Gay Peoples Chronicle

February 1, 1985

page 3

BWMT BEGINS DRS

by Charles Callender

At present

Its initial effort will focus on metro-structure and the Ohio Civil Rights Commis in Columbus and Youngstown. Discrimination against Blacks, women, politan areas in Ohio, expected to provide sion provide means through which it can the Cleveland hotlines serve the entire and gay people in general is being documen the most data even if problems may possiact. After gaining experience in this state. area, which is legally the most tractable, ted by the Midwest Regional Discrimibly be greater in rural communities. it plans to move on to different aspects Eventually the DRS hopes to set up nation Response System, a project of The Cleveland BWMT chapter handles comof discrimination. a series of seminars throughout Ohio, Black and White Men Together plaints from the Cleveland and Toledo either through local gay organizations areas and cities along Lake Erie. Pugh said, "our writ runs threefold: or at their regional or state meetings. Funded by grants from the Washington and New York chapters of the Fund for The Akron, Canton, and Steubenville to document discrimination, to educate Pugh set with Federation leaders in Cleveunder the jurisdiction of and inform, and to act upon complaints. land in December, and with the heads Human Dignity, Discrimination Response areas come Systems are committed to overcoming social the Youngstown chapter. The Columbus We're starting on the first two goals of gay organizations in Youngstown in Ae will meet with Columbus and cultural barriers and realizing the chapter also takes complaints from Cincin inmediately. To take action we're going January. to need experience." leaders this month. goal of human equality within the gay nati, Dayton, and Hamilton. Community as well as American society. The DRS Hotlines accept reports of "We would like to get all the evidence Pugh stressed the importance of the we can, because we're looking forward information the DRS is collecting to The Midwest Regional project started discrimination of any sort, according to a state Gay Rights Bill. We see the December 1984. It plans to continue to John Pugh, Director of the midwest documentation of all forms of discriminadocument the need for a state Civil Rights indefinitely. Regional Discrimination Response System. tion, particularly that against gays, Bill. Instances of discrimination as one of the most important tašk ́wė "One of our tasks is to document instanc May be can undertake." reported by calling (toll-free) 1-800-332-es of discrimination and obtain the neces2437, or the GEAR Rotline, 651-7111. sary information. We're not only talking about the racial discrimination and sexis

The Midwest Regional DRS involves the prevalent within the gay community; we're Cleveland, Columbus, and Youngstown chapters of BWMT. It also includes a represenalso talking about discrimination against tative of the Gear Foundation, which gays, "said Pugh. provides the hotline.

"We see ourselves in the long run moving Chapters in Pittsburgh, Louisville, against all areas of discrimination. That's and Indianapolis may later join the Syspart of our writ, in fact." tem. The Midwest group is one of four Discrimination Response Systems in the United States, the others being Atlanta, Chicago, and Seattle.

Thi

Conference

From page 1

r's program begins Friday evening, 19, with registration and a reception at Hatch Auditorius, Baker Building, 10950 Euclid Avenue, followed by a keynote address.

Events on Saturday, April 20, will include morning and afternoon workshop sessions in Thwing Student Center 11111 Euclid Avenue, and addresses in Hatch Auditorium after lunch and dinner.

Black and White Men Together will sponsor a cash bar late that afternoon. The evening will close with Kate Clinton's performance, followed by a party.

The program for Sunday, April 21. in-

Murderers

From page 1

When the four pleaded guilty before their trial, Assistant County Prosecutor Donald C. Nugent, who headed the case against them, explained there had been no discussion of plea bargaining. Nugent said that "the horrendous nature of the crime and the total innocence of the victims' ruled this out.

In pronouncing sentence, Judge Angelotta said, "We are of the unanimous opinion these crimes are not only heinous, they're slaughter. For this reason, Max 1 Bus sentences aust be imposed."

Published criticise of the sentences was limited to a letter to the Plain Dealer, written by Victor L. Streib, Professor of Law at Cleveland State Univer sity. Sentimentally describing the sentences as "unreasonably punitive," he called the murderers "boys," even though one of them was married, and invoked what he called "the special nature of childhood." Assistant County Prosecutor Patricia Cleary responded with a hard-hitting unsentimental' letter noting that the "children," motivated by robbery, boredom, and blood lust, had savagely killed two innocent men.

