COMMUNITY GROUPS

Tell us what you want for the Center's new home

by Bill Tregoning

I've just recently moved out of a high-rise apartment into a house, joining my partner and my extended family of children-quite an adjustment in many ways, but particularly because it brings an end to decades of relatively anonymous living in the security of large buildings, behind multiple doors.

Home has taken on quite a different meaning today. I feel a genuine sense of warmth and pride when I turn the corner and spot the lights on, the magnolia tree bursting with spring color, the individual appearance that tells me, "this is my home, this is where I

Trustees so often become mired in the problems of directing the short-term requirements of an agency like ours that opportunities to step back and dream a little are rare indeed. My opportunity came two years ago, when the question was posed to four participants of the "Fish Bowl" event at Cleveland State University concerning the Center and its mission: "What do you dream for the Center?"

LESBIAN GAY Community

Center

choose to be." I am very fortunate and grateful to have a home where my family and I can be "out" in our neighborhood, in some small way helping to break down with our daily presence and lives the homophobia which exists there, replacing the anonymous face of hatred and fear of gays with real faces of gentle people striving to create and enjoy the same things as everyone else.

It is because "home" has taken on such a deeper, richer meaning to me that I have devoted my energies in this third year of my term as a trustee of our Lesbian Gay Community Service Center to the leadership of a new Facilities Committee, charged with creating and implementing a plan which would provide the Center with anew location in which to function and grow.

Twenty years ago, when Art McDonald and a few other visionaries began the GEAR Foundation, there was little time and no money available to dream about such a permanent home. Providing aid and assistance to men and women in search of one another, in need of safety from abuse, with common interests and a willingness to volunteer was their mission back then. But with no visibility possible, the Foundation's legitimacy in our community was hindered and its growth slowed.

With the creation of the Center out of GEAR, there came a critical need not only for more space, but also a sense of "place”—a visible physical location that was ours. Our community's self esteem and legitimacy grew when we came around the corner into first one, then two, three and now, four modest storefronts on West 29th Street. The Center now had a real home, albeit one in dire need of improvement and modification. The renovation of 1993-94 only solved some of our shortterm needs.

OF GREATER CLEVELAND

if you needed it."

The answers were stunning, simple, and above all 100 percent correct: "A real home"; "A day care/drop in center for parents"; "Somewhere close to all of us in our community, not just WestSiders"; "A kitchen with warm food and drink on hand

I return to that afternoon frequently. It is that cry for a genuine home that I hear over and over again. It keeps me committed to our work. We will find another home for the Centerperhaps our own free-standing building, shared with many other groups and agencies within our greater community. Visible and unashamedly "out." It is, however, a process which we are setting out in order to achieve our goal. Join us, please. Tell us what you want, what you feel we need. Dream along with us. Make it your home, too.

Offering Courteous

& Complete service for

all your real estate needs.

Moving Up In The World? Move Up With The Best. Call the Real Estate Pro Edward Randle (216) 690-7079 pager/vm

Coldwell Banker Hunter

MES

COLDWELL BANKER O

MAY 19, 1995 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

Cafe Tandoor

fine Indian Cusine

2096 South Taylor Rd. Cleveland Heights, Ohio 44118 216/371-8500/8569 Fax: 216/371-8560 Reservations Recommended

Monday Saturday Lunch 11:30-2 p.m. Monday-Saturday Vimer 5.30–10 p.m.

Sunday 3-9 p.m.

Lifetime Companion INTRODUCTORY SERVICES

Providing Dating Services to the Gay and Lesbian Communities of Akron, Canton and Cleveland Areas.

• Discrete

·

Confidential Affordable

216-929-0563

Cheryl's Daily Grind

Gay Owned

& Operated

gourmet coffees • latté • espresso cappuccino • fresh baked goods • soups desserts & fruits • sandwiches • salads

15

OBFAA

SURSLAR FINE BLACH

Menciatio

....་。 BUROLAR

FIRE ALARM

Membe

E.R.C UL

TECHMAN

SECURITY

STATE OF THE ART SECURITY SYSTEMS HARDWIRED AND WIRELESS SYSTEMS SALES AND SERVICE

☐ SMOKE DETECTION (STATE CERTIFIED) TEMPERATURE SENSORS PANIC ALERT DEVICES

ELECTRONIC VOICE ALERT

☐WATER DETECTORS SECURITY SCREENS

Jerry Szoka

5611 HOUGH CLEVELAND OHIO 44103 Residential and Commercial

24 HOUR MONITORING 391-9813

EXIT 169

1

1662 Merriman Rd. • Akron, Ohio 216/869-9980 (located in the valley)

Rentals and Property Management

Carriage Trade Realty

Jack DeBaar Broker

YOUR FAVORITE

NEWSSTAND IS JUST THREE MINUTES FROM THIS SIGN.

Next time you're driving on Interstate 90,

W 44th St W 41st St

EXIT ONLY

take a side trip to Bank News. To get here, head south on W.44th, turn left onto Clark BANK 4025 CLARK AVE. (CORNER W. 41st & CLARK)

HOURS: MON-SAT 10:30a.m.-8:30p.m.

and drive to the next light (W.41st). NEWS FREE LIGHTED PARKING

With over 6,000 titles to choose from,

you won't walk away empty-handed.

281-8777 MORE

807 East Broad Street • Columbus, Ohio 43205

(614) 228-6700

MAGAZINES AND