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HIGH GEAR journal is a publication of the Gay Educational and Awareness Resources (G.E.A.R.) Foundation of Cleveland, Ohio. It is distributed free of 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 Gay Hotline-Switchboard, (216) 321 6632 and the G.E.A.R. Foundation which sponsors rap groups, a Speaker's Bureau, and other services to the Northeastern Ohio gay community.
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 editorialization. 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.
All HIGH GEAR staff are volunteers. Anyone interested in working on the staff of HIGH GEAR should inquire by calling (216) 321-6632 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 writing to the above address.
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 printed the second Thursday of every month and available at bars, baths, universities, businesses and elsewhere thereafter.
HIGH GEAR is copyrighted under federal law. Reproduction is granted to all other gay publications so long as credit is given to HIGH GEAR. All others must obtain written permission.
Coordinating Editors.
STAFF
Advertising and Public Relations. Photography.....
Art Coordinators...........
Layout Staff.
.......John Nosek, Leon Stevens .....Matt Phillips
Albert Morrill, Matt Phillips ...Rudi Haaken, Ron King ..Michael Dubieki, Rowe Davidson,
Anthony Scafaro, Mike Schanda and the crew. News......
HIGH GEAR
HOTLINE CHANGES
CLEVELAND-The Gay Switchboard-Hotline has recently changed both its number and location. The new number is (216) 321-6632 and its residence is now in the East Side home of a G.E.A.R. Foundation member.
The changes came about as the result of two non-related events. Cleveland MCC previously rented G.E.A.R. space in their W. 25 St. locale. When MCC left that address for a newer Clinton Ave. office, the Switchboard was left without a central bureau from which to function.
This lead to complications, because call forwarding to staff volunteers could not be effectively coordinated (In addition to G.E.A.R.'s recorder being stolen last month, unbelievably someone shortly thereafter stole the W. 25 St. office phone!). The
Hotline was thus limited to one volunteer's apartment and could not be transferred until a new phone and office were found.
High Gear subsequently learned that people who called the Gay Switchboard and left their numbers to have calls returned, received obscene phone calls day after! Outraged, the G.E.A.R. Foundation launched a thorough investigation to uncover who was abusing Hotline confidentiality lists. As of this writing G.E.A.R. has suspended the suspected party and plans to prosecute anyone who repeats a similair offense.
The G.E.A.R. Foundation wishes to assure all callers to the Switchboard that strict confidentiality of any information and/or telephone numbers submitted will be maintained. G.E.A.R. apologizes to anyone who was subjected to any
NOVEMBER 1976
harassment.
Now that the Hotline locale has been transferred to the home of the Switchboard Coordinator (who will monitor all call forwarding to volunteers), it is, unlikely further abuses will occur. Those calling the old Gay Hotline Number (696-5330) (which is listed in the Cleveland white pages) will have a recorded message referring the caller to 321-6632, so continuity will be insured.
Within the next two months High Gear and the G.E.A.R. Foundation plan to rent office space in either University Circle or on Coventry Road in Cleveland Hts. The Switchboard will become an integral part of that scheme and security precautions will be a high priority. Until that time, G.E.A.R. is confident that all Switchboard operations will run smoothly.
LIGHTHOUSE REPLACES RECORDER
CLEVELAND In response to G.E.A.R.'s plea for donations to replace the stolen Gay Switchboard message recorder, the Lighthouse Foundation of Cleveland has donated the full cost of $96.00. A newly incorporated non-profit organization, the Lighthouse Foundation has as its immediate goal the establishment of a Retirement Home or Homes for singles.
Their prospectus states: "It is our belief that nothing of this type exists now. At present when many of us reach a retirement age and we no longer can nor care to live alone, we
seek companionship that only a nursing or retirement home can offer. By eliminating the regimentation of an institution, we believe we can create a real home-like atmosphere and provide a "family-type" dwelling.
"Usually, the singles are plagued by loneliness, fear and despondency, problems that affect the young as well as the old. Our organization can help in these matters. Many, we feel, would prefer to live in a home that they may share with others of like circumstances, thereby enabling them to maintain their individual life style."
