PAGE 30

Continued From Page 28

civil rights. At a meeting I attended with David Goodenough and another man, Seiberling said he would have to see what the bill (HR 5452) said first. Really, you could expect that from any legislator. He said he

would definitely not co-sponsor the bill because of the political flack at home, though he did indicate he'd consider voting for it ... It is true Seiberling was not comfortable with the issue. In fact he went out of his way to let us know he is heterosexual, but never made any anti-gay

he

comments.

High Gear: Would you contact Seiberling again over HR 5452?

tually, I don't anticipate HR 5452 coming up for a hearing for some time. At any given sitting,

Congress has over 100 bills to deal with and they always act on those most pressing to their constituency. The fact is there's so little mail response to the gay rights bill that there is subsequently no hearing.

demand for a

High Gear: If we may tap your professional expertise, do you feel there is a 'biological role' for gays?

Dr. Sheppe: Well, biologists haven't given much thought to it. There's been a nasty conover a book titled troversy Socio-Biology by Wilson at Harshow how vard. He tries to biological ideas can be applied toward a theory of social Dr. Sheppe: Well, timing is biology, but he's met with convery important. If the bill comes siderable resistance. In fact, a up for a hearing, I'd consider group of Cambridge leftists going to Washington and conrepeatedly attack him on his tacting the Gay Rights National theory that there's a genetic Lobby. Perhaps, basis for human behavior. that Wilson representative speculates that organization and I could see homosexuality evolved because a few it fulfills a certain role for human Seiberling. I've done favors for him, like setting up a survival. According to his Conservationists for Carter beliefs, homosexuality performs group here in Akron, so I'd ask various functions including child of him to return the gestures. care. Much his argument revolves around the natural selection theory ...

then,

of

a

I think it's more profitable for gays to work with legislators instead of denouncing them. I don't think demonstrations are very useful. An understanding of sophisticated lobbying techniques would in the long run be the most beneficial. Ac-

Of course, his theses have not been proven. We don't know if homosexuality is an accidental result of genes or was originally intended for other purposes. We can, however, confidently say

HIGH GEAR

that to say the purpose of sex is reproduction is a gross oversimplification. Actually, the purpose of sex is variability in population.

the

High Gear: Do you have any thoughts on the ageism

prevelant in gay culture?

Dr. Sheppe: Ageism is strictly due to cultural conditions. Past civilizations showed many relationships between older men and adolescents. At the same time, different ages will have different interests. Some segregation will inevitably occur by individual tastes. I, for instance, don't go to the bars because I don't like the music. In the long run I think we should have a mixing of ages. An exclusion restricts potential relationships. Although I think overlooking older men as sexual partners is unfortunate, I'll admit I've been an ageist myself. Presently, we should try to break ageism down on a social level, if not a sexual one.

High Gear: Do you think cultural hero(ine)s are important?

Dr. Sheppe: Well, I think it's important such people be known and open. In one of the last Life Magazines there was an article on autumn written by W.H. Oden who mentioned his lover in passing, very matter-offactly. I believe that's the ideal situation. Not making a big thing out of sexuality, but being visible and going about your business openly and

and COMP

unashamedly. That's the most useful act one can do.

For years there's been someone on my pedestal Smiling, beguiling, Wearing many more laurels up

NOVEMBER 1976

By Lady O

IA.F.

there than down here... For years I have had possession of that most favored one Laughing, loving Spending much more time up there than down here....

For years I've been contented with just such a reverie Waiting, hoping,

That 'this time' up there and down here would coincide.... Now that pedestal is empty. This time she climbed down, probably before I took her down or replaced her with someone new or better....

But there is no one new better.

or

And all I have left is a vacancy-on my pedestal and in my life.

4000000000000 000005 EPEN

WEDNESDAY THRU SATURDAY A touch of New York disco is now in Cleveland

DISSO UNTIL DAWN 97859

Friday and Saturday at Baskerville's 2:30 am until 6 am

IN THE FLATS AT 1187 OLD RIVER RD., CLEVELAND (216) 696-9021

Number One Disco

after hours in Cleveland