14
GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE JULY 22, 1994
COMMUNITY GROUPS
WE NEED Helping each other
YOU!
Lakewood's Facing the AIDS Challenge Together (F.A.C.T.) Program needs women and men who can spare 2-4 hours a week to do:
•FRIENDLY VISITS
⚫LIGHT HOUSEKEEPING
•MEAL DELIVERY
⚫SHOPPING
PUBLIC RELATIONS
Our mission is to help people with AIDS to live independently, and to educate about HIV and AIDS. We serve Lakewood and the Clifton/Lake Avenue area of Cleveland.
PLEASE CALL 529-7695 TO VOLUNTEER Ask for Ed Magiste, Program Coordinator
Thank you
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get to the polls
by John Nolan
I know that November seems like a long time off, but the truth is that it will be here before we know it and, if we're not careful, before we're ready. What do I mean? The elections this year are very important to the lesbian, gay and bisexual communities. At stake are national, state and local races that will significantly affect our future. Now I've said it before, but I'll say it again to clarify any misunderstanding. Stonewall Cleveland is not in the business of telling you who to vote for. We are, however, in the business of telling you to vote. It is the most pow-
egory to cast your vote for those candidates and issues that you do know you support. I say just vote on those sections of the ballot that you're comfortable with.
I have an idea whose time may have come to encourage voting in the lesbian, gay and bisexual communities. I would like to see every one of us take on the responsibility of getting to the polls this fall. If we could team up in voting couples, we would be more likely to vote. That is, call a friend and
STONEWALL
CLEVELAND
A lesbian gay political organization of Northeastern Ohio
erful statement you can make in determining how issues are handled be elected officials, so whatever your concerns, this concerns you.
I've heard a lot of criticism about the relatively low voter turnout within the lesbian, gay, and bisexual communities. Some people hypothesize that we've been marginalized for so long that we don't feel like we really have a voice in the political process. And, if you don't vote, you'll prove that statement correct. I believe that our best weapon in the fight against those forces that would like to limit our involvement in the political/social arena is our vote. So what do we have to do to convince our friends who don't vote that it is important? I'm not sure, but I'll be glad to hear ideas that will work.
First of all, it doesn't cost anything to register to vote. Second, it's not terribly time-consuming. And you don't have to travel far. The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections is on Euclid Avenue, near East 30th Street. You can also register to vote at your local public library.
Some people are uncomfortable voting because there are some races where they don't really know the candidates or the issues well enough to make a decision. So, until you have the time to educate yourselves about these issues and candidates, just vote for those you are sure of. I know that the judicial races are often confusing. Who really knows which judges have made which decisions, anyway? Not many people. But you don't have to vote in every single cat-
arrange to meet on election day, go vote together, and then go out for coffee or breakfast or lunch. This personal accountability to one other per-
son may be just the subtle push that some folks need to make it to the polls.
Further, I would like to ask every lesbian, gay and bisexually-owned or operated business to help out. For the entire week before the election, every server at our restaurants could remind patrons to vote. When you cut someone's hair the week before the election, take a minute to say "Don't forget to vote next Tuesday." I really believe that if we all took on this responsibility, reminding each other as friends, customers, congregations, etc., that we could significantly increase the numbers of lesbian, gay and bisexual voters who cast ballots on election day.
I'd love to hear other ideas on how we address this issue of low voter turnout within our communities. I think that we just can't afford to go along any further wasting the power of the vote by not exercising our right--and responsibility.
So, are we up to it? I hope so. Let's encourage each other and develop that "Of course I voted" attitude that so many other groups already have. It really can make the difference in elections (look at what our communities' help did for people like Eric Fingerhut two years ago.) Anyway, we're at the point where we have to do it or we all lose. So let's start. Now. I think that the payoff will be worth the minimal effort required.
Again, if you have other ideas on how to improve our voting record, please let me know; I'll be glad to hear them. And, as always, thanks for reading this far.
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HOMES searches for qualified facilitators
HOMES, a social and support group for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons and friends, is looking for additional people to co-facilitate their social and support programs and activities.
The group, whose name stands for "Help Ourselves and Others through Mutual Expression and Support," holds weekly programs with topics ranging from coming out issues and building healthy relationships to a talent night and recipe swap. They also sponsor social activities such as pizza parties and spaghetti dinners. Their first dance, "The Prom" was held in late April.
"We would like to more effectively help the community, and this will require additional volunteers willing to see things through," said Fred, one of the current facilitators. "Often people attending meetings are in the early stages of their own 'coming out' process and appreciate the help and support given them. However, quite often there are not enough people to offer the support necessary.”
Co-facilitators need to be: Out of the closet for a significant period of time, at least a year Willing to share experience
A good listener (not a fixer) for others Willing to learn and to grow Co-facilitators will:
Offer peer support
Facilitate group discussions
Help in program and activity planning and coordinating
Meet with other facilitators Serve for one year
We would like to have one lesbian woman, one gay man, one bisexual person, one transgendered person, and one community-friendly person, of which we would strive to be open to people of as many races and cultures as possible.
Anyone interested should call 522-1999 and leave a message for HOMES, or stop by our meetings, 7 pm every Tuesday evening at the Lesbian Gay Community Center, 1418 W. 29th St., Cleveland.