....... Caldwell, David Holleb, CONVENTION PICKETED
Jerry Juszczyk, Chris Jacobson, Matt Phillips, Martha Watson Features and Reviews
........David Akers,
Van Ault, George Brown, Marc Lewis, Mitchell Menigu, Donna Minkler, Timor Pudoris, Aaron Ross and others Drag
Circulation
..Anne Ritchey .......12,000
Distribution. ...Akron, Barberton, Berea, Brooklyn, Canton, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Cleveland Hts., Columbus, Dayton, Fairview Park, Lakewood, Lima, Lorain, Mansfield, Middleburgh Hts., Painesville, Parma, Parma Hts., Piqua, Rockbridge, Rocky River, Sandusky, Shaker Hts., Springfield, Steubenville, Toledo, Warren, Youngstown.
MEDIA WATCH
On October 24 CBS aired an episode of the series Kojak in which a homosexual childmolestor was featured. The plot concerns itself with an East European spy who is attached to an embassy. Encouraged by his diplomatic immunity, the man molested several young boys. The spy speaks with a heavily accented sinister voice and is bearded to look like Lenin or Trotsky.
After the homosexual "maniac" offers ice cream to a few toddlers and rapes them, Kojak's side-kick concludes, "It looks like we've got a fruitcake on our hands."
As the plot thickens, the spy hires an ugly wicked Oriental hit-man to kill a naive black FBI agent who refuses to heed Kojak's sage advice concerning
the foreign "weirdo." Kojak visits a psychiatrist who confirms Kojak's own prior analysis that the man. is a psychopath.
By MARTHA WATSON CLEVELAND, Oct. 23-Chanting "Free, safe, abortion, no forced sterilization," thirty women and men picketed the site of a statewide Right to Life convention here.
The Women's Caucus of Youth Against War and Fascism called the demonstration for two reasons: to protest the increasingly aggressive attacks on this rightwing group upon a woman's right to choose abortion, and to demand that Medicaid cover the cost of
WARREN Fortunately, for the New York police department, the CHARITY
"psychopath" is discovered to be a counterspy and is turned. over to his own people, presumably to be tortured to death all the while begging Kojak for mercy (which he does not get). In the end, the relieved Kojak refuses a free dinner from a restaurant-owner promising, "I'll be back later... with a lady."
The National Gay Task Force's Media Alert pre-warned local activists of the Kojak episode, but not in enough time for Ohio organizers to convince local affiliates to boycott the segment.
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WARREN The Outpost announces it is sponsoring an all night extravaganza on December 4 for the benefit of St. Jude's Children Hospital. Last year the Outpost raised $478.00 for the same hospital. This year they hope to triple that figure.
Bar owners who want to participate or talent (bring own record or other paraphernalia) are asked to call (216) 898 4007. A joint effort by all area bars could bring in a staggering amount for St. Jude's.
voluntary abortions.
A banner reading "Right to Life propaganda breeds violence against women. Stop attacks on women at abortion clinics! No return to botched-up illegal abortions!" revealed the tactics used by Right to Lifers to frightened women here.
Four weeks ago members of this right-wing organization attacked women at an abortion clinic. YAWF women promptly responded with a picket line warning the anti-abortionists that they would be resisted wherever they appeared.
G.E.A.R. members are most grateful for the helpful Lighthouse donation. Without their kind gesture, the message recorder would not have been replaced.
Those interested in becoming members of the Lighthouse Foundation can contact the group at 3428 Library Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44109. The Lighthouse Foundation is solely dependent on donations to enable the organization to accomplish goals as stated. All contributions to the Foundation are tax deductible.
A spokeswoman said, "The Right to Lifers have been emboldened by the anti-abortion rhetoric of both Ford and Carter. We are here to defend the right of any woman to choose whether or not to have children. This includes the right of poor women to use Medicaid to pay for an abortion. It also means an end to racist forced sterilization and an end to daycare cuts. Without decent jobs, adequate housing, good nutrition, and quality health care for all, we will not be able to support the children we choose to bear."
ART WORK FOR SALE
All original art work in High Gear is done by local Ohio artists. As many of them make their living off of their art, High Gear is proud to announce that all original art work showcased herein is for sale by individual
artists. If you are interested in purchasing any graphics contact the Gay Hotline (216) 321-6632 and they in turn will put you in contact with the artists. All art work submittted to High Gear is given us free of
charge. It seems most appropriate that the gay community support those who selflessly support out efforts toward improved communication and information.
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