8 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE MARCH 5, 1999

COMMUNITY FORUM

Good show, except for the stolen jacket

To the Editors:

Instead of my heart, my leather jacket got stolen at the Variety Show.

I passed on the 1998 show because I felt that the 1997 show was so weak. Nothing against the performers, but it was not well organized nor well presented. I came back this year planning on giving the show another chance but not really expecting much. Gosh, golly, was I wrong.

The show was organized and professional this year. The emcee was fabulous. She did her job with the required announcements and introductions and entertained us between sets. The sound and lighting were appropriate and well timed.

Some of the performers were incredibly talented and all of them had the gift of entertainment to offer us. Getting beat over the head about safe sex got a little old, but I remembered the message, didn't I? The deejay spinning the tunes after the show was better than I have ever heard in Cleveland womyn's bars. I got to dance the night away before my cold drive back to the other side of the world (the West Side).

My only negative opinion from the show comes not from the show itself but our "community." I had my leather jacket stolen from the coat rack. I admit I did hesitate before hanging it on an unattended coat rack, but since it was only my sisters that would be in the hall I felt confident that there would not be a problem. Gosh, golly, two wrongs in one night. At least whoever stole it had the decency to leave the car and house keys in front of the Civic. Luckily the keys were found and turned into security so that I was able to drive home.

I know that a jacket is just a material thing and is replaceable (after I save for another two years) but that is not what is upsetting me. I apologize to the 95% of womyn that would never consider taking something from another woman, but I have lost a lot of faith in our "community".

Part of what makes things like the Womyn's Variety Show so attractive is the feeling of power and safety being in an atmosphere with your sisters. As a result of this incident, in Cleveland, I have lost that feeling. I now have to approach the show like I would approach a bar in the Flats, with distrust and belief that there are people here who would hurt you even though they don't even know you.

Description of the jacket: Brown leather 4-length with drawn waist, "HarleyDavidson" on straps, emblem on left sleeve to tighten on wrist, "Harley-Davidson" on buttons and inside, metal eagle on inside pocket. Also, a pair of brown leather gloves. Kimberly Moore Cleveland

A new trial for Mumia

To the Editors,

We applaud the eleven national LGBT organizations that recently issued a joint statement brought about by the murder of Matthew Shepard and the trial of his bashers. In this historic declaration, the organizations announced their opposition to the death penalty. In the spirit of that statement, we ask you, our community, for your support in stopping the execution of Mumia Abu-Jamal, a political prisoner for the last 17 years on death row.

On Saturday, April 24, people will gather in Philadelphia and San Francisco to demand a new trial for Mumia. As lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and two-spirited people, we are calling for a Rainbow Flags Mumia contingent at this Millions for Mumia March. Mumia is a lifelong fighter against racism, repression and police brutality. He is a widely published author and radio commentator known as the "voice of the voiceless."

In 1982, Mumia was convicted for the murder of a white police officer in Philadelphia. Lawyers and supporters for Mumia have vital evidence to show that witnesses were intimidated by the police and coerced into giving false testimony. Mumia's defense team is making every legal attempt to win Mumia a new trial. Winning a new trial for Mumia is the only vehicle for his lawyers to present this suppressed evidence in order to prove his innocence. The building of a mass response is very critical at this stage because Mumia is facing an execution date within six months to a year.

We know the death sentence in the U.S. is arbitrary and racially discriminatory. A report by the International Commission of Jurists documented that African Americans were 40 percent of the people executed in the U.S. between 1976 and 1995. Ninety percent of people on death row could not afford legal representation at the time of their trials.

We in the LGBTTS communities have first-hand experience of police brutality

and repressionfrom raids on trans and gay bars to police attacks at demonstrations. We know what it means to be harassed, arrested, and jailed just for being who we are.

The execution of Mumia would be a green light to right-wing forces that provoke attacks like those against James Byrd in Jasper, Texas; Matthew Shepard in Laramie, Wyo.; and Dr. Barnett Slepian in Buffalo, N.Y. The LGBTTS communities can oppose these forces by demanding a new trial for Mumia. A victory for Mumia will be a victory for us all.

Many organizations and individuals have announced support for Mumia. Among hundreds of endorsers are Alice Walker, Barbara Smith, Sonia Sanchez, Joan Nestle, E. L. Doctorow, Ani DiFranco, Ossie Davis, Angela Davis, Ramsey Clark, and Ed Asner.

We as LGBTTS activists ask you to demand a new trial for Mumia. Join us in opposing the death penalty and police brutality! Join us in Philiadephia and San Francisco on April 24! For more information, contact 212-633-6646 or e-mail rainbows4mumia@hotmail.com. Mobilizing office is at 39 West 14th, #206, New York, N.Y. 10011.

