B-22 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE Pride Guide 1999

A Proud History,

A Proud Future

The staff of the Gay People's Chronicle would like to thank Ohio's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community for supporting us though the past

14 years. We could not have made it this far without our faithful advertisers, a dedicated team of contributing writers and photographers, and, of course,

our loyal readers and subscribers. Happy Pride 1999!

Martha Pontoni

Christine Hahn

Dawn Leach

Patti Harris

Michelle

Nichols

Brian

DeWitt

Martha Pontoni, Publisher and CEO

Martha Pontoni founded KWIR Publications, Inc. in June 1987 to resume publication of the then-monthly Gay People's Chronicle, originally founded in 1985 by Charles Callendar. She is also one of the founders of the first Cleveland Pride in 1989, Stonewall Cleveland and HUGS East. She was instrumental in getting “sexual orientation" added to the city of Cleveland's non-discrimination ordinance, and was the first openly lesbian appointed official in the city of Cleveland, having served on the Police Review Board. "Martha Pontoni is still here."

Patti Harris, Business Manager

"From teaching special education (where the pay couldn't have been lower) to telecommunications (where the stress couldn't have been higher), I'm enjoying both low pay and great stress and couldn't be happier! I'm still having fun after all these years!"

Doreen Cudnik, Managing Editor

"I see my work at the Gay People's Chronicle as an opportunity to give something back to the community that has given so much to me over the years. In the process, I hope to help create a hate-free and more tolerant world in which we can all live freely as gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. I'm proud and privileged to do this work with some of the most amazing people I've ever met, and I honor them for their continued dedication, integrity and professionalism."

Brian DeWitt, Associate Editor

Brian De Witt first volunteered for the Chronicle in 1988, and has been a full-time associate editor since 1993. He was also on the early Cleveland Pride committees, beginning in 1989.

"Since I first became involved in the late 1970s, I have seen the Cleveland and Ohio queer communities grow and mature in many wonderful ways. I look forward to being part of this community and this newspaper as we grow in new ways in the future.”

Christine Hahn, Art Director

Christine first volunteered for the Chronicle in 1988, and has been a full-time art director and editorial board member since 1993.

"My turn-ons are: camera-ready ads, wacky fonts, scooters, indie-rawk, and girls with glasses. My turn-offs are: crashing computers, wacky fonts, and onions."

David A. Ebbert, Advertising Manager

"I feel a sense of pride each and every week to know that I work with and for the best people I've ever worked with. In the seven years that I've been here, I've seen a lot of people come and go, but it always comes back down to the brightest, most talented, ambitious group of people. It's hard work putting out a newspaper every week and I commend Martha, Patti, Doreen, Dawn, Christine, Pat, Brian, and Michelle for being so dedicated and willing to go the extra mile. I thank our outside reporters and writers for being there, our delivery drivers for getting it there, our advertisers for making it happen, and our readers who give us a reason to keep going. Peace, Love, and Pride, everyone."

Dawn E. Leach, Senior Staff Writer

"I'm inspired by the strength and beauty and diversity of our community, and it means so much to me to have the opportunity to chronicle our history as it is being created."

Michelle Nichols, Administrative Assistant, staff reporter

Michelle is the newest member of the Gay People's Chronicle staff, having just joined us in May. Formerly from Detroit, Michigan, Michelle now resides in Akron.

"I want to wish a great Pride month to the entire Ohio community."

Pat Hughes: Production Assistant

Pat Hughes has been working with the Gay People's Chronicle for over a year as production assistant.

Contributing writers and reporters: 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 and photographer LeeAnn McGuire.