity in your day. Not everyone has the luxury of devoting a full 30 minutes or an hour to the gym after they get off work, but most people can find 10-15 minute gaps throughout their day.

Stay tuned for my next article when I will share ways to sneak physical activity into your busy day!

Spring Clean Your Life!by Bree Singler, CPTUnite CinCinnati

Unite Magazine | 15

Exercise Spotlight: The Glute Bridge

Bree is a certified personal trainer and the owner of Body By Bree, a fitness studio focused on functional exercise tailored specifically to her clients needs. She has a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and is a certified Animal Flow instructor - the only one in the Tri-State area. Bree graduated summa cum laude from Northern Kentucky University with a degree in Exercise Science.

What is a Glute Bridge?

Aesthetics aside, the glute bridge is one of the best bang for your buck movements in terms of building a better, stronger backside. The importance of having strong glutes can trans-late to every individual regardless of gender, age, or fitness lev-el. Strong glutes are crucial for athletic performance. Whether you are an actual athlete or a weekend warrior, give glute bridges a try to see improved hip drive and better explosive power. Improved glute strength not only benefits the athletes and avid gym-goers, but also many suffering from lower back pain. Having strong glutes can decrease or prevent lower back pain by acting as a core stabilizer and reducing anterior pelvic tilt. Strengthening your glutes will undoubtedly help combat the pain and keep you from calling in to work as a result! If increased performance and decreased pain dont convince you to put glute bridges into your weekly routine, maybe the prospect of a shapely backside will. Strong glutes and a firm, shapely backside go hand in hand, and lets be honest, no one complains about looking a little better in their jeans.

16 | Unite Magazine

Family

Maybe the thought creeps up on you after you pay $11 for your second iced double venti half-soy nonfat latte of the day. Or after the rat runs across your feet on your walk home to the studio apartment you share with three other people. Per-haps its while attempting to figure out who, exactly, is touch-ing your thigh during your overcrowded subway commute to work. Yes, it occurs to us city-dwellers at different times and in various ways, but we all undeniably have those moments where we stop briefly and think: why do I live like this?

These moments had been steadily building for Andrew Kohn, 35, and Don Jones, 42, while living and working in the Washington, D.C. area.

We were doing the D.C. thing, Andrew explained when we spoke by phone recently. Both were working in high-profile, high-stress jobs, Andrew as a proclamations writer in the White House and Don in a government consulting firm. It just got to be a lot. The commute was one thing. When Don had to go into the office, it could be two hours each way. And for me, I had also worked for several members of Congress, and it just got to be too crazy. There were always these young kids that were coming up, it got to be too crazy putting up the energy into furthering my career.

But the last straw, as Andrew said, came nearly five years ago when the couple was carjacked at gunpoint, right in front of their home on the Washington, D.C. and Maryland border. It was pretty traumatic, Andrew said of the experience.

Soon after, the couple took a trip to spend some time visiting Dons parents in Cincinnati. We just saw how much cheap-er it was, he said, and we started looking at property. On their drive back east, the couple noticed a beautiful 1850s farmhouse sitting on 12 acres of land for sale in Granville, Ohio, a town of just over 5,500 people about 30 miles east of Columbus.

Andrew wasted no time making sure the property would be-come their new home. I flew back a week later and put in an offer. Then, we just made sure Dons job would transfer and we sold our D.C. house maybe a month later.

And so, just like that, Andrew and Don escaped the D.C. rat race to start their new lives amid the quiet country mice.

The Simple Life?

Its a romantic notion: trading in your small urban home for a beautiful 18th century farmhouse. But in hindsight, Andrew realizes they may have acted a bit impulsively. Their inten-tion was to open a bed-and-breakfast on the property. But we knew nothing about it, he admitted. I got one of those dummy guides to running a bed-and-breakfast and read it on the flight, he added, laughing. Its a really old house, and there was a lot to learn. So there was a bit of a steep learning curve.

