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GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE Pride Guide 1997

Night to remember Robbie raises funds for youth group

PRISM!

PRESENCE AND RESPECT

FOR YOUTH IN SEXUAL MINORITY

Indian

DOREEN CUDNIK

Members of Presence and Respect for Youth in Sexual Minority display their parade banner on the Center's back patio.

By Jen Kruger

Cleveland-Since the tragic loss of Robbie Kirkland to suicide in January, PRYSM, the Cleveland Lesbian-Gay Community Center's program for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth, has received a wonderful show of support from many areas of our community in his memory. We thank all of you.

On Sunday, May 18, R&R Productions, a Cleveland entertainment company, held a special fundraiser in memory of Robbie to benefit PRYSM. The event raised over $1,500 to help in the future fight for queer youth. The Center plans to use the money

to extend the services of the program, as well as providing funding for ongoing program needs.

The event, which took place at Legends night club, featured over 20 local entertainers, local gay celebrities, and a live broadcast of WERE's The Gay, '90s with Buck Harris. In addition, several businesses donated prizes for an auction which also raised money for the program. Robbie Kirkland's family was also on hand in support of the event and the effort to raise awareness about the issues faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered youth in our society.

The fundraiser was not only a chance to

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fund a great program, but it was also a forum to address the difficulties presented to young queer people. In schools, out queer youth are harassed. In homes, they are sometimes abused or abandoned.

If you are a young person, you know about this reality. Society is not always the safest place for

young gay people.

As the program manager of PRYSM, I see queer youth dealing with these things on a weekly basis-sometimes more often. That is why PRYSM exists.

PRYSM is not only a "safe

place," it is more than that. It is a place where young people help each other get through the tough times and find empowerment. It is an outlet where young people can help each other through shared experiences and a common interest in challenging homophobia.

If you are a gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or questioning person 20 and under, you can help change attitudes, support your peers, and create change. I think that too often people feel that they can't contribute to PRYSM unless they need support or have serious issues. While the group does a great job at helping those people, other young people who are looking for an outlet where they can become pro-active and can serve as examples to those youth are also vital to the success of the PRYSM program.

Of course, the PRYSM program couldn't be without the energy and enthu-

siasm of adult advisors who, in many cases, provide the only positive exposure for the youth who attend the group. Just seeing productive and healthy examples of gay and lesbian adults can be a powerful realization for these young people.

With the recent expansion and growth of the program, we've been able to provide new opportunities for youth. The

If you are a young person, you know about this reality. Society is not always the safest place for young gay people.

youth are planning on creating a newsletter for queer youth, about queer youth in order to reach others and also to erase their invisibility. The newsletter will give queer youth a voice to express their creativity, their concerns, and their ideas. With these new areas, also come new opportunities for qualified volunteers who represent the diversity of and can relate to the youth who attend the group.

If you are a young person, please come. If you are an adult, please volunteer. That is the way we as a community can continue to support our youth, and hopefully help others like Robbie Kirkland before it's too late

Jen Kruger is the youth coordinator of the Cleveland Lesbian-Gay Center.

GIFT games will feature pajama party and cruise

Cleveland-In celebration of Pride month, the Gay and Lesbian Invitational Fellowship Tournament will be holding in mid-June its 13th annual bowling tournament and GIFT-Pride cruise.

Registration for the GIFT tournament will be on Friday, June 13 at Legends nightclub, 11719 Detroit Rd. in Lakewood, from 6:30 to 11:00 pm.

Bowling will be held Saturday and Sunday, June 14 and 15 at Buckeye Lanes, 24488 Lorain Rd. in North Olmsted. With over 180 out-of-town bowlers expected to join in the GIFT tournament, this year's theme will be a "Pajama Party." Lanes will be decorated with pajamas, boxers, bras, teddy bears, blankets, and other pajama party items.

Bowling on Saturday and Sunday will begin at 10:30 am, with singles and doubles events held on Saturday.

The "Pajama Party" theme will take center stage on Sunday as the teams will

be dressed for the Best Team Pajama competition. A cash award will be presented at the banquet for the winner.

After the bowling, the participants will gather at the Airport Marriott at West 150th St. and 1-71 for the awards ceremony at 6:00 pm.

Cruise on Lake Erie

The GIFT-Pride cruise will be held on Saturday, June 14 on the Goodtime III. The boat will leave from the East 9th Street Pier in downtown Cleveland. Passengers will begin boarding at 7 pm, as the boat will set sail promptly at 7:30 pm.

Music, dancing, and fun accompany the cruise, as well as beautiful views of downtown Cleveland from Lake Erie.

Tickets are $18 in advance and $20 at the dock. Many Cleveland-area bars will be selling tickets. For details on the events, call Jim at 216-252-8933 or Bob at 216226-3471.

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