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H RON NI
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JULY 1988
VOL.4-ISSUE 1
SWOOS
370
CLEVELAND, OHIO
A Chronicle of the Lesbian & Gay Community
Celebrating one year of progress
by Dora Forbes
The Gay People's Chronicle is celebrating its first anniversary. The first issue of the Chronicle was published in July of 1987.
The Chronicle was introduced at Dancin' in the Streets '87 and has published 11 issues since that time. The Chronicle first appeared as a small newsletter but over time has changed format and is now printed newsprint. The paper has over 130 subscribers from around the world and circulation has grown over 100 per cent since it hit the stands last year.
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The Chronicle is owned by KWIR Publications, a publishing company owned by Martha Pontoni and Robert Downing. Pontoni serves as Editor in Chief of the Chronicle and Downing is Production and Distribution Manager.
Although the Chronicle is organized as a for-profit business it is currently staffed by volunteers. Editor Pontoni explains, "Most of our people invest their time in the paper as a community service. Of course, when the paper is able to accommodate them, these people will join the staff as full time employees."
"Community support for the Chronicle has been fantastic," exclaimed Pontoni. "We can't please everyone and we have had our share of controversy, but over all the paper has been very well received. We continue learn from our mistakes and progress with every issue we publish."
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According to Pontoni and Downing the future is very promising. "People are starting to know that we do exist and trust that we will publish every month, which is very important to our advertisers," says Downing. "This is helping as we expand our market to
Methodists debate homosexuality
by Frances Smith
The top policy-making body of the United Methodist Church concluded its quadrennial meeting in St. Louis May 6 after approving a comprehensive statement on AIDS and the healing ministry of the church.
Earlier in the two-week session the 996 delegates voted overwhelmingly to retain the denomination's position that homosexual behavior is "incompatible with Christian teaching" and a bar to the ordained ministry.
However, the delegates called for a four-year study of homosexuality incorporating "the best biological, psychological, and sociological information," as well as theological and ethical analysis.
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The comprehensive AIDS resolution requested United Methodist-related health institutions to take the lead in providing hospices and home health care services for persons with AIDS and HIV patients. Hospices care for persons with terminal illnesses.
Cleveland's ACTUP
by Bob Downing
ACTUP Cleveland organized Cleveland's first lesbian/gay protest march in recent years. On May 7 more than 100 people marched from the steps of the Federal Building to the northwest quadrant of Public Square, as part of a nation-wide protest over the lack of funding for AIDS research.
Speakers included Dick Desmond, a member of ACTUP Cleveland and organizer of the march and Buck Harris, Public Health AIDS Advisor for the Ohio Department of Public Health. Mr. Harris spoke of the importance of the Hobson Bill which is now before the state legislature and administered the safe sex oath to the crowd. A major theme of the demonstration was that lesbian and gay Clevelanders were no longer going to be silent and invisible any longer especially over the issue of AIDS and lesbian/gay civil rights.
Desmond reported that the City of Cleveland gave no problem issuing the permits for the march or rally. he also emphasized that contributing to the success of this and any further actions in Cleveland was
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The Chronicle wishes encourage those people who volunteer at or view the Names Project Quit to submit letters telling of their experiences. The Chronicle will publish them in future issues. Send letters to GPC PO Box 5426 Cleveland Ohio 44101.The Chronicle reserves the right to edit for length.
the joining together of many different types of people. "At the rally there was a great diversity. With us were various straight people: a Catholic nun, an activist for "Witness for Peace", the director of the American Friends Committee, and several nuclear freeze activists." Desmond added that lesbians and gays must also show the same spirit in supporting the human rights of other minorities.
This rally was an example of the new activism springing up all over the country, since the historic March on Washington last October. Examples of new grassroots organizations are ACTNOW (AIDS Coalition Το Network, Organize, and Win), a west coast group and ACTUP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power), an east coast group.
