GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

November 6, 2009

•

www.GayPeoplesChronicle.com

letterstotheeditors

Worried about freedom of speech?

To the Editors:

The problem with hate crimes is that people don't want to talk about them. FBI crime statistics and Gallup polls don't lie. These numbers show that hate crime is increasing and that fair-minded people of our democratic country favor laws based at the federal level.

Gallup polls also show that a substantial

majority of the American public favors the expansion of federal hate crime legislation to include those against people based on their gender, sexual orientation and gender identity: 68 percent in favor, 27 percent oppose and 5 percent no opinion.

Now, President Obama has signed a defense bill into law that includes the hate crime measure named for Matthew Shepard, a gay Wyoming teenager who died after being kidnapped, robbed and severely

communitygroups

beaten in October 1998, and James Byrd Jr., an African-American man dragged to his death in Texas the same year.

Worried about losing your freedom of speech? Worry only if you, or someone who hears your hateful rhetoric, acts on it.

President Obama was quoted saying during the signing, "Help protect our citizens from violence based on what they look like, who they love, how they pray." Amen. Anthony J. Commarata

Akron

Free Thanksgiving dinner for homeless kids

by Sonja Leftwich

Cleveland Colors of Cleveland Pride is hosting a free Thanksgiving dinner for homeless youth in the area.

"Colors Feeding Youth of All Colors" will be at Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ, 2592 West 14th Street at Starkweather, in Cleveland's Tremont neighborhood.

The dinner is on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, November 21, from 1 to 4 p.m.

Based on data collected in 2008 by the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio, there are an estimated 600,000 homeless families in the United States, which includes 1.35 million homeless youth. There are approximately 35,000 homeless youth annually in Ohio and many of them experience homelessness for some of the same reasons as many adults, such as poverty and lack of affordable housing.

Auto

Life

Health

Home

For all your insurance needs!

Business

Betsy Warner Agent

2479 Lee Boulevard Cleveland Heights, Ohio 44118 Office (216) 932-6900

SOCHEM

ROCHET

However, it seems that the primary reason for youth homelessness is difficulty with family systems. Statistics show that 17%-35% of homeless youth are sexually abused and physical abuse is also a common reason for youth homelessness. Homeless youth that are not accompanied by their family are more apt to engage in risky behavior and more likely to be physically and sexually abused, as well as being at greater risk of physical and mental illness and substance abuse.

With these alarming numbers, Colors of Cleveland Pride has found that it is of great importance to support these youth in whatever capacity possible. "Colors Feeding Youth of All Colors" will provide a traditional Thanksgiving dinner and personal care items to these youth, in addition to referral resources and prospective mentors.

Colors of Cleveland Pride needs the community's assistance to gain success on behalf of these youth. They need cash HAPPY HOUR 11am-7pm Weekdays

Uptowne Grille

$2 Domestics ⚫ $3 Well ⚫ $5 Martinis KITCHEN OPEN

'til 1AM 7 Nights a Week

LIVE JAZZ FRIDAY & SATURDAYS

11312 Euclid Ave. Cleveland, OH 44106 www.uptownegrille.com (216)229-9711

UNIVERSITY CIRCLE'S BEST PLACE FOR LIVE MUSIC & FOOD! Featuring $8 Tapas, Entrées, & A Late Night Bar Menu College Night! Thursday Nights Kill The Keg! $1 Bud Light Drafts & $5 Eats 10pm-Close

BIG FUN

VOTED CLEVELAND'S BEST TOYSTORE!

tive fun figh

Rock em Sockent

SMALL PRICES!

WE BUY TOYS!!

60's, 70'S & 80S' STUFF!! DORKY COOL UNIFORMS CRAZY POSTCARDS

BLACK & WHITE PHOTO BOOTH COLLECTIBLES FUNK & JUNK!

1814 COVENTRY RD, CLEVE. HTS. OH 44118

216-371-4FUN (4386)

donations, personal care items, physical time donations and sponsors for this event. They are also seeking other organizations that provide services and support to assist these youth, to be present.

