Northeast Ohio

July/August 2011 Vol. 42 No. 7-8

Parents,

Families

and

Friends

of

Lesbians

and

Gays

A joint publication of the Akron and Cleveland chapters

Theres always something

By Ed Kancler, Akron chapter president

Inside this issue:

About Us Legal newsOhio 2 2 3-4 5-6 6

ith all thats good in this country, with growing numbers of people recognizing that all are entitled to equal rights and, yes, marriage, someone always arrives on the scene saying heartless, mean and simply stupid things. Dr. Marcus Bachman believes gays are barbarians who must be disciplined and his wife Michele, who is running for president, believes gays are enslaved by their choice. Simply said, there are some people who and anti-LGBT and, of that crowd, there are some people who ignore reality, science and human nature. To set the record straight, for some people, is impossible. So, to repeat: The American Psychiatric Association says that being gay is a normal variation of human sexuality. So does the American Psychological Council, as well as the National Association of Social Workers. They all agree that reparative therapy is wrong and can lead to dire consequences for the person receiving such

treatment, including depression and even suicide. Despite the abysmal negativity of some people, lets look at the positive: New Yorks marriage law, the repeal of Dont Ask, Dont Tell, federal courts holding DOMA unconstitutional, the California marriage decision, and the bankruptcy court in California refusing to recognize DOMA and, ironically, giving equal rights to bankrupt married gay couples. (Although it wasnt really ironic in that case. Both partners were saddled with insurmountable medical bills and filed joint bankruptcy, which the court allowed. Yes! There are plenty of people out there who believe in LGBT rights. And, yes! There are also plenty of people who are rational and are willing to learn about LGBT equality, a subject about which they are not fully aware. Our opportunity as PFLAG members is to put on our advocacy and education hats and do what we really can do: rationally converse with our friends to persuade and convince these good people that equality is for everyone. Now thats something.

Events News Health

CHAPTER MTGS.
Akron PFLAG
Aug. 18, Sep. 15 - 7 pm
N. Springfield Presbyt. 671 N. Canton Rd.

Cleveland PFLAG
Aug. 9, Sep. 13 7:30 pm
Trinity Episcopal 2230 Euclid Ave,, 44115

Alliance PFLAG
Info: a_cromwel@yahoo.com

Wooster PFLAG
Aug. 18, Sep. 15 - 7 pm
Universalist Fellowship 3186 Burbank Rd.
Please call ahead to confirm.

Youngstown PFLAG
Aug. 21, Sep. 18 - 3 pm
Stonewall Comm. Ctr. 1523 Poland Ave.

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Northeast Ohio PFLAG

Co-parenting has no legal status in Ohio

By Maria L. Shinn, Esq., of Maria L. Shinn, LLC

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.

Things just got tougher for nontraditional families in Ohio. Same-sex parents are already prohibited from seeking second-parent adoptions* in Ohio. Now, as a result of a recent Ohio Supreme Court ruling, non-biological and non-adoptive parents must have a shared custody agreement or a custody order from juvenile court in order to safeguard their rights with regard to their children. On July 12, the Ohio Supreme Court upheld lower court rulings that co-parent Michelle Hobbs is not entitled to shared custody of her former partners daughter. In a 4-3 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that although there was evidence showing that the girls biological mother, Kelly Mullen, had intended to share custody with Hobbs, there was also evidence that Mullen did not enter into an agreement with Hobbs to permanently relinquish sole legal custody of her child in favor of shared legal custody with Hobbs. The Supreme It affirmed the Court stated that lower courts decico-parent doe sion to dismiss Hobbs complaint not equate to for shared cusshared legal tody.

on Lucys ceremonial birth certificate. Hobbs and Mullen jointly cared for Lucy, supported her financially, and held themselves out and acted like a family. Lucy called Hobbs Momma. Mullen named Hobbs as Lucys guardian in her will and signed power of attorney documents, giving Hobbs the ability to make school, health, and other decisions for Lucy. The majority of the Supreme Court, however, agreed with the lower courts that the evidence was sufficient to dismiss Hobbs shared custody complaint. Mulled had refused to sign a shared custody agreement during her relationship with Hobbs. After their breakup, Mullen revoked the will and power of attorney documents which gave Hobbs some custodial responsibilities. The Supreme Court stated that co-parent does not equate to shared legal custody. Justice Pfeifer lamented in his dissent that the law has not caught up to our culture, and this court has failed to craft a rule that addresses reality...A maternal relationship existed between Hobbs and Lucy. Mullen taught her daughter to call another woman Momma and to love her as a mother. She now wishes she hadnt, and for the majority, thats enough. It shouldnt be.
*Second-parent adoptions allow same-sex couples to legally adopt a child together. Such adoptions are not permitted in Ohio, but they are allowed in states such as Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia.

