GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE February 4, 2005

letters tothe editor

Congratulations on 20 years

To the Editors:

I am sure that all of your readers join me in wishing the Gay People's Chronicle a happy twentieth anniversary. All of your staff, both present and past, are to be commended for producing an informative newspaper.

For the past twenty years it has been my primary source for LGBT news. The price has always been "right." I hope and trust that this fine newspaper will remain such an informative newspaper for another twenty years.

Thomas J. Reke Akron

First, find ways to live together

To the Editors:

Let me begin by saying thank you for informing your readers about the work being done in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America ["Church panel says: keep anti-gay rules," January 21 issue]. Though there is a sense of what you call "trying to walk a line that will preserve unity," the recommendations that came out from our national task force really tried to do much more than that. As a pastor in the ELCA I find that this task force has taken seriously what it is to be pastoral to all people in the church.

I would agree that the recommendations will disappoint and even anger people across the spectrum of opinion on the issues involving our gay and lesbian members. Soon after the recommendations were made public, several members of our congregation expressed

their profound sadness because there seemed to be too little movement in the direction of full inclusion of gay and lesbians into the life of the church. Too often, I think the church does not pastorally listen to these faithful folk.

In your reporting, you listed the three recommendations but you listed them in reverse order. That may not appear to be a big mistake but it does show that you may not have caught the seriousness with which the task force faces these issues.

The first recommendation was that the church find "ways to live together faithfully in the midst of our disagreements." That is the base from which we move into all discussions. It means we must all consider the wellbeing of others as we launch into our debates and conversations. It means that there is an intentional word that says this important situation in the church is not too powerful to overcome the power of the Lord that claims us all. I find that it is too easy for people from all sides of any disagreement to run away from ongoing dialogue and therefore none of us will ever grow very much.

The second recommendation does keep everything the same in regard to same-gender ceremonies. Yes, a 1993 bishops' letter was to be guidance for the church but it can and does allow for pastoral discernment when individual pastors counsel and pray and live with the people in their congregations. This recommendation did little to encourage those who would like to take on such pastoral acts within their congregation and therefore, unfortunately, the committed relationships of some of our members will not be received as a blessing for all of us.

The third recommendation keeps the current position against gay and lesbian clergy with partners. That part of the recommendation breaks the hearts of many of our baptized members, especially those who are gay and lesbian and feel called to the ordained ministry. The second part of the recommendation angers the other side in that it leaves a door open for bishops to take many aspects of a situation into consideration before any disciplinary action is made.

This could mean that a bishop would and could indeed allow for exceptions to the prevailing rule. I find that to be a pastoral decision that makes a bishop have to wrestle with when to say yes and when to say no. This is no easy task-nor should it be. As a pastor of a congregation there are times when “no” must be said when people want to hear "yes" and

vice versa.

Finally, let me say that there are ELCA congregations here in Ohio that welcome all people. Since 1992 some congregations have taken on the designation of being "Reconciling in Christ" congregations where GLBT members are considered full members of the congregation. To my regret, this is a slow journey and too many of our saints have been left out to dry and not be fed by the churches they would love to call home. I am still haunted by the remark by some members who say they have been waiting for twenty-plus years for some greater sense of openness. To them I can only say, let's keep working together and never forsake the promise of our God to embrace us all . . . forevermore.

Rev. F. Allan Debelak, Pastor Redeemer Lutheran Church Columbus

GAY PEOPLE'S

Chronicle

Volume 20, Issue 32

ISSN

Publisher: Martha J. Pontoni Managing Editor: Patti Harris Associate Editor: Brian DeWitt Editorial Board: Brian DeWitt, Christine Hahn, Patti Harris, Martha Pontoni

Staff Reporters: Anthony Glassman, Janet Macoska, Mika Major, Eric Resnick

Reporters & Writers:

Mubarak S. Dahir, John Graves, Kaizaad Kotwal, Bob Roehr, Rex Wockner, John Zeh

Art Director: Christine Hahn

Photographers: Janet Macoska, Becky McMahon

Advertising Manager: David A. Ebbert National Advertising:

Rivendell Media 212-242-6863 David A. Ebbert 800-426-5947 displayads@chronohio.com

The Gay People's Chronicle is dedicated to providing a space in the Ohio lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender community for all of its members to communicate and be involved with each other. This means that every Chronicle, to the best of its ability, will be equally dedicated to both men's and women's issues, as well as issues that affect the entire community. This balance will provide lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people with a forum to air grievances and express joys.

