A JOINT PUBLICATION OF THE AKRON AND CLEVELAND CHAPTERS

PFLAG
this issue
Ohio PRIDE Parades 1 Chapter News 2-3 Events Chapter Meetings 4 News 5-6 6
By Ed Kancler, Akron chapter president

JUNE 2012

Pride Parades in Ohio

COLUMBUS June 15-16 This 31st annual event kicks off at Goodale Park, 120 W. Goodale Blvd. Parade Saturday steps off downtown and marches up High St. www.stonewallcolumbus. org, 614-299-7764.

A call for tolerance for religious views

A letter to the Plain Dealer berated our Presidents decision for marriage equality and said he condones what God condemns. My first reaction was of anger. How dare that writer? Who does he think he is? But, then, I thought, Hold it, Ed. What about our Constitution? What about our freedoms? What about separation of Church and State? The Founding Fathers were explicit about that separation. Over and over again. You can look it up. And, what it has come to mean is freedom of religion and freedom from religion. That made me think, instead of reacting in anger, for a change. If LGBT and straight allies are to ultimately prevail, we must respect religious opinions and points of view. We must respect freedom of religion and freedom from religion. For a change, we must be the ones who are tolerant, as much as I dislike that word. Those of faith who believe what they believe are protected by our Constitution. Those of us who believe in equality are also protected by the Constitution. First blacks. Then women. And then native Americans. Now LGBT. Its our turn to be tolerant, because equality for LGBT is getting nearer, every day. To get there we cannot be critical of those whose beliefs are contrary to ours. Those beliefs are protected, as ours will be, by the law, and by those who believed that there are unalienable rights, as stated in the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. Those rights have come, in time, to apply to everyone. Thats what equality is all about. Some day, we all will be equal, not only under the law, but more importantly, equal in the eyes of each other, and that will be the day as it should be.

CLEVELAND June 23 Parade steps off at noon from West 3rd and St. Clair, marches to Voinovich Park (East 9th and Lake Erie). Festival 1:008:00 pm. Expanded food court, beer garden, family entertainment stage, adult entertainment stage, and childrens areas. 216-226-0004, www.clevelandpride.org. See Cleveland Chapter News on page 2 for additional event info.

UC Couples study seeking volunteers

The University of Cincinnati is recruiting participants for an online survey to learn how same-sex relationships develop, how partners symbolize their commitment, and how relationship formation is related to relationship stability and emotional well-being. Participant must be 18 or older, be living with your partner, and have been in the relationship at least 6 months. To participate, visit: https://www.surveymonkey. com/s/NB6XJ6V.

June Meeting Educational Program

The June PFLAG meeting will host a viewing and discussion of the thought-provoking film, "Anyone and Everyone." Connected by a son or daughter who is gay, parents across the country and from all religions and walks of life intimately discuss their experiences of their children coming out.

Our Mission
PFLAG promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons, their families and friends through SUPPORT to cope with an adverse society; EDUCATION to enlighten an illinformed public; and ADVOCACY to end discrimination and to secure equal civil rights. PFLAG provides opportunity for dialogue about sexual orientation and gender identity and acts to create a society that is healthy and respectful of human diversity.

Cleveland PFLAG PRIDE Brunch

Dont miss out on our annual brunch before the Cleveland Pride Parade and Festival on Saturday, June 23. Brunch is from 10:00 am to noon at the Old Stone Church on Public Square and is open to friends and allies.

Save the DATE! Summer Picnic

Our annual chapter picnic will be Sunday, August 12 at Harper RidgeSouth Chagrin Reservation in the Cleveland Metroparks from 1:00-5:00 pm.

AKRON CHAPTER
PO Box 5471 Akron, OH 44334
P F L A G A K RO N . O RG

Cleveland chapter news

CGG, Lanci Family to receive Bruce G. Kriete Award
The Bruce G. Kriete Community Award is given annually to a friend of PFLAG Cleveland who has promoted understanding and acceptance of Northeast Ohio's LGBT citizens, and their families and friends. The awardee is selected by PFLAG Clevelands Advisory Board and honored at our annual PRIDE brunch at to the Cleveland PRIDE Parade. The award was instituted in 2006. Previous honorees include Dick Feagler, Dale Miller, and Joe Cimperman. This years award is given to the Consolidated Graphics Group and will be accepted by Ken and Linda Lanci. CGG and the Lanci family are huge supporters of the Cleveland/Akron PFLAG families. They have donated printing services to dozens of charities in the area, including PFLAG, and now have started the printing of our monthly newsletter. They were sponsors of the Art Cares 2012 benefit for the AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland and the World Team Tennis Smash Hits benefitting the Elton John AIDS Foundation and the AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland, among others. They are also very active with Equality Ohio and Human Rights Campaign.

