GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE FEBRUARY 25, 1994

Another look at 'Life' in Canton

Multi-talented Canton native Gary Thomas will stage his second annual song and dance extravaganza, "Life,". March 12 at Canton's Palace Theater for the benefit of St. HOPE, Canton's AIDS hospice. Thomas scored a big success with last year's revue, which raised over $6,000 for the organization.

"I've wanted to do something to help people with AIDS," says Thomas, "so I thought I would do what I do best, which is theater. I want people to know that this isn't a drag show or a bar show. It's just an evening of fun. There have been lots of events for AIDS, but I'm the only person in the area doing anything like this."

Assisting Thomas will be various performing groups from the Canton area. Several know Thomas well. "I've called on studios that I trained in and performed with. What's really great is the mix of talent that we're able to draw." Among that talent will be the Canton Urban League Community Choir, the Canton Players Guild, the Cleve-

land Cavaliers Dance Team, Theater 8:15, Michele's Dance and Twirl Academy, and the vocal group S.R.O.

Staging and assisting with benefits is a big part of Thomas' focus when he isn't performing in Chicago, his second home. With an extensive list of credentials that includes roles in La Cage Aux Folles, 42nd Street, and Guys and Dolls, Thomas knows how to please an audience.

Like most benefits, "Life" is made possible through generous support from Canton businesses, officials and talent. Thomas is quick to produce his list of thanks to those who have helped with the event. “Everyone is just great," he says. "So many people are supportive. I get security donated by the Canton Police Department. The Mayor is supportive and so are the Canton Health Department and the Stark County Health Department. I've had all my printing donated by Benson Printing and other businesses like A Better Home Health Care in Massillon and Option Care in North Canton

Anti-gay forces keeping mum

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rector of the 1,000-member Stonewall Union chapter in Columbus.

There is no state law that forbids discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. But cities, including Cincinnati, Columbus, Yellow Springs, and Youngstown, have enacted anti-discrimination laws that include gays. Cleveland City Council is presently considering one.

The ballot initiative passed in Cincinnati last year nullified part of the city law that forbids discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. That amendment has been put

on hold while constitutionality of the measure is argued in federal court.

Gorman said Ohio is threatened also by the spread of an anti-gay rights movement that began in Colorado and Oregon.

Burress said the conservative groups are not against gays but only "special rights" for them.

"They do not deserve to be compared to African-Americans, the handicapped and all that," he said. "They do not have a history of discrimination."

Gays do face some discrimination, he said. "But no more than fat people, ugly people, tall people, short people."

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have helped. And I don't want to forget the many hair salons in the area that have donated money."

For added interest, Thomas has scheduled the showing of several Ohio AIDS Quilt panels for the theater lobby. "Well, I had some straight friends who said they had never heard of the Quilt. My God,” laughs Thomas, "I just had to do something about that, so I got on the phone right away." He

has also worked out a plan with ACT UP Cleveland and the Canton nightclub The Boardwalk to entice theater-goers who would also like to support ACT UP as well. After the show, the Boardwalk will split all $2 cover charges from that evening's proceeds with ACT-UP.

Tickets for "Life" are $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Showtime is 8 pm. Call 454-8172 for more information.

Pride '94 committee

hires producers for event

Nancy Logan, president of Cleveland Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Pride Inc. has announced that Brynna Fish and Izzy Schachner have been chosen by the board to be the coordinators of Cleveland's 1994 Pride March and Festival. This year's event will be held Saturday, June 11.

As in years past, Pride day provides opportunities for members of Cleveland's lesbian,

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Pride '94 coordinators Brynna Fish (1) and Izzy Schachner

gay and bisexual communities to celebrate their lives in a festive, sensitive and affirming environment. The Pride event embraces the community's diversity and honors its history and accomplishments.

Said Schachner, "The focus of this year's Pride is to bring together as many people and organizations as is possible within our diverse community so that everyone feels represented and celebrated." Schachner has an extensive background in event planning and promotions.

Working on Pride is nothing new to Bluefish Productions' Brynna Fish, who helped with entertainment for the first Cleveland festival in 1989, worked with Oven Productions in later years, and produced the stage show at the 1993 event.

Last year's Pride came out of the closet, so to speak, when it was held for the first time at Cleveland's Public Square in a move that was well received and generated large crowds. Planning for Pride '94 is now underway and many volunteers are needed to help with the March and Festival tasks. Subcommittees include entertainment, logistics, public relations, volunteer coordination, the march, and fundraising. It's a great way to meet people, too.

The next planning meeting is Monday, March 7 at 7 pm at the Chronicle offices (entrances at 2206 W. Superior Viaduct and 1285 Washington Ave.). Anyone interested in working on Pride is invited to call Pride '94 at 595-8788, or Brynna Fish at 371-9714.

Cleveland AIDS budget

Continued from Page 1

increase in local AIDS spending, though he finds room to agree with ACT UP about the city's role. "I'll take the $125,000, particularly if the city is going to do this consistently," he says. "While I think ACT UP is right, I wouldn't discount what the mayor is doing. I don't want to discourage the efforts to secure $125,000 in block grants for local efforts. But the general fund is still at the center of city spending and commitment."

Critics of the mayor and city council are quick to point out the more generous spending on AIDS in Columbus and Cincinnati. But City Council President Jay Westbrook has said that "comparing the three cities is like comparing apples to oranges." Says Interrante, "Part of what's at issue is the amount of money from the general fund that the city allocates for AIDS. Certainly Cleveland's commitment to bringing in block

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grants to community service organizations is welcome. But it doesn't bring Cleveland up to parity with its sister cities in Ohio."

Columbus AIDS Task Force Director Gloria Smith confirms the large role that city has taken in providing city funds to community services. While the Columbus tax base is admittedly larger than Cleveland's (few dispute this fact), the disparity between the cities' spending cannot be attributed solely to tax dollars. "[Cleveland's] health department ought to be embarrassed," says Smith, whose budget relies on 19 percent of its funding from city AIDS appropriations of $300,000. “Columbus was one of the first cities in the country to appropriate city dollars for AIDS. Back in '87 when these funds were first made available a coalition of corporate leaders, community organizations, private funders and people living with AIDS was set up to advise ways to spend that money. City Council has appropriated those dollars specifically for community service organizations. There are additional funds through federal programs, sure. But there's no breaking down the city money. It's all city dollars." The 1994 Cleveland budget is not finalized. Carroccio says ACT UP encourages all concerned to "get on the phone and let these people know that this is just not enough. I mean, come on. Last year they extended the pool season and what did that cost? They can come up with the money. This is just plain paltry."