PRIDE GUIDE 2003 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

Cleveland to have a bigger Pride parade

by Joan Burda

and Brian Thornton

Cleveland-The Cleveland Lesbian-GayBi-Trans Pride Parade on Saturday, June 21 will deliver more pride and fun than ever, with the promise of floats, groups, vehicles, marchers and more winding through the streets of downtown.

Participants will gather at East 18th St. and Euclid Ave. at 11:30 am. The parade steps off at 1 pm, proceeding west on Euclid Ave., then north on East 9th Street to Voinovich Park, the rally and festival site. For those who would rather cheer on the parade than participate, prime viewing locations are on East 9th St. at Superior, St. Clair or Lakeside Aves.

All proud members of the LGBT and allied communities are encouraged to participate. Individuals or groups without vehicles march for free, and those with floats and vehicles are asked to pay a nominal fee of $20 per vehicle. Decorated vehicles will compete for trophies in the float competition, including Best Float, Most Intriguing Design, and Funniest Float.

This year Cleveland Pride urges families to participate in the parade. In particular, children are asked to ride their bikes in the "Tykes on Bikes" procession.

"What's a parade without kids and their decorated bikes?" said committee member Ricki Audrick. "Not a parade at all, which is why every child riding a bike will receive an award."

This year's parade will have six grand marshals. They are:

Ray Graham, a gay man living in Cleveland, England. He contacted Pride in the fall of 2002 to inquire about Cleveland, Ohio, because in his hometown, homophobia is rampant. On his first trip to America this June, Pride is ecstatic to honor him with a grand marshal position, in the hope that he can take that energy back to his home.

Judy Maruszan recently left the Cleveland LesbianGay Center. During her tenure, she created the Safe Schools Are For Everyone program, which works to increase acceptance and safety for LGBT youth in school systems. She has also served on the board of the Cleveland Gay Lesbian Straight Educators Network. She is now a community education spécialist for the ACLU, where her dedication to LGBT youth continues.

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CHRISTINE HAHN

Mark Yasenchack and Tom Zavesky check in floats and groups at last year's parade.

Heights Family for Equality is honored this year for its work in rebuffing efforts to repeal city worker domestic partner benefits in Cleveland Heights. After a successful campaign last year, the group is now working to bring a ballot initiative to the public to create a domestic partnership registry, which would be open to both residents and non-residents of Cleveland Heights.

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Robert Burns is a staff member with the AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland. His work with the Brother-to-Brother program brings HIV education to African American gay and bisexual men, ineluding at-risk youth. He is also an activist in the community, and a well-known DJ who has donated his time to the Pride festival.

• Richard Gildenmeister is a master. bookseller at Joseph Beth Books in Shaker Heights. At 70 years of age, he has been out as a gay man his entire life and serves as an inspiration to all he comes in contact with.

• Joe Santiago became the first out gay man to run for office in Cleveland when he ran for City Council in 2001. While his campaign was not successful, his candidacy allowed LGBT issues to be high-

lighted, and laid the groundwork for future LGBT candidates to gain office. He has also worked to form connections between the LGBT and Latino communities.

Two additional grand marshals will be announced prior to the Cleveland Pride celebration on June 21. Grand marshals will ride in a perennial favorite, the Rocket Car from Euclid Beach Park.

For the first time, the rally will be held at the end of the parade at the festival site beginning at 2 pm. Speakers will include youth activist Jonathan Jaxson, Cleveland Pride president Brian Thornton and politicians, as well as entertainment.

To help Pride plan, all participants are asked to register in advance. Parade registration forms are available on the Cleveland Pride web site, www.cleveland pride.org. Participants entering a vehicle or float are able to pay the $20 fee online at the web site.

Joan Burda is the Cleveland Pride cocoordinator. Brian Thornton is the president of Cleveland Pride.

Events are set to fill the entire month

by Michael Zaverton and Dana Aritonovich

Cleveland-By any measure, June is filled with opportunities to celebrate Pride. Cleveland Pride, consistent with its goal of filling the month with Pride-related activities, has organized a series of events, from Pride Night at the Indians to Laugh Out Proud, that provide ample opportunity for all to show off their pride.

Laugh Out Proud, an evening showcasing LGBT comedic talent where the audience picks the queen or king of comedy, starts at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, June 9, at the Improv, located in the Powerhouse in the Flats. Admission is $5.

• Watch the Cleveland Indians take on the San Diego Padres at 7:05 p.m. on Tuesday, June 10. A special block of tickets reserved by Cleveland Pride is on sale now for $25 per ticket. Get your tickets today by calling 216371-0214 or by going to www.cleveland pride.org.

