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  • Archive for May, 2009

    Cleveland Pride Fundraiser: He Said She Said @ Twist Friday, June 5th 10:00 PM


    2009 - 05.31

    Join hE said (S)hE said on Friday June 5, 2009 at 9:00pm for a sock-hop style Cleveland Pride Fundraiser at Twist Social Club. Raffle prizes including Indian’s box seats, Pride giveaways and much much more. Be sure to check out our kissing booth and wet t-shirt contest!

    Roll up your sleeves and peg your pants in support of Cleveland Pride.

    http://www.myspace.com/hesaidshesaidtroupe

    Be there, don’t be a square!

    LETs RALLY TOGETHER FOR UNITY and EQUALITY! New LGBT Event Kicks off Sunday, May 31, 2009


    2009 - 05.29

    Cleveland Pride and Cadillac Ranch have partnered to bring an event to Northeast Ohio’s LGBT community that will benefit you, and will help to provide ongoing LGBT initiatives in the Cleveland/Northeast Ohio region.

    Beginning Sunday, May 31, Cleveland Pride and Cadillac Ranch kick off a weekly event designed to unite the LGBT community, and to provide a way for both organizations to give back to you, the members of Cleveland’s LGBT population.

    The Barroom at Cadillac Ranch will host an exclusive LGBT event every Sunday beginning at 4 p.m. through the bar’s closing at 2:30 a.m. Free appetizers and drink specials will be provided, as well as local and national entertainment, and we’ll even have some of Cleveland’s best-known drag queens as your bartenders!

    For only a $2 donation each week, proceeds will go toward educational programming and ongoing resources for the LGBT community. This is a fantastic way for everyone involved to give back to our community–Cadillac Ranch provides the space, drinks and entertainment; Cleveland Pride creates additional resources for our community; and you lend your spirit and goodwill by attending and having a great time.

    “We are pleased to partner with Cadillac Ranch to create an event that is focused on giving back to the LGBT community,” said Todd Saporito, CEO/Board President of Cleveland Pride.

    It’s a win-win all around, and a great way to galvanize and to unite our diverse LGBT population. Your participation and donation goes to help all of us in the LGBT community, while providing you with a good time and the chance to meet new friends, and to create memories with your existing friends.

    The event will occur every Sunday, all summer long, and is THE hot new event in town.

    From go-go boys, to live local and national DJs, with your favorite drag queens tending bar, and the best crowd in town, this event will be nothing like Cleveland has ever seen! And its all for you–the esteemed and valued members of Northeast Ohio’s LGBT community!!

    Here’s a brief run-down of what you can expect each and every Sunday this summer, beginning this Sunday at 4 p.m.:
    –free appetizers from 4 to 8 p.m.
    –$5 “Flirtinis”
    –$2 domestic beers
    –Dancing til 2:30 a.m.!!!
    –Live DJs!
    –Athena Ghost as your upstairs bartender!
    –Hot go-go boys
    –Hot dance music from the 90s through today’s hottest new sounds
    –VIP area where you can enjoy your own bottles of champagne and personalized bartending service

    The Barroom is located at 200 Euclid Ave. in downtown Cleveland in the old May Company building.

    Call 216-685-0000 to reserve a VIP table or for more information.

    And don’t forget to visit www.clevelandpride.org for information about this event and about your upcoming Pride Parade and Festival.

    See you Sunday at the Barroom!!!

    Robin Stone set to “WOW” crowds at Cleveland Pride Festival


    2009 - 05.28

    Cleveland Pride and “She Loves You Records” announce that Robin Stone will perform at this year’s annual Pride Festival on June 20.

    Stone, recently voted “Best Vocalist” by Scene Magazine Readers Poll, has battled paralysis in her voicebox and a larger health issue while still recording 15 new tracks that have re-defined her image as a songwriter and singer.

    “Cleveland Pride is pleased to have Robin as a performer at our event. Her courage and fortitude in the face of her illness is an inspiration,” observed Todd Saporito, 2009 Cleveland Pride Board President/CEO.

