AUGUST 20, 1993 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

Groups join together for a larger AIDS Walk

by Charlton Harper

Realizing the need for greater visibility and outreach into the larger Cleveland community, five local AIDS organizations have joined in support of the 1993 Cleveland AIDS Walk, "Step in the Right Direction," a first for such linkage.

The agencies are AIDS Housing Coun-

cil, the Free Clinic of Greater Cleveland, Health Issues Taskforce, the Living Room, and SAMM (Stopping AIDS is My Mission). Proceeds from the Walk will benefit the groups and their respective services.

While it is the third year for the Walk, it is a year of several "firsts." Recognizing that the needs of the Walk demand full-time

Notes from a 'Festal Virgin'

by Belinda M. Paschal

Aug. 15, 1993: Here I sit, amid mountains of unpacked camping gear, suffering from a mild case of post-traumatic stress disorder and reflecting on my first trip to the Michigan Womyn's Music Festival.

Just a minute ago, my poor bladder was tying itself into knots because my mental voice kept whining, "The bathroom's too far awaaaay!" Then I remembered I was Home, Sweet Home.

Who would've guessed I'd ever do the back-to-nature thing with approximately 6,999 other chicks? After all, "roughing it" to this born-and-bred city kid means running out of Sure Extra-Dry and having to use some off-brand, sticky roll-on.

an

-But I jest! The festival truly was enriching event which yielded sights and experiences you'd probably not see anywhere else like the "lust in the dust" sideshow offered by a passionate couple who gave what I'll tactfully call an "impromptu performance" in a field during a nighttime

concert.

The entertainment lineup, which included singer Holly Near, was enjoyable but catered to a more low-key crowd, much to the chagrin of us randy youngsters who would've liked to bang our heads to something with more of an edge-say, L7, Babes in Toyland or, hell, even Melissa Etheridge. In addition to being a "festal virgin,” I

camped with eight other women, most of whom knew each other before the event, but were complete strangers to me, except for my previously faceless pen pal with whom I'd been corresponding about two months.

The "outsider" feeling that overwhelmed me as I entered this circle of friends was soothed by these gracious strangers as they widened their circle to include me. I ultimately grew to regard them not as strangers, but as eight unique personalities who each left a distinct and lasting impression in my mind and my heart.

The oldest woman in our group of otherwise twentyand thirtysomethings, shared with me the astute observations about life and people that can only come with age. Thanks to her, I'm really looking forward to 40.

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One new acquaintance's warm sense of humor embraced me like an old friend and helped soothe my frazzled nerves.

Much to my surprise, another camp mate (I'll let them figure out who) left me besotted as a giddy schoolgirl-a facet of my personality that doesn't surface very often. (Sigh.)

My bonding experience with these eight women was perhaps the most valuable souvenir I brought home from my trip, because it symbolized an outstanding festival theme: the power and beauty of women loving

women.

Massachusetts lesbian festival attracts thousands

Several thousand lesbians from around the country gathered in the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts the weekend of July 23-25 to have fun, celebrate their lives, and discuss ways to educate the public about lesbianism.

Organizers of the fourth annual Northampton Lesbian Festival said about 5,000 lesbians and their supporters attended the three-day event.

"We are all for education and showing people what we're about," said Aliza Ansell, one of the founders of the festival, which had been held at various sites in Amherst for the past three years before coming to Cummington, Massachusetts.

Festival organizers had expected some protesters from the surrounding communities to show up at the event, but nothing had been reported either Friday or Saturday.

Participants attended workshops on legal issues and building communities through lesbian media, heard lesbian musical performers and comedians, and bought crafts made by lesbian artists.

Media attention focused on lesbians was a topic for discussion. A recent Newsweek cover story examined the growing public perception of "lesbian chic,” while ABC's 20/20 did a segment on Northampton's lesbian community.

Media accounts are just a snapshot of a broader picturę, some said.

"The whole lesbian scene is portrayed as being young, urban, trendy, and white," said Martha Nelson of Northampton, who owns a store that caters to gays and lesbians. "The reality is that it is as diverse as the population of the country."

Yet increased media exposure was seen

as favorable by others.

"I think the visibility is good because it helps people gain confidence and shows them that they are not the only ones around," said Georgia Ragsdale, a lesbian comedian from Provincetown.

"We have some of the last untold stories that have not appeared in the mainstream media," Ragsdale said.

Festival organizers said proceeds from this year's event were to go towards purchasing a permanent home for the festival to be called "Womynsland."

"Every year we've produced the festival at a different site, so it's really important for us to have our own land," said Diane Morgan, a co-founder of the festival.

Morgan said the group was looking at possible locations in the Berkshire Mountains.

Brenda Burdick, a manager for the Cummington inn that hosted the festival, said the inn had received several phone calls and letters from residents unhappy about having the event there.

But Burdick added that the majority of people had been supportive of their decision.

Most Cummington residents said they did not mind the festival being held there.

"If that is what they want to do, it's fine," said Pat Beckwith, who owns a video store in Cummington. "I don't think people really care about the festival being held here."

"I think it will open some minds in the area," said Chris Sullivan, an employee at the Old Creamery Grocery Store.

"This has turned out to be one of the biggest weekends of the year for us," Sullivan said.

attention, this will be the first Walk organized under the eye of a Walk-Coordinator, Juliann Fausel. Says Fausel, "The Walk needs to be a year-long effort. There is much competition for corporate dollars, and corporations set their agendas early. Hopefully, this year's Walk will pave a pathway for future efforts at those dollars."

Corporations will be a major focus for donations and sponsorship, another area of new expansion for the fundraiser. Corporate sponsors already on board include Revco, the Plain Dealer, WENZ 107.9 FM, Clinical Specialities, and the Gay People's Chronicle. Organizers see sponsorship as a continuing process and will pursue potential support through the day of the race.

Government acknowledgment and recognition have also increased. In addition to the continued support of the Cuyahoga County Commissioners, Mayor Michael White will act as honorary chairman, a major coup toward wider legitamacy and acceptance.

Emphasizing the event as a "celebration of life, of people coming together," the 10k pledge walk will step off from Edgewater Park at 1:30 pm, September 26 amid much festivity. There will be live bands, clowns

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and mimes, tents and food, all in an attempt to cultivate a sense of community and family. Mayor White will open the Walk, while radio personalities from WENZ will host throughout the day.

The Walk route will extend from the park, west on Lake Avenue to Lakewood Park, and return east to Edgewater along Clifton Road. There will also be various "pit-stops" and planned activities throughout the route, with the Lakewood Jaycees anchoring events at Lakewood Park. Registrations will be taken the day of the walk, and prizes will be given to those bringing in the most pledge money that day.

Needs are great. Volunteers, food, money, a sound system and a television sponsor all head the wish list. But as Fausel stresses, it's getting walkers that remains a central issue. "It doesn't take long, a couple of hours to sign up pledges and a couple of hours at the walk itself. And you can have fun doing it. If you can't walk we'll be happy to accept your donation, but it's not just about dollars but about numbers of people too. We're here to stay. The walk is a worthy project and what we do here this year will go a long way to helping us with next year's walk."

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