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  • 8/12/2019 June -2014 GLBT Pride NKy Edition

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  • 8/12/2019 June -2014 GLBT Pride NKy Edition

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    This Newspaper is supported entirely by income from our Advertisers. Editorials/Opinions are the opinions of the writer or organization and thepublisher assumes responsibility only for Editorials, Opinions or Commentary written by the publisher or editor(s). Views expressed inOrganizational or Independent columns or in Letters to the Editor are tho se of the organizations or writers. This Newspaper is distributed FREE at Advertisers' locations, through community organizations and other outlets. The publisher assumes noresponsibility for content, accuracy or validity of Advertising.

    Contents GLBT News, 2014

    Always be yourself, from Billy Elliot

    Vol. 18; June 2014Print Edition (PE)

    Publisher/EditorWorley Rodehaver; Associate EditorMichael X. ChanakTransportationJoe Wilks

    SalesKaren Halaszyn513-979-4295

    Hatred and bitterness can never cure the disease, only love can do that. Martin Luther King

    This publication is dedicated to those

    Paul

    Delph

    Matthew

    Shepard

    It is our goal to record the positive contributions GLBTpeople make to their community and the localcommunity at large. While AIDS and Hate CRIMES are certainly not positive things, we seek to draw thepositive from the negative. We hold up Paul Delph and Matthew Shepard and their families as models ofhow human beings should or could react to each other and how families should support loved ones whoselives are not in the box right wing religious zealots want them in. Delph, a multi-talented Cincinnatian, diedof AIDS in 1996. His mother shut down her business to care for him. Shepard died in 1998, victim of a hateCrime and his mother worked for years to get passed a national Hate Crimes Bill, which is now la w.

    who have or have died from AIDS or Hate Crimes

    MAP ublications, 1727 Highland, Cincinnati , OH 45202, 513-241-7539

    GLBT Newsis published weekly in Cincinnati, Ohio.

    [email protected]

    webhttp:/www.glbtnewscincinnati.com

    OurOurOurOurOur WWWWWeeeeebsite is dedicabsite is dedicabsite is dedicabsite is dedicabsite is dedicated to Gen Critel,ted to Gen Critel,ted to Gen Critel,ted to Gen Critel,ted to Gen Critel,its deits deits deits deits devvvvveloperelopereloperelopereloper

    June, 2014

    Recieve GLBT News via e.mail. Send your e.mail address to [email protected]

    Page 2GLBT News PE

    The Old

    Geezer

    By Worley Rodehaver

    The Trevor Project(866) 488-7386Talbert House(513) 281-2273

    (513) 281-CAREAmerican Foundation for Suicide

    PreventionMedia/Resource Guides

    The WordThe Listings Guide

    Greater Cincinnati GLBT News170 locations monthly

    Electronic edition, [email protected]

    Rainbow CincinnatiBack2Stonewall

    Business OrganizationsGreater Cincinnati Gay Chamber of

    CommerceLocal PRIDE OrganizationsCincincinnati PRIDE

    NKy PRIDEBonnie Meyer

    [email protected] Police GLBT Liaison

    Angela [email protected]

