www.GayPeoplesChronicle.com. October 24, 2008 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE 3

Piano concert, 'Laramie Project' top Out in Akron

ERIC RESNICK

Matthew Wilks is a Baptist minister waving a Bible as he challenges a Unitarian one (Mark Bernhardt) in "The Laramie Project," produced by the North Canton Players during Out in Akron.

by Eric Resnick

Akron-A presentation of the Laramie Project by the North Canton Players headlined Akron's annual LGBT pride festival.

Out in Akron has, been a celebration of LGBT culture and arts for 11 years, coinciding with National Coming Out Day on October 11 and LGBT History Month.

This year's festival had daily programs from October 11-19 at venues including the Akron Summit County Library, the University of Akron, the historic Civic Theater, Club Amsterdam and the Akron City Center Hotel.

The festival had three themes: Out Health and Education, Out Politics and Faith, and Out Business.

Events included a homecoming dance, LGBT films, and a concert with world-re-

nowned San Francisco gay pianist Tatsuya Nagashima to raise awareness of anti-LGBT hate crime.

The festival's second weekend featured "A Decade of Decadence," the Iron Eagles' tenth annual Leather Round-Up run at the City Center hotel. This included the Mr. Ohio Leather contest at Daddy's bar.

A special event sponsored by Cascade Community Church called "The Bible and Homosexuality: God Loves You Just the Way You Are" debunked biblical verses taken out of context to condemn gays and lesbians.

The festival ended with Cabaret Q, a celebration of local LGBT talent at the Civic.

Proceeds from Out in Akron went toward renovation of the Akron Pride Center so it can quickly reopen at its new Aster Street location.

GOP runs gay-baiting ads in two Ohio House races

by Eric Resnick

Columbus-The Ohio Republican Party is paying for anti-LGBT campaign mailings and radio spots in at least two hotly contested Ohio House districts.

The anti-LGBT messages appear to be the only paid advertisements the campaigns have.

In the 85th District south of Columbus, three-term incumbent Republican John Schlichter of Washington Court House is in a tough battle against Democrat Ray Pryor. In order to gain control of the Ohio House, Democrats need to pick up only four seats, and are expected to do so.

Schlichter's re-election chances have been hampered by Democrats bringing up his more than $434,000 in debt, including $280,000 unpaid taxes to the Internal Revenue Service. The debts result from the failure of Schlichter's farm.

As an apparent diversion, Schlichter is accusing Pryor of "re-defining the American family" and "opening the doors to special rights for special interests"-meaning that Pryor supports LGBT equality and adoption rights.

"Liberal Ray Pryor supports gay adoption," a mailer says in large print. Schlichter's radio ad says Pryor supports a "homosexual agenda."

"As our state representative, John Schlichter will continue to defend traditional marriage-preserving it as the sacred union between one man and one woman," the mailers say.

Schlichter's legislative record is strongly anti-LGBT, including a vote for the 2004 "defense of marriage act." As a member of the House Education Committee, Schlichter also voted to keep LGBT students out of the state's anti-bullying law.

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Continued on page 6

There are approximately 40,000 new HIV cases

in the United States per year

AIDS is the 5th leading cause of death for 35-44 year olds

The 6th leading cause of death for 25-34 year olds

The 8th leading cause of death for 45-54 year olds

The 10th leading cause of death for 15-24 year olds in the United States.

Until this pandemic is over, we are committed to the important task of educating our community.

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