COMMUNITY VOICE

LETTER TO KUCINICH

Mayor Kucinich:

Congratulations are in order as you begin your term as chief executive of the largest city in Ohio. I wish you well and hope that your tenure is a successful

one.

I look forward to the new administration because, on the whole, Cleveland's gay community welcomed the defeat of Ralph Perk. His blatant political attempts to enforce his own unenlightened view of morality was an unsuccessful and poorly-disguised ruse which tried to divert the attention of the voters from the real issues which confront this city. It was due in large measure to the gay vote that Ralph Perk was defeated in the October primary election, because of his failure to address these issues.

And while I am concerned about crime, taxes, pollution, and employment, there is one primary issue gay rights to which I would like you to also give careful consideration and support. The time has long past that we in the gay community would be content to stay "undercover", acquiescing to the whims of police or of any city administration trying to garner votes. The gay bars are no longer mere holes in the wall,

tucked away in obscure alleys; gay people are going public, and the poliferation of gay literature such as this journal indicates that we are concerned about our rights as human beings. We refuse to be trampled upon again by anyone.

Cleveland has been the birthplace of many progressive political and labor movements; it has health and cultural facilities unequalled in other cities many times it size. Such achievements help

give Cleveland the cosmopolitan reputation it deserves. It is time that we continue to fulfill our obligations to maintain this reputation by the enactment of a comprehensive gay civil rights bill. Affectional preference should not be a criterion for discrimination.

Mayor, I want you to support a gay civil rights law; I want you to endorse legislation that would prohibit discriminatory practices against gay people in housing, employment, public accommodations, and other opportunities. I want you to be aware of what the gay community is doing; there is no reason why your public relations people. shouldn't inquire into our attempts to enlighten the general public about us and our lifestyles. I feel you should support

SELF PERSECUTION

While reading the October issue of High Gear came across a very depressing, but yet, sadly true article entitled "The Color Game" by Gene Taylor.

I myself have heard of this same persecution among our fellow brothers and siters. Gays can be so guility of a thing called self-persecution. I know I have caught myself using such terms as... "Look at that big queen walking across the street". I have a very good sense of humor, and when someone directs those terms to me I usually laugh it off unless I'm in one of those militant moods.

Such expressions as queer, fairy, homo, fem, lesi, faggott, nigger and many others shouldn't come from today's gays directed at other gays. Another problem that we have is stereotyping people; especially other gays.

Let's take the word faggot for example. Many gays don't know what this word means. Well, back in the Middle Ages when a person was suspected of homosexuality, they were bound to a stake of wood (called a faggot) and burned. A faggot was a length of measurement such as a meter is today, and since the days of the Middle Ages the term has stuck ever since.

Going back to Gene Taylor's article, some of our bars are so prejudiced against blacks, which is so sad. I myself as an American gay white cannot understand why our bars will permit straight couples in, (which I think is fine they need to see the love of a gay couple) but at times s they won't let our black

gay partners in. Don't get me wrong, I'm happily married to a white man, but if I would have fallen in love with a black man before I met Rob, I wouldn't think a thing about it, because it is the inner person that you love, not the color of his skin.

On so many of my trips into Cleveland, I've come across so many uppity gays. They act like there're too good to speak to you because they think you have something. The thing is, we all have the same thing, we are all gay.

So come on Ohio gays, let's unite into one large body. God knows we get enough persecution when we are at our places of work, our schools, etc., so why should we do it to each other.?

P.S.

GREG COE

If you are asked to sign a letter to the editor of The Plain Dealer, sign it. We are asking them to rerun their series of articles on Gay Awareness that was featured in July, 1977. In this series there are articles on bars, the MCC, lesbians, High Gear, and much, much more. This way all gays can have a

second chance to read and save this wonderful piece of journalism. Also there is a statement at the end of the petition which reads: "The above signatures are not necessarily. indicative of the sexual orientation of the above persons." That way everybody can sign it.

