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Pride Guide 2012

GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE 13

Be safe at Pride, and beyond

by Gloria McCauley

The Buckeye Region Anti-Violence Organization will be celebrating 16 years of service to the LGBTQI community this year. Launched at Columbus Pride in 1996, BRAVO has proudly worked in the community to provide empowerment, visibility, and services. During the month of June there is an upswing in the number of hate crimes.* All parts of Ohio experience this sad surge of activity as well. At Pride, safety becomes even more of a consideration for both individuals and the community.

Pride begins at home

Last year, BRAVO took 111 reports of hate crime and 30 intimate partner violence reports. These crimes vary in intensity, but nonetheless these incidents affect our community. Hate crimes can vary from verbal attacks to brutal beatings of individuals who are viewed to fall out of the mainstream population.

Most attacks are being reported by individuals who were just participating in dayto-day activities such as frequenting establishments in the community, or enjoying a walk or jog.

This year, nationally, attacks on the transgender community have reached historical proportions. Some of these attacks, sadly, have been the cause of death for members of this community.

You are not alone. BRAVO can help. Don't try to "fix" these situations by yourselves. We have trained crisis intervention specialists available in both our staff and our trained HelpLine volunteers (216-3707361 or toll-free 866-86-BRAVO) who can

help you weigh your options, walk you through the various steps of dealing with the situation, and provide potentially lifesaving advice and referrals.

Pride takes to the streets

Pride is a time for fun, unity, and awareness us all. We celebrate and play and revel in the full diversity that is the LGBTQ community. Sadly, in addition to the leather and sequins, there are the ubiquitous extremist protesters who would rebuke us, burn our flag, or mace us. These individuals' presence serves as a disheartening reminder that we still have a long way to go.

Don't engage these folks. Ignoring them provides them with little evidence to support their hate. You cannot change their hearts and minds; they simply are there to antagonize us into confrontation. Don't give them what they want, turn the other cheek (especially if you are wearing chaps) and walk away.

While we celebrate, there are a few simple steps that can ensure that Pride remains safe and fun:

Stay with a group, especially when walking between parks, parties, and bars. • "Hooking up" with someone you just met? Introduce your "date" to a friend or a bartender.

If you plan on meeting up later, make sure to leave an address or place you are meeting with someone you trust.

• Substance use will affect your awareness and judgment. Heat at Pride can make it worse. Drink water-often!

communitygroups

Stonewall Dems are proud of their work for equality

by Rob Rivera

Cleveland Stonewall Democrats is committed to educating, endorsing, electing and holding accountable pro-LGBT Democrats locally, statewide and nationally.

The group is proud to have played a role in ensuring that Democratic Party is the party of equality, in stark contrast to the continued anti-equality positions of Republicans at all levels of government.

Locally, they have worked to enact equality ordinances and policies from places as varied as Cleveland, Cleveland Heights, East Cleveland, Shaker Heights and most recently Cuyahoga County. Cleveland Stonewall Democrats will continue to work to ensure pro-equality Democrats take back control of the Ohio legislature and again elect a pro-equality governor.

Cleveland Stonewall Democrats is also proud to have worked to elect President Obama-not only making history as the first African-American president but also as the most pro-LGBT one in history---ending

Wills Trusts Living Wills

Powers of Attorney

Domestic Partnership Agreements

Probate Administration Guardianships Shared Custody Agreements

H

"Don't Ask, Don't Tell,” taking a stand for marriage equality and appointing a record number of openly LGBT officials to executive posts. They are also proud that every Democratic member of the House of Representatives voted to end "don't ask don't tell" and stands for equality.

The choice, could not be clearer---the Democratic Party is the party of equality and CSD is proud to work with our allies and friends at all levels to continue the march toward full equality.

Cleveland Stonewall Democrats meetings are usually the third Thursday of the month at the AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland, 3210 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. For more information on meetings, membership and getting involved visit www.clevelandstonewalldems.org or email president@clevelandstonewalldemocrats.org.

Rob Rivera is the president of the Cleveland Stonewall Democrats.

MARIA L. SHINN, LLC ATTORNEY & COUNSELOR

Evening & Weekend Appointments Available

216.228.4791

14837 Detroit Ave., #282, Cleveland, OH 44107 www.shinnlawfirm.com

• Have a designated driver/walker or be a designated driver/walker.

Call BRAVO (216-370-7361 or 86686-BRAVO) or visit our website at www.bravo-ohio.org for other helpful hints or to report an incident. All calls are confidential, and all reports may be made anonymously.

Pride is knowing how to take care of ourselves and each other. Pride is learning to "trust your gut." If a situation doesn't feel right or you feel unsafe--get out immediately. Pride is being out and Pride is looking out for others. We have every reason to be proud but unfortunately we also have very real reasons to be cautious. Remember, if you experience any violence or are attacked or harassed, please know it is not your fault!

* National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs Annual Report on Hate Crimes, available at www.NCAVP.org www.bravo-ohio.org.

or

BRAVO works to eliminate violence perpetrated on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identification, domestic violence, and sexual assault through prevention, education, advocacy, violence documentation, and survivor services, both within and on behalf of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and ansgender communities.

Gloria McCauley is the executive director of the Buckeye Region Anti-Violence Organization, with outreach, domestic violence and hate crime reporting duties across Ohio.

Obama LGBT advisor to speak at Fairmount Temple

by Laura Munson

Beachwood-Fairmount Temple is proud to welcome Matt Nosanchuk, senior counselor to President Barack Obama on LGBT issues, on Friday, June 22.

He will speak at the 6:15 p.m. Shabbat Service celebrating Cleveland Pride. The service is co-sponsored by Fairmount Temple's Chevrei Tikva GLBT community, who host monthly Shabbat services (third Friday of month at 8 p.m. except in June) and other programming and events throughout the year.

"I'm thrilled that Matt was able to accept our invitation to speak at this Shabbat at a time when issues of marriage equality are being raised nationwide," said Rabbi Robert Nosanchuk, senior rabbi at Fairmount

Temple and cousin of the speaker.

Matt Nosanchuk joined the Justice Dept's Civil Rights Division in 2009 as senior counselor to the assistant attorney general. He has extensive experience as a civil rights attorney from his time in Congress, as well as work in the non-profit and private sectors. A compelling speaker and openly gay attorney, he previously served as counselor to Senator Bill Nelson of Florida.

Fairmount Temple is at 23737 Fairmount Blvd. in Beachwood. For more information, call 216-464-1330. All are welcome.

Laura Munson is the communications director of Fairmount Temple.

Proud to be part of the LGBT Community

Barbara A. Nicely, Ph.D.

Wellness Rainbow Psychology

Counseling and Psychological Testing for Adults and Elders

Individual, Couple and Group Counseling for:

LGBT issues

Women's concerns Older Adults' issues

Stress, Depression and Anxiety

(216) 926-4921

Eastside:

5001 Mayfield Rd., Lyndhurst, 44124

Westside:

429 Front St., Berea, 44017