Northeast Ohio

April 2012 Vol. 43 No. 4

Parents,

Families

and

Friends

of

Lesbians

and

Gays

A joint publication of the Akron and Cleveland chapters

Mass gay wedding in Cleveland brings excitement and hope

By Kyle Magilavy

Inside this issue:

From the President Akron chapter news 2 3 4 5 6

n March 24 my boyfriend and I, accompanied by my parents, attended the Rally for Marriage Equality in Cleveland. Having heard there was to be a mass wedding in the Galleria, we decided it was something we couldnt miss.

boyfriend on one side of me and my incredible parents on the other. For the passerby, seeing more than 240 couples dressed in wedding attire walking through the streets of Cleveland, was surely quite a sight.
Kyle Magilavy with his parents at his graduation. They attended the Marriage Equality Rally.

Cleveland chap. news Events Lobby Day

Similar marches in Cincinnati and Columbus had drawn around 400 people, but as we approached City Hall, it became apparent that this was to be the largest rally yet. Joining the masses, we stepped into the crowd of countless couples and supporters, many decked out in beautiful wedding dresses and handsome tuxedos.

The excitement grew as heavy hitters in the movement for equality, including Ed Mullen of Equality Ohio and State Rep. Nicki Antonio, gave inspiring speeches. As the final speaker came to a close and we prepared to march, I glanced up at the sky, thankful the weather had been kind, and found that a rainbow flag was flying directly underneath the American flag atop City Hall, waving just as proudly as the flag above it.

We ended our march in the Galleria, where the couples who were to be married filed in to the sound of a wonderful wedding band and wild applause. Even more surprising than the number of participants was the range of religious officials conducting the mass wedding, including a bishop of the reformed Catholic Church. The beautiful ceremony brought a tear to everyones eyes (especially my moms), and made it so very apparent that the support of equal rights is growing at an amazingly rapid rate. In the years up till now, Ive always prefixed thoughts of a wedding with If I ever, but I can honestly say that this rally has me excited for the future and thinking, when I do. Kyle Magilavy is the son of Akron chapter board members Chuck and Sue Magilavy

CHAPTER MTGS.
Akron PFLAG
Apr. 19, May 17 - 7 pm
N. Springfield Presbyt. 671 N. Canton Rd.

Cleveland PFLAG
Apr. 10, May 8 7:30 pm
Trinity Episcopal 2230 Euclid Ave,, 44115

Alliance PFLAG
Info: a_cromwel@yahoo.com

Wooster PFLAG
Apr. 19, May 17 - 7 pm
Universalist Fellowship 3186 Burbank Rd.
Please call ahead to confirm.

From City Hall we marched to the Galleria. Some carried signs of support, others cheered and chanted. Me? I marched quietly Rally supporters and smiled with my

Youngstown PFLAG
Apr. 15, May 20 - 3 pm
Stonewall Comm. Ctr. 1523 Poland Ave.

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Northeast Ohio PFLAG

An unnatural discussion
By Ed Kancler, Akron chapter president

PFLAG
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 ill-informed 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.

ow does one discuss gay rights with those who say being gay is unnatural? Well, there is one way to do it, and that is to point out that scientific studies have established that homosexuality exists in stickleblade fish, roosters, cows, dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, iguanas, monkeys, lions, giraffes and whales. Why the studies? Who knows? But, someone funded them and, while this might not prolong the conversation, it sure could be fun.

equality. The push is for the ballotLet the people decide, they say. That, my friends, is a danger that is real. Why, some say, shouldnt the issue be put to a vote? The answer is simple: Voting on determining a fundamental right is not what this country of ours is about. Remember the words of the Declaration of Independence: ...endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among them are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

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

INFO & HELPLINE: 330-342-5825

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

There are those who point to the fact that there is no chromosome that identifies a Since then, and espeperson as gay. So, cially since the adoptherefore, it is argued tion of our Constitution, that being gay is not determining our fundanatural. But there is a Same-sex mating behavior has been docu- mental rights has been mented in over 450 species of animals. in the bailiwick of our fatal flaw to that argument in that there is no courts. Is privacy a funchromosome that identifies a person as damental right? Yes. Is marriage a fundaheterosexual, either. Touch! mental right open to all races and mixes Having said all that, once again, its mar- thereof? Yes. Is marriage equality a fundamental right? So far, the courts have riage equality time. People around the country want to throw out marriage equal- said so (except in Texas). ity. These folks are really riled up. The National Association for Marriage wants Starbucks boycotted for its support of marriage equality. (Wait until it finds out how many major corporations favor and, indeed, in many cases promote gay rights. What to do? What to do?) Being gay, as well as being straight, is a result of natural creation that appears to be the case in all of the animal kingdom of which we are a part. Being entitled to fundamental rights is part and parcel of our law. And, regardless of religious beliefs, marriage is a fundamental civil right to be The fact is the anti-marriage equality push enjoyed by those who choose to do so is due to recent court decisions as well as irrespective of sexual orientation. The sooner more people recognize that, the the states of Washington and Maryland better off we all will be. enacting laws in support of marriage

