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GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE Pride Guide 2012 •
www.GayPeoplesChronicle.com
Sexual orientation vs. sexual behavior
by Kimberly Steele
Cleveland-In recent years, a lot of good press has been shedding light in the bisexual community. Many cities have been putting together great programs; the International Conference on Bisexuality was packed and included great thought-provoking panels, plus indie singer Michelle Branch and True Blood actress Anna Paquin came out as bisexual. But we all know that with every rose come plenty of thorns. The ideas that bisexuals are greedy or sluts or taking advantage of straight privileges just to avoid being completely gay seems to never subside.
The main reason these negative stereotypes still prevail is because people con-
tinue to equate sexual behavior with sexual orientation. The two go hand in hand, but they are not one and the same. There are many variations of bisexual individuals, but for the sake of this conversation, I'll focus on the main two: Bisexual monogamous individuals and bisexual polyamorous individuals.
A person can be sexually and emotionally attracted to males and females (bisexual) but be in a one-on-one relationship for long periods of time or short periods of time. Our partners' sexual orientation does not change our sexual behaviors and our partners' gender does not change our sexual behaviors.
Walk with the HRC group in the Pride parade
by Justin Weseloh
Cleveland-The Human Rights Campaign is proud to once again be part of Cleveland Pride and excited to celebrate with each of you.
As the largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans, the Human Rights Campaign represents a force of more than one million members and supporters nationwide-all committed to making HRC's vision a reality.
Locally, we had a large and passionate group of members and supporters who act with HRC as advocates on behalf of LGBT Americans, mobilizing grassroots actions in diverse communities, investing strategically to elect and re-elect fair-minded individuals to office, such as Senator Sherrod Brown and President Barack Obama, and educating the public about LGBT issues. Anyone who would like to walk with us
in the parade on Saturday, June 23 is welcome to join and help us carry the HRC flag, hand out stickers, or just proudly walk along in support. Just look for the blue and yellow "Equal" flag or the many volunteers in HRC shirts.
Please come by the HRC Pride booth to learn more about all of the important issues we are working on both state wide and nationally. If you aren't already an HRC member or volunteer, then come by and find out how you can make a difference!
For more information on HRC please visit us at www.hrc.org, or to volunteer locally visit us at www.hrc.org/steeringcommittees/cleveland.
Happy Pride from all of us at HRC!
Justin Weseloh is the membership and community events co-chair for the Cleveland Steering Committee of the Human Rights Campaign.
ATTORNEY LAWYER COUNSELOR ESQUIRE
A person can be bisexual and have multiple one-on-one relationships for long periods of time, or short periods of time. It all depends on what the person wants. Again, our partners' sexual orientation and their gender(s) don't change our sexual behavior. If we are monogamous, that's the kind of relationship dynamic we seek. If we are polyamorous, that's the kind of relationship dynamic we seek. These instances have nothing to do with sexual orientation but everything to do with sexual behavior.
Sexual behavior develops for many different reasons; it all depends on the individuals' morals. For instance, someone who doesn't believe in sex before marriage is not going to do it. Someone who believes it's okay to have more than one sexual partner is going to behave accordingly. None of these things have to do with sexual orientation. Someone heterosexual would not normally have sexual contact with someone of
the same sex. They are heterosexual; not homosexual or bisexual. However, that same heterosexual person could be a virgin or they could have many sexual partners of the opposite sex. It all depends on what someone believes and their sexual behavior will follow.
June is the time of the year when the LGBT community reflects on who they are, where they stand in the community, what causes to fight for, and which causes to let go. The bisexual cause refuses to be let go. We are misunderstood and hated, but we are still the third letter in "LGBT," so we need to try to be understood (between ourselves, the LGT community, and the straight community) so we can gain respect.
Kimberly Steele is the organizer of the Bisexual Initiative of Greater Cleveland. More information is available online at http://ashygirl forgirls.tripod.com/ bngcohio.
letterstotheeditors
Many reasons to be proud
Dear LGBTQ Community Members and Allies,
We have so much to be proud of and I am thrilled to be offering this congratulatory message as Greater Cleveland celebrates its 24th Lesbian Gay Bi Trans Pride Parade and Festival.
As the newly appointed executive director of the LGBT Center of Greater Cleveland, I am honored to join in the ranks of LGBT community leaders to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall Riots, in which a group of individuals stood up for the rights for people of all orientations to have a life that is equitable and just.
Cleveland Pride gives us the opportunity to celebrate the freedom of being who
we are, to demonstrate our commitment to greater visibility and to advocate for the right to be treated equally under the law.
On behalf of the board and staff of the LGBT Center, I wish for you a Cleveland Pride experience that is fun, festive and affirming.
I look forward to seeing you at the festival. Please don't forget to stop by our booth. We are grateful for your support, and we look forward to celebrating our pride with you for many more days ahead.
Phyllis Harris, Executive Director LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland
LGBT ART THERAPY BEREAVEMENT GROUP
Whether you have lost a partner or other family member, you are welcome in this monthly group. Your loved one need not have been a patient with Hospice of the Western Reserve.
Last Tuesday of the month, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The Elisabeth Severance Prentiss Bereavement Center 300 East 185th Street, Cleveland 44119
No art experience is necessary.
Contact Mollie Postotnik, Art Therapist for more information and to register at 216.486.6544 or mpostotnik@hospicewr.org
Chiropractic Health Services
Dr. David Budny
NO Insurance NO problem!!
11820 Detroit Ave.
Lakewood, OH 44107
216 228-6622
Dedicated to your wellness
AUTO, WORK & HOME INJURIES MOST INSURANCE ACCEPTED
Funded in part by residents of Cuyahoga County through Cuyahoga Arts & Culture
cuyahoga
arts & culture
HOSPICE
OF THE WESTERN RESERVE
The Elisabeth Severance Prentiss Bereavement Center
800.707.8922
hospicewr.org
We are called by different names, many we cannot reproduce in this limited space.
What we do is help people in a time of need or controversy. We give our time and advice and guide our clients through the complex legal system that can be daunting and intimidating. Trust is an important aspect of the client/attorney relationship. Whichever name you choose, after a short period of time, you will begin to trust us.
There is no charge for an Initial Consulation, call us at (440)409-0300 to discuss Domestic Partnership Agreement, Civil Litigation, Family Law, Child Support, Juvenile Law, Custody Issues, Criminal Law, DUIs, Bankruptcy, Personal Injury, Probate, Wills.
Bartos Rini
LPA
20220 Center Ridge Road § Suite 320 § Rocky River § OH 44116
(440)409-0300 or (216)513-3344 § bartosandrini.com § email: info@bartosandrini.com
The Church of the Covenant
An Open & Affirming Community
In the Heart of University Circle
3002 Covenant
The Church of the
in the Circle
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
(USA)
Join us Sundays 10am
11205 Euclid Avenue Presbyterian Church USA
CovenantWeb.org