People

Amy Wickes has committed her life to helping people in prison and is dedicated to prison reform. When someone in prison is in need, is sick or is preparing to leave -- Amy is there to support them. She assists families in the care of children whose parents are incarcerated. She meets with prosecutors, police and jail personnel to advocate for better law enforcement and prison conditions. She encourages more humane treatment for mentally ill prisoners. She advocates for more prison rehabilitation programs. She is currently very concerned about the number of veterans in prison and the growing heroin epidemic in jails.
  Amy's motivation comes from her own unfortunate personal experience. She was born and raised in a wealthy family who, at one point, had a multimillion-dollar home, an airplane and a beach house. She attended an all-girls elite boarding school. She was married with two children and occasionally modeled. But, after struggling with addiction and alcohol issues, at age 37 Amy was convicted of aggravated burglary and escape. Amy spent four years in prison.

“I want to help them. They are in such a bad place. I want to make it all better.”

“I live for my partner. They are my entire world. I couldn't live without them.”
“If I do what they want, they will love me.”
  Are you or have you uttered this phrase during a relationship?

Would you identify as co-dependent?

  Water is an essential element of life and protecting water resources is a critical endeavor for the future of our planet. We in Ohio can thank Julie Weatherington-Rice for being at the forefront of the struggle to preserve clean water in our state. This cannot have been an easy task over the years, but more recently, she is still heading up efforts against the threats to our water supply from fracking.

Archiving African American history in Columbus. Preserving Columbus' African­American landmarks. Working to empower global Africans. Julialynne Walker is acknowledged in this issue as our Free Press hero for being a keeper African­American history in our city.

Julialynne serves as an Advisory Committee member for the Columbus African American Digital Collection and is a Steering Committee member for the local African­American Landmarks Preservation Initiative. She also brings to Columbus a rich background as a human rights advocate with a desire to provide cross­cultural opportunities for all people.

As babies, we are held, touched, lovingly by our parents and caregivers. Some parents keep their child in a sling or other attachment to always have their child next to them, touching them. As we grow older, we become more independent and live our lives with less touching. Some people can go for long periods of time without giving or receiving positive touch.

A common question I receive is about having a low libido. All genders experience it. Some worry they have forgotten how to have sex. Some wonder about a drop-off and how to satisfy their partner when they just aren't feeling it.

A married woman in her 50s describes, “I want sex, I want to be touched, but it takes me a long time to really get into it. Sometimes before I can get ramped up, he's lost interest and doesn't want to try any more. And, sometimes that's okay. I'm happy to have a good partner and he's not that sexual. Sometimes I really want to try and have sex.”

A partnered woman in her early 40s said, “I once had a weekend fling (totally okay with my boyfriend). I wasn't having sex with my boyfriend and even with this fling, it took him all afternoon of being playful, teasing, seductive to finally flip the switch from OFF to ON. But, once it was on - WOW! I came back to my boyfriend in a heightened state. Then, it didn't last. There just wasn't the time for an afternoon of play to get me to respond.”

Columbus citizens may believe that city decisions and reforms are made by elected officials or government agencies. Those who watch NBC’s “Spectrum” and other local media may believe there’s a handful of movers and shakers in the community working to affect public policy. These shows span the spectrum from “A” to “B” and back. If you want “C-Z” alternative points of view you need to read The Free Press. People in the loosely affiliated activist community know that there are actually dozens of selfless, dedicated individuals who work tirelessly behind the scenes without notoriety, reward, and in most cases, a paycheck. They work for social justice and positive social change in central Ohio – and all over the planet. These are citizens like you and me, who make a “cause” part of their daily existence, and they often succeed in enacting some of the greatest changes in society for our common good. This column will be devoted to acknowledging those unsung heroes who are almost never invited to appear on the for-profit mainstream talking head shows.

Khari Enaharo

This event was created to call attention to hate crimes committed against sex workers all over the globe. Dr. Annie Sprinkle and the Sex Workers Outreach Project USA began this event 10 years ago as a memorial and vigil for the victims of the Green River Killer in Seattle, Washington. It is now an internationally recognized event to raise awareness towards hate crimes committed against sex workers. It also works to remove stigma, discrimination and to reform laws against sex work, in the hopes of diminishing violence towards sex workers.
  A red umbrella is the symbol for event. After using it for an anti-violence march in 2002, the red umbrella now symbolizes resistance against discrimination for sex workers around the world.

Dear Lady Monster,

I'll start to be FWB with a guy, then I develop feelings for him (usually after we spend the night together). He does not reciprocate, he is not emotionally available. Is it just me? I don't really want a relationship, I want to be casual, but my emotions get in the way. What's wrong with me? Why can't I just keep it simple and have sex and not get emotionally attached?

----Noticing Strings Attached
 

Dear NSA,

Thank you for your question.

I'd like for you to stop blaming yourself, and to quit asking the question, “What's wrong with me?”. Instead, when you and a man begin to reveal your personal interests and want to have a more intimate experience with each other, ask him about his emotional availability. Be honest with him about the connection you want.

Everyone has hang-ups - inhibitions, insecurities or situations that prevent one from having sex.

You have a partner, each is in the mood, you move closer in the direction of getting it on, and then everything stops. Someone's hang-up shows up.

Some hang-ups are mental – needing to have things arranged in a particular way - lights off, music on, lingerie or other “costuming,” grooming (brushing teeth, shaving, showered), focusing on having an orgasm in order to have satisfying sex, being over worried about STDs – the list goes on.

Some hang-ups are societal or based on religious beliefs – needing to be married, with a partner of a certain faith, or waiting until the third date. Perhaps you feel like you've had too many partners, and want to keep it below a certain number.

Some hang-ups include physical problems like maintaining an erection, premature ejaculation and menstruation. When a physical problem presents itself, it depends on how each partner treats this situation.