    “We are excited for a dazzling, entertaining performance,” he added.

    Stone takes the main stage at 6 p.m. and will perform songs from her new CD, “Bad Girl”. The festival audience will be treated to a live performance of her new songs the day before her CD release.

    On her new CD, Robin delves into R&B, Neo-Soul, Blues and Groove Jazz and her CD has a light-hearted, “feel good” vibe and sound.

    Stone is currently raising funds to offset her medical costs that have drained her CD production budget. Donations may be made online at www.SheLovesYouRecords.com

    About Robin Stone
    Stone has recruited Darrel Williams, and guitarist Enrique Troi in her latest musical effort. Her CD drops June 21, with a kick-off performance at Brother’s Lounge on 11609 Detroit Ave. in Cleveland. Nationally renowned smooth jazz artist David Wells will accompany Stone at her performance.

    A national media and radio campaign to promote her new CD will be launched later this summer.

    About Cleveland Pride
    Founded in 1989, Cleveland Pride has been an integral part of the Northeastern Ohio region for the past 21 years. Cleveland’s Pride celebration is among the first half-dozen such events launched in the U.S., making our Parade and Festival among the longest continuing Pride events in the country.

    On an ongoing basis, Cleveland Pride brings awareness, education and knowledge of the queer community to the general public to discourage/eliminate prejudice and discrimination on the basis of a person’s actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. Cleveland Pride openly recognizes and embraces all individuals of the queer community who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer questioning, intersex and straight allies, while understanding that each group identified exists in all ages, races, national origins and physical abilities.

    # # #

    KeyBank to Sponsor Cleveland Pride 2009


    2009 - 05.28

    Contact: Chris Cheuvront

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    Cleveland Pride is pleased to announce that it will partner with KeyBank for this year’s Cleveland Pride celebration in Voinovich Park on June 20. KeyBank becomes another of Cleveland Pride’s major sponsors this year.

    By partnering, Cleveland Pride and Key Bank will promote awareness and acceptance of the LGBT community to the Northeast Ohio region, as well as putting Cleveland Pride’s “Equality through Unity” theme into practice.

    “Cleveland Pride is pleased to announce KeyBank as one of our chief sponsors for 2009. This alignment will help to reinforce to the straight community that the LGBT population is a real, viable and vital segment of the Greater Cleveland community,” observed Todd Saporito, 2009 Cleveland Pride Board President/CEO.

    “Diversity is a core value at Key. We’re proud of our diversity record and pleased to partner with Cleveland Pride to support the LGBT community in Northeast Ohio,” said Cleveland District President Lisa Oliver.

    Key Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer Chuck Hyle, who serves as executive sponsor of the LGBT Key Business Networking Group (KBNG), adds: “The formation of our LGBT KBNG underscores Key’s commitment to attracting, developing, and building relationships with diverse groups of employees and clients. Members of this team represent and support Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender employees across all of Key’s lines of business, support areas and geographies.

    “Each Key Business Networking Group embodies unique talents, skills and experience that will help Key grow its business. The LGBT KBNG, like its counterparts, is dedicated to helping people make better financial decisions for their lives and businesses by embodying a culture based on the Key Values.”

    KeyBank has been named to DiversityInc magazine’s Top 50 Companies for Diversity and received a special distinction in 2007 as a Top 10 Company for Supplier Diversity. Key also has received perfect scores of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index, a national benchmark on how businesses serve and support LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) consumers, employees and investors. In 2007, The Advocate, the leading national LGBT news magazine, cited Key as one of its “Fabulous Five” Best Companies.

    According to Oliver, KeyBank will conduct a raffle for a Garmin GPS at its Pride festival booth.

    ABOUT KEYCORP
    Cleveland-based KeyCorp is one of the nation’s largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $98 billion. BusinessWeek Magazine named Key the top bank in its Customer Service Champ 2009 edition, ranking Key 11th out of the top-25 companies that include many known for their customer service acumen. Key companies provide investment management, retail and commercial banking, consumer finance, and investment banking products and services to individuals and companies throughout the United States and, for certain businesses, internationally. For more information, visit ww.key.com.

