INTERVIEWS

HIGH GEAR, MARCH, 1977

MIKE ANDERSON PULLING FOR AKRON

HG: To start with, what is ACGCR?

MA: ACGCR stands for Akron Coalition for Gay Conscious Raising and is the name for a tentative gay liberation group serving the Akron area.

HG: You say tentative. Do you mean that it does not now exist?

MA: Yes and No. As a functioning group now present here in Akron, I would have to say no. But as an idea, a belief, a vision that is a part of those people who have developed their gay identity to that point where they are proud, then I must say yes. I can say yes since the concept of ACGCR is alive in all persons who are aware of our oppression.

HG: You use the name as if it were a group and yet it sounds like it is more in the planning stages than anything else.

MA: It is a group. We are now corresponding with each other and will soon be meeting. The size is not important be it two or two thousand. I have found that with trying to organize two other groups in the past that a lot of people are first and foremost concerned about numbers. I

guess there is truth to the saying that there is safety in numbers.

I am not insensitive to where these people are coming from. Yes, in all fairness I believe that these same people who are occupied with how many are involved are not really ready nor do they want to get involved. After all, in the beginning of any kind of group there always lies a core group of persons who believe firmly in what they are

HG: OK I can understand that,

but tell me why I sense a strong

defensive overtone in what you have told me so far.

MA: Well, let me start by saying that I, as a gay male, have learned to be defensive as I am sure all homosexually orientated persons have. We have had to. Let's face it, it is not easy and never will be easy being Gay in this heterosexually institutionalized society. We are attacked by jokes, ridicule and misconceptions and some of us are victims of violent assaults. We are dined, fired and jailed.

HG: You said before that you use the term 'Gay' loosely. Why's that?

MA: The word 'Gay' to me is not a sexual thing. In fact, it is far from it. I use it as a statement of pride for that part of my make-up which can respond to the same sex emotionally and effectionally.

There are a lot of people who are homsexually orientated to one degree or another, but only a few would I use the word 'Gay' to describe. I can be Gay without going to bed with males because it is more of an

sometimes do the same thing, but reversed.

I firmly believe that human sexuality is not a black or white issue. It is rather a matter of a whole range of 'gray' area in between the two extremes, and after all when you look at it, 'gray' looks more like 'gay' than 'black or white.' It is not those heteros over there and us homos over here, and neither is it those bisexuals right in bet ween the range of possibilities

If I had to choose between the three words I would have to choose bisexual to describe myself. However, since I don't, since I feel that all three words

are inadequate and do a disservice to all of us, I choose to consider myself 'humansexual' a part of whose identity is Gay.

HG: Going back to ACGCR, what is it that has motivated you to get involved with trying to get a Gay Liberation Group of some sort together in Akron. As I understand it, it is not your first time?

MA: I have come to realize that the range of my affectional and emotional make-up is a good and beautiful part of myself. I have had many good memories with my boyfriends and male lovers and I will never forget those moments spent with them nor will I ever lose sight of my 'gayness.'

HG: What is it exactly, Mike, have you been able to accom-

doing. To these kind of people, "IT IS SELF-OPPRESSION WHICH HAS AND

don't think that numbers mat-

ter...

I am sorry to say that there is a considerable number of homosexually orientated individuals in the gay scene who will try to put others down or find ways to detract from the good which those of us who are movement conscious are trying to do. This question of 'numbers' is just one of the ways which some people try to excuse their own inaction and apathy.

HG: You make it sound like some sort of moral obligation and you also sound as if you are a little defensive.

MA: Of course, I am in no position to dictate to anyone what is or is not their moral obligation. We all have to decide that for ourselves. What I am trying to say is that I have come across a small percentage of 'Gays' and I use this term loosely, who are movement conscious.

A part of that majority who are not, try to discredit those who are active. It would serve little purpose, for the sake of this interview to psychoanalyze the reasons why people get involved and why they don't. That's not important for we now must reach those few who are motivated for what ever their reasons... That's what's important.

