GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE October 8, 1999

letters tothe editor

A resource for domestic violence

It has been good to see the recent publicity in the Gay People's Chronicle and the Lesbian-Gay Community Center's

newsletter around domestic violence in samesex relationships.

Same-sex domestic violence is an issue that has been misunderstood and denied for far too long, and those brave survivors who have reached out for aid in the past have often been re-victimized by ignorant or bigoted services. Community efforts to provide educated and sensitive help and advocacy for survivors and perpetrators are an essential ingredient to building a healthy society.

Because queer communities may seem small and confidentiality is essential in serving domestic violence survivors, it is important to make known a variety of resources that are equipped to assist and advocate for LGBT persons in the area.

As an advocate at Templum House, I am writing to inform the readership of the Chronicle that we are yet another domestic violence resource in the greater Cleveland area. Templum provides free legal advocacy, shelter, and outreach services including support groups for women and youth survivors of domestic violence, as well as groups for adult male and adolescent perpetrators, and a center for supervised child visitation. In addition, Templum offers community education programs, referrals to other agencies, and a 24-hour telephone hotline for adults and youth at 216-631-2275.

I cannot promise that every individual at Templum is enlightened about all LGBT issues. (I am sure I could hardly provide a definition of "enlightened" that all readers would agree with!) I can, however, assure you that, as an agency, Templum is committed to ending domestic violence for all people; to treating all of our clients fairly and sensitively a process that requires constant selfeducation.

In conclusion, I offer myself and my coworkers as resources for LGBT folk who are living with or coping with the effects of domestic violence. We are no more perfect than any of the other providers previously highlighted in the Chronicle, but we are another community resource forged of our combined experiences and informed by our various identities.

Devon Greyson, Women's Advocate Templum House Cleveland

You can't make everyone happy

To the Editors:

Let me begin by saying that I'm replying to Jerry Szoka's letter to the editor in the September 24 issue, and that I'm speaking for myself and not for the Northern Ohio Coalition, Inc.,

GAY PEOPLE'S

but as a member since August '98 who has strived to do my hardest to make NOCI and the work that we do for our community the very best.

Sure, Mr. Szoka, you can't make everyone happy. As you well know, you are a club owner. I was in disgust at your letter, and wish to touch on a few things you sought to condemn us for.

Mr. Szoka Jerry-it takes great planning and hard work of all our members and board of NOCI to put on the picnic. But with planning comes mishaps, as again you're a club owner, it's kind of like planning a club party, on not that small of a magnitude, and when something goes wrong you deal with it the best way you can, as NOCI did, and I commend the board for doing such.

Now to touch on a few things in your letter that I feel need to be approached. You, Jerry, said you have attended picnics in the past years. Then surely you should know without a pre-paid ticket, you pay at the gate. And we NOCI had pre-paid tickets throughout Cleveland, Akron, and Warren. Surely if anyone could have gotten one, it would have you. I'm sorry you felt the $25 you spent was so stiff, just to let you know I'm thanking you for your $25 because that money will go to help someone or some organization. You should not feel you wasted your money, for NOCI, for the last 21 years, has never, nor will it be, as you call it, a middleman.

Next thing, Jerry, the music. Yes, that was a problem. But again, planning. If I remember, the Grid was asked to provide the sound, but the club couldn't. I would personally like to leave you and the club an open invitation to provide NOCI's 22nd year "We Are Family Picnic" with the great sounds that come out of your club.

This next thing really pushed my buttonthe lube you did not get. Really, Jerry, NOCI does not promote unsafe sex. The lube was one of many sponsors for the picnic, and this is one of the things they gave us to hand out. I'll say it again-promotional.

And yes, Jerry, there were plenty of games. Thank you Mike R. for a wonderful job. Entertainment, yes Jerry, there was (thank you Gregg L.), and yes, Jerry, emcees (thank you Gregg L.) All of these things took place before 3:30, Mr. Szoka. Did you not get a program with your mug?

And finally, NOCI has an open-door policy to anyone wishing to know what we're about and where the monies raised go, so on that note I will leave you, Mr. Szoka and anyone an invitation to our next meeting November 1 at 7 pm. If you should feel the need to address your dissatisfaction. I'm sure you'll see NOCI is in no way in any disarray, only the opposite strong, growing, and learning. Hope to see you.

Chronicle

Alan B. Cox Streetsboro, Ohio

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Picnic issues? Come to NOCI meeting

To the Editors:

In response to a letter that was written to the editor about NOCI's We Are Family Picnic, in my opinion I felt the letter was totally uncalled-for and unethical. If you have a problem with a person or persons, one would think it would be logical to confront that person and give them a chance to answer any questions. If that doesn't work, then it is fair game. Was NOCI contacted before being

attacked?

I am a board member of NOCI and proud of it, and to that I can say, “No, NOCI was not contacted to answer a single question."

I urge anyone to attend a NOCI meeting to ask all the questions your heart desires, and you will receive an answer. We meet the first Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m., at our office at 1406 West 29th St. in Cleveland.

I would like to congratulate NOCI on 21 dedicated years of serving the community. That is quite an accomplishment. They must be doing something right.

I would like to give my opinion to a few comments made in the letter to the editor.

First of all, if one was unable to find advanced ticket sales, then maybe one just didn't look. The picnic was advertised every week for two months in all the publications, even in Columbus. There also was a coupon printed in the Gay People's Chronicle to order tickets by mail. Tickets were also sold at NOCI's office.

It was mentioned [by the letter writer] that there was an interest in selling tickets at an establishment-why wait to be asked, why not offer?

It sounds like one was upset for having to pay full price. Sorry, if you let one slide, then

the next guy wants the same treatment, then the next, then what good would advanced sales be for?

NOCI does rent Wildwood Park for the day of the picnic, but please keep in mind that there are a lot of stipulations we have to go by.

As far as hiding the entertainment, we are told to put them in the area where they were due to the loud music, so neighbors of the park don't complain. The pop is also the park's responsibility. It is in our contract that they are to fill and refill the pop machines and the ice.

As far as the music situation goes, Soundsation was contracted for rental of equipment for the dance hall from 12 noon to 7 pm. They showed up late, and that was no fault of NOCI. You may not of had music in the dance hall, but there was music. The entertainment music rang through the park.

Believe it or not, people were having a good time. A good time is what you make it to be. NOCI does not promote sex, especially unsafe sex. The reason the lube was given out at the picnic was because it was donated by a sponsor to the picnic. We very well could not have honestly thrown it away. Maybe we should have passed out sample bottles of Scope instead, for that sour taste.

My question is, why solo out the picnic? If you look at other events that go on though out the summer, attendance was down just about everywhere. And whether it is a donation or you pay entrance, by the time you pay parking, admission and buy a few beverages, your dollar amount is up there.

We offer free parking, free beverage (whether it is warm or cold), entertainment, water slides, paddle boats, miniature golf and your first dollar off at the casino. The main thing is please correct me if I am wrong--but the picnic is a fundraiser, which the money raised, believe it or not, does go back to the community to help those in need.

Also it's a day to be yourself, where you don't have to hide who and what you are, a day just for you to relax and enjoy. Now which would you say is the better bargain? I would like to thank the Gay People's Chronicle for this opportunity.

Renee Dunn, Member at Large Northern Ohio Coalition Inc. Cleveland

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GAY PEOPLE'S

Chronicle

Volume 15, Issue 15

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