GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE APRIL 3, 1998

COMMUNITY FORUM

They didn't talk to their own people?

To the Editors:

I am astonished that Cleveland city council had not communicated with its own city HIV/AIDS policy coordinators regarding the proposed $1 million HIV grant.

Robert Staib is co-chair of the Ryan White Title I HIV/AIDS planning council, along with being director of the City of Cleveland Department of Health. Bob Bucklew sits on both the Title I Planning Council and Title II Consortia!

They both work for the city, and appear to have been overlooked as a source of information, as have the Planning Council and Consortia members along with a PWA (people with AIDS) Advisory Group and civic and community leaders.

The only result I foresee, if communication doesn't start soon, is for these grant monies to be lost.

Cleveland is one of the American cities heavily impacted by HIV, and we could sorely use this monetary support. We might even save some lives if we're not too counterproductive in the meanwhile.

Robert Toth Cleveland

There's room for all

To the Editors:

The jury decision in the trial of Jimmy Creech is a glimmer of God's grace. The thirteen United Methodist clergy in Nebraska who comprised the jury sent a message stating that, while our church is not of one mind concerning the place of gay and lesbian per-

To march, or not?

In letters and columns in this Chronicle and past issues, national gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender groups discuss the pros and cons of a national march on Washington in the spring of 2000.

We want to hear your opinion. Will a march on Washington in two years energize our community and gain national attention? Or, should our resources be devoted to state and local efforts?

E-mail us at letters@chronohio.com, or write to Letters, P.O. Box 5426, Cleveland, Ohio 44101, or fax to 216-631-1052. Please include your address and phone number, for verification.

confusion regarding the issue of "same-sex marriage."

Marriage is a legal contract-a function of the state. On the other hand, the church blesses covenants, committed human relationships that reflect our ultimate covenant with God. The fundamental challenge facing the church is not about same-sex marriage or even about same-sex covenants. The real question is whether all persons-regardless of race, age, sex, economic status, physical/ mental ability or sexual orientation—are welcome to participate fully in the life and ministries of the church.

We commend all of those who provide a courageous witness to God's call to be in ministry with all persons during the trial, particularly the Rev. Jimmy Creech and his wife Chris; the Rev. Doug Williamson, defense counsel; and attorney Mike-McClellan. They made great sacrifices in order to stand in solidarity with lesbian, gay and bisexual persons and their families.

Mark Bowman, Executive Director Reconciling Congregation Program Chicago, Illinois

sons in the church, it is important to keep Strength in numbers

everyone at the table.

The jury was unwilling to discard a dedicated pastor who believes that God calls him to offer full pastoral services to all persons, regardless of sexual orientation. Furthermore, the jury was unwilling to send a message that lesbian, gay and bisexual persons and their families should be denied access to the ministries of the church.

While we regret that the United Methodist Church is unable to unequivocally welcome lesbian, gay and bisexual persons and their families at this time, we believe that God's Spirit is moving the church toward such a fuller understanding of the inclusive and compassionate Gospel of Jesus Christ. The outcome of the Creech trial is one sign of this progress.

However, it is distressing to hear voices of

those in the church who threaten withdrawal

or reprisals because others on the margins of

the church are being invited to join them at

God's table. God's table is bountiful with room for all.

Reconciling communities and individuals must help the church discern truth amidst myths and misinformation. The decision of the jury in the Creech trial was not an endorsement of same-sex covenant ceremonies. The proceedings of the trial revealed

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To the Editors:

It is time for another mass demonstration of strength and unity in Washington.

I marched in the three previous national actions, as each became necessary because the elected officials changed substantially between these infrequent events.

Washington lawmakers only respond to numbers. When we stand up to be counted, we lobby from a position of power.

Building for the march brings new people into the struggle and we are all inspired by a half million beautiful people with whom we assemble in solidarity.