Delegates asked church members and agencies to work for allocation of public resources for research and prevention, treatment, and elimination of AIDS-related diseases. Also suggested monitoring of private insurance company policies on coverage and benefits for persons with AIDS and HIV-related diseases.
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An interagency task force on AIDS will be appointed, as a result of General Conference action, to coordinate a network of AIDS ministries already in place and to offer help to conferences that want to start such ministries. The task force will provide educational materials to help the church make an effective response to the crisis in the United States and around the world.
The task force will include directors and staff of four program boards, the National Youth Ministry Organization, and the Commissions on Religion and Race and Status and Role of Women.
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Dubuque triumphant
Nearly 600 lesbian and gay activists and their supporters marched in the Dubuque (IA) Second Annual Gay/Lesbian Pride March in what one organizer called "a dream come true." Marchers poured into Dubuque on Apr. 30 from the Upper Midwest, with busloads (Continued on Page Five) coming from Madison,
Physicians AIDS policy
by Joan Valentine
The American Association of Physicians for Human Rights (AAPHR) has released its Position Statements for 1988 on topics of medical and social concern involving the testing for and treatment of AIDS. The AAPHR contends that the notification of sexual contacts has not been proven effective or ineffective in
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Wisconsin and Minneapolis, Minnesota. Other cities represented were Milwaukee, St. Louis, Chicago, Des Moines, Iowa City, Janesville, Atlanta, New York City, San Francisco, Miami, and Washington, D.C.
March organizer Stacey Neldaughter told the cheering crowd, "They said it couldn't be done. They said Dubuque can't be changed, but we will change Dubuque. This day is a dream come true for me."
Neldaughter reminded the crowd of the terrifying events at the first pride march, held on Sept. 19, 1987, in which 30 marchers were pelted
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and Lake, Geauga, Ashtabula counties. We establishing a reputation as a well run paper."
Future endeavors include publishing an Auntie Ray cookbook, and the establishment of an annual Community Service Award in January. The Community Service Award will go member of Cleveland's has Lesbian/Gay community who contributed the most to the community during the year.
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Chevrei Tikva hosts conference
by Joan Valentine
The Month if July is off to a good start at Case Western Reserve University, where Cleveland's Chevrei Tikva (Friends of Hope), is hosting the Midwest Regional Conference of the World Congress of Gay and Lesbian Jewish Organizations, July 1-4, at the Interfaith Plaza.
Chevrei Tikva is a private religious and social oranization of lesbian and gay Jews, and is a member of the World Congress. Every other year, the Congress hosts an international conference. A most successful one was held last year in Amsterdam, Holland. This year, conferences are being held at the regional level in each country. Cleveland is host to nearly sixty delegates from Chicago, Pittsburgh, Minneapolis, Buffalo, Milwaukee, and Kansas City, as well as Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, and Toledo. The other regional conferences for the U.S. will take place this summer in New York, Texas, and California.
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The conference features variety of workshops, religious services, and recreational activities. It opens on Friday night with a Shabbat service. Saturday begins with a Torah service and Women's service. Choreographer Fanchon Shur will dance at a Plenary session in the afternoon. Workshops at the Conference will address such issues as aging, gay parenting, integration with mainstream society, and gender issues in mixed groups.
Chevrei Tikva intends to treat
its guests to Cleveland's cultural institutions and night life as well. Dinner and dancing at Casa DiBorally is planned for Saturday night. On Sunday, a visit to Cleveland Museum of Art is scheduled for the afternoon, and later that day, delegates will travel to Blossom Music Center to hear the Cleveland Orchestra. The Conference will hold its closing ceremonies on Monday morning, July Fourth.
In addition to hosting the Midwest Conference this year, Chevrei Tikva will join other Cleveland lesbian and gay organizations at Dancin' in the Streets on July 17, and once again will co-sponsor Goodtime Cruisin' with Cleveland's chapter of Dignity in August.