OCTOBER 1975

If an outsider were to ask a local gay which Cleveland personality is best known to the majority of gays, chances are he'd reply, Twiggy. Often controversial and always colorful, Twiggy has become a city-wide symbol of the gay sub-culture in Cleveland. Twiggy was the first bar owner to come out of his closet by posting a large, proud sign above his establishment that reads, Twiggy's Place. He was also the first to provide Northeastern Ohio with a New York styled bar in the form of Dante's. Well known to a significant segment of the nongay community, Twiggy's face has even appeared on T-shirts featured in The Plain Dealer,

Twiggy, whose real name is Tom, is a native and life-time resident of Cleveland. Reared in the 86th and Superior neighborhood, Tom subsequently moved to Wade Park, Euclid, and now lives on the West Side. Asked why he has remained in Cleveland so long, Tom replies he likes the city; the standard and cost of living here is moderate; and he has a "fear" that I might not be able to make it in a big city."

Tom stayed hidden. in his closet until the age of 23. While he was in the service, a "gorgeous, macho" Italian enticed him into bed. Said Tom, "I probably always knew I was gay, but wouldn't admit it. Back then, I was conservative, shy, and actually needed the serviceman's prodding." Recently having celebrated his second anniversary, Tom lays claim to a "very fulfilling" relationship with Mark, the manager of Twiggy's Place.

High Gear: Tom, how did your nickname Twiggy originate?

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Twiggy: Bob and Bill Emerson gave me the name back in 1966 when the other Twiggy was at the peak of her popularity. They both thought it was hilarious that I was so skinny, thus the name tag.

High Gear: We've seen you appear on stage in a number of drag shows. What is the extent of your involvement as an entertainer in show business?

Twiggy: When I was about 25. I used to do some theatre, mostly non-musical comedys and dramas like "How To Succeed in Business" and Roshomon" at the Euclid Little Theatre. During the past eight years I've done drag shows at The Orchid, a straight cellar bar in Mentor, and, of course, at

Twiggy A

Lakefront Legend

By JERRY JUSCZYK

Twiggy's Place. Nearly all of my shows are lip-syncked.... I have a horrible voice. The groups I work with usually make a joint effort to combine individual ideas for the presentations we give. We utilize primarily show

music

High Gear: Occasionally, you have appeared in your bar in drag off the stage. Are you a drag person?

Twiggy: No, I do it for a gimmick. Drag is a fun thing to do, to see how far you can go. I believe the majority of gays would love to try it just once.

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High Gear: Many people seem

assume that you lead a glamorous life. What exactly does a gay bar owner do for entertainment?

Twiggy: I'm always amused at how people think that I attend elegant cocktail parties, fly to Europe for the weekend, or mix with the jet set. Really, I don't know anyone who does that. Actually, I keep busy with the same activities that others do. I watch television, occasionally go to the movies, dinner, or to the theatre, clean the house, etc. Tending bar is a seven day a week job which keeps me well occupied.

High Gear: How did you first get into the bar business?

Twiggy: To tell you the truth, I never was interested in opening a bar. I had a lover who wanted to be in the bar business, so we decided to open Dante's. It was one way of making a living. After we broke up, since I didn't have any marketable skills outside of knowledge of the bar business, I continued my involvement with it. It's a good livelihood, and as your own boss, you can do as you please.

High Gear: How do you explain the long success of Twiggy's Place?

Twiggy: I don't really know. Maybe because we're more like customers and friends than a distant management. I think we relate well to our customers. Most of us working here now, started when the bar opened its doors. Since we're all good friends, I think we give off a homey, close aura to Our customers. We also try to help the customers with personal matters as much as we can.

High Gear: Your bar seems better known to the straight community than any other gay bar. How do you account for this?

Twiggy: During the first eight to nine months, Twiggy's Place

HIGH GEAR

was really a hand-to-mouth operation. One thing that helped business was putting a sign in front of the bar. This brought some straights in. I think some gays also brought in their brothers and sisters, friends, coworkers, etc. Many gays frequent straight bars like The Picadilly and Cleveland Crate. They talk to people who ask about a great place to go and the gay kids say, Twiggy's.

High Gear: Among your general contributions to the Cleveland gay community are sponsorship of a summer baseball team, presentations," adds of exciting and successful costume balls and "bar parties", and the introduction of weekly movies and live performances at Dante's. Do you plan any future business or social investments in the Cleveland area?

