-June, 1975

LOCAL NEWS

Fuldheim on Gays

In response to a live WEWS-TV news question concerning the Bella Abzug-sponsored gay civil rights bill, Ms. Dorothy Fuldheim expressed her general views on homosexuality. Although she feels that gays should not be classified as criminals, Ms. Fuldheim clearly stated that she did not approve of homosexuals appearing on talk shows or in other channels of the media, "publicizing their sexual deviancy." She also lead her viewers to believe that she does not recognize gays as a legitimate minority group. Joel Rose, WEWS-TV newsman, responded to Ms. Fuldheim by informing her that talk show ratings skyrocket when gays appear on them, and that "homosexual issues are something to think about."

GEAR Incorporated

The Gay Educational and Awareness Resources Foundation has finally received incorporation papers from the State of Ohio. Unlike several other gay organizations, the GEAR group was not rejected for incorporation, probably because of its non-profit status. Being non-profit, it cannot actively participate as a group in political activities, but like the ACLU, will be able to direct its members and officers to political action.

HIGH GEAR

GEAR was originally formed as a student group on the campus of the Cleveland State University, in Cleveland, and was founded for the purpose of providing a central information agency. As the need for information grew, in the forms of printed matter, and public speaking, the group decided to initiate a community newspaper, to see what response to a group that was not politically motivated could be. The incorporation of May, 1975, is a direct result. The Gear Foundation hopes to provide:

1) An endowment fund for qualifying homophile organizations, businesses, or persons. This would mean funding for community centers, gay churches, gay synagogues, gay This would also procampus groups, and coffee houses. vide scholarship funding for individuals being discriminated against for reasons of their homosexuality, and funding for individuals who are victims of tragedies, as in the case of the New Orleans fire several years ago. 2) Facilities for the compilation and distribution of educational and awareness-raising materials dealing with sexuality.

3) Provide facilities for the homophile community of a positive nature, in the areas of mental and physical health and social alternatives.

The incorporating trustees, Art MacDonald, (MCC Worship Co-ordinator), Mike Madigan, and Ethan Ericksen, are in the process of appointing preliminary board of Directors for the Foundation, who will then determine the course of the Foundation for the first year. Memberships will be available at a membership fee, and no one in the Foundation is permitted to receive remuneration in any form.

First on the agenda for the GEAR Foundation is Gay Pride Weekend, which will hopefully raise funds for a Community Services Center in Cleveland, where several programs that have already been initiated can work from. For more information write to HIGH GEAR, P. O. Box 6177, Cleveland, Ohio 44113.

Shaker Club Down on Litter

Each

The Shaker Club has recently banned distribution of Ohio East Gay News and High Gear on its premises. A spokesman for the bar claimed that neighborhood merchants complained of papers strewn in and around the parking lot during the weekend. High Gear is circulated free of charge in the gay community to which it bears its first responsibility as an organ of free communication. Excepting the Shaker Club, all gaysupported bars, baths and businesses supply High Gear. issue of this paper generally disappears rapidly from points of distribution and many people request copies from our staff when these run out. All material in our publication is submitted freely by the gay public, and staff members work on a voluntary basis. It is not Gear policy to display favoritism toward any gay group or organization nor any pro-gay business. The staff and contributors to High Gear ask that you, our reading public, support our efforts by commending businesses which feature YOUR paper and by not depositing YOUR paper on sidewalks, streets and floors. When you finish an issue, please pass it on to someone else or recycle it. cover that High Gear is stronger than Bounty, cheaper than Hefty Bags, and more absorbent than the Cleveland Plain Dealer!

You'll dis-

1

Please

Help us show your representatives in Washington that you support the current amendment to the Civil Rights Acts, banning discrimination based on sexual orientation. Fill in the form below NOW, with your Representative's name, and your own name and address. Mail it to:

Page 3

HIGH GEAR/Box 6177/Cleveland/44101

Dear Representative

I fully support the Civil Rights Act amendment introduced by Rep. Bella Abzug (D.N.Y.) and others on March 25, 1975, banning discrimination based on sexual orientation. PLEASE VOTE FOR IT, and encourage your colleagues to do the same.

Address

City

State

(PLEASE PRINT)

I am in love

Zip

I am in love My heart sings The 1st verse of love But the impassioned wings of love

are frozen still In the quiet night my heart pounds the tender beats but

My lips are sealed And my lips must be still

to all

Jill

Gay Federation Forms

The Cleveland Gay Federation has announced its establishment as a non-profit, non-partisan organization serving the greater Northeastern Ohio area. CGF states that its two major goals are 1) to act as an information source for gays who are just coming out and know little of the gay subculture or of places where one can make social contacts and 2) to educate the straight public about what it really means to be gay. According to CGF spokesmen, this includes lectures, appearances on local area talk shows, literary input for High Gear, and active political work in and out of the state and national legislatures. For those wishing further information about CGF write: The Cleveland Gay Federation, P. O. Box 18027, Cleveland Hts., Ohio 44118.