EDITORIAL VIEWPOINTS

Getting into the swing

Having been in Cleveland for three months, several thoughts have come to mind in retrospect. Most things today claim the usual 90-day guarantee, which means that for at least 90 days it will work, but then. . . ; or "if not satisfied in 90 days return for full money back," which means that by then you're used to it and its problems and you're willing to keep it.

The latter might be applied to my case. Coming from a larger city, I didn't know if the Cleveland area could supply the things I needed or was accustomed to having, and my decision to "keep it" will only be borne out in time.

Kbh.

What I have found in Cleveland is a desire of its people to better themselves, and to not only want it, but to be willing to work for it. This has been evidenced in a variety of ways. There's the gay community bowling league now over one month young. . . I've witnessed gay people really having fun together and not worring so much about superficial things. READER VIEWPOINTS I've never laughed so hard as at the moment I found myself flat on my ass watching my bowling ball calmly roll down the gutter. (Of course everyone else was having a hoot, too.) The spirit of fun is a catchy thing, and three or four local groups are now participating and already talking about teams at their favorite bars. MCC/Akron and Rev. Stan Roberts has already accepted a challenge from MCC/Cleveland. (Youngstown, Kent, and Canton whenever you're ready!)

"Really, Arnold, you've got to come up with something better than 'I'll show you mine if you'll show me yours'."

And Cleveland's proposed gay community center is another exciting area. People are not just talking, we surmise, but are jumping into action. Benefits as fund raisers, buildings being looked at and priced, groups planning how much space they need, what size the community rooms need to be... all point towards the day when a dream will come true.

Gay Pride Week isn't a phenomenon in other cities anymore; now it's something Cleveland is seriously considering. Can we set a goal for Cleveland 1976 to be one of the country's largest gay pride celebrations? Not just people marching, but the grapevine has it that some organizations are planning floats for a parade; and dances, exhibits, and other events may precede or follow, for a proud time for all.

The Gay News will continue to keep Ohio East informed. We're not only proud to be a part of this excitment, but proud because we are a part of its people.

Friends.

Dan Richmond

Dear editor:

Reprinted from GPU News, Milwaukee

Socialist/feminist just doesn't get it

The Reader Survey published in your March issue was unbelievable! Why the heavy emphasis on money and how readers spend it? As a socialist and a feminist I am appalled!

Name withheld

EDITOR'S NOTE: It may not have crossed your mind, but one way the Gay News exists is through paid display advertising by businesses. If

we are to grow and reach more gay people we must increase our advertising lineage to pay our increased expenses. One way to do that is to show prospective advertisers facts about readers' buying habits, desires, etc. to convince them that there is a market here for their products or services. The survey will give us those facts, and early returns are very encouraging.

ETC.

A 'May Day Gay Day' happening

BOWLING GREEN, OhioSaturday May 1 is "May Day-Gay Day" here at Bowling Green State University, with a full day of diverse activities sponsored by the Bowling Green Gay Union. An arts and crafts exhibit, a keynote speaker, a performing arts show, and a dance are slated. The art exhibit begins at 2pm, and the show at 7pm. For more information write Ed Magel, 320 Prout, BGSU, Bowling Green, Ohio 43403.

With this issue, Gay News begins a new policy with regard to our "gay resources" section, which we update and publish each issue. Heretofore, we made a point primarily to Dignity/Cleveland tops his honor roll list places of interest that were exclusively gay in outreach and perspective. Our new, expanded resources guide, premiering this issue, will include all types of organizations, businesses, and points of fascination that we feel our readers might be interested in, instead of the usual bars-and-bathsonly rundown (which, by the way, has also been expanded).

There are many individuals, some openly gay, some closeted gay, some non-gay, who own or manage businesses that do not cater to a strictly gay clientele yet have a good gay following and sincerely welcome gay patronage. This openness is a fairly recent phenomenon, with at least token credit due the gay movement. We should make a point of supporting persons of all persuasions who make a point of supporting us, whether through especially good service to and rapport with gay customers, donation of goods or services to worthy gay. causes, advertising in gay publications, or whatever. There may be certain areas that call for gay separatism but such is not the case here.