Regional Conference
PFLAG Cleveland to host in Sept.
Our chapter is proud to host the 2012 Great Lakes Regional PFLAG Conference September 7-9. PFLAG chapters are uniquely positioned to create an open and supportive culture in our communitiesmark your calendars and plan to join us! Conference highlights include a performance by the North Coast Mens Chorus, a presentation on Straight for Equality in Faith Communities, a workshop on the latest technology to help your chapter communicate its message, an opportunity to videotape your story for your chapters website, a panel on transgender issues, and a presentation on the 2014 Gay Games...which are also being hosted in Northeast Ohio. Look for registration information coming soon on the PFLAG Cleveland website: www.pflagcleveland.org or contact chapter President Sharon Groh-W argo at [email protected].

[email protected]

INFO & HELPLINE: 330-342-5825

Executive Board
President-Ed Kancler; VP-Bill Libby; Secretary-Joe Gardner; TreasurerSue Magilavy; At Large-Chris Goldthorpe, Bob and Valerie Hempel, David Horowitz, Marie Libby, Audrey Kancler, Kim and Joe Mosyjowski, Bob Menapace, Joy Watts

Committee Chairs
Membership-Chuck Magilavy, Publicity-Marie Libby; Library-David Greene; Hospitality-Rada Jenkins; Newsletter-Audrey Kancler

CLEVELAND CHAPTER
615 Prospect St. Berea, OH 44017
P F L A G C LE V E LA N D . O RG

[email protected]

INFOLINE: 216-556-1701
Executive Board
President-Sharon Groh-Wargo; VP-Jeanette Nemcek; Treasurer-Art Thomson; Secretary-Marianne Buccini; At Large-Alan Cohen, Bill Franklin, Craig Hoffman; Legislative Coord.-Tom Roese; Newsletter-Pat Brandt; Snacks-Rebecca and Carl Schultz; Technology-Corey Glaze and Quentin Jamieson

Y O U AL W AY S H AV E A HO M E AT PF L AG

MARRIAGE EQUALITY
Support for marriage equality is on the rise, up 8 percent since 2008, according to a Pew Research survey. About 47 percent of Americans now

Lobby Day 2012 report

By Audrey Kancler, Akron chapter board member

favor same-sex marriage. Cincinnati and Dayton recently succeeded in passing equal partner benefits and a domestic partner registry. They join Cleveland, Cleveland Heights, Athens and Columbus in legislating equality in their cities. Cincinnati, Toledo and Middletown are also considering domestic partner benefits. In April, LGBT leaders and activists met in Columbus to discuss a strategic plan to achieve marriage equality in Ohio. Follow-up town hall meetings will be held throughout the state this summer. The participants also created a working group of business, religious, and LGBT/allied community leaders to gather local input and develop a committee to lead the marriage equality effort.

Equality Ohios 2012 Lobby Day was a change from the past. After six years of participants having appointments with senators and representatives, and usually ending up speaking with an aide, something new was attempted. The state was divided into six areas, and a sort of regional open house was held in six designated areas of the Statehouse. Invitations were issued, legislators were reminded, and it was hoped that they or their aides would stop in to meet constituents and hear our concerns and hopes regarding LGBT issues, specifically HEAE and Enumeration in the anti-

bullying law. Unfortunately, it was an unusually busy day in the capitol and many attendees, especially those from Northeast Ohio, had little success in meeting with legislators or aides. However, as with all Lobby Days, new contacts were made, friendships renewed, and we felt a new enthusiasm due to the energy of the people at Equality Ohio. We saw the House in session, and Rep. Nicki Antonio called for our group to stand in the gallery and be recognized. We also heard our own David Horowitz speak.

The Akron and Cleveland chapters were well represented. Paul Schwitzgebel, Toby and David Horowitz, Ed and Audrey Kancler from Akron, and Wally Lanci, David Ream, Allen Harris, Craig Hoffman, and Tom Roese from Cleveland made the trip to Columbus. And there were many others from the area in attendance. Although people were disappointed by the lack of legislators present, several made plans to see their senators and representatives back home and many expected to be back for Lobby Day 2013.

Akron chapter news

Akrons June 21 meeting will welcome the summer interns who are participating in Equality Ohios Equality Express tour. These students were chosen from colleges around the state and will be involved in community service projects, register people to vote, ride in the Cleveland PRIDE Parade and generally make a positive statement about LGBT student activism. It will be a treat to meet these active young people and hear about their tour experiences. The Equality Express will be in Akron June 20-21 and Cleveland June 22-24. The tour is still seeking host families and local transportation for the students. Contact Lee Reinhart at 614-224-0400 or [email protected] or 614-224-0400 for details.

