Gay Rights in PA

Mark

PHILADELPHIA, PA. Segal has informed High Gear at presstime that a gay rights bill will be introduced into the Pennsylvania House of Representatives during the week of November 17. The bill will have the support of Governor Shapp's administration and leaders of the house.

Sometime during the same week the house will vote to override Governor Shapp's veto of the anti-gay bill passed last month. Segal says that there are enough votes committed to uphold the Governor's veto and that this will mean the end of anti-gay legislation in Pennsylvania.

Humanizing

The Human Professions

CLEVELAND A conference sponsored by the Association. For Humanistic Psychology will feature a number of programs and workshops on education, counseling, and personal growth. Among those included will be a Gay Educational and Awareness presentation by three GEAR members and a workshop on "Homosexuals and Sex" led by John Power, a gay activist psychiatric social worker from Chicago. Power plans to discuss what we believe about monogamy, promiscuity, long term relationships and other aspects of sexuality, and how stereotypes affect our attitudes. The GEAR workshop will include an experiential session.

Other available programs are "Wishes, Lies, and Dreams," "Creative Grief Work," "Interpersonal Feedback," "Sex and Our Senses," "Funny, you don't look sexist," "Awareness Movement."

and

Through

The conference will be held on December 6th and 7th at the Park Plaza Hotel on E. 96th and Carnegie. There is a registration fee of $35.00, $23.00 for students, and $50.00 a couple. This includes access to all programs, one breakfast, and two luncheons. Those interested in attending or receiving information on additional programs write may The Association For Humanistic

Bluestone

Psychology, 4151 Road, Cleveland Hts., Ohio 44121.

Cleveland

Gay Radio

Expands

CLEVELAND From high above Superior Hill the WRUW transmitter (91.1 FM) now beams a gay news and information program to the Cleveland metropolitan area at 5:30 every Monday. "Radio Free Lambda,' the first gay program on Cleveland radio in several years, is produced by Case Western Reserve doctoral student John Vogel.

to

Since the first fifteen minute broadcast on September 29, "Lambda" has expanded thirty minutes and added more variety to its broadcasts. In the new format, in addition to news and music, part of each program focuses on one specific topic. These feature spots have explored "Two Hundred Years of U.S. Gays," "Governor Shapp's (Pa.) 'Emancipation Proclamation' For Gays", and a discussion with members of Cleveland lesbian groups. During coming weeks the feature section will be devoted to "Gay Alcoholics" (Nov. 10) and "Venereal Disease" (Nov. 17).

"Radio Free Lambda" is designed for communication both within and without the gay community. One of the purposes, according to Vogel, is to reach "closeted people who don't know that there are other gays out there. With a radio program, unlike a newspaper, a person can casually be listening; they don't have to worry about hiding a newspaper in the bottom of the dresser." Another objective is "getting the word spread that we DO have a culture." Vogel hopes the program will also reach straights and educate them about gays.

Vogel sees his main responsibility as that of an organizer and coordinator. The show "can go in many different ways. My job is to keep it on the air."

To keep "Lambda" going, however, John says that he needs help. There is need for additional announcers, engineers for taping the program, news items, poetry, music and topic researchers. Rather than one or two people researching every topic, Vogel suggests that everyone has their "pet thing that interests them" and they can contribute their expertise on the subject, (If you are interested in helping, you can contact Vogel by writing 2255 Grandview Avenue, Cleveland Heights, Ohio 44106. WRUW general manager, Neil Feldman thinks that the program is "put together well" and he is "generally pleased" with the result. Listener response has been small (1 or 2 letters and several but phone calls) favorable. Like Vogel, Feldman would like to see more people involved.

Gay Union

Bowling GreenTrying to clear up the misconceptions about gay people through a program of public awareness is the goal of the BOWLING GREEN GAY UNION.

The union, a universitysanctioned organization this year, has over 50 active members consisting of students and local residents. The speakers bureau is continuing a program from last year, which sent union members to speak in paneltype classroom discussions at a professor's or student's request. The union is considering an expansion into community services this year as part of its public awareness program also.

