PRIDE GUIDE 1996 GAY PEOPle's ChronICLE B-7

On the Bat 'n' Rouge diamond, it's queens vs. divas

Looking for a fun and funny way to end your Pride Festival experience? Check out the Bat 'n' Rouge softball game. O:anized in 1988, this dizzy whirl puts a new spin on the queer softball tradition.

The charity event, sponsored by the Columbus Lesbian Gay Softball Association, is a virtual pagaent, with thousands of spectators and some beautiful cheerleaders urging men and women (and queens and divas) in dresses to get around-the bases, that is. All while

trying to keep their wigs and heels from flying off.

This year's game will be held on June 30 at Lou Berliner Park, Diamond 29, at 6:00 p.m., right after the Pride festival closes. For ticket information, call 614444-HOTS (444-4687).

Half of the proceeds will be donated to a community organization chosen by the softball association. Previous recipients include AIDS Service Connection, Stonewall Union, and Pater Noster House.

LEEANN MCGUIRE

Some Bat 'n' Rouge queens and divas from the 1995 game.

Recovering from a bashing, I learned the meaning of Pride

by Perry Slone

One evening as I was sitting in a restaurant, I began to think about what pride means to me. And the more I thought about it, the more I realized what it truly

means.

Over four years ago, I was beaten and robbed. As a result of the trauma from that incident, I spent many months reliv-

ing the attack. I felt

nervous and self-

conscious, so much so that I stopped wearing any type of

clothing or hats

that had any gay

symbols on them,

or the names of any gay groups that I

I'm also on the board of Kaleidoscope Youth Coalition, fulfilling a dream I have had for years to do something for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth community.

Through my work as a regular volunteer for Stonewall Union, and my work with New Creation MCC, I was given a sense of pride in myself and in who I am as a gay Christian male.

I felt afraid to be standing alone at a bus stop at night, and every time someone walked by me, I wondered, "Will this person attack me?" It is a truly awful

thing to live in fear of your

was volunteering own life.

for at the time.

I felt nervous

whenever my

roommate would go out or work late. I felt as though people were out to get me. After my car died, I had to rely on the public transportation system in Columbus to get around as best I could. I felt afraid to be standing alone at a bus stop at night, and every time someone walked by me, I dered, "Will this person attack me?" It is a truly awful thing to live in fear of your own life.

won-

But also during this process, I began to see and understand my own personal fears, the fear of being rejected, of being thought of as dumb and stupid. As I dealt with these and other fears one at a time, I found myself becoming open again. I became more aware of what was going on around me and in the community. Today, for only am I the director of Beacon Ministries, but

I want to thank my friend and mentor Doug Brown, who showed me with pa-

tience and love that I could do and think for myself. I want to thank my friend and mentor Mike Dittmer for having faith and trust in me as a person. And I want to thank my sister Tracy for having the

courage to accept

me—and who keeps asking me when I'm going to find a boyfriend.

Today, as I'm preparing to leave a restaurant, I'm wearing a T-shirt with the lambda symbol on it. I'm putting on my hat from the 1994 pride march when one of the busboys comes up to me and says, "Have a nice day . . . and nice hat."

On this occasion of pride, remember to always have pride in yourself!

Perry Slone is the director of Beacon Ministries, a Columbus organization that "strives to bring a positive spiritual message to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community through advocacy, education and coalition." They can be reached at P.O. Box 10814, Columbus 43201, or at 614-299-4408.

cleveland Public theatre

PRESENTS

the Baddest Boys

BY DOUG HOLSCLAW

BETWEEN BIBLICAL NIGHTMARES AND A DYING MAN'S SECRET, FIVE PEOPLE COME TO TERMS WITH DEATH, DYING, POLITICS, ART, FASHION, RECIPES, LUST AND LOVE IN THIS HILARIOUS FARCE!

JUNE 7-JUNE 29

THURS-SATURDAY AT 8 PM SUN AT 2PM

THURS, JUNE 6 IS A SPECIAL BENEFIT FOR PRIDE

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