    ABOUT CLEVELAND PRIDE
    Founded in 1989, Cleveland Pride has been an integral part of the Northeastern Ohio region for the past 21 years. Cleveland’s Pride celebration is among the first half-dozen such events launched in the U.S., making our Parade and Festival among the longest continuing Pride events in the country.
    On an ongoing basis, Cleveland Pride brings awareness, education and knowledge of the queer community to the general public to discourage/eliminate prejudice and discrimination on the basis of a person’s actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. Cleveland Pride openly recognizes and embraces all individuals of the queer community who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer questioning, intersex and straight allies, while understanding that each group identified exists in all ages, races, national origins and physical abilities.
    # # #

    Cleveland Pride Conducts Parade Peace Keepers Training


    2009 - 05.28

    PEACE KEEPERS TRAINING – ATTENDANCE MANDATORY

    As previously agreed, all groups marching in the parade must provide two (2) peacekeepers to ensure the smooth delivery of the Cleveland Pride. Cleveland Pride is offering three mandatory trainings this year, each peacekeeper must attend one (1). The times and locations are listed below:

    • June 4, 2009 7:00 PM at Twist Social Club 11633 Clifton Blvd Cleveland, OH
    • June 6, 2009 2:00 PM at Cleveland Pride Office 11100 Detroit Ave. Cleveland, OH
    • June 11, 2009 7:00 PM at Twist Social Club 116333 Clifton Blvd Cleveland, OH

    Cleveland Pride staff will provide the contracts to sign at the time of this training session. Please allocate 30 minutes for the training to ensure all materials will be reviewed.

    If you have any questions please contact the Jon Britton at (216) 287-9121.

    PuNane presents the 4th Annual Talent Showcase on Saturday, June 6 @ 8:30 pm


    2009 - 05.27
    PuNane

    PuNane

    PuNane presents the 4th Annual Talent Showcase

    Saturday, June 6, 2009
    At

    Unitarian Universalist Society of Cleveland
    2728 Lancashire Road
    Cleveland Heights, Ohio

    (A womyn only event)

    You don’t want to miss this fun event!
    Come out to support local womyn doing their thing.

    For tickets contact Marcia @ 216-409-1494

    $5 in advance $8 at the door.
    8:30PM-11:00PM
    Doors open at 8:30PM for music &
    heavy hors d’oeuvres & Prizes!
    Show starts at 9:00PM Sharp

    After Party At Lady Z’s!
    4002 Jennings Road Cleveland, OH 44109

    Performers are still needed contact Marcia today!
    216-409-1494

    Poets, Singers, Comedians, Dancers, Musicians, Artists, Kings and You!

    PuNane’ (n. a group of women working together to showcase African American lesbian culture in Cleveland

    Hilton Garden Inn joins Cleveland Pride as a Star Sponsor and Three Free Night Stays


    2009 - 05.21

    Hilton Garden Inn and Cleveland Pride will be working together as partners for this year’s Cleveland Pride celebration in Voinovich Park on June 20. Hilton Garden Inn is a new sponsor of Cleveland Pride’s parade and festival, the city’s largest annual event.

    By partnering, Hilton Garden Inn and Cleveland Pride will promote a worthy cause—to bring awareness and acceptance of the LGBT community to the Northeast Ohio region, as well as putting Cleveland Pride’s “Equality through Unity” theme into practice.

    The Hilton Garden Inn is providing three, free-night stays for two along with breakfast the following morning for two at the Great American Grill. These will be raffled at special fundraising events between now and June 20 to the general public.

    “Cleveland Pride is pleased to announce Hilton Garden Inn as a sponsor for Cleveland Pride’s 2009 festival and parade, and we couldn’t be happier to be aligned with them,” observed Todd Saporito, 2009 Cleveland Pride Board President/CEO.

    The Hilton Garden Inn Cleveland Downtown opened in March 2002, and is a unique addition to Cleveland. Located at the “Gateway” to the city, the Hilton Garden Inn is a full service property offering guestrooms right across from Progressive Field and Quicken Loans Arena. Other nearby venues includes the Warehouse District, Playhouse Square, Cleveland State University, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, The Science Center and Tower City for shopping.