TAKE THE TOUR! LGBT Community Center restaurant tour

The LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland hosts its annual benefit restaurant tour. Featured dining generates a donation by the hosting restaurant to the Center. June features: Friday, June 1 Bonbon Pastry & Caf 2549 Lorain Ave., Cleveland 216-458=9225 20% pledge

Akarui at CPT
Cleveland Public Theater presents
Join PFLAG Cleveland on Monday, June 4 at 7:30 pm as the Cleveland Public Theater presents a performance of Akarui. Akarui is an exuberant and haunting story of transformation and love that transports the audience to a rave cave at the end of the world where DJ Akarui spins beats that summon the lost, the desperate, and even the dangerous. Revelers include a transboi, a handsome young musician, a boy who discovers he is dead and has no memories, and a fearsome scientist caught up in her work. DJ Akuaruis music draws them all into a different world, where everything comes at a price...and often the price is yourself. Contact Alan Cohen for discount ticket info: [email protected].

North Coast Chorus

Weds., June 6 Bistro 185 991 E. 185th St., Cleveland 216-481-9635 30% pledge Weds., June 13 Paragon 21920 Lake Shore Blvd., Euclid 216-731-9463 30% pledge Weds., June 20 Soho Kitchen and Bar 1889 West 25th St., Cleveland 216-298-9090 20% pledge

Presents Brian Stokes Mitchell

Get you tickets now for the show you won't want to miss! Tony Award winning singer Brian Stokes Mitchell joins the North Coast Men's Chorus on stage for one night only, June 23, at the Palace Theater, Playhouse Square, 1615 Euclid Ave., at 8:00 pm. Brian has recently been seen on the hit TV series Glee playing one of Rachel's gay dads. His legendary baritone has graced the Broadway stage in such shows as Kiss Me Kate, Ragtime, Man of La Mancha, and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For tickets, call 216-241-6000 or go online to www.playhousesquare.com.

LGBT Center benefit

M Lang Clothing & Cocktails
M Lang, located at the corner of E. 13th St. and Euclid Ave., is hosting a special fundraiser in honor of Gay Pride month on Friday, June 8 from 11:00 am-7:00 pm and Sat., June 9 from 11:00 am-4:00 pm. Fifty percent off all merchandise in the store, happy hour pricing on all drinks, free appetizers and soft drinks, cash bar, and free parking behind the store on E. 13th St. Ten percent of all sales and bar tips will be donated to the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland. For more info: 216-3895600.

HRC Events
SAVE the DATE! Annual gala
The Human Rights Campaign will host its annual Cleveland gala on Saturday, August 25 at the Wolstein Center of Cleveland State University, 2000 E. Prospect Ave. This years event is titled, Make Equality Count: Its Written in the Stars. Tickets are $175/person, $100/students. For tickets or sponsor info visit www.hrc.org.

TA DA! Series continues

The Ta Da! series of fabulous feasts and parties for the LGBT community continues this month with a BBQ, western picnic, tapas party, Italian feast and more. Hosts cover the costs of events so all proceeds go directly to the Center. Tickets are limited for each event, so dont delay. For info, visit www.lgbtcleveland.org.

W HEN Y O U NO L O NG ER N EED PF L AG , T HAT S W HEN PF L AG N EED S Y O U

NAACP endorses gay marriage

Following President Barack Obamas historic announcement in support of gay marriage, the National Associa-

Study may end ban on gay blood donors

The Washington Times recently reported that the federal government has four studies in the works to gather evidence on whether to end the ban on blood donations from gay men. Three studies are currently underway and one is in the planning stages at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Times reported. Federal officials have not offered a timeline on a policy decision based on these studies. However, James Berger, acting director of the HHS Advisory Committee on Blood Safety and Availability, was quoted in the Times, saying, There will be a transparent and evidence-based evaluation of MSM [men who have sex with men] donation policies. Currently, men who have had sex with men even once since 1977 are banned from donating blood due to high prevalence of HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis B in that population, the Times reported. Lesbians are not included in the ban. The ban has been questioned in recent years because of significant improvements in blood testing and public pressure to end what activists call a discriminatory policy against gay men. Blood donation policies in other countries vary widely, with some allowing MSM to donate if they have not had sex with a man within a certain time frame. Some activist groups are not satisfied with abstinence policies because they say they discriminate against gay men who are faithful to one partner. Italy and Spain have policies that ask all donors how many sex partners they have had in the past six months, the Times reported. Potential donors, gay or straight, who report only one partner may donate blood. Those who report more than one partner are deferred for a period of time. The HHS studies may eventually allow a low-risk subset of MSM to become blood donors. HHS must decide if a blood safety can be maintained or improved with a policy change, Berger said in the Times article.

tion for the Advancement of Colored People endorsed marriage equality. The organization stated the resolution supported its historic commitment to equal protection under the law. Civil marriage is a civil right and a matter of civil law. The NAACPs support for marriage equality is deeply rooted in the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution and equal protection of all people. said Benjamin Todd Jealous, President and CEO of the NAACP. According to a recent NBC/ Wall Street Journal poll, half of African-Americans back marriage equality. A Washington Post poll showed 54 percent of African Americans supported President Obamas statement.

