gay people's HRO
May 1989
Parma senato
by Martha Pontoni
State Senator Gary C. Suhadolnik, R24, of Parma, has recently introduced Senate Bill 162 which would prohibit lesbians or gay men from adopting or acting as foster parents in the state of Ohio.
Suhadolnik, a heterosexual, believes that "homosexual values are things we don't want to encourage."
In an interview with the Chronicle, Suhadolnik said, "I'm not suggesting that homosexuals are going to do certain
Public Libery
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Cleveland, Ohio
A Chronicle of the Lesbian & Gay Community
gays should not adopt
things, but husbands and wives show affection, and so will a homosexual couple. This will show the child that homosexual behavior is okay. I don't agree."
Suhadolnik insist that this bill has been an idea of his for many months. He states he did not introduce this bill in retribution for passage of the Hobson bill. That bill outlaws discrimination against persons with AIDS. Suhadolnik insisted that the Hobson bill was a "gay rights bill" and would not support it. The homophobic legislation intro-
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Community Shares
In the first-and hopefully last-incident of vandalism since the Center's grand opening last fall, a piece of asphalt was thrown through the front display window at 10:30 Saturday night, April 22. A guard gave chase to one young male, but could not catch him. "We hope this is an isolated incident, not the beginning of an ongoing problem," said Services Director Aubrey Wertheim. Damage was estimated at $500.
Center seeks executive director
by Martha Pontoni
The Lesbian-Gay Community Services Center of Greater Cleveland has announced its search for a new full-time executive director.
In a press release dated April 7, members of the board of trustees indicated that an executive director was needed due to the Center's rapid growth over the past year. The Center's annual budget has grown from $18,000 to $120,000 in that time.
The executive director will be responsible for raising funds and keeping daily activity at the Center running smoothly.
The board's decision came after many months of meetings and retreats to determine the best way to run the Center and provide the most services Cleveland's lesbian-gay community.
Aubrey Wertheim will remain director of services, but only in a half-time capacity. When asked about the changes,
Wertheim said, "I think it is greatly needed. My strengths are in services, not administration."
Wertheim, who has been the heart and soul of the Center since his hiring last year, has mixed feelings about his halftime status. "Given the options, I'm pleased," he said.
Wertheim's position will be supported by the Cleveland Department of Health. He said he will seek employment outside the Center to supplement his income. Wertheim would like to work with schools and businesses combating homophobia.
The board of trustees also has recently lost two members, Helane Jefferson, treasurer, and Bob Yun, public relations committee chairman, for personal and family reasons. Applications for the three positions are being accepted at the Center office. For more information, call Sue Miller at 521-1999. ▼
Photo
hoto by Drew Cari
duced is an exact copy of a New Hampshire law. New Hampshire is one of only a few states that directly prohibit lesbians and gay men to adopt children or act as foster parents.
Throughout the interview Suhadolnik insisted he had nothing against "homosexuals" but didn't believe children should see "those things." The senator could not explain how children raised in heterosexual households turn out to be lesbian or gay or admit that the reverse could be true.
Suhadolnik feels the bill has a fair chance to pass even though no other legislator has co-sponsored the bill and the Plain Dealer has been openly critical of Suhadolnik's position. Calls to the senator's office have been running four or five in favor of the bill. Those opposed to the bill have not left their names. Senator Suhadolnik's phone number is 614-466-8056. To correspond, write to Senator Gary Suhadolnik, State House, Columbus, Ohio 43215. ▼
Affirmation ceremony at Pride '89
by Robert Laycock
Excitement is building here for Pride '89, Cleveland's first lesbian and gay pride celebration in 15 years, to be held Sunday, June 18.
Pride '89, a street celebration that organizers seek to make an annual Cleveland event, is being planned this year to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Stonewall riots in New York City. National leaders Craig Davidson, Executive Director of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), and Renee McCoy, Executive Director of the National Coalition of Black Lesbians and Gays (NCBLG), will speak. Bluefish Productions is arranging the stage entertainment.
An affirmation ceremony is now being planned for Sunday morning. Co-chairperson Martha Pontoni comments, "Part of having pride about being a lesbian or gay man is supporting creation of our families. This ceremony is for any group of people or couple interested in being supported for being a family."
A similar ceremony at the 1988 All Ohio Lesbian-Gay Conference was very successful with approximately 30 couples affirming their commitment to each other. Pride organizers expect twice that many for the ceremony on the 18th.
Youth project
A new leadership project for youth who have same-sex affectional identities has been organized, entitled the Gay and Lesbian Equity in Academia Network (GLEAN).
The project was launched in early 1989 with an anonymous seed grant of $25,000, arranged by the Dakota nightclub in Washington, D.C.
"The abuse which young gay and lesbian people receive. . . is a terrible social problem," wrote Congressman Barney Frank, D-Mass, in his letter accepting a position on the project's Board of Advisors. "Trying to alleviate it as you propose to do is a very important social goal, and I am pleased to be supportive," he added.
The project will create a continuous national clearinghouse for the equity and access work being done by educators, other professionals, theorists and groups, both on the community and national levels, as a way to foster the sharing of information and experience in policy and service delivery regarding high school-aged and college-aged youth who are, or are perceived to be, gay, bisexual or lesbian.
One of the key components of GLEAN, according to Project Coor-
The location of Pride '89, billed as "An Out of the Closet Experience," marks another celebrationa coming out for Cleveland's lesbian and gay community. The location, on West 29th Street between Detroit and Church Avenues, is in front of the Lesbian-Gay Community Service Center, which opened last fall with substantial newspaper and television publicity.
The Pride '89 celebration will take place between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m., featuring music and dancing, food, booths operated by business and organizations in the local Cleveland lesbian and gay community, door prizes and more.
Posters and buttons are available at Another State of Mind, 16608 Madison Ave. in Lakewood; Body Language, 3291 W. 115th St. in Cleveland; and High Tide/Rock Bottom, 1824 Coventry Rd., in Cleveland Heights. T-shirts will be sold at the event.
Persons are still needed to help build the event, or help with a tax-deductible financial contribution. To help, call Martha Pontoni at 216-321-1129, Drew Cari at 216-229-8418, or the TDD line at 216229-2827, or write Pride '89 Committee, PO Box 5426, Cleveland, Ohio 44101. ▼
dinator Luke Adams, will be the direct empowerment of youth.
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Free Personals
The second anniversary of the Gay People's Chronicle's rebirth will take place with the publication of the July 1989 issue.
To help in the celebration the publishers of the Chronicle are offering free personals for the month of July.
The Chronicle also invites all readers to write to the editor and express how they feel about the Chronicle's first two years. This could include feelings, suggestions, or comments on how the paper has affected Cleveland's community.
All personal ads should be sent to P.O. Box 30634, Cleveland, Ohio 44130, and need to be postmarked by June 1.
Letters should be sent to P.O. Box 5426, Cleveland, Ohio 44101. Names will be withheld only upon request in letters to the editor. Help the Chronicle celebrate by sending in your personal and letter today.