March 1, 1985

Gay Peoples Chronicle

"RITZ" Charged with Discrimination

by Bill Olds

You're invited??????? Another club in town has chosen to open its doors to gay bargoers. The sunday night gay disco crowd has flocked in recent weeks after the "Ritz" distributed flyers announcing that a longpopular location on Sumner Court welcomed gays.

The present ownership after a short-lived attempt to attract the gay crowd with a club known as the Berlin depicting, chain link fencing has coinpletely changed its image. In the spring the club re-opened with chic pinks, roses, greys, and with the Use of glass blocks, area partitions combined with the glitz from flashing lights, mirrored ball and an adequate sound system quickly filled the parking lots at Sumner Court and East Ninth with the suburban yup-

pies. It has been noted that on several recent weekend evening between 11 PM an 12 the same lots have been half-empty except for Sundays. Clevelanders have become accustomed to the everchanging bar scene, and were not suprised to find flyers out at local gay bars and on the cars outside announcing that the management had seized the opportunity to

exploit the gay community as rumors abounded that other popular spots are closing. One local gay business owner, who asked not

to be identified, stated "the owners of the new club also operate a well-known burlesque house on St. Clair, and have operated à very successful club on the West Coast."

On February 11 several local gay activists closed the Cleveland Gay/Lesbian Hotline and the Ohio Department

of Health AIDS Hotline (operated by the GEAR Foundation) at 11 PM. Bob Reynolds, president and Vince. Bluett, Executive Director of GEAR and two volunteers agreed to meet at the new downtown club for å nightcap. Mr. Bluett and one of the volunteers are black. Reynoids and Bluett entered the club at approximately 11:20 PM, Mr. Bluett was carded, although nothing was said and Mr. Reynolds was allowed to pass through and welcomed. Approximately ten min-

utes later Mr. Bluett went to the front door to see if the volunteers had arrived, only to be told that they had been denied admission by the doorman who stated "this is a private party."

Both Mr. Reynolds and Mr. Bluett returned to the door and requested that the volunteers be admitted as they were friends. The request was refused Mr. Reynolds introduced himself as president of a local service group and presented his calling card for identification and reiterated the request. Admission was still denied. The request to see the manager, Mr. John Bangles, was denied, but Mr. Bluett went to the bar area where he had been seen earlier. Mr. Bangles also denied admission to_the_volunteers.

Bob Reynolds was interviewed Monday following the incident

Apuzzo

and stated "as a sponsoring organization of the Discrimination Response System locally (a project of the Black and White Men Together of Cleveland, Columbus and Youngstown and funded by the Human Rights Campaign Fund of New York ((NGTF)) and GEAR) that a complaint would be filed. In addition, the Foundation and all other groups in the area have an obligation to inform their consti-

Page 3

Bush From Page 1 present a talk on Saturday afternoon.

The organizations cosponsoring the 1985 Conference now include the Eleanor Roosevelt Gay Democratic Club, whose members will staff the bar for the party on Saturday night. Besides keynote addresses by Bush and by Brian McNaught, the talk by Chocolate Waters, and the Saturday night performance by comedienne Kate Clinton, the Conference will include about 12 workshops, consisting of two sessions on Saturday and one on Sunday.

THEPLY FREE ss In addition to the

criminates because of race, or any other cause furthers the victimization of the gay and lesbian commu-nity, shuts the closet door all that much tighter. It is time for the community to wake up, and be selective where it spends its money. The economic issue is by far the most efficient way to have an impact on the system."

From Page 1

and valuable to our community. Her return to government is a logical extension of a career that has been devoted to public service and education."

Apuzzo said that personal family concerns had played a considerable role in her decision to accept a position in Albany at this time. "I am convinced that the staff and programs in place at NGTF will assure that the organization remains the most articulate voice for gay and lesbian Americans," she asserted. "I pledge to find every opportunity to further the success of NGTF, and I ask my colleagues and friends throughout the gay and lesbian community to do the same."

Swedish Homophobia

Surfaces

The National Public Safety Board, a Swedish Government agency,

recommends two-year prison sentences for AIDS victims who have sexual relations with persons not suffer from the disease.

They would be free to have sexual relations among themselves without penalty. The measure is designed to slow the spread of AIDS. Most of the 200 to 300 AIDS patients in Sweden are gay men, but the number of infected heterosexuals is rising.

The Board will shortly begin a nationwide search for a new Execu~ tive Director. To assure an orderly transition, Jeffrey Levi, NGTF's Washington

Representative, will serve as Acting Executive Director after Apuzzo's departure, until a permanent succ essor is chosen.

Ohio Pride

From Page 1

the fundraiser proposal. After release of the ad hoc committee's letter announcing cancellation of the Casino Night, Weizer commented that she hoped a Casino Night fundraiser, involving a number of gay and lesbian groups, might be possible in the future. Bob Reynolds, president of GEAR, said that the benefits of number

of organizations working on a joint project and the profit potential from a Casino Night make it important that the community attempt such an event in the future.

Former Shop Owner.

workshops Bush and Rideo will lead, McNaught will present his "Man to Man" workshop, and Kate Clinton will offer one. Other workshop topics include Gay Families, Health and AIDS, and Discrimination.

Bi/Fems

Take Unity Stand

A group is being organized for people who identify themselves as both bisexual and feminist, and want to integrate their sexuality and politics. The organizers are interested in building a support community for bisexual women and men, as well as in forming a discussion group to consider topics of mutual concern. The group will be mixed, at least initially, but will hold

periodic single-sex meetings as a check

on sexism and heterosexism within it. The organizational meeting is Thursday, March 14. Call Andy or Laura at 321-6261 for more information, and to give suggestions about what you would like to see the group do.

Do you write? Can you paste, cut, edit drive design, sell??????????

PLAN TO ATTEND THE G.P.C. BRUNCH AND MEETING ON MARCH 9TH. Time: 11:00 A.M. Location:GAY COMMUNITY CENTER, 2100 FULTON

Changes a GEAR Ano

The elections for the

Investigates Syndicate of the GEAR Foundation sch

A former gay shop owner in The Arcade is investigating the possibility of setting up a new business (services) for the general community, but to be syndicated to gay investors in small enough amounts that any working person will be able to consider investing.

been postponed until March 23. At the February trimes terly meeting, Vince Bluett resigned as Executive Director. Les Kochaus vill temporar that office. appointed

Minator.