MARCH 20, 1998 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE 13

COMMUNITY GROUPS

Gay and lesbian Democrats have statewide conference

by Dale Brashers Columbus-Gay and lesbian Democrats are organizing early to have a voice in this year's election. There are a lot of important elections this year for Ohio's gay and lesbian communities, and it is critical for our community to have a voice in local and statewide elections.

The Central Ohio Gay and Lesbian Democratic Club formed nearly a

said Brian Shinn, vice-president of the Central Ohio club and a committee member of the national federation.

The first major event in Ohio will be a statewide conference on April 4 at Out On Main, 122 E. Main Street in downtown Co-

Central Ohio Gay

and Lesbian Democratic Club

year ago, preceding the formation of the National Federation of Gay and Lesbian Democratic Clubs, which was founded recently with the help of openly gay U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass. The national group will be meeting May 8-10 in Kansas City, Mo.

"The national meeting is an important opportunity to develop strategies for electing gay and lesbian-friendly candidates,"

lumbus. The one-day conference will begin at 9:30 a.m. and will feature speakers and small group discussions.

Openly lesbian Dayton city council member Mary Wiseman and openly gay Toledo city council member Louis Escobar will speak during the morning session. Richard Cordray, Democratic candidate for Ohio attorney general, will speak during the afternoon session.

Cordray has been an outspoken supporter of gay and lesbian rights in the state. As state solicitor for former attorney general Lee Fisher, Cordray began a fight against Cincinnati's anti-gay Issue 3. He has contin-

ued to work on the case with lawyers from the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund.

Discussions will continue throughout the day, with topics to include:

What are the important issues for Ohio's gay and lesbian communities?

• How can local communities organize gay and lesbian Democratic clubs?

COGLDC

Central Ohio Gay and Lesbian Democratic Club officers join candidates at the club's March 3 meeting.

Which candidates should gay and lesbian voters support?

How can we educate candidates about our issues?

A reception with a cash bar will be held from 3:30 to 5:00p.m. Candidates and elected officials will be invited to meet and talk with

the attendees. For more information about these events or to RSVP, please contact the Central Ohio Gay and Lesbian Democratic Club at 614-265-7444.

Dale Brashers is the president of the Central Ohio Gay and Lesbian Democratic Club.

Rep. Loretta Sanchez to speak at HRC dinner

Loretta Sanchez

by Tom Nobbe Cleveland-Loretta Sanchez, U.S. representative from California's 46th district, will be the keynote speaker at the Fifth Annual Human Rights Campaign Cleveland Dinner to be held Saturday, April 4, in the Grand Ballroom of the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Cleveland.

The dinner, which will bring together members and friends of Northeast Ohio's gay and lesbian community, is expected to attract a record 750 attendees.

Sanchez was elected to Congress in November 1996, defeating long-term incumbent Robert K. Dornan. A Republican-led task force last month formally dismissed voter fraud challenge by Dornan to Sanchez's election, ending a 14-month investigation denounced by many in Congress as a "witch hunt" designed to frighten Latino voters and keep them away from the polls.

Mingle with candidates at Gordon reception

by Richard M. Oldrieve

Cleveland On April 6, Stonewall Cleveland will be hosting a reception for political candidates in Cleveland's historic Gordon Square Arcade at 6504 Detroit Avenue.

The event will take place between the hours of 5 and 7 p.m. and will be catered by Cielo's Trattoria. A $20 donation is requested. Limited income individuals can choose to contribute $10. Food and soft drinks will be free, but alcohol will cost extra.

tion and we want to ensure that all segments of the LGBT community have a voice in their political future.

Second, many seats for the Ohio House of Representatives, the Ohio Senate, and other county and federal offices are actually decided in the primary. For example, the Ohio House seat being vacated by Dan Brady is almost certainly going to be won by one of the three Democrats that have filed to compete in the primary. The Republican candidate in that race has been ruled off the ballot for having filed improper petitions. Consequently, there may not be any general election, so it becomes

STONEWAL

CLEVELAND

A lesbian gay political organization of Northeastern Ohio

Stonewall hosted candidates forums before the general elections in 1994 and 96, which were moderated by Buck Harris and broadcast on his Gay '90s radio show. Next October we may put on a similar event; nevertheless, for the primary elections we've decided to host a more informal event where candidates can mingle, pass out literature, and discuss views while everyone eats great Italian hors d'ouevres. It is important for members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered community to meet candidates early enough to be able to donate time, effort, and money while the races are still up for grabs.

The Log Cabin Republicans are Co-sponsoring this reception with Stonewall, So Republican candidates, as well as Democrats and independents have been invited.

It is important to involve Republicans in Our reception for two reasons: First, Stonewall Cleveland is a non-partisan political organiza-

very important to find out which of the three Democratic candidates cares enough about our community to show up and give a short speech at our Stonewall reception.

Similarly, arch-conservative Mike Wise is running for county office and will not be seeking re-election to his Ohio House seat. Jim Trakas is running for the vacant seat in this typically Republican district. Trakas could be a great a choice since in 1996 he used his influence as Republican county chair to encourage several other Republicans to attend the candidates' forum.

For more information, please call Lloyd Clark at 216-221-7056; John Farina at 216521-2684; or Richard Oldrieve at 440892-1994.

Richard Oldrieve is executive secretary of Stonewall Cleveland

"We are thrilled that Congresswoman Sanchez will be keynoting our dinner as we head into this critical congressional election year," said dinner co-chair Timothy J. Downing. “She has set a tremendous example to everyone involved in the political process through her dignity and courage in the face of an unprecedented challenge to her legal election."

Previous to her election, Sanchez was a businesswoman in Santa Ana, California, specializing in assisting public agencies with financial matters. As a member of Congress, Sanchez sits on the House Commit-

tee on Education and the Workforce,

Blue Dog Democrats—a group of moderate Democrats who attempt to find mainstream solutions to major fiscal and social issuesand the bipartisan Women's Caucus.

Also on hand at the dinner will be Christine Link, director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio, which will be receiving HRC's Equality Award for its longstanding support of the lesbian and gay community throughout Ohio.

HUMAN

RIGHTS

CAMPAIGN

which oversees education and labor issues. She is also a member of the Post-Secondary Education Subcommittee and the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee.

Sanchez is also a member of the executive committee of the Hispanic Caucus, the Hispanic Caucus Task Force on Education, the

Break

The

ain

Cycle

The Human Rights Campaign is the largest gay and lesbian national political lobbying organization, with members throughout the country.

Tickets to the dinner are $150 per person. All proceeds from the dinner will go to the Human Rights Campaign. For reservations or more information, call 216-779-6444. ✓

Tom Nobbe is co-chair of the HRC Cleveland dinner committee.

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