GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE 1993 PRIDE GUIDE

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Fifth Pride Festival is first in downtown Cleveland

Cleveland's Public Square, host to downtown ceremonies, ethnic festivals, demonstrations, rallies, memorials and ice skating, is about to see a large group of gay men, lesbians and bisexuals celebrate their pride and diversity on a Saturday afternoon. Pride '93, "Family of Pride," the fifth annual festival sponsored by Cleveland Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Pride, takes place this year, for the first time in the heart of the city, on June 19.

The change in venue was long overdue, according to the festival's organizers. Most cities that hold Gay Pride celebrations have them in a

visible or centrally located site, such as

a major park. Cleveland has been unique in holding its festival on side streets surrounded by industrial buildings. The proximity to the Lesbian-Gay Community Service Center

led people to assume it was a Center activity, but Cleveland Pride has been the work of a volunteer committee-and now nonprofit corporation-since 1989. The former site also caused security headaches, trying to keep the event alcohol-free when it was in the same block as a gay bar.

With the shift to a very visible location, Greater Cleveland's gay men and lesbians no longer have an illusionary shield and are forced to make a tougher decision about how "out" they are, or plan to be. The Pride board hopes the perception

that Clevelanders need to be more closeted than in other major cities will change. The popular philosophy is that many lesbians and gay men don't want to risk being seen participating in a gay festival because of the city's small town dynamics, or because their parents live nearby. It seemed to the committee that more Clevelanders would

travel two hours to Columbus and participate in that city's GayFest than in the local event, to avoid exposure. The Cleveland Pride Committee has no way to predict how many will actually attend the downtown festival. Reaction to the

new site is mixed. Those who cannot deal with coming out have declared their opposition and boycott. Others are encouraged by the more accessible, greener location. That-and the

free admission-may attract a larger crowd. Last year 600 people marched, and approximately 1,500 visited the festival, braving bone-chilling weather. These figures were about one-third lower than 1991's.

The festival will be open, rain or shine, from 11 am to 4 pm on the Northwest Quadrant of Public Square. It's convenient to all RTA buses and the rapid transit system. If you walk out of Tower City, the festival site is directly in front of you, across Superior Avenue. For those arriving by car, several parking lots are in the area

and street parking is free (see guide and map, pages 18 and 19).

Once all the marchers arrive on the Square there will be speeches advocating the march demands. Later in the day, at 2 pm, there will be a commitment ceremony. Bluefish Productions' Brynna Fish has scheduled the stage entertainment, which will feature local performers, speakers, and politicians. The emcee is Michelle Crone, an activist and comedienne who co-produced the stage rally at the March on Washington. Deejay Jerry Szoka, host of Beat of the Night on WRUW 91.1 FM will provide dance music.

As in 1991 and '92, Pride '93 is an official City of Cleveland "Summerfare" event, listed in Growth Association advertisements and brochures.

Approximately 50 booths in the quad-

rant and on West 2nd St. (the west roadway of the Square) will be staffed by gay and gay-friendly groups and businesses, offering information, voter registration, merchandise and refreshments. The alcoholfree event is fully wheelchair accessible and most of the stage activity will be interpreted for the deaf.

The recent March on Washington showed how much of a statement gay men, lesbians and bisexuals can make, how much progress we have made, and how far we have to go. The excitement and energy has moved from that weekend in D.C. into our local area. Plan to join your family for ar afternoon of fun, entertainment, food, empowerment, friends, and resources by attending the Cleveland "Family of Pride" celebration.

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