B-14

GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE Pride Guide 2007

UNION CAFE PRESENTS

THE

COLUMBUS MEN'S CHORUS

BIG EASY

June 22-23, 2007

8 pm

Capitol Theatre at The Vern Riffe Center

Main Floor Seating: $29

bg &

Mezzanine Seating: $25

For tickets

visit cgmc.com

or call 614.228.CGMC

Tickets also available through Ticketmaster

Visit www.ticketmaster.com or call 614.431.3600

Family by Design supports LGBT parents and their kids

by Jaime Bishop

Cleveland-Family by Design is a social support group for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender parents and their children in the Cleveland area. The group welcomes LGBT parents, as well as those who are exploring, or in the process of, pursuing parenthood. Children come through adoption, fostering and biology. Many families are multi-racial, headed by two parents, single parents and step-parents.

Family by Design was created in January 2004 to offer support, connection and information to LGBT families in the area. The founder and facilitator also co-founded Family Connection, an LGBT parents support group in the Kent and Akron area 11 years ago.

The group currently has 45 families on its mailing list and is growing steadily. Its home base is the Cleveland LGBT Center. Children range in age from newborns to adolescents. The group meets approximately once a month at locations through-

out the Cleveland area. Group outings have included picnics at the park, museums, puttputt golf, a hayride, the zoo and toboggan chutes. This will be the fourth year the group has participated in Pride festivities.

Social in nature, the group provides conversation, amusement, advice and suggestions from parents who have experienced many different paths with their families. We share many common parental concerns as well as concerns unique to LGBT families. There is regular and on-going group communication, information, and announcements through e-mail which keeps families connected and informed of events. The group is a member of Family Pride Coalition, a national LGBT parents support organization.

Family by Design strongly believes that "Love is all it takes to make a family" and welcomes anyone interested in participating. Contact the group at Familybydesign clevelandohio@yahoo.com.

Jaime Bishop is the founder and facilitator of Family by Design.

Karen D. Butera, Esq. 330.491.4217 kbutera@bdblaw.com

Partnership Dispute Resolution

• Partnership Termination Assistance

• Partnership Cohabitation Agreements

• Custody Issues

• Wills

• Power of Attorney

Discreet and confidential

Weekend and evening appointments available

BUCKINGHAM DOOLITTLE & BURROUGHS, LLP Attorneys & Counselors at Law 4518 Fulton Drive NW Canton, OH 44718

Toll Free: 800.811.2825

www.bdblaw.com