CPGU

CPGU Moves On

CLEVELAND Initiated some three months ago by GEAR members as an organization separate from the GEAR Foundation, the Cleveland Gay Federation held its first public meeting, November 19th. At this organizational gathering general objectives and the make-up of the group were discussed. The first action taken was to change the name from the Cleveland Gay Federation which some members felt to be a misnomer since it implies a co-op of more than one organization, to the Cleveland Gay Political Union. The I participants agreed to act I primarily as a force to enact civil rights legislation in the immediate communities of Cuyahoga County.

Two Akron Area Bar Managers Speak to KGLF Initially, feelers were to be

KENT At the invitation of the Kent Gay Liberation Front, Steve Skrobot of Akron's American Hotel and Restaurant and Mary Boron of Canton's new women's bar, Hal's, spoke to a group of forty people at KGLF's general meeting December 22nd. After providing general information about their respective bars, the two fielded questions from the audience. Skrobot was asked if the American had ever been harassed by Akron police. His response: "No, we've never had any problems with the police. In fact for some reason they think that gays running around downtown is an evil while gays create no problem if they're on the outskirts. One policeman bluntly said to me: 'We would rather see homosexuals where you can't see them'."

Bill Hoover, a co-chairperson of KGLF, mentioned that the bar owner's association in Florida supports civil rights for gay people and is extraordinarily cooperative with all gay groups in the area. He wondered whether Hal's and the American would make efforts toward such cooperation. Boron, speaking on behalf of the owners of Hal's offered space for the meetings of any non-profit groups. Skrobot said that within the next month the American will display a permanent bulletin board for announcements of group activities, speaking engagements, and general information on services. He also said that he has broadcast meetings of the MCC in

Akron during busy Friday and Saturday nights. Offering free use of his facilities to non-profit organizations, Skrobot stated he is open to fund raising events for gay causes. He added that he has made efforts to initiate a co-operative endeavor among the bars in Akron but has not received any positive response. A KGLF member said a friend of hers felt the American gave

I sent out to Mayor Perk and city I council to gauge their attitudes on homosexual legislation; however on the advice of a local experienced activist, strategy has since changed. Attempts will be made to cultivate copies of legislation from other nearby communities, particularly Columbus, Yellow Springs, Ann Arbor, and East Lansing. After o

watered down, short shot drinks. GEAR Reps in Media

Steve responded by inviting the inspection of his stock by any I individual to see first-hand that I all his bottles are sealed and drinks not watered down. "Some people might be treated better than others by those behind the! bars; but no one is ever given a short shot."

The American policy on straights: "Those who are accompanied by gays are admitted. Generally, we don't discriminate against straights unless they are troublemakers."

Asked why the American never plays a slow song, Steve replied: "We play one slow dance every Friday or Saturday night; but we try to keep the mood of the evening going, and we do that best by recreating the N.Y. or Hollywood scene."

CLEVELAND Continuing its intense media blitz of the Cleveland area, the GEAR Foundation will soon be appearing on WSUM Radio, 1000 on the AM dial, and WKYC-TV's (Channel 3) Sunday Magazine. The WSUM presentation on that station's Viewpoint program will be aired Sunday, December 14th at 4:00 p.m., and the Sunday Magazine appearance which will feature two separate twelve minute interviews with a male GEAR representative and a KGLF feminist, is tentatively scheduled for January 25. To date, interviews on WEWS-TV's "Inner Circle," "In My Opinion," and WMMS Radio's "JabberI wocky" have placed GEAR in

The meeting was thought worthwhile and productive by most of those in attendance although all bar managers who were invited did not attend. Overall it was an important step! in bridging the gap between the I bars and other gay organizations.

Mary and Steve at Kent

Photo by Chris Jacobson

contact with gays in Sandusky, Medina and Erie, Pa., and have sparked positive responses and requests to the Speaker's Bureau.

Sand on Tube

W.V.I.Z. Channel 25 has been

featuring a series on the life of

bisexual novelist and poetess George Sand. Viewers are forewarned that they "might find I portions of the program

are

objectionable." The dramatic multiptych portrays George Sand with a considerable I degree of accuracy. Her bohemian life style, courageous feminism and lesbianism and | literary genius I sympathetically rendered. Sand's progressive philosophy and insight are also I convincingly delivered. The I series is well worth watching.(so far). It can be seen on "Masterpiece Theatre" at 9 P.M. Sunday.

a

their compilation, a local lawyer will be asked to submit Cleveland version for final litigation. Key area council people are then to be contacted through organized lobbying efforts, and CPGU public relations work will see to it that area newspapers cover the

events.

Also discussed at the December 9th meeting, which I included both women and men, I was the CPGU position on other oppressed groups (blacks. I women, etc.). After considerable

discussion, the consensus of the

group indicated that although the primary thrust of the CPGUI will strive toward gay rights, I other groups will be supported in limited verbal and written forms. This was done for two reasons: 1) to mobilize allies for I the gay cause and 2) to express! a feeling of common solidarity with all struggling liberation groups.

The next meeting of CPGU will be January 7th at 8 p.m. in Room 361 of Cleveland State University's University Center (the glass cage).

1

D.Y.K.E. Plans Major Re-Organization

CLEVELAND

A

representative of the local lesbian/feminist group, D.Y.K.E., has informed High Gear that the organization plans à major restructing of itself. Although initial reports had indicated D.Y.K.E. might remain separatist, this was not the issue so much as the emerging importance of feminism. The representative told us, "We no longer wish to be identified as a sexual group. Our speaking engagements in the future will mostly be held through the co-operation of other feminist organizations and deal primarily with feminism."

Asked if the new group will work with other gay organizations in the area, the representative said, "We may contact them about some input on specific issues. That is yet to be worked out."

Although the new group which is yet unnamed will now operate within a feminist structure, lesbians are still fully welcomed. Until High Gear receives data on the organization's new name, P.O.

women

I box number, and telephone, gay may call Cleveland Women's Counseling at 3218585 for any information pertaining to area services.

HIGH GEAR

Vol. A Publication of the GEAR Foundation Issue 4

Dan Banal

1975

The Gear Foundation

Photo by Chris Jacobson

Akron Mcc to Become Full-Pledged Church

KSU Gay Selected

KENT -Dan Banal, treasurer of the Kent Gay Liberation Front, has been selected as the first student member of the Kent State University Affirmative Action Committee. The board deals with discriminatory policies on the Kent campus and defines what discrimination is in employment and student activities.

During his one year term, Mr. Banal's primary goal will be to include "sexual preference" along with "race, creed, national origin, and sex" in KSU's policies against discrimination. He feels that he can accomplish this because the Affirmative Action Committee will start | formulating a new booklet of campus laws and rules when they begin meeting in January. In addition, Banal says he already has the support of three or four deans" behind him.

AKRON In January, the Akron Metropolitan Community Church will celebrate its new position as a full-fledged church serving the comprehensive religious needs of the Akron gay populace. The graduation of Akron MCC from mission status to full membership in the National Metropolitan Community of Churches will be for1 Being openly gay, Banal feels, mally recognized at the banquet I was an asset in besting the hall of the American Hotel and Restaurant the evening of January 25th. Among the guests will be Reverend Troy Perry of California who initiated the MCC concept of a gay church back in the late sixties.

other 39 applicants for the single opening because, "Being gay, I am well aware of discrimination."