Page 2

od n

HIGH GEAR journal is a publication of the Gay Educational and Awareness Resources (GEAR) Foundation of Cleveland, Ohio. It is distributed free to 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 use of the GEAR Foundation's Community Center.

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 editorilization. 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.

Anyone interested in working on the Staff of HIGH GEAR should inquire by calling 696-5330, 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 calling 696-5330, or writing to Advertising. HIGH GEAR, P.O. Box 6177, Cleveland, Ohio 44101.

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 items until publication.

HIGH GEAR is available at bars, baths, universities, businesses and elsewhere the second Friday of every month.

HIGH GEAR is copyrighted under federal law. Any reproduction of its contents is prohibited unless either written or verbal permission is obtained.

Coordinating Editors.

STAFF

.......John Nosek, Leon Stevens Advertising Editor and Public Relations..........Matt Phillips Art Editor..

Photography Editor.

News Editors.....

Rudi Haaken ....Albert Morrill ...David Holleb,

Jerry Juszczyk, Matt Phillips, Don Skaggs, John Vogel. Women's Features and Entertainment Editor.....Donna Minkler Reviews and Features Editors.........

......Don Avery,

Nick Danger, Marc Lewis, Mitchell Menigu, Aaron Ross and innumerable others

Drag Editor......

Travel Editor.

Calendar Editor.........

Guest Contributors.......

.Anne Ritchey .A. Mark Joseph ..........Tom Eville .Bob Laycock,

Michael Madigan, Gloria Sorenson and our readers who are too numerous to mention.

DIGNITY

Thank you all.......

IN COLUMBUS

COLUMBUS Dignity, the organization for gay Catholics, has started its sixth chapter in the state of Ohio. Already established in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Youngstown, Dayton, and Akron-Canton, a new group of Dignity members had its first formal meeting in Columbus on Saturday, May 8, at 8 p.m. in the home of the group's acting chairperson. About thirty-five men and women were present.

The second meeting is scheduled to be held June 5, at the same time and location. People in the Columbus area wishing to learn more of Dignity/Columbus can contact the organization by writing it at P.O. Box 4826, Columbus, Ohio 43202.

HOCKNEY'S WORK

AT NEW GALLERY

CLEVELAND -Prints and drawings by David Hockney will be exhibited at the New Gallery, 11427 Bellflower Road, from. May 7 through June 5. Originally

scheduled for late February and early March in the gallery's prospectus, the show features the work of one of the most respected contemporary British painters and printmakers.

For those not already familiar with his pool paintings featuring male nudes, attention was drawn to Hockney by an article in the July 1975 issue of After Dark Several of Hockney's prints were seen earlier this year in a Cleveland Institute of Art Show of contemporary British art.

HIGH GEAR

CENTER SEEKS LOCATION

CLEVELAND Since the first organizational meeting on March 29, the Gay Community Services Center Advisory Board has met twice and grown to include about 25 people from a wide variety of gay and non-gay orgaizations. The main concerns of the meetings are now focused on finding a space to house the Center and the planning of benefits to help support it.

On May 5th, the first benefit was held at the Shaker Club and was a big success (see article elsewhere). The next benefit is on Monday, May 24th at the New Mayfield Repertory Cinema, 12300 Mayfield. The film shown

will be "A Very Natural Thing,", and starts at 7:30. A patron buffet will be held at 6:30 p.m. (See article and ad elsewhere for details.)

Many locations for the Center have been looked at by the building committee, and only a few have been selected as possibilities. Most of the sites are in the downtown area, as to provide easy access for all. Cleveland area residents and to be near public transportation. If anyone knows of a building for lease, around 5,000 sq. feet, please contact the SwitchboardHotline, 696-5330, in the evenings.

MAY 1976

A Community Center brochure, explaining the purposes of the Center has been printed. If you want a copy of this, want to contribute funds or materials, or to attend the meetings, please call the Switchboard, or write Community Center, P.O. Box 6177, Cleveland, OH. 44101. We need your help and support!

