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PRIDE GUIDE 2003 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

C-9

Blind, but not in the dark

B-FLAG to meet in Pittsburgh July 5-12

by Butch Arnold

Pittsburgh, Pa.-Blind Friends of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender People will be holding its 2003 annual convention in Pittsburgh on July 5 to 12. The convention is held as part of the larger American Council of the Blind's annual convention. B-FLAG's board will meet several times during the convention and make sure that all goes well.

B-FLAG is hosting a "Diversity Panel Discussion" as well as support groups and a special interest speaker. Many members are planning a "Night Out" on Wednesday, July 9.

B-FLAG is growing on an international level and this year the group obtained 501(c)(3) recognition from the IRS.

The group has come to the understanding that most visually impaired GLBT individuals simply don't know that others exist or how to make contact with them. Many closet doors are shut, not by choice but by the lack of knowledge. Although B-FLAG will never "out" anyone, the group works to make it easier for all to live an open life with access to educational information as well as other individuals of the general GLBT community. The organization is looking forward to

having its largest convention ever in Pittsburgh as well as getting out in the Pittsburgh community to meet people.

The purpose of B-FLAG is to provide for the betterment of the lives of those who are visually impaired and who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.

It does so:

•

By providing a forum for the views and concerns of visually impaired people interested in issues facing those who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender.

•By providing information about publications of interest to members that are produced in accessible format and by encouraging the production of such material in accessible format.

•By facilitating the free exchange of ideas, opinions and information relative to matters of concern to blind people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.

• By seeking to assure adequate services to those who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender by agencies and institutions serving the blind.

For more information on B-FLAG, see www.bflag.org.

Butch Arnold is a B-FLAG board member.

Consider giving a home to a child needing a family

by Linda Bellini

Cleveland-The community faces a great need for homes for the over 1,600 children in the custody of Cuyahoga County. Families for, these children come in all shapes and sizes. Adoption is a viable option for many people to consider. A growing number of gay and lesbian

people are making homes for children and building families through adoption.

Want to know more? The information is free and easy to get. There will be two information sessions held to

provide members of the gay and lesbian community with information about the children that are waiting for families in Cuyahoga County.

Information on how to become a foster parent or adoptive parent will be available on Tuesday, June 24 from 7 to 9pm at the West Shore Unitarian Church, 20401 Hilliard Blvd., Rocky River, as well as Saturday, June 28 from 10 am to noon at Bellefaire JCB, 22001 Fairmount Blvd., Shaker Heights.

These opportunities are being presented through the collaborative efforts of the Cuyahoga County Department of Children and Family Services, Adoption Network Cleveland, Bellefaire JCB, and the West Side Family Resource Network. Professionals in the field of adoption and foster care will discuss an overview of the process; the current practice and law in Ohio regarding foster care and adoption; and resources for gay and lesbian people interested in learning more about adoption and foster care. Please consider making room in your

home for a child waiting for a family. Adoption Network Cleveland is a nonprofit educational, advocacy, search, and support organization for adoptees, birth parents, adoptive parents and professionals. For more information contact Linda Bellini at Adoption Network Cleveland, 216-881-7511 or log onto www.adoptionnetwork.org.

Linda Bellini is the program and volunteer coordinator of Adoption Network Cleveland.

Data, Data, Data.

We've got human services data.

The 2003 editions of the Social Indicators Reports are free, and are on their way.

Currently available:

Indicators of Education, Employment, and Income

To come in 2003:

Well-Being of Children and Families

Community Health Indicators

•

Profile of Older Persons in Cuyahoga County

Public Safety Indicators

·

Housing Indicators

United Way Services

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For more information, visit www.uws.org or www.fcp.org.

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DS Discussion.

ome meet and talk with CSU student, AIDS activist, and male dancer Mikell Nagy

Free pizza & drinks

Wednesday, June 18th at 7:00pm

Cleveland State University Main Classroom Bldg., Rm. 223 Euclid Ave at E. 22nd

More Info Dr. Bruce Menapace at 216/

Sponsored by the CSU Safer Sex Committee and funded by the City of Cleveland Dequin