    HIV SupportCaracole - HIV Housing - Case

    Management513-761-1480

    Planned Parenthood SW OhioSenior Support

    National Resource Center on LGBT AgingAARP GLBT Seniors

    SAGE - Elder AdvocacyParents & Youth Support & Students

    PFLAG Cincinnati

    GLSEN CincinnatiCincinnati Youth GroupUC GLBT Center

    Therapeutic Foster CareLighthouse Youth Services

    UC GLBTQ Support GroupsMusic & Film

    Muse - Women's ChoirCincinnati Men's Chorus

    Queen City Rainbow BandPolitical/Anti-Bullying

    Equality OhioEquality Cincinnati

    HRC CincinnatiNOW Cincinnati

    BRAVO - Anti-Violence ProjectTransgender Information

    TransOhioCrossport - Cincinnati's Gender Support

    Midwest Trans* and Queer Wellness

    InitiativeWomens Information

    Cincinnati's Tuesday Nite Women's GroupWomen Helping WomenOhio Lesbian Archives

    NOW Cincinnati ChapterWOF - Women Out Front

    Lesbian EventsSubstance Issues

    Queen City Group - AAAL-ANON

    Mental Health America - SW OhioGateways, A Recovery Center

    Evening Entertainment & MoreGay Bar Maps

    Queen City Poetry SlamGay Literature Group - Greater Cincy

    And more...Cincinnati Front Runners

    Rivercity Softball

    Tri-State Prime TimersImperial Sovereign Queen City Court

    Scorpius CincinnatiTriState LeatherThe River Bears

    UniversitiesUC Law - Out & Allies

    UC LGBTQ CenterNKU Common Ground

    NKU LGBTQ Programs and ServicesBonnie Meyer859-572-5835

    Rainbow Alliance of Cincinnati State

    InformationGLBT News had an Information Page several

    years ago. This updated info was obtained from

    The Center. If you see something that does not

    exist or something that should exist but isnt

    here e.mail GLBT Newsat [email protected] .

    That includes phone/e.mail addresses.

    Real politic 101By Tedd Good

    State of the Union

    Marriage Equality It has been 45 years Since

    the Stonewall riots. The LGBT

    there was an influx of this

    demographic into the organ-izing community who had no

    experiential knowledge of thepre Stonewall world . By the

    1990s cities passing protective

    New York, Connecticut,

    Rhode Island, Massachusetts,Vermont, New Hampshire,

    Maine, Illinois, Iowa, Min-nesota, New Mexico, Cali-

    fornia, Oregon, Washingtonand Hawaii. It looks like a roll

    call of Blue States. More willFollow. Hopefully the gener-

    ation born after 2000 willview their sexual orientation

    as a normal developmentaldimension. Marrying the

    person you love is just whatyou do .

    C o m m u n i t ynow has a

    multigenerationalperspective its

    struggle forequality . If you

    are a BabyBoomer or part

    of the silentgeneration You

    probably dealt with your teenyears as a struggle. Too manychose to live in the closet with

    legitimate fears. After Stonewal l the pace of

    change accelerated. More andmore cities started political and

    service organizations. Thesegenerations did a lot of ground

    work. The pace of organizinggot faster with the advent of the

    AIDS epidemic. For Gen X thelandscape changed. It as easier

    to come out because the publicissues gained an increasing

    level of social acceptance,

    legislation and

    electing openlyLGBT officials.

    M i l l e n n i a l sknow nothing

    else .but thisexpansion of

    power . It wasnow time to

    really play

    politics as the art of thepossible. The focus of

    organizing became morenational during the new

    millennium just in time to beable to gather resources for a

    prolonged legislative and legalstruggle over LGBT marriage

    equality. Having access to theObama Administration helped

    a lot. We not only celebrate this

    June the Stonewall riots but

    the first anniversary of theDOMA / Prop 8 rulings. Therate of change in the past year

    is astounding, Litigation to affirm LGBT

    Marriage or overturn prohi-bitions has spread to all states

    except very Red Montanaand North Dakota. The

    following states either allowlegal marriages or have to

    recognize marriages performedon other states. Washington

    DC, Maryland, Delaware,Pennsylvania, New Jersey,

    PFLAGBy Michael Cotrell

    June is big monthfor PFLAG Cincy

    June is a very big month forus! Its our Scholarship Month.

    Every year PFLAG of GreaterCincinnati gives out scholar-

    ships to deserving high schooland adults continuing their

    education based on academic,social and LGBT involve-

    ment. Join us Tuesday June 10 at

    6:30 p.m. for a potluck meal

    followed by our presentation ofSee PFLAG,Page 7, Col. 3

    We and us We are an LGBT

    Community. That is us.

