GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONIC

Pride Guide

West Virginia Pride has grown to a full weekend

by Mark Finkelstein

Charleston, W.V.-For the third year in

a row, the West Virginia Pride Committee has promised a great weekend full of surprises and innovations.

Though only three years old, this fledgling festival has grown in scope from a oneday affair to a full weekend of events. This is due in large part to the growth of the committee itself, which started with six members and has swelled to over twenty.

The official Pride weekend begins on Friday June 18 with a kickoff party at the Brick Oven Bistro, 1604 East Washington Street, from 5-7 pm. Admission is $1 and includes a grand buffet and complimentary wine. This will be great opportunity to meet committee members and get oriented for the rest of the weekend.

Following the kickoff party, the Second Annual Miss Pride of West Virginia Pageant Finals will begin at 8 pm at the India Center Ballroom on Corridor-G. This is the culmination of year-long preliminary pageants held throughout the state and has become the premier female illusion show in West Virginia.

At least ten contestants will compete for the $1,000 cash prize and the honor to succeed Julia De Ville as the second Miss Pride of West Virginia. This spectacular evening of rigorous competition and outstanding entertainment is $8 in advance, $10 at the door.

On Saturday June 19 we are offering the Saturday Matinee, an afternoon of pool and bowling competition for those who want to take part at the Boulevard Recreation Center, 1606 Kanawha Boulevard West. Admission is $2.00 plus rentals. There will also be a festival of short gay-themed films presented by P-FLAG of Charleston.

Marchers cross the West Virginia Capitol grounds in 1998's Pride parade.

CONNIE NICHOLS

Later that afternoon, Bell Atlantic and the Living AIDS Memorial Garden will present the second Dance For Those Who Can't, a classic tea dance at the fabulous Perfater Law Offices, 1221 Virginia Street East. Admission is $15 for this fundraising event, $10 of which is tax deductible. Included in the price of admission is a cash bar and grand buffet catered by General Seafood-The Summit.

Proceeds from this event are used to maintain and develop the Living AIDS Memorial Garden, at the corner of East Washington and Sidney Streets, one of only three such projects in the entire United States.

Saturday night is yours to enjoy the sights and sounds of Charleston's night life. The Mountain State's capitol city has much to offer in the way of nightclubs, restaurants, sightseeing, shopping and entertainment. Many of the local gay bars will be presenting events of their own. Check out Across the Threshold, West Virginia's award winning GLBT magazine to see what's happening.

Finally, the big day, Sunday June 20 begins with an interfaith service at 1 pm on the north side of the West Virginia Capitol. Afterward, shuttle service will be available to the parade staging area at Haddad Riverfront Park. Staging begins at 2:30 pm and the parade starts moving at 3 pm, winding its way through Charleston on a new route back to the festival at the Capitol. All of the Sunday events are free of charge and everyone is welcome to join the fun.

If you're coming from out of town we recommend making hotel reservations early. This event has grown larger each year and this year should be no exception. For more information, call 304-746-7765 or 304343-2512, or visit the website at www.pridewv.com.

We're Here, We're Queer, We're Bored

sat. june 19 Post-Pride Parade Discussion on Community 6pm at the Red Star Cafe

MANSIZE

Your Body is a Weapon:

HIV and Ohio Law, featuring:

mon. june 21 John Corlett, Northcoast HIV/AIDS Coalition Joe Carroccio, Community Activist

Ted Wammes, Ohio Civil Rights Commission 7pm at the AIDS Taskforce

Does Size Matter?

wed. june 23 Gay Body Image, feat.

Jason Kangal,

National Gay Lesbian Taskforce 7pm at the AIDS Taskforce

It takes more than

condoms to save lives. Gay/Bi Men have the power of mind, body and spririt to thrive as healthy, sexual beings.

What's Up, Doc?

tues. june 29 Finding Gay-Friendly

Health Care

7pm at the AIDS Taskforce

Coming this Fall

"Rost-AIDS movements are demanding an expanded understanding of gay men's health, incorporating not only a wider spectrum of threats faced by gay men but also attention and resources directed toward our social, cultural and spiritual lives as we rebuild existing communities and invent new ones. "

Eric Rofes, Ph.D.

summer workshops

AIDS

TASKFORCE

OF GREATER CLEVELAND

july

Gay Men& HIV: Is the Crisis Over? Research and Reality of

fri. july 19 HIV Infection, featuring: Matthew Moyer, MPH, Univ. of Pittsburgh

12pm at the AIDS Taskforce

InQUEERY: How We See Ourselves 1/2 day workshop on identity and behavior details t.b.a

phats by Slaven 12

author,

Dry Bones Breathe: Gay Men Creating Post-AIDS Identities and Cultures

Sat. Oct. 9

august

Manhandled

Erotic Touch Workshop details t.b.a.

Call John at 216.621.0766, ext. 239 for more info.