GAY EOPLE'S CHRONICLE "April 23, 1999
communitygroups
Center's first Gallery Hop showcase is well received
Columbus-Stonewall Columbus' new program, Center Showcase, was met with great enthusiasm on Saturday, April 3, due in part to the artwork and sculptures of Columbus gay artist Jim Bowling.
More than 175 people visited the newly renovated Stonewall Columbus Community Center for the first Showcase. The Stonewall Center, located in the Short North, will be a participant in the district's Gallery Hop on the first Saturday of each month.
Those who came by the center as part of their Gallery Hop tour were treated to many of Bowling's original works. Those who missed it still have a chance to see the display at the center throughout the month of April. On display are some of his best
known sculptures, including “Blind Faith,” "Foot Fetishes" and "Flesh and Spirit."
This may be one of the last times to see Bowling's work in Columbus for a while, as he and his life partner are relocating to the Youngstown area.
"Stonewall is very appreciative of Jim Bowling's support and we're very pleased to present this opportunity for the community to see the talent of one of Columbus' own" said Stonewall executive director Jeff Redfield.
Redfield hopes that the success of the event will help to spread the word about the new program. Stonewall is taking suggestions and recommendations of other gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender artists and
Channel 4 co-anchor appointed to CATF board
Columbus-The Columbus AIDS Task Force on April 14 announced that newswoman Colleen Marshall has been appointed to the CATF board of directors. Marshall is co-anchor of Columbus's NBC affiliate, WCMH Channel 4.
Also appointed to the board of directors was attorney Jason H. Calhoun. He currently works as a special assistant to the chief operations officer at the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation.
CATF serves 900 clients annually with 500 volunteers and 29 employees. The organization was founded to provide support, services and education to persons with HIV and AIDS.
Colleen Marshall
Gay Democrats endorse Coleman for mayor
Columbus-City Council President Michael Coleman has received the seal of approval from the Central Ohio Gay and Lesbian Democratic Club as a part of the club's mayoral race candidate evaluation process. The endorsement recognizes Coleman as having been very supportive of issues important to the gay and lesbian community and highly qualified for the mayor's office.
"Michael Coieman has earned the full support of our community," said Brian Shinn, president of the Central Ohio Gay and Lesbian Democratic Club. "As a council member and president, Coleman has consistently advanced issues important to gays and lesbians."
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"Coleman... deserves to be elected based on his record and outstanding qualifications," added Robert Berger, the club's endorsement committee chair.
Michael Coleman
Endorsement decisions were made based on responses to an evaluation questionnaire, past service to the gay and lesbian community, participation in club events and activities, and any member's personal knowledge of a candidate.
A fundraiser sponsored by the club will be held for Coleman on Tuesday, April 27, from 5:30 to7:30 p.m. at Out on Main Restaurant, 122 E. Main St. There is a suggested $25 contribution at the door. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres will be served.
Anyone interested in learning more about the Central Ohio Gay and Lesbian Democratic Club or attending a meeting can call the club information line at 614265-7444.
entertainers for future displays.
"This provides a great opportunity for the Center to fulfill many roles, especially being there for our community," continued Redfield. "Whether it's giving an artist a chance to display
have a great location to do shows like this and to do other events in the future." When a rainstorm stopped about 6:30 on the first Showcase evening,
Stonewall
a double rainbow appeared overhead to match the new
his or her work, presentCOLUMBUS flags flying in front of the
ing the work of different
cultures, or providing a great place to socialize, we hope people will add the Center Showcase to their plans the first Saturday of every month.”
The event "just makes sense," said many people. Stonewall has plenty of
parking and people get the opportunity to see their community center, and to ask questions about the GLBT community.
Stonewall Columbus office manager Scott Nusbaum was extremely pleased with the event.
"A few months ago, we probably wouldn't have done a showing like this," he said. "But thanks to the huge communify support in donations for renovating the center, we now
center. The crowd was steady all night. Many were firsttime visitors to the Stonewall Center. Some walked up from the southern end of the Short North, and even neighbors living near the community center dropped in to voice their support. Look for more information coming soon about the next showing in May. For April, after work or during lunch, don't forget that you can stop by the center, 1160 N. High St. at 4th Ave., and see Jim Bowling's sculptures Monday-Thursday 10 am to 7 pm and Fridays 10 am to 5 pm. For more information contact Stonewall Columbus at 614-299-7764 or e-mail stnwall @ix.netcom.com.
New transgender group may form in Akron area
by Tom Beck
Akron-The Akron Pride Center will be the meeting location for the possible development of a new transgender support group for the Akron area.
The organizational meeting will be held at the Pride Center, located at 71 North Adams Street in Akron at 7 pm on Friday, April 23. The meeting will include a potluck dinner and conversation to discuss development of
the group and a plan for outreach programming in the transgender community.
by calling the Pride Center at 330253-2220:
"I hope the transgender support group that may develop from this effort will be able to offer advice and help to individuals facing transgender issues in their lives," said Pride Collective board member Marnay Schrock. “Our March Akron Area Pride Collective seminar meeting featured a discussion about transgender issues, and it really opened the eyes of everybody who attended. I can
AVAPC
"We're openAkron Area pride Collective
ing the meeting to members of the
local transgender community in and around Akron and Canton," said Susie Davis, a board member of the Akron Area Pride Collective, which operates the Akron Pride Center. Davis is active in the Akron transgender community.
"Of course, friends and supporters are also welcome to attend."
Terry Zimmerman, treasurer of the collective, expressed his enthusiasm for the organizational effort.
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"One of our goals at the Pride Center is to serve as an incubator for local gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender groups,' he said. "The members of the Akron Area Pride Collective are happy to lend our support by providing a meeting place and encouragement for the new transgender support group."
Davis noted that an active support group for transgender people already exists in Cleveland.
"The Cleveland organizations are highly motivated and well established," Davis noted, "but some transgender people in Akron and Canton and the surrounding areas find it difficult to attend the meetings and make the drive to Cleveland. An Akron area transgender support group meeting at the Pride Center may make it easier for some transgender people in Akron and Canton to meet and take advantage of support provided by a local group." The April 23 meeting is open to interested individuals and is free.
“Bringing a covered dish will be helpful, but not required,” Davis said. More information and directions are available
see a real need for this service and I'm happy the Pride Center can help to get it started."
The Pride Center opened its doors in early January. Since the opening several other support group possibilities have been explored.
"We're currently discussing the possibility of providing meeting space for a teen and young adult GLBT support group," said Jackie Figler, coordinator of the Pride Center outreach committee. "Other groups may include grief counseling, relationship issues, support groups for specific issues facing gays and lesbians or other needs. We're open to suggestions and new possibilities."
"A transgender support group in the greater Akron area might make a positive difference in the lives of people facing transgender issues," said Davis. "The Pride Center is where we hope all this can start." ✓
Tom Beck is secretary of the Akron Area Pride Collective.
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