B-12 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE PRIDE GUIDE 1998

Squad will give Columbus even more to cheer about

by Kaizaad Kotwal Columbus-With all the talk about professional sports teams in Columbus, it seems only natural that a cheerleading squad would try and gain a foothold here as well.

Peter Aguirre, a transplant from San Antonio, Texas, has begun planning the inception of "Cheer Columbus," a Midwestern sibling of the "Cheer Dallas" organization.

Aguirre, now a member of Ohio State University's cheerleaders, used to belong to Cheer Dallas before he came to Ohio. Cheer Dallas was a primarily gay squad although it had many straight members.

"There is this big stereotype that most male cheerleaders are gay and that is not true at all," Aguirre said.

Cheer Columbus is being fashioned after its Dallas counterpart. In Dallas, the squad was formed in 1993 to support Team Dallas

at the Gay Games in New York the following year. From that point on, Cheer Dallas has had amazing success and visibility, not only in the gay world but also in mainstream America.

After having been featured in Out magazine in 1994, their prominence has been on the rise.

Cheer Dallas's main platform was "Cheer for the Cure." As part of this mission, Cheer Dallas has raised over $200,000 towards AIDS causes and benefits. They have also raised money for other diseases like juvenile diabetes and breast cancer. Aguirre hopes that Cheer Columbus will do the same things for the Columbus and Ohio communities.

"One of the great things about Cheer Dallas was that it promoted Dallas in a great light," Aguirre said. "We hope that Cheer Columbus will do a lot of positive things for the city's image," he added. Cheer Dallas has made its impact nationwide and Aguirre intends to put Cheer Columbus "on the national scene as well."

Cheer Columbus organizers Peter Aguirre and Matt Brent, right.

Once the momentum gets rolling, Aguirre intends to form Cheer Columbus as a not-for-profit organization. In addition to raising AIDS awareness and projecting a positive image of Columbus, Aguirre hopes that "Cheer Columbus will show people that cheerleading is a sport and is much more than just waving pompoms."

Aguirre is trying to recruit people for the squad and he has already got together a core group who have begun practicing. "People who join

FOR

THE

Cheer Dallas has raised over $200,000 for AIDS causes.

need not have any experience," Aguirre said, "but they should have enthusiasm, ability and a very positive attitude."

"It is a lot of hard work," Aguirre continued, "but the rewards are great as well."

Aguirre understands that this sort of cheerleading squad is "a new concept here in Columbus" and that it will take a while to get the necessary support and financial backing to make Cheer Columbus the great success that Cheer Dallas already is.

"We hope that Cheer Columbus is eventu-ally self-funding," Aguirre said, “and right now the volunteers will have to take on the cost of the uniforms." Aguirre and his assistant organizer Matt Brent (also on the OSU squad) have already designed the navy blue and black uniforms.

Aguirre already has a busy agenda planned out for Cheer Columbus, and hopes to have them ready to tumble and cheer at various

СО

CHEER DALLAS

CORE

events in Ohio and in neighboring states.

"I would like to see us participate and be visible this year at Pride rallies in Cleveland, Columbus, Louisville, Chicago as well as at other summer events," Aguirre said. He would also like to see Cheer Columbus work together and rival with Cheer Dallas.

"I hope that the formation of Cheer Columbus and the existence of Cheer Dallas will spark off a trend where other cities begin to form their own squads," Aguirre said.

No prior experience is necessary and men and women, gay or straight of any age are encouraged to come out and become part Cheer Columbus. People who wish to support Cheer Columbus in other ways are also encouraged to contact the organizers.

For more information on how to join and try out for Cheer Columbus, please call Peter Aguirre at 614-299-7470.

2nd Annual

West Virginia Statewide Pride Parade and Festival

June 19-21 Charleston, WV

www.wvinter.net/~pridewv

Friday, June 19

Kick-off Party

The Tap Room

6:00 p.m. 'til 9:30 p.m.

Miss Pride of West Virginia '98 Pageant Finals

The Grand Palace 10 p.m. 'til closing

Pride 98

Pride Moves Mountains!

Saturday, June 20

All-Day Concert

Haddad Riverfront Park 4:00 p.m. 'til 11:30 p.m.

Post-Concert Party

The Broadway 12 Midnight 'til closing

(304) 345-9938

Sunday, June 21

Pride Parade and Festival

Kanawha Blvd

2 p.m. 'til dusk

Trax Dance For Those Who Can't

Trax

4 p.m. 'til dusk