Pride 'in the heart of the city'
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to homophobic violence. After it was over, both Hilyard and ACT UP felt the march and the die-in were successful.
The march wasn't all political, however; it was a colorful event, featuring people in high spirit, face paint, costumes and carrying balloons. Parade marshals were Mr. Gay Cleveland, Dene Mathews, and Miss Gay Cleveland, Jennifer Phillips. The best costume award went to Kim Fox in a stunning pink pyramid chapeau, and GayWaves won the best float award.
Once the marchers reached the festival shortly after 11 am, there was no shortage of merchandise and information available. Over 60 booths surrounded the square, almost twice the number from last year's event. The essential T-shirts, books, buttons, and such were complemented by booths from the Human Rights Campaign Fund, Frontrunners Cleveland, the Cyclones Cycling Club, and the safer-sex kiosk that offered all the condoms and dental dams that you could stuff in your pockets.
By 2:00, the crowd had swelled to about 1,100, but the hot and humid weather was taking its toll. When not visiting the booths or splashing in a fire hydrant, most of the participants seemed to be sitting down from heat exhaustion rather than interest in the stage's offerings. Emcees Michelle Crone and Karen Williams often had to heckle people to respond.
Perhaps they should have tried a more soulful approach, as vocalist Karen Butler's rendition of Janet Jackson's "That's the Way Love Goes" got couples up and bumping and grinding. Another memorable event happened earlier, as a line of two-steppers and a drag-clown got down to the "Achy, Breaky Heart." Where else but here could you have found that!
At least such sights didn't startle any onlookers. A policewoman complimented the smoothness of the day by stating that the festival seemed "very well organized, and that makes our job easy." The security guards reported absolutely no problems except for the occasional gawkers and a father with his family, whose jaw dropped
with a dull "Oh..." as he figured out what the event was. He didn't hang around to see the frisbee toss and other games organized by Ray Newborn for the many children during this "Family of Pride" celebration.
The location of the event, clearly a concern for several closeted people, had advantages too, with many festival-goers appreciating the access to the rapid station nearby. Having Pride in "the heart of the city," Karen said, "says this is it, this is what I am." Or, as Cheng put it, Public Square is just "more out."
Being in the crowd of people, amid the hustle and bustle of downtown, made Mario feel like he could "talk the way I want to, walk the way I want to," despite the fact that he marched in face paint because, like the button he was wearing that read MY MOTHER THINKS I'M AT THE MALL, his own mother ironically didn't know he was there.
Be it personal, proxemic, or political matters that affected people at this year's Pride festival, perhaps BiPol representative Barb Nicely's speech best summarized the event and its possibilities by admitting that "in an age of ethnic cleansing," the gay community too has its own inner prejudices and discrimination to overcome. Nicely predicted we are precisely the community to serve as an example for the greater population to overcome difference in order to learn to celebrate it.
The total crowd that came to celebrate the day was between 1,500 and 1,800, according to Nancy Logan, Pride board president. Because of the free admission this year, an accurate count was not possible. Patti Harris, the committee member who sold booth space to vendors, reported that she checked with most of the booths during the day and found they were all pleased with the turnout and interest of the crowd.
With the attendance not much greater than last year's, it seems that Cleveland still has some closets to open. For the gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, and allies who did show up, it was a bright rainbow colored day. Now that Public Square does not seem such a threatening place, the Pride committee expects that many others will join in next year's festivities.
Center names exec director
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ing a grant that started the Living Room; and starting the Garden Party as an annual upscale fundraising auction and social event.
Rainbrook was one of two finalist candidates chosen by the board's executive search committee. The other was Garison Kaufman of Atlanta, whose experience included being executive director of the AIDS Task Force of Winston-Salem, N.C., and public relations director of the North Carolina Lesbian and Gay Health Project. The search committee invited influential community members to meet and question both candidates at an informal reception on June 16, and provide feedback to the board before its final decision was made two days later.
During the reception, Rainbrook spoke about her vision, saying she would “like to see the Center grow and move" to a new location within two years. She will also work to make the organization a “much stronger center of information" for the community, keeping track of multiple resources, not just lesbian or gay, so that the Center can become a first call for help.
Producing public relations and educational materials is another concern of Rainbrook's, and she wants to make sure that the Center gets the word out about its services. She also wants "to see us have more fun," something she has already instituted as chairperson of the supporting membership committee, offering relaxed social get-togethers of major donors. The new executive director says she has a sense of perspective and realizes that some "crises" are just growing pains. She is pleased with the growth the Center has experienced so far, and praised its large volunteer base and financial supporters.
Judy Rainbrook
Responding to a question about her most immediate priorities, Rainbrook listed three: get the Center's basic internal systems more functional; take the time to communicate around the community and find what the perception is of the Center; and then, based on that feedback, articulate a plan with the board to meet the issues.
Leigh Robertson, who has been the executive director since January 1991, announced her decision on March 2 to resign and return to school. She has remained in the post during the search period and will formally turn over the reins to her successor at the Center's Garden Party on July 25.
One of Rainbrook's first chores will be to interview and hire a director of services to oversee the Center's multiple programs. That post was held by Aubrey Wertheim, who for personal reasons reduced his involvement to the part-time position of youth services coordinator two months ago.
JUNE 25, 1993 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE 7
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