The Midwest Regional DRS is moving first against discrimination directed at Black gays because the existing legal

cludes a plenary workshop and free time for special interest groups. McNaught will speak at 4:00 p.m. in Strosaker Auditorius. A reception after his talk, in Baker Building, will close the Confer

ence.

"I think it can show us discrimination Pugh stressed the DRS's need for input discrimination against gays by the larger within the gay community, as well as from lesbians. "We would like as much information as we can get from lesbians the end of getting a Gay Rights. Bill. Community about us. It can help gain about the kind of discrimination against women within the gay community, and some sense of what they would expect from "More importantly, I think it can be an important instrument in our becoming We need their input." a real community. I think we need to To increase its operating funds the become aware of all these things that divide us. We're all in the same leaky DRS plans to engage in fundraising events, boat. If we don't start rowing together, with cooperation from other gay organizawe'll never make it. tions. Its initial grant will not meet have enemies out there." After all, we do the expenses of legal fees. also be needed to establish hotlines

US.

Funds will

N.O.C.I. Elects

New Officers

The Northern Ohio Coalition, Inc. elected Secretary, Pat Iponding Secretary, Tom McCoasey; Recording Coyne; officers to serve during 1985. On January Julock; and Member at Large, Paul Richards. Treasurer, Dan 23, 1985 Gene Witts was elected by acclama

The $5.00 registration fee covers allition to serve another term as president. At the same meeting, the yearly 'We Conference events except Kate Clinton's Other newly elected officers include: Are Family" picnic at Wildwood Lake Park performance, the Saturday afternoon cash First Vice President, Tim Simon; Second was scheduled for September 8, 1985. bar, and the Saturday night party. Pro-Vice President, Richard Husarik; Corresgrams will include a list of neighborhood restaurants.

The Conference planning committee includes Philip Arula, Jerry Bores, Charles Callender, Catherine Clark, Rob Daroff, Ellen Esptein, Lee Kochens, Mark Kroboth, and Win Weizer.

system has a long history of defining juveniles who solicit and victimize gay men as innocent, while classing their victims as guilty because they are gay. This time, gay people got equal justice under the law."

He was tied up, beaten, and thrown over the Clark Avenue bridge. Heyjuk survived a fall of 100 feet and was found the next day.

On December 16, 1983, they murdered Raymond Forestal, of Youngstown, who led Friday night raps for the GEAR Foundation. After entering a car, Forestal was driven at gunpoint to a parking lot, stabbed, and shot twice.

Their third victim, on January 23, 1984, was William H. Thompson, chairman of the mathematics department at St. Edward's High School.

Discussing the Gay Peoples Chronicle are (left to right) Publisher Lee M. Kochems; Advertising Manager Vince Bluett; Business Manager Bob Reynolds; and Production Editor Bill Osborn.

GPC

From page 1

Like many gay sen, Thompson was married and had children. After a bingo game at Lakewood High School he was solicited by one on the gang, who suggested Thompson come to his house. The others were waiting there. They bound and robbed Thompson and drove his to Houston Avenue and West The first issue of the Chronicle was gay sports news. Subscription to a nation15th Street, where he was beaten and financed with individual donations. al gay news service and classified adverGay people in Cleveland generally expres shot twice. Subsequent monthly issues will be paid tising, including personal ads, are under sed satisfaction with the prosecution for by advertisers and subscribers. consideration when income permits expanand the sentences. One member of the All four Burderers were described as The Chronicle will be available free sion. gay community said, "Too often the murder heavily involved with alcohol and drugs. of charge at the places of business of of a gay person is treated as an offense At the time of the murders, Eldred was its advertisers. less serious than the murder of a straight on probation for stealing a car. Scebbi

Circulation currently is 6000 copies and is expected to increase during the

Look at Harvey Milk or Maine, where killing had been involved with Juvenile Court The Chronicle will contain locally first year of publication. CGPPA estimates a gay gets you five months in the State since he was 12. In 1981 Valdes received reported news, national news, features, that the Chronicle will reach 20,000 Youth Center. The American judicial psychiatric treatment at St. Luke's Hospi-columns, editorials, letters, and local people in northeastern Ohio.