LESBIAN GAY

Community Service Center

This space has been provided to the Center by the Chronicle, and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Chronicle staff or management.

Settling for the substandard by Aubrey Wertheim

Don't read any further if you're expecting this column's usual sweetness-and-light updates and kudos. All is scuttled this month for a roaring grievance and a major plea.

Why does the Center do what it does?* It's needed.

We know how.

Nobody else will. It's fun. At times.

Homophobia stinks, straitjackets--even kills.

Gays and lesbians have gone without their own place long enough.

For the past seven months, valiant-butfew staff and volunteers have been trying to give our community a Center that it would be proud of from the very first moment you stepped into it.

An attractive, efficient, impressive facility where there once was our former spaces, substandard and unworthy of pride. We had this Radical Idea

We thought that since most people are made to feel second-class in so many areas of their lives for being lesbian or gay or bi, we thought they would want one place in their lives that would be first-class, that would make them feel unequivocally firstrate. Time for a major renovation.

We may have been wrong. Though quite a few members of the community (bless you!) have come through * Inspired by the National Association of Arts Organization's "Notes."

OF GREATER CLEVELAND

with their time, materials or donations, most people have decided it just wasn't worth it.

What was your excuse?

People drop in or call or come to a program at the Center every week, yet feel they can't give a few hours on a Sunday to make the place look good.

Hundreds of others are thankful for our anti-violence or archival or HIV or media work, but really don't care if the place is unattractive.

Is substandard all we think we're worth? If everyone reading this article called and offered one Sunday in March for four hours the place would be radically revamped and ready to unveil by April. To brag about in Washington.

Attractive meeting rooms. New meeting space. Workable offices and volunteer work areas. A tremendous multi-media resource center.

Wouldn't that be a real point of pride? Just because you're queer, you don't have to accept shabby.

Make a commitment. To yourself, your community, your younger brothers and sisters who are now coming out through the Center at 14, 15 and 16 years old. Don't we all deserve a nicer introduction?

Don't make excuses. Make a call. 5221999.

Ask how you can help. No matter how lame you are with a hammer or brush, we'll find a spot for you. If time is impossible, call about giving money or donations-we're still short on both.

Our closets were dark, dingy, unaccommodating. A Lesbian-Gay Community Center shouldn't bear any resemblance.

The key to our new Center is in your hands. Won't you unlock it and let it--and all that comes with it--out?

חברה תקוה

February 19, 1993

GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

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Cleveland Heights Office

Page 29

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Chevrei Tikva

The Cleveland Religious and Social Organization for Gay and Lesbian Jews

This space has been provided to Chevrei Tikva by the Chronicle, and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Chronicle staff or management. by Paul Zeitzew

In March we begin thinking that spring will be here soon. The holiday of Purim usually lets us know that the leaves might really turn green again. Purim has nothing to do with spring, it just falls at a time when greenery is something that is on our minds.

Purim is also the Feast of Esther, since she is the key figure in this holiday. We read the megillah (story) of Esther on this day which tells us, in very flowery terms, how Esther was the Jewish bride of King Ahasuerus (Arty). When her Uncle Mordecai (Morty) refused to bow down to his arch-enemy Hamen (Harry), the latter ordered all Jews to be executed. However, Esther, using her wily charms convinced the horny old king to rescind the order or she might withdraw some of her favors. Instead of hanging all of the Jews, he ordered Hamen to the gallows instead.

Last year at our Purim festival, Joyce Donnelly and her Chevrei Tikva Women's Players read the megillah of Esther as it really happened, from a woman's point of

view. Devastating but true, Joyce will repeat this Academy Award performance this year on Friday, March 5th at 8:30 at the Unitarian Society in Cleveland Heights. Since Hamen wore a triangle shaped hat, the food of the holiday is called Hamentashen. These are pastries that are shaped in a three cornered hat dough filled with assorted wonderful sweets. Of course, following services, there will be Hamentashen. Join us for an interesting evening.

Of other CT news, we had our annual retreat for board members at the end of January. Major decisions for functioning thru 1993 and into '94 were discussed. Of important interest will be our 10th Anniversary in November. (The history of the Congregation will be the subject of an upcoming article in this space.) We also decided on an important fund raiser in 1993 to benefit the AIDS/HIV Community. More details on this when final plans have been made. Women's brunches begin in March and Torah study groups. For more information on CT events, please call 932-5551. Stay tuned for more exciting CT news next month.

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Commitment Vows

I perform ceremonies outside the traditional fold with sincere respect for each couple who love, honor &

cherish each other.

Please call Rev. Renee Goodman 216/247-2772