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

HELPLINE: 330-342-5825
Executive Board
President-Ed Kancler; VP-Bill Libby; Secretary-Joe Gardner; Treasurer-Sue Magilavy; At Large-Chris Goldthorpe, David Horowitz, Marie Libby, Audrey Kancler, Joy Watts, Jim Lake, Chuck Magilavy, Bob Menapace

Committee Chairs
Membership-Trish Casserly; Programopen; Publicity-Marie Libby; LibraryDavid Greene; Hospitality-Rada Jenkins; Newsletter-Audrey Kancler

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

mail@pflagcleveland.org

INFOLINE: 216-556-1701
Executive Board
President-Sharon Groh-Wargo; VP-Jes Sellers; Secretary-Marianne Buccini; Treasurer-Art Thomson; At Large-Alan Cohen, Diana DeForest, Craig Hoffman; Legislative Coordinator-Tom Roese; Newsletter-Pat Brandt; Snacks-Gail Smith; Librarian-Gene Ashley; Webmaster-Quentin Jamieson

custody. In his dissenting opinion, Justice Paul Pfeifer concluded that the trial courts decision was not based upon competent, reliable evidence. Hobbs and Mullen were in a committed relationship and agreed to start a family together. Hobbs and Mullen planned the pregnancy, and Mullen gave birth to Lucy Kathleen Mullen in July 2005. Hobbs was listed

July/August 2011

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Equality Ohio updates

SAFE SCHOOLS BILL House Bill 208, which would specify real or perceived traits for which people are most frequently bullied, including sexual orientation and gender identity, received sponsor testimony on June 15. We need supporters to contact their legislators to move this bill forward this fall. Visit http://safeschools.org / for more info. NEW ADDRESS Equality Ohio has moved to new quarters to better accommodate our growing organization. Its right next door to our old place and has more space for volunteers and activities. Our new address is 61 Jefferson Ave., Columbus 43215.

PFLAG Cleveland summer picnic

PFLAG Cleveland will host its annual summer picnic on Sunday, Aug. 14 from 1:00-5:00 p.m. in Berea at the Coe Lake gazebo/ pavilion area located at 85 S. Rocky River Dr., behind the Cuyahoga County Library (Berea Branch) and Berea City Hall. The chapter will provide grill food (meat and vegetarian) and beverages, with catering by Eastland Inn Restaurant and Tavern. Heres what you can bring (sorted by last names beginning with): A-G: appetizers or veggies H-Q: side dishes or summer salads R-Z: fruit, snacks, chips, cookies, or light desserts. All attending members will receive a free PFLAG Cleveland aluminum water bottle. This is an informal family event for old friends and new! For details, visit us at: www.clevelandpflag.org.

Plexus ERG business events

The Plexus Education Foundation LGBT ERG Series sponsored by Key Bank will hold its next roundtable event on Thursday, Aug. 25 at 2:00 p.m. at the LGBT Center of Greater Cleveland, 660 Detroit Ave. Facilitators from Compass Consulting will lead two topical discussions. The first will be a review of the business case for the LGBT ERG. It will highlight four pillars of the business case and prioritize which pillars will be explored in more depth at future events. The second topic will be a discussion of hidden homophobia in the workplace and the role of the ERG in changing attitudes and/or behaviors. A short tour of the LGBT Center will be given 15 minutes prior to the event. There also will be a networking/ social activity following the event at a Progressive LGBT ERG members home. Details will be provided to attendees prior to event. For more information, visit www.plexus.org. SAVE THE DATE Plexus is the chamber of commerce for the LGBT community and its allies in Cleveland. ERGs are Employee Resource Groups formed within companies and business to help promote LGBT equality in the workplace. The August 25 event is being held in partnership with the LGBT ERG of Progressive. It is open to ERG members and ERG sponsors. The 2011 Plexus Supplier Diversity Summit will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 27 at Cleveland State University Student Center, 2121 Euclid Ave. This annual event helps businesses advance their business and supplier diversity goals through meaningful interaction with prominent corporate, organizational and business leaders from across the region and country. Visit www.plexus.org for info.

