TORIAL

New feature

announce

The Chronicle has, since its inception, been calling for the Lesbians and Gay men of Cleveland to come out of the closet, to participate in the community and above all be proud of who they are. To further encourage and help, the Chronicle is proud to Our newest feature, Clevelanders To Take Pride In. This monthly feature will focus on a Lesbian and Gay man who are successful in our community. Success not being measured in monetary terms but rather on their contributions to our Community. These recipients are

GUEST

Why drag?

people who are open about their sexuality, not only in their private lives and in our Community but also in society at large. These women and men took the risks necessary to achieve integrity in their lives, and are now role models for all of us.

The people featured are selected by the staff of the Chronicle, and we encourage others to nominate those who they feel deserve to highlighted for their achievements in our Community. In January, 1989 we will present our first annual community

EDITORIAL

One deeply disturbing reality in the gay community is that far too often gays judge, devalue, and condemn other groups of gays based on sterotypes. Few elements of gay culture have been as stigmatized and misunderstood by our own community as drag. The term "drag queen" is often spoken with derogatory, if not hostile, tone. Many men, insecure in their

Own masculinity, are uncomfortable watching a show or even being seen in a gay bar with another man in drag. Personals ads all over the country read "no fats, fems, or drugs". Politically correct women denounce drag on the grounds that it is a "mockery of women". Afraid of being labelled "drag bars", clubs refuse to book more than one show a month, if they book shows at all, no matter how much extra money shows would bring in. Even the best female impressionists in the business are either glamorized or ridiculed by their gay brothers and sisters. However, drag is an important and respectable part of our community, one with a proud history and a hopeful future.

Perhaps some of the negative reactions female impersonators receive are due to a lack of understanding. Why do we do drag? To make fun of women? Never! Because we really want to be women? Most of the female impersonators I know are very happy being men. Most experimenters in drag simply do it to have fun. And it is fun. But those who continue into the business have a deeper reason.

LETTERS

Creating an issue?

In response to two pieces authored by Rady Ananda in the February issue of the Gay People's Chronicle:

The first was a front page article entitled, "Local Protest Ignored," which gives an account of the protest surrounding Ronald Reagan's visit to Cleveland Jan. 11.

Let me state first that it is not the article I object to, but the headline, which implies something that is not clearly explained within the article. At no point in the body of the piece does the author state specifically whom the

It is part of human nature to be androgynous. Every individual, male and female simultaneously possesses qualities our society has labelled as "masculine" and those it has labelled as "feminine." Those of us who cross-dress regularly probably have a strongly developed feminine personality. Yet, from early childhood men are socialized to deny and repress their natural femininity. Men who are "effeminate" or "womanlike" are scorned by a large part of society. However, part of becoming a whole, emotionally healthy human being is all its own. Just as sculptor uses clay or marble, we use cosmetics, hair, costume, music, dance, lip synch, and drama as our media to create a product we hope our audiences will enjoy. Drag is making a come back in Cleveland and our city is fortunate to have the wealth of talented female impersonators it has, especially considering the unconscionable lack of support it gives its entertainers.

Most of us know that the Stonewall Riots were the beginnings of the Gay Liberation Movement. But did you know that those first gay men who stood up to fight straight oppression were a group of "drag queens"? As a community, we must all stand up, unite, and learn to respect and support each other if we are ever going to be free of oppression and discrimination from the community.

straight

Lady Angelique

protest was ignored by. In all probability the protest was indeed ignored by Mr. Reagan, however we are not told that in the article. Ms. Ananda gives a good account of the various forms of media coverage received by the protest so we can assume that it is not ignored in that respect. I feel that not only was the headline misleading and inappropriate but unfair to those who organized the

event.

Second, I feel overwhelming need to respond to Ms. Ananda's guest editorial, "Lesbians, AIDS & Gay Men". I was rather shocked by the many sweeping generalizations contained within the piece, not to mention the very

service award to the local Lesbian and Gay man who we feel has made an outstanding contribution to the world we live in.

The first two people who are featured in the Clevelanders To Take Pride In, are Dr. Peter Beebe and Debbie Dunkle. The Chronicle's founder, Charles Callender, believed in the work that Peter and Debbie have done in this community, and would have totally agreed with our first choices. Thanks, Peter and Debbie and congratulations.

Community unite!

Owning and running

Lesbian/Gay bookstore here in Cleveland has been an eye opening experience for me. A number of things have become apparent to me in the last 10 months and I'd like to address one issue in particular, along with my idea or a way to deal with it.

The Lesbian/Gay Community in Cleveland is a disconnected, fragmented, and in many cases uninformed as to what's going on in the other segments. This isn't anyones fault, it just is. And it is not necessarily bad. But there are those of us who would like to see it otherwise. We'd like to create balance a of interdependency in the community, and attain level of comfortable connections and communication.

It is my belief that a Lesbian/Gay Community Fair would present Lesbian/Gay businesses, services and groups in an atmosphere of fun, games, and entertainment. To this end I'm pleased to announce the First Annual Lesbian/Gay Community Fair. The Fair will be held Sunday, May 22, 2-7 pm at the Gay + Lesbian Community Service center, 1418 West 29 st. in Cleveland.

Admission is free. Call 5211460 for more information.

Linda Malicki

inaccurate picture it paints of relations between most gay men and lesbians.

She begins her editorial with a detailed description of the expert use and manipulation of the media by the lesbian/feminist for community coverage of their events in Cleveland. Use of the media to gain coverage of gay, lesbian, and feminist issues has always been a delicate task. Perhaps I've missed something, but in all my years of watching for coverage of such issues I have yet to notice that women, lesbian or otherwise, are noticeably more effective at it than anyone else. Nor have I seen any evidence to support Ms. Ananda's claim that the lesbian/feminist community puts out

gay people's HR CONIC

Vol. 3 Issue 10.

Editor-in-Chief:

Founder:

Martha J. Pontoni.

Charles Callender, 1928-1986.

Copy Editor:

Kaija Berzins.

Production Editor:

Janice T.

Reporters & Writers:

Martha Pontoni, Tom P., Dora Forbes, Robert Downing, John Robinson, Joe Gubeno, Ben Shively Kathy Snyder, Joan Valentine.

Columnists:

Buck Harris, John Robinson, Janice T., Auntie Ray, Doug Moore.

Production Staff:

Janice T., Raymond Burton, Kempski, Kaija

Tom P., Ray Berzins, Kathy S.

Art Director:

Artist:

Dale Petersen.

Christine H.

Distribution Chief:

Robert Downing.

Publication of the name, picture, or other representation of an individual, organization, or place of business in the GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE is not indicative of his/her sexual orientation or character.

Any material submitted for publication will be The GAY PEOPLE'S subject to editing. CHRONICLE cannot guarantee the return of any such materials unless accompanied by a stamped, self addressed envelope.

Advertisers may obtain rate sheets and other information by writing the CHRONICLE, P.O. Box 5426, Cleveland, OH 44101. Our phone number is (216) 321-1129.

The GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE is distributed free of charge in any establishment that permits its distribution.

The GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE is copyrighted under federal law. Any reproduction of its contents is prohibited unless either written or verbal permission is obtained.

more mailings or holds more fundraisers than gay men. However if her claim is true, then I would think the women's community would be anxious to show off their expertise by lending their well-organized support bringing the Project Cleveland.

Names

to to

The piece goes on to explain the involved education and politicization process that each women goes through upon coming out in the lesbian community. According to Ms. Ananda, women receive careful enlightenment on such issues as feminism, abortion rights, racism, agism, etc.... On the other hand the

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