Committee Chairs
Program-open; Membership-Chuck Magilavy, Publicity-Marie Libby; LibraryDavid 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

mail@pflagcleveland.org

INFOLINE: 216-556-1701
Executive Board
President-Sharon Groh-Wargo; VPJeanette Nemcek; Secretary-Marianne Buccini; Treasurer-Art Thomson; At Large-Alan Cohen, Bill Franklin, Craig Hoffman; Legislative Coordinator-Tom Roese; Newsletter-Pat Brandt; SnacksRebecca and Carl Schultz; TechnologyCorey Glaze and Quentin Jamieson

A greener newsletter
Get your chapter newsletter early and delivered directly to your email in-box! Subscribe by sending an email to our managing editor at debkimble@sbcglobal.net...please include your name and zip code. And thanks for helping us save paper and postage!

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PFLAG members participate in GLSEN Safe Schools training

By Robin Richmond, Cleveland chapter

GLSEN NEO

Break the Silence

APRIL 20 5:30-10:00 pm Progressive Field Cleveland Indians Terrace Club
Join over 500 people from Clevelands LGBT community and their allies at a free friend-raiser to support students participating in the National Day of Silence on April 19 and to break the silence of students who are bullied in schools for their sexual orientation or gender identity. Featured speakers include: State Rep. Nicki Antonio; Catherine Criswell, U.S. Dept. of Education Office of Civil Rights-Cleveland and Akron; and reps from GLSEN National and GLSEN NEO. The event also includes a special performance by the North Coast Mens Chorus. For info, contact Raymond Jasinski at 440-799-4270 or ray@linearcreative.com.

The Northeast Ohio chapter of GLSEN (Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network) sponsored a 3-day training session conducted by GLSEN National to prepare for a Safe Schools training effort at schools throughout Northeast Ohio. Audrey Kancler of PFLAG Akron and myself were among the 20 people who attended. By all accounts, it was a useful and enlightening experience.

the event. In the last few years, GLSEN NEO (led by our dear, late friend Gene Ashley) has developed a solid network of contacts with gay-straight alliances (GSAs) at area high schools, and now sponsors an annual High School GSA conference, which has been well-attended and well-received.

GLSEN is now taking on the additional task of working directly with schools to We learned numerous workshop techteach education professionals how to deal niques and exercises, and ways to encourage educators to be LGBTQ-sensitive with bullying (of all types), create safe spaces for LGBTQ students and their alin the hallway, the lunchroom, and the lies, and even, we hope, incorporate classroom. And even the most LGBTQsavvy among us learned valuable lessons LGBTQ-sensitive language and lessons in the classroom. about LGBTQ aspects of American and world history. Although it now has a solid core of trained For example, we watched an excerpt from volunteer trainers, GLSEN NEO is still looking for board members and worker the documentary film Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin (which is avail- bees to take on the effort of reaching out to schools and school districts throughout able on video), and learned about the Northeast Ohio. It welcomes additional conflicts within the civil rights movement volunteers, especially those who have over his homosexuality, and the significonnections with (or just residency in) cant fact that the leaders behind the favarious school districts. Call 210-556mous 1963 march on Washington stood 0960 or visit glsennortheastohio.org for with him against public attacks and supported his role as the primary organizer of info.

A story of triumph at PFLAG Akron chapter meeting

Akron PFLAGs March meeting featured a truly enlightening presentation by Shari Hutchinson. She eloquently described her experiences of disappointment and, she eventually realized, discrimination while employed at Cuyahoga County Child Support Enforcement. When first moving to a job in the public sector, after 20 years of successful employment in private industry, Shari was elated to see written policies of nondiscrimination based on sexual orientation. She freely introduced her partner (of now 20 years), Diane Baczkowski, and proceeded to work with the assumption that she would progress to higher positions as time passed. When this did not happen, despite good recommendations and performance reviews, she opened her eyes to the true climate of her workplace. With some hard evidence and support from a few co-workers, Shari successfully sued the county, charging discrimination based on sexual orientation and, in an out-ofcourt settlement, was awarded $100,000. Though not an unusually large sum, it is the most the county was allowed to pay. Per the November 2011 settlement she has no restrictions on what may be revealed about her experiences and the award. Shari was accompanied at the meeting by Diane and also her attorney, Liz Wells of Avery Friedmans office. At first we heard a message of disappointment and discrimination. Ultimately, however, it was an encouraging and courageous account of standing up for what is right...and winning!

