Vol. 2 A Publication of the GEAR Foundation Issue 12

HIGH GEAR

1976 GEAR

LABOR DAY MASK RALLY IN COLUMBUS

WHERE: Statehouse lawn, assuring full citizenship to

Columbus, Ohio.

WHEN: 2 p.m. Labor Day, 9-6-76. WHY: Election year strategy, gay pride, and public education. WHO: All gay women and men and gay rights advocates. ATTIRE: Masks.

COLUMBUS Organized by the Central Ohio lesbians, the all-Ohio gay rights rally intends to take advantage of the election year opportunity to press for legislative action

homosexuals. Politicians will not stick their necks out for our rights without proof that we are an active and potent political force.

Participants are encouraged to wear masks for two reasons: 1) This will enable all lesbians, gay men and gay rights advocates to participate without fear for job or social repercussions (Target attendance is 1000). 2) Masks will dramatize the oppressive dual life-style most

BEWARE: METRO PARKS ENTRAPMENT

CLEVELAND -The Gay Swit-

All four cases involved arrests

chboard (216) 696-5330, reports by undercover agents in late

that within the past two weeks four calls have been received from gay men who were arrested for "sexual imposition, importuning, and disorderly conduct" at separate Metropolitan Park Districts. The complaints have been referred to the American Civil Liberties Union and the area ACLU branch has agreed to handle at least one of the cases. The Metropolitan Park Districts under surveillance are Berea, Bedford, Rocky River and South Chagrin reservations.

model cars or vans who sat in parking lots near men's rest rooms. The agents would repeatedly follow individuals into the rest rooms, say nothing, but would place themselves in approachable positions. One agent was reported to have deliberately brushed against a "suspect" as the "suspect" was leaving the rest room. Another agent made small talk until the arrested party asked him if he wanted to "make love." Complaints of the other two parties

RADIO LAMBDA RETURNS

of us are forced into.

It is felt a labor day rally is especially appropriate to voice our demands for equal employment opportunities and for an end to legally sanctioned social and

economic discrimination against gays. The tentative program will address these areas of interest: Legislative Action, Resistance in the Religious Community and Employment Problems.

dealt with overt sex acts (a disorderly conduct charge).

Non-entrapped individuals have also reported observing agents carefully watch and follow any men who parked and left their cars. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT GAYS TAKE EXTREME CAUTION IN ALL METROPOLITAN PARK DISTRICTS. Unfortunately, entrapment is considered admissible evidence for prosecution in Ohio courts (even though consensual sexual behavior in the state is legal). According to David Fisher,

Parking is available under the Statehouse for those who wish to come and go discretely. Also, an obscure Ohio law states that if you commit a misdemeanor while wearing a mask and uniting with others, you are guilty of a felony. While all legal. arrangements will be made for the rally itself, masked participants should be careful not to jaywalk, drink beer in public. ATTENDANCE BY BOTH

ACLU staff assistant, the laws are such that if a "reasonable outside observer" were to see the "affrontive" public conduct, and would surmise it is solicitious, masturbatory or. sexual in nature, it is "unlawful."

The end result is that a great deal of what is public "affrontive sexual behavior" is left to the discretion of the officers. While park agents turn their heads when heterosexuals kiss or "neck" in public, two gay women or men displaying the same affection immediately are written a summons.

WOMEN AND MEN IS CRUCIAL, as is money. At least several hundred dollars must be raised to cover travel expenses for speakers, sound equipment, etc. Your support is needed! Please send suggestions, questions, and donations to: Central Ohio Lesbians P.O. Box 8393 Columbus, Ohio 43201 Phone 614-291-9114 614-299-0824

Fisher feels that "the handsoff attitude of the U.S. Supreme Court is serving to increase police action against gays even on the slightest public affection." His suspicions seem warranted. The Metropolitan Park police have always done extensive surveillance in the arena of drug-related matters (prevention of marijuana planting on park property and obstruction of drug deals, etc.); but it is only within the last month and a half that entrapment of gay people has emerged as a top concern. The frightening thing is that it's all legal.

New members of "Radio Free Lambda" staff learn production skills from "Lambda" originator John Vogel. Left to right: Neil, John, Stan.

CLEVELAND WRUW, 91.1 FM, announced that Radio Free Lambda, Cleveland's gay radio program, will once again be aired. The program begins at 10:00 p.m. every Monday night, lasting 30 to 60 minutes.

News, music, interviews, and other features of interest to the gay community will be broadcast. The programmers will try to keep gays informed about events and resources, helping listeners to work out their own liberation.

One of the few gay-oriented radio or TV series in the United States, Radio Free Lambda was begun in October 1975 by a graduate student at Case

Western Reserve University. He was forced by his thesis deadline suspend broadcasting from the beginning of June through the beginning of August.

The four present coordinators are gay men who have been attending the rap groups at the Free Clinic since spring. They would appreciate any idea or offers of help for the program, particularly from gay women who would like to be on the air.

Comments and offers of help may be addressed to Radio Free Lambda, WRUW, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland Ohio 44106, or to the Gay Switchboard, 696-5330.

Member of the new "Radio Free Lambda" staff, Herb, alias J. Alfred Prufrock.

CALL THE GAY SWITCHBOARD FOR HELP, INFORMATION, REFERRALS 6 P.M. 2 A.M. SUN. THURS. 8 P.M. 3 A.M. FRI. SAT. 696-5330