Parade Promises
to be the Centerpiece of this Year's Pride Celebration
from DNN 4/22/00
Cincinnati, Ohio
Visit our web site: http://home.fuse.net/cincypride/
REGISTER YOUR FLOAT IN THE PRIDE PARADE...
For the year 2000 the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender community of Greater Cincinnati sees the return of its first pride rally and parade in 5 years. The grassroots efforts of the Cincinnati Pride Parade Committee 2000 is marked by the event will take place on Sunday June 11, and promises to be the centerpiece of this years GLBT Pride Celebration.
The Cincinnati GLBT Pride Parade 2000 Committee is organizing the Rally and Parade, with the Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Greater Cincinnati acting as co-sponsor. In addition, the Cincinnati GLBT Coalition is coordinating events both before and after June 11.
The Rally will begin promptly at 11:00 a.m. at the gazebo in Burnet Woods. Speakers and participants include: Dr. Shane Que Hee (Los Angeles, CA), Dr. John Maddux, Wendy Mataya, Marlene B. Feder, Dr. John Kelly, Pam B. Skirvin, and Michael Chanak, as well as members of the Parade Committee.
Peaches LaVerne, 75, Cincinnatis oldest female impersonator, will be this years parade marshal. The internationally known Peaches performs at the Subway bar in downtown Cincinnati.
The parade will step off from Burnet Woods promptly at noon with a police escort. The 1.8-mile parade route will go down Ludlow Ave., over the Ludlow Viaduct, to Hamilton Ave., ending in Hoffner Park in Northside.
A Community Picnic/Information Fair in Hoffner Park will immediately follow the Pride Parade. The picnic will be sponsored by the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Greater Cincinnati, and will feature food, information booths, and a three-hour live stage show called "Alternating Currents OUT @ Hoffner Park."
Floats will be permitted in the Pride Parade. To have a float in the parade, you must submit proof of insurance covering the date of the event, and a copy of your vehicle registration and drivers license. Fees are based on the date of registration, and are fully explained in the application form. To obtain a float application, write billyg@concentric.net, or telephone Chris Good at 513-389-918 or visit the web site at http://home.fuse.net/cincypride.
Will there be a GLBT Pride proclamation this year? Dr. John Maddux, former three term GLBT Coalition president (1989-91) will approach Mayor Charlie Luken and request a proclamation for June 11, 2000. During Madduxs term as Coalition president Luken, who was mayor at the time, refused to issue a GLBT Pride Day proclamation. Dr. Maddux will speak at the rally on June 11.
The Cincinnati Pride Parade 2000 Committee is Jason Dul, Kerry Wickstrom, Tom Beckman, Dr. John Maddux, Matt Hall, Paula Ison, April Bee, Dannie Losito, Kelly Gorth, David Hasty, Jamie Murray, Don Wetterer, Todd Kamm, Anthony Glover, Eddy Hooper, and Heather Smith. Chris Good is the organizer of the committee with Michael X. Chanak serving as advisor .
Over $2500 in seed money was raised by members of the Cincinnati Community, both gay and straight alike. From the seed money, liability insurance and necessary park and parade permits were purchased. The national speakers donated their travel expenses and waived fees to participate in the rally.
In addition, the Pride Parade Committee received a check for $1000 from the Procter and Gamble Company-North American Diversity. Two Cincinnati based P&G employees are part of this years Pride efforts: Marlene B. Feder and Michael X. Chanak. Both have been active in the companys diversity efforts, serve as Consulting Pairs (Pope & Associates) and are part of GABLE-Gay and Bisexual Lesbian Employees of P&G. Michael X. Chanak will meecee the rally with Pam B. Skrivin and Marlene Feder will speak at Burnet Woods.
Contributions to the Cincinnati Gay Pride Parade Committee are welcome, and should be sent c/o Chris Good, 3512 Schwartze, Cincinnati, OH, 45211. Committee meetings are open to everyone, and are held at Crazy Ladies Bookstore in Northside, second floor. Specific meeting dates and times can be found on their web page at http://home.fuse.net/cincypride/.
T-shirts are available at Spotlight on Main, 633 Main St. in downtown Cincinnati, and an example is on display at Crazy Ladies bookstore in Northside. They also may be purchased directly from Chris Good by calling 513-389-9182 or writing billyg@concentric.net. T-shirts are priced at $12 each.
For more information contact:
Pride Parade-Chris Good 513-389-9182 or billyg@concentric.net
Pride Rally-Michael X. Chanak 513-631-9066 or chanakmx@att.net
Community Picnic-Matt Hall 513-481-5917 or wlmm5516@webtv.net
Several writers contributed to this article.
