COMMUNITY VOICE HIGH GEAR, MARCH, 1977

I HOPE THIS GORGEOUS NEW BUILDING IS TALLER SO I DON'T HAVE TO GET INTO

THOSE BEAT-UP FLATS!

PICKING ORANGES

Editors:

LS.

I do hope Ms. Bryant thinks twice before she does anything else to prevent the rights, of us gays. She already lost one job because of her activities. If she isn't careful, she may have to start picking oranges for a living instead of selling them. People like herself only end up hurting themselves in the end.

It is the strong bonds that we gays have that help us to continue the hard steps to becoming equal citizens who are not discriminated against because we are a supposed threat to society. It is the people like Ms. Bryant who stand in the way of equal rights for all Americans. They are the ones who threaten society.

We are gay, but we are also Americans and those who live in this country have a right to be free from any sort of discrimination. feel we gay people will overcome this and if all our gay brothers and sisters stand together and work towards full freedom, we will win and one day all of us will be able to stand hand in hand and freely say, "We are gay and proud." Bill Davis Wadsworth, Ohio

POETIC PRISONER

What can be said

For sadness and pain Hidden within

Tears wrought with much shame. Or a willful And shallow Wish to not be

Not what you are

But what others might be Aye

It's frightening And fearful

A test of ones soul Desiring of death

If not once you let go But there lies the answer To Freedom and Self Just be what you are And not cast a doubt For those that belong In your world and thoughts Will love you for you And not what you're not. -g.e. Hakaim

Realistically yours,

Peace & Luv, George

George Edward Hakaim

No. 141-671 P.O. Box 787 Lucasville, Ohio 45648

18 February 1977

OPEN LETTER

Open letter to Jay Abdon Re: The People of Columbus from the Year '69

Dear Mr. Abdon:

I read your article with great interest. Having lived in Columbus for twenty years, I did not know your organization existed, and now you take the time in Gear to write most negatively about an organization so desperately needed in our community. I hear only the sound of

paper for a story. 6) I would like to see more good work by, and about gay people, and the gay experience. 7) Cleveland's a little dull, but picking up. 8) Fine if it can be incorporated in without being just a special gay section.

I'm glad you ask for comment. I like a writer that isn't afraid to

step from behind his by-line to listen to the readers. I like your ideas they seem to be the step toward what I hope for.

Miss Christin Smith Cleveland, Ohio 44102

bitterness at a possible personal PRISONERS'

inability to lead..

For any organization to function well the persons involved regardless of preferences and environments must be proud. Having read considerably regarding gay organizations I have come to the conclusion that the primary factor of personal pride and esteem regardless of sexual preference is missing.

For any group to succeed the key note must be: I am; I am proud, I am of value. Gayness can be negative only if the person makes it so within oneself. No one can make it so far that person.

I would appreciate any other comments regarding gay Columbus you might wish to make and from the readers of Gear.

Cordially, Stephen R. Wildermuth

ON AARON ROSS

Dear Aaron Ross:

I must say I enjoyed your article, Out on the Town, especially your presentation. I should also say I was very impressed with the paper altogether this issue. There were a number of good articles. I found the article by R. Brown excellent. The research, and writing were top quality. I hope to see more R. Brown.

Getting back to your article, I find I disagree with you. Well, not really disagree, I guess I should say I look in another direction. I hope that someday people will not just come out of the closet, but abolish the closet altogether. I pray I will live to see the day when we will pass beyond the point of being straight, gay, lesbian, black or white and we live just as people under the sun. As for your eight

points, I think mixed bars are fine. Bars that cater only to gays or straights are also fine as long as no one is barred, or hasseled by the patrons and management. 2) A little good satire would not bother me, but I think an attempt at realism should be made. 3) I don't believe in any establishment that would bar any group of people. The same goes for 4. 5) That should be a personal decision, and not an admission forced, or indicated by a

SUIT

The censorship suit that the National Prisoners Association filed on behalf of Russell Smith and all Gay Prisoners, which challenge the U.S. Bureau of Prisons decision to ban all Gay Newspapers from all Federal Penitentiaries is moving toward a court hearing.

The gay prisoners won round one as the court did order the prison officials to show cause.

We aren't getting the support from the Gay communities that we expected. The gays don't seem to understand that this is not just an attack on Gay Prisoners. This is part of the overall attack on gay people all over America.

There are thirty-two states that designate Homosexual practices as crimes. Punishable by imprisonment at any given time a gay person may become a prison gay.

We need help in two areas: (1) We want 25,000 letters/cards to be sent to: Hon. James Foreman U.S. District Court. Eastern District of Ill. East St. Louis, III. 62202 stating that you support all prisoners rights to read gay newspapers. (2) We are jailhouse lawyers who drew up the petition but we do not have the necessary expertise to do courtroom work. We desperately need funds to hire an attorney. Please send all donations to: National Prisoners Assn. 44030705 Mercantile National Bank, 70 Broad St. N.W. Atlanta, Ga. 30303.

George E. Blue 27559-138 Chairman, N.P.A., P.O. Box 1000 Marion, Ill., 62959

WOMAN

SPACE

TO MOVE

CLEVELAND On February 14th, the Board of WomenSpace met with representatives from the Coordinating Council and the WomenSpace Staff, and decided to move to the Point Building, 1258 Euclid Avenue. The move will take place during March and April, followed by a major community open house once we are a bit settled.

Page 7

Conversations at the meeting centered around two issues: the potential move and the process of decision-making of WomenSpace. All present agreed that the structure of Women Space needs to be reexamined based on our last year's experience. Confusion seems to center around the roles of the Board members, Coordinating Council, and the Staff. All agreed that our common goal is a more participatory structure that facilitates communication among all of our participants. Several present suggested that some of the structural issues be dealt with at the retreat in March. After discussion, all agreed that some may bring up issues at the retreat; however, the participants at the retreat itself will determine whether and to what extent structure will be discussed there. The group agreed that if the process issues were not brought up at the retreat, a meeting would be created for that specific purpose.

Several present had not seen the space at the Point Building, and opinions on the space varied. Much of the concern seemed to stem from process issues. The space is a large

meeting room with moveable partion, a large reception, area, a kitchen, and an enclosed space. In addition, another space that has two small offices and a larger room is available to us free for the first year if we agree to pay for it the second and third years of our lease. Several Board members expressed enthusiasm about the downtown location and the open space. Many felt that such a space would give us an autonomous identity and assist us as we seek to enlarge the base of the coalition to include more women. The central concerns centered around security, parking and concern that other groups could not (or would not) locate there.

Security will be something of a problem anywhere, but we can work with the Playhouse Square Association on lighting, etc., in an attempt to help secure the area. Rena Blumberg, agreed to negotiate with parking lots in the area for reduced fees and/or free spaces. The group talked about physical vs psychological togetherness and agreed that although the dream of a large house that could provide space for many women's organizations remains, our coalition is not built on being in the same office but on sharing common goals. Anyone interested in helping with the move should contact Women Space at 391-6650, and sign up for a committee. The committees are: Money for the Move, Office Machines, Labor, Materials, and Furniture. A Board member is chairing each committee. The Money for the Move Committee is raising funds to cover additional costs of the move. Donations are appreciated.