Award

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stable leadership. By redrafting the bylaws and expanding the board, a greater degree of stability was established.

A vote in February saw a change in name as well as the passing of the new by-laws. Each year one third of the Board members are up for reelection, with a term lasting three years. Elections for officers are held each year, meaning that Judy's term as president could end as early as next October. The goal of the new system, as she explains it, is to set up solid working structures that will enable new people to enter the Board without losing continuity.

When asked about what the Board is trying most actively to accomplish throughout the upcoming year, Judy's reply reflected two major themes. She stressed the Center's proactive stance in recognizing diversity in the lesbian and gay community. She was proud of the fact that the Center has an interracial staff comprised of both women and men. The increase in programming for various groups such as the differently-abled, persons over 55, and the newly forming Youth Rap Group also indicates the efforts the Center has made to involve all members of the community.

The second primary goal for 1989 is the development of a strong financial structure at the Center. In order to sharpen up existing programs and expand others, a solid financial base is needed to break away from dependence on donations.

Judy's personal goal is to help people deal with issues at the Center on an organizational level rather than an interpersonal one. She explains that people need to make allowances for each other's differences, and that every-

one needs to recognize that the Center is primarily a volunteer organization.

We at the Chronicle wish both the Center and Judy a great 1989 and thank them for all they have contributed throughout the past year.

Strangely enough, Dale Melsness also harkened to Cleveland from the Dairy State. Dale left Wisconsin 13 years ago after a season of summer theater because he wanted to "get back to civilization." After teaching college in Virginia, North Dakota, Michigan and Pennsylvania for nine years in the area of production and lighting design, and traveling the country doing summer stock for ten seasons, he felt the time was right to settle down.

He found a job at the Jewish Community Center in Cleveland Heights doing production work, and has been there ever since. Some readers may have attended the JCC's performance of Torch Song Trilogy, which featured Dale as 'production designer and Richard (Melissa) Ross in the lead role.

In contrast to Judy, Dale had not been especially active in the lesbian and gay community prior to this past year. It was not until attending the March on Washington in 1987 that Dale felt a need to become more openly involved in the events that were taking place. He describes his experience at the march as "energizing," and upon his return to Cleveland he carried with him the desire to "change the world," as I am sure many of us in attendance shared.

Rather than let his enthusiasm wane, however, Dale wanted to actually do something. Seeing the NAMES

Project quilt in Washington left a

The All Ohio Lesbian/Gay Conference

The Tradition Continues.

If you are interested in seeing this conference happen in 1989, be at the

Lesbian/Gay Community Center January 26 at 8:00 p.m.

Donald Resseguie, CPA

ACCOUNTING AND TAX SERVICES

(216) 228-1572

January, 1989 GAY PEOPLES CHRONICLE Page 5

strong impression on him, and when he learned in December that the quilt would be going on a tour of the country, he contacted the NAMES Project.

Before he knew exactly how it had happened, Dale found that he had become the chair of the group to get the quilt to Cleveland. After months of hard work by Dale and many others committed to getting the quilt it came to Cleveland on the weekend of June 35.

With such a large number of people expected to attend the viewing of the memorial, there were some reservations about the practical obstacles involved with such an undertaking. When the time came, however, 400 volunteers came together with virtually no problems.

Dale expressed his gratitude that everything had gone so well and that people involved cooperated to make it such a success. Reflecting on the input that the people of Cleveland contributed, Dale found this to be a city of very generous people both in terms of money and time. He cited the community here as donating a high amount of money per capita when compared to other cities around the country.

In October of 1988 the NAMES Project quilt was again displayed in Washington, and a candlelight march was held. Dale describes himself as having been "numbed by the emotional impact" of the experience. Despite some potential last minute problems, the weekend's events went off perfectly.

One of Dale's most exciting projects related to the quilt is a slide show which he has compiled. Entitled Lay Down Your Burden, the 20-minute program features pictures of the faces of those who have died from AIDS

Shooting

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"Rebecca and I were lovers... Nothing about who we were or our love for each other could be considered motivation for the outrageous, inhumane violence that Stephen Roy Carr perpetrated against us."

Commented Kevin Berrill, Director of the NGLTF AntiViolence Project, "While the criminal justice system's handling of this particular case was better than usual, we should all be outraged at the attempt by Carr's attorney to blame Brenner and Wight for provoking the attack. It is another revolting example of how our society seeks to shift responsibility for anti-gay violence from the victimizers to the victims."

Carr waived his right to a jury trial in exchange for an agreement by the prosecution not to seek the death penalty and to drop several lesser charges. Although he has not yet been sentenced, Carr faces life imprisonment without parole. An appeal by Carr's defense attorney is expected.

Commenting on the sentence, Brenner stated that "a life sentence with no parole in a maximum security prison, while not compensating for our tremendous loss and pain, is the appropriate response to a nightmare that nothing can ever make right." Brenner also praised the handling of the case by

followed by their quilt panels. The show also features events from last fall's display in Washington, including the unfolding of the quilt and the candlelight march. Dale explains that the slide show is still growing and developing, and that he would like to see it continue to expand as he collects more photos from friends and loved ones. Many who see the slide show make the connection between the panels and the person the panels represent for the first time. (The show is available for showing to groups as long as Dale's time permits, and he can be reached at 281-1610.)

As Dale sees it, "panel making

s a step in the completion of the grieving process, especially because it serves as a liviing memorial." At the local chapter of the NAMES Project, Dale is also available to field questions concerning panels. Because of his involvement on the national level, he has advice on how to make a panel, what to include, and other suggestins.

Aside from his extensive work with the Project, Dale is involved with raising and showing French bulldogs. Many of his weekends are spent going to shows around Ohio and outside the state.

Dale claims that he has no definite plans for future displays of the Quilt, but he does hope that we will all learn "to treat people with AIDS with more care and less stigma." He sees the activities of the past year as a step in the right direction, and we would like to thank Dale for his tremendous contributions to our community in 1988.

The community can help honor Judy and Dale Jan. 14. We would like to encourage everyone to join us in our celebration. Let us for one night give to those who have given so much to us. ▼

the local prosecutor and police, describing them as "respectful and professional . . . All those involved never wavered in the investigation and prosecution of the crime. Most gay people who are victims of violence do not receive the kind of treatment that I received."

Brenner also called for greater visibility as a means of countering antigay violence: "The only really helpful position we can take is to be open about our lives and then share our loves and losses with all people we come in contact with," she said.

Brenner and Wight were on a hiking trip in Adams County, Pennsylvania when on May 13 they twice encountered the defendant, Stephen Roy Carr, along their route. After making camp in a secluded area by a stream, the women were suddenly fired upon by Carr, who had been hiding nearby. Wight, who was shot at in the back and the head, died at the campsite. Although shot five times, Brenner managed to walk nearly four miles to a road where she was able to get help.

"This attack is the worst nightmare of every woman and every gay person; it is the ultimate violation of our right to live and love as we choose," said Berrill. "In the face of this ordeal, Claudia has shown incredible strength and will and dignity. Her decision to speak out about the attack---and the bigotry that led to it---is an inspiration to lesbian and gay people everywhere."

Fern R. Levy, M.S.

CONSULTANT FOR PERSONAL, GROUP AND ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE

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