Pride Guide 2004 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

Blackout is Ohio's African American SGL connection

by Michael Oatman

Cleveland-BlackOut Unlimited has provided educational, cultural and social event programming for the African American, samegender-loving community since 1997.

The group was organized primarily to provide a Pride celebration for the African American SGL community, and quickly realized and identified various unaddressed needs. Subsequently, BlackOut re-organized as a non-profit with a board of trustees to meet the needs of the underserved African American SGL community.

Black Out Unlimited has a variety of initiatives and programs including the Brother Circle of Greater Cleveland, the Womyn's Circle, and the youth program Club 1722. Brother Circle meetings are held every Wednesday and Womyn's Circle every Friday. Blackout is currently working with the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force to expand the scope of Club 1722's youth advocacy program.

BlackOut produces monthly special events for the African American SGL community. Every Friday, from 5:30 to 9 pm, BlackOut

presents Fabulous Fridays, a SGL social and networking event at the Robin's Nest, 4059 St. Clair Avenue.

The purpose of Fabulous Fridays is to bring together the diverse members of the African American SGL community, said Adam Conley, co-director of the Brother Circle of Greater Cleveland

"We are inviting all our brothers and sisters to join us for a chance to unwind, mingle and socialize with other members of our family," Conley said. Admission to the 21 and over event is $5.

Other upcoming BlackOut events include a June 18 Pride celebration party; and July 3 holiday party: "Spend the night with Tiger Tyson."

The State of Black Gay America Symposium is August 7; and the Black Unity Celebration Family Festival follows the next day, August 8. Visit www.blackoutunlimited.org for more information, or call 216-937-2268.

Michael Oatman is a freelance writer in Cleveland.

Bisexual Network gathers bi events

by Kimberly Steele

Cleveland-For a while now, the four brains behind the group Bi and Beyond have held the common dream of a successful bisexual network. With the help of the founder, Sarah Young, the Cleveland Bisexual Network was formed.

The network is a gathering of bi events, news, etc. in and around Cleveland for individuals who identify as bi or their partners, no matter what their orientation. This network has created a web domain plus an online and print newsletter.

Cleveland Bisexual Network has

several events coming soon. Pride 2004 advancements are currently underway as well as preparations for the next Bi-Hop taking place at Club 727 on June 25. In addition to the monthly Bi Movie Night taking place the first Friday of the month at the Cleveland Lesbian-Gay Center, the second annual bi retreat is coming up this summer.

Currently, applications are being taken for the Bi Speakers Bureau, and organizing collaborations with other BiOhio groups-such as Akron's BiPride group that meets four times a year on the first Friday of the month (call 330-873-9738 for more information)-is also in the

works. As usual, Bi and Beyond meets the third Friday of the month at the Cleveland Lesbian-Gay Center however, the plan is to create a second meeting venue on the east side.

To find out more information, visit http://clevebinet.bravepages.com or send an e-mail to bineohio@yahoo.com. Also, please consider joining the Cleveland Bisexual Network's many Yahoo groups located under CBN Organizers, BiPride, OhioBiOrg, and of course, BiNEOhio.

Kimberly Steele is the newsletter and web site editor for the Cleveland Bisexual Network.

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ANTHONY GLASSMAN

BlackOut Unlimited executive director Jon Everett with Kevin Allen, left, and Maurice Townes at the group's March premiere party for The Closet.

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