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GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

An Independent Chronicle of the Ohio Lesbian and Gay Community

Volume 9, Issue 17 February 25, 1994

Federal mediators

sent to Camp Sister Spirit

Ovett, Miss.-Two mediators ordered by the U.S. Attorney General have arrived here to assess an ongoing conflict between the organizers of a feminist retreat and opponents, led by a Baptist minister, who have vowed to drive them out of town.

The two from the Justice Department's Community Relations Service were sent by Attorney General Janet Reno to intervene and mediate in the dispute. They arrived at Camp Sister Spirit February 18.

"What is happening is a massive violation of our human rights and civil rights," said Wanda Henson, one of the camp's operators. "It's about time my government asserts those rights. We asked them to come because that's the only way to insure our safety."

Community Relations Service officials have no enforcement or investigative authorities, said Justice Department spokesman Myron Marlin. They act as a neutral third party to mediate over issues of community conflict.

The Hensons, who have been receiving death threats for months, said they were Continued on Page 5

Porsha Dodson and Yolanda Venson, with daughter Annette Dodson were, along with ten other couples, denied a marriage license on Valentine's Day.

Marriage rights for

me, but not for thee

by Charlton Harper

The Cuyahoga County Courthouse was the site of the usual number of eager Valentine's Day marriage license applicants. But waiting patiently in the basement hallway outside the license bureau February 14 were eleven couples who wouldn't ordinarily have made the effort to file license applications.

Mayor announces proposed AIDS budget

by Charlton Harper

Mayor White's office announced February 16 new proposed figures for AIDS funding in the City of Cleveland in 1994. Though the figures initially look impressive, a closer reading has some still questioning the city's commitment to address the problem.

A first glance at figures for AIDS spending in the city in 1993 and proposals for 1994 shows a dramatic increase from $125,523 in 1993 to $261,706 for 1994. The bulk of the increase, to the tune of $125,000, comes from applied funding through federal block grants. But the city's contribution through its general fund only roughly doubles, from $21,753 in 1993 to $46,753 for 1994, a point of distinction that some, like ACT UP Cleveland, see as lacking in commitment.

"How high does the body count have to get before the city of Cleveland starts to fight AIDS?" asks ACT UP's Joe Carroccio, who makes no effort to hide his disgust. "We're a disgrace for a city this size and

Cleveland's Pride '94 plans

are underway, with the next meeting on Monday, March 7

Joe Carroccio

AIDS Policy Coordinator Kristine Gebbie knows it. This is just more lip service.”

Health Issues Taskforce Executive Director Joe Interrante is happy to see any

for

Center Contemporary

Art pays homage to and hosts a world of performance art

Continued on Page 4

Patrick McCabe and Scott Hare are a gay couple who made the trip to the courthouse in protest of the lack of legalized gay marriage. "Well, nothing was being done about marriage rights here in Cleveland," said McCabe, who organized the turnout with his friend Douglas Braun. Braun and his partner Brian DeWitt were also appropriately suited-up in their Sunday best, patiently waiting in line. "We just wanted to get the ball rolling. Since Valentine's Day is not such a big deal for gay people, we thought it would be the best way to bring attention to our issue."

The effort was viewed as the first step towards registering domestic partnership, a move that several cities around the country have made. Many gay couples would like to see the county and the city of Cleveland try it also.

But for McCabe and Hare and others gathered in the hallway of the courthouse, domestic partnership without legal rights is not an answer. "We're just looking for the same rights that straights take for granted," said Hare, who's got a shopping list of demands. "Tax benefits, shared medical benefits, the right to make medical decisions for our partners, paid bereavement leave, family discounts for married people, hassle-free adoption and custody, all those things that people never realize gays are shut out of."

In lieu of legal recognition of their relationship, Hare and McCabe have held their own private commitment ceremony. Other couples are still working out the technical problems of tying the knot. Debra Dunkle and Martha Webb have been together for more than twelve years, yet they haven't had a formal ceremony. “I don't really know why we haven't had a ceremony," said Webb, looking to her partner for an answer. “I Continued on Page 6

INSIDE

Six Degrees of Separation is

a poignant, witty look at some of today's challenging issues

Claire of the Moon director Nicole Conn talks about the film and her future projects

Ohio anti-gay

groups keep plans mum, for now

Columbus-Lesbian-gay civil rights groups are watching and waiting to learn if they will face a statewide effort to exclude gays from anti-discrimination laws.

A potential opponent isn't saying what form a battle might take. The Ohio ProFamily Forum, which is composed of 23 conservative groups, met in early February here.

Phil Burress, coordinator of the group, said it would be at least a month before the forum reveals whether it plans to put an issue before voters in the November 8 election. "We do have a plan," he said. "We're just not revealing it."

News Briefs

Obituaries

About 350,000 voters' signatures would be required to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. A ballot initiative asking the Legislature to enact a law would require about 113,000 signatures from among half of Ohio's 88 counties.

Stonewall Union and other gay civil rights groups are keeping watch.

"To use a military term, we're hunkering down," said Phyllis Gorman, executive diContinued on Page 4

Clinton sends

support in a letter

Washington-Lesbian-gay civil rights groups say a strong letter of support from President Clinton will help in their fight against anti-gay ballot initiatives in nearly a dozen states.

The February 14 letter, released February 15 with the blessing of the White House, came in response to a plea for help five days earlier from the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund and several other national organizations.

"Those who would legalize discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or any other grounds are gravely mistaken about the values that make our nation strong," the president said in his letter.

Clinton said he agreed with the coalition fighting the initiatives that "this is not an issue of 'special rights' for any one group. This is a battle to protect the human rights of every individual.”

At issue are pending and potential ballot Continued on Page 6

Editorial, Speak Out.

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