NEWS HIGH GEAR/FEBRUARY 1977

AFTER HOURS CLUBS

STIR POLICE CURIOSITY

CLEVELAND Within the last month, Cleveland's two after hours clubs, the Bayou Landing and After Midnight have received visits by officials of the city fire department, .vice squad and police department.

When it was discovered that operating licenses were not posted on one visit, the authorities asked After Midnight to close its doors until the licenses were actually received through the mails. (Apparently, the licenses had been contracted for and approved but bureaucratic procedures prevented their immediate receipt). After Midnight does not serve liquor and is open Friday and Saturday evenings only from 12-6 A.M.

During this same time period, the Bayou Landing was the recipient of visitations, but because its papers were in order, no shut down occurred. However one evening a member of the fire department informed the Bayou's manager, George Phillips, of a city ordinance which states all dancing must cease in public clubs at 12:00 A.M. on any given night. For two weekends Phillips complied and stopped all dancing at 12:00 A.M. but resumed it at 12:05

A.M.

Because of the Doctrine of Pre-emption, the Bayou was. within its legal rights in this action. D.O.P. provides for all state laws to overrule city ordinances, and since the state of Ohio permits the serving of liquor until 2:30 A.M., subsequent public activities are also permitted. As with all bureaucracy, however, there is a Catch-22 to this situation as ironically, state liquor laws explicitly indicate that all city ordinances must be adhered to. (Readers might also be interested in knowing that there is an antiquated Ohio ordinance which requires all bars to close pool tables down from 1 A.M. 5 A.M. during the week and on Sunday from 1 P.M. 11:30 P.M.) In any event, research to date has yet to uncover the city ordinance which allegedly requires dancing to cease at 12:00 A.M., and there seems to be some question about whether this law even exists.

Nevertheless both Phillips and the After Midnight managing staff seem to feel that the investigations into after hours do not reflect any anti-gay bias. Traditionally, Cleveland gay club owners and the police have

had mutually tolerant and supportive relationships. Harassment occurs rarely. But as George Phillips notes, the after hours phenomenon (2:30 A.M. 6 A.M.) is new to Cleveland and "they just wanted to see what was happening."

So long as a club closes its bar at 2:30 A.M. and is in the possession of a state food and juice license and a dance hall permit, it may remain open as long as it desires, without violating the law.

City officials appear to have been taken aback by the after hours development, but now that they've seen it is neither illegal nor a "den of debauchery" no negative action has been or is expected to be taken. Observed Phillips: "The officials have seen first hand that we keep a lid on people who otherwise might go cruising elsewhere. They've also seen that staying open longer without booze allows people a chance to sober up and keeps people off the streets at any one time."

HARRINGTON NAMED DIRECTOR OF CIVIL DEFENSE

·

PROVINCETOWN Ms. Ann Weld-Harrington, Provincetown activist, politician (former candidate for selectperson and State Representative, 2nd Barnstable District) and mother of two children, was named director of Civil Defense for the Town of Provincetown on January 25, 1977.

Ms. Weld-Harrington, is 34 years old and has lived in Provincetown for the past 4 years. Prior to living in Provincetown, Ms. WeldHarrington spent 8 years in Cleveland, Ohio where she gained a reputation as a Gay Activist leader. She coordinated the Cleveland Gay Activist Alliance for 3 years, and during that time coordinated the 1974 all Ohio Gay Pride Conference and the First Lesbian/Feminist Conference in February, 1974. In April, 1974, she filed suit with the District Court in Cleveland against Case Western Reserve University for failing to allow the gays on campus to organize conference and hold that conference on campus facilities. That case went to the appellate court and finally to the United States Supreme Court on Certiorari in April, 1976.

four years working with the local women's center, organized the 1975 New England Gay Conference with 3 others and lectured on her book, gay bar politics in the 1976 New England Gay Conference in Worcester. In April, 1976, she unsuccessfully bid for the post of selectperson for the town, finishing fourth in a field of six. Undaunted, she filed nomination papers for the office of State Representative, 2nd Barnstable Court against twotime incumbent. Republican Howard Cahoon, an anti-gay and not particularly feminist legislator. In the two candidate race, Weld-Harrington impressed the voters enough to capture 37% of the vote in her district.