HIGH GEAR/DECEMBER 1977

our boycott of Florida citrus fruits until Anita Bryant is no longer spokesperson for them or until she and her mindless cohorts cease their hateful, stormtrooper tactics against human rights.

If you wish to be mayor of the entire city, you must be responsive to all the diverse communities within it. Cleveland has suffered polarization long enough. The gay community does not ask for more attention than anyone else, only its own share. want you to acknowledge the value of our contributions toward making Cleveland a better place to live for everyone.

You have been elected on the basis of many promises. I want you to include the gay community in them. You became mayor by fighting crusty old political machines of the past. I hope you will continue this progressive attitude and work with Us to defeat the anachronistic, bigoted social mores that can hamper the gay rights movement, so Cleveland can truly become a people's city.

It's up to you now, and we will be watching.

Dennis Highland

DIGNITY

Dignity Cleveland announces the election of new offiers: Tom Reke, President; Don Schmidt, Vice President; Sally Mattison, Secretary; Richard Saxton, Treasurer, all of whom took

KEEP IT UP

To Members of the High Gear Staff:

(A local bar) is living up to all of the magnificent standards set forth by its predecessors. Upon entering I was not asked for my wooden-framed birth certificate (which I always carry with me). Perhaps the doorman just forgot to make this demand of me. Just by chance, he suddenly remembered this prerequisite when my friend, who happens to reflect a darker hue than myself, approached the entrance. How unfortunate. Such bad luck. Discouraging. Enough to make one join the Bryant Crausade; her discrimination is .09 points more subtle.

Human rights? Where!

There are two of us writing this letter. We're both white and involved in Black-white relationships. The discriminating practices found in Cleveland's Gay community affect us personally. We're disgusted and intolerant of selectively gaining entrance into places where our Black friends are turned away. The two of us are continually reminded of the problem but the condition is also hurting the entire Gay community. It is difficult to picture any progress in Gay Rights

when we are so many steps behind even the straight world (God forbid) with regard to discrimination. Most straight bars show less indignity in their racism, although it still exists. "Hypocritical" might be the most polite term to describe the

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situation. We constantly strive to strengthen human rights, for equal employment, and for an end to discrimination against Gays. So we all (Gay men and women) know how important it is to attain acceptance; we know how bad it tastes to be rejected soley because of our sexual preference. Yet many of us support the same type of prejudices every night we dance the discoand for a physical difference not a behaviorial one.

Personally the two of us are . hurt. But more significantly, we're discouraged. If the discrimination within our community keeps up, there will be no future for human rights, Gay rights, or any rights. We're just making things harder for ourselves. So keep it up ... your prerequisites may enable you to have the same bright and prosperous future as your predecessor, which was washed away a few weeks after instigating such policies. Keep it up all you fine freedom-seekers as you go on screaming against Gay prejudice by day and discriminating against Blacks by night.

Keep it up--so that all of mankind can see you enter the last dimension before quietly withering away.

•

Keep it up. It will make Anita happy forever.

office November 10th. Dignity's THANKS, SHAKER CLUB

semi-monthly meeting on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month at 8 p.m. at the Hallinan Center on the Case-Western Reserve

campus. The monthly liturgy and social is at St. Philomena Church, 13824 Euclid Ave., on the 3rd Saturday of the month at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, October 28, a rousing crowd turned out at the Shaker Club benefit for the Gay Community Center. The more than $200.00 collected from the donations at the door will be used for operational expenses for the Center. Without recurring

$6.75

Weekdays 10a.m. to 2 p.m.: Locker $2, Room $4.25 Mon. & Wed. Youth Nights (25 & Under): Locker $2, Room Regular Weekend Rates: Locker $4, Room $6.25

CLUB

The Two of Us ·

benefits as this, the Community Center would not be able to offer the many services that it does. With your help, Dick, and that of your staff, the Center will remain a viable force in the Cleveland gay community. Sincere thanks!

$4.25

COLUMBUS

1575 EAST LIVINGSTON AVENUE

COLUMBUS, OHIO

614 252-2474