We hope further to extend what we feel is a good change in policy in future issues. If you know of a business, organization or agency that rates a resources listing in the Gay News, ask them to get in touch with us. We need allies, and we hope you appreciate this new service.

Jim Austin

CHICAGO-After almost 27 months awaiting trial in Cook County jail here, John Norman has posted bail. Through various court maneuvers, Norman posting of a $5,000 cashier's check. He was charged in 1973 with performing finally got his bail reduced from $325,000 to $50,000, which required the actual sexual acts with underage male youths from a Chicago suburb. He has repeatedly claimed since that he was framed by the father of one of the boys, a wealthy newspaper publisher, who used his influence to keep Norman incarcerated.

During his last six months of confinement, Norman conducted a wideranging series of campaigns seeking funds from individuals, businesses and organizations in the gay community, using a typewriter lent to him by the Chicago Gay Crusader. He would not reveal the sourse of the 5,000 cashiers check, but has criticized the hundreds of organizations he solicited that did not respond to his mailings. A total of $49 was raised by the mailings, donated by predominantly gay Catholic social and spiritual organization. The five five organizations. One of those was Dignity/Cleveland, the local chapter of the organizations, Norman said "top my personal honor roll." Number four!

PITTSBURGH-The Gay News Chain has announced plans to begin large summer gay tourist market there. Tentatively, the Atlantic City edition publication of a new local edition in Atlantic City effective June 5 to serve a will be published only during the months of June, July, and August of each year, but according to Gay New Chain general manager Jim Austin, "if it is feasable, we might publish an abbreviated version in the off-season."

Gay News Chain also publishes Pittsburgh Gay News, Ohio East Gay News, and Philadelphia Gay News. The Philadelphia staff will coordinate the Atlantic City edition's advertising sales, editorial copy, and distribution.

Ohio East

Φα

Gay News

Published monthly by PGN Inc.

Mail Address:

P. O.Box 99552

Cleveland, Ohio 44199 Telephone: (216) 321-2785 PGN, Inc. main office, for classified and subscription service: P. O. Box 10236, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15232, (412) 363-0594.

• Single copy price: 50'

Mail Subscriptions: First Class and Third Class Available. See Order Form This issue.

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Display Advertising: Rate card mailed upon request. Credit to established, approved accounts only.

PGN, Inc. also publishes Pittsburgh Gay News, Philadelphia Gay News, and Atlantic City Gay

News.

General Manager Jim Austin

Managing Editor M. David Stein Ohio East Editor

Dan Richmond Business Manager Dan Little

Organization Editor Donald Moore

Religion Editor Fr. Tim

Entertainment Editors

Michael Mascioli

Ohio Entertainment Editor Nick Danger

Contributing Photographers Harry Eberlin

Richard Jeffers Nick Kyriazi Brian Michaels Studio Two

Contributing Artists Brian Bulkey Fred Gormley Dale High

Escogito

Contributing Writers

John Auburn

Jeanne Barney Joseph Bowden

Debbie Boyle

Janet Cooper

Samuel Deetz

Nina Feldman. Lee Fogarty

Randal Forrester Susan Gaddis

Ron Girson

Fred Gormley DuMont Howard James Huggins Wayne Jefferson Patrick Kader Keith Kamm Denise Keiller Lance A. Lott

Harry Langhorne Glenn Larson David March Brian Michaels Donald Moore Dolores Noll Christine Potters David Powell Shawn Regal Richard Rusinow Janet Schrim Frank W. Scott. Kevin Smith Mark Segal

Clifford Turpin Stephen Underhill Betti Watts Francis Wayne Jerry Weller Bernard Yadoff John Zeh

Member: Gay Press Association

Next Issue Dated: June 5 Editorial Deadline: May 14 Advertising Deadline: May 21

Page A12 OHIO EAST GAY NEWS May 1976