Her Cleveland in

a

As a resident of the town of Provincetown, Ms. WeldHarrington has spent the past

as an

Her appointment to director of Civil Defense is probably a first for a gay activist and a woman. qualifications organizer and her military background (2 years Air Force Ground Observer Corps.; 3 mos. active duty U.S. Air Force and her recent application to the U.S. Coast Guard Reserves decision pending), undoubtedly helped in her. election. She sees this appointment, as a challenge to her commitment to the gay movement and to gay people in the movement..

-

The myth has been that gay activists cannot work in the system an system and that the system

So gay Clevelanders, thanks to a "mature", "open-minded" police force, it looks like we'll continue to disco until dawn!

prevents them from working in the system. Weld-Harrington believes that change can only come from directly confronting the system from within. The futility of being a gay activist comes from continually being at odds with the system that oppresses us and not being able to change those odds. She believes enough in her philosophy to put it into effect by working with the Massachusetts Governor's Commission on the Status of Women and as a volunteer intern with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination.

When not involved in politics and volunteer liberation, WeldHarrington resides in a comfortably furnished apartment with her two young daughters, Kimberly and Courtney, aged 12 and 9 respectively. She enjoys being a mother and staying at home. Currently working on her

GAY THEATRE

AT CSU'S FACTORY

Page 3

David (Rob Bernetich, left) experiences the sexuality of Jenny, his wife (Larissa Paschyn) and her best friend Mark (Tim Tavcar).

an

CLEVELAND On March 11, 12, 13, 18 and 19 gay Northeastern Ohioans will have oppurtunity to view a locally produced gay theatre effort. Written by Tim Tavcar (Cleveland playwright and musician), "Lay Your Sleeping Head, My Love, Human On My Faithless Arm" will be presented at Cleveland State University's experimental theatre, The Factory (Chester and E. 24th St.) at 8 p.m. on the above dates. Admission is set at $2.50.

The play, a serious drama, revolves around the character of a male hustler and the various relationships he has with a female prostitute, à male-lover

musician and a husband and wife. According to Tavcar. the overriding theme of the production is "the search for personal identity and fulfillment." Screenings of "Lay Your Sleeping Head..." promise a literate script and some solid performances.

Tavcar also indicated there might be controversey within the local gay community about some of the assumptions the play makes. At press time, negotiations were being made for a High Gear news paper benefit on either March 18 or 19. More on that next month. Reservations for the performances may be made after March 1 by calling 687-2109.

The relationship between Mark (Tim Tavcar, left) and David (Rob Bernetich) explodes in violence in a scene from "Lay Your Sleeping Head.." Head.."

second book, 'Politics, poetry RECIPES NEEDED

and Passion', an anthology of her activist philosophy and a part-time student at Suffolk University working towards a law degree and a degree in Political Science from the Union for Experimenting Colleges at Antioch College, leaves her with little time to pursue some of her favorite social activities like golf, or sailing.

satinimo velobel

CLEVELAND A gay cookbook is being planned by Dignity/Cleveland, as a part of its fund-raising activities.

"Cookbooks are a proven fund-raiser," says Dan McGuire, treasurer. "We plan to sell it, not only locally, but at Dignity/International and other conventions of gay women and men."

Photos by Michael Madigan

Urgently needed: Your favorite recipe or recipes, both simple and elaborate.

Send to: Dignity/Cleveland, Box 18479, Cleveland, Ohio 44118. Questions can be directed to Dan at 249-2106 from 8-10 P.M., weekdays. All names will be confidential and won't appear in the cookbook without written permission.