GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

FEBRUARY 6, 1998

COMMUNITY FORUM

Chili location rotates

To the Editors:

In regard to Mr. Jack McNulty's observations ["Chili contest should move back to Rockies," Community Forum, January 9] regarding events taking place during the holidays, I can rebut only one.

The fourth annual Holiday Chili Open '97 was indeed held at a new location, and the information [that it was new] was imparted to the Chronicle by the assistant director of the event.

Why this information might have been omitted is simple. The article was about the food bank's current situation as well as the reason the event takes place, and not the specifics of the location.

However, the reason for changing the lo-

Assistance with tax planning. Maximize benefit of tax laws.

Start a new business. Realize your potential. J.. A. Haney & Company Certified Public Accountants Julie A. Haney, CPA Debra L. James (440)282-4645 Professionals you can trust.

Friends

you

can

rely on

19025 Old Lake Rd. 30183 Detroit Rd.

Rocky River, OH

(440) 333-7994 (440)333-0759

Westlake, OH

↑ (440) 899-1957

(440) 930-2957

Charles Scoll

SALONS & SPA

Gift Certificates make a unique gift for that someone special.

cation was also fairly simple. After three years we believed that the AIDS Taskforce of Cleveland and Trident had garnered sufficient notoriety for the event to carry itself and its following to a new location, without too much fallout.

Many people still seem unclear about the fact that the Holiday Chili Open is an event organized and sponsored by Trident International-Cleveland, and not by Rockies or any other establishment.

Many owners of local businesses have expressed their particular interest in hosting the event and, therefore, after careful and thoughtful consideration, Trident has decided to provide them with such opportunity on a rotating basis.

The beneficiary of the fundraiser (the FACT program of the AIDS Taskforce) will always remain the same, regardless of the location. Since the event was the brainchild of the leather gay community, our loyalty was to the people we are trying to assist, not a single gay business or the continuity of the location thereof.

The owner of Rockies, Rocky Archacki, was informed well in advance regarding the change and the reasons behind it. He gave us his blessing, a donation, and one of his employees submitted an entry, which took first place.

Mr. McNulty and many others fail to see the main goal of events such as the Holiday Chili Open, and can only see the particular profit of a local establishment, or the fulfillment of their personal expectations.

They also fail to see how disappointing and hurtful it is when people who invest a lot of time and effort in helping others are undeservedly bashed by ungrateful comments such as Mr. McNulty's.

This could well be the reason for the shortage of volunteers we are experiencing in our community. So Mr. McNulty, if you would like to volunteer for next year's event, please feel free to contact us at HCO '98, 1228 West 112th Street #3, Cleveland 44102.

The history of the event is as follows: The Great Lakes Leather Union established the event the first year. The same person responsible for the event allegedly appropriated money from the second year's profits. This caused Trident International-Cleveland to take over the event, since the majority of the volunteers were from that group.

The third year was the most prosperous, and the AIDS Taskforce received all profits, less expenses. By the way, since Trident has run the event, the Taskforce has received a full accounting of all money and expenses, on record and signed, and has restored credibility to the event.

Contrary to what Mr. McNulty believes, many were helped by the profits from the 1997 Holiday Chili Open. Of course, many more could have been helped if the community would have responded better. The success of such events relies entirely on the response from the community which, in turn, is directly related to the level awareness of the challenges it faces. While Trident will continue to provide an opportunity for our people to respond to the needs at hand, let us hope that our community does not continue to fall victim to the myopia of its own members.

Fabian Toledo, Director Roger J. Gee, Assistant Director Holiday Chili Open '97 Trident International-Cleveland

Call the Caymans

To the Editors,

Out & About, the gay travel newsletter, has called for a boycott of the Grand Cayman Islands following their government's decision to ban gay and lesbian tourists.

Please call the Grand Cayman Islands Tourism Office (on their dime) at 800346-3313 and tell them what you think about their government turning away gay tourists. Even if you weren't planning on a Caribbean vacation, every call to the Grand Cayman's tourism board costs them money. Five hundred calls would effectively erase what an average couple might spend on in a week's vacation. Explain why you are calling and be polite-800 number holders sometimes get your home address and phone number.

Remember that a boycott is not an angry or vengeful act, but a tool. At the other end of the telephone will be employees and residents of the Grand Cayman Islands, but not the person(s) directly responsible for the ban on gay tourism.

Mark Haile Los Angeles, California

VALENTINE'S DAY CELEBRATION

Billy's Northcoast Cafe

PRESENTS

Saturday, Feb 14

DAVID MCVICKER Dinner 8:30 singing showtunes & ballads Showtime 10:00

Special Menu $14.95

11100 Clifton Blvd.

Reservations Required 216-281-7722

GAK PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

Volume 13, Issue 16

•PUBLISHIN

THE GAY

| PEOPLE'S

KWIR

A DECADE

HRONICLE

Published by

KWIR Publications, Inc. ISSN 1070-177X

Publisher: Business Manager: Managing Editor: Associate Editor: Senior Staff Writer: Reporters & Writers:

Martha J. Pontoni Patti Harris Doreen Cudnik Brian DeWitt Dawn Leach

John Graves,

Nels P. Highberg, Eric W. Hunter, Kaizaad Kotwal, M.T. Martone, Eric Resnick

Art Director: Production Assistant: Photographers: Advertising Manager: National Advertising:

Christine Hahn Lynn Williamson LeeAnn McGuire,

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 each 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, February 20

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.

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

Chronicles Arrive in

a plain envelope

"Dear Gay People's Chronicle,

I live miles away from the big city but I still want to keep up on the news and entertainment of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered community. What should I do?!!..."

SUBSCRIBE!

13 Issues for $15.00 or 25 Issues for $30.00

If you'd like to receive the Gay People's Chronicle first class mail (faster service), 21.50 for 13 Issues or $42.50 for 25 Issues.

Name

Address

City

Enclosed is my check for $

State

for

Zip

Issues

Send coupon with payment to: Gay People's Chronicle, P.O. Box 5426, Cleveland, Ohio 44101

HIV/AIDS. The mad resistance to gay and lesbian human rights. Depression, addiction, dependency...

Our fight against these forces proves our RESILIENCE. Admitting we can't do it all alone

proves our COURAGE.

Seven effective therapists to guide your journey of discovery with insight and heart.

BEGIN WITH OUR GIFT OF INSPIRATION CALL FOR A F

(614) 44

918 South Front St. • Columbus, Ohio 43206

Fax/TTY: (614) 445-8283

A Center for

Affirmations: Psychotherapy

and Growth