FEATURES HIGH GEAR, MARCH, 1977

BENEFIT FOR CLEVELAND GAY CENTER MARCH 19-TWO PERFORMANCES

8 And 10:30 P.M.

limited seating.....reservations are requested. Call 687-2109 From 1-5 p.m.

CSU Factory Theatre, E. 24th and Chester Ave. Cleveland

LAY YOUR SLEEPING HEAD, MY LOVE,

HUMAN ON MY FAITHLESS ARM

THE EYES: WINKS, BLINKS AND NODS

By Byron Friedman

The neophyte stood casually by the bar, his hands clinging tightly to his water-logged scotch. Spontaneously, as he glanced from the corner of his eye, he realized that he was being cruised from across the multi-colored dance floor. The piercing stares were giving him tingly sensations of physical acceptance, but at the same instant were sending ice-cold chills down his spine.

What a familiar situation! It happens in every gay setting, just as in every cliche love story, the heroine's eyes melt while the hero's eyes burn into hers.

In truth, the eyes alone really can't symbolize a burning glance or a mocking stare. Far from being windows of the soul, the eyes are physiological dead ends, simply organs of sight and no more. Differently colored in different people to be sure, but not really capable of expressing

emotion in themselves.

And yet again and again we hear and even tell of the eyes being wise, knowing, good, bad and indifferent.

Why is there such confusion? Can we all be wrong in our assumptions? If the eyes do not show emotion, then why the vast literature, the stories and legends about them?

Probably out of the many parts of the human body that are used to transmit information, the eyes are the most important and can transmit the most subtle nuances. While the eyeball itself shows nothing, the emotional impact of the eye occurs because of their use and the use of the face around them. The reason the eyes have so confounded all of us is because by the length of your glance, by the raising of the eyelids, by squinting, and by dozens of other little manipulations of the skin and eyes, almost any meaning can be sent out.

The most important technique

Page 22

of eye management must be the almighty stare. With it we can often make or break another person. We do this by simply giving him or her human or non-human

status.

With unfamiliar human beings, even those with whom we have become physically attracted to we must avoid staring, but at the same time we must also avoid ignoring them. To indicate that

we're interested, we use a deliberate and polite inattention. We look at them long enough to make it quite clear that we see them and then immediately look away. We are saying in body and I like what I see," and a language, "I know you are there moment later we add, "But I would not dream of intruding on your privacy."

The important thing in such an exchange is that we are seeking an immediate response to our glances. "Are you interested also?

The look and away stare can prove to be an awkward flirtation. How do I respond if I'm interested? How about if I'm not?

If you're not interested, an immediate look-away will signal that you've discovered your lover elsewhere. Something like an ostrich burying his head in the sand. "If I cannot see you, you cannot reach me with your suggestive glances."

Generally speaking, if the two of you are mutually attracted, several interesting winks and nods will pave the way for a direct meeting and result in verbal communication. You will both know that your intentions have taken a proper step in the right direction toward a more meaningful relationship.

The endless number of eye and skin combinations we produce can be translated into many different implications. With them there are virtually limitless numbers of signals we can transmit with our eyes.

it.

Love is blind? I rather doubt

O.G.R.C.

The Ohio Gay Rights Coalition Needs Your Help Now! Send What you can to

OGRC, 354 Bratenahl Rd.

Bratenahl, Ohio 44108

Please make all checks payable

to either OGRC OR The Ohio Gay Rights Coalition

Confidentiality is Assured

Name

Address

Telephone (optional)....

HELP US MAKE OHIO A BETTER PLACE FOR ALL GAY PEOPLE!