Local places in the news

Cuyahoga Falls Natatorium
The Cuyahoga Falls Parks and Recreation department decided in May that it will not change its policy that defines a married couple in the membership rates at the Falls Natatorium. Case Western Reserve University (No. 6) The board rejected a compromise proposal that would have removed the words married and spouse from the policy and allowed any second adult in the household to be eligible for a family membership. and Ohio State University (No. 10) placed for not only having a diverse and accepting student body, but also offering campuswide programs for LGBT awareness.

Ohio Universities
A recent survey published at The Daily Beast (CNN) listed two Ohio universities in the top ten gay-friendly higher education institutions.

Over-the-counter HIV rapid test may be available soon

Americans may soon be able to test themselves for the virus that causes HIV/AIDS using a rapid over-thecounter test. test, it could provide an important means of expanding HIV testing, the AP report noted. A final FDA ruling on the test is expected later this year, the AP reported. The government estimates that one-fifth, or 240,000 people, of the 1.2 million HIV carriers in the United States are not aware they are infected, the AP reported. In a study, OraQuick was shown to detect 99 percent of HIV infections when used by professionals, but only 93 percent when used by home consumers, the AP reported. It was not clear why there was a difference in detection rates. The advisory panel stressed that the test label should indicate that a negative result does not mean lack of infection and a toll free number for follow-up counseling and medical care for those who test positive should be included.

UCC offers LGBT web resources

The United Church of Christ Coalition for LGBT Concerns offers a variety of general resources on how to support LGBT family members and friends, in church, school and the community. For resource info, visit: www.ucccoalition.org

According to a report by the Associated Press, an FDA advisory panel unanimously voted that the benefits of the OraQuick HIV test outweighed its potential risks for consumers. The test uses a mouth swab and can provide results in 20 minutes. While not as clinically accurate as a professionally-administered

Transgender woman wins coverage for mammogram

A transgender woman who was denied insurance coverage for a routine mammogram won a landmark battle with Aetna, ABC News reported. ments related to changing sex, ABC reported. The woman was born biologically male but developed breasts after she underwent estrogen treatments during transition. None of the womans transitioning treatments were covered under her insurance policy.

CHAPTER MTGS.
Akron PFLAG
June 21, July 19 - 7:00 pm
N. Springfield Presbyterian 671 N. Canton Rd.

Cleveland PFLAG
June 12, July 10 7:30 pm
Trinity Episcopal 2230 Euclid Ave,, 44115

Transgender people should have their health care needs The settlement clarified that covered by insurance just like similar denials would not occur everyone else, Lewis told in the future, TLDEF staff attor- ABC. But as long as exclusions remain in place, [this] ney Noah Lewis told ABC case makes clear that they News. It also added a provision to allow transgender indi- cannot be used to deny other viduals to change their sex on medically necessary care simAetna originally denied the their insurance records by pro- ply because someone is transclaim, stating it fell under the viding a birth certificate or gender. womans policy exclusion treat- drivers license. The Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund filed suit on behalf of the woman after her request for reimbursement for the $385 out-ofpocket expense for the test in June 2010, ABC reported.

Marriage equality around the world

The following countries allow same-sex marriage (year of law passage): The Netherlands (2001) Belgium (2003) Spain (2004) Canada (2005) South Africa (2006) Norway (2008) Sweden (2009) Portugal, Iceland, Argentina and Brazil (2010) The following countries offer many rights to same-sex couples, but stop short of marriage: Ireland, Denmark, Finland, Germany, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Uruguay. These countries offer some spousal rights but are far from

Alliance PFLAG
Info: [email protected]

Wooster PFLAG
June 21, July 19 - 7:00 pm
Universalist Fellowship 3186 Burbank Rd.
Please call ahead to confirm.

Youngstown PFLAG
May 8, July 10 - 6:30 pm
St. Johns Episcopal 323 Wick Ave.

full marriage equality: Andorra, Austria, Colombia, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Hungary, Luxembourg, Slovenia, Switzerland.
Source: FreedomtoMarry.org