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Network to raffle romantic gift basket at festival

by Jan Held

Cleveland-In existence for over 15 years, the Cleveland Women's Network has been providing Northeastern Ohio lesbians an opportunity to come together in many social and professional venues.

Originally begun as an opportunity for those who owned businesses or were professionals in other occupations to talk about mutual concerns and ambitions, the Network grew from one dinner meeting a month to several annual social events that have become hallmarks of the organization.

Clambakes, Halloween and holiday parties, and our unique potlucks combined with special events or board game nights have been well attended, and yielded many laughs and memories.

Network members are contributors to

many local LGBT organizations, and will again be having a booth at Pride this year. So please stop by, pick up some literature (dues structure, upcoming events, and newsletters) and free magnets and pens, and talk with any of the members about the Network.

New this year will be a raffle of a gift basket from Pure Romance worth $75. You don't want to miss this opportunity.

You can reach the Network at info@clevelandwomensnetwork.com or call the voicemail at 440-962-3662.

By going to the web site, www.clevelandwomensnetwork.com, you will find out more about the Cleveland Women's Network and what it can do for you and vice versa. Networking has never been more fun!

Jan Held handles communication for the Cleveland Women's Network.

Camaraderie is here,

in the Bisexual Network

by Kimberly Steele

Cleveland-It's that wonderful time of year again where Pride fever sweeps over the LGBT population. So how will it affect everyone this year?

Cleveland Pride's theme this year is to celebrate its 20th anniversary and bring all LGBT communities together, including the B in that term the city's bisexual community.

Bisexuality can be simply described as the ability to be physically and mentally attracted to men and women.

To heterosexual individuals, a bisexual person is a perfect candidate for a threesome. On the dark side, a bisexual person can be seen as confused or promiscuous.

To lesbians and gays, a bisexual person can sometimes be seen as a traitor, confused, and promiscuous.

Bisexual individuals of Cleveland face unfair judgment from everywhere. However, with the resurrection of the Bisexual Network of Cleveland, camaraderie is here! The mission of the network is to set up a legitimate organization where all bisexual, bi-curious, and straight spouses can find resources, support, and network with others like them.

Potluck meetings are every Thursday

from 7-9 pm at the Cleveland LGBT Center, 6600 Detroit Ave. Informal coffeehouse meetings are held the first and second Saturdays from 5-6 pm at Arabica Coffeehouse on West 116th and Detroit. The Network also helps to host sporadic events as well, such as the Bi Mixer held in December and presentations by Robyn Ochs this past March.

If you're bisexual, bi-curious, or a straight spouse, don't be afraid to just sit in on a meeting and absorb the conversations. Topics range from Bisexual issues to trouble at work. Singles, couples, men, and women are all welcome to attend.

Plus, you can even take on an advisory role.

Currently the Network is looking for 12 dedicated bisexual individuals (six male, six female) who live in the Greater Cleveland area that are willing to polish, improve, and promote the Network.

The Cleveland Bisexual Network hopes to greet you at Pride.

For more information about all of these events and other resources for the bisexual community, visit http:// ashygirlforgirls.tripod.com/bngcohio. ✔

Kimberly Steele is the founder of Bisexual Network of Greater Cleveland.

Social group has varied outings for parents and kids

by Jaime Bishop

Cleveland-Family by Design is a social support group for LGBT 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-Akron area 12 years ago.

The group currently has 68 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 throughout the Cleveland area.

Group outings have included picnics at the park, museums, putt-putt golf, a hayride, the zoo, camping weekends and toboggan chutes. This will be the fifth 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. They 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 email which keeps families connected and informed of events. The group is a member of Family Equality (www.familyequality.org), 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 familybydesignclevelandohio@yahoo.com.

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