Pride Guide 1999
E'S CHRONICLE
Akron Pride Center hosts many groups and programs
by Tom Beck
Akron The Akron Area Pride Collective officially opened the Pride Center during the first week of January, 1999.
The Pride Center is a community service center for the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning community in the greater Akron area. It is operated by the Akron Area Pride Collective.
During the first five months of operation, the Pride Center has been host to several new services and events for the glbtq community. Monthly seminar meetings of the AAPC at
“A community center for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people has been needed in Akron for a long time."
the Pride Center have addressed subjects including the lives of transgendered people in the greater Akron area, gay and lesbian travel destinations, mental health, the Bible, religion and homosexuality. Guests presented expert opinion on the topics and answered questions from the audience.
AAPC is meeting one of its goals by developing support groups serving the needs of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and questioning people in the Akron area. Several groups are currently meeting at the center. All meetings are free and open to the public.
AAPC member Priscilla Smith is developing and hosting a support group for bisexual men and women.
"We call the group Bi-Pride, and our goal is to offer support and conversation for bisexual people in the Akron Area,” she said. “Gays and lesbians frequently have clubs and support groups to meet their needs, but bisexual people don't always have a recognized group of individuals who can directly relate to their experi-
ences.'
Bi-Pride will meet at the Pride Center on a monthly basis.
"The Pride Center is a supportive environment where bisexual people are free to be who we are and help each other when we need it," said Smith.
The center is also the location for meetings of Trans-Pride, a support group for transgender people. Susie Davis, an activist in the transgender community and an AAPC board member, is coordinating their meetings.
"Our first meeting in April included nine people, and our second meeting in May grew to 16 people," Davis said. "For some people it was like a reunion of family and friends who hadn't seen each other for some time," she added.
Members attending the meetings come from Canton, Youngstown, Warren, Medina, Mansfield and Cleveland, as well as Akron. The Trans-Pride group will include guest speakers for some meetings, and conversation sessions at other meetings.
"As we grow and develop, we'll see what
needs exist," said Davis. "Transgendered people, spouses, friends and supporters—everybody is welcome."
The next meeting of Trans-Pride is June 18 at 7 pm at the Pride Center. The meeting will include a potluck and conversation.
Plans are also underway for the creation of a support group for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered youth.
On June 12, the AAPC will host a "Key West Night" party and mixer starting at 7 pm at The Pride Center.
The Key West Night is free and open to the public. The evening will include dancing to summer oldies music and will also include karaoke. Those attending are welcome to bring summer oldies music selections, and anybody-with or without musical talent-will be invited to sing karaoke.
The Key West Night has a theme of "Cheeseburgers in Paradise" with cheeseburgers and hot dogs provided by the center. The night includes a potluck dinner with cool summer side dishes and virgin tropical drinks.
"We've been looking forward to our Key West Night for some time," said Marnay Schrock, the center's facilities coordinator. "It's a great way to start the summer with old friends and by making new friends at the Pride Center."
"I'm probably not going to make it to Key West this year," laughed AAPC treasurer Terry Zimmerman. “So why not bring Key West to Akron?”
"Changing Relationships" is the discussion group topic for meetings at the Pride Center on Wednesday evenings through July 7. The meetings are hosted by Dr. James Helmuth of Helmuth Psychological Associates in Akron.
Meetings last from 7 pm to 8:30 pm and are free and open to the public.
"Changing Relationships" is one of several support conversation sessions that have been hosted by Helmuth since the Pride Center opened.
"Gays and lesbians along with bisexuals and transgender people face special issues that can be hard to deal with without support," said Helmuth. "Our support conversation sessions at the Pride Center have really helped gibt people to think about issues with a positive approach to making good choices." Future AAPC meetings will focus on gay and lesbian retirement and housing options, social service issues, health tips for gays and lesbians, and a review of the current needs of people living with HIV in central Ohio. All AAPC meetings are free and open to the public.
The is also a series of social mixers at the Pride Center. Potluck dinners, game nights ́and theme social mixers are held monthly, hosted by the AAPC, local churches and other gay and lesbian organizations.
Stonewall Akron now holds its monthly meetings at the center. The Akron component of Equality Begins at Home Ohio met there during the winter to coordinate local activities for the event in March. Other gay and lesbian supportive organizations have inquired about holding activities and meetings at the Pride Center.
The Pride Center includes three meeting areas, a kitchen, rest rooms, an office and a
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lending library. The AAPC maintains a lending library of glbt magazines, books and videos.
Membership in the Akron Area Pride Collective is open to individuals and couples in the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and questioning community and also to friends and supporters. A yearly membership is $12 and is used to support the operating costs of the Pride Center.
Members of AAPC support the operation of the Pride Center through their membership dues and by volunteering time and skill. Committee assignments include communications, outreach, facilities operations, development, finance and meeting programs and mixers.
The working board of directors of the Akron Area Pride Collective includes 14 members. Tom Beck is chair, Terry Zimmerman is treasurer and Jackie Figler is
Welcome to
vice chair. The board of directors holds monthly meetings open to the AAPC membership and to the public.
"We're new but we've achieved a lot in a very short period of time," Zimmerman said. "A community center for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people has been needed in Akron for a long time. Finally those dreams are becoming a reality."
"I'm proud of our accomplishments," said Schrock. "Our future looks bright with 85 members now and more joining every week."
The Pride Center is located at 71 North Adams St., off East Market St. near Akron City Hospital, and next door to the Adams Street bar. Call 330-253-2220 for hours of operation and current meeting and activities schedules.
Tom Beck is chair of the Akron Area Pride Collective.
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