NEWS

LEASE SIGNED FOR GAY CENTER -

OPEN HOUSE, MARCH 27

Cleveland The long-time dream of Cleveland's gay community became a reality with the signing of the lease to the suite of offices on the third floor of Coventryard. This act was the final step in an exhaustive effort to find and lease suitable quarters for the new community center. The Gear Foundation Board of Trustees is particularly pleased with the site, at the corner of Coventry Road and Euclid Heights Boulevard, and is happy to be one of the participants in the restoration and revitalization of the Coventry area. The owner and developer of the project, attorney Lewis Zipkin, welcomed the Foundation into the mall area and expressed his high hopes -for the center's flourishing and contributing to the Coventry area.

The lease, signed on February 27, 1977, conveys to the Gear Foundation the tenancy in the office suite until April, 1978. The rent is $250. per month, plus utilities (including electric heat).

The Gear Board estimates that the total monthly cost will be slightly under $300, possibly less.

The suite, formerly a large residential apartment, has been converted for office use, but retains an inviting, noncommercial look. The rooms include a large main room with fireplace, overlooking Euclid Heights Boulevard; a smaller study-sized room immediately off the entrance; a second large room toward the rear, adjoining the main room, overlooking the interior of the mall are two storys

The landlord is currently in the process of installing the electric heating unit, and bringing the suite into top shape. Simultaneously, the Gear Board, which has already taken possession of the premises, is beginning the process of planning and moving into the quar-

ters.

An open house to celebrate the opening of the Community

Center will be held on Sunday, March 27, 1977, from one to five in the afternoon, at the Community Center. An invitation to attend is cordially and thusiastically extended to the

en-

entire gay community of Cleveland. To get into the Center, use the Coventryard entrance on Euclid Heights Boulevard immediately to the right of the main Mall entrance.

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Outside entrance of the new Cleveland Gay Center located at 2795 Euclid Hts. Blvd. (and Coventry Rd.) in Cleveland Hts.

OHIO GAY COALITION MARCHES ON

OBERLIN On Saturday, March 5 nearly 50 lesbians and gay men from a number of Ohio gay groups met at Oberlin College to formalize the structure of the Ohio Gay Rights Effort (OGRE). Among the actions taken was a vote to change the name of the alliance from OGRE to The Ohio Gay Rights Coalition. The move was made after a representative of Central Ohio Lesbians reported that in her efforts to contact state legislators some officials appeared either taken aback or intimidated by the acronym OGRE.

Currently, the following gay organizations are represented in OGRC: The Central Ohio Lesbians, The Oberlin Gay Union, Dignity/Cleveland, The Bowling Green Gay Union, The Youngstown Sexuality and Lesbianinsm Task Force of N.O.W., The Cleveland Gay

Political Union and the Gay Caucus of Youth Against War and Fascism (Cleveland). Independent activists-at-large were also in attendance from Ashland, Akron, and Columbus.

OGRC, which plans to formulate a charter and by-laws, stated as its purpose the attainment of Ohio gay civil and social rights. A motion was adopted to have each gay organization send at least one representative to each OGRC meeting to maintain the momentum of the coalition. Elected spokesperson for independent members-at-large, Mark Kopaz will act as a contact person for any gay individual who would like to join OGRC but is not a member of any present group. (He can be reached at (614) 864-6296).

OGRC also established a savings account for donations that will partially be used to hire a full-time lobbyist in Columbus.

The lobbyist will educate and interact with state legislators in an effort to obtain a comprehensive Ohio gay civil rights package. Cleveland was selected as the locale to handle all banking procedures. Dan McGuire, Pat Hilliard and Phil Murawa were elected as co-signers and keepers of all OGRC financial transactions.

Although discussion of fundraising and OGRC benefits was postponed until the next meeting, donations are being solicited now. OGRC asks that all supporters send what they can to OGRC, 354 Bratenahl Rd., Bratenahl, Ohio 44108. Checks should be made out to either OGRC or the Ohio Gay Rights Coaliton. Confidentiality is assured.

The goal-oriented OGRC requested that each group represented establish its own objectives and present them at the next meeting. The Oberlin Gay Union has received funds from the university to continue publication of the OGRC newsletter. Available after March 23, the March newsletter will contain a list of state legislators from central and northern Ohio. Those interested in obtaining a copy may write OGRC at Oberlin University, Box 30, Wilder Hall, Oberlin, Ohio 44074. A donation is asked to cover postage costs.

The Central Ohio Lesbians offered to provide a form letter and presentation on guidelines for gay people in contacting legislators on gay civil rights. This information will be printed in both the OGRC newsletter and High Gear.

The Bowling Green Gay Union plans to contact women's groups in Toledo and will begin reaching out to area state legislators. and the N.O.W. Lesbianism and Sexuality Task Force of Youngstown promised to inform all Ohio N.O.W. Task Forces of OGRC's activities. Each group was asked to prepare roster of people in Ohio who are openly ideologically hostile to the Gay Movement so that OGRC can launch a letter campaign and publicize their anti-gay stands.

The next OGRC meeting will be held during the weekend of the KGLF Conference at Kent State University April 22-24. OGRC hopes to be included in the program of activities and invites all interested Ohioans to attend. Further information can be obtained by calling Oberlin at (216) 775-8131 or (216) 775-5646.

A flight of stairs leads directly to the Center's front door.

Concurrently with its efforts to plan and move into the Community Center, the Gear Foundation is embarking on a massive fund raising campaign in order to pay for it. The emphasis is on individual contributions, but a series of benefit parties at most of the bars will also yield the greatly-needed revenue. Follow High Gear for further notice of the dates and times of these benefits.

It is hoped that at last the entire gay community in Cleveland can unite in creating a Community Center which will serve each and all of the diverse needs and goals of all the gay people in Cleveland. The Gear Foundation welcomes and encourages the involvement of all in the planning of the Center's activities, programs, services, and entertainment, now that the Center is indeed a reality.

Photo by Al Morrill

THOUSAND DOLLARS

$9HUNDRED

DOLLARS