G.C.S.C.

Bazillio

HELP US HELP EACH OTHER BY ATTENDING

ZTI

Proudly Presents

"A Shot In The Ass"

A Gala Benefit For The GCSC Free Medical Clinic

Date

Place

"Live Band"

(For Dancing)

"Exciting Show"

"Beautiful People"

Cocktails

(At Moderate Prices)

Saturday, May 10, 1975 Embassy Room Ambassador Hotel

Time Donation

3400 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, Ca.

8pm 'til 1am $5.00

* Your check or ticket stub will be stamped with the G.C.S.C. exempt numbers.

100% profits to go to this very worthy cause.

Phone Information

GCSC 482-3062

Tickets Available

THAT LOOK

2512 Hyperion Ave.

1614 Wilshire Boulevard

Los Angeles, Ca.

M.C.C.

1050 S. Hill Street

Los Angeles, Ca.

AT DOOR THAT NIGHT

No One Under 21 Allowed

Casa Juan

MEXICAN FOOD

WITH THE TASTE OF OLD MEXICO

LUNCHEON-DINNER

WINE AND BEER

384-9475

1025 S. Alvarado

1⁄2 Blk. S. of Olympic

TRUE COLOR 537 N. Western Ave. Los Angeles, Ca.

Z.T.I.

P.O. Box 8284 Universal City, Ca. 91608

BLACK OWNED AND OPERATED

New Discotheque Catch One

4067 W. Pico Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90019

HUGE DANCE FLOOR LOUNGE AND GAME ROOM FRIDAY, SATURDAY & SUNDAY 2PM to 2AM (213) 734-8849

CIVIL RIGHTS

No Gay Dollars Please

by Dean Gengle

AVON TOWNSHIP, MI-What happens when a business courts the gay dollar in a town where Slaughterhouse Five was banned from the high school library and Mame was prevented from appearing on the high school stage by the school board? Al and Lois Rossi, owners of Rossi's Restaurant in Avon Township, are finding out fast.

The restaurant, located in this small suburban community just north of Detroit, began advertising for gay patrons in the Detroit papers last January. Reaction built slowly, but it appears that if Earl Borden, Avon Township supervisor, has his way, the Rossis will lose their Class C (by the glass) liquor license from the Michigan State Liquor Control Commission.

The owners said they made the "switch" from a family restaurant to a "gay" bar because of financial problems.

During a meeting of the Township Board in March, Supervisor Borden led the attack on the establishment by recommending that the Township go on record as opposing the renewal of the Rossis' liquor license.

Borden cited letters from residents and increased police calls as a basis for the recommendation.

The Oakland County Sheriff's Department placed two plainclothes officers in the restaurant. They have made two arrests on charges of "accosting and solicit-

ing."

Where will it all end? Rossi says he'll fight, branding the Township Board's move a "kangaroo court." He is considering a lawsuit naming the Board collectively and individually in an alleged abridgement of his rights.

Therefore the Liquor Control Commission will not revoke the license unless there is a clear-cut violation of the liquor laws. But citizen complaints will probably open the door for a "thorough investigation," according to a commission member.

Rochester residents who have patronized Rossi's since the club's "switch" report that the staff is going out of its way to help customers feel comfortable and at home in spite of the local harassment. This includes providing an escort to and through the parking lot for unaccompanied patrons. And the bartenders and other staff provide a "distant early warning" to those who may not be able to detect the presence of the plainclothes police.

"All in all," one customer reports, "Rossi's is a congenial place to be, although few Rochester residents who may be gay will probably risk being seen entering or leaving the place, or even having their cars parked in the Rossi lot.. Most of the regulars come from the surrounding suburbs of Troy, Sterling Heights, Pontiac, Clawson and Oakland Township."

Help Wanted-

Teamster Beer-Drivers

SAN FRANCISCO, CA-In what may be a first for U.S. labor unions, Teamsters Local 888 here succeeded in getting a job for an openly gay person.

Howard Wallace, one of the founders of Bay Area Gay Liberation (BAGL), was hired with the union's help by Turturici, Inc., as a beer-truck driver. Turturici distributes Falstaff and Pabst Blue Ribbon beers.

The Turturici job didn't just happen, however, Teamster representative Allen Baird told the ADVODATE.

Baird went to BAGL several months ago seeking support from the gay community for a boycott of Coors beer. Boycott organizers are demanding that the Adolph Coors Co. institute an affirmitive action program for minority employ-

ment.

BAGL endorsed the boycott but demanded that the Local establish a policy barring discrimination against gay people. Local 888, viewed as a maverick by more conservative labor groups, agreed to the policy.

"If employers want the gay community to drink their beer, they should employ gay people," Baird explained.

The Turturici hiring isn't merely a token gesture to appease BAGL, Baird said. "This is just a first. We're not going to stop here. We expect that other employers will follow Turturici's lead."

Local 888 has about 850 members and operates in the greater Bay Area. Starting pay for beerdrivers is $235 a week. Beerdrivers

must be over 21 and have a valid driver's license. The Local is encouraging gay people to apply for union membership. Their address is: 450 Harrison St., San Francisco, CA 94105.

Changes Forced on Moscone Bill

SACRAMENTO, CA-Political reality has forced Senator George Moscone (D-San Francisco) to alter his proposed bill to declare void penalties for sexual solicitation and to eliminate the 1947. code which requires lifetime police registration of convicted sex offenders (SB-513). Senate Judiciary Committee members, who Moscone needs to move his bill onto the floor, demanded that the bill be changed.

The new version would generally decriminalize sexual solicitation (voiding penal code 647a) but continues to outlaw loitering about a public toilet for purposes of engaging in or soliciting "lewd" or "unnatural" acts. It also will continue sexual registration but not for general sexual solicitation.

Since it is estimated that 80% of the sex arrests in California are based on sexual solicitation under 647a, the new version is still considered vital legislation. Most sex arrests are of male homosexuals by plainclothes police officers, without a complaining victim..

Page 16

THE ADVOCATE

May 7, 1975