STONE WE
CLEVELAND
by Keith Sutton
A lesbian/gay political organization of Northeastern Ohio
What an exciting and informative night
it was!
I was so pleasantly surprised at the large turnout at our Gay Town Hall meeting on Monday, April 5. I couldn't have been happier to see so many interested lesbians and gay men.
According to more than one unofficial head-counter, about 140 people packed into two adjacent rooms to watch the Right Wing's propaganda video. It was standing room only!
We greatly appreciate the time and expense that Jerry Bunge of OutVoice donated to us. After discussing who had produced the video The Gay Agenda, Jerry suggested we watch for several key points: they never mention religion, thus attempting to disassociate themselves from fundamentalists; the lack of discussion regarding lesbians; and numerous and blatant ways in which a small truth is grossly distorted.
As Jerry predicted, the audience broke out in laughter at times. Who could help it when the number of sexual partners we're accused of sleeping with extends into the thousands... per gay man! And how the converted homosexuals knew "first hand" of the orgies in the bath houses. Or, when the authoritative, gray-haired man announces with utmost certainty that the majority of homosexuals participate in fisting... Give us a break!
Yet, we each knew how this propaganda could scare the intelligence right out of many middle-class Americans. These statistics, combined with the graphic coverage of San Francisco violence and "in your face" parades, distorts the truth of our lives. Not once were we portrayed as families. homeowners, professionals, caretakers, volunteers or community leaders.
Xxnx
The discussion and questions afterward were often directed at what do we do next.
Jerry and I enumerated several specific
actions we each can take: become a member of activist organizations, they're our network of information and resources; subscribe to letter writing services like Stonewall's new "Tell 'Em" service; march on Washington April 25; respond to every negative about us, don't let the lies and ignorance continue; come out to as many as you feel comfortable with, we're each a shining example of humanity; and pick up the phone or visit your elected officials, you pay their salary . . . and benefits!
The most difficult questions of the evening were "which of the gay organizations do the best job or achieve the greatest goal?" Although I felt uncomfortable with the competitive position the questions impose on our organizations, they're legitimate questions. As a businessman and a donor to numerous causes, I too have been trained to frequently seek the most "effec'efficient" and "value-added" path. But I've also learned that in many cases the sum is often greater than the parts. Especially if the parts are not duplicating efforts. If the parts address different needs, as I believe Stonewall, Out Voice and ACT UP do, then we'll be better off to support all three. Together, as complementary political organizations, we'll advance further.
tive,
9966
Don't forget to carry the message and continue to extend the hand of assistance. We welcome you to our meetings each first and third Monday of the month at the Center at 7:00 p.m. See ya in DC!
This space has been provided to Stonewall-Cleveland by the Chronicle, and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Chronicle staff or management.
Chevrei Tikva
Cleveland's Synagogue with an outreach to the Lesbian and Gay community P.O. BOX 18120⚫ Cleveland, Ohio 44118 (216) 932-5551
Member of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations and the World Congress of Gay and Lesbian Jewish Organizations.
by Paul Zeitzew Chevrei Tikva moves into Spring '93 with the successful continuation of the sale of AIDS Awareness Red Ribbon Pins.
The ceramic pin with gilt edge, selling for $5.00 has been selling extremely well, particularly after the Academy Awards ceremony where almost everyone was sporting a red ribbon. The first order has sold out; requests for more pins keep coming in out of the second order. Hopefully by the time you are reading this, a third or fourth order will be sold out too. The entire profits will go to the Free Clinic and the AIDS Housing Council. Ribbon pins, at this writing, can be found at Body Language and Gifts of Athena. Also being sold by members of Chevrei Tikva, 932-5551.
May is also the month in which the holiday Shavuot takes place. On the Hebrew calender it begins on the eve of the 5th of Sivan. Translating to the popular calendar, that would be the 25th of May. According to the Book of Exodus, this is the time Moses went up to the mountain to receive the Ten Commandments from God.
There is much folklore around all holidays. For Shavuot it is the tale of the
mountains. When they heard that God was going to give Moses the Law, they quarrelled which mountain should be worthy of this honor. Their arguments went from which was the highest, which impassable, most majestic, the craggiest. But God ignored their egotistical arguments and chose Mt. Sinai because it was the smallest and humblest of all.
In addition to Shavuot and AIDS Awareness Pins, we will be honored with a guest on the Shabbat of May 21. He will be Rabbi Daniel Roberts from Temple Emanu El. An exciting, not-to-be-missed Shabbat.
On Saturday, May 22, CT-niks and anyone else who would like to join us in group at Severance Hall. The occasion will be Sian Edwards, one of the few women conductors and the only woman to lead the Cleveland Orchestra this season. Pianist Stephen Hough will be guest soloist. The major work of the evening will be a classical favorite, Mussorgsky's colorful Pictures at an Exhibition.
The C.T.Line, 932-5551 is always available for more information. ✓
This space has been provided to Chevrei Tikva by the Chronicle, and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Chronicle staff or management.
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