‘Fusion’ holding acceptance benefit

Ali White

A montage of musical performers are coming together to support a community they feel needs to be accepted more — the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender community and its straight allies, tomorrow night.

Lasting from 9 p.m. to midnight, Fusion magazine is hosting a fund-raiser at Club Khameleon. The event includes three acts with a girl-fronted punk rock band, a DJ and an acoustic set.

Steven Harbaugh, Fusion editor and religion and culture reporter for the Daily Kent Stater, said the magazine is a bi-annual publication focusing on sexual minority issues but with an educational approach.

“We focus on hard-hitting issues facing the LGBT community not touched on mainstream media,” Harbaugh said.

First on the list of performers is Evan “Evolution” Bailey, a local DJ rated the best DJ in Ohio, according to the Cleveland Free Times. He said he was happy to donate his services to a magazine doing such an exceptional job.

“The lineup is pretty diverse, which you don’t typically see,” Bailey said. “It’s a fun way to support a good magazine, and I’m glad I could help.”

Cheque Point, the next act on the list, got involved when Harbaugh contacted them online.

“Steven found us on MySpace and asked us if we wanted to get involved,” said Keith Simmerer, guitarist in Cheque Point. “No one in the band fits the category of gay, but we all know someone who is gay and thought it would be great to help. I think it’s not just a night for gay people either; it’s a night for the acceptance of people in general.”

The four-person group has a sound that is a cross between Cheap Trick and Joan Jett. Including two brothers and a female lead singer, the band fits the diversity of the magazine precisely.

The final performer is Megan Cavanaugh, senior musical theater major. Cavanaugh is playing the acoustic guitar and singing.

“We thought a benefit concert for Fusion magazine would be a great way to raise money for the magazine and have fun,” Harbaugh said. “Everyone is playing for free, and we are really hoping a lot of people come out to support the magazine.”

Contact college of communication and information reporter Ali White at [email protected].