    But, weare a minor-ity in a

    larger com-

    munity and

    that is them.

    They are

    them.

    What?

    GLBTNewsis us. We are an

    LGBT-owned busi-

    ness.

    Before I retired I de-

    pended on businesses

    who advertised wanting

    to attract usas customers.

    In this issue you will

    find several advertisers

    who want to let usknow theysupport one

    of our major events,

    NKY PRIDEFEST, an

    annual event during

    PRIDE Month.

    These advertisers are

    located in Cincinnati,Covington,

    Newport and

    Bellevue.

    When you

    read this is-

    sue check

    out their Ads.

    They wantusas customers.

    Take time to stop by

    and thank them. That

    includes LGBT-owned

    businesses which are us.

    If you live in Ohio re-

    member Northern Ken-

    tucky is only a bridge

    away.

    Visit NKY PRIDE Week-end and our advertisers in

    Northern Kentucky.

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    513-542-7800

    GLBT NewsPage 3June, 2014 PE

    Mother Says

    By Michael Chanak

    Goose

    We will custom design a cleaning service to meet your individual

    needs and send the same team of 2 to clean each time.

    Cleaning ServicesBill

    and June Deegan

    Ultra Maid4240 Airport Road, Suite 123,

    Cincinnati, Ohio 45226

    Custom maid service; Free phone estimates.

    Guaranteed,

    (513) 731-0007 [email protected] www.ultra-maid.com

    PFLAG Cincinnati

    Meetings on 2 Tuesdaysnd

    7:00 - 9:30 p.m. at

    Mt. Auburn Presbyterian

    Church

    http://www.pflagcinci.org/

    [email protected](513) 721-7900

    Cincinnati PRIDE did come

    early this year (May 31st

    )! Yet,with PRIDE in full bloom

    work group including a

    summer engineer intern wasone such rough spot. There is

    a reason most people avoid

    uage is a wonderful thing, andhow it is used and it evolves

    over time reveals a great deal.

    A quarter of a century ago many places called it a GayPRIDE march. Clearly, it is a

    parade now. About 25 yearsago, were there not political

    actions sometimes scheduledwithin the context of that

    march? I think so. Even in Cincinnati at the

    height of the HIV need foreffective medications, a group

    stopped in the middle of themarch and did a die in.

    About the closest thing we get tostreet theatre now is Christians

    (small c type) who see the

    Virgin Mary on a pop can. Gee,

    the last time a parade stopped

    in Cincinnati was to allow a dance

    routine. Just sayin, not hatin.

    Meantime, I read a shot from

    another community on-line,

    questioning boldly who is

    YOUR headliner. Groan. So,

    this is what it comes to: whose

    thing is bigger, moreentertaining,

    and grander and all of that. Okay

    Back when?

    throughoutthe region,

    can your Fat-

    ted Goose

    miss an op-

    portunity to

    take to the

    bully Goose

    pulpit andp r e a c h ?

    This would

    Just when some of us thoughtthe old lessons were learned,enter Donald Sterling the

    NBA owner whose racistcomments had the President of

    the United States explaining toa foreign press core our history

    of racism that percolates to thesurface from time to time.

    Back, when. I spent almost 20 years of a

    previous life at P&G. It wasntan easy time and my big beak

    didnt help. Over lunch with a

    work place...or at least the

    first two. Theyoung white,

    p r i v i l e g e dmale intern

    characterizedthe civil rights

    moment asback (60s)

    when (as if

    settled) in the presence of thisGoose. All I can rememberbefore the con-versation ended

    abruptly was me mutteringsomething about back, when

    as if equality has an endpoint.

    Back, when? Here it isPRIDE month and a vague

    discontent stirs the Goosesfeathers. Are we now like that

    summer intern, believing thatour issues are soon to be back,

    when? I suspect so. Lang-

    PRIDE is a gigantic fun party for

    US.