Inexperience didnt hold the couple back for long. Soon, the two had a successful bed-and-breakfast operating out of their home, which was recently named as one of the top 10 farm houses in the U.S. But the couple didnt stop there; they also decided to open up an antique store in town and start an animal refuge on their farm.

We rescue llamas, Andrew explained. We work with a national organization and foster them. We also have a lot of goats and sheep. They just sit out in the field all day spending all our money on food and vet bills, he joked.

All-in-all, the couple have around 60 animals on their prop-erty. We have people dropping animals off and calling all the time, Andrew told me. Were basically a depository for unwanted animals.

THE LLAMAS AND THE PAPASby David DodgeUnite CinCinnati

Unite Magazine | 17

Running an animal refuge might seem like an unnecessary complication when youre already responsible for a bed-and-breakfast and an antique store.

But Andrew was better equipped than most for the challenge. I have a degree in animal behavior, he told me, and I had worked with chimps and primates in the past. Its always been a dream of mine to have a little farm with animals.

Well so much for the simple life! What happened to the idea of quiet life in the country?

Yeah were not exactly sit on the porch all day kinds of people, Andrew quipped.

The Baby Boom

As if the complications of running a bed-and-breakfast, antique store, and farm werent enough to keep them busy, about a year ago, Andrew and Don decided to embark on a new adventure: fatherhood.

We adopted Harper through an agency in Columbus, Ohio, Andrew told me when I asked about their path to parent-hood. Its the only agency in the state certified by HRC, he added, using the acronym for the Human Rights Campaign, the LGBT advocacy organization. We originally got picked very quickly, which surprised us because you always hear about these couples who languish on the wait list forever.

But their adoption story wasnt without its share of compli-cations. Harpers mother, when she picked us, she said she would only go with us, or shed leave the agency. She want-ed to give Harper to a same-sex family. But then her family kicked her out of the house because of it. Fortunately, HRC got her housing, but its been pretty dramatic.

The couple recently learned that Harpers biological mother is pregnant once again with a baby girl, and are making plans to adopt her as well to keep the siblings together.

We always joke that our story was a bit like Baby Boom, said Andrew, referring to the 1987 movie starring Diane Keaton. She moves to the country with a kid, buys a house, and it all falls apart.

So how have they managed it all? Better than Diane Keaton?

You just have to know what your limitations are, Andrew said, who is primarily responsible for their multiple ventures and is Harpers primary caregiver during the day while Don is working. You just have to know when [Harpers] sleep times are so you can get some stuff done. You plan a little bit more

than you used to.

But fatherhood has shifted the couples vision of what the ideal country life entails. Though Andrew and Don came to Granville with the dream of opening a bed-and-breakfast, theyve recently put their farm on the market for sale.

It was starting to get overwhelming and too complicated with Harper, and another baby on the way, Andrew said.

I had to admit, with their multiple successful ventures, it was a bit of a relief to hear Andrew and Don were capable of being overwhelmed at all. But I also wondered, was it disap-pointing at all having to give up on their original dream of running a bed-and-breakfast?

Im very much looking forward to not running the bed-and-breakfast, Andrew said without hesitation. Do I really want to be cooking strangers food and cleaning rooms? If someone needs something at 2 a.m., thats me. Do I really need this?

Butwhat about the poor llamas?

Oh, the llamas are coming with us, he laughed.

For more stories on gay fathers and their children, visit GayswithKids.com

Andrew Kohn (left) and Donald Jones (right)

18 | Unite Magazine

Approaching a Spring Style Guide for 2015 has been a bit daunting. It seems unfair to set standards for Cincinnati based on what is seen in New York, London, Milan and Paris. While the Queen City of the West has an undeniable arts, music, emerging food and social scene, we also have our own identity when it comes to style.

Walking the streets of Downtown, Over-the-Rhine and Northern Kentucky, I witness people taking interest in their surroundings: the classic architecture, boutique-style busi-nesses and most importantly, other people who are walking the streets. People everywhere are breathing life into what was once old, rundown and outdated. It is apparent that there is a renaissance happening in our area that is making people forget their longing for larger, cultural meccas.

