Pride Guide 2004 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

The Rainbow Wranglers celebrate their 13th year

by Leslie Nelson

Cleveland-The Rainbow Wranglers are celebrating their thirteenth year as Cleveland's only LGBT country-western line dance group.

Formed in 1993 by members of the Cleveland City Country Dancers, an LGBT square dancing group, the Rainbow Wranglers get together every Sunday night at 8 pm at the Tool Shed bar at 2901 Detroit Ave. in Cleveland for open dancing that includes line, swing, couples, waltz and more. From 7 pm-8 pm, the group offers free dance instruction at both the beginner and intermediate levels. The Rainbow Wranglers welcome anyone who is interested in learning to dance.

Every spring, the Rainbow Wranglers host Roundup. The three-day benefit dance weekend includes a dance workshop, dance reviews, and our spectacular Saturday night event, the Colonel's Ball, held this year at the historic Grays Armory in downtown Cleveland.

The Colonel's Ball features a night of dancing fun, performances by the Rainbow Wranglers performance team, as well as exhibitions by dance teams from other visiting cities. In between dancing, there are wonderful gifts at the silent auction tables which feature art and craftwork by members and supporters, as well as gift baskets from local area merchants.

All proceeds from the events benefit local charities such as the Cleveland Lesbian Gay Center, which this year received $6,200 from

the Roundup. Beneficiaries also include the Public Animal Welfare Society and many others.

Members of the Rainbow Wranglers can participate in the Performance Dance Team. This year, the team will perform exhibition dancing during Pride weekend, on Saturday, June 19, and the Canton Italian American Festival on July 9. The team will also entertain at the second annual Hayride held at Boyert's Farm, 7171 Wooster Pike Road, Medina, on October 29. Admission includes a beautiful evening under the stars on the hayride, picking a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch, a hot dog and glass of cider, warming up by the bonfire, and a night of country dancing at the Barn Dance.

This year you can see our Performance Dance Team compete at the International Association of Gay-Lesbian Country Western Dance Clubs convention held in Colum-. bus on the Fourth of July weekend. Dance teams from many states will attend, and the Rainbow Wranglers are proud to represent Cleveland for this event.

For more information on club activities and membership, call 216-651-0023 or visit www.rainbowwranglers.org.

Also, visit Ohio's other country/western dancing club, the Columbus Stompers, at www.stompers.org.

Leslie Nelson is the president of the Rainbow Wranglers.

The ACLU is out front in the battle for LGBT rights

by Rob Starr

Did you know that the American Civil Liberties Union has been fighting for LGBT equality both nationally and locally for years?

Many people associate the ACLU with banning nativity scenes on public property and removing the Ten Commandments from courthouses.

The ACLU of Ohio recently formed an LGBT Rights Working Group.

Founded over 80 years ago in response to government clampdowns on dissent and labor organizing, the ACLU has since evolved into the leading organization defending the Bill of Rights for all Americans, including LGBT citizens. The ACLU believes that everyone (even Rush Limbaugh) has the same rights.

effort to repeal Cincinnati's anti-gay Article 12.

Act."

Opposed Ohio's "Defense of Marriage

• Continues working to defeat the proposed amendment to the Ohio constitution banning same-sex marriages.

Regularly sponsors public education events on LGBT issues.

The ACLU of Ohio recently formed an LGBT Rights Working Group to promote the civil rights of LGBT people through community education, collaboration, and advocacy. The group meets each month at the ACLU's Max Wohl Civil Liberties Center, 4506 Chester Avenue, in Cleveland. All LGBT people and allies are welcome.

Visit the ACLU of Ohio's LGBT Working Group's web page at www.acluohio.org/issues/lgbt/lgbt_rights.htm or contact us at 216472-2205 or contact@acluohio.org for more information. Also, help continue the work of the ACLU by becoming a card-carrying member. Go to www.acluohio.org and join the over 17,000 members and supporters of the ACLU of Ohio's fight for equality.

Rob Starr is the co-chair of the ACLU of Ohio LGBT Rights Working Group.

Nationally, the ACLU has worked tirestonecoldbikini

lessly on the issues that matter most to the LGBT community by:

Filing a "friend-of-the-court" brief in the Lawrence v. Texas case, in which the Supreme Court struck down sodomy laws last June.

• Filing lawsuits in New York and Oregon seeking marriage equality for same-sex couples.

• Lobbying against the proposed federal marriage amendment.

•Challenging Florida's ban on adoption by

gay people.

·

Fighting discrimination against people

living with HIV and AIDS.

Challenging school districts that deny

equal protection for LGBT students.

Launching a web site (www.aclu.org/ getequal/) offering tools for grassroots LGBT advocacy.

Closer to home, the ACLU of Ohio:

• Supported Heights Families for Equality's successful effort establishing a Cleveland Heights domestic partner registry.

Supports the Citizens to Restore Fairness

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B-13

PATTI HARRIS

Cleveland Lesbian-Gay Center board member Mike Kelley, right, receives the $6,200 check being donated by Cleveland Rainbow Wranglers from their Roundup in April.

Social, professional links are hallmarks of Network

by Dar Vukcevic

Cleveland-The Network is a Cleveland area lesbian social and professional networking organization founded more than 12 years ago. Through the years it has become an organization that includes a safe social gathering forum for lesbians.

Supporting other gay organizations through the gatherings and volunteering is an important element of the Network. For many years the Network members have volunteered to work the gate at the Cleveland Pride festival.

Organizers strive to keep the Network as a diverse cross-section of the lesbian community. Its membership includes a wide range of age groups. The entire membership is strongly encouraged to add to the success of the yearly events, creating a member-driven organization.

At gatherings, those who wish to promote their own business and professions are supported and an atmosphere where women can meet old and new friends in comfortable surroundings is embraced.

There are a number of events such as singles nights, potlucks, social hours, and informational meetings combined with dinners. Hiking, biking and golf events are also very popular. The 2004 calendar combines a number of activities.

Monthly newsletters are published so that all the members can reflect on past events and anticipate upcoming gatherings. Reminders are sent to members via e-mail of upcoming events for the Network, as well as promoting other groups' events.

The second half of the year includes a Membership Appreciation Picnic, which is free to all members in July. Also planned is a clambake/campout in September, an October bonfire and a December holiday party.

There are many more events. Those interested should consider joining. The yearly membership is $35, or is prorated at $3 per month for those joining during the calendar year. Those over 55 years of age are $15 for the year. Couples with the same address can join for $50 a year.

For more information, call the voicemail, 440-962-3662 or e-mail info@clevelandwomensnetwork.org and leave name and phone number and a board member will be in touch. Ask for a complimentary e-mail newsletter.

MASSAGE THERAPY

Brian Keating

3052 West Boulevard, Cleveland, Ohio 44111 216-671-0663

Dar Vukcevic is the president of the Network.

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