    Yet, the signs are there, many

    places including Cincinnati havedispatched rallies or political

    speakers (unless it is someone

    courting us for our vote this fall).

    Enter the world of the celebrity

    PRIDE Marshal. The procla-

    mations are gone (maybe

    thankfully), we still have parade

    marshals but they must be called

    Grand PRIDE marshals now.

    No, your Goose isnt ad-

    vocating turning back the hands

    of time! I am after all a

    thoroughly modern Goose. Butcome to the Goose, look full in

    her feathered face, and promise to

    read a queer book, or hunt up on

    queer history on line. Better yet,

    if your town has a queer film fest

    by all means go! Suggestion:

    w w w . f a c e b o o k . c o m /

    CNKYFilmFest. Heres is hoping

    after the Goose is all burned up

    that our community, isnt like that

    young intern believing that the

    struggle for equality was won,

    backwhen.

    be a no.

    politics, religion and sex in the

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    Backstage Cafe

    GLBT

    News

    Page 4GLBT News

    Bartenders: Andy Worley, Jess Jump, Jonathon Bradford, Lynne Sanning, Ron Zmurk, Dennis KilgoreNonta Perkins, Stanley Goodin, DJ Rob BreedwellHours of Operation:Monday-Friday 3:00 pm to 1:00 am, Saturday and Sunday 12:00 pm to 1:00 amMONDAY: Service Industry Night; TUESDAY: $2 Tuesdays (well drinks), WEDNESDAY: WOOFWEDNESDAY, THURSDAY: Ladies Night; FRIDAY: Happy Hour 3-8; SATURDAY: Happy hour 12-8SUNDAY: Happy Hour 12-8 (Bloody Marys and Mimosas) Karaoke with DJ Rob 8-1

    June, 2014 PE

    NKY PRIDEs goal is to support and

    empower the widely diverse people of theNorthern Kentucky area to achieve civil and

    social equality for all by providing re-

    sources, support. and advocating for North-

    ern Kentuckys diverse interests and pro-

    moting a sense of community.

    We commend and celebrate CovingtonKYs Human Rights Ordinance and also all

    LGBT Friendly Businesses and Social,

    Physical and Community Support groups in

    the Northern Kentucky Area.

    NKY PRIDE will give back to the com-

    munity by providing scholarships to stu-dents for education and grants to the non-

    profit organizations for outreach program to

    benefit not only the LGBT Community but

    all the citizens of Nothern Kentucky.

    PRIDE supports people of Northern Kentucky

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    GLBT NewsPage 5June, 2014 PE

    Cozy Cottage Gents

    Jewel King

    Sandi Slusser/[email protected]

    859-415-1505

    Like us on Facebook: GentsBellevue

    [email protected]

    Located in the Mainstrasse Village in Covington, KY.

    609 Main Street Covington, KY 41011 (859) [email protected]

    Find us on Facebook - Sugarcube RecordsTues. - Thurs. 12pm to 7pm; Fri. & Sat. 12pm to 8pm

    Sun. 12pm to 5pm

    We sell new and used vinyl, CDs, T-shirts,books & more.

    M-F 6 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sat. 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sun, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

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    A church communitythat respects diversity

    as much as you do.

    536 Linton Streetat Reading Road, Avondale

    www.firstuu.com9 and 11 a.m.. SundayService and Religious Education

    Welcoming CongregationChildcare, Accessible, Audio Enhanced

    When I was a kid I hated

    going to church every

    Sunday. Now, I hate to miss aSunday at The Gathering.

    James Helm

    Doug Slagle, Pastorwww.thegatheringcincinnati,org

    [email protected]

    513-307-6963

    Page 6GLBT News PE June, 2014

    10:00 a.m.

