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NEWS HIGH GEAR, MARCH, 1977 MCNEIL-PITTENGER

TO SPEAK IN CLEVELAND

N.O.W. LESBIAN APPOINTED COLUMBUS TASK FORCE COORDINATOR GAY CLINIC

On April 1-2 Clevelanders will have the opportunity of hearing two well-known Christian theologians speak on sexuality and homosexuality. The Hallinan Center is presenting as its Spring Lecture Series, "An Exploration of Newly Developing Christian Attitudes on Homosexuality; an Ecumenical Dialogue." The guest speakers will be The Rev. John McNeill, S.J., and Dr. W. Norman Pittenger. The series will include separate lectures by Fr. McNeill on Friday, Apr. 1 at 8:00 PM, and by Dr. Pittenger on Saturday, Apr. 2 at 1:30 PM. The closing session will be a dialogue between the 2 theologians Saturday, Apr. 2 at 8:00 PM. Unless otherwise announced, the whole series will be presented at the Hallinan Center, 11303 Euclid Ave. (near the Case Western University campus in University Circle). There is no admission charge for the lectures.

This series should be of special interest to Cleveland area gays. Fr. McNeill is one of the founders of the New York City chapter of Dignity, an organization of gay catholics and interested supporters. His keynote address at the 1st national convention of Dignity in 1973 at Los Angelos was published in the National Catholic Reporter. Though he had published on homosexuality in scholarly and religious journals, this appearance in a widely distributed secular paper brought to him national prominence. The research done in preparation fot the articles was brought together in his book The Church and the Homosexual, published in 1976. The book has received considerable attention and is serving as the basis for a dialogue within the Roman Catholic Church between the hierarchy and the Church's gay members.

Dr. Pittenger is an Anglican theologian, member of the Faculty of Divinity of Cambridge University in England, and has been an editor of the prestigious Anglican Theological Review, He published in 1967 A Time for Consent (revised edition,

Father McNeil

published in 1970), a book dealing positively with homosexuality. In subsequent books (Making Sexuality Human, and Love and Control in Sexuality) he has expanded his study to include all human sexuality, of which the homosexual expression is only one type.

Although the lecture series is sponsored by the Hallianan Center, the idea of inviting Dr. Pittenger came from Dr. Dave

Dr. Norman Pittenger

Mason, an Episcopal priest and Assistant Professor in the Dept. of Religious Studies at John Carroll University. The funding for Dr. Pittenger is being raised within the Cleveland gay community. The fund raising is being coordinated by Max McLarty, president of the Cleveland chapter of Dignity. All

CLEVELAND Arlene Ross, former cochair of the NOW Sexuality Task Force of the Greater Washington, D.C. Area has been appointed State Task Force Coordinator of the Ohio N.O.W. Sexuality Task Force. The task force, which corresponds to the Task Force on Sexuality-Lesbianism at the, national level of NOW currently coordinated by Kay Whitlock and Robin Smith, will be concerned with the ability of women to choose their own sexual lifestyle without incrimination and with being able to express their sexuality in a positive manner whether lesbian, bisexual or heterosexual.

The state level task force hopes to undertake projects such as: 1) lobbying efforts at the Congressional level on behalf of the national gay civil rights bill, HR 13928 and on state level on behalf of inclusion of sexual preference and orientation in the Ohio Civil Rights Act.; 2) formation of an ad hoc committee on community relations, that will provide for women in various stages of transition to lesbian lifestyle, public information kits and orientation materials for new task force members; 3) creation of lesbian speak-out programs and a lesbian speakers' bureau which will provide speakers for Ohio businesses, government groups, schools, religious and civic organizations interested in learning about lesbian issues; 4) reachout to various forms of media to assure positive images

of lesbians in newspapers, magazines, radio, television, etc.; 5) fund raising efforts in support of lesbian mothers who are appealing court decisions that took away their children in custody suits; 6) developing coalition efforts with other Ohio gay and feminist organizations; 7)

offering social and recreational alternatives; 8) and as a possible long range goal, the development of a regional conference on lesbianism.

Ms. Ross herself is woman identified; however, she feels that all women --

lesbian,

bisexual and heterosexual -can work together in their state to assure freedom of choice for women in a patriarchal society. She hopes the task force will help to open lines of communication and to facilitate understanding among all women. Any women wanting additional information can contact Arlene at: P.O. Box 99142, Cleveland, Ohio 44199.

