GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE FEBRUARY 11, 1994

The 6th Annual Gay People's Chronicle Co

CPT the site for the Cleveland Community Service Awards

Continued from front page

This year the winner is ACT UP Cleveland. Working on a shoestring budget with volunteers, many of whom are People Living with AIDS, ACT UP Cleveland has made itself visible and successful on many

Woman of the Year

fronts, even as other ACT UP chapters across the country are disbanding. While known for its nonviolent but confrontational public demonstrations, ACT UP also has worked behind the scenes, negotiating with officials for AIDS funding, monitor-

No Cleveland jokea t Karen Williams

Turn on any TV talk show and you just might happen upon Karen Williams, "National Spokesperson for the Lesbian Faith or so you might think given the frequency of her appearances. Her direct candor and humor has surely won the respect of many people who thought they knew all about lesbians. A July appear ance on Geraldo's Lesbian Chic seg-

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ing the progress of announced AIDS programs, and providing AIDS education and resources to the community.

Friend to the Community-A non-gay individual or group that has demonstrated solidarity with the gay community. This year the Chronicle is recognizing the longterm support of the area's Unitarian Universalist churches to gay men, lesbians and bisexuals. The national Unitarian Universalist Association has been a supporter of the rights of sexual minorities and most UU churches in Northeast Ohio have gone through the rigorous process of becoming Welcoming Congregations, which affirm and celebrate the "unique gifts and particularities" of lesbians, gay men and bisexuals. Unitarian Universalist is one of the few denominations that readily performs ceremonies of union for gay and lesbian couples

(gay marriages). These churches are a source of solace and identity for many whose sexual orientation is at odds with the religious teachings of their upbringing.

The Gay People's Chronicle Community Service Awards are open to the public and will be presented this year in conjunction with a preview performance of Keith Curran's Walking the Dead at Cleveland Public Theatre, 6415 Detroit Ave. Doors open on Thursday, February 17, at 7:00 pm. Hors d'oeuvres will precede the awards ceremony at 7:30 pm; the play will begin at 8:00 pm. Tickets are $10 when paid in advance or when a phone reservation is made in advance to the Chronicle by calling 621-5280. People who arrive at the door without reservations will be charged $12, space permitting.

Friend of the Community

Inherent worth and dignity

While the gay community has seen its issues and existence under constant attack from conservative religious fundamentalists, the Unitarian Universalist Association churches have led the way in providing acceptance and welcome to our community.

In fact, welcome is a word that carries extra weight with the UUA. The church was established on solid liberal traditions that emphasized freedom of belief and the responsibility of each individual to further peace and justice. Yet a 1987 national survey of UUA churches about attitudes towards sexual diversity showed that homophobia threatened the integrity of a church that promotes the “inherent worth and dignity of every person."

Out of that survey grew the Welcoming Congregation Program, established in 1989. The church defines a Welcoming Congregation as "inclusive of the concerns of gay, lesbian and bisexual persons at every level of congregational life in worship and program, welcoming not only their presence, but the unique gifts and particularities of their lives as well."

The program is designed for those congregations wishing to end homophobia and looking to become more inclusive. It is a rigorous 15-step program that includes

changing worship service language and the content of religious education. Non-discriminatory practices in hiring policies and membership have resulted in many ordained gay ministers. Outreach efforts into the lesbian and gay community are also a part of the program, as well as conducting union ceremonies.

First Unitarian Church in Shaker Heights has recently become a Welcoming Congregation. A Lesbian-Gay-Straight Taskforce was implemented to oversee the Notable

process.

among activities that led to the granting of Welcoming status included teaching a course on human sexuality for seventhand eighth-graders that contained information about gays and lesbians; the purchase of library materials that speak to such concerns; presenting two adult education programs and one Sunday morning service; and sponsoring a letter-writing campaign to Congress urging the removal of the ban on gays in the military.

Though not all area UUA churches have achieved official status as a Welcoming Congregation, all have opened their doors to our community. Says Sue Sackman, cochair of the LGS Taskforce at First Unitarian, "We are a community of individuals and we are always seeking to strengthen that community."

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