10 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRoNiCLE JUNE 20, 1997

COMMUNITY FORUM

Think parenting over

To the Editors:

I just finished reading the story you did about the lesbian couple that is raising Emily [Pride Guide special issue, May 30]. I can relate to their story. I have been raising my five-year-old daughter by myself for the past 21⁄2 years.

I found out that being a gay man and trying to raise a child is not the easiest thing to do. My family knows that I am gay and have been very supportive. But I wish the gay community was that way. The minute they find out you have a child, they treat you like you have a virus. They do not call, they do not even stop by to see you. And God forbid you should want a date-it just does not happen.

From my experience, anyone who is thinking of being a single parent needs to think it out very carefully. There are a lot of pros and cons to this. First, the freedom you cherish is all but gone, and the responsibility for another life is overwhelming a lot of the time. Be ready for some of your friends not to

THE OPEN PRAIRIE by Joe Noover!

JESSE!

TH' TOBACCA COMPANYS AR' MARKETIN' TO TH' HO-MO-SEX-U-AL LIFESTYLE!

DON'T WORRY STROM!

AR' CAMPAIGNS WILL GIT TH HOMOSEXUALS MONEY AND CANCER WILL FINISH OFF THE SODOMITES THAT AIDS MISSED

Web Site: http://www.visi.com/~oprairie

Email: oprairie@visi.com

agree with your decision. If you have a life Not all gays are shallow stereotypes a dancer with a well-developed

partner, be sure that they are in total agreement with this decision. I am not saying that you should not think about raising a child, but that this decision should not be taken lightly. First and foremost, the child's best welfare is the most important thing!

I wish that I had the support of the gay community, and the support groups they offer now, when I had to make this decision.

For those of your readers that are single gay or bi parents, my best wishes for lots of happy and enjoyable years with your child. And to those of you that are thinking of making this decision, the very best to you also.

Michael Spalek Cleveland

To the Editors,

After reading the review in the Chronicle [June 6], I decided to see Love! Valour! Compassion! I had some reservations based on the reviewer's comments about which actor's penis to watch. That he had a need to mention that he held the theater door open for Joy Philbin gave him even less credibility as a critic.

I'm familiar with Terrance McNally's work, so I overlooked such silly commentary. I knew I could expect a well-crafted and cleverly-written script.

Certainly, it is that.

But, I left the theater feeling very disappointed and somewhat depressed. Here was another film about gay men with all the usual

body work productions, inc.

body and raging hormones, an aging choreographer, a musical comedy queen, an angry man desperate for affection and the token preppy couple to temper the flamboyance.

The attitudes and behaviors presented in the film bring up the usual questions. Are all gay men so inherently bitchy? Are they only superficial in their outlooks and completely egodriven, with only occasional lapses of sincerity, love and caring?

I have happy memories of weekends at a friend's farm in New England, similar to the setting in the film. The similarity ends there. I don't recall anyone being bitchy, cruel or angry most of the time. No one violated friendship and trust for the sake of quick sex with someone else's partner. No one paraded around in drag. And we did not run around dropping our pants to express our joy and love for

nature.

We respected each other and found much more to share than our “gayness."

Maybe, someday, there will be a voice in the theater who will acknowledge the fact that not all homosexuals are gay. Maybe someone will write about who we really are in all our diversity, and not merely focus on the stereotypes that society at large, and unfortunately too many gay men, are willing to accept as representative of all homosexuals.

Philip A. Fritz Cleveland

GANPHOPLES CHRONICLE

Volume 12, Issue 26

PUBLISHIN

BAY PEOPLE'S

KVIR

A DECADE OF

CHRONICLE

Published by

KWIR Publications, Inc. ISSN 1070-177X

Publisher: Business Manager:

Managing Editor:

Martha J. Pontoni

Patti Harris Doreen Cudnik

Associate Editor: Brian DeWitt Bob Boone,

Reporters & Writers:

John Graves, Nels P. Highberg,

Eric W. Hunter, Kaizaad Kotwal, Dawn Leach, M.T. Martone, Tom Rappa

Photographers:

Art Director:

Production Assistant: Advertising Manager: National Advertising:

LeeAnn McGuire Christine Hahn Lynn Williamson David A. Ebbert Rivendell Marketing 212-242-6863 David A. Ebbert 800-426-5947

The Gay People's Chronicle is dedicated to providing a space in the Ohio lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender community for all of its members to communicate and be involved with cach other. This means that every Chronicle, to the best of its ability, will be equally dedicated to both men's and women's issues, as well as issues that affect the entire community: This balance will provide lesbians and gay men with a forum to air grievances and express joys.

The Gay People's Chronicle is copyrighted under federal law. Any reproduction of its contents is prohibited unless permission is obtained.

Any material submitted for publication will be subject to editing. The Chronicle cannot guarantee return of any such materials unless accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope.

The Gay People's Chronicle is not responsible for claims made by advertisers. We reserve the right to reject advertising which is unsuitable for our publication.

P.O. Box 5426 Cleveland, OH 44101 216-631-8646

Fax: 216-631-1052 Toll Free: 800-426-5947 E-mail: chronicle@chronohio.com

Next Chronicle comes out Friday, July 4

The Gay People's Chronicle is published every other Friday, except the first issues in January and June. Display ad and article deadlines are 10 to 12 days prior to publication. Call for specific dates. Calendar, Classified, and Personal deadlines are earlier, and are shown in each of those sections. Advertisers:

Call, fax, or write for rate sheets and information, to the numbers in the masthead above. Subscriptions:

Subscriptions are 13 issues for $15.00, and 25 issues (1 year) for $30.00, sent in a plain envelope. (For faster first-class delivery, add $6.50 for 13 issues, 12.50 for 25 issues to cover extra postage.) Mail check or money order with your address to the Chronicle, P.O. Box 5426, Cleveland 44101.

2710 detroit avenue cleveland, Ohio 44113 (216) 623-0744 bodywork@jimiweet.com

Community Forum

The Chronicle encourages everyone to write and express your opinion about the community or the paper. Please, however, keep letters constructive, and avoid name-calling and personal attacks. Please be brief. We reserve the right to edit letters. We will print your name unless you specifically ask us not to.

Letters must include a street address and phone, for verification only. They can be sent via U.S. mail, or fax to the addresses in the masthead above, or by E-mail to letters@chronohio.com

Correction

In the May 30 Pride Guide special, an incorrect location was given for the annual Cleveland Pride Interfaith Service. The service is 8 pm on Friday, June 27, at Suburban Temple, 22401 Chagrin Blvd., just east of Warrensville in Shaker Heights. Call the sponsors, Chevrei Tikva, for more information: 216932-5551.

ARTHUR E. OTT

ATTORNEY & COUNSHORAT LAW

PERSONAL PLANNING

▼ Cohabitation (Living Together)

Agreements

Wills & Trusts

Powers of Attorney (Financial

& Health Care)

BUSINESS

▼ Corporations

▼ Partnerships Contracts Collections

REAL ESTATE

Co-Ownership Agreements Residential-Buy/Sell/Lease Construction/Development

Commercial

SOCIAL SECURITY

▼ Disability

Supplemental Income

LITIGATION

TAXATION

Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.

See me for car, home, life

and health insurance.

STATE FARM

1uto

Life

INSURANCE

Jean M. Jones

(216) 864-8866

1653 Merriman Road, Suite 108 Akron, Ohio 44313

State Fent Insurance Companies Home Offices:

» Elo