Yo u a l way s h ave a h o m e a t P FL AG !

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Northeast Ohio PFLAG

Cleveland chapter news

New officers, April program, summer picnic
New Officers
Congratulations to our new advisory board members. Sharon Groh-Wargo was re-elected as president, and Jeanette Nemcek was elected as vice president for 2012-2014 at our annual business meeting. We thank Jes Sellers for his service as VP over the last several years. Jes, a co-founder of PFLAG Cleveland, will continue to co-facilitate our support group meetings with fellow chapter cofounder Jane Daroff.

Dinner with filmmaker a delight

Award-winning documentary filmmaker Macky Alston was in town for the Cleveland International Film Festival, and spent time over dinner with some members of PFLAG Cleveland.

Members for Social Justice

PFLAG Cleveland members Marianne and Jim Buccini proudly represented our chapter and Fortunate Families at the Social Justice Fair at the Community of St. Peter on March 11. The Buccinis are staunch advocates for equality in the Catholic Church. At their table, they handed out copies of the newsletter, PFLAG Cleveland brochures, Fortunate Families brochures, and showed visitors a wedding photo of their son and son-in-law as they shared their story.

April Education Program

Our April education breakout session will be a free screening of the documentary Family Name, directed by Macky Alston. This winner of the 1997 Sundance Freedom of Expression Award follows the filmmaker from New York to the deep South as he embarks on an excavation to unearth the history of his white slave-owning family, and explores the link to the black families that shared his name. (Macky was in town at the Cleveland International Film Festival leading a film forum for his most recent documentary, Love Free or Die (see sidebar at right).

1 Millionth Winner
PFLAG Cleveland member Robert Tackett was the one-millionth attendee to the Cleveland International Film Festival in March. He got the confetti fanfare and some very nice prizes. Congrats, Robert!

Macky Alston (center) with friends from PFLAG Cleveland in March.

Save the Date! Summer Picnic

Our annual chapter picnic will be Sunday, August 12 at Harper Ridge South Chagrin Reservation in the Cleveland Metroparks from 1:00-5:00 pm. This is always a fun event for our members and their families and friends. Details forthcoming.

Mackys film, Love Free or Die, was featured at CIFF and tells the story of Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson and a host of others whose lives hang in the balance of the church/ state battles for LGBT equality.

OhioHealth calls for equality

OhioHealth, a nonprofit, faith-based network of eight hospitals and 40 specialized care sites in 40 counties, recently sent a letter to State Rep. Nicki Antonio in support the Equal Housing and Employment Act. Citing its need to recruit the best and the brightest to provide quality care for patients, the letter stated, We are able to achieve just that by exhibiting that all of our employees are equally protected and given the utmost respect. It also noted, Adding sexual orientation and gender identity to the state Civil Rights Code would provide a consistent set of employment rights for all Ohioans and would not add additional regulatory burdens or create excessive costs to taxpayers.

Counseling resources for LGBT

NEW! Summit Co. Support
Thanks to a grant from the Gay Community Endowment Fund, LGBTQfocused counseling is available in Summit County through the Child Guidance and Family Solutions. For info call 330-762-0591 or visit www.cgfs.org. need not be Jewish to participate. 750 White Pond Dr. For info call 330-8673388 or visit jewishakron.org/jfs.

LGBT Support Group

Life Force Counseling & Consulting in Brecksville hosts a free LGBTQ support group on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month from 7:00-8:00 p.m. at its office at Alpine Center, 7027 Mill Rd., Lower Level, Brecksville. For info call 216-548-3620 or email jfiber.lifeforcecc@gmail.com.

Senior Support
Jewish Family Services welcomes all LGBT seniors to its individual, group support, and outreach programs. You

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Ryan White Services community forum

The AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland is hosting a community forum to help people learn more about the services provided throughout the Ryan White provider network and the Cuyahoga Regional HIV Services Planning Council. The forum will be held on Tuesday, April 17 from 1:30-3:30 pm at 3210 Euclid Ave. A special door prize will be given to the first 20 participants. For information call 216-548-3026.

Diversity Center upcoming events

Spring conference, educators seminar, walk/run
Spring Youth Conference
The Diversity Center of Northeast Ohio will host its spring youth conference on April 25 from 9:00 am-1:00 pm at John Carroll University. Stand Out: Live the Life Youve Imagined will include discussions on cyber bullying and social media. Students will explore the links between social media and relationships, discuss myths of electronic safety, and meet diverse students from schools throughout Northeast Ohio. Registration by April 18 is requested: www.diversitycenterneo.org. tors, administrators, and out-ofschool time professionals. For information, call 216-752-3000 or email programs@diversitycenterneo.org.