    As progress spreads from State

    to State, as justice is delivered inthe courtroom, and as more of our

    fellow Americans are treated withdignity and respect our Nation

    becomes not only more accepting,but more equal as well.

    benefits to legally married

    same-sex couples. My Administration proudly

    stands alongside all those whofight for LGBT rights. Here at

    home, we have strengthenedlaws against violence toward

    LGBT Americans, taken actionto prevent bullying and harass-

    ment, and prohibited discrimi-nation in housing and hospitals.

    Despite this progress, LGBTworkers in too many States can

    be fired just because of theirsexual orientation or gender

    identity; I continue to call on

    the Congress to correct this in-justice by passing the Employ-ment Non-Discrimination Act.

    And in the years ahead, we willremain dedicated to addressing

    health disparities within theLGBT community by imple-

    menting the Affordable CareAct and the National HIV/

    AIDS Strategy which fo-cuses on improving care while

    decreasing HIV transmissionrates among communities most

    at risk. Our commitment to advanc-

    ing equality for the LGBT com-munity extends far beyond our

    borders. In many places aroundthe globe, LGBT people face

    persecution, arrest or evenstate-sponsored execution. This

    is unacceptable. The UnitedStates calls on every nation to

    join us in defending the univer-sal human rights of our LGBT

    brothers and sisters.

    This month, as we mark 45years since the patrons of theStonewall Inn defied an unjust

    policy and awakened a nascentmovement, let us honor every

    brave leader who stood up, sat

    in, and came out, as well as theallies who supported them

    along the way. Following theirexample, let each of us speak

    for tolerance, justice, and dig-nity because if hearts and

    minds continue to change overtime, laws will too.

    NOW, THEREFORE, I,BARACK OBAMA, President

    of the United States of America,by virtue of the authority vested

    in me by the Constitution andthe laws of the United States,

    do hereby proclaim June 2014

    as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, andTransgender PRIDE Month. Icall upon the people of the

    United States to eliminateprejudice everywhere it exists,

    and to celebrate the great diver-sity of the American people.

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I

    President issues

    PRIDE MonthProclamation

    During Lesbian, Gay,Bisexual, and Transgen-

    der (LGBT) PRIDEMonth, we celebrate vic-

    tories that have affirmedfreedom and fairness,

    and we recommit our-selves to completing the

    work that remains.

    Last year, supportersof equality celebrated theSupreme Courts deci-

    sion to strike down a keyprovision of the Defense

    of Marriage Act, a rulingwhich, at long last, gave

    loving, committed fami-lies the respect and legal

    protections they deserve.In keeping with this de-

    cision, my Administra-tion is extending family

    and spousal benefits from immigration ben-

    efits to military family

    have hereunto set my hand this

    thirtieth day of May, in the yearof our Lord two thousand four-

    teen, and of the Independence

    of the United States of America

    the two hundred and thirty-eighth.

    BARACK OBAMA

    Harvey Milk Stamp City Council Member

    Chris Seelbach, has twice

    presented the Harvey Milk

    U.S. Stamp, once before

    City Council, the other dur-

    ing the Cincinnati PRIDE

    Festival. Milk, the firstopenly Gay Public Servant,

    (San FranciscoCity

    Council) was assassinated

    in 1978.Harvey Milk Stamp

    More than 120 people turned out for the PRIDE Interfaith Service held May 29.

    Photo by Michael X. Chanak

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    Scott E. KnoxATTORNEY AT LAWGeneral Practice including:

    ProbateWills/Powers of Attorney Disability (Social Security/SSI/Disability

    Insurance) Lesbian/Gay/Transgender Legal Issues

    HIV Legal Issues

    Honored as one ofLawyers Weekly USAs Attorneys of the Year for 2002

    13 E. Court St., Suite 300, Cincinnati, OH 45202Tel: 513-241-3800 FAX: 513-241-4032

    e.mail: [email protected]

    GLBT NewsPage 7June, 2014 PE

    Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob and Mite

    Dr. Robert Biederman, Jr. D.V.M.

