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GAY PEOPle's ChronICLE JANUARY 15, 1999

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COMMUNITY GROUPS

Equality begins March 21

on the Statehouse lawn

by Linda Malicki

So, cold weather be darned, things are heating up in the fine state of Ohio.

Toledo passed an amendment to the city's human rights ordinance banning discrimination based on sexual orientation, including gender identity.

lieve in justice and equality as we rally on the Statehouse lawn in Columbus in the historic event "Equality Begins at Home."

Be a part of this incredible, nationally coordinated event. All over America during the week of March 21-27, rallies, marches, conferences and parades will be taking place at each state capital to create visibility, raise awareness for our issues, and strengthen our communities and allied support.

MARCH 21-2

Columbus City Council passed an ordinance allowing domestic partnership benefits for unmarried partners of city employees. A huge effort is underway to overturn this decision by opponents of the

measure.

The Ohio Court of Appeals upheld the de-

nial of the adoption of

equality Begins at home

Jane Doe by the lesbian life partner of Jane's biological mother.

The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the right of the City of Cincinnati to discriminate based on sexual orientation.

A bill was introduced into the Ohio Senate that would make it a criminal act for a person living with HIV not to disclose this to sexual partners.

Laws that affect you are being passed locally, statewide and nationally. Don't wait until your rights have been taken away to get involved. You've heard the phrase "Don't be re-active, be pro-active!" Well, here's your chance.

Mark your calendars for March 21, 1999. Join thousands of other Ohioans who be-

This enormously important

cam-

paign, coordinated by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and the Federation of Statewide Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Political Organizations is your opportunity

to make your voice heard in your home state. Do it!

Equality Begins at Home Ohio is sponsored by an association of GLBT community centers and political organizing groups throughout Ohio.

For more information about this historic event and how you can get involved please call the Equality Begins at Home Ohio Hotline, 888-429-6446 (888-GAY-OHIO) or visit www.rainbow-akron.com/ebah on the web.

Don't miss this opportunity to be a part of history!

Linda Malicki is executive director of the Cleveland Lesbian-Gay Center.

216-229-2100 800-938-9973

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Centurions' teddy bears raise $10K for six charities

Columbus-The Columbus Centurions are proud to announce that they equaled last year's landmark holiday season fundraising on Friday, December 18 at Tradewinds II, by receiving over $10,000 in donations during their annual Teddy Bear Run.

The funds will be divided among six charities, with each receiving $1,700 (rounded figure): the AIDS Service Connection, Camp Sunrise, Huckleberry House, Living Dreams, Project Open Hand, and the Children's Hospital HIV/AIDS Unit.

decorated by local bars and businesses.

This year's winners in the friendly competition to sell the most paper bears were Union Station, first place, and Wall Street, second place in the big bar category; and among small bars, Remo's was first place and No Attitude Café second place. Remo's was also the overall winner this year, selling $766 worth of paper bears. For businesses, Piercology got first place and Rainbow Tribe, second place. Special recognition awards go to Mark Campbell, Cary Evans, and the Columbus Stompers.

CENTURIONS

COLUMBUS

The run is a monthlong series of events traditionally benefiting children's or GLBT community charities. It culminates with the annual Teddy Bear Show, an evening of frolic and pageantry starring the members of the Centurions and many guests from the central Ohio area performing seasonal skits and musical numbers.

OHIO

In the three weeks before the show, the Centurions also received donations via solicited and unsolicited pledges; appearances by the Teddy Bear himself (herself?) at bar nights in local clubs; an auction of donated items which took place during the show; a raffle of a pair of round-trip airline tickets to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; and through the sales of "paper bears,” outline designs of teddy bears which were

Community Groups

Other bars that participated in the paper bear sales this year included Club Diversity, Club 20, Downtown Connection, Eagle in Exile, Garrett's, Grapevine, Pyramid Nightclub, Slammers, South Bend, Tabu/Garage, Tradewinds II, Tremont, and Union Station.

The members of the Centurions wish to express their special thanks to 1998 Mr. Teddy Bear Denny K., 1998 Ms. Teddy Bear Nicki Peters, 1997 Mr. and Ms. Teddy Bear Mark Campbell and Alexis Allen Channing; to show emcees Cary "Tux" Evans and Deborah "Taffeta" Bowers, and to the dozens of members, volunteers and businesses who committed their time, energy, and resources to help us help those in need around us during this special time of year.

The "Community Groups" columns on this page are published by the Gay People's Chronicle free of charge, as a public service. They are written by members or officers of each non-profit organization, reflecting the views of their group.

If your organization would like to submit a column for this page, contact the Chronicle's managing editor, Doreen Cudnik at 216-631-8646, toll-free 800 426-5947, or e-mail editor@chronohio.com.