Within these evolving community identities comes our own personal identities. Individuals within the LGBT community are being hailed for pushing gender norms when it comes to how they present themselves and saying no to traditional gender archetypes. To me, this is the definition of style: an outward personal message.

For spring 2015, clean, sharp edges and solid colors have been seen across the board. Hues of marsala, navy, muddy greens, grays and white can be seen in almost every runway show across the globe as well as pieces with an edgy, asymmetrical cut. Ponchos, classic hats, natural accents, gold accents and fur can be seen in many mens and womens designs. Solid colors seem to be everywhere in fashion these days, not only because they help focus on your personal beauty but because they also are very versatile. Rely on combining textures in-stead of prints.

While style trends come and go, local designers have the answer to remaining stylish without having to replace your wardrobe every season. Pair a perfect fitting pair of Noble Denim jeans with a simple, white t-shirt, oxblood blazer and a pocket square from Artfully Disheveled for a perfect night out. Wake up, don the same pair of jeans with a new classic,

Ohio Against The World t-shirt and your perfectly tailored topcoat and youre brunch ready. That being said, it is appar-ent that Cincinnati shoppers are enjoying shopping small, so skip the dreaded mall and visit one of the many fashion-for-ward boutiques and pop-up shops that the Tri-State has to offer such as Article Menswear or flow - a shop for men. The experience will almost surely be more personal and in some cases you may even meet the person who made the item youre purchasing.

Fur has made a huge come back and while I dont justify the purchase of unsustainable fur, there are plenty of locations in the metro area to find high quality faux-fur or vintage piec-es. Enjoy these now before the weather warms up (but keep them for fall). Fur collars paired with a perfectly fitting wool coat and tailored, ankle cropped pants creates a look that is comfortable without looking like youre trying too hard. Side note: become friends with your tailor.

Gold accents in the form of contemporary jewelry pieces, sunglasses, belts and even shoes add a touch of class without looking like you live at the country club. Luckily, Cincinnati is home to many high-quality consignment stores, vintage stores and specialty curated stores where you can find one-of-a-kind pieces that will liven up any existing wardrobe.

Classic hats are back and I couldnt be happier about it. Make a visit to Gus at Batsakes on Walnut Street for a versatile wool, felted solid color derby, fedora (not to be confused with the dreaded Trilby!) and a range of straw hats that can be dressed up or down. This versatile accessory will also have you Derby ready while on a day-to-day basis make you feel like Hemingway at a caf in Paris (these designs are also not just for men anymore).

Someone told me that 2030 is as close to the current time as the year 2000. While this might terrify some readers, it leaves me feeling optimistic for the future. While style is constantly evolving, it is nice to have the classics to rely on. As I mentioned before, Im a firm believer that style is an

Spring Style Guideby Jason WiffUnite CinCinnati

style

Unite Magazine | 19

outward personal message that doesnt require you to open your mouth, or in many cases, have a disposable income. Keeping these principles in mind, in addition to the immense social changes that are happening in the world (for the bet-ter), I ask that you review this style guide as a suggestion and to wear whatever the hell makes you happy.

When Jason is not throwing back espresso, on an adventure, or taking a long, romantic walk to the fridge, he likes to spend his time with his nose in a good book or getting his thoughts out on paper. A pseudo country boy from northeast Ohio turned erudite city boy with an insatiable desire for the arts, he enjoys a well-crafted gin and tonic, deep, thoughtful conversation and making a difference in the lives of those around him.

Dont let fear and stigma of HIV make your choices for you.

Find out & protect your HIV status.

Free, rapid oral HIV testing

Results available in 20 minutes

Appointments and walk-in times offered

For more information or to schedule your appointment, visit www.nkyhealth.org

or call Bob at 859.363.2085.

20 | Unite Magazine

A & E

Early last year, a young singer went out on a search for the next boy band. He wanted to show the rest of the world the talent Ohio had to offer. The Ohio Boy Band Search was born.

