Pride Guide 2004

GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE A-29

Youth drop-in center offers many programs Balloon Rides

by L. Michael Gipson

Cleveland To meet a lot of resilient youth living every day with pride and courage, check out the Beyond Identities Community Center.

Since its April debut, BICC has already registered an astounding 120 Cleveland Metro area youth, the majority of whom are lesbian, bisexual and gay youth of color who demonstrate pride every day. That number is projected to double by the time this article is printed.

A project of the AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland, the center is the first LGBT youth space that also caters to youth of color in the state of Ohio. With a lot of exciting programming happening every week from intimate performances by independent alternative soul artist Yewande, to the bi-monthly gay youth talk show Spillin' T, with youth hosts Tony and Micah, BICC is trying to keep this summer hot.

Community youth events for the summer include a Multi-Cultural Week with ethnic foods and activities, a Showtime at the Apollostyle talent show, and a Back-to-School Picnic on August 28.

Youth workshops and discussion groups are led every Wednesday by youth staff Natoya Cody and Brione Martin, and Spanish language workshops by Jamale Willis. Brother 2 Brother program coordinator Robert Brown hosts résumé and interview skills training for youth ages 13-22 years old the first Tuesday of every month at 3 pm.

BICC is also trying to make sure it helps youth stay safe this summer by offering a range of health options including a summer Health Fair. BICC provides HIV tests, conducted every Wednesday from 2-6 pm, and hepatitis A and B shots every month.

For youth wanting to keep those HIV tests negative, BICC is signing up young men of color who have sex with men throughout May and June for HIV prevention groups that pay young adult attendees up to $100 to educate themselves about preventing HIV. In response

ANTHONY GLASSMAN

The Brother to Brother street team at the BICC grand opening in March.

to recent STD outbreaks among Cleveland LGBT youth, BICC is also trying to develop STD screenings and workshops for youth through a collaboration with Planned Parenthood.

BICC is not just for kids. For young adults 18 to 24 years old, BICC has a phenomenal film day on Saturdays from 1:30-4:30 pm, designed just for young adults. BICC screens everything from campy classics and independent films to social justice documentaries and the best in contemporary gay cinema. Artists, writers, and critics can begin submitting articles and writings at BICC for its upcoming webzine. Dancers can get their hip-hop and house groove on during BICC's Friday

night social from 5:30-8 pm.

BICC is located at 3615 Superior Avenue in the Tyler Industrial Park, Bldg. 31, Suite 3101-C, and staff can be reached at 216-3612428. Whether youth just want to chat on-line in the computer lab, or catch their favorite diva's concert in the rec room, or get a job, housing or food referral from BICC's competent youth staff, BICC has something for everyone. BICCs hours are Tuesday to Thursday. 2-7 pm, Friday from 3-8 pm, and Saturday 1:30-4:30pm.

L. Michael Gipson is the associate director of youth programs at the AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland.

float gently over the

Just me two of you!

des: You'll be with others in our six or twelve passenger balloons (or you can tock an entire balloon and fill it with friends).

Party Tethers: If you have an area at least 200x200) and you ** your guests to be pout your sxong time.

Serving Northeast Chiesince 1936

Russell's

Balloon Adventures

WWW.RUSSELLSBALLOONS.COM

216-623-0029

800-861-9824ˆ

1985

Alla alturðarfaa hynzie langs of Ephes el Lrin

rhythmgloves legless tentadt, & furi ja hels are tabiot den wille

Emirih miz heard for Hall Ers, thy fa

20

– John Kerry, a young Senator from Massachusetts, introduces the Senate's first gay civil rights bill

John Kerry has been celebrating Pride for more than 20 years. Help us build a stronger America. Come by the John Kerry Table at Pride.

For more information: www.johnkerry.com/communities/glbt/pride

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