African Ancestral Lesbians United for Societal Change

David Acosta, founder and director GALAEI Project

Richard Haymes, Director New York City Gay and Lesbian Anti-Violence Project

Jesse Allaghi Heiwa Queers for Racial and Economic Justice

Imani Henry, Millions for Mumia

Morris Kight, Founder Gay Liberation Front

Dawn Reel

Free Mumia Abu-Jamal Coalition

Kate Bornstein Leslie Feinberg Bob Lederer Kevin McGruder Minnie Bruce Pratt John Riley New York City

GAN PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

Delivery right to your mailbox every week!

26 Issues for $30.00 or 52 Issues for $60.00

If you'd like to receive the Chronicle first dass mail, $48.00 for 26 Is

Chron

Enclosed is my check for

antelope. for

$66.00 for 62 Issues

Zip

Send

with payment to: Gay People's Chr P.O.

Cleveland, Ohio 44101

GANGOPLE'S CHRONICLE

Volume 14, Issue 36

PUBLISION THE GAY,

PEOPLE'S

KWIR

A DECADE

Published by

KWIR Publications, Inc.

ISSN 1070-177X

Publisher:

Business Manager: Managing Editor: Associate Editor: Senior Staff Writer:

Reporters & Writers:

Martha J. Pontoni Patti Harris Doreen Cudnik Brian DeWitt Dawn E. each

Mubarak S. Dahir, Beren deMotier, Bob Findle, John Graves, Mark J. Huisman, Kaizaad Kotwal, M.T. Martone, Tim Nasson, Jeffrey Newman, Harriet L. Schwartz, Kirk Read, Eric Resnick, Bob Roehr, Rex Wockner, John Zeh

Art Director: Production Assistant: Photographer:

Advertising Manager:

Sales:

Christine Hahn Patricia Hughes LeeAnn McGuire

David A. Ebbert Timothy Peterson

National Advertising: Rivendell Marketing

212-242-6863 David A. Ebbert 800-426-5947

The Gay People's Chronicle is dedicated to providing a space in the Ohio lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender community for all of its members to communicate and be involved with each other. This means that every Chronicle, to the best of its ability, will be equally dedicated to both men's and women's issues, as well as issues that affect the entire community. This balance will provide lesbians and gay men with a forum to air grievances and express joys.

The Gay People's Chronicle is copyrighted under federal law. Any reproduction of its contents is prohibited unless permission is obtained.

Any material submitted for publication will be subject to editing. The Chronicle cannot guarantee return of any such materials unless accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope.

The Gay People's Chronicle is not responsible for claims made by advertisers. We reserve the right to reject advertising which is unsuitable for our publication.

P.O. Box 5426 Cleveland, Ohio 44101 216-631-8646 or Toll Free: 800-426-5947 Fax:216-631-1052

E-mail: chronicle@chronohio.com Website: www.cleveland.com/community/gay

Community Forum

The Chronicle encourages everyone to write and express your opinion about the community or the paper. Please, however, keep letters constructive, and avoid namecalling and personal attacks. Please be brief. We reserve the right to edit letters. We will print your name unless you specifically ask

us not to.

Letters must include a street address and phone, for verification only. They can be sent via U.S. mail, or fax to the addresses in the masthead above, or by E-mail to letters@chronohio.com.

Subscriptions

Subscriptions are $15 for 13 issues, $30 for 26 issues (half year) or $60 for 52 issues (full year), sent third class in a plain envelope. For faster first-class delivery, add 50¢ per issue to cover extra postage: $21.50 for 13 issues, $43 for 26 issues, and $86 for 52 issues.

Mail check or money order with your address to Chronicle Subscriptions, P.O. Box 5426, Cleveland Ohio 44101. To use Mastercard or Visa, include your signature, card number, expiration date, and your name as it appears on the card.

Deadlines

The Gay People's Chronicle is published every Friday. Display ad and article deadlines are 7 to 8 days earlier. Call for specific dates. Calendar, Classified and Personal deadlines are shown in each of those sections.

Obituaries

Obituaries, written by spouses, family, or friends, may be placed in the Chronicle free of charge. They can be sent by mail or fax (see above for address); but we can't take information over the phone. Include your name and phone, so we may contact you. A photo can be included; please send a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want it returned.

Milestones

Tell everyone about your union ceremony, arrival of a child, or other milestone of life, in the Chronicle! Announcements should be 200-300 words, and can include a photoblack and white or color is okay. Photos will be returned if a self-addressed stamped envelope is included. Mail, fax, and E-mail addresses are above; include your address and phone so we may contact you.