Adam Mardel, a singer/songwriter based out of Ohio, has shared the stage with many well-known artists including Aaron Carter, Adam Calvert of MTVs Taking the Stage, Romance on a Rocketship, and Vincent Tomas from the multi-platinum boy band us5. Tomas was the driving force and inspiration for Mardel to break away from his solo career and form the new band.

Mardel put out a call over social media and the official Ohio Boy Band website for a male artist between the ages of 20-26 with singing and dancing ability. This was not your typical American Idol or The Voice-type of competition. The expecta-tions were made perfectly clear with the following disclaimer

on the website and Facebook page: Once all the submissions have been reviewed and narrowed down, the guys who we think have what it takes will receive an email with more details about the project and the audition. To be clear, there is NO PAY, NO RECORD DEAL, and NO INSTANT SUCCESS. This is just an opportunity to work towards achieving those goals as a unit. This will have to be a team effort and is not for artists eventually wanting to go solo. So if you think you have what it takes please send your submission to Contact@OhioBoyBand.com. We look forward to your email and wish you luck!

The search, which started out focused on Ohio, quickly went national when the story was picked up by a blogger in Boston.

While looking through countless submissions, Mardel found the YouTube page of Kody Goens and after watching his vid-eos posted online, approached Goens to submit to the project. In a short time, the conversations started to be more frequent and Mardel knew he had found the next member.

Boy band search brings us Second Alibi by Chuck BeattyUnite CinCinnati

Adam Mardel

Kody Goens

Unite Magazine | 21

Goens, the newest member, is an Indianapolis musician, singer, songwriter and producer. He started writing music as a way to cope with family life and the challenges he faced growing up. Raised as an introvert, Kody taught himself all he needed to know to make his own music. After teaching him-self piano and guitar, Kody started single-handedly producing dance/pop music with nothing else but a Macbook Pro and a microphone.

When I asked Adam and Kody if they would be adding an-other member. it was a definitive no.

We click so well musically, it just works, said Mardel.

The band, Second Alibi, has a meeting with a record label later this year and are optimistic there are exciting opportuni-ties ahead.

22 | Unite Magazine

LGBT Business Directory

Cincinnati Art Museum 953 Eden Park Dr.Cincinnati, OH 45202513.721.2787www.cincinnatiartmuseum.org

EDUCATION

The New School Montessori3 Burton Woods Ln. Cincinnati, OH 45229513.281.7999 www.newschoolmontessori.com

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Shawn P. Hannegan, CPA10979 Reed Hartman HwySuite 331ECincinnati, OH 45242513.223.3317www.hannegancpa.com

FITNESS

Body by Bree605 Madison Ave. Suite 1Covington, Kentucky 41011270.234.3357www.bodybybree.net

LEGAL SERVCES

Law Offices of Shannon C. Smith605 Madison Ave. Suite 2 Covington, Kentucky 41011859.414.0543 or 502.498.4739www.lawofficesofshannoncsmith.com

NIGHTLIFE

Below Zero1122 Walnut StCincinnati, OH 45202513.421.9376www.belowzerolounge.com

The Cabaret 1122 Walnut St.Cincinnati, OH 45202513.202.4052www.cabaretcincinnati.com

NONPROFIT

HIV Project4138 Hamilton Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45223513.679.4453www.ppswohiv.org

Imago 700 Enright Ave.Cincinnati, OH 45205513.921.5124www.imagoearth.org

PHOTOGRAPHY

Mikki Schaffner Photography2511 Essex Pl. Room 104Cincinnati, OH 45206 www.mikkischaffner.com

RETAIL

flow - a shop for men621 Scott Blvd. Covington, KY 41011859.291.3569www.gentlemanflow.com

Park + Vine1109 Vine St.Cincinnati, OH 45202513.721.7275www.parkandvine.com

Roebling Point Books and Coffee306 Greenup St. Covington, KY 41011513.607.1206www.roeblingpointbooks.com

ART & Culture

Unite Magazine | 23

24 | Unite Magazine