www.GayPeoples Chronicle.com • Pride Guide 2008

GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE B-5

Author Maupin joins chorus for 'Tunes from Tales'

by Richard Cole

Cleveland-June is the month. of Pride and the North Coast Men's Chorus is celebrating in style this year with the final concert of its 20th anniversary season.

Acclaimed author Armistead Maupin (Tales of the City series) joins the chorus in a unique opportunity to hear him read from his works as the chorus moves the plot along

Armistead Maupin

with song. "Tunes From Tales" promises to be an experience that blends some of the most beloved characters from gay literature with music in a way that you'll be talking about for months to come.

The chorus is very excited about Maupin taking the stage in Cleveland, the hometown of his beloved character Mary Ann Singleton.

Of course, there will be the usual fun that is the hallmark of the chorus-beautiful music, spirited dance numbers, a large dose of humor, and several tugs at your heartstrings. This concert is the perfect Pride

ROCKY RIVER MID CENTURY!

Open Floor Plan!

Huge Kitchen, big picture window, sliders in DR to

Covered patio!

Ballroom size

Rec Rm! Newer

Siding, Drive,

experience as we celebrate the lives of the extraordinary inhabitants of 28 Barbary Lane, especially Michael "Mouse" Tolliver, as he discovers that family can be who and what you choose.

Join the chorus for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

The concert will be at Cleveland State University's Waetjen Auditorium, 2001 Euclid Avenue, on Saturday, June 21, at 8 pm and Sunday, June 22, at 3 pm. To order tickets, go to www.ncm

chorus.org, call 216-556-0590, or visit a ticket outlet: Big Fun on Coventry Road or Diverse Universe on Detroit.

Of course, tickets are also available from any chorus member and at the door, pending availability.

The North Coast Men's Chorus is also pleased to offer a chance to interact with Armistead Maupin at an exclusive meet and greet event. After each performance of "Tunes from Tales," the author will mix and mingle in the Drinko Hall lobby, located upstairs from Waetjen Audito-

rium, with a limited number of guests. Enjoy a selection of appetizers and beverages while getting a book signed or your photo taken with this noted American author.

The price for this event is $50 per person (separate concert ticket required), and the number of attendees is limited, so don't miss your chance to mix and mingle with Maupin.

Richard Cole is the music director of the North Coast Men's Chorus.

Painting a rainbow on the 'thin blue line'

by Michael Dodge

Cleveland-Police are often described as being the "thin blue line" between anarchy and order. As such, it is important to back each other up. That back-up doesn't always come if you're gay.

Early in his 20-year career, Det. Harold Thompson of the Cleveland Police once had to drag a fighting criminal into the district station by himself because fellow officers refused to provide assistance to a gay comrade.

Times have changed since then in Cleveland, but not necessarily so in many of the smaller towns of Ohio. Even in a larger department like Cleveland, homophobia is more often the rule than the exception.

Unfortunately, making the choice to pursue a career in law enforcement in Ohio can place you in a lonely and sometimes dangerous predicament if you happen to be anything other than strictly heterosexual. This, in addition to the other hazards inherent in police work, can make the job unbearable for officers who don't have a support network of

some sort.

For this reason, Ohio Lesbian Gay Police Association members are available to speak to anyone who will listen on issues of tolerance in the workplace.

Furn + A/C! Great Location near Ctr Ridge Shops! $155,500.

The purpose of the association is to support LGBT officers by being a friend indeed, and by providing training to departments and advocating for LGBT rights in the law enforcement community.

Three Cleveland police officers founded the loosely-organized group in 2003. That summer, OLGPA staffed a booth at the Cleveland Pride Festival and passed out fliers. They put up the web page www.olgpa.org and dedicated themselves to helping other officers throughout the state with their experience and strength. The group has also provided officers to teach a personal self-defense class to TransFamily at the Cleveland LGBT Center.

The group's phone number, a member's phone number, has been in the Chronicle's Resource Directory for five years now. In that time, membership has grown. Due to the need for secrecy, no membership records are kept, but there are members from many departments throughout northeast Ohio.

In the end, there is no satisfaction like that of being there when the phone rings and another officer asks for help.

One officer at a time, the Ohio Lesbian Gay Police Association is painting a rainbow on the thin blue line.

Michael Dodge is a co-founder of the Ohio Lesbian and Gay Police Association.

WALK TO GORDON SQUARE HOTSPOTS!

Super charming Col. Few min walk to all new exciting things in the area! (Det+65th). Hdwd flrs, original wdwk, exposed brick, woodburner to asst w/heat costs! Extra ba in bsmt,

2 rooms on 3rd great for

guests or workspace! Updated main ba, cute updated kit w/slate tile

ct's, glass door cabs (Charm!). $119,900!

OLGPA

Lt. Michael Dodge and P.O. Courtney Morrison at Cleveland Pride 2007

RARE BRICK 'SOLO' HOME

Rock Solid Brick SoLo home like no other! Historic!

Massive! Grand!

Vintage Beauty

(Pocket doors, leaded

glass cabs, beautiful

spindle work + woodwork) Large main rooms,

4 BR's on 2nd + BR + Flex on 3rd!

New drive in '01 / new boiler in '98 / updated

elec + wiring! $169,900.

FABULOUS STONEBRIDGE TOWER!

Upgraded High Floor 1 BR at Stonebridge Tower! Spectacular Lake Views! Floor to Ceiling windows! Granite, Island Kit! Stainless Appl's! Tax Abatement Till 2020! One of the Best

1 BR's in the building! Taller ceilings on this floor! $169,900.

PRICED TO SELL! TREMONT RIDGE TOWNHOME!

Multi Level home including roof deck with

fab. city views! Very Stylish + Very Unique! Granite Kitchen, Stainless appl's, Brazilian hardwoods, 3rd fl. bonus room with wet bar, glam bath with slate shower, lower level great room, 42' plasma TV included!

10 year tax abatement! $174,900!

TREMONT RIDGE TOWNHOME!

Best Block with City Views! Granite Kitchen, 11 ft. ceilings on 1st, 2 terraces, fabulous 3rd floor great room with vaulted ceilings! Walls of windows! Oversized Master Suite with Spa Tub! Very Spacious! GREAT VALUE! $334,900.

HIGH FASHION ON THE BLUFFS!

Spacious + Dramatic Literary

Bluffs TH! LOCATION!

Soaring Ceilings in LR, Beaut

Granite + Cherry Kit, MBR

w/big WIC + spa tub!

VIEWS from Guest Rm!

3rd Fl Great Rm w/wet bar!

VIEWS from 2 roof terraces

1 w/6 person Jacuzzi tub!

Tax Abate till 2020!

VERY COOL CITY HOME! $364,900.

TED THEOPHYLACTOS City Living Specialist!

CELL: (216)375-7060

E-MAIL: TED@HOWARDHANNA.COM WEB: TED.HOWARDHANNA.COM

Toward Tannar

Howa

Real Estate Mortgage Title Insurance