John Waters to headline Out in Akron in October
by Chris Hixson
Akron-After a summer of Pride events, vacations and getaways, you'll have just enough time to rest up for the fifth annual Out in Akron GLBT Cultural Festival from Thursday, October 11 through Sunday, October 14 Headlining this year's festival is an evening with John Waters on Saturday, October 13 at Akron's Highland Theatre. Advance sale tickets ($15) will be available
at the Out in Akron booth at Cleveland Pride.
"We want to encourage people to attend Cleveland Pride, and to give them the first chance
in Akron Forum, which each year focuses on a single topic and presents the views of local voices and national leaders.
This year Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin, two of the most important women in the history of our movement, will be our special guests at a forum entitled "We Are Every Age." The couple earned their place in queer history by founding the Daughters of Bilitis, America's first national lesbian organization, in 1955.
Outin Akron
to get tickets to see one of America's most outrageous cultural icons," explained Matthew McCallum and Sandra Kurt, Out in Akron co-chairs. Tickets will go on sale to the general public on June 18 through Box Office Tickets at 800-494-8497 ($16.50 including service charge).
As always, most other Out in Akron events are free. The Out in Akron weekend will begin on Thursday, October 11 with a candlelight vigil in memory of Matthew Shepard. Following the vigil, Out in Akron welcomes National Slam Poetry Champion Alix Olson to the University of Akron for an evening of "fiercely funny, sexy, feminist, queer and brilliant" poetry. Ms. magazine put Olson on the January 2001 cover and proclaimed "She Slams!" Come and see for yourself.
The festival continues Friday, October 12 with "Queer Shorts" a free one night festival of new short films at the Highland Theatre.
"We put out a call to filmmakers around the world seeking entries," said film night chair Pete Chiccarino. "We expect to narrow down over 75 entries to the top choices for screening."
Saturday, October 13 will feature a free afternoon screening of one of John Waters most famous films, and Saturday night the legend himself will present Shock Value, An Evening with John Waters live on stage at the Highland.
Sunday's events kick off with the Out in Akron Community Celebration Brunch at Greystone Hall, followed by the annual Out
Today, Lyon and Martin are involved in issues close to the hearts of aging Americans and have served as delegates to the White House Conference on Aging. Following their keynote, Phyllis and Del will be joined by area experts for a panel discussion on growing older in the GLBT community.
Sunday evening brings the return of Cabaret Q: The Out in Akron Variety Show with your host Shelley McConnell. Live on stage at the Highland, Cabaret Q is a chance for Akron's own to shine.
Major support for Out in Akron 2001 is provided by Angel Falls Coffee Company, Babylon Night Club and Akron P-FLAG, Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays.
Organizers are calling on calling on friends and supporters to help fund the weekend by becoming festival sponsors. Sponsorship opportunities range from business, foundation and organizational contributions to individual or family sponsorships. It's unheard of for a festival to offer so many events free of charge.
Volunteers play an important role in the planning, too. Out in Akron volunteers serve as "ad getters, bar blitzers, event assistants, ticket takers, ushers, caterers, and T-shirt sellers. In fact, we'll take advantage of everybody who wants to be a part of Out in Akron," laughed Sandra Kurt, “whether or not you think you have the skills we need."
Full Out in Akron event details, volunteer and sponsor information is available at www.outinakron.org, or visit our booth at Cleveland Pride for an event calendar. ✔
Chris Hixson is the treasurer and founder of Out in Akron.
Stonewall Akron marks one advance, possibly two
by Eric Resnick
Akron-Stonewall Akron enters Pride month on the heels of one legislative victory and the likelihood that a second will occur this summer.
The Summit County Council became only the second county in Ohio to protect employees from discrimination
STONEWALL AKRON
based on sexual orientation on May 7. This landmark action happened because a question about it was raised at Stonewall Akron's Candidates Night Out last fall.
Stonewall Akron members testified in favor of the bill, which passed the council unanimously.
Stonewall Akron has also played a leadership role in the development of a gay and lesbian civil rights ordinance pending in Akron City Council.
That bill, which was introduced by Council President Marco Sommerville, will revise all areas of Akron's civil rights laws to include sexual orientation, sex, and gender identity and expression.
Stonewall Akron has worked with the National Lesbian and Gay Task Force developing state-of-the-art language, and has had a leadership role on the task force organized by Sommerville to lead the community to its eventual passage, expected this summer.
Stonewall Akron has also been involved with the coalitions forming to defeat the socalled "Defense of Marriage Act" in the Ohio House.
The group's Pride celebration will include officially marching in the Cleveland parade and individual members traveling to the Columbus event. The group will be present at the Cleveland festival.
Stonewall Akron meets every third Monday at the Akron Area Pride Center. Visit Stonewall Akron on the web at www.rainbow-akron.com/stonewall or call
330-849-1520..
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