• Demonstrate your pride and your prowess at pool by playing in the Pride Pool Tournament from June 8 to June 19. Tournament games will be played at Longevity on June 8, Union Station on June 9, the Grid on June 11, the Tool Shed on June 12, Muggs on June 16, Rockies on June 17, the Leather Stallion on June 18 and concludes with the finals at Longevity on June 19. The winner will receive a $200 grand prize and trophy. Information about the Pride Pool Tournament can be obtained at any of the bars. hosting the event.

• Party your nights away at Pride Nights and official Pride Party events scheduled throughout much of June. The Nickel, 4365 State Road, celebrates pride with Pride Night commencing at 10 p.m. on Friday, June 6. Other establishments joining in the pride celebration include Rockies, 9208 Detroit Ave. at 11 p.m. on June 13 and M.J.'s Place, 11633. Lorain Avenue, at 10 p.m. on Saturday, June 14.

Entertainers show diversity

The two stages in the Cleveland Pride festival will show the amazing variety of talent in the community, bringing some favorites back from previous years and introducing others to Cleveland Pride for the first time.

Main Stage

2:45 to 4-Seven

Rude Staff Checkers

Ellis

The winner of the Laugh Out Proud

comedy contest

4 to 5 Rachael Sage and Band

Amrit Kohli

5 to 6:30-Sophie B. Hawkins and Band

Men of Rainbow

6:30 to Close-Blu Cantrell

Mr. and Mrs. Black Gay Ohio

Second Stage

3:00 Cleveland City Country Dancers 3:30 North Coast Men's Chorus 4:00 Cleveland Star Search Winners Karl Kimpo & Vince Flores Carmen Velez

4:30 The Sissy Show

5 to 8 pm-DJs

Lexx Ali

Gregg Witbeck

Da Spin Doctor DJ Robbie Rob

• The weekend of the Pride celebration, get warmed up for the festival by attending the official Pre-Party starting at 10 p.m. on Friday, June 20 at the Grid-n-Orbit, 1437 St. Clair Avenue. Those with stamina can party on after the festival by attending the official Post-Party at Union Station/Bounce, 2814 Detroit Avenue, beginning at 10 p.m. on Saturday, June 21. To finish out the weekend, Moda at 1871 West 25th St. will have Federation on Sunday night.

Cleveland Pride urges everyone to attend or participate in its other official Pride events: The Frontrunners Pride Run/Walk, Edgewater Park, Sunday, June 15, 8 a.m. registration, 9 a.m. start, call 216-623-9933 for more information;

The North Coast Men's Chorus concert, "Bustin' Out All Over," at Waetjen Auditorium at Cleveland State University, Saturday, June 21 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, June 22 at 3 p.m. Visit www.ncmchorus.org for tickets or call 216-556-0590 for more information;

The Interfaith Pride Service, at Trinity Cathedral, Euclid Avenue at East 22nd Street, June 29 at 5:30 p.m.

And, for the second year in a row, the only place to find official Cleveland Pride merchandise is at www.clevelandpride.org. Get decked out in gear with our fabulous, "Pride. 24.7.365" theme for under $20.

Available only through the Pride web site, jerseys, t-shirts, hats, mugs, mouse pads and wall clocks are the perfect way to express LGBT pride. Every purchase will benefit Cleveland Pride.

The secure site accepts credit cards, checks, money orders, and PayPal. Payment is also accepted by phone or mail, details available on the web site. Items will be shipped within two to three business days, which means they will arrive in time for you to wear it to all of the Pride festivities. Wear your pride where everyone can see.

Michael Zaverton is a Cleveland Pride board member. Dana Aritonovich is a committee member of Cleveland Pride.

From

Dusk

to

Dark

B-11

6-11pm

Join the Downtown Berea Merchants in a celebration of summer. Located just two minutes southwest of Cleveland Hopkins Airport on Historic Front Street.

Live Music Food

• Art Shows

Gallery Openings Kids Activities Outdoor Movies

(starting at dark on the triangle)

June 27 Casablanca

July 25

20,000 Leagues

Under the Sea

August 22 Breakfast at Tiffany's

Sponsors: Baldwin-Wallace College

Blaze Construction City of Berea

Downtown Berea Merchants: A'Bella Gallery

Alan Gallery

Aunt DeeDee's Cottage Brewbakers Coffee and Tea Bucci's

Café Ah'Roma

Mr. Hero

Naturally Gifts

New Fangled Hair Styles Palm Spreng's Cafe Parkway Auto Care Parkway Barber and Styling Pizza King

Pucher Decorating Center Quarryman Taverne Star Screen Printing Suburban Clock The Shoppe

The Spa Connection Whiteys Army Navy