GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

July 31, 2009

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www.GayPeoplesChronicle.com

letterstotheeditors

2014 Games need broad support

To the Editors:

While I was preparing to go to Copenhagen to participate in the Outgames, I was approached about the support of the community for bringing the 2014 Gay Games to Cleveland.

I will be swimming in Copenhagen during the July 31 rally at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I support all the activities to make Cleveland a better place.

I have represented the state and the city in several international competitions and I was determined to participate in the Gay Games in 2004. Several problems were evident when the city of Montréal and the Federation of Gay Games started arguing. The Gay Games were moved to

Chicago, but Montreal organized the first Outgames.

Politics ruined the sports, but I did participate in both. The Chicago games were poorly organized and lost money. The Montréal event had tremendous support from the city, province and country and their respective governments; they were more fun and we felt welcome and empowered, but they barely made money; with all the subsidies and volunteer support the city had to come to their rescue.

This year the participation in the Outgames, and the predictions for the 2010 Gay Games in Cologne, Germany, are poor.

Can the LGBT community support or tolerate two parallel organizations? Are the Gay Games going to be more "American"

communitygroups

even when they take place in Europe? Only six swimmers from Ohio are going to the Outgames and there is little interest in Columbus to organize a team for next year. I will probably participate next year too, but it will be very difficult without a team (like in Chicago).

If the Gay Games come to Cleveland in 2014 the support of the International Gay and Lesbian Aquatics and of Ohio Splash is essential. In the last 15 years we have never been able to coordinate even a swim practice with more than three swimmers in Cleveland. Yes, I will support any event we can get here, but the whole city has to help.

Julio Aponte Member of IGLA and Ohio Splash Cleveland

'Fantasia' party starts Black Pride weekend

by Lena Roberts

Cleveland-Cleveland Black Pride is celebrating its 12th anniversary with a compact weekend of events on August 8 and 9. This year's events include the White Fantasia, Sunday church service and the Family Picnic.

The White Fantasia will be held on Saturday, August 8 at Tizzano's Party Center, 1361 East 260th Street in Euclid, from 7:30 pm until 12:30 am. Tickets are $35, which includes a full buffet dinner and open bar. There will be a DJ playing current hits, old school, line dances and other music for all your dancing needs. White attire is preferred in a dressy casual style.

Guests are encouraged to purchase tickets by August 1. Tickets can be purchased from any of the people listed below or through PayPal on the website,

www.bgpcleveland.com. Tickets will be more expensive at the door.

Sunday begins with church service at the Mt. Zion United Church of Christ, 10723 Magnolia Drive, behind the Veterans Administration hospital in University Circle. There are two services, at 10 am and noon.

Light refreshments will be served. The Family Picnic returns to Edgewater Park's Upper Pavilion from noon until dusk. Food and refreshments will be available while they last or you can bring your own basket.

Alcoholic beverages are not permitted in the state parks.

As you can see, Cleveland Black Pride has shortened its weekend of events. This decision was made due to the economics of our community. Many of our brothers, sisters, friends and family have lost their jobs

and we are sensitive to their financial needs.

Even though the name says Cleveland Black Pride, it is an all-inclusive organization, as are all of the events. All LGBT and allied people, regardless of race or nationality, are welcome.

The annual event and all events in between are a celebration of the African American LGBT community. Everyone is invited to come and celebrate. Let's have some unity in the community and support us!

For tickets to the White Fantasia, call Lena at 216-233-1411, Deneen at 216456-4423, Maisha at 216-798-6406, Keelyn at 330-883-6014, Rochelle at 216268-8963, or Judy at 216-501-0054.

Lena Roberts is one of the organizers of Cleveland Black Pride.

Lisa Dzuro golf outing returns August 30

Cleveland-The eighth annual Lisa Dzuro Memorial Golf Outing will return on Sunday, August 30, bringing a round of golf, a day of food and contests around every corner.

Lisa Dzuro was only 37 years old when she lost her 12-year battle against leukemia.

Since then, her sister, Cheri Dzuro, and Cheri's partner Rhonda Saegert organized the memorial golf outing to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, a national voluntary health agency dedicated to curing

leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma.

In its seven-year history, the event has raised over $40,000, all of which has been donated directly to the Northeast Ohio chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

The cost of the golf outing is $75, or $300 for a foursome. The cost includes continental breakfast, lunch at the turn and a chicken or steak dinner. It also encompasses a holein-one challenge, prizes for the winning

team, hole competitions, door prizes and a 50/50 raffle.

This year's outing will be at Brentwood Golf Club, 12415 Ohio 57 in Grafton. Registration begins at 7:30 am with an 8:30 am shotgun start.

Registration is required by August 16, and checks, along with the chicken or steak dinner selection, can be made out to Cheri Dzuro, 4057 Dorset Drive, Brooklyn Heights, Ohio 44131. For more information, call 216-210-9619 or 216-520-6869.

Akron gay fund now accepting grant apps

by Tina Boyes

Akron-The Gay Community Endowment Fund of the Akron Community Foundation is now accepting grant applications for both new and existing programs that will positively impact local gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities and greater Akron as a whole.

Fund representatives will answer grant seekers' questions during an informational session on Thursday, August 13 at 4 p.m. at Akron Community Foundation's office, 345 W. Cedar St. To RSVP for the informational meeting, call 330-376-8522.

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The Gay Community Endowment Fund accepts operational, programmatic and capital requests from 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and encourages collaborations between applicants.

To be considered for a grant, return 12 copies of the completed application to Akron Community Foundation by Tuesday, September 15. Applications are available at www.akroncommunityfdn.org/glbt,

www.gaycommunityfund.org/grants or by calling 330-376-8522.

Founded in 2001, the Gay Community Endowment Fund is a permanent philanthropic

endowment of Akron Community Foundation. The fund's areas of interest include organizations, programs and services benefiting GLBT youth, the arts, health issues, operational needs and programming with a connection to the fund's mission.

In 2008, the fund awarded nine grants totaling nearly $33,000. The fund has reinvested a total of $71,974 in the community since inception.

Tina Boyes is the Akron Community Foundation's vice president of communications.

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