NOVEMBER 26, 1993 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

BWMT celebrates anniversary and plans future

by Charlton Harper

The 13th anniversary of the Cleveland chapter of Black and White Men Together was celebrated with a low-key weekend of events that stressed more the social needs of its members and less any sort of political agenda. The yearly event offers members the opportunity to meet people from other chapters, while reaffirming general goals and aims of the organization. Jokes member Scott Bibbs, "We like to think of our anniversaries as family reunions, only without having your cheeks pinched and someone telling you how much you've grown."

Roughly 50 people attended the November 6-7 weekend, with visitors from Erie, Pittsburgh, Louisville and Indianapolis, among other cities. Bibbs notes that the Sheraton Hopkins, site for the Saturday evening dinner and lodging for many guests, was "extremely cooperative in helping stage our anniversary. They have been positively gayaffirming." Bibbs says that BWMT is unique in having the sponsorship of a local bar, Ohio City Oasis, where the weekend's events were kicked off with a Friday evening reception.

Cleveland BWMT membership currently numbers over 40, with much recent growth. The mission of the group is to bring men of color and white men together, providing a means of socialization beyond the usual bar outlets, while also focusing on larger political and social issues. The group has had to work hard at dispelling misconceptions about its aim. "We've really had to work at getting rid of the idea that we are a sex club," says Bibbs. "It's a problem the national body has had to work on also. Many people come in initially thinking that's what we're about."

There are several key issues that the group will focus on in the coming year. Members are currently involved in helping establish an Akron chapter, joining Cleveland and

Youngstown as Ohio's only chapters. Bibbs says that with the addition of Akron, there would be an established base for the formation of a tri-city chapter, creating a more visible presence.

Visibility itself is a part of BWMT's future. The Midwest chapters were the first to form a regional coalition, a move that other regions were prompted to adopt, Bibbs is proud to say. Incoming officers have agreed to make local visibility a priority, along with making the group accessible to other community organizations. "We still feel very, though I hate to use this word, empowered by the March on Washington. We are going to become more politicized in dealing with many of the issues that are facing the gay community right now, like civil rights issues and rights for people with HIV, especially

people of color with HIV," says Bibbs. The group will also focus on establishing a cohesive front in order to "work within the black church," realizing that there is much work to be done at changing perceptions about gays within the African American community.

1995 is an important year for BWMT. It will be the 15th anniversary for both the Cleveland chapter and its national parent body. Major goals are to double membership by that time, and to sell Cleveland as the site of the national convention. Sites for the national rotate among cities. Since Cleveland has never hosted the event, and with the city's bicentennial falling in 1995, the effort seems well-timed. With the added benefit of Cleveland as host city to the 1995 national NAACP convention, a concurrently timed convention will obviously draw added im-

pact. Bibbs says that signals from the Cleveland Convention and Visitors Bureau are positive so far. Many logistics still need to be considered, such as planning social activities for visitors. But there is no doubt that hosting the event would be a major coup for BWMT.

Membership in BWMT is open to any men, single or coupled, of any race. The $20 membership ($30 for couples) allows discounts on club-sponsored events throughout the year. Nationally, some groups have recognized the need to provide women with an arena for expression, and hence, have grown from BWMT to PACT, People of All Colors Together. It's an area that Cleveland couic eventually embrace also, part of the changing face of the gay family. Anyone interested in joining BWMT can contact Scott Bibbs at 786-7522.

Visions has social event of the season

Northeastern Ohio Visions of Akron is pleased to announce a special holiday gala dinner and private exhibition of the works of renown local artists Kathleen Browne and Keith Lewis on Thursday, December 2. This Visions-sponsored evening is being held at the Akron Art Museum, located at 70 East Market Street in downtown Akron. A cocktail hour reception at 6 pm will kick off the event, followed by a special holiday buffet dinner provided by the gourmet kitchen of the Carousel Dinner Theatre.

Art works displayed are representative of important social issues facing the gay and lesbian community today. Kathleen Browne is a professor in the School of Art at Kent State University, specializing in jewelry, metals, and enameling. Her works depict

historical references to women's roles. Browne's work is sometimes said to mourn societal references to human behavior. Keith Lewis is a visiting lecturer in metal sculpturing from the University of Washington in Seattle. Much of Lewis' artwork depicts the tragedy of AIDS and its impact on life as a gay male today.

Visions, a social organization of Akron area men and women, was founded nearly five years ago as an alternative source to network within the community. Since its beginning, Visions has made a name for itself as an important non-profit community group offering support, activities, and encouragement to people looking for an alternative to "the bar scene." Visions currently sponsors monthly theme party events, gen-

erally on weekends, and also developed a successful monthly dinner which is held at different restaurants in the Summit County area. Profits from some of these and other events are used to support various gay community and educational projects.

Visions' membership is not limited to Summit County residents. Many current members reside in Portage County and the Cleveland area. For additional information on Visions and membership write to: P.O. Box 26556, Akron, OH 44319-6556.

For reservations and information on the holiday evening call 666-3948. The cost is $15 for members, $20 for guests and nonmembers. A cash bar will be provided. Semi-formal attire is suggested.

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