KOPAY SPEAKS ON TOMORROW SHOW

On NBC's Tomorrow Show, Thursday April 29 Dave Kopay, former pro football player, discussed his homosexuality with host Tom Snyder. He sincerely and skillfully defended gay lifestyles.

Asked whether he felt he had been discriminated against because of his homosexuality, he replied that he had, particularly in employment. "I've sent letters everywhere applying for coaching positions for which I feel I am highly qualified and received few responses. Those I received acknowledged my qualifications but claimed that many other capable candidates had expressed interest in available positions."

Kopay said that he was aware of many other professional gay athletes, many of whom had "a lover or lovers in the same sport," and that many closeted

athletes had sought his advice in confronting their own sexual identities. According to his experience, gay athletes feel uncomfortable with their homosexuality because they fear it is a "liability in keeping their jobs and esteem and because macho indoctrination equates homosexuality with unmanly or "sissy" behavior." "Quite a few men have wives and families as well as gay lovers and lead double lives," he observed.

When asked by Snyder how his ownwife was dealing with his gayness, Kopay replied, "with difficulty; but I hope she'll eventually learn to cope with it." Kopay explained that subconscious or latent gay. attachments were both "widespread and necessary for successful team efforts," and concluded that since coming

out, he has been both happy and relieved.

on

His future plans include compiling a book about his life situation and continued activism behalf of gay consciousness raising. During the interview Kopay cited John Brodie as one of the men, straight or gay, whom he admired most in sports. However, in a short interview with Snyder which followed Kopay's, Brody conceded that although he liked Kopay as an individual, he considered the family "an important part of American life" and could see nothing "constructive in a condition which does not allow reproduction." He added that he hoped Kopay's sexual orientation was not "intrinsic or permanent and that he could change."

WOMEN'S COUNSELING

CLEVELAND Available at 321-8585, Cleveland Women's Counseling is a telephone information referral source for all Northern Ohio women. Area lesbians may call CWC for referrals to therapists, doctors, lawyers, discrimination resources, art and music, women's organizations and consciousness raising groups. A Sister's Program and support groups lend a hand during crisis. situations.

Contact services are available on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and on Tuesdays from 12:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Women interested in volunteering their time for working on the phones or in groups are asked to call 321-8585.

Asked what the extent of CWC's political action is, a spokeswoman answered, "our politics are more in dealing with

MASS GAY MARCH IN N.Y.

NEW YORK The New York State Coalition of Gay Organizations (NYSCGO) has announced plans for a protest march and rally Sunday, July 11th, at Madison Square Garden, site of the 1976 Democratic National Convention. The demonstration is being called to raise two demands before the public at a time when popular and media attention will be focused on New York City.

The NYSCGO demands are 1. REPEAL OF ALL CONSENSUAL SODOMY LAWS and 2. PASSAGE OF GAY RIGHTS LEGISLATION. Despite con-. tinued lobbying efforts by

NYSCGO and other groups around the country, 36 states still maintain barbaric sodomy laws on the books. NYSCGO, therefore invites support and endorsement from all gay organizations for its demands and encourages participation in the July 11th demonstration. For further information write NYSCGO c/o G.A.A., P.O. Box 2, Village Station, New York City, N.Y. 10014. NYSCGO wishes to stress that although the march will be militant, it will be nonviolent and unified and will firmly impress gay issues upon the consciousness of American politics.

women individually as opposed to overt actions like demonstrating or petitioning politicians. Our major effort goes toward expanding basic resources. We have task groups right now on one two major issues, changing women's domestic relations and the other on getting more feminist therapists in southeast Cleveland. Our major goal is to help women make decisions for themselves."

on

CHARGES DROPPED

ERIE, Pa. The case against James Patrick Temple, an Erie, Pa. cab driver (reported in Jan. 1976 High Gear) for "involuntary deviate sex" was thrown out of court in March, because there was insufficient evidence.

"an eye-opener and a heart opener."

-Norma McLain Stoop, AFTER DARK

VERY NATURAL THING

Released by New Line Cinema

R

e nousgron