8 GAY PEOPle's ChroNICLE NOVEMBER 27, 1998

COMMUNITY GROUPS

Groups around the state observe World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day was observed for the first time in 1988 after a summit of health ministers from around the world called for a spirit of social tolerance and a greater exchange of information on HIV.

Now observed annually on December 1, World AIDS Day serves to strengthen the global effort to face the challenges of the AIDS pandemic, which continues to spread throughout every region of the world. This organized effort is designed to encourage public support for programs that prevent the spread of HIV infection and to provide education and awareness of issues surrounding HIV and AIDS.

The 1998 theme, "Be a Force for Change," challenges young people around the world to recognize the crucial role they play in the ever-changing course of the AIDS pandemic. It aims to motivate them to get involved in reducing the spread of HIV as well as have compassion for and lend support to those affected by HIV. Focusing in the United States on 15 to 24-year-olds, the World AIDS Day initiative for 1998 acts as a call for action.

Young people cannot afford to overlook the impact that HIV and AIDS has on their generation nor can they be overlooked as an effective force for change. The world's future depends on the health of today's young adults.

Artists hold sway over AIDS

Cleveland-Sway, a free mini-magazine featuring emerging artists and activists responding to HIV and AIDS, will premier Friday, December 4. Editor and educator John Chaich ofthe AIDS Task force of Cleveland conceived the magazine. He and associate editor Erin Hosier, of Planned Parenthood-Cleveland, selected regional artists whose works reflect the emotional and so-

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Editors and artists of sway invite community members to join them December 4 in a discussion of their work and the state of AIDS awareness today from 7 to 9 pm at the Cleveland Center for Contemporary Art (8501 Carnegie Avenue.) Hip hop edu-tainer Torman Jahi will perform, followed by a listening party for Red, Hot and Rhapsody, the latest CD from the Red Hot organization. The disc features modern twists on Gershwin standards by David Bowie, Natalie Merchant, Morcheeba and the Roots.

After the sway premier party, guests are invited to the Brillo Pad coffee bar, 6424 Detroit Avenue for an after-party. For every person wearing a sway sticker, the club will donate a portion of the cover charge to the AIDS Taskforce of Cleveland.

Tag a tree for AIDS housing

Cincinnati-The Imperial Sovereign Queen City Court of the Buckeye Empire will kick off the Ninth Annual "Tree of Life" fundraiser in the main lobby of the Lazarus Fountain Place store in downtown Cincinnati. All proceeds will benefit Caracole House, a non-profit corporation designed to provide supervised, low-cost housing for people displaced or disabled by AIDS.

The event will be held at 12:30 pm and will feature the lighting of the "Tree of Life," holiday caroling by members of the Cincinnati Men's Chorus and comments from local community leaders.

Customers and patrons may make a donation and place a gift tag on the tree to commemorate or express holiday greetings and love to anyone they choose. Individuals wishing to place gift tags on the tree may also participate by sending a donation made payable to ISQCCBE, Inc. to P.O. Box 3414, Cincinnati, Ohio 45201. Those contributing by mail should indicate the individuals that they would like to acknowledge on their gift tag.

The "Tree of Life" is being sponsored by Lazarus/Federated department stores and will remain on display throughout the month of December. For more information, call Jim Taylor, 513-421-0582.

Healing Day in Steubenville

Steubenville, Ohio-The practice of personal healing and growth through complementary and alternative methods will be pre-

TOM RITTER

"I wanted to feel flesh and not latex at some point in my life-don't you?" part of Tom Ritter's Boxed In series featured in sway magazine.

sented in a safe and welcoming environment at the December 5 Healing Day in Steubenville.

This event is locally planned and sponsored with guidance from the Ohio AIDS Coalition, a statewide organization “dedicated to offering hope, healing, and empowerment to HIV challenged individuals."

A holistic approach offers opportunities for healing through Healing Day. An attitude of "we are all in this together" is established as each participant checks societal "baggage" at the door on Healing Day.

"The community of the day will help make this journey a little less painful and considerably less lonely," organizers said.

The Steubenville Healing Day will take place at Urban Ministry Mission, 301 N. Fifth Street from 9 am to 4:30 pm. Lunch will be provided, and a doctor or nurse will be on site. The event is handicap accessible. This Healing Day is free, but donations to the Ohio AIDS Coalition are appreciated. For more information, call Shelly Thomas, 614444-1683.

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Ohio AIDS conference

Columbus-The Ohio Department of Health HIV/STD Prevention Program will commemorate World AIDS Day with a two-day conference, "Be a Force for Change in Ohio" on December 17 and 18 at the Fawcett Center on the Ohio State University campus.

The conference schedule includes five plenary sessions and nine workshops. Plenary speakers include Karen Vadino, an independent consultant on humor and health in Youngstown; Ohio AIDS Coalition's Keith Kinder; Kenneth Vail, director of the Xchange Point, a syringeexchange program in Cleveland; and Cleveland's Rev. Marvin McMickle.

Workshop session topics will include HIV in minority communities, issues faced by women and youth, pediatric infection, workplace issues, the faith community's response to HIV, HIV and STDs in correctional facilities, and effective grant writing.

Continuing education credits will be available for licensed social workers and counselors who attend the entire program. Attendance is free, but reservations are required by December 9. For a conference brochure, call the Federation for Community Planning, 216-781-2944 ext. 342.

Many other groups around the state are holding their own observances for World AIDS Day. For information about other events, see Charlie's Calendar on the facing page.

Compiled by Dawn E. Leach from press releases.

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