GAY PEOPLE'S

Chronicle

Ohio's Weekly Newspaper for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community

Groups prepare for Roberts' confirmation

by Eric Resnick

Washington, D.C.—“It is important for people to understand that this Supreme Court vacancy and the next will be critical in determining how quickly gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people achieve equality," said National Gay and Lesbian Task Force director Matt Foreman. "If the court is jerked to the right, it will delay marriage equality and non-discrimination protection for decades."

Foreman's organization, the Human Rights Campaign, and Lambda Legal are part of a coalition of GLBT and progressive organizations putting forth a response to President Bush's July 19 nomination of John Glover Roberts Jr. to replace the retiring Sandra Day O'Connor as a justice on the U.S. Supreme Court.

Foreman said before the nominee was known that Bush's choice would be the "ultimate test" of whether or not the president is “in the pockets" of anti-gay figures including Focus on the Family's James Dobson and the Rev. Jerry Falwell. Both men were consulted by Bush on the nomination, according to wide reports.

Initial reaction to the nomination was swift, with conservatives crowing, right-wingers acting gleefully coy, and Senate Democrats signaling there will be no serious opposition to the nomination, nor a filibuster attempt.

Roberts, 50, is expected to serve on the high court for 25-30 years. He was a law clerk and protégé of Justice William Rehnquist, a staunch conservative who is now chief justice. Later, he worked in the Reagan administration, and as

John Glover Roberts Jr.

an assistant to then-Solicitor General Kenneth Starr..

He is a member of the Federalist Society, which urges “strict constructionist" interpretation of the constitution. Strict constructionists are unlikely to support civil rights, and say there is no constitutional right to privacy.

Currently, Roberts is a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. He was nominated to that post in 2003 by the current president Bush and was confirmed by the Senate in unanimous consent, meaning no vote was taken.

Prior to that, his 2001 nomination to that post was blocked by the Senate.

The first President Bush had nominated Roberts to the same post ten years earlier. That nomination also died in the Senate.

Since Roberts has only been a judge for two years, there is little Continued on page 7

DUCTS & SALE

ERIC RESNICK

Will-day event, which has become the center's signature fundraiser was held at Pine Valley Lake Park in Green and drew 150 people, plus vendors and organizations.

Activities also included volleyball, beach games and a dunk tank as well as dancing and live music.

According to the center's president Doug Santurri, all the proceeds will go toward operating costs.

Eric Resnick

Volume 21, Issue 4 ■ July 22, 2005

ANTHONY GLASSMAN

Keith Lang, left, and Mark Spalding look at Fiesta Ware in the silent

auction at the 16th annual Garden Party.

Sixteen is a sweet year for the Cleveland center's Garden Party

by Anthony Glassman

Cleveland-The wisdom of holding the Lesbian and Gay Community Service Center of Greater Cleveland's Garden Party indoors was made abundantly clear on July 16, as thunderstorms, stifling heat and unbearable humidity were completely ignored by the nearly 600 partygoers.

Held for the second year at Signature of Solon, Garden Party "Sweet 16" was also the second year the event was held indoors, and saw nearly 50 more attendees than last year.

The benefactor reception an hour before the main event featured the singing of Rick and Sharona, who evoked the feel of Old Blue Eyes Frank Sinatra and the Little Sparrow Edith Piaf. The duo also provided music during the dinner.

The evening also featured performances by Verb Ballets, under the leadership of Hernando Cortez, including openly gay dancer Mark Tomasic.

The event also saw the return of a raffle for a trip to Provence. Early online sales proved lucky, as the trip was won by a woman in Columbus.

Between the tickets for the trip to France and 50/50 tickets sold at the party, the raffles brought in $6,000. Breakdowns for the live and silent auctions were not available at press time, but the sheer variety of items available in the two auctions dazzled patrons.

In the live auction alone, items ranged from a rainbow motif signature quilt made by the Seniors Out and About group at the Cleveland Lesbian-Gay Center to a matted

poster of Burt Reynolds' bare bottom from Cosmopolitan magazine, complete with the donors providing installation and a dinner of Burt Reynolds Chicken.

A 1917 Navy recruitment poster begging puns about seamen, a gor-. geous kimono, a trip for two to Cancun and an evening of Hungarian food and music rounded out the live auction. Center board president Thom Rankin-in a leather harness and a leather cape-was the auctioneer.

The silent auction, featuring well over 200 items spread through two rooms and the connecting hallways, had an extensive array of antiques, art, Broadway items, Pride-related

Inside this Issue

Just the music, without the schtick Page 9

goods, beefcake, cheesecake, food, wine, theater and sports items.

The 16th annual Garden Party grossed just over $60,000 for the Cleveland Lesbian-Gay Center, impressing executive director Sue Doerfer. This was the first garden party for Doerfer, who started last November.

"We are extremely grateful for the community's amazing support of the Center and what we do," Doerfer said.

She continued, "It was great to look out into the audience and see a mix of long-time supporters and new faces as well. It was truly a fun celebration."

An appeals court has upheld the Cleveland Heights domestic partner registry

Page 3

Letters to the Editors. Charlie's Calendar Comics.....

Classifieds

Personals

Continued on page 7

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