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Northeast Ohio PFLAG

Mens discussion group

The LGBT Center of Greater Cleveland, 6600 Detroit Ave., is hosting an open mens discussion group on Thursdays from 7:309:00 p.m. The group is open to men who identify as part of the LGBTQ community and is member-led. Participants are invited to share personal experiences and are encouraged to suggest topics for future meetings. Recent topics of discussion include:

CANAPI hosts

Do we live in a time that no longer values human life? If you could be famous, what would you be famous for? How important are Pride parades to the gay community? What are some negative experiences that have made you more positive? What should be happening in health care?

Drag
The Community AIDS Network and Akron Pride Initiative host a monthly drag bingo fundraising event on the last Sunday of each month at 5:00 p.m. at Greystone Hall, 103 S. High St. Join us for a fabulous drag show immediately following a evening of bingo excitement, as well as heavy hors doeuvres, free coffee and tea, and cash bar. Upcoming dates are: August 28, September 25, October 30 and November 20. Tickets are $20 and also include nine cards per bingo game for five games (thats 45 chances to win!). Minimum pay-outs are $50 for the first four games and $250 for the jackpot final round. Must be 18 years old to play. Proceeds benefit CAN. For tickets call 330-252-1559 or visit the CANAPI offices at 895 N. Main St.

Visit www.lgbtcleveland.org for more info.

Valley of the Dolls hits stage

The Valley of the Dolls, a best-selling novel, blockbuster motion picture and cult classic, is now being brought to the local stage. Valley tells the story of three young women who set out to New York City to find fame and fortune. As their stories unfold, each finds love, fame and happiness, but ultimately loses it all, as booze, treachery and pills known as dolls take their toll. The stage music features music by Andre and Dory Previn, including Ill Plant My Own Tree and Its Impossible. The performances will be a staged concert in costume with some props, but will not feature sets, lighting, etc. The show is not suitable for children. A benefit performance at the Cassidy Theater, 6200 Pearl Rd., Cleveland on Monday, Aug. 22 at 8:00 p.m. will support the AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland/ Community AIDS Network.

Tickets are $25 (general admission) and may be ordered at www.aidstaskforce.org. A second benefit performance can be seen on Monday, Aug. 29 at 7:30 p.m. at Weathervane Theater, 1301 Weathervane Ln., Akron. Tickets are $21 and will support in part the Community AIDS Network. Find tickets online at weathervaneplayhouse.com.

HRC Gala
The Human Rights Campaign will host its 18th annual Gala dinner and silent auction at the Wolstein Center, 2000 Prospect Ave., Cleveland on Saturday, Aug. 27. For details, visit HRC at: www.clevelandhrc.org.

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10 Reasons to attend the 2011 PFLAG National Convention

The PFLAG National Convention will be held in Washington, D.C., November 3-6. Here are 10 reasons why you should attend: 1. Betty DeGeneres! Need we say more? Come listen to her speak about turning her love for her daughter into a public passion for equal rights advocacy. 2. See and hear how the work youre doing at home connects you to a network of advocates who are advocating equality across the country. 3. Engage in cooperative learning with other PFLAGers and find out what activities and projects chapters are doing in their communities. 4. Our lobby day will allow you to make the PFLAG voice heard with regard to safer schools for all students. 5. Its a priceless investment in your chapters growth to send a key member to this event. 6. Meet the PFLAG National staff and learn how we are working to strengthen PFLAG at the national level. 7. See new and exciting LGBT-focused films during our film festivalsure to entertain and enlighten! 8. Meet PFLAG leaders from all over the nation. 9. You will explore ways to effectively communicate with diverse people and find commonalities in our journey to equality. 10. Hear about important research and how chapters can use it to better support PFLAG families. Visit www.pflag.org/convention for a full schedule and registration.