    513-961-1112

    The Plum Street Pet Clinic (Cincinnati Central AnimalHospital), begun just after the Second World War, is

    one of the oldest established veterinary hospitals inthe city. We are by design a smaller, more personal-ized clinic that provides complete services such as

    medical and surgical procedures. Dental and groom-ing facilities are available as well. Serving the GreaterCincinnati/Northern Kentucky area, we pride our-

    selves on personalized and intimate service at a place

    where the Golden Rule is our motto.

    427 Plum Street between 4th and 5th Cincinnati, OH 45202

    Join the Gay Chamber of Greater

    Cincinnati every 3rdMonday for our

    Business Briefs Fundraiser.

    One of our board members or

    volunteers will be behind the bar at

    Below Zero Lounge to help raise

    funds for the Gay Chamber. We

    Warm weather is finally here

    and we are still moving alongin the ISQCCBE.

    Congrats to Petty Cash andSir Steve Lickalotta Steele for

    being elected to the position ofICP and in October these two

    individuals will be taking thehelm of the ISQCCBE as

    the winners at 7:30 p.m. If you

    are interested in donating toour scholarship fund, please

    visit our website at pf lag-

    cinci.orgto donate.

    PFLAG of Greater Cin-cinnati meets every 2ndTuesday

    at the Mt. Auburn PresbyterianChurch at 7 p.m. We have a

    social time from 7-730 where

    Gay

    ChamberBy Michael Cotrell

    Chamber assists

    several events

    ISQCCBEBy Brooklyn

    Steele-Tate

    bartend from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. and all

    the tips we raise go into our fund!

    Now you may ask what will we do

    with the funds? We have lots of

    community events that need money

    and our job as the Gay Chamber is to

    support our community. The money

    we raise during these Business Briefs

    Fundraisers will go to support these

    community events, events like Tri-

    State Leather competition, CNKY

    Film Festival, PRIDE, GLSEN Youth

    Summit and Prom etc.

    We want to make sure these events

    are successful and we encourage you

    to be a part.

    If you would like to become a

    member of The Greater Cincinnati

    Gay Chamber of Commerce please

    e.mail us at membership@gaycham-

    bercincinnati.com and we can get you

    all the details of what being a member

    of the Greater Cincinnati Gay

    Chamber of Commerce entails.

    ISQCCBE is moving

    right along

    Emperor and Empress 23.Congratulations to Owen Cash

    and Dix Enourmous on theirelevation to ICPR to Reign 22.

    They will be working directlybeside Freeda and Keith.

    Now we got some more $$$$$to raise!!!

    June 6 we are at Shooters forthe first show of the month.

    June 8 join us at On Broadwayfor our Family and Friends

    dinner benefitting the LGBTCenter. Dinner is $5.00 and

    there is always a deliciousspread. June 13 is our spooky

    show- Friday the 13thwith Rexand Connie. They promise to

    bring out all the spookinessthey can!

    June 15 is our Mr. Mistercontest at The Cabaret. Doors

    will open at 6pm and is a

    contest for Biological Femaleswho want to get in touch with

    their masculine side. If you areinterested please send us a

    message on Facebook. C&D Bar is hosting a Brunch

    on Sunday June 22. Moreinformation to come on our

    Facebook page. Finally June27 is the Miss Porkopolis

    Pageant at Old Street Saloon.This is a fun pageant that

    incorporates farm wear, hogcalls and talent! If interested

    please send us a message onFacebook.

    July 18 we are joining forceswith the American Foundation

    for Suicide Prevention Cincinnati Chapter to raise

    money and awareness forsuicide prevention. Its our 3 rd

    Annual Suicide is a DRAG!More info to come!

    snacks and drinks areprovided. At 7:30 we meet in

    the big circle for intro-ductions and announcements.

    We have a program each monthgeared to the needs of the

    group and talk on subjects suchas homelessness, gender

    identity, job information,school information etc.

