Septe

speakout

Moving from observer to newsmaker is scary, but exciting

by Doreen Cudnik

Throughout my five years as managing editor of the Gay People's Chronicle, I've written my share of editorials, news stories, and entertainment features. But this is by far one of the most difficult columns I've ever sat down to write.

As many of you may have heard through the ever-widening GLBT statewide grapevine, I am leaving my position as managing editor of the Chronicle to become executive director of Stonewall Cincinnati. I will replace former Stonewall Cincinnati director Lycette Nelson, who has left the organization to pursue a law degree.

This decision has opened up a wellspring of mixed emotions in me. For these past five years, my identity has been closely tied to being the Chronicle's managing editor. Often, while out and about in the community, I'd be approached by people with story tips, thoughts about the last issue, and ideas for future issues. Any momentary urge to respond with a comment such as, "Hey, I'm off the clock!" was soon replaced with feelings of gratitude.

I felt lucky that I had the kind of job where people in the community people who care about issues affecting the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community as much as I do would take a moment out of their private time to engage in an intelligent discussion about its future. I admit, it felt good to be recognized. But it felt even better to know that the long hours and work that went in to putting out each issue of the Chronicle were appreciated and valued by the community.

The decision to move on to Stonewall Cincinnati is both scary and exciting at the same time. It is scary, because I am walking away from everything I know. I'm leaving a hometown, where I can find my way from the furthest reaches of the East Side to the West Side suburbs with my eyes practically closed. I am leaving behind a truly remarkable and GLBT-affirming church community where I have found both strength and peace over the past few years. In Cleveland, I come in contact nearly every day with people in the GLBT community who have inspired, shaped and challenged me on my life-long journey to becoming an out, proud and involved lesbian.

The decision to move on is exciting for as many reasons. A contributing writer I've worked with over the years, who lives in Washington D.C., e-mailed recently to congratulate me on having the courage to go into the "belly of the beast."

While I admit that may not conjure up an image of a pleasant working environment for most people, I kind of like the thought. As an editor and reporter, doing the job well means being an objective observer; and recording events and news from every possible per-

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spective. On the occasions when I did cross that invisible line of "journalistic ethics," and let my opinions be known, other Chronicle staffers would tease me, saying, "Doreen, you're supposed to report the news, not make it!" But "making news" sort of gets in your blood—especially when that means standing up for my rights and those of my GLBT brothers and sisters. As executive director of Stonewall Cincinnati, not only will I be encouraged to “make news," it is a job requirement.

In another recent e-mail, one of the board members of Stonewall Cincinnati warned me that I'm "coming into a bees' nest," in light of some current events, which include police harassment of patrons at a gay bar, a spate of hate crime-type incidents, and a ridiculously juvenile and anti-gay editorial in the Cincinnati Enquirer.

"I really do feel that Cincinnati is 'Ground Zero' as far as gay rights are concerned,” she wrote, "Please be prepared to come out slugging!"

All I can say is: Point me to home plate. As our movement becomes more statebased, I look forward to working with (and learning from) people like Linda Malicki of the Cleveland Lesbian and Gay Center and Jeff Redfield of Stonewall Columbus, as well as other leaders to work diligently on behalf of Ohio's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. Working together, we just might accomplish some pretty amazing things!

I also can't underplay the excitement I feel at the prospect of having a part in any effort to repeal Cincinnati's Issue 3—the last remaining anti-gay initiative in the United States that is still on the books. Stonewall Cincinnati is very involved in that effort, and as executive director, I will play an integral part.

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I hope that GLBT Ohioans from areas outside Cincinnati will see the Issue 3 repeal effort as the statewide issue that it is, and support the work of Stonewall Cincinnati

I come in contact nearly every day with people in the GLBT community who have inspired, shaped and challenged me on my life-long journey to becoming an out, proud and involved lesbian.

and a broad coalition of community organizations in removing this embarrassing and blatantly discriminatory law from our state's law books.

From a personal standpoint, the move to Cincinnati also means being closer to some members of my family. My sister, her husband and my two adorable nieces, ages 1 and 21⁄2, plan to relocate to the Cincinnati area from Charlotte, N.C. within the year.

Since the Chronicle has been publishing weekly, traveling to see them in Charlotte has been a challenge, As a result, I've missed a lot of important milestones in their lives, and they've missed getting to know their lesbian aunt, and developing a bond of trust with me.

In addition, my brother Ken and his wife live in Indianapolis, and living in Cincinnati

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will give me a greater opportunity to see more of them (and any nieces or nephews that may be forthcoming-hint, hint, Ken and Chien!)

Even with all the impending excitement, deciding to leave the Chronicle has been one of the most difficult decisions of my life. I am grateful for the opportunities this job has given me, for the incredible people it has allowed me to meet, interview, and work with. I can truly say I have loved doing this job.

As an outgoing staffer, I can tell you that putting together a GLBT newspaper in Ohio is a challenge, but one that the Chronicle staff feels is well worth the effort. If you are reading this—if the Chronicle has been a part of your life as a gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender individual, or helped you come out or feel empowered please support the Chronicle in whatever way you can. That can be by paying for a subscription instead of picking up the paper free, or offering to attend an event and write a story during this time of transition, or just letting the staff know that they're doing a good job. It does make a difference.

Once I am settled in my new position, I plan to stay involved with the Chronicle by being a contributing writer. You can bet I'll be encouraging people and businesses in the Cincinnati area to subscribe to and distribute Ohio's only statewide GLBT newspaper.

To everyone that has been a part of this five year journey-and there are too many names to mention “thank you" doesn't quite seem enough.

I will take warm memories with me as I embark on this next leg of my life journey to Cincinnati. Working together, we can make a better Ohio.

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