WILL HINDER THE MOVEMENT MORE THAN ANY OTHER SINGLE FACTOR"

Some of us are committed to mental institutions and some even commit suicide. The young are sent to homophobic ministers and psychologists. ... We are OPPRESSED and I am oppressed. That means that I have had to learn not only how to love but how to survive and those are two things which I must continually learn how to do.

HG: But before, you sounded like that you are also oppressed by our own gay sisters and brothers.

MA: Yes, we are. I didn't come right out and say that but that is exactly what I meant. In a way it is this 'self-oppression' which has and will hinder the movement more than any other single factor. It is hard enough to get ones head together about her or his homosexuality around homophobic family and friends, but to have to handle those homosexually orientated persons who do not have, at least as of yet, a healthy self concept and a sense of pride, then it makes it all the more difficult.

ideological statement than a sexual confession.

HG: Can you explain that a little more?

MA: Well, to begin with, I wouldn't put myself as a six nor even a five on the Kinsey scale. Most of my early and late adolescence was spent in exploring my heterosexuality rather than my homosexuality. It wasn't till four years ago did I really begin to confront my homosexuality and went on to develope a gay identity. . HG: Then you are not really homosexual but bisexual and you are a starting Gay Liberation Group. You must admit that would confuse some people. Can you explain some more?

MA: We as Gays are often just as guilty as 'non-gays' when it comes to sexism, closedmindedness and labeling. Call it a reaction to the oppression we face or whatever. We sometimes react to the 'straight' mentality which asserts that heterosexuality is not only better but is the only way to go. Gays

plish for the movement since you came out?

MA: First of all, before I was yet out to my family, I got a letter published in the Beacon Journal in the fall of '74. I wrote a letter in defense of the paper's coverage of the Gay scene here in Akron. Then after coming out to my family, attending rhe GAU conference in New York, and being into the gay scene for a while, I began a movement called Akron Gay Alliance which saw three newsletters and five meetings. That didn't work so I went onto the University of Akron's campus and spent roughly three quarters of work there. I was able to obtain more coverage of homosexuality on that campus than the previous attempts. I organized an open over 200 forum which saw

people in attendance. I also obtained a table in the student center for three days and talked with and distributed information to over a 100 persons. The University of Akron Gay Alliance didn't materialize and in April of that same year headed a

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workshop at the Kent State Gay Liberation Conference.

Then in June came my most important contribution to the movement. I was the only gay representative and led three hearings on a gay civil rights bill at the Thirteenth Annual United Church of Christ Ohio Conference. Along with one minister, we put together and distributed three pieces of supportive material which we passed out to the 800 in attendance. The resolution passed by over a 60% vote! It was an intense moment for me and an experience which will never forget.

HG: Why do you think that this new attempt to get an organization in Akron will succeed when those other two which you just briefly mentioned didn't?

one

MA: I don't know if this will or not. No can say that. However, what we can say is that we do,. and must, believe that a non-religious movement group permanently based in Akron is most needed and that it can become a full scale reality. HG: What do you see as your place in the beginnings of ACGCR?

not

MA: This is an easy question to answer since I have found Gays, when I was working at Akron Gay Alliance, who are most sensitive with the role of those who take in some way responsibility. I feel that I have learned from that experience and can now go on.

I will be the acting moderator

until the group progresses to the point when a change in my role will be necessary. The direction of ACGCR is not up to me but to be decided by all those who are actively involved in its creation and continuation. I can now only speak for myself and what my ideas are. However, since I have started at least the initial drive for ACGCR, then I feel that I will have a major role in ACGCR's beginnings as far as decisions... When the group grows; then my role can diminish.

HG: Before we close, tell us what ACGCR hopes to accomplish?

MA: Since I am not a beginner at this sort of thing, I believe in my ideas and what can happen here in Akron. I have deeply felt a need for some sort of Gay Liberation Group in Akron since I came out in '74 and I have actively sought to do something about it. Akron needs something more than our two church groups, since a large part of the people aren't into the religious thing and then Kent State's group is too far away to be effective in Akron plus a lot of us would not be into a college geared organization. All these groups serve a purpose, but Akron needs more. ACGCR can provide that alternative!

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