Asians and Friends marks its rebirth at Franklin Park event

by Eric Resnick

Columbus-The first event held by Asians and Friends Columbus since its reorganization drew participants from around Ohio and as far away as New Jersey.

Asians and Friends is a social fellowship organization and cultural exchange that brings together gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people of Asian heritage and non-Asians interested in promoting Asian culture within the gay community.

A

The weekend also included a tour of the Center of Science Industries May 29.

Asians and Friends Columbus has 26 active members who re-organized the nearly defunct four-year-old organization in the summer of 1999.

According to the group's president, Dexter Ortaliz, Asians and Friends meets twice monthly for parties, social gatherings, and business meetings.

Asians and Friends will also participate in the Co-

lumbus, Ohio lumbus Pride march and

olumbus,

Asians and Friends Columbus and its sister organization, Asians and Friends Cleveland, are affiliated with the International Friendship Alliance, which holds an annual international conference over Labor Day weekend.

The Memorial Day weekend event was centered around the Asian Festival held May 27-28 at Franklin Park, organized by the Asian Festival Committee and the East Asian Studies Center of Ohio State University. A number of members of the Cleveland chapter attended as well.

has trips to Cedar Point and Kings Island sched-

uled for the summer.

Asians and Friends Columbus can be reached at www.afcmh.org or at P.O. Box 16381, Columbus, Ohio 43216.

Asians and Friends Cleveland also meets twice monthly, with a business meeting early in the month, and a social event on the last Sunday of the month. The Cleveland chapter can be reached at 216226-6080 ext. 3, or at their web site, http:/ /www.geocities.com/westhollywood/

castro/6101.

Kaleidoscope shines at annual Alternative Prom

Columbus-Since 1984 Kaleidoscope Youth Coalition has been striving to create a positive and safe environment for gáy, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth in the Central Ohio region. At no time of the year does Kaleidoscope's success shine brighter than during its annual Alternative Prom.

In an effort to provide a memorable night that many in the GLBT community missed in their predominately straight high schools, the first Alternative Prom took place in 1997, at the YWCA in downtown Columbus. Titled "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," the prom was attended by an estimated 35 young people.

With attendance nearing 100, this year's "The Other Prom" has more than doubled since its beginnings in 1997. Co-sponsored with Ohio State University's GLBT Student Services and Office of Residence Life, "The Other Prom" was held May 20 in the Ohio Union, on the OSU campus. This year's prom provided dancing, food

20 Charming Rooms Peace & Privacy

The

and drink, a professional photographer, and an array of door prizes to those in attendance. Community support for the event was outstanding, as volunteers and area businesses helped create a special evening through their many contributions. People of all ages were present, donning their dresses and tuxedos for a night that no one there will soon forget.

Kaleidoscope Youth Coalition is an organization dedicated to serving the needs of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth in the Central Ohio region. Our mission is to enrich and foster the positive growth and development of GLBT and questioning youth through education, information, advocacy, self-empowerment, resource development, collaboration, coalition building and community.

Kaleidoscope offers a variety of social, recreational and political programming, as well as a drop-in center, for people aged 21 years and younger. Contact Kaleidoscope at 614-294-7886, or at kyc@kaleidoscope.org.

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A Flea in Her Ear (Comedy) June 16-July 8

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Grease! (Musical) July 28-August 26

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Catch Me If You Can (Comedy) October 6-28

Scrooge! (Musical) November 24-December 31

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