Out & About

2012 Year in Review

Nashville welcomed 4On the Road to Equality," a nationwide bus tour that carries forth HRC's mission of "educating the American public and empowering LGBT people to become advocates for themselves and their families." The 12 week tour traveled to 20 cities in 13 states and D. C., with particular emphasis on the Midwest and South where there are limited legal protections for LGBT people.

A Healing Touch

'People are looking for comfort and for something that will offer them relief," says Jon Baker, a grief counselor at Alive Hospice. 'Each situation has its own unique demands. When people are left behind, they are kind of adrift. It's good to know there's a safe place where you can express emotions that you want to express."

Barry Noland & Brian Parker

'It's mainly about support," [Barry Noland] says. "I'm pretty much directed by outside influences. I don't have a lot of historical perspective, and he gives me that. I think if he hadn't encouraged me from the beginning, this wouldn't have gotten to where it's gotten."

Callie & Michelle Wise

"She's so innocent and cute in her assumption that it's normal that she isn't aware that it could be a problem," [Callie] says. 4On the other hand, we do worry about her "outing" us to the wrong person or people. How will those other people act? Will it be so angry and violent that it'll scare or upset [Gabrielle]? Could she be at risk of getting hurt herself?"

Erin Andrews & Danielle Buquoi

"As much as we are not a 'traditional' family, we really are in so many ways," [Erin] says. "We worry about paying our bills, pray that our son is safe and healthy, and every evening have the 'What do you want for dinner?' conversation that most couples have."

Finding Her Calling

[Catie Curtis], who began her musical career in the coffeehouses of Rhode Island, has performed at national festivals including the Newport Folk Festival and Lilith Fair. Hit television shows such as Grey's Anatomy and Dawson 's Creek have featured her songs. In an industry fixated on edgy trends and extravagant fashions, Curtis had created a revealing oeuvre that has never gone out of style.

How Do Straight People Remember Anniversaries?

So until [Amy] and I can legally marry in Tennessee, I'm using the straight couple cheat sheets. I'm going to get a ton of matchbooks with "Amy & Barb, December 20, 1997" printed up and scatter them all over the house. And if you come over and see a picture of the Melrose Bowling Lanes with that date on it hanging in our foyer, you'll know why.

Joseph Gregory & Chuck Rapp

'I've been to great places around the world that I wouldn't have gone on my own. It's nice to share that experience with someone else," [Chuck Rapp] says. "[Joseph Gregory] has encouraged me to explore and opened doors for me to try new things."

Lisa Howe & Wendy Holleman

It's been more than one year since Lisa Howe and her partner, Wendy Holleman, made national news for being gay and having a child. If you somehow missed the headlines, here's a quick recap. Howe was Belmont University's head women's soccer coach. Howe wanted to tell her team about her and Wendy 's pregnancy (Wendy carried the baby), the Baptist school refused to give her permission; Howe told her team anyway.

Nashville Exposed

I'm out running, and it's just me and the pavement.

New Glbt Parenting Group Forms in Nashville

'It's important for the Nashville community to see the normalcy of (gay parenting)," he says. 'It's important for us to share our stories. We're going through this together. One way to make a difference is to work for equality in the world. "

Passing the Torch

The Huddle is near-legendary to literature fans, as Cormac McCarthy immortalized it in his novel Suttree. McCarthy writes about a "cool and dark" dive with "the door ajar," where one could observe the patrons on the downtown end of Cumberland as "they came down the steep street and turned in two by two." He describes a "group of dubious gender" in the corner booth at the Huddle, where drinkers could have beer in a fishbowl or whiskey from a jelly jar.

Rolling Hills Resolves Visitation Rights Issue

'Discrimination in a personal medical setting may be one of the worst forms of discrimination LGBT people face," said HRC President Joe Solmonese. "Federal regulations were put in place for precisely this reason, to stamp discrimination out of the healthcare process and allow all people to be by their loved ones during their most vulnerable moments."

Ryan & John Huber

"I think some might wonder why we would get married when everyone considers us lifelong partners already" [Ryan Huber] muses. 'We're choosing to get married because people in our society know what 'being married' means. It connotes a level of commitment that is different than 'boyfriend' or even 'partner.'"

Sheila & Kathy Gray

"Of all our kids, [Kathy Gray]'s youngest son was the only one who had a problem," [Sheila] says. "He threw a fit, which actually caused a problem with Kathy's exhusband. The biggest thing is going from 'my mom's friend' to my 'stepmom.' I've always encouraged my kids to be honest about it. I raised my kids that way before I came out. It's all about how people treat you and respect you. My kids just go with the flow."

Tennessee Tech to Host Anti-Bullying Conference

Strengthening communities -We 've all heard the old adage "It takes a village to raise a child." It's so true. More people are invested in the education of each child than just the parents and teachers. It's the responsibility of EVERY member of a community to play an active role in creating a safe learning environment.

The Struggles in Same-Sex Adoption

With our search criteria narrowed, we began to see open adoption as a great fit. Open adoption is adoption in which the birth mother/father and family knows the identity of the adoptive family. Birth parent rights are still terminated as they are with closed adoption however communication may or may not continue on a regular basis. Open adoption was once unheard of. Now it is commonplace for newborn adoptions in the U.S.

Woman Denied Visitation of Partner at Local Hospital

'? went to visit her at the appropriate visiting time and was turned away," she says. "We have been living together for three years now, but that didn't matter to them either. The rest of her family is out of town, so she didn't have any one visit her."