    PFLAG of GreaterCincinnati helps to educate an

    ill-informed public on a variety

    of issues, support our childrenand our families in the coming

    out process and to advocate forthose who do not have a voice.

    All our meetings areconfidential and we welcome

    everyone. PFLAG has infor-mation that is free to take and

    we have a library with anassortment of books dealing

    with many subjects. Remem-ber when you no longer need

    PFLAG PFLAG needs YOU!

    PFLAGfrom Page 2

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    Page 8GLBT News June, 2014 PE

    At Death Cafes people come together in a relaxed and safe sett ing to discuss death, drinktea and eat delicious cake. The objective of Death Cafe is To increase awareness ofdeath with a view to helping people make the most of their (finite) lives. Next meeting

    June 23 at 7 p.m. Call Arlington Memorial Gardens at 513-521-7003 www.deathcafe.com

    Knox

    Attorney Scott Knox hasreceived two local awards.

    2014

    Our attorney getstwo awards

    He is the

    Cincinnati BarAssoc ia t ionV o l u n t e e r

    Lawyer of the

    Year Award.This award is

    given t ohonor out-

    standing workdone on behalf

    of low-income clients and to

    recog-nize commitment to themis-sion of the Volunteer

    Lawyers Project. He has also received the

    2014 Cincinnati Bar Assoc-iation Potter Stewart Inn of

    Court And rew B. Dennis on

    Courag-eous Advocate Award.

    This is an annual award to thelawyer who upholds the

    professional obligation torepresent the poor, the

    unpopular, or the friendless The Volunteer Lawyer

    award was based primarily onwork on clients SSI and

    disability cases or estateplanning when the client cant

    afford a lawyer, as well as forwork founding and operating

    the Wills Clinic through theVolunteer Lawyers Project,

    which provides wills and

    powers of attorney for low-income people through legalclinics.

    The Andrew B. DennisonCourageous Advocate Award is

    recognition forpro bonoworksince the 1980s for people with

    HIV and the Gay Communityon civil rights and discrim-

    ination issues. Scott said, Im very

    humbled to receive bothawards. I benefit greatly from

    doing this work in that I meetinspirational clients who work

    through astronomical chal-lenges with grace and dignity.

    Im inspired by my clients.

    NKY Pride is excited to announce that Jamison Road will be the headliner for this year'sNKY PrideFest stage! Mark your calendars for June 28th as Jamison Road will play from 5p-

    7p. Stay tuned for the rest of the stage line up, to be released shortly. Happy Pride!

    NKY PRIDE Headliners

    Medicare has lifted its ban on coverage for gender reassignmentsurgery thanks to the conclusions of an independent review that

    found existing policy was not reasonable given current under-standing of the procedure.

    In a 28-page report, an appellate review board within the De-partment of Health & Human Services determined that banning

    coverage for transsexual reassignment surgery isnt valid under areasonableness standard based on clinical and scientific judg-

    ment. We have no difficulty concluding that the new evidence, which

    includes medical studies published in the more than 32 years sinceissuance of the 1981 report underlying the NCD, outweighs the

    NCD record and demonstrates that transsexual surgery is safe andeffective and not experimental, the report says. Thus, as we dis-

    cuss below, the grounds for the NCDs exclusion of coverage arenot reasonable, and the NCD is invalid.

    The ban on Medicare coverage for gender reassignment surgery which was codified as National Coverage Determination 140.3

    was put in place in 1981 based on an understanding at the timethe procedure was unsound. Since that time, the American Medi-

    cal Association and the American Psychological Association havecome to support gender reassignment surgery, and doctors pre-

    scribe it as treatment for gender dysphoria.Aaron Albright, a spokesperson for the Centers for Medicare &

    Medicaid, said his agency will now carry out the new policy throughcontractors, who will determine on a case-by-case basis whether

    coverage is appropriate.

    Medicare lifts ban on gender reassignment