IN BOX

Out Voice forming Northern Ohio civil rights caucus

by Doreen Cudnik

A party was held on January 28 at the beautiful Cleveland home of OutVoice vicechair Bill Henderson, John Dvorak, Kelly Krost, and Mary Lowery. Ninety-nine people made a donation at the door, and $1,100 was raised to benefit three vital gay and lesbian organizations; OutVoice, Ohioans Against Discrimination, and the Cleveland LesbianGay Center. One of the highlights of the evening was the video The Straight Agenda, which ran more than once to a room full of amused queers and straight supporters. The video provides a sarcastic response to the radical right's The Gay Agenda (which could also be viewed upstairs), exposing it as the hate-inspired propaganda piece that it is.

Out Voice will be sponsoring a Northern Ohio Caucus at the Cleveland Lesbian-Gay Center on February 26 from 3:00 to 5:00 pm. The Caucus is open to anyone interested in educating the public about protecting the civil rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. "We are hoping to create a federation of individuals and organizations that are committed to doing civil rights work," Henderson said. Anyone wanting more information about the caucus can call 216-651-2341.

Attention gay and lesbian Freedom Riders: Pack your tent and clear your calendar for Memorial Day weekend. Lesbian activist Robin Tyler and Metropolitan Community Church founder Troy Perry met with Wanda and Brenda Henson at Camp Sister Spirit on January 17, and consensus was reached regarding the weekend's activities. Leeke!

From Friday, May 26 to Monday, May 30, a thousand lesbians and gays from all across America are invited to ride to the aid of the Hensons and their besieged property outside Ovett, Mississippi. Although participants will be helping work the land for the four days, they will also have the opportunity to participate in workshops, sing-alongs, swimming, services-in other words, not only four days of helping our sisters, but also four days of celebration and joy.

"I think it's vitally important for lesbians and gay men and our friends to come to Ovett, Mississippi, to help our sisters who are under siege," said Rev. Troy Perry, “and to serve notice to the darker forces in this country that these sisters have the right to purchase and establish their camp and folk school anywhere in America."

The minimum donation will be $135 per

person. Of this, $110 will be used to cover the cost of food, sanitation, equipment, etc. Campers must plan to bring their own tents and utensils. If you plan to come in an RV, RVs will cost an additional $40. If you would like to join in this historic weekend, you can call or write the United Federation of MCC, 5300 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite #304, Los Angeles, CA 90029, Attn. Project Camp Sister Spirit, or call Frank Zerelli at 213-4645100, ext. 212. Detailed brochures regarding what to bring will be sent out. If you cannot attend, but wish to send a donation, please send it to the same address.

Body & Soul; The Black Women's Guide to Physical Health and Emotional Well-Being is a grounbreaking self-help book specifically written to address black women's

Body&Soul

The Black

Women's Guide to Physical Health and Emotional Well-Being

LINDA VILLAROSA, EDITOR

health concerns. Edited by Linda Villarosa, an openly lesbian senior editor at Essence magazine, Body & Soul gives voice to the physical, emotional, and spiritual health experiences of black women today. Sponsored by the National Black Women's Health Project and drawing on the experience of black female scientists, academics, health care practitioners, and writers, it features the first-person stories of more than sixty women from across the country.

"Good health is about intuition," Villarosa writes in the introduction. "We have to believe in ourselves and believe in our ability to make the right decision that will lead to healing."

Body & Soul is is available at your local bookstore. Credit card orders may be placed by calling 800-331-3761.

COMMUNITY FORUM

Continued from page 9

Without legal protection, this could become reality. The ignorance and prejudice that exists is remarkable! Their fears of what they don't understand are unfounded.

I could go on much longer discussing my feelings about homosexuality and my acceptance of myself as a gay human being in a society where it is abhorred, but in respect of your time, I won't. If you are interested in learning more, I would be happy to communicate my thoughts on this further with you. I thank you for your time, commitment, and concern.

Robert M. Kuhnhenn, D.O. Westlake

Rude behavior

The following is a reply to Cleveland Lesbian-Gay Center program director Jeannine Petti's letter (January 27 issue) describing anti-gay slurs voiced by Cleveland police officers.

Dear Ms. Petti:

Recently you wrote Sam Thomas III, Di-

rector of the Community Relations Board, concerning an incident that took place in front of your center involving members of the Cleveland Police Department. In your letter you tell of the arrest of a male by these officers and the inflammatory remarks made while effecting the arrest.

This rude and discourteous behavior is not indicative of the Cleveland Police Department, and is certainly not the image that we are trying to project.

Your complaint has been forwarded to the Complaint Investigation Unit of the Division of Police. A supervisor from the Complaint Investigation Unit will contact you so that you may file a formal complaint.

An investigation will be conducted and you will be advised of the results as they become available.

Mayor White and I regret any inconvenience this incident may have caused you. It is the intent of the Division of Police to provide quality service to the entire community. Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention.

William M. Denihan, Acting Chief Division of Police City of Cleveland

FEBRUARY 10, 1995 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE 21

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