mate. I think gays as most people prefer familair surandings. Actually, we welcome competition because each ar in itself is a distinct personality.

AR 2: Yes, there is some risk involved in running a gay bar. The length of the existence of a bar depends on the type of bar you have. Generally, I would estimate a bar's life span at about five years. Some owners may buy another bar or change the kind of establishment they have to insure success. BAR 3: The popularity of gay bars goes up and down. The gay crowd is not a loyal crowd to any one bar. They go where the action is and that is usually the latest thing.

BAR 4: I would estimate the life span of a gay bar to be about three years. As an investment, it is somewhat of a risk. I feel also that as more bars come into the Cleveland area, every bar's life span will decrease.

JSN: HAVE YOU EVER HAD O DEAL WISH POLICE HARASSMENT OF YOUR CLIENTELE?

BAR 1: Not at all. The only place the police ever get tough is at the parks or the mall, and this is not so much to harass. gays as to prevent muggings or other crime.

BAR 2: No problems with the police.

BAR 3: We've never had any problems.

BAR 4: No conflicts. For the most part, gays mind their own business. I think the police realize there are more important things to do with their time.

JSN: HAVE YOU EVER HAD STRAIGHT PEOPLE COME IN AND HARASS YOUR CLIENTELE?

BAR 1 Because of our location, we are not really accesible to straight people. A bar on a major thoroughfare or one surrounded by commercial establishments might be more sesceptible to such a problem.

BAR 2: Sometimes, we have to deal with harassment, but lately because gays are banding together more, straights are harassed right back.

BAR 3: Straight people generally don't walk in off the street. They know where they're going.

BAR 4: We don't allow any type of straight-to-gay harassment here. Straights who don't bother gays are welcome, though not encouraged.

JSN IT IS SOMETIMES SAID THAT TO ADMIT WOMEN TO A GAY BAR IS THE KISS OF DEA?H FOR THE FUTURE OF THAT BAR. DO YOU FEEL THIS IS TRUE?

BAR 1: We try to cater to the customers and give them what they want. Well mannered and dressed women don't cause trouble. The formula that works, however, is the successful one.

BAR 2: My personal opinion which may not be representative of the owner's is that if you allow straight women in, then straight men will surely follow. And that is when the trouble starts, because a straight man who is looking for a woman and is approached by a gay man will possibly resist hostily and a fight may result.

BAR 3: Yes, I think admitting women is a problem. "They tend to divide the gay crowd. In addition, the men don't relax as well with women there. They might feel they have to watch their language and can't act as freely.

It totally

BAR 4: No way is permitting women in a problem. depends on the women coming. We have one straight woman who is a regular here, and she's probably the most popular person at the bar.

JSN: HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT OF ADDING ENTERTAINMENT TO YOUR BARS, IE., GO-GO BOYS, CONCERTS, ETC?

BAR 1: Usually, drag shows are the only thing we do, and it's because the customers want it. We don't make a profit from them. So far as go-go boys are concerned, we don't feel our operational environment is conducive to that. It probably would not go over.

BAR 2: No. A band often brings in straights and is difficult to dance to. If you see go-go boys once, you don't want to see them again.

BAR 3 I don't think entertainment is necessary at a bar. People come in here to get to know one another, not to see a show.

BAR 4 As a matter of fact, yes. We are giving more thought to general entertainment. We have go-go boys now and are lanning other events for the future...

something that comes solely fro drinks available. If someone v here.

BAR 4 We charge 30¢ for a sof drink, thus giving people fair to alcoholism. Alcohol can be far less than in a bar.

JSN: DO YOU SEE ANY ROLE FOR TH OUTSIDE OF BEING NIGHT SPOTS FO BAR 1 We do personal things fo bail/for those jailed for drunk gency funds, etc. We also hope distributing High Gear. Most c

on an individual basis. BAR 2 We provide other social team and a future bowling team. newspaper.

BAR 3 What other functions sho know if there are any other fur BAR 4: I'd like to see bar owne or a concert. We, make plenty of Let's return some of it to the even charge admission and put i by gays for emergencys. Howeve co-operate in such a venture. money to support everyone. JSN: WHAT ARE YOUR GENERAL IMPR GAY SCENE?

BAR 1: So far as individual lif gay scene here is conservative. destruction of property and thi the community as a whole.

BAR 2: The gay scene here is ge although the bars should so-oper Younger gays who are just comin: conservative gay life styles and benefit the greater gay communi BAR 31 Cleveland is not a livel a family town, good for business conservative. The gay life is r BAR 4: High Gear is a very posi the gay community. The gays her more together and making it easi comfortable. I think the Clevel

future.

Ala

Fellowsh

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