EDITORIAL HIGH

HIGH GEAR/JUNE 1977

CEAR

Vol.3 A Publication of the GEAR Foundation Issue 10

HIGH GEAR journal is a publication of the Gay Educational and Awareness Resources (G.E.A.R.) Foundation of Cleveland, Ohio. It is distributed free of charge in any establishment and with any organization that will permit distribution. We are non-profit publication, and all proceeds not used to pay printing costs and service fees are set aside for the Gay HotlineSwitchboard (216)-321-6632, the G.E.A.R. Foundation which sponsors the Cleveland Gay Community Center and other Ohio gay organizations.

The presence 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.

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. We cannot guarantee the return of materials submitted for publication, whether used by HIGH GEAR or not, unless they are accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envolope.

A HIGH GEAR staff are volunteers. Anyone interested in working on the staff of HIGH GEAR should inquire by calling (216) 321-6632 or by writing to HIGH GEAR STAFF, P.O. Box 6177, Cleveland, Ohio 44101. Businesses or organizations wishing to advertise in HIGH GEAR may obtain advertising rate sheets and other information by writing to the above address.

Ihe deadline for HIGH GEAR publication dates is as follows:

Advertising by the 30th of every month, camera ready and composition ads. Written material by the 5th of every month. News items until publication.

HIGH GEAR is printed the second Thursday of every month and available at bars, baths, universities, businesses and elsewhere thereafter.

HIGH GEAR is copyrighted under federal law. Reproduction is granted to all other gay publications so long as credit is given to HIGH GEAR. All HIGH GEAR work is original unless otherwise noted.

STAFF

Coordinating Editors.

.John Nosek, Leon Stevens Dan McGuire

Business Manager

Advertising Collective......Neil Caldwell, Tom Crouch, Michael Dubeki, Danny Mack, Matt Phillips, John Wagenhals Distribution Manager..

.....Al Morrill

Photography........Bob Kovach, Al Morrill, Matt Phillips and

others

Art Director...

.Rudi Haaken

News.......John Nosek with the help of innumerable friends and organizations

Features and Reviews.......Jerry Juszczyk, Mitchell Menigu, Aaron Ross, Leslie Sheward, Eva Szabo and others. Lay-Out Staff........All of the above plus Jerry Bores, Byron Ditmar, Paul Shetler, Bill Smith, Tim Tavcar Circulation....

.12,000 plus Distribution.........Akron, Athens, Barberton, Berea, Bowling Green, Brooklyn, Canton, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Cleveland Hts., Columbus, Dayton, Fairview Park, Lakewood, Lima, Lorain, Mansfield, Middleburgh Hts., Oberlin, Painesville, Parma, Parma Hts., Piqua, Rockbridge, Rocky River, Sandusky, Toledo, Warren, Youngstown and points beyond.

NEXT HIGH GEAR, JULY 15

Because of the Fourth of July weekend, the staff of High Gear has agreed not to publish the July issue on July 8, but rather one week later on July 15. While it is our policy to come out on

the second Friday of every month, like anyone else, we need a vacation too. So next month, please look for us on the fifteenth.

IS THE MEDIA OUT

PAGE 2

TO DISTORT GAY ISSUES?

It all started in late May when the CBS-TV program "60 Minutes" aired a feature on child pornography, suspiciously only three weeks before the Dade County vote on gay rights. CBS' approach to "kiddie porno" initially was bold, semieducational and focused on the sex-ploitation of both young girls and boys. But then midway through the serial, the report abruptly skipped issues to male hustling, a totally separate subject, we feel, portraying a seamy, one-sided "gay" world where teenage boys "hawk themselves for male homosexuals." Without informing viewers that the vast majority of gay men do not seek out young boy prostitutes, nor for that matter have any interest in children, "60 Minutes" effectively implicated all gay males in guilt by association.

Two weeks later in Cleveland, Leon Kissalberth and his wife, Barbara, were charged with three rapes of juveniles. The Plain Dealer reported that the children were involved in sex acts with both Kissalberths and filmings were made of each sexual liason (with both boys and girls). Sensationally and no doubt, deliberately, the story appeared directly below an article on the fire in a N.Y. bathhouse which killed the nine gay men. Again, a subtle finger of accusation was painfully clear.

On June 2, WKYC-TV (Cleveland) Channel 3 news reporter Mike Landess concluded a story on the Kissalberths by stating the films and photographs confiscated were

to be used for, among other things, "homosexual pornography." Landess then immediately launched into news on Anita Bryant's efforts to "save our children" in Miami...That fastidious link again...

