GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE April 30, 1999

editorial

An open letter to the community

Dear Friends of the Gay People's An investment in your newspaper

Chronicle:

We've been thrilled at the overwhelmingly positive responses we've been receiving from the community since we unveiled the Chronicle's new look.

This fresh, updated design makes the Chronicle-still the best source of information about Ohio's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community-easier to read, and more attractive to both readers and advertis-

ers.

In the months ahead we will be announcing the publication of the electronic version of the Chronicle. This service that will allow our readers to view the entire paper online via their personal computers. (See form on page 12 to receive more information about this wonderful new project.)

Do you want a Pride Guide mailed?

We also need your help. The Chronicle's 1999 Pride Guide, which will hit the streets on June 11, is the authority on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Pride events happening throughout Ohio and the region.

In years past we have been able to send the annual Pride Guide for free to everyone on our mailing list. But this year, significant increases in postal and shipping rates make it difficult to do this.

As a compromise, we will continue to send the Pride Guide, free of charge, to all that want to receive a copy. We just need to know who you are.

If you are a regular subscriber to the Chronicle, your copy will still be mailed to you as part of your subscription. If you are not a subscriber, please fill out the form found in the ad on page 12, and a Pride Guide will be mailed to you free of charge.

You will not receive a Pride Guide in the mail or you have not sent us a request, unless you are a subscriber. As always, free copies of every issue of the Chronicle and the Pride Guide will be available at hundreds of locations throughout the state and your local community.

We want also to ask you to consider making a financial investment in the Chronicle. It has been many years since we have asked the community for a monetary contribution, but it is with great urgency that we do so now.

The financial reality of running the Chronicle, Ohio's only weekly GLBT newspaper, has always been difficult. We will continue to publish the paper, but the reality is, we really could use some help.

Our sister company, Alice Paul Printers and Mail Service, Inc., has been financially supporting us for many years, and we are greatly in their debt. They help us pay for rent, utilities, computer equipment and other immediate needs.

Quite frankly, were it not for Alice Paul, the Chronicle may have suffered the same fate as many other regional GLBT newspapers who have been forced to stop publishing. What a tremendous loss to the communities they served!

Our revenue from display advertising pays for production costs, salaries and not much more. Salaries for our dedicated staff are well below the industry standard. We need to make some capital improvements in order to continue moving the Chronicle forward, but these things will not happen if we aren't able to raise some extra dollars.

Strengthen Ohio's LGBT community

We're not asking for a hand-out, but rather, we are asking that you make a symbolic investment in your community newspaper. This investment won't show a return in dollars, but it will help produce the Chronicle, which in turns helps other community organizations stay strong.

If you are a member of a community group, or have ever used the Resource Directory to find help, take a moment and think about what this community would be like if we didn't have the nicle.

Since we started publishing statewide, Ohio's entire lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community has come together

in ways not thought possible before. No longer are community members in one Ohio city unaware of upcoming events and the hard work and activism taking place in other cities.

This important bridge-building work needs to continue, and, with your help, we plan on being around to do our part.

Here are some ways you can help:

• Place a classified advertisement to market your products to a gay-friendly audience. • Place or answer a personal ad and become the answer to someone's dream. • Make an investment by pledging a monthly contribution to the Chronicle.

Buy a display ad-even if you think you have enough customers, to show your support for the community that supports you.

Let advertisers know, "I saw you in the Chronicle," so they know their support

counts.

Ask each merchant you visit to advertise in the Chronicle. Ask them to support your community as you support them.

Volunteer to help the editorial department cover events and important community meetings.

The Gay People's Chronicle really is a paper by and for Ohio's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. Let us not take its existence for granted. Please actively support what means so much to so very many people. Thank you,

Martha Pontoni, Publisher Patti Harris, Business Manager Doreen Cudnik, Managing Editor Brian DeWitt, Associate Editor Dawn E. Leach, Senior Staff Writer Christine Hahn, Art Director David Ebbert, Advertising Manager

GAY PEOPLE'S

Chronicle

Volume 14, Issue 44

ISS

Publisher: Martha J. Pontoni Business Manager: Patti Harris Managing Editors Doreen Cudnik Associate Editor: Brian DeWitt

Senior Staff Writer: Down E. Leach Reporters & Writers:

1070-1771

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

Art Directors Christina Hahn Production Assistant: Patricia Hughes Photographers: LeeAnn McGuire

Advertising Manager: David A. Ebbert 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 Chronide is copyrighted under federal low. 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 Chronide is not responsible for daims made by advertisers. We reserve the right to reject advertising which is unsuitable for our publication.

P.0. Box 5426 Cleveland, Ohio 44101 216-531-8646 or Toll Free: 800-426-5947 Fox: 216-631-1052 E-mail: chronide@chronohio.com www.doveland.com/community/guy

letters tothe editor

Federal workers see bias, too

To the editor:

I am writing to correct a misconception made by many members of our GLBT community. Many people think that one of the

best jobs to have is working for the federal government. On several recent occasions, I was informed that a government job was great because it was "safe."

"The U.S. government wouldn't dare harass, humiliate, intimidate or discrimi-

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nate against any minority because it is against the law," they have said. Wrong!

The managers in the federal government know that they are above the law. In some government agencies, discrimination of minorities-especially gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered people— is even promoted. And they know that even if you do stand up to them and fight for your rights, they can drag the equal employment opportunity process out for years. They can outlast you. They also know that the odds of finding competent legal assistance are next to nil. In the meantime, if you continue to go through the E.E.O. process, they will ruin you financially, not to mention psychologically or even physically. They will break you.

You ask, how do I know this? Because I'm living it. The U.S. Postal Service was bound and determined to get rid of the "faggot." I've been insulted, humiliated and threatened, and over time, ruined— mentally, physically and financially.

The U.S. Postal Service, I have since found out, is probably the most discriminatory of all the government agencies. But they all have their problems. And they can't be sued, not until you've exhausted the E.E.O. process. That can take years— I'm at year 6 myself.

Federal service is not a panacea, and people should not be led to believe it is a safe, comfortable working environment. John Daun Newtown, Ohio

Letters to the Editor

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 selfaddressed stamped envelope if you want it retumad.