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HIGH GEAR newspaper is a publication of the Gay Educational & Awareness Resouces (GEAR) 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 the printing costs and service fees are set aside for the use of the GEAR Foundation's Community Center.

The prescence 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, unless directed to the FORUM column. We cannot guarantee the return of any materials submitted for publication, whether used by HIGH GEAR, or not, unless it is accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope.

HIGH GEAR

LETTERS

Dear Sisters and Brothers:

June, 1979

This is not a poem, because I'm not very good at poetry, but I have a lot to say, metaphorically and otherwise. So, I'm just going to put it down, and if some of it sounds like poetry, that will be a good thing:

You were there, for ten years almost, while I lived frightened in the closet, you were there. I didn't know how much I needed you, but still, you were there.

We held each other's hands, while the winds howled and the crowded world outside our closet door went heedless, busy on its own business. We huddled in dim light around piles of what we thought was dirty laundry, frightened often times by the pale shadows of our minds.

But you were there. My sisters and my brothers. You were there when I felt that all the world had turned its back, locked me in a musty little room crowded with my fears and misconceptions.

I remember your hands and your arms, and the smiles on your faces. I remember your love for me and I for you, amidst all the turmoil of those years of alienation.

You were there in the closet to hold me in your arms. There wasn't usually sex, only helping, only loving. It was what I needed. And you are here now, as we walk out together in the sunlight, and show the world that we too are human, Of course we are. We love each other too. We hurt, we cry, we work, we help, we love each other too. I remember you all, all those years in hiding. I remember caring for you.

We are human too. to see that.

And you cared for me.

We know it. The world will have

Gay love, the best love,

To all my sisters and brothers,

Barbara Louise

Anyone interested in working on the staff of HIGH GEAR, should inquire by calling, 6315330, or writing to HIGH GEAR STAFF, P.O. Box 6177, Cleveland, Ohio, 44101.

POETRY

Businesses or organizations wishing to advertise in HIGH GEAR, may obtain advertising rate sheets and other information by calling 631-5330, or writing to Advertising, HIGH GEAR, P.O. Box 6177, Cleveland, Ohio, 44101.

The deadline for HIGH GEAR publication dates is as follows:

Advertising by the 20th of every month, camera-ready and composition ads.

Written material by the 25th of every month.

News items until publication.

STAFF

A. G. Madigan-Editor

Dionysian rites rummage through the alleys of my head.Their images, like atoms, steam my eyelids with light. Concepts of pleasure and righteousness of joy, Sex for rational fulfillment where Sensual is good and good is gay;

Beauty quite right, only one stab at life

Populates this heart with a glittering sight:

A diamond lambda plays the mandolin, Hyp-tonic echo prevails over all.

They think we are Romans.

Does our Greek blood still not flow? Brother with brother; sister with sister,

A living expression of a link in the chain. We've been with them always,

Faceless pass-cards in the camps of race.

Yet now again we speak in new shades.

The time is ripe for our flight,

And we feel the instinctual urge to act On the testament of our people. Rejoice my friends!

The sea is about to be crossed.

John

Peter Aubrey Pete Barr Ethan Erioksen Barbara Louise

Nick Luccio

John Nosek

Leon Stevens

Tin Turner

Ray Unger

Don't hasten to taste me then waste me. Don't throw me your pitch and then ditch me. Don't woo me to do me then screw me. Don't lead me to plead and then read me. Don't cruise me to use me then lose me. Don't bump, hump and dump a dumb chump.

-Leon