COMMUNITY FORUM

JANUARY 13, 1995 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE 25

Continued from page 9

the Foundation. What better way to do so than through dollars. We want to be able to continue to support, with WCF grants, proand projects which benefit lesbians in grams the community.

Thank you very much.

Ruth Spencer, President Debra Hirshberg, Interim Director Women's Community Foundation Cleveland

Came out to DeWine

A letter to Ohio's newly-elected senator: Dear Mike DeWine,

I'm still very nervous about doing this; I just met you outside of Tower City and can't believe that I came out to you. Further, I told I was afraid of you because the "C" you Coalition (I can't bring myself to say Christian in this context) supports you. You said that I didn't know you and invited me to talk to you sometime.

Why am I afraid? Because I fear losing my

care. I clearly understand, however, that this campaign of hatred helps them raise money.

I wish you congratulations on your victory. I pray that you resist the temptation to campaign against equal rights for gays and lesbians. I look forward to talking with you. David L. Lahti Cleveland Heights

The senator writes back: Dear David:

Thank you for your letter and for stopping to talk with me at Tower City the day before the election.

I have read and re-read your letter. Your letter is very thoughtful. You have identified very well the tough problems that we face in our country today. I would like to encourage you to contact me as specific bills or issues come before the Congress.

Best Wishes to you for a joyous Christ-

mas.

job if people at work knew I am gay. What do We won't quit

I want? I want to be treated fairly as the Constitution guarantees. I shouldn't have to fear losing my job or to risk being thrown in jail (being gay-as defined by the word sodomite-is still illegal in a majority of states, especially the South). I want to live with my husband in peace, work on our house, in our garden, hold hands with my spouse in public without fear of being beaten up. Basically, I want to have the same rights that a heterosexual couple takes for granted. I don't want Jesse Helms bashing me on the senate floor. Why should I be persecuted because I'm in love with someone who happens to have the same sexual orientation, something I've felt since I was a small child? Why would anyone choose this lifestyle?

As a Christian, I am always working (discreetly) to teach tolerance within my faith. I'm very aware of the extremely small number of references in the Bible that refer to heterosexuals engaging in a homosexual act (Jew/Jew only was prohibited but Jew/Gentile was okay as a part of the victory celebrations after a battle). Just as we in modern times ignore the biblical justifications for slavery and no longer believe the earth is the center of the universe, I firmly believe we must modify our interpretations of other texts and focus instead on the Good News in the Gospel messages.

I recently visited the U.S. Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. I hope you will have the opportunity to study Nazi persecution of gays and lesbians. Much of the rhetoric I hear from the "C" Coalition encourages hate and intolerance, and plays to people's fears and misunderstandings, not unlike the Nazi rhetoric that played to the economically disadvantaged in Germany. It certainly does nothing to strengthen our self-esteem and our relationships, and diverts our nation's attention from the real problems that plague our society today: the endless cycle of poverty and drug abuse in our cities, the homeless, mental health problems, and inadequate access for all Americans to quality health

Mike DeWine Cedarville

The following is in response to Michael Deighan's letter to President Clinton in the December 9 issue.

Dear Michael:

Thank you for writing to me regarding the AIDS crisis. I greatly value your suggestions and concerns.

The extent of the HIV/AIDS epidemic is overwhelming, but we must not allow ourselves to despair in the face of daunting statistics. Instead, we must accelerate our efforts to find effective treatments for those infected and provide education to all Ameri-

cans.

In dealing with AIDS, my Administration has undertaken a new commitment to research and prevention and to the development of improved care and treatment for those with HIV disease. The Office of National AIDS Policy is coordinating the federal response to this epidemic, and I am confident that with the strengthened Office of AIDS Research at the National Institutes of Health, we will increase our efforts to improve treatments and work more effectively to find a cure for HIV and AIDS. In addition, we have increased AIDS research funding by over 20 percent and funding for the Ryan White CARE Act by 66 percent.

I want to ensure that all people, including those with HIV/AIDS, will have health coverage that can never be taken away. By reforming our nation's health care system, we can enable more people with HIV/AIDS to continue working and contributing to society without worrying about losing their jobs or benefits.

I stand with you in the fight to protect those with HIV/AIDS from discrimination and to reduce the spread of this disease through education and prevention. We won't quit until we stop AIDS.

Bill Clinton Washington, D.C.

SATURDAY JANUARY 14TH

KARAOKE

WITH SINGIN' SANDY!!

Over 200 more song selections to choose from! Come sing in the spotlight and be the star you are!

SUNDAY JANUARY 15TH

Live Music With the

RAGING HORMONES

4pm-8pm

SUPERBOWL PARTY!!

Make

Date to Watch the SUPERBOWL at the Nickel!!

$5. Cover

Voted BEST

Voted

Lesbian Bar!"

-Scene Magazine

Simple Wills Living Trusts

Power of Attorney

Living Wills

Incorporations Partnerships Business Contracts

Contract Disputes

Personalized legal care for your special needs...

Connie Bartosh, J.D. 17600 Detroit Avenue, Suite 702

Lakewood, Ohio 44107

Telephone: 216.228.3542

5¢ DECISION

4365 State Road

Cleveland

•

(216)661-1314 21 & Over Please