NEWS HIGH GEAR/FEBRUARY 1977

OHIO GAY RIGHTS EFFORT BORN

By Dan McGuire CLEVELAND On Saturday, January 22, 1977, the Bowling Green Gay Union sponsored a meeting to start a flow of communications between gay organizations in Ohio. This meeting became the organizational meeting of an Ohio Coalition of Gay Organizations, to be known as the Ohio Rights Efforts, or OGRE.

The organizational meeting had representatives from several areas of Ohio and Michigan, including Bowling Green, Toledo, Columbus, Oberlin Cleveland and Ann Arbor. The overall attendance was about 40, and was represented equally by women and men, which seemed a very positive beginning.

During the work session, all the groups were asked to "caucus" to discuss major areas of concern, and major areas that each group could help OGRE function.

A very large group from

Columbus (mainly from COL -Central Ohio Lesbians) felt they could be of most help contac-. ting legislators, since they had easy access to both city and state legislators They have found special interest groups to be the greatest supporters or foes of any gay group. When legislators see that there is no "danger" they are more likely to "forge ahead" with a new idea. Also, the representatives of Columbus felt they could be instrumental in letting others know who is "dangerous."

The representatives of Oberlin College felt they were under the handicaps of lack of transportation and being a transitory college. Because of this, Oberlin felt they could best help as "backup," by being a communications center both within Ohio and as an element to take ideas to different parts of the U.S. when on vacations and breaks. It was generally decided that a newsletter would be generated from Oberlin and

LEASOR RENEGES ON CENTER SITE

CLEVELAND The search for a Gay Community Center in Cleveland has been temporarily scuttled! After the G.E.A.R. Foundation had authorized the signing of a lease for a center at Euclid Ave. and Mayfield, Associated Estates which manages the property and had verbally agreed to sign a binding contract, reneged at the last moment.

According to Jeffrey Friedman, leasing agent for Associated Estates, "The owners of the building decided to convert the third floor space into all residency occupancy. The present commercial operators now there will be relocated."

While initially the Associated Estates reversal was not viewed as symptomatic of any perceivable anti-gay bias, further investigation raised significant doubts. A tenant of the building who asked to go unnamed claims that the third floor area is, in fact, destined for full commercial use and residents are to be phased out. Repeated calls to Mr. Friedman by both David Holleb of G.E.A.R. and High Gear news reporters have not been returned. And the blanket of silence has made some area activists wary of the possibilities of discrimination (It was known from the outset that the space

would be used for a gay center). Although no legal action can be taken against Associated Estates or the building owners, since a lease was not signed, G.E.A.R. board members are keeping a watchful eye on the property to see what the eventual outcome of its leasing arrangements are. If G.E.A.R. was railroaded, a complaint and public challenge will be issued.

Because of the abruptness of the Associated Estates action, the G.E.A.R. Board was temporarily caught off guard. A feverish investigation into alternative sites ensued; but at press time, another site had not yet been selected.

The fund-raising drive, according to a G.E.A.R. Spokesperson, is still on and contributions continue to be accepted. To date, the Center. Fund has received over $1800.00. Said R.G. Levy, the President of the G.E.A.R. Foundation, "These last minute setbacks are not affecting our commitment in any sense to establishing the G.E.A.R. Community Center in the next month or two. We're now in the process of finalizing our plans with respect to the several other sites. we have inspected, and we will shortly know our final decision."

other groups would add input as to

current activities. Also, because of a central location, it was felt Oberlin could hold future meetings on the college campus and handle mailings. As anyone involved in organizations knows, the backup to an organization is very important and Oberlin has volunteered to be a very vital part of the working of the organization.

The representatives from Toledo stated there is a lack of women's organizations in Toledo. The main group in Toledo is PRO (Personal Rights Organization), and is predominantly male oriented. The main effort of PRO is to push for gay rights in Toledo. The Toledo representatives felt they could do most in general support of the Ohio Coalition.

Representatives from Ann Arbor, Michigan discussed the need for gay media, for its ability to contact others. (It is not very wise to depend completely on

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straight media.) Ann Arbor does have a weekly half-hour gay. radio show, Closets Are For Clothes, which has "free reign" over programming. Ann Arbor did present the idea of having an interchange of radio show tapes between different shows to expand the listening audience of each show.

Bowling Green felt they could be beneficial by taking care of the legwork part of the organization, and by handling things such as fund-raising events and forming a list of resources open to gays from within the gay community. Because much of the population of BGSU is from Ohio and especially Cleveland, there is much access to the Ohio "gay scene."

Cleveland's present main concern is the Community Center. Concerning OGRE, Cleveland has important communication abilities in HIGH GEAR, which can be used as the vital communication link for gays all over

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Ohio. It was decided that the monthly newsletter should if possible, be printed in HIGH GEAR, so that activities in Ohio are well advertised.

A general decision. was reached that primary goals of the organization should be to list resources of individuals in Ohio, and provide a communication link between gays in Ohio. The next meeting of OGRE is scheduled for March 5, 1977, 12 noon, at Oberlin College. ALL ARE WELCOME!!! The Bowling Green Gay Union deserves a lot of credit for organizing an information and production meeting, which was beneficial to all who attended. All the participants left with a great feeling in seeing the start of an important organization for Ohio gays. REMEMBER--

OGRE MEETING OBERLIN COLLEGE MARCY 5, 1977

12 NOON

ALL WELCOME

OHIO EPISCOPAL DIOCESE

SUPPORTS GAY PRIESTS

CLEVELAND On February 6, at its annual convention here, The Ohio Episocpal Diocese defeated a resolution that would, in effect, have excluded homosexuals from the priesthood.

Rejected by a vote of 164-139, the proposal not only said a homosexual could not be ordained, but also said that anyone who advocates homosexuality may not be ordained. While the diocese did not actually say it favored admission of gays to the priesthood, it essentially supported the bishops' right to determine who may be ordained (thus implying support

BULLETIN!

CLEVELAND As High Gear went to press, it was discovered that a third floor suite on Coventry Rd. in Cleveland Hts. next to the Coventryard Mall has emerged as the front runner in G.E.A.R.'s new efforts to land space for a Gay Community Center. Approximately 600 sq. feet in size, the site boasts three large rooms, a wood-burning fireplace and is easily accessible from public transportation spots (a block and a half from Mayfield Rd. and minutes from a neighboring rapid transit station. Parking is also available across the street at a Pick 'N Pay Mart after 6 P.M. and at the Coventry Elementary School).

The G.E.A.R. Board of Directors have NOT yet

of the ordination of avowed lesbian Ellen Marie Barrett in New York last month).

The resolution was an attempt to join with at least two other dioceses that have condemned Rev. Barrett's ordination.

The diocesan Committee on the Ministry plans to deal more in depth with the question of homosexuality in the near furture. It already has prepared a paper on homosexuality and consulted with medical, psychological and theological experts on the issue. Diocesan officials, however, to this date, have refused to release the report.

confirmed this site, although deliberations and a final decision are expected within. several days. Inquiries at Cleveland Hts. City Hall reaped news that building occupancy clearance must first be obtained from the city before any moves can be made. The G.E.A.R. Board must also consider whether it can shoulder the additional expenses of the Coventry site.

For the most up-to-date news on the Center, interested parties may either tune in to Radio Lambda, Monday evenings, 1011 P. M., WRUW-FM 91.1 or attend the next G.E.A.R. meeting scheduled on February 23rd at Thwing Hall, 11111 Euclid Avenue in the 1914 Lounge, second floor, at 7:30 p.m.