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GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE Pride Guide 2004

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ISLAND IDOL.

The Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Greater Cincinnati is

preparing for a three-

month search to find the Tri-state's most talented

vocalists to compete in the

first ever Island Idol event at Pride Night at Paramount's Kings Island.

The 12 finalists will perform

in front of Pride Night guests and celebrity Judges on October 1 at Paramount's Kings Island.

So what are you waiting for? Try out at the audition location belowl

Grand prize winner receives a 4 day, 3-night cruise for two

over & $1800 value

Paramount

'Grease 2' is theme for benefit bowling night

by Allen Geiner

Columbus-On Wednesday, June 9 at Mr. Bill's Bowling Alley, located at 3525 Cleveland Ave, Columbus, the talents of drag queens and kings will come together for a bowling benefit for Pride and AIDS charities.

From 9 pm to 11 pm, the whole GLBT community is encouraged to join in a night of bowling fun that is based on an idea from the cult classic Grease 2. Tickets are only $12 and include two hours of bowling and shoes. Ashley O'Shea, Brandy Lamont, Samantha Rollins and Jackiee Jizzum, along with talents of incredible male illusionist and hot back up boy dancers will perform two numbers from the cult classic Grease 2 on the alley lanes, "Score Tonight" and "Rock-aHula-Luau," with a special solo number by Ashley O'Shea, "Cool Rider." Attendees are encouraged to dress as characters from Grease 2 or in other 1961 dress.

This event is produced by No Limits Enter:

tainment, with the help of cmhgaybowling.com. Proceeds from the event will be donated to Pride 2004 and AIDS charities. Need more info?

Call 614-313-2414.

Allen Geiner is the director of Creative PR Concepts.

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PRIDE NIGHT

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a private fund-raising event. $15 entry fee for an audition.visit www.pipridenight.com for tickets and for more Island Idol information.

On March 1, 2004,

The Federation for Community Planning changed its name to

MCC reaches out to rural areas of eastern Ohio

by Rev. Marj Creech

Granville God's Promise Metropolitan Community Church of Granville likes to say "of Eastern Ohio," because there are no MCCs east of Columbus until one gets to Pittsburgh or Charleston, W.V., though there is an MCC now in Cleveland as well as other progressive Christian churches.

Columbus is certainly blessed with many GLBT-friendly places of worship, both Christian and of other faiths, but the rural areas east of Columbus are often still plagued by homophobia and by very hurtful and ignorant messages coming from Christian churches.

Non-accepting messages are being preached in local churches in Mount Vernon, and, no doubt, in other rural areas of Eastern Ohio. Young people especially need to hear that God loves them and created them with their sexual orientation and that there is nothing wrong with them. It teaches alternative interpretations of scriptures that have been used to bash gays, so GLBT people can learn how the messages of Jesus make life joyful and worthwhile.

God's Promise MCC is small, but with a large outreach. It is about to start a Bible study

in the Mount Vernon area. There will also be a summer study in Granville, as well as a Sunday service.

Socially, a women's outdoor group has just started for all women, not just members. For everyone, there will be a pontoon boat ride on Dylan Lake. Hikes and bike rides (nothing too strenuous) are anticipated this

summer.

The church co-sponsors an AIDS service at Tradewinds bar every year for World AIDS Day. Leatherwear is encouraged for those in leather clubs or independents. God's Promise is active in the ecumenical service at Columbus Pride every year. At the march this year, the church plans to have a truck with speakers through which members will be singing lively praise and worship and other upbeat music, especially as it passes the "gay bashers."

For events, sermons, pictures and papers on interpreting Scripture, see http:// my.core.com/~risenregan. The pastor's e-mail is RisenRegan@core.com. Send an e-mail to stay updated on events and times, or call 740924-5083.

Rev. Marj Creech is the pastor of God's Promise MCC.

THE CENTER FOR

COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS

RESEARCH PLANNING

Still helping the community through:

action-oriented research,

policy analysis,

advocacy,

program planning,

• and communication

ACTION

to improve targeted health and social conditions in Northeast Ohio.

Still working with community partners. Still Helping the People Who Help People.

1226 Huron Road, Suite 300, Cleveland, Ohio 44115 216-781-2944. Fax: 216-781-2988 www.CommunitySolutions.com

Day of study will focus on GLBT issues in Judaism

by Rabbi Michael Ungar

Columbus-On Sunday, June 27, Congregation Tifereth Israel will hold a yom limud, or "day of study," on LGBT issues in Judaism.

The event will be from 4 pm to 7 pm at Congregation Tifereth Israel, 1354 East Broad St. in Columbus

This yom limud is open to the entire community, both Jewish and non-Jewish. The program will familiarize participants with the issues facing LGBT Jews and the Jewish community in general in its treatment of this group and its members.

Four main areas to be examined:

• "Implications of Jewish Law and Tradition," presented by Rabbi William Plevan of Keshet, the GLBT advocacy group at New York's Jewish Theological Seminary of America.

"Societal and Secular Legal Issues in Ohio and the United States," presented by

Kate Anderson, executive director of Stonewall Columbus

"The Human Side of the Story: What It Means to be GLBT and Jewish," presented by Stonewall Columbus and local community members.

"Future Directions for the Columbus Jewish Community," presented by Nancy Heiden, Dennis Niekro and other local speak-

ers.

This program is free and open to the public. A kosher dinner may be ordered with a reservation by June 21 to 614-253-8523 for $8 per person.

"LGBT Issues in Judaism" is made possible by a grant from the Columbus Jewish Federation and is held in cooperation with Stonewall Columbus and the Columbus Pride Holiday.

For more information, contact Rabbi Michael Ungar, 614-253-8523 or mungar @tiferethisrael.org.

Rabbi Michael Ungar is the rabbi of Congregation Tifereth Israel.