If you are willing to assist with setting up, breaking down, serving or just spending some quality time with these youth, please don't hesitate to contact the organization.

Colors of Cleveland Pride looks forward to serving the community at large and is open to assisting any organization that is supporting the community in a positive capacity. Their hope is to educate, motivate and unite, the community to create more progressive and positive community interactions.

For more information, call 216923-1518, or go to www.colorsof clevelandpride.org.

Sonja Leftwich is the president of Colors of Cleveland Pride.

Lets go somewhere romantic for dinner

Okay...where?

GAY PEOPLE'S

Advertise in the Chronicle

GAY PEOPLE'S

Chronicle

Managing Editor: Patti Harris

Associate Editor: Brian DeWitt

Art Director: Robin Stone

ISSN

Staff Reporters: Anthony Glassman, Eric Resnick Reporters & Writers:

Kaizaad Kotwal, Bob Roehr, Rex Wockner

Photographers: Robert Olayas, Janet Macoska Advertising Manager: David A. Ebbert

National Advertising:

Rivendell Media 212-242-6863

David A. Ebbert 216-631-8646 ext. 10 DisplayAds@ChronOhio.com

1070-177X

The Gay People's Chronicle is dedicated to providing a space in the Ohio lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender community for all of its members to communicate and be involved with each other. This means that every Chronicle, to the best of its ability,

will be equally dedicated to both men's and women's issues, as well as issues that affect the entire community. This balance will provide lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people with a forum to air grievances and express joys.

The Gay People's Chronicle is copyrighted under federal law. Any reproduction of its contents is prohibited unless permission is obtained.

Any material submitted for publication will be subject to editing. The Chronicle cannot guarantee return of any such materials unless accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope.

The Gay People's Chronicle is not responsible for claims made by advertisers. We reserve the right to reject advertising which is unsuitable for our publication.

One copy of the Gay People's Chronicle is available free of charge for each reader. Copies of the Gay People's Chronicle which have not been picked up for the purpose of reading them remain the property of KWIR Publications, Inc. Any unauthorized person who takes or moves multiple copies of the Gay People's Chronicle to prevent other people from seeing or reading them shall be considered guilty of theft. Violators will be prosecuted. Multiple copies can be sent to any distribution point free of charge. Please call for information.

P.O. Box 391464 Cleveland, Ohio 44139 216-631-8646

E-mail:

Chronicle@ChronOhio.com www.GayPeoplesChronicle.com

Letters to the Editor

The Chronicle encourages everyone to write and express your opinion about the community or the paper. Please, however, keep letters constructive, and avoid namecalling and personal attacks. Please be brief. We reserve the right to edit letters. We will print your name unless you specifically ask us not to.

Letters must include a street address and phone, for verification only. They can be sent via U.S. mail or fax to the addresses in the masthead above, or by email to :Letters@ChronOhio.com.

Subscriptions

Subscriptions are $15 for 13 issues, $30 for 26 issues (Full year).

Mail check or money order with your address to Chronicle Subscriptions, P.O. Box 391464, Cleveland Ohio 44139. To use Mastercard or Visa, include your signature, card number, expiration date, and your name as it appears on the card.

Deadlines

The Gay People's Chronicle is published every other Friday. Display ad and article deadlines are 7 to 8 days earlier. Call for specific dates. Calendar, Classified and Personal deadlines are shown in each of those sections.

Obituaries

Obituaries, written by spouses, family, or friends, may be placed in the Chronicle free of charge. They can be sent via e-mail, U.S. mail, or fax (see above for address); but we can't take information over the phone. Include your name and phone, so we may contact you. A photo can be included; please send a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want it returned.

Milestones

Tell everyone about your union ceremony, arrival of a child, or other milestone of life, in the Chronicle! Announcements should be 200-300 words, and can include a photoblack and white or color is okay. Photos will be returned if a self-addressed stamped envelope is included. Mail, fax, and e-mail addresses are above; include your address and phone so we may contact you.