outlook columbus magazine • i V cbus people 3 mm| *7*4/0,,2i' Jt complete the circui by Mickey Weems research disproves any points they try to score are for overthrowing the U.S. government if Association thinks about gun control: "What if with these topics. these guys decide they don't like the way things [the attorney general] decides radio talk show Americans, especially those of us in the LGBT are going. Overthrowing the government is the hosts who don't believe in gay marriage, community, have compelling reasons to be I do not debate weapons fanatics. I teach them, sole reason for having semi-automatic they're dangerous, so they shouldn't get guns? concerned about the current debate on just as I teach creationists, climate-change de- weapons that can be rendered easily into auto­ What about pastors who preach against abor­ weapons of war. niers and homophobes. But I keep ridicule matic weapons, fit with grenade launchers and tion and homosexuality? They're too dangerous close at hand if teaching fails, or if they say rocket launchers, and loaded with armor-pierc­ to get guns? That could happen." I have spent an inordinate amount of time call­ something especially stupid. ing shells. ing for a ban on assault weapons and maga­ Throw in the blood-soaked wet dreams of Lib­ zines (also called clips) holding more than 10 "So hammers are more dangerous than assault Such anti-American paranoia was apparent on erty Counsel's Mat Staver, who believes gay rounds of ammunition. Without exception, peo­ weapons?" I ask. "Why don't you tell that to the that cold January day at the Statehouse as peo­ marriage could inspire gun-loving Christians to ple who have defended their right to buy more parents of kids massacred in Newtown? They'll ple proudly toting assault rifles let the public open fire: "This assault weapons have convinced me that they feel much better knowing that the madman know the government was oppressing them. could cause should not own assault weapons at all. only had a Bushmaster semiautomatic rifle in­ They believe that only good guys with as­ another civil stead of a fully loaded carpenter's belt." sault weapons can stop bad guys with war," he On top of being paranoid and trigger-happy, assault weapons. Ironic, that warns. Orfer- they were also homophobic. The NRA raised an army of bullies to intimidate the men who conducted vently hopes. anyone who dares call for gun control in Con­ massacres in our I favor blunt confrontation when talking with gress or online. I hate bullies. It is my duty to country were clas­ Civil war against pro-gun extremists. call them out whenever I see them, educating sified as good the Gays one of them when I can, humiliating them when I guys, right up until many scenarios that in­ Stating facts helps, but they must be stated re­ must. the moment they spires people to join the move­ peatedly: "Switzerland has an assault weapon opened fire. ment to keep assault rifles, grenade in every home? Well, you left out that it is illegal One man said he had the right to own any launchers and rocket launchers legal. Be­ to keep ammo at home. Look it up for yourself. weapon and ammo available to the police and And here's why this is an hind the rhetoric is an unspoken fantasy: the All bullets must stay on the firing range, and the military, and that he would use his fire­ issue for LGBT Americans: pleasure, the ecstasy of firing weapons of war there are limits as to what kinds of firearms power on anyon e who sought to take away his and unleashing an orgy of death. The reason and how many you can own. Do you know why? weapons. I told him to keep talking, hell end up It's not simply a civilian's right to weapons of why men who conduct massacres kill them­ Switzerland had its own massacre, as did Aus­ on multiple watch lists before the day is war that is at stake. The right of Christians to selves before they are caught is so they may tralia, Scotland, and Hawaii. Sensible gun con­ through. bear arms against homosexuals is also under die unaccountable for the reality they leave be­ trol wasthe response, and their gun siege. hind and their fulfilled fantasy intact. violence dropped dramatically" His response? He hoped I get aids. I think he meant AIDS. I Here's a new bit of crazy: Gays are infiltrating Giving men (it seems to always be men, self- I just pray those who oppose told him I hope he gets profes­ the CIA and FBI. Just askhomophobe-for-pay identified straight men at that) the means to in­ me bring up Israel, the Nor­ sional help before he kills Brian Camenker: "The FBI is just unbelievable discriminately kill on a large scale leads to wegian massacre or somebody - or a whole passel to see," he says. "They have started a Lesbian, what we are witnessing now: an arms race con­ the Constitution. of somebodies. Gay, Bisexual and Transgender program on ducted by a minority within this country. Minimal their careers website and they apparently have Here is something that rarely even gone from there to embracing the gay The goal is to make themselves Too Dangerous comes up during discussions agenda, having a gay advisory committee, wel­ to Disarm, reminiscent of Wall Street's Too Big about gun control: Grenade coming homosexuals as FBI agents, getting in­ to Fail, and every bit as morally bankrupt. launchers made for assault volved with pride events, but more than that weapons are legal in many going to gay pride events and encouraging ho­ All the while, the LGBT community is in their states. So are attachments for mosexual activists to report hate crimes and crosshairs. rocket launchers. working with them against pro-family groups.... It is very, very frightening to see. The FBI is very Mickey Weems writes Complete the Circuit every month Behind all the pro-gun rhetoric is powerful and they can do a lot of damage if for outlook You can follow him online at www.mickey- weems.com and at www.riualiafolk.com, a site dedicated to the simmering anger that President they are out to get you." LGBT scholarship. Obama is in office. Assault weapons, they say, are not for hunting or home defense, they Add what Brian Fischer of the American Family (jfi) april 20T3 We V the Pink Pistols. outlookcolumbus. com EVERY STEP COUNTS. I am honored to be a part of AIDS Walk Central Ohio 2013. I've been known to battle on the soccer field, and now I want to help battle HIV/AIDS in our community. Whether it's a stranger, a friend, or even a family member who is battling this disease, I'm hoping I can help bring more awareness to the fight against AIDS. mm - Frankie Hejduk Honorary AIDS Walk Central Ohio 2013 Event Chair JOIN FRANKIE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST HIV/AIDS IN OUR COMMUNITY. REGISTER. DONATE. VOLUNTEER TODAY. PW«fc 5K RUN 5K WALK 1 MILE STROLL o t» *<**•! 1-mM.™.,! AIDS WALK A . CENTRAL OIn o V ENTRALOHIO.COM #AID5WALKCENTRALOHIO ......-......-. MUA*CT4X«S ..._ BOW*" Abcrcrombic ~l£)a£axe&<A- MOLINA (S i©t EF' y, & Fitch ituKountr NationwidELe outlook (614) Q ©J *fe«»_ l*~**mm •II •Ii Mini >I;I Insarance outlookcolumbus.com We V Briggs Cormier for constistenly being one of the top fundraisers for AIDS Walk. april 2013 m small pond We Brian Hawkins A TALE OF TWO BRIANS by Teena Parker Salon Lofts. The name is not mislead­ celebrity Brian C. Hawkins. hours a day. So if I want to come in at like, maybe in my 20s - maybe early phone. I'm not afraid to email." ing. It's an industrial-inspired space 3 o'clock in the morning and do a 30s -1 might consider it." with a labyrinth of individual loft-style To break the ice, I confess my delu­ haircut - I'm not sure why I would - He emailed Ted Gibson from TLC's salons. Yet to the uninitiated, miscon­ sion that Salon Lofts are trendy resi­ but if Michelle Obama were in town Columbus, he says, "is home," and What Not To Wear. Shortly thereafter, ceptions exist. For example, I thought dences. Hawkins laughs. "My friend and says, 1 need a haircut' and it's 3 he loves working in the Short North. Gibson's assistant called to invite him it was an apartment building full of thought they sold lamp shades." (At a.m., guess what I'm doing?" "Nothing against suburbia, but I'm to work with their team on a photo real lofts where people actually live. night, the building is illuminated by not a suburban person. If I'm sitting shoot. large, drum-shaped chandeliers.) Although he has yet to meet the First at Level, and you and I are chatting, But after making an appointment, I You could argue that Hawkins does Lady, Hawkins has worked with and you're like, 'Where do you work?' "The first time I met Ted Gibson, I ventured to the salon-saturated sec­ live at Salon Lofts, based on the num­ countless celebrity stylists and run­ and I'm like, "Oh, its right down the was like a groupie," he says. "I'm tion of the Short North to meet local ber of hours he spends there. "It's way models thanks to his jobs at street,' the likelihood of you coming standing there, like, 'Oh my god,'and essentially your own business," he Fashion Week and his appearances to me is a lot more than if I say, 'Oh, so he says, 'You must be Brian,' and says.