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GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE December 19, 2008 • www.GayPeoplesChronicle.com
ANTHONY GLASSMAN
Anniversary amity
Wes
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Kevin Calhoun, left, Dena White and Rev. Allen Harris have a relaxed chat at the People of All Colors TogetherCleveland 28th anniversary celebration on December 11.
The event, held at Bounce night club, gave the organization, headed by Calhoun and his co-chair Michael Kelley, a chance to reflect on the past year and hint at plans for the year ahead.
Kelley and Calhoun gave out the sixth annual ImPACT Award, this year honoring the Gay People's Chronicle as its recipient.
Questionnaires were handed out to gauge sentiment on events and possible directions for the group, which has committed itself to building bridges with other community organizations.
In addition to being PACT Cleveland co-chair, Kelley is also on the board of Black, Gay and Proud along with White and a number of other community advocates.
Harris' Franklin Circle Christian Church has also been reaching out to other groups, running a series of workshops and film screenings entitled "Widening the Circle," which deal with racism, classism, homophobia and other social issues.
We don't sing "O Come, Some of Ye Faithful
Everyone is invited to join us for our
Holiday Worship Services
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service Wednesday December 24 9:30 p.m.
Service of Lessons and Carols Sunday December 28 10:30a.m.
Ritual for the New Year
Sunday January 4 10:30 a.m.
-Anthony Glassman
See our web site for meeting times
and links
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Continued from page 1
The Columbus charter prohibits city council from enacting a law that has been repealed by voters, even years earlier, without another ballot action.
Had the 1998 ordinance been repealed, council could never have addressed the matter again. In 2004, the city began allowing domestic partners to access their partner's city benefits if the couple pays 100 percent of the cost. Married spouses have no cost.
A referendum on the new human rights ordinance would have to repeal all of it, including protections for military servicemembers and the disabled, so no challenge is expected.
Even so, Carl Williams, a staffer for councilor Priscilla Tyson who sponsored the measure, said there has been little phone or e-mail opposition to it.
At the ordinance's December 11 committee hearing, all six witnesses testified in favor of it.
"We have spent years educating people about the costs of discrimination in all forms," said Buckeye Region Anti-Violence Organization director Gloria McCauley.
Three people spoke at Monday's council meeting: two in favor, one opposed.
The opponent, Shirley Mahar Cotter, described herself to councilors as "a Daughter of the American Revolution, a Biblical Conservationist, and an ambassador of
truth."
"I ask that you not approve any more individuals for discrimination practices until you take action to stop the 50-year oppression and religious discrimination against POLS; people of light," Cotter began.
Cotter then described POLS as "people who refuse or cannot or will not pay prop-
erty taxes."
"People who are children of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords will never pay tribute to treason, tyranny or injustice in any way," Cotter said.
In response, councilor Charleta Tavares asked city attorney Richard Pfeiffer if the "city code includes religion, does it not?" "Yes," replied Pfeiffer.
Tyson was not present to see her ordinance pass, due to the death of her mother. Councilor Andrew Guinther, a co-sponsor, said the ordinance will send a message to the rest of the nation "that Columbus, Ohio, is a diverse, welcoming city that refuses to discriminate against any of its citizens."
"These changes to the city code are a long time in coming," Guinther said.
Veterans Affairs director Richard Isbell praised council for putting teeth into protections for military servicemembers.
Acting Community Relations Commission director Napoleon Bell told council that the city's non-discrimination codes should be updated periodically to reflect the changing values of the diverse population.
After the measure passed, Bell said, "I am pleasantly surprised that there was no opposition. We took a long time [to do this]
because we wanted to make sure we got it right."
God lystill speaking at...
Liberation
United Church OF CHRIST
Rev. Kurt Wieser, Pastor
13774 Madison
216-521-5556
Windsong
Cleveland's Feminist Chorus Karen Weaver, Artistic Director
Winter Concert
Peace Offering
Sunday, Jan. 18 at 4:00 p.m.
Church of the Covenant
11205 Euclid Avenue in University Circle
Free parking in church lot and the Ford Avenue lot to the east)
Advance tickets: $12
Available from any Windsong member; or on our website: www.windsongchorus.org or call 216-556-0858; or by mail to P.O. Box 609534, Cleveland, OH 44109-0534 At the door: $15