EDITORIAL
HIGH GEAR, MARCH, 1977
HIGH
CEAR
C 1976 GEAR
Vol.3 A Publication of the GEAR Foundation Issue: 7
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 a non-profit publication, and all proceeds not used to pay printing costs and service fees are set aside for the Gay Hotline-Switchboard, (216) 3216632 and the G.E.A.R. Foundation which sponsors rap groups, a Speaker's Bureau, and other services to the Northeastern Ohio gay community.
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, 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. We cannot guarantee the return of materials submitted for publication, whether used by HIGH GEAR or not, unless it is accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope.
All HIGH GEAR staff are volunteers. Anyone interested in working on the staff of HIGH GEAR should inquire by calling (216) 321-6632 or write 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.
The 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 itsme 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 others must obtain written permission.
Coordinating Editors
Business Manager
John Nosek, Leon Stevens Dan McGuire Al Morrill Neil Caldwell, Tom Crouch, Michael
Photography; Distribution Manager ..
Advertising Collective
Dubieki, John Kelsey, Danny Mack, Matt Phillips, John Wagenhals
Art Director
News
Rudi Haaken
Nell Caldwell,
David Holleb, Jerry Juszczyk, Dan McGuire, Matt Phillips, Marthe Watson
Features and Reviews David Akers, Van Ault, George Brown, Marc Lewis, Mitchell Menigue, Donna Minkler, Aaron Ross, Eva Szabo and others
Circulation
Distribution
12,000 plus Akron, Barberton, Berea, Brooklyn, Canton, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Cleveland Hts., Columbus, Dayton, Fairview Park, Lakewood, Lima, Lorain, Mansfield, Middleburgh Hts., Painsville, Parma, Parma Hts., Piqua, Rockbridge, Rocky River, Sandusky, Shaker His., Springfield, Steubenville, Toledo, Warren, Youngstown and points beyond.
WOMENSPACE TAX TEACHIN, MARCH 27th
prepare basic tax forms. The time will be divided into three parts. Sessions for short forms
Do you know if you don't file will begin at 3:00 PM and again an income tax form, you are not at 4:00 PM. Each session will eligible for the rebate. Assistlast an hour. The session for the ance with your income tax forms long form will last from 5:00 will be available on March 27, 7:00 PM. Call WomenSpace, 1977 from 3-7 PM, in the Com391-6650, and register for either mittee Room of the downtown the 3:00, 4:00 or 5:00 PM YWCA, 3201 Euclid Avenue. session. For specific questions Linda Batway and Marty Grey about which form you should will help women learn how to use, cali Marty Grey at 932-2109
CLEVELAND'S GAY CENTER -
A FUTILE EXERCISE OR A SMASHING SUCCESS
Now that a one year lease has been signed for a Cleveland Gay Community Center and its planning and implementation in high gear, the success or failure of the operation rests squarely on the shoulders of the gay community. To be sure, financial support is paramount. Attendance at benefits and the like will be essential if the goal of $6000 (for one year's rental and electricity) is to be attained. But just as important is participation of the Northeastern Ohio gay community. Available services mean little if there are few who take advantage of them.
AR
Because High Gear is an organ of the Gay Educational and Awareness Resources Foundation (G.E.A.R.) extensive publicity of service offerings is assured. By and large, the Center is an experiment. It can propel gay Cleveland into the nation's major leagues and make the City an attractive living and visiting space. Or it can become, without community support, another bad Cleveland joke, an exercise in futility in the face of an apathetic, disinterested populace.
Where it goes is up to you. So come and visit the Center, make
MAYFIELD
COVENTRY
2795 EUCLID HTS BLVD
A WORD ABOUT OHIO
Rebounding from what has proven to be the most brutal winter in two centuries, many Ohioans, no doubt, are demoralized and contemplating either suicide or a move to a fairer clime. Yet while the weather factor is not a plus of this, the fifth largest state, there are significant benefits of living
here which make the wait for spring a little less burdensome.
Take for example, the fact that Ohio is one of only 18 states which legally provides the right of any adult consensual sexual behavior. Or that possessing less than three ounces of marijuana is a misdemeanor, punishable by at most a $100 fine (rarely levied). Or that after hours is becoming a gay in-
stitution here. Or that Ohio was
one of the first states to ratify The Equal Rights Amendment or that prisoner rights reform is slowly, but surely, coming to the fore thanks to the Ohio ACLU...In many ways Ohio is a progressive state, a fact that makes life here, if not warm, certainly a bit freer.
Gay activism in Ohio is building as well. The Ohio Gay Rights Coalition (OGRC) is working diligently toward statewide civil rights. Cleveland's Gay Community Center is certain not only to provide professional counseling services and workshops but alternative day social activities as well. The Columbus Gay Clinic (noted elsewhere) is filling a significant
CARTER'S LOOSE TALK
Of late, President Carter has been creating a fuss over the lack of human rights in countries ranging from the chaotic, genocidal state of Uganda to the Jew and dissident oppressing Soviet Union. Indeed, the incredibly abstract and arbitrary issue of human rights has emerged as a top concern for our newly elected leader.
While many find Carter's stand commendable, we can't help but conclude that to this point his tirades are little more than image building. The man displays a striking lack of consistency and a touch of hypocrisy. His voice on the status of gay people and other minorities in the U.S. has been silent.
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suggestions, provide constructive criticism; come to the benefits, the rap groups, the workshops, the social activities. And volunteer for the Hotline, the newspaper and other programs.
It is not wishful thinking to speculate that Cleveland could become the San Francisco of the Great Lakes region. And that's good news not only for the community, but for the business entrepreneurs who cater to us. So Cleveland, get involved and let's COME TOGETHER!
TASK FORCE MEETING SCHEDULED
Now is the time for us to start working actively for lesbian rights and we need you help.
The N.O.W. Sexuality Lesbianism Task Force of the Greater Cleveland Area will hold its next meeting on Sunday, March 20th at 2 P.M. in the new Women's Bar at 12814 Buckeye near 129th St.
All women are welcome. Important Note: It is not necessary to be a member of N.O.W. to be a member of the Task Force. If you are interested but want more information or a copy of the agenda, contact: Arlene Ross P.O. Box 99142, Cleveland, Oh. 44199
need for central Ohio gays. And Gay Pride Week should be significantly more extensive
here this late June than_last year. As well, the Kent Gay Liberation Front is planning a dynamite Spring Conference this year (April 22-24) featuring the likes of Jean O'Leary, Rita Mae Brown and Jonathan Katz. All of his in conjunction with the successful dances of the Bowling Green Gay Union and P.R.O. Toledo make for promises of a healthy and active turn of the equinox.
In the meantime there's little else to do but cuddle up with a friend. Weather-wise, March and Ohio early April in notoriously miserable; but then there's nothing we can do about that.
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Despite initial contacts made with the National Gay Task Force, the Carter administration has said next to nothing about lesbian child custody, gay employment rights, housing discrimination or the archaic state sodomy laws. Until he does, we can only view his selfrighteous allusions to human rights as loose talk.