Social activities will be expanded this year, Three dances were held last year and all were very successful. The first dance this year was held Oct. 11, 1975, and attended by over 200 people from Ohio, Mich., and Ind. The second dance is now in the planning stages. Other activities on the drawing board include a film festival, more dances, a hay ride, legal involvement in the community, C.R. group meetings and much more. The union meets every Wednesday in room 203 Hayes Hall BGSU. For further information write to BGGU/box 9/U Hall/BGSU. For further information write to BGGU/box 9/U Hall/Bowling Green State University Bowling Green, Ohio 43402.

THE GAY HOTLINE WORKS WHEN YOU DO

Bulletin

Judge Rebukes Akron Police

696-5330

AKRON As we were going to press, the following item came in: Bill Hoover who was arrested in September by Ak: on police for jaywalking in front of Mother's bar had his court hearing, Monday, November 4th. Although he was found guilty, all fines were suspended, his bail money was returned and no court costs were charged. The judge also rebuked the police department for its handling of the incident.

Gays were frequently harassed at the streets surrounding Mother's in a police crackdown of the "red light" district. Since Hoover's arrest, Mother's has closed. Although jaywalking is only a misdemeanor, reports indicate that Hoover will still appeal the decision as a challenge to selective harassment

techniques.

Gear Launches Media Blitz

GEAR Launches Media Blitz

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CLEVELAND The GEAR Foundation has announced it has contacted all major Cleveland television stations and radio programs requesting air time to discuss the issue of gay rights. To date, two GEAR members have appeared on "Jabberwocky," WMMS' Sunday morning talk show, and an upcoming segment of WEWS TV's Inner Circle will feature a GEAR member and two local area lesbian/feminists. Periodic broadcasting can also be heard on WERE Radio. Other plans are presently in the works for a Morning Exchange appearance, a WKYC TV local talk show appearance, and other forums consciously directed at the local straight community for educational purposes.

HIGH GEAR

Vol. II,

A Publication of the Gear Foundation, Issue 1975

Gay Federation

Announces

First Meeting

CLEVELAND The Cleveland Gay Federation announces that its first organizational meeting for political action will be held Wednesday, November 19th at the MCC-GEAR-CGF offices

located at 2999 W. 25th St. The meeting is open to all gays interested in local civil rights, group support for harassed gays, and public relations with key local legislators.

The organizers hope that the first meeting will provide some base of structure from which to work and small, realizable goals that could be achieved within a month's time. (Contacting Mayor Perk's office, etc.). Note: The organizers wish to emphasize that the CGF will not be a forum for discussion of any political issues outside of gay rights.

1975

The Gear Foundation,

D.Y.K.E. Forms

CLEVELAND Last May about seven women banded together to form D.Y.K.E. (Dykes You Know Everywhere). Early meetings concentrated on consciousness raising, but more recent meetings have become more political. The main purposes of the groups said one member, are "to get to know more lesbians, communicate, and socialize with others outside of the bars."

During the seven months of its existence, D.Y.K.E. has grown to about seventy members who hold open meetings from 8 to 10 p.m. every Monday. (For more complete information call 3711697). Their projects have also expanded into several other

areas.

At the International Women's Year activities in Cleveland four sisters sponsored a well received workshop on lesbianism which drew 150 participants.

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On November 14-16 D.Y.K.E. is sponsoring a lesbian-feminist conference open to lesbians and feminists of the Northern Ohio area. There is of $20.00 to registration fee cover room and board costs. Bedding is the only item which participants must supply. For more information interested women should call 371-0177.

Other outgrowths of D.Y.K.E. include Oven Productions, a non-profit corporation. The group consists of five women and concentrates on art, dance, theater and music. They have been responsible for some of the entertainment during the women only nights at Godmothers II.

In addition, D.Y.K.E. provides a free store, library, and general carpentry and plumbing repair work.