LEVELANDER'S to take pride in

Susan Woodworth by Tracy Miller

This month's Clevelander to be proud of is Susan Woodworth, who has been active in political movements since the early 1970's. Susan's first experience with political activism came during her college years and the student youth movement. As she explains it, the anti-war and civil rights demonstration which were going on around her "woke her up" to politics.

As Susan became active on the antiwar movement, she, like many women during that time, developed a keen awareness of the position women hold on our society. This radicalization of thought led her to identify with other women in the United States and soon resulted on her commitment to feminism and the women's movement

With this commitment, Susan came out and began working on the lesbian community on the 1970's. The process of building a safe and healthy community was (and continues to be) a difficult one, but there were always others who gave them time and energy.

"I was never alone in this," Susan emphasizes. "The work that was done by dedicated groups of women is a testament to what our community can do."

Oven Productions, which was founded by Susan and another woman in 1975, is a excellent example of what women working together can accomplish.

"Oven's survival is a statement on what women see as important. It has been the commitment of many women that has kept Oven alive for 13 years." A second example of Susan's work here in Cleveland is the Women's Building Project (WPB), which was established as a meeting place for women's groups and activities. The idea for the WPB came as part Susan's participation in organizing two radical feminism conferences in the early 1980's. The struggle to find a regular meeting place led to the founding of WBP, which offers a comfortable space for meetings as well as a place to experiment with new ideas.

When asked about here future plans, Susan is sure about one thing: she will continue to dedicate herself to bettering the lesbian community in Cleveland. She is currently exploring the for possibilities collective ownership of land, and she continues to work with Oven Productions. Susan, like many of us, tries to "stay sane," and enjoy herself with a balance of personal and political involvement. With the support of the community, she is "creating life one day at a time."

Affordable Treasures

●Collectables

●Antiques

●Furniture

Jewelry ●Linens

●Glassware

Gary Burton

216/521-7253

Rusty Allen

216/521-SALE

CELEBRATION SERVICE

Gay & Lesbian Designer Balloons

FEATURING "THE GAY BOUQUET''!

CELEBRATE THE GAY WAY!

*

All occasion Balloons.

* "Airborne" Gift Certificates * Personalized Gift Packages

MC/VISA Accepted!

Phone orders Welcome! Delivery available! (Cuyahoga Only)

Another State of Mind 16608 Madison Avenue, Lakewood 521-1460

Anti-gay

Continued from Page 1.

-

The conference resolved other differences between the House and Senate versions of the appropriations federal bill, and boosted funds available for AIDS programs. Both versions contained about $1.3 billion to fight AIDS the amount of the President's request. However, the conference increased funds available for clinical trials of AIDS drugs by $8.5 million. The conference also stressed that trials should reflect the geographic and demographic diversity of the HIVinfected population, and encouraged the National Institutes of Health to

cooperate with community-based research organizations conducting drug trials, including those serving the gay community.

In addition, the conference earmarked $6 million to hire additional personnel for key federal agencies involved in AIDS research and prevention and urged congressional and state authorizing committees to address the issue of purchase assistance for AZT, the only AIDS drug currently sanctioned by the government.

The appropriation bill now returns to the House and Senate for final approval and then to the President for signing into law.

A WORLD OF HEALTH, INC.

STEPHEN C. HASMAN

Vitamins

Wholistic

Health Educator

Minerals Amino Acids. Herbs Metaphysics

Homeopathy • Whole Grain Foods

Corner of Pearl and Laurel Roads 1783 Pearl Road, Brunswick. OH 44212 (216) 225-0858

16806 Madison Ave. Lakewood OH 44107

Letters cont.

HIT responds

Continued from Page 3.

those who give their time, energy and money to make Dancin a very successful fund raising event netting approximately $20,000. With this money, other donations, grants and countless volunteers, HIT is able to run a non-profit AIDS service organization and provide over $160,000 worth of services to the Greater Cleveland community. Services include such things as: a buddy program, group and individual counseling, physical supplies, social events, legal services, emergency financial assistance (over 10,000), spiritual counseling, minority and, other educational and outreach programs, to mention only some of the services provided. HIT expands its services monthly and works cooperatively and collaboratively with other human service groups seeking to provide services to those within the HIV spectrum. HIT serves all of Cleveland well. What is greedy about asking the community to give 100% on one day, netting $20,000 and giving back more than $160,000 worth of services? Something tell me that this kind of give and take builds community.

There are points in the editorial that are constructive and HIT should give them a fair hearing, ie., alcohol and perhaps ways to increase participation in the event. Be sure in the spirt of community that will be discussed.

Ellen Abraham

HIT Board Member

Thanks mom

I am writing to congratulate you on the first anniversary of the G.P.C. Your last issue was an excellent piece of journalism.

ANDREW PETER BEEBE, PH.D.

PSYCHOLOGIST

DEBRA L. DUNKLE, ACSW, LISW

CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER

12429 Cadar Rd. Suites 23 & 24 CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OHIO 44106

Enclosed is $10 to continue my subscription.

I also want to thank you for inviting me to the cookout on July 30th for the anniversary celebration.

I must say it was a pleasure to meet your very talented staff and real joy to attend a party that didn't require alcohol or drugs to enhance it. I enjoyed myself very much.

It was gratifying to meet a group of young people (and old) who are willing to stand up and be counted for what

they believe in and are not afraid to admit who they are or what they are about.

I believe there is a lesson to be learned here. "Labels" can be devastating as well as destructive.

I have never met a finer, more hard working group of people. Thank you for having me there to share in your celebration.

Love to you and your staff

your mother, Vinnie Pontoni

11

(216) 229-2100

Campbell apoligizes

(Editor's Note: This letter was dated September 2, 1988)

I am sorry that I could not attend the Names Project Quilt's event on June 3rd. I did call and say that I was unable to come, because I got held up on legislative business in Columbus.

I am glad the project was such

a success. You received wonderful press, and you did a great service by to calling attention the human dimension of the AIDS crisis. I appreciate the work you do and look forward to working with in the future.

I hope you understand why I was uanble to be at the event and will accept my sincere apology. Sincerely,

Jane Cambell

State Representative

155h House District

Living with AIDS

by Joseph Interrante

Director of Education/Health Issues Taskforce

This issue of The Chronicle debuts a new column about AIDS, provided as a service to the lesbian and gay community by the Health Issues Taskforce.

The goals of the column are diverse: to provide accurate information about AIDS and related issues, to monitor (and when necessary correct) local media coverage of AIDS, to cover the social and political dimensions of the epidemic, and to explore the nuances of what it means, as a community, to be living with AIDS.

The column also will report news about the Taskforce when it serves the goals of public accountability and/or community awareness.

I was going to initiate the column with a description of the configurations of AIDS in Cleveland. In light of last month's Chronicle editorial, however, Continued on Page 12.

SWIAMING FISHING

HOT TUB

REC ROOM

SUSAN & KATHY OWNERS

HIKING

Springhill Farm

LODGING* and DELUXE CABINS *Smoke Free

Reservations Are Required

(614) 659-2364

5704 Highpoint Road Glenford, Ohio 43739