Lloyd Clarke Lakewood, Ohio

Images of earlier marches are distorted

To the Editors:

As individuals who were intimately involved in the national discussion and planning of the 1979, 1987 and 1993 national marches, we feel it necessary to interject our observations, reflections and experiences in

JOHN R. O'CONNOR

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order to further the dialogue surrounding the national "2000 March on Washington for Equal Rights," proposed recently by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches (UFMCC).

We also want to correct the distortions and misrepresentations which have been circulated, particularly, the distorted images which have been presented of our previous marches.

Aside from the fact that there would be no actual marching as part of this event, the announcement has raised a number of disturbing and profound questions regarding the organizing process, meaning and proposed outcome of this event.

Foremost among concerns raised by the two groups' plans are the manner by which they seek to organize the event and its anticipated outcomes. The difference between the current effort and the past ones reveal a clear lack of respect for an organizing strategy that is built on an inclusive, accessible process and grassroots involvement.

From this concern emerges a simple question that HRC and UFMCC should not be answering alone: Should we march, and if so, why? Defining the goals of such a momentous event should be a process shared with many members of our community.

Equally disturbing has been the inaccurate portrayal of the previous three marches, which were each historically defining moments in our lives as individuals and as a political, social and cultural community. The disrespect which was shown by those who commented on the complex process of organizing the previous three marches can do nothing to help further the dialogue that is now necessary to ascertain the need for, the value of and the process surrounding a march in the year 2000.

Each march was organized by representatives from around the United States. Efforts were made to be inclusive of people of different genders, races, geographical backgrounds and ethnicities. Furthermore, voices were also given to those who might otherwise have been left behind (e.g., youth, differently-abled, veterans). While these committees might have been large, and somewhat unwieldy, a common goal and shared vision helped to ensure that the mission of these marches were fulfilled.

The Millennium March has already begun to incorporate itself and a director has been hired, whereas in planning for the previous marches, this process was reversed, making possible the largest and fairest participation of community activists and organizations.

No one would argue that these marches were easy, or simple, or ran like well-oiled machines. However, nothing worth doing ever is, or does. One cannot deny that when one looks at the big picture, the achievements of these marches (and the marchers) were staggering-hundreds of organizations, for example. Logistical snafus are to be expected when you gather a few hundred people together, let alone a million. To use this as a reason for abandoning a march altogether, and for holding in its place a large (and probably just as unwieldy) “picnic" smacks of throwing the baby out with the bath water. The integrity of the process which was developed for the previous marches has been ignored. Past experience has taught us that an open and inclusive organizing process results in an upsurge in long-term participation in our movement by our brothers and sisters. Neither HRC nor UFMCC have made any effort to either create such a process, or even to open a dialogue with the hundreds of activists around the country who work to change the way our fellow Americans regard our community.

GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

Volume 13, Issue 20

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This betrayal of those who are committed to fighting for rights and liberation serves no one except those who, in an effort to show the "mainstream" face of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgendered people, seem to fear the presence and participation of those who might disturb their plans. Are they so afraid of diversity that they have cut it off at the root? This is only one of numerous questions that must be answered before anyone can call this march a “national community" event.

As individuals who once came together to create three successful marches, we are calling for the true dialogue to begin. We encourage people to e-mail their responses to this letter to mow-dialog@datalounge.com. [Please send copies to the Chronicle at letters@chronohio.com.]

Steve Ault, 1979 and 1987 marches New York, N.Y. Leslie Cagan, 1987 march New York, N.Y. Mandy Carter, 1987 and 1993 marches Durham, N.C. Michelle Crone, 1987 and 1993 marches Los Angeles, Calif. Eileen Hansen, 1987 march San Francisco, Calif. Jason Heffner, 1993 march New York, N.Y.

Joyce Hunter, 1979 and 1987 marches

New York, N.Y

Pat Hussain, 1987 and 1993 marches

Atlanta, Ga.

Kay Ostberg, 1987 march Los Angeles, Calif.