GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE January 17, 2003

eveningsout

New magazine show comes to Ohio commercial radio

by Milla Rosenberg

Columbus If you ever feel overwhelmed

by "visual" news: TV, movies, the Internet, try turning off all of those screens. Now, what happens when you listen to the news? You may notice that you're able to judge more clearly, without all of the cues, graphics, and logos which shape the story.

Chris DeChant has created a forum for the queer listener in all of us. Life Outside, which debuted earlier this year, is a commercial radio program for and about gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people.

DeChant, the show's co-host and executive producer, brings ten years of radio experience to Life Outside. In October 1991, after being diagnosed HIV-positive, he founded Aware Talk Radio, a program dedicated to HIV, AIDS, sexual health, and well-being.

DeChant and his experienced co-hosts Faren D'Abell and Amy Matheny cover all kinds of topics from their Chicago studio: news, politics, travel, civil rights, and enter-

tainment.

Using a format similar to Dateline, the news comes fast-paced with a variety of viewpoints and sources. The show has just gone into syndication, with 70 stations airing the program nationwide.

DeChant, D'Abell, and Matheny spoke about their new show.

Milla Rosenberg: You were the first HIV-positive person to produce a radio program about the virus. What were the early years like, in terms of program focus?

Chris DeChant: With Aware, every episode was about some aspect of HIV/AIDS or HIV prevention. This included shows that dealt with telling your family, to depression,

spirituality, and alternative medical treatments. After a couple of years, in 1994, we were syndicated nationally.

Your program bills itself as the radio newsmagazine for the GLBT community. What kinds of programming do you offer for bisexual and transgender listeners?

DeChant: Well, we've already covered and will continue to cover issues of concern to bisexual and transgender people. For example, regarding transgender issues, we did a piece on transgender political protections. Some communities, such as Chicago, have added a city ordinance that protects gender identity.

Faren D'Abell: Also, we interviewed Miranda Stevens-Miller of It's Time, Illinois after Gwen Aruajo was murdered. And we have hosted [theatre director] Alexandra Billings. As for bisexuality, I think that most of the stories that we do are inclusive of bisexuals, but we have not done a lot that is bispecific. We are certainly open to it.

Your program has done interviews with folks like Patti LaBelle and [horror film director] Clive Barker. Forgive my ignorance, but what are their relations to the GLBT community?

DeChant: Well, Patti is a big AIDS advocate. She has done a lot of work, including public service announcement campaigns. With Clive Barker, I think that he had done a gay-themed movie. The point is, you don't have to be gay to be on our show.

How do you decide which hosts will cover a specific issue?

DeChant: Well, there are some stories that we all work on together and cover as a team. But if one of us has interest or knowledge in a particular area, Faren, Amy, or I will focus on that.

want a shot

DAVID VANN

Amy Matheny, Faren D'Abell and Chris DeChant

What are you most proud of with Life Outside?

Amy Matheny: I think that I am most proud of the content this year; it's very diverse. Also, I enjoy the freedom of radio because it's like air-if someone is closeted, they don't have to worry that someone will find a slip of paper or a magazine.

Are there any subjects regarding women that you would not cover?

Matheny: I don't think so. I mean, we are not out for shock value. We did get some feedback regarding a program on gay men and circuit parties. While we try not to be overly racy, we aim to provide complete, accurate information. Still, we do have to be

sensitive to the various small towns where we broadcast.

What kinds of programming are you working on now?

D'Abell: Well, we are going to be devoting part of a program to queer style. It's kind of based on the Learning Channel's Trading Spaces. One of Oprah Winfrey's designers, Nate Berkus, will talk about everything from designing a wardrobe to redoing your closet.

Cleveland listeners can hear the program Sunday nights at 11:30 pm on WNWV 107.3 FM. Columbus listeners can hear it Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m. on WBCO 1540 AM.

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how about

Men who have sex with men are at risk

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To get the vaccine:

the vacc

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Call 216.651.5428

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Call HEAT for info.

Up to 25% of people with chronic Hepatitis B infections will die of liver disease.

For more information, visit www.lgcsc.org

HEAT is a program of the Lesbian/Gay Community Service Center of Greater Cleveland.

heat