    “The Hilton Garden Downtown Cleveland is pleased to announce a partnership with this year’s Cleveland Pride,” stated Jeff Glover, Sales Manager. “The hotel is realizes the importance of this event to the city of Cleveland and welcomes all Pride attendees.”

    Our 240 guest rooms (includes 8-Suites) feature in-house coffee makers, refrigerators, microwave ovens, 2 data ports, and complimentary WIFI as well as high-speed Internet access. Laundry facilities and a Business Center are available 24 hours a day.

    $92 per day (tax not included),  Group code – CLP; 6/17/09 through 6/22/09; group rates expire 06/12/2009
    For reservations: Hilton Garden Inns Cleveland www.clevelanddowntown.stayhgi.com 877-782-9444


    ABOUT CLEVELAND PRIDE

    Founded in 1989, Cleveland Pride has been an integral part of the Northeastern Ohio region for the past 21 years. Cleveland’s Pride celebration is among the first half-dozen such events launched in the U.S., making our Parade and Festival among the longest continuing Pride events in the country.

    On an ongoing basis, Cleveland Pride brings awareness, education and knowledge of the queer community to the general public to discourage/eliminate prejudice and discrimination on the basis of a person’s actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. Cleveland Pride openly recognizes and embraces all individuals of the queer community who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer questioning, intersex and straight allies, while understanding that each group identified exists in all ages, races, national origins and physical abilities.

    ABOUT HILTON GARDEN INNS
    Hilton Garden Inn, with more than 430 hotels, placed #2 overall in the Upscale Select Service category, earning the #1 ranking in the following five categories: corporate rate programs, helpful and courteous staff, quality biz center, in-room biz amenities, overall price/value relationship. Hilton Garden Inn is the award-winning, mid-priced brand that continually strives to ensure today’s busy travelers have everything they need to be most productive on the road including a full service restaurant, 24-hour Pavilion Pantry mini market, fitness facilities, complimentary Wi-Fi, PrintSpots™ mobile printing to the hotel’s complimentary 24-hour business center and one of the most comfortable beds you will ever experience with the adjustable pressure-relieving Garden Sleep SystemTM.

    Charter One Returns as Silver Sponsor of Cleveland Pride


    2009 - 05.21

    Charter One and Cleveland Pride will be working together as partners for this year’s Cleveland Pride celebration in Voinovich Park on June 20. Charter One is a returning sponsor of Cleveland Pride’s parade and festival, the city’s largest annual event.

    By partnering, Charter One and Cleveland Pride will promote a worthy cause—to bring awareness and acceptance of the LGBT community to the Northeast Ohio region, as well as putting Cleveland Pride’s “Equality through Unity” theme into practice.

    “Cleveland Pride is honored to have Charter One as a returning sponsor for Cleveland Pride’s 2009 festival and parade,” observed Todd Saporito, 2009 Cleveland Pride Board President/CEO.

    “This critical partnership shows the Northeast Ohio region that partnerships can transcend the bigotry and discrimination often levied against the LGBT community,” added Saporito. “We couldn’t be happier to be partnering with Charter One again,” he concluded.

    “Charter One is committed to making a difference in the community,” said Carrie Carpenter, vice president and director of public affairs at Charter One.

    “We are honored to partner with Cleveland Pride to promote a strong and diverse city,” she added.

    About Charter One
    Charter One is a division of RBS Citizens, N.A., operating in Illinois, Michigan and Ohio. It has approximately 360 branches and 615 ATMs. It has 148 branches and 169 ATMs in Ohio. Charter One’s Web site is charterone.com.

    RBS Citizens, N.A. is a subsidiary of Citizens Financial Group, Inc., a $167 billion commercial bank holding company headquartered in Providence, R.I. CFG’s two bank subsidiaries are RBS Citizens, N.A. and Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania. They operate a 12-state branch network under the Citizens Bank brand in Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont, and the Charter One brand in Illinois, Michigan and Ohio. CFG has non-branch retail and commercial offices in about 40 states. It is one of the 10 largest commercial banking companies in the United States ranked by assets. CFG is owned by RBS (The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc). CFG’s Web site is citizensbank.com.

