Page 2

HIGH GEAR journal is a publication of the Gay Educational and Awareness Resources (G.E.A.R.) Foundation of Cleveland, Ohio. It is distributed free of charge in any establishment and with any organization that will permit distribution. We are a non-profit publication, and all proceeds not used to pay printing costs and service fees are set aside for the Gay Hotline-Switchboard, (216) 3216632 and the G.E.A.R. Foundation which sponsors rap groups, a Speaker's Bureau, and other services to the Northeastern Ohio gay community.

The presence of the name or picture or other representation of an organization, place of business or person(s) in HIGH GEAR is not necessarily indicative of the sexual orientation of such organizations, businesses or persons, and may not be used as evidence of the sexual orientation of any contributors.

We welcome all contributions of written materials, art work, or photography by members of the gay community. All materials submitted for publication are subject to editorialization. We cannot guarantee the return of materials submitted for publication, whether used by HIGH GEAR or not, unless it is accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope.

All HIGH GEAR staff are volunteers. Anyone interested in working on the staff of HIGH GEAR should inquire by calling (216) 321-6632 or write to HIGH GEAR STAFF, P.O. Box 6177, Cleveland, Ohio

44101.

Businesses or organizations wishing to advertise in HIGH GEAR

HIGH GEAR

OHIO INMATE

FIGHTS PRISON RAPE

MANSFIELD Reports have reached High Gear that Kenneth A. Friedman of the Ohio State Reformatory is fighting through legal channels recent rape actions inflicted upon himself and two other inmates by fellow prisoners. Friedman who initially contacted the Homosexual Information Center in Los

Angeles has enlisted the local rators to trial. prosecutor to bring the perpet-

He and the two other victims, polygraph tests to prove that the one who is not gay, have taken sexual encounters were not consensual. According to Friedman, "we passed the test, and to the

best of our knowledge, the guilty culprits didn't."

Through his action Friedman hopes to coerce prison officials to provide more protection against sexual attacks for weaker inmates. To date, he has involved the Cleveland ACLU's

Institutional projects Division, Governor Rhodes' aide, Mr. Jerry Austin and the G.E.A.R. Foundation.

There appears to be some concern among G.E.A.R. members that defense attorneys for the rapists may attempt to portray the gay inmates as welcoming sexual overtures, simply because they previously may

DECEMBER 1976

have been known as homosexuals. The practice, of course, is a common one used by lawyers in heterosexual battles against women. Correspondence, from Mr. Gordon Beggs of the Cleveland ACLU indicates that Friedman may be released soon; however Friedman's efforts to prosecute the rapists are expected to continue, much, some observers feel, to the chagrin of prison officials.

Those interested in contacting Friedman may write: Kenneth A. Friedman No. 97457, Ohio State Reformatory, P.O. Box 788, Mansfield, Ohio 44901.

may obtain advertising rate sheets and other information by writing MURDER FUELS MALL FEARS

to the above address.

The deadline for HIGH GEAR publication dates is as follows:

Advertising by the 30th of every month, camera ready and composition ads. Written material by the 5th of every month. News items until publication.

HIGH GEAR is printed the second Thursday of every month and available at bars, baths, universities, businesses and elsewhere thereafter.

HIGH GEAR is copyrighted under federal law. Reproduction is granted to all other gay publications so long as credit is given to HIGH GEAR. All others must obtain written permission.

STAFF

Coordinating Editors...... Advertising and Public Relations.. Photography......

Art Coordinators Layout Staff.

...John Nosek, Leon Stevens ..Matt Phillips ..Albert Morrill, Matt Phillips ......Rudi Haaken, Ron King Michael Dubleki, Rowe Davidson,

Anthony Scafaro, Mike Schanda and the crew. News.....

....Nell Caldwell, David Holleb, Jerry Juszczyk, Chris Jacobson, Matt Phillips, Martha Watson Features and Reviews...... .....David Akers, Van Ault, George Brown, Marc Lewis, Mitchell Menigu, Donna Minkler, Timor Pudoris, Aaron Ross and others Drag........

.Anne Ritchey Circulation ..........12,000 Distribution... ...Akron, Barberton, Berea, Brooklyn, Canton, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Cleveland Hts., Columbus, Dayton, Fairview Park, Lakewood, Lima, Lorain, Mansfield, Middleburgh Hts., Painesville, Parma, Parma Hts., Piqua, Rockbridge, Rocky River, Sandusky, Shaker Hts., Springfield, Steubenville, Toledo, Warren, Youngstown.

make it a Happy New Year DRIVE SAFELY

CLEVELAND On November 16, Tom Grant, a 29 year old lawyer, was found slain in his downtown Park Centre apartment. Grant, who WEWS-TV claimed "often frequented the parks and brought home strange men" was last seen leaving Twiggy's Place at 2 a.m. Tuesday.

the building as all visitors are admitted only after the receptionist or guard checks by intercom with the resident.

The murder was eerily reminiscent of a homophobic attack on a Painesville man three years ago. Dr. Charles S. Hirsch, deputy coroner said an electrical cord was wrapped loosely around the victim's neck and may have been used as a garrot to strangle him. Grant

Rumours flourished through the gay community that Grant had gone to the Mall, a popular downtown cruising spot, after leaving Twiggy's. Police officials would neither confirm nor deny this. They, however, were puzzled at how an unescorted bludgeoned. The skull was guest could have entered the fractured. Grant's wallet was

had also been struck on the head. Dr. Hirsch said there were five wounds on the face and head where he had been.

found empty in the apartment and his stereo sound system missing.

While no evidence has yet been released that Grant's murderer was anyone "picked up" at the Mall, gays were again cautioned by local activists to avoid the area. A member of the Cleveland Gay Political Union also expressed concern over the sensational treatment of Grant's sexual behavior by the straight media. Letters are being prepared to protest media handling of the news.

N.O.W. BLASTS MAY CO.

OVER "RAPE SOCKS"

CLEVELAND Momentarily reliving the activist days of the late sixties, feminists here attending the fifth annual Ohio National Organization of Women conference marched militantly on the downtown men's department of the May Company. What triggered the vocal march of November 20 was anger over the sale of knee-length socks printed with the logo: "Help Stamp Out Rape. Say Yes!" Also printed on the socks was a caricature of an ape-like man with a long red tongue hanging

out.

More than 250 women invaded the May Co. One of them

climbed on a glass counter and tossed a handful of socks on the floor. Others stamped on the socks. The women demanded that the May Co. stop selling the socks; but a store guard told them no company official was available then for consultation. Radical feminist Flo Kennedy then instructed those who had May Co. credit cards to burn them. Earlier Ms. Kennedy had criticized the women "sitting on their apathy."

The demonstration showed considerable support from the Ohio lesbian community and received extensive press coverage from the established media. Two

days after the march the May Co. removed the socks. J. Warren Harris said the socks would be returned to the supplier, claiming, "they came in with some others. We weren't aware that they were there.". Buyers for the store, according to Harris, have explicit instructions to avoid merchandise that may be offensive in the future.

(Those interested in a detailed analysis of the Ohio N.O.W. convention may send 60c to Cleveland's women's newspaper, What She Wants, 3201 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44115 for a copy of the December issue).

GAY SWITCHBOARD Fri.-Sat., 8pm-3am Sun.-Thurs., 6pm-2am 321-6632