The Columbus Gay Clinic is a group of gay women and men who are trained and experienced in peer counseling and who are supervised by a professional counselor. The purpose of the clinic is to provide hassle free counseling and information on matters relating to homosexuality. All communication and counseling is strictly confidential and is of a non-political orientation.

Counseling for gay people by gay people provides the advantages of positive peer support and a greater degree of empathy and personal understanding. The goal of the clinic is to meet the psychological needs of the gay community, to help develop a more positive self image among gay people, and to help non-gay individuals to gain a greater understanding and subsequent acceptance of gay people.

In addition to its counseling service, the Gay Clinic promotes public education through speaking engagements and agency training. It provides legal, medical, and community referals.

Appointments for counseling are available from 7 to 9 p.m. on Monday and Thursday evenings or by appointment. For more information, call or visit us at the Open Door Clinic, 237 East 17th Ave., telephone 1-614-294-6447.

persons who wish to participate C.O.L. LAUNCHES COLUMBUS POLITICKING

in this program or who desire to contribute to the funding project are asked to contact Max at 7910942 or to write to the Dignity chapter at P.O. Box 18479, Cleveland, OH 44118.

Cleveland is fortunate in providing the forum on which these 2 theologians can meet (for the first time). Hopefully this dialogue will be the first step in a continuing dialogue within all churches between the Church hierarchies and their gay members. In a very real sense, this lecture series is a combined project of the Church's Newman Campus Ministry and the gay

COLUMBUS Marilyn, a reppresentative of the Central Ohio Lesbians and Mike Schwarzwalder of GAA recently met with state legislators Alan Norris, M. Stinziano, H. Lehman and M. Valiquette to discuss strategies on introducing a gay rights package to the legislature. M. Stinziano was most helpful in identifying which legislators would be most responsive to contact for additional support. Plans for future

contacts are in the works. On the Columbus City Council level, Jerry Hammond, John Rosemond, Charles Mentel and M.S. Portman were reached for appointments. Mr. Hammond stated a meeting was essentially unnecessary because he supports employment nondiscrimination

legislation.

Marilyn met with Rosemond and although he was for the most part in favor, his commitment was conditional, since he is up

for re-election this fall. A meeting is scheduled with Mr. Mentel on March 14.

The Central Ohio Lesbians will be holding an information political rap at Jack's Bar soon (2210 Summit St. (614-261-9634). All interested gay people in the Columbus area are asked to watch for signs in the bar as to exact time and date. Everyone is invited. (News, courtesy March C.O.L. Newsletter).

community. Dennis Olah, direcNEW WOMEN'S BAR OPENS IN CLEVELAND

tor of the Hallinan Center and Max McLarty have both expressed the hope that very significant numbers of the gay community as well as of the straight community will attend these lectures and participate in the dialogue. Persons, especially within the gay community that intend to come for part or all of the series should let Dennis know so that he will be able to estimate the probable size of the audience. The Hallinan Center is capable of seating only 300 and larger space can be booked if a larger hall will be required.

CLEVELAND A new womenowned bar designed to meet the needs of Cleveland's women opened February 8 at 12814 Buckeye Rd. near Shaker Square. Managed by Sally Tatanhall and Jean McCullough, the bar is an experiment in transcending gay-straight differences thus making it possible for all women regardless of sexual preference, economic status or race to associate in a woman-identified environment.

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05100/3 WOD TO

Currently called Ben Schwarz, but soon to undergo a name change, the bar is open everyday from 4 p.m. 1 a.m. The owners are waiting for approval of an extended license, and while at present there is no dancing, a task force has been appointed to redesign the basement for such future use. The decor of the bar has been described as "turn of the century" and features 15 old natural dark oak booths, a dark oak bar and a pool table. It is "well-lit, pool table. It is "we

uncluttered and very spacious." Among the groups that meet there is the N.O.W. Task Force on Lesbianism and Sexuality (2 p.m. every third Sunday). Other women's groups often attend the bar evenings after meetings. These include the Women's Growth Cooperative and Oven Productions.

Future plans call for a soup kitchen featuring homemade soups and breads. Women wishing further information on the bar may call (216) 561-9827.

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