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communitygroups

Show is well-baked after 30 years in the Oven

by Debra Hirshberg

Cleveland-Mark your calendars: February 19 is the date for the 30th Womyn's Variety Show. It will be held at the Cleveland Grays Armory, 1234 Bolivar Rd., between East 9th and East 14th streets near Playhouse Square, east of Jacobs Field.

This is quite an accomplishment. In the fall of 1975 a group of women put on a fundraiser for a new women's organization (which has since come and gone). Women played the kazoo, tap-danced, sang original music, read original poetry and performed skits and spoofs of the popular culture of the time.

In the same year a group of women got together to form Oven Productions to promote women's culture in Cleveland. The Oven collective produced both local and national acts, including singer-songwriters, theater and dance troupes, movies and visual art shows. In February, 1977 the two came together and Oven Productions has been producing the Womyn's Variety Show in February ever since.

Over the years the production of the show has matured and the after-show party has outgrown women's houses, yet much has remained the same. Although the show currently is produced with professional sound and lights, the content is still the creative expression of the community of women who live in and around Cleveland. All of the performers volunteer their time and talent, as does most of the technical crew.

Over the years the audience has grown from 75 women to well over 1,300. However, in the past few years the audience has been shrinking to about 600. The expenses have started to outpace the income. If the audience does not grow, or at least stabilize, the viability of the show is in question.

Equally as important as money is the influx of energy that it takes to pull together the

show and perform in it. The Womyn's Variety Show has been blessed with a committed group of women who return year after year to provide the platform for the variety of acts. Also, of late, the same core groups of women contribute to the on-stage entertainment.

To be sure, every year there are some new acts, and this year is no exception, but not enough to make a show. In the spirit of variety, Oven would like each year's event to showcase the diversity of women in the community and, significantly, to provide a forum for women who have never performed in public to do so. Oven is very proud of the history and longevity of the show. If there are to be more shows in the future we hope that women who have never been in the show

Oven Productions

think about doing something next time. Write a skit, create a dance routine, sing a song, tell a joke or two; all it takes is a desire to be on stage. So, go ahead, be a star!

Oven is very excited about the 30th Womyn's Variety Show. There are some new musical acts, new poetry and of course, a new round of skits and comedy routines. This year, there will be a screening of a video about the Michigan Womyn's Music Festival, also celebrating its 30th year. Oven Productions continues to actively support the Michigan festival.

As an added bonus, this year's party will have two DJs providing the music to keep everyone dancing. Look forward to some "standards" from the past 30 years as well as the best of current dance music at the fabulous variety show party, immediately following the show.

Oven Productions is proud to continue the tradition of providing a public location for a

women-only gathering to celebrate our continued survival as a community. 2004 was a tough year. We must remind ourselves of our ability to survive open hostility currently on display against lesbians and women and imagine a different kind of society. It's not enough to believe in the possibility of change, we must act to make a better world. As activists, artists and feminists we invite you to join us, at the show and through-out the year, in creating the world we envision, of peace, justice and compassion.

It is true today as it was in the 1970s: "Art is not a way out, there is no way out, there is only what we've got and how to turn it around to reinforce our fighting genius; to clarify and point out what has been stolen from us and that we must take it back or continue with nothing... At its best it [art] comes from our bitterest anger, and our most expansive love, our most courageous hopes, and our most vital visions, our most honest insights, our fiercest determinations," wrote Judy Grahn in Anathema.

Doors open at 6 pm. The show will start at 7:30 pm. There is plenty of public parking available in the area. The party immediately follows the show. There will be a cash bar. Tickets are $20, available at the door and in advance at 5¢ Decision, 4365 State Rd, Cleveland, 216-661-1314; Inn on Coventry, 2785 Euclid Hts. Blvd, Cleveland Hts., 216371-1811; Body Language, 11424 Lorain Ave, 216-251-3330; and Diverse Universe, 12011 Detroit Rd, Lakewood, 216-226-7106.

Sliding scale is available in advance only by calling Oven at 216-798-0456. Also call Oven for more information, to have a vendor table, or to volunteer. Women 18 and over only, please.

Debra Hirshberg is a member of Oven Productions.

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