Too many of these incidents have occurred to be coincidental. And we don't think it's overly paranoid to assume that the media is mounting a concerted (albeit sporadic) effort to distort gay issues under the pretext of "protecting children." To be sure, these affiliates would argue that what they are doing is presenting facts objectively. But, their withholding of pertinent information, in itself, dramatically colors an issueand provides the leverage to editorialize in any manner they wish.

Where, we ask "60 Minutes," The Plain Dealer and WKYC-TV, is your reporting of the statistics that convincingly and consistently show that over 90% of child molestations are committed by heterosexuals? Where is the information that sexual identity is pretty well fixed by the age of five, according to most psychologists and psychiatrists, and that even an openly gay teacher could not influence a child's sexuality? Why is it that you hasten to couple gay people with pornography and hustling, but never uncover the favorable aspects of gay culture-gay community centers, gay religious groups, helpline services, gay charity benefits in behalf of "Toys for Tots" and St. Jude's

NEW G.E.A.R. BOARD ELECTED

CLEVELAND At its May 14 annual meeting the Gay Education and Awareness Resources Foundation (G.E.A.R.) membership elected a new Board of Directors. Six two-year terms were given to David Akers, R. G. Levy, Dan McGuire, John Nosek, Leslie Sheward and Leon Stevens. Named for one year terms were Stan Brown, David Holleb, William Smith, Tim Tavcar, Geno Taylor and Anita Zokum.

At a subsequent May 24 regular G.E.A.R. Board meeting, the following officers were elected: President: Stan Brown, Secretary: William Smith and Treasurer: Dan McGuire.

The benefit at Cleveland's Traxx club netted the Gay Community Center $306.20. 'Coordinated by Leslie Sheward,, Anita Zokum, David Akers and David Holleb, the G.E.A.R. Booth and bake sale at the Hessler St. Fair yielded $97.60 and provided extensive gay visibility to the straight public as well.

As of May 24, G.E.A.R. nas a

working balance of $1786.36. $200.00 of that was granted to Don Skaggs' Gay Center Operating Committee for furnishings, light fixtures, carpeting, etc., and $250.00 will be allotted for June's rent. In addition, $150.00 will be paid to the Aetna Insurance Company for a one year policy that will provide the Gay Center liability/fire/theft protect-

ion.

Six new volunteers have been trained for the Gay Switchboard/ Hotline bringing the total to 11, still 7 short of the number needed for full staffing.

The co-editors of High Gear reported at the annual meeting that the paper is functioning, but is badly understaffed: "The present staff simply doesn't have time to do all that needs to be done." Volunteers are desperately needed for paper work. Interested persons are urged to call 321-6632, Mon. Fri. from 611 p.m. or to write High Gear Staff, P.O. Box 6177, Cleveland, Ohio 44101 and leave their phone number. High Gear will call you.

Children's Hospital among others, etc. etc.?

And how is it that when Cleveland Heights adopted Civil Service Commission standards de in its affirmative action program,, thus effectively blocking discrimination against gay people in that city, not a word was heard on the local media nor for that matter was the recent repeal of sodomy laws in New Hampshire and Wyoming? And where, where are the exposes of housing and employment discrimination against gay people and the harassments we must bear by city police departments, religious fanatics and others?

Every gay person Cleveland, Ohio and the nation should be outraged at the growing subtle anti-gay ramblings and distortions coming from the establishment media. Now that the Dade County battle is over, it's time to concentrate on our home turfs and meet bias and discrimination on a grass roots level, whether by writing letters, picketing, lobbying or just taking care of ourselves.

We urge readers to write letters of protest to CBS-TV, "60 Minutes" 51 W. 52nd St., N.Y., N.Y. 10019 and to The Plain Dealer Editorial Dept., 1801 Superior Rd., Cleveland, O. 44114 and to WKYC-TV, 1403 E. 6th St., Cleveland, O. 44114. Perhaps, if we don't act now, we may as Elaine Noble said, "have to go underground in eight years."

CENTRAL OHIO GAY ALCOHOLICS

COLUMBUS The Central Ohio Gay Alcoholics have formalized their group and are now meeting at The First English Lutheran Church, 22nd and Main, every Sunday at 5:00 p.m. in the rear of the church. Up to twenty people have attended one or meetings with the average attendance of twelve.

C.O.G.A. is working closely with local counselors that work with other alcoholics in the area and have also established a liaison with gay groups in the

area.

The group met recently in a business session and decided to name the organization "The Drummer Group" after the poem written by Henry David Thoreau: "If a man does not keep pace with his companions perhaps it is because he follows a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away."

Those wishing to obtain more information may contact Peter at (614) 443-1052, Chuck or Dick at (614) 864-5440 or write Box 9894, Columbus, Ohio 43206.