A look beyond our borders should give some pause

by Anthony Glassman

It is the season of Pride, with a capital P; the time of the year when the rainbow flags and red ribbons and pink triangles come out and march down the streets. Everybody is filled with Pride, Gay Pride, Lesbian Pride, Transgender Pride, Bisexual Pride, Black Gay Pride, Asian Gay Pride, Latino Gay Pride, Jewish Gay Pride, Muslim Gay Pride, Multi-racial Non-denominational Queer Pride.

I'm not particularly proud of where I am. I'm Jewish, I'm gay, and I am proud of who I am and what I do. I am, however, also deeply, deeply ashamed.

I am ashamed that I live in a country that labels itself the Arsenal of Democracy, but is, for all intents and purposes, a thinlyveiled theocracy. Every debate on gay rights or reproductive freedom is laden with references to the Bible; words like immoral and unnatural are bandied about as if they were accurate, or even really meant anything.

I am ashamed that I live in a country where politicians, speaking against gay rights and gay marriage, warn that the world is watching us, and judging what we do here. I am ashamed that our politicians have so faulty a world view that they don't even realize that we are one of the only Western industrialized nations that doesn't have federal gay and lesbian civil rights legislation; that we are in a shrinking minority of countries in the West that doesn't guarantee the rights of gay and lesbian couples.

I am ashamed that we live in a country where people are forced to bear the mantle of activism because of tragedy. I am ashamed that Leslie Sadasivan and the families of

Matthew Shepard and Robert Byrd, Jr. are thrust into the spotlight because their loved ones have died, either at the hands of evil, evil men, or at their own hands to escape the taunting, the ridicule, the hatred.

I am ashamed that those who believe in an all-encompassing greater power, full of infinite love, define "infinite" as being for everyone but us. I am ashamed that they have the power to think that I care about them at all.

I am ashamed that my country could come calling any time we are at war and expect me to kill for them, but also expect me to keep my mouth shut about what I believe in. I am ashamed that this is what we call a democracy.

Speaking of which, I am ashamed that any politician should be forced to publicly distance himself or herself from pro-choice or pro-gay beliefs, for fear of alienating what are best described as militant loonies.

I am ashamed that a hundred years after the end of the Victorian era, I am living in a country where Victorian mores are thriving.

I am ashamed that, at the tender age of 27, the most mature response I can muster to the Minions of Evil trying to oppress me and mine is to kick them in the groin.

I am ashamed that I still think that might actually work.

Most of all, I am ashamed that society has left me so bitter after such a short time in it. There was a day, I'm fairly sure, that you had to be significantly older to be this bitter.

Of course, I could be wrong. Everything could be fine. Pride could be the answer to everything.

Somehow, though, I don't think so.

Pride Guide

CSI THEATRE ARTS AREA PRESENTS:

TENNESSEE WILLIAMS`

NOT

ABOUT

NIGHTINGALES

DIRECTED BY: EUGENE HARE

JUNE 23, 24, 25, 30, JULY 1. 2. 7. 8. 9 2000

BOX OFFICE: 687-2109

E.24 th AND CHESTER

MOSAICS

INTEGRATED HEALTH

FOSTERING WELL-BEING

for

INDIVIDUALS

COUPLES

FAMILIES

COMMUNITIES

Integrated health services focus on enhancing and balancing the psychological, physical and spiritual aspects of well-being.

Gay and Gay Affirming Professionals: Psychologists, Counselors, Massage Therapists, Dietitian, Career Counselor, Meditation/QiGong/Relaxation Instructors, Occupational Therapist, Chemical Dependency Counselors

Core Services Focus On

Living Well By Maintaining Energy, Balance & Simplicity Managing Physical & Emotional Challenges

·

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Thriving Through Changes and Transitions

Strengthening Relationships and Communication

Locations

6611 Rockside Road, Suite 215, Independence, Ohio 44131 26250 Euclid Avenue, Suite 329, Euclid, Ohio 44132

Associates to Call

Psychologists and Counselors

2nd annual

5K

Cleveland

FrnerS

Ik

000

Warren Faber, Ph.D.

Kevin Kukoleck, Psy.D. Doug Moore, Ph.D. Nancy Rubel, Ph.D.

Linda Gould, LPCC

Ronna Posta, LPCC, CCDCIII

Sue Stewart-Palmisano, LPCC, CCDCIII Janel Volk Hubbard, LPC, OTR-L

Massage Therapists/Energy Workers

Fred Snowden, LMT, RPP

Dietitian

Anna Rostafinski, RD, LD

Rotaunja Myers-Perry, LMT Career Counselor

Susan Freimark, LPC

216-524-7772

Edgewater State Park

9:00 a.m.

-

Lower Park Pavilion

Register on-line: www.hermescleveland.com Register on-site: 8:00 a.m. on race day 6/24/00 For more information call 216-623-9933

Net proceeds benefit Cleveland Pride and The Center's PRYSM Program

PEPSI

Angel Falls

COFFEE

COMPANY

Body

Language

Tina's

Fons Dub le Resturans