Pride Guide 1999

GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE B-25 RAFFENSBERGER PHOTOGRAPHY (2)

Get out your high heels, it's time to play ball

by Beverly and

Andrea Kool-Tucker

Columbus-Mark your calendars for June 27, for the 12th annual Bat 'n' Rouge softball game. For the past eleven years, the Columbus Lesbian Gay Softball Association has

Pitching in high heels can be done, but don't try running bases in them.

sponsored this annual drag softball game to have fun and raise money for people with AIDS.

This year's pre-game activities will star Brazon and Vi Vi Velour at 5:30 pm at Lou Berliner Park, Diamond 29. Berliner Park is on

Greenlawn Ave. between South High St. and the Greenlawn exit off I-71, just south of downtown. The softball game will commence at 6:00 pm, right after the Pride Holiday festival. It will begin with the singing of the national anthem by the one and only Miss Cher Andrea.

We will be blessed with the talents of the great cheerleaders again this year and this year's emcees will be Miss Action and Babbet.

While Bat 'n' Rouge is lots of fun to watch, some lucky fan will win a free trip to Cancun, Mexico for six nights for two and $200 in spending money. This trip is being donated again this year by Avola Lanza Hair Studio, 1417-B Grandview Ave., Columbus.

All you need to do to win is purchase a wrist band with the lucky number and be present to win. Wrist bands will be available starting June 1 at Kukala's, 636 N. High St.; Stonewall Columbus, 1160 N. High St.; Rainbow Tribe Card and Gifts, 2997 Indianola Ave.; An Open Book, 761 N. High St.; and Raffensberger Photography and Framing, 900 S. High St. Wrist bands will also be avail-

Each team in the game is supported by vivacious cheerleaders.

able at the Bat 'n' Rouge event. The winning number will be drawn at the game. If the game is rained out, the winning number will be drawn that night at Wall Street's gay pride Sizzling Sunday female illusion show.

But let's not forget the real reason this event was fostered: This provides the Columbus Lesbian Gay Softball Association a way to raise money to combat AIDS and assist those in the community who suffer from this disease.

This year's proceeds will go to Camp Sunrise, Ohio AIDS Coalition, PaterNoster House, and Stonewall Columbus.

So, when future generations turn to you and ask, "What did you do to end the AIDS

crisis?" you can reply, "I helped by supporting Bat 'n' Rouge."

If you attend the festivities downtown during Pride weekend, you can purchase wrist bands from the volunteers at our booth.

For information about playing in the game, volunteering or anything else, contact this year's Bat 'n' Rouge co-chair, Neal P. Raffensberger at 614-444-1700. For more information about the Columbus Lesbian Gay Softball Association or Bat 'n' Rouge, you may call the sportsline 614-265-7363, provided by Message Plex.

Beverly and Andrea Kool-Tucker are 1999 Bat 'n' Rouge co-chairs.

Here To Stay

THE MUSIC OF GERSHWON

COLUMBUS GAY MEN'S CHORUS

BOX OFFICE TICKETS INC. 1-800-494-TIXS

with special guest

Anne Hampton Callaway

Southern Theatre

July 9 & 10, 8:00 p.m.