GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

February 12, 2010 www.GayPeoplesChronicle.com

letterstotheeditors

Akron Pride Center story had errors

To the Editors:

Regarding your January 1 article about the merger of the Akron Pride Center and Community AIDS Network, we, the board of trustees of Community AIDS Network, request an apology, a retraction, and correction in your publication.

There are many errors in the article. First and foremost, Nancy Brennan is not the chair of the board. There is no chair. Pete Nervo is the board president. If you had visited the Community AIDS Network website or called the CAN offices, this information would have been easily discerned.

Secondly, Nancy Brennan does not hold an officer position in the organization. As to her family's political leanings, they have no bearing whatsoever on the merger of the Pride Center and CAN. Nancy Brennan has been a dedicated member of the CAN board

for many years. She is a major fundraiser for the Cleveland AIDS Walk, as well as a major contributor to many LGBT organizations; including the Human Rights Campaign, Lambda Legal, and GLAAD.

Although the legalities of the agreement between CAN and the Akron Pride Center may eventually include termination of their 501(c)3 status, at this time the Akron Pride

GayPeoplesChronicle.com

Auto

Life

Health

Home

Business

For all your insurance needs!

Betsy Warner Agent

2479 Lee Boulevard

Cleveland Heights, Ohio 44118

Office (216) 932-6900

Center is still operating, albeit at a new location and now with paid staff.

It is the intention of this now-combined board to continue current LGTB programming and offer new programming in the future.

The Pride Center still has its own separate and distinct telephone number (which shall remain so) and, although this board determined the missions of the two agencies were similar enough that combining our resources made logical sense, we also recognized the need to remain separate and autonomous with regard to some future programming, fundraising, and other activities.

You are correct that Community AIDS Network is not an organization representing the LGBT community per se. The LGBT community was initially hit hardest by HIV; however, this disease now touches the lives of all. By merging with the Akron Pride Center, the Community AIDS Network hopes to be able to further prevent the spread of this deadly disease as well as serve as a voice for the LGBT community.

Lastly, CAN has eight total employees, five full time and three part time we do not administer Ryan White funds (Violet's Cupboard does that), and we do not receive United Way funds (again, you may be thinking of Violet's Cupboard).

To reiterate, had you contacted the agencies' director, Dawn Jones, she would have been happy to provide factual information for your article.

We as a board respectfully ask for a corrective rewrite with an apology from the Gay People's Chronicle.

Pete Nervo, Board President Akron

The Gay People's Chronicle regrets misidentifying Nancy Brennan as board chair of the Community AIDS Network. She is a member of the board of directors.

CAN finds Brennan's position as vice president of White Hat Management and her family ties to the company significant enough to include in her biography on their website. Likewise, the Chronicle understands that our readers may find that information newsworthy as well, along with White Hat's significant contributions to the Republican Party and its local and national candidates, including ones who are openly and aggressively anti-LGBT.

Additionally, CAN's website notes that they are a standing member of the Ryan White Consortium and encourages their donors to earmark their United Way contributions to the Community AIDS Network.

-The editors

White doves for all

occassions

216.701.7711

weddings-funerals-memorials

www.WHITEWINGSANCTUARY.COM

ROCHEM

BIG FUN

VOTED CLEVELAND'S BEST TOYSTORE!

Erie

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

Insurance

216-371-4FUN (4386)

New COMPANION policy for life partners

Partners can now be listed on

one policy and receive big discounts on their auto and home insurance.

Both can be named insured

■ Multi-car discount Multi-policy discount ■ Multi-driver discounts

Zavagno Insurance Agency

Phone 440-884-2530 ZAVAGNO@SBCGLOBAL.NET

GAY PEOPLE'S

Chronicle

Managing Editor: Patti Harris

Associate Editor: Brian DeWitt

Art Director: Robin Stone

ISSN 1070-177X

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 440-986-0051 DisplayAds@Chron Ohio.com

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 Chronide 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 addres 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.