    About Cleveland Pride
    Founded in 1989, Cleveland Pride has been an integral part of the Northeastern Ohio region for the past 21 years. Cleveland’s Pride celebration is among the first half-dozen such events launched in the U.S., making our Parade and Festival among the longest continuing Pride events in the country.

    On an ongoing basis, Cleveland Pride brings awareness, education and knowledge of the queer community to the general public to discourage/eliminate prejudice and discrimination on the basis of a person’s actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. Cleveland Pride openly recognizes and embraces all individuals of the queer community who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer questioning, intersex and straight allies, while understanding that each group identified exists in all ages, races, national origins and physical abilities.

    Win Tickets to “Valentino: The Last Emperor” at the Cedar Lee on May 22, 2009


    2009 - 05.19

    VALENTINO THE LAST EMPEROR is a feature film that has captured the hearts and imaginations of audiences. It is a behind-the-scenes look at the world of fashion, featuring access never-before allowed in the high temples of Haute Couture. The legendary Valentino is the star of the film, along with his longtime business partner, Giancarlo Giammetti.

    VALENTINO THE LAST EMPEROR follows them for the final two years of their careers, and show the struggles the two men face as they confront the final act of a nearly 50-year career at the top of the world’s most glamorous and competitive game. The struggle of art against commerce is at the center of the film. In the end, however, the story proves to be not one about money or expensive clothes, but about love.

    Readership of www.ClevelandPride.org are welcome to email the promoters. The first two hundred (200) emails will be placed into a drawing for a pair of free tickets to the opening at the Cedar Lee Theater

    The production company for the film is Acolyte Films and there is more information at their website is www.valentinomovie.com.

    Email your information to valentinotix@gmail.com to enter to win tickets.

    CLEVELAND, OH – Starting MAY 22 at Cedar Lee Theater
    Info and tickets at www.clevelandcinemas.com

    Cleveland Pride joins Colors of Cleveland Pride for Fundraiser @ Lady-Z’s Saturday, May 23rd 9:00 PM


    2009 - 05.18

    colors-of-cleveland-pride

    DIVE Fundraiser Party
    Saturday, May 23, 2009
    Please join us in celebrating Cleveland’s LGBTQI Diversity

    Colors of Cleveland Pride, Inc. was created to provide the needed services to all LGBTQI communities of color, in an effort to bridge the racial divisiveness locally and nationally within all LGBTQI and ally communities. Our mission is to bring awareness, education, and knowledge of the plights of all LBGTQI communities of color to the general public in order to provide dialogue, intervention, and resolution, in addition to developing and nurturing relationships with other community organizations to support the needs of these communities of color. This mission will be accomplished through alliances, educational, literary, social and charitable programming.

    Colors of Cleveland Pride, cordially invites you to celebrate Cleveland’s LGBTQI & Allies’ Diversity, in addition to kicking off the holiday weekend with a fun-filled night at Lady Z’s, 4002 Jennings Road.

    • Live DJ & Dancing
    • Live Entertainment Featuring Unladielike, All for You, Marlette the Diva, Erica Martinez, Brandy, Cindy of Asian & Friends, Isis & Much More
    • Drink Specials
    • Door Prizes
    • Raffles, Raffles & More Raffles (Good Stuff)
    • Auction featuring Dinner Dates with Diane, Jeno, RJ and Sonja, Hotel Packages for over 90 Resorts in the U.S., CAVS Gift Cards, Cleveland Indians Tickets, Movie Gift Cards, L&G Event Tickets, Business Startup Package (Logo, Business Cards (250), & Letterhead Custom Designs), & Custom Web Page Design
    • Donations Appreciated at the Door
    • A portion of the event proceeds to benefit Cleveland Pride, Inc.
    • 21 & Older

    We look forward to seeing you there for a fun-filled evening.