10th Annual Walk, Rock & Run

The Diversity Centers 10th annual Walk, Rock and Run will be held Saturday, May 5. The event begins and ends at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, 1100 Rock and Roll Blvd., and includes free admission to the Rock and Roll Museum and the Great Lakes Science Center. Registration for the run ($25) begins at 7:30 am, for the walk (free) at 8:00 am.

Educators Seminar
Diversity, Multiculturalism & Inclusion in Education is a day-long seminar for professional educators being held on Wednesday, May 2 at John Carroll University Dolan Center for Science & Technology.

Student Honored
Melissa Brodsky was one of three Northeast Ohio students named a Diversity Champion at the recent Charter One youth leadership lunch at John Carroll University. Melissa is part of the Unity Leadership Organization, a school group dedicated to eliminating racism and raising awareness of diversity issues.

Free womens health screenings

In partnership with Metro Health Systems Pride Clinic, the LGBT Center, 6600 Detroit Ave., will host a free health event on Saturday, April 21 from 9:00 am 1:00 pm. The event will include mammograms, breast exams, breast cancer education, HIV testing, and blood pressure and glucose checks. The program is for women and transgender people over age 35 who reside in Cuyahoga County, are either uninsured or underinsured, and have not had a mammogram in one year. An RSVP is recommended. Only 50 mammogram time slots are available. Visit lgbtcleveland.org for more info.

The seminar will focus on cultural competence as a tool to create safe and inclusive classrooms that promote academic success for educa-

ArtCares celebrates 10th anniversary

items, live entertainment, and great food and drink. All proceeds go directly to support the AIDS Taskforces mission to provide a compassionate and collaborative response to the needs of people infected, affected, and at risk of HIV/ AIDS. Event sponsors include ConsoliArtCares.12, the signature event bene- dated Graphics Group, Charter One and Medical Mutual of Ohio, the Clevefitting the AIDS Taskforce of Greater land Institute of Art, Metro Health, AdCleveland, will take place at MOCA com, and Mills, Potoczak & Co. Cleveland on Saturday, Apr. 28. Last year this event drew over 600 A VIP reception will be held at 6:30 p.m., with the party and auction to be- attendees and raised $85,000. We gin at 8:00 p.m. The event features live hope to make it even bigger this year! For more information or to purchase and silent auctions or art and other tickets, visit aidstaskforce.org.

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Northeast Ohio PFLAG

All new Lobby Day for 2012

Equality Ohio is taking a whole new approach to Lobby Day this year to allow you to interact with more legislators and have a bigger impact. For this Lobby Day, on Wednesday, May 16, participants will be organized into regional teams representing one of seven distinct regions of the state. Each team will meet with its target elected officials, as well as other legislators in the region. This gives you to not only lobby your own elected officials, but also others who may be influential in passing critical equality legislation. Why is this important? This year we were able to pass a version of the Comprehensive Safe Schools Act. Unfortunately, it did not include enumeration and thus fell short of expectations. The good news is that a stand-alone safe schools bill is pending in the House Education Committee and the Equal Housing and Employment Act is working its way through the legislature.

Lobby Day training

Equality Ohio offers Lobby Day training sessions to provide strategies and tips for participants to be able to interact in a powerful way with their legislators and policymakers. Join us at one of these Northeast Ohio sessions: Thursday, April 10 Community AIDS Network Akron Pride Initiative (CANAPI), 895 N. Main St., Akron, 6:00-8:00 pm

We need your help to move these proequality measures forward. Our legislators need to hear from our supporters and be educated on our issues. When we tell our stories, we change hearts and minds. We can change the conversation and change society. As in past years, Lobby Day will conclude with a reception featuring many of our elected officials and community leaders. Register now at equalityohio.org.

Tuesday, April 17 Applewood Centers Inc., Paulson Conference Room, 2525 E. 22nd St., Cleveland 44115, 6:00-8:00 pm. To register, visit equalityohio.org.

Cleveland Pride parade and festival

Mark your calendar! The 24th annual Cleveland Pride Parade and Festival will step off at noon on Saturday, June 23. The 2012 theme is Equality for All: Embracing our Diversity and will celebrate and respect the similarities and differences that make each of us unique. The parade marches through downtown Cleveland and ends at Voinovich Park for a festival and rally. For more information, call 216-226-0004 or visit clevelandpride.org. You can also find event updates and spread the word about Pride on Facebook.

Printing services donated for chapter newsletters

A great big Thank You! goes out to Consolidated Graphics Group and the Lanci family for offering to provide free printing services for our monthly newsletter. Their donated services will save our chapters $150 per month. Another cost saving measure is our new PDF by email version of the newsletter (see bottom of page 2 for details). The Lancis are longtime members of our Cleveland chapter and were recognized at the 2011 HRC Gala. You can read more about their story in the October 2011 issue of our newsletter.