Soulforce Equality Ride

For the past five years, the Soulforce Equality Ride has traveled across the country visiting institutions of higher learning that discriminate against LGBTQ people. There are hundreds of schools in this country that still openly discriminate. Soulforce advocates principles of nonviolence to effect change, including the need to dismantle oppression at its source. We are now planning our next ride, set to embark in the spring of 2012. This year we are excited to announce an initiative called the Hit the Road! campaign. It allows individuals and groups the opportunity to join us on the ride as Virtual Equality Partners. The Rider Pages on the Soulforce website provide photos and bios about our riders, and are a method for riders friends and supporters to offer monetary gifts for the journey. Now other individuals and groups will be able to have their own Virtual Rider pages with photos, bios and descriptions of why they support the Equality Ride program. Virtual Rider pages open for an initial donation of $100. Virtual riders who raise $1,000 by the launch of 2012 will have their name listed on the outside of our bus! They will also get exclusive updates and videos from the road and be the first to get news about the 2012 ride. Registration includes a special kit, plus templates, and live tech support to support their Virtual Rider page. Find more information at http://www.soulforce.org/ programs/equality-ride/

Cleveland Gay Games update

Tom Nobbe, executive director at Cleveland Special Events Corp., one of the organizers of the Cleveland Gay Games, made an appearance at the June PFLAG Cleveland meeting to update us on this exciting event. The 9th Gay Games is slated to be held in the Cleveland/Akron area on August 9-16, 2014. It includes over 30 sporting events, including swimming, weight lifting, track and field, wrestling, volleyball, and even rodeo. With over 13,000 athletes competing from all over the world, the Gay Games is the largest single sporting event in Ohio history. The Games also feature cultural events like concerts, theme parties, and exhibitions for athletes, spectators, community members and other visitors. Learn more about the Gay Games at its new website: http://www.2014gaygames cleveland.com/

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Northeast Ohio PFLAG

U.N. votes for protection of gay rights

The United Nations, in a cautiously worded declaration, endorsed the rights of LGBT people for the first time ever in an historic resolution this summer. The resolution was hailed by the U.S. and other backers and decried by African and Islamic countries, according to the Associated Press. "This represents a historic moment to highlight the human rights abuses and violations that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people face around the world based solely on who they are and whom they love," U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said in a statement. The resolution expressed grave concern about abuses suffered by peoU.S. Secretary ple because of of State Hilary their sexual orientation, and Rodham Clinton commissioned a global report on discrimination of gays, which will be reviewed at a later meeting, according to news reports. Rights Council and gained 23 votes in favor and 19 against, the AP reported. Supporters included the United States, the European Union, Brazil and other Latin American countries. Those against included Russia, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria and Pakistan. China, Burkina Faso and Zambia abstained, the AP reported, Speaking on behalf of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Pakistans ambassador to the U.N. in Geneva said the resolution had nothing to do with fundamental human rights, and Nigerias representative claimed the proposal went against the wishes of most Africans, according to AP report. According to Amnesty International, consensual same-sex relations are illegal in 76 countries worldwide, while harassment and discrimination are common in many more. "The Human Rights Council has taken a first bold step into territory previously considered off-limits," said Graeme Reid, director of the LGBT Rights program at Human Rights Watch in the AP report. "We hope this groundbreaking step will spur greater efforts to address the horrible abuses perpetrated on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity."

Healthcare Equality Index

The Human Rights Campaign recently released its 2011 Healthcare Equality Index. The report rates 87 survey respondents (representing 375 facilities nationwide) on their policies related to LGBT patients and families. This years index lists a record-number of facilities working toward LGBT healthcare equality. Criteria for the index include: (1) a patients bill of rights and/or nondiscrimination policy that includes sexual orientation and gender identity/ expression, (2) visitation policies with explicitly LGBTinclusive language granting same-sex partners the same access as heterosexual couples and next of kin, (3) LGBT cultural competency training for staff, and (4) equal employment policies that include sexual orientation and gender identity. The highest rated facility in Northeast Ohio was the University of Toledo Medical Center which met every criteria except staff training. The Metro-Health System was rated as adequate on three of the four criteria, with select medical groups within Metro-Health scoring slightly higher. University Hospitals of Cleveland and the Cleveland Clinic Foundation rated well on patient rights and equal employment opportunities related to sexual orientation, but not gender identity/expression. These systems also do not include inclusive visitation policies. Download the report at: http://www.hrc.org/hei2011/ #.TjMgxYIrXSs

This represents a historic moment.

The declaration was put forward by South Africa to the U.N. Human

American Association of Retired Persons

The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) has created a new online home for the older LGBT community. The page links to news stories on topics such as same-sex marriage, gay adoption and the repeal of DADT, as well as articles on personal finance, travel and other issue of interest. Check it out at aarp.org/pride.

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