DOREEN CUDNIK
Pride Guide 1999 GAY PEC E'S CHRONICLE
The energy of Pride should remain part of our lives
by James B. Wozniak
Toledo-June is dedicated for the range of celebrations reflecting gay and lesbian pride. From the Village in New York City to the Castro in San Francisco there will be many events taking place. Toledo will also have a number of events, including the Decked Out Dinner Dance on the Willis B. Boyer museum ship, sponsored by Gays and Lesbians United.
None of these events would be reality if it were not for thousands of individuals across the country working many hours to ensure that these diverse events actually occur. The more support there is the better the events will be.
We can be grateful for the June 28, 1969 riot at the Stonewall Inn in New York City, which is considered the beginning of the gay
and lesbian Pride movement. Ordinary people stood up and put into action the phrase, "We're not going to take oppression any more." Enough is enough.
We are thankful for the thousands of individuals throughout the country and the world who mustered up the courage to fight the many faces of oppression, leading to the many advancements and victories that were won. Our history is filled with individuals doing what had to be done to bring about positive changes that would benefit the community. It was not easy, and many sacrifices had to be made to attain objectives that sometimes seemed elusive. If it were not for these individuals stepping forward, many of the things we take for granted would not have been possible.
Conditions are better than they were before the advent of the gay and lesbian move-
Toledo Pride to feature walk and picnic this year
by Gene Hagedorn
Toledo This year the Toledo community is trying something different. On Sunday, June 13, at 4:00 pm there will be a secular Pride service at St. Mark's Episcopal Church at 2272 Collingwood Avenue. A free-will offering will be taken to be given to Toledo Rainbow Area Youth.
Following the service, at 5:15 pm, there will be an organized walk to the Good Samaritan
Parish Metropolitan Community Church at 720 W. Delaware Street. Everyone is encouraged to bring their banners and signs.
At the Good Samaritan Parish MCC a picnic will start at 6:00 pm. A free-will donation will be taken to cover costs. Everyone in the community can take part in any or all of these events.
Gene Hagedorn is a member of Toledo Gays and Lesbians United.
Asians and Friends to ride
in style in this year's event
by Howard Gollop
Cleveland-Like similar groups in New York, Toronto, San Francisco and Los Angeles, Asians and Friends Cleveland will be riding in style in this year's Cleveland Pride Parade.
"We're now working on decorating a truck with everything from a dragon head to a royal
seat for our "Miss Gay Cleveland Chinatown '99" said Rollie Santos, president of Asians and Friends Cleveland. “It will be the kind of presence you might expect to find in major Pride parades in Toronto or San Francisco."
Asians and Friends Cleveland will again be inviting Asians and Friends-Pittsburgh and affiliate members from Cincinnati and Columbus to join in the march. The group will
have a booth at the Pride fesival in George Voinovich Park to hand out information on the group and its many events.
"I hope to see all our friends and make new ones," said Santos. "I also hope we can correct any false notions that Cleveland lacks an Asian presence-a gay Asian presence, that is."
Asians and Friends-Cleveland has Asian members from Vietnam, mainland China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Indonesia, Cambodia, Thailand and the Philippines.
"In fact, Cleveland has been dubbed 'The Far East of the Great Midwest' after we held an international convention last summer. We hosted members of similar groups from throughout the United States, Europe and Asia," said Santos about the highly successful International Friendship Weekend for which even President Bill Clinton sent written congratulations.
"But I always remind people, we also have many non-Asian members as well," Santos added. “At our annual Chinese New Year banquet in Cleveland's Chinatown, we have a growing number of people from many other Cleveland organizations. We hope they want to be part of our growing membership, which is now over a hundred.” For Pride weekend, Asians and FriendsCleveland will hold a beach party and cookout for members who participated in the parade. For more information, call the organization's hotline at 216-226-6080, ext. 3, or visit the web site at http://www.geocities.com/ westhollywood/castro/6101.
Columbus Asians and Friends group to be revived
A chorus performs atop one of the Willis B. Boyer's hatch covers at last year's Decked Out dinner dance.
ment, but far from ideal. With greater visibility there came a counter-reaction from the homophobic segment of the population. It has been strong, well-financed and threatens the accomplishments that have been so hard fought. Vigilance and effective action are necessary to preserve what we have gained.
We should celebrate Gay and Lesbian Pride Month by attending the special events planned in Toledo, or regionally, or in other parts of the country. It's a real boost. We need to remember that these positive feelings should be part of our life 365 days a year, and should be used to motivate us to make a contribution for the betterment of the entire community.
No matter where we are in the process of liberation, we can have an effect on what
takes place. Everything, no matter how small it might seem, has an impact. The cumulative effect can be great and have a profound influence on the course of history. We can bring about positive changes if we put forth the effort and never get discouraged. If we keep trying, we will succeed.
Let us make this year's celebrations of gay Pride be the start of a new era. Let us always remember those who have gone before us and continue to build upon their accomplishments. Let us make sure that the reflection of gay and lesbian pride that we see in ourselves is a positive one and helps others who struggle to find a healthy identity be inspired by what they see.
James B. Wozniak is a member of Toledo Gays and Lesbians United.
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