Cincinnati is full of gay people. Full. Of. Them. Gays and lesbians operate at every level on the community, from the bartenders at your favorite Clifton pub to doctors and lawyers in downtown firms. They cook your meals. They connect your calls. They tell you that you look fat in skinny jeans. It’s just like Fight Club, but with gays.  

Many people believe that gay and lesbian activism and our fight for GLBT equality began the night of the Stonewall Riots in 1969. But as early as 1895, a group of New York “androgynes” called the Cercle Hermaphrodites united “for defense against the world’s bitter persecution.”   

With Ohio’s 20 electoral votes — more than Nevada, Utah and Colorado combined — presidential candidates work hard to win over the state’s modest, workman-like and pragmatic voters. Last year both presidential campaigns spent so much time here their team could probably order at Skyline Chili without even glancing at the menu.  

David Korten decided early on to devote his life to a noble cause addressing world poverty and spent years in Africa, Central America and Asia setting up schools to bring American business ideas to developing countries.  

Cincinnati officials are considering a major policy shift on helping homeless people that could result in many getting their own homes. Based on the recommendations of an advisory group, City Council might reallocate some of its funding into a “Housing First” approach.  

When people consider human trafficking or modern slavery, many conjure images of teenage girls held captive in brothels in Thailand. Kevin Bales, president of Free the Slaves, who’s an authority in human trafficking, has interviewed young women there.He previously described to CityBeat how he secured the “services” of two sex slaves in Thailand. He wanted to learn more about their situation but would never be permitted to conduct an interview.   

For some homeless people, “three hots, a cot and some assistance” won’t get them off the streets and into permanent housing, according to Pat Clifford, executive director of the Drop Inn Center. Cincinnatians understand that, and he believes that’s what really inspired the Homeless to Homes report produced by the Cincinnati/Hamilton County Continuum of Care for the Homeless.  

As local officials bicker about who bears responsibility for monitoring defendants while they're out of jail awaiting trial, a related battle over a $2.6 million federal crime-fighting grant has been waged privately. The city of Cincinnati's initial plan for using the grant called for keeping the entire amount and giving none to Hamilton County.  

Lunch in Cincinnati, lunch in Costa Rica — is there a difference? Beyond the view, a significant difference is that you'll leave less trash behind when noshing in a rural area in the Central America country. Bethany Blevins learned that lesson last year on an Earth Expeditions program for local teachers.  

A large percentage of material currently occupying landfills could have been recycled if only given the chance. We can all help by using city- and county-sponsored recycling programs and by recycling through independent facilities.  

Buried somewhere in President Obama’s stimulus package is $75 billion to help Americans buy homes or stay in the ones they own. It’s called the Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan, and the White House expects it to offer aide to some 9 million people. If you don’t know much about it, you’re not alone. CityLiving attempts to explain the overwhelming plan in 1,000 words or less…  

Streetcars could be rolling along downtown streets in Cincinnati in just a few years. After years of proposals and studies, city officials are lining up financing for the first phase. The plan calls for modern streetcars running on tracks with quiet electric motors that get their power from overhead wires.   

Outdoor living allows people to enjoy nearly all the comforts of indoors in a truly open and airy setting. The evolution of weather-resistant products now makes it possible to actually enjoy an outdoor living space without sacrificing style or comfort.  

People throw away lots of perfectly good things every day. But there are other people who believe that “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure,” and they’re always on the lookout for usable items consigned to the garbage heap. The junk man who drives though neighborhoods on garbage night is often looking for metal to sell at a recycling center.  

During the Cold War, there was almost no insult worse for an average American than to be called a communist. Anyone labeled with the tag might lose his or her job, be shunned by neighbors or undergo government surveillance. Now politicians prone to demagogue are turning to a new punching bag: socialism.