Twiggy: We talk about many different things moving, remodeling. Ultimately we have to consider customer reaction. Cleveland is not yet that big of a city. We don't need a gigantic

bar.

Twiggy's is becoming a larger scale discoteque, so eventually we may have to move to bigger quarters. I wouldn't want an impersonal bar though, I'd hate to have to sacrifice intimacy for lay-out. In a larger place, we'd also have to police the customers for drugs, disorder, etc...... After the success of our picnic-baseball games last summer, we're planning basketball teams for the winter. We already have a date set with The Harlem Godmothers, but we still haven't pinpointed a location.

High Gear: Twiggy's Place seems to be the only open bar in town where anyone can feel welcome. (drags, women, etc.) Is this a policy that reflects your personal philosophical beliefs?

Twiggy: You know, it's funny, but gays are always screaming prejudice. In some cases, though, gays are even more prejudiced than straights. How often do you hear someone say, "I can't stand drags, women, or people into leather." I believe we can't expect others to accept us until we accept ourselves. There's too much in-group fighting among gays and until we start thinking about others' problems instead of our own, gay people just won't get very far

High Gear: If someone came to you asking for advice on the most successful manner of opening a gay bar, what would you tell them?

Twiggy: It takes balls. Be halfwitted and you'll probably make it. You have to accept setbacks. If you're expecting a fortune, I guarantee you won't make it. Rigid plans usually don't work out, but hair-brained schemes (gimmicks) do.

High Gear: Let's get some of your personal views on other facets of gay life. What do you think are the components of an ideal gay relationship?

Twiggy: Understanding, being best friends as well as lovers, and throwing your ego out the window. I believe that if people cheat on their lovers, they are unhappy. An occasional trick might come along; but it

depends on how your spouse -will take your tricking with someone else. If he has an insecure ego, it could hurt your relationship. I won't give up what I have for a roll in the hay. In my opinion, it's not worth it.... Quarrels are an ego thing too. It's sort of like who will give in first. Actually, it's not important who's right or wrong. Often, a disagreement over taking the garbage out can develop into larger outbursts of feeling that have nothing to do with the original reason for the argument... It's just best to say you're wrong and take the garbage out. Everything will even itself out.

High Gear: How do you feel about gay openness?

Twiggy: Personally, I think gay people should come busting out of their closets. We should stand up for ourselves if someone ridicules gays. Too many people try to sneak by. We have to be pushy because straights are. They expect us to take "fag" lying down, but it's wrong to slink away from someone. We have to stop the ridiculous notion that straights have of all gays as cowards. It's no one's business what my sexual orientation is, and I frankly will defend myself in almost any circumstances.

High Gear: What is your impression of the present state of gay politics?

Twiggy: Until gay people are united, gay politics will not be effective. The majority of gays just don't back the organizations. Many are just not interested or not politically inclined. Participation and standing up for each other are the keys. In the past, accomplishments made in Cleveland have been miniscule. GAA had only 20 or 30 people most of which were radicals, and this was dissillusioning to straights. who came to the meetings were treated badly by some of the radicals... I believe we should

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have the same rights as anyone else especially the right not to be harassed. Our sexual preferences have nothing to do with our jobs, where we live, or how we spend our money. Sexual rights are the privilege of all people.

High Gear: How do you perceive the future of Cleveland's gay scene?

Twiggy: We'll naturally get bigger. Now people have many alternatives in the bar scene. Cleveland will become more bigger city oriented. I think the bars will grow likewise, becoming similar to those of New York or California. Nationally, in the last ten years gays have made tremendous progress for their rights, but we've gone only half-way. We need to go the rest

High Gear: What are your personal plans and ambitions for the future?

Twiggy:

live for now and take things day by day. I can't worry about what will happen in ten' years. If you plan too far in advance, your plans will most likely fall through. I think we all have dreams for the future.. I'd love a huge, outrageous disco, live in Europe, etc, etc, but those dreams are not really the plans for my life. I just feel things out and take them a step at a time.

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Twiggy, a high stepper, a high liver. Still highly controversial as well, Tom continues to be either staunchly defended or passionately derided by gays active in Cleveland's social circles....all of which is ample proof that he possesses an electric personality... Next time you're at Twiggy's Place, if you catch a glimpse of Tom, stop to say hello. Before you judge him either way, get your information first-hand.

V.D.

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