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Gay Peoples Chronicle

May 1986

Publisher

Cleveland Gay Peoples Press, Inc. A Non-Profit Corporation

Editor-in-Chief Charles Callender

THE LGSU CONFERENCE

Fifth Annual All-Ohio Lesbian/Gay/Feminist Conference lived up its billing as A Celebration of Pride. It carried out the meaning of this slogan in two different

ways:

First, the Conference truly celebrated lesbian and gay pride, repeatedly, and in many different dimensions. We were proud to be what we are. Even those events that focussed on problems that we are facing within our community, such as AIDS and the very high rate of chemical dependency, also engendered strong feelings of pride. In many ways gay people have had to deal with these problems themselves; and we are doing so.

Second, the Conference itself was an event of which to be proud. As members of the Conference Committee, we feel able to take well-earned satisfaction in an end product of unusally good quality that we helped create. But beyond this, as members of the Cleveland lesbian/gay community, we feel further pride in an event that, this year more than ever, was an expression of that

community and something that it united to produce.

The sense of community this year was stronger than ever before. Even more than last year, it transcended the gender line that has often divided us. Women were more in evidence than over before, at every lev-

el from keynoters through workshop leaders to participants.

More impressive than the active presence of women, they and men came together in the most basic sense, working with each other and reacting together. Judy Grahn spoke to all gay people; lesbians and gay men combined to applaud her with similar enthuṣiasm. The next evening we were again carried away, together, by the performances at the Oven Productions concert.

We were told, repeatedly, that lesbians and gay men are more alike as gay people than we have been willing to grant, that our similarities override our differences. The Conference events bore this out and let us experience this, as well as hear it.

This year's Conference was the work of many people. But we feel that one person's contribution should be singled out. This is Martha Webb, who took on the usually rather thankless and very difficult task of planning and coordinating the workshops, which often run a very distant second to the glamor of the speakers. With the help of colleagues in the Gay and Lesbian Institute, she brought the workshops to a new of excellence that also shows what a level rich community resource the Institute offers. Marty, we already loved you; but now we have a new appreciation for just what you can do.

CWRU'S

ANTIDISCRIMINATION POLICY

Congratulations are also due Case Western Reserve University for addressing the prospect of AIDS affecting its faculty, staff, and students and adopting a comprehensive, eminently sensible and humane policy looking toward this. The University Committee charged with formulating an overall policy came up with an excellent plan. In adopting and implementing this plan, the CWRU administration has shown commendable realism and forethought.

CWRU has already been touched by AIDS. Don Keller, whose death rocked the gay community a few years ago, was a graduate student there. Undoubtedly the incidence of AIDS will increase there, as it will in Cleveland. The University is implementing an admirable plan, realistically conceived in good time before panic forced it to act. We hope it will be a model for other institutions in this area.

In another respect, the CWRU administration's reaction to the Committee's plan has been disappointing. It rejected the recommendation that the university add sexual orientation to its statement of nondiscrimination.

This is not a new issue. Two years ago Rob Daroff and Charles Callender presented such a request, on behalf of the Lesbian/Gay Student Union, to Patricia Kilpatrick, Secretary of the University. After a brief and amicable discussion, she agreed to forward the request to the administration. She later wrote that although the university does not discriminate against gay people; it had decided not to announce this.

Explaining his decision to reject the Committee's recommendation, President Ragone said the University does not list the groups it does not discriminate against. This is no explanation. CWRU has repeatedly published a very specific list of such groups, including veterans of the Vietnam War.

That CWRU as an institution does not in fact discriminate against gay people seems clear. Like other universities, it has recognized gay student organizations, which have rarely encountered problems from the University administration. Viewing us without enthusiasm, the administration still accepts us; and individuals, such as those in charge of Thwing Center, have been openly friendly. The Administration also tolerates activism within the broader community by faculty, staff, and students who are gay.

Writers

Charles Callender Rob Daroff Dora Forbes Mark Kroboth Casimir Kuczynski Sebastian Melmoth Martha Pontoni Phil Arula's Cat

Photographer & Cartoonist Rob Daroff

Columnists Peter Beebe Shana Blessing Jym Roe The Health Issues Taskforce

Production Staff Rod Caldwell Charles Callender Rob Daroff Mark Kroboth

Circulation Manager Bob Downing

Circulation Staff Ray Davis Bob Downing

Jim Price

Nick Santoni

Youngstown: Bill Smith Columbus: News of the Columbus Gay & Lesbian Community Business Manager Martha Pontoni

Publication of the name, picture, or other representation of an individual, organization, or place of business in The Chronicle not indicative of his/hers/its sexual orientation character.

or

Any materials submitted for publication will be subject to editing. The Chronicle cannot guarantee the return of any such material unless accompanied by stamped, self-addressed' envelope.

a

Advertisers may obtain rate sheets and other information by writing The Chronicle, P.O. Box 5426, Cleveland OH 44101.

The Chronicle is distributed free of charge in any establishment that permits

Yet, as long as University policy does not state that the CWRU will not discriminate against gay people, individual members of the institution are free to do so, and to its distribution. assume that in discriminating, they are behaving properly.

The Chronicle is copy-

Any reproduction of its contents is prohibited unless either written or verbal pernission is obtained. Circulatias 3,000 Distributies: Northern Ohio

When we come right down to it, why not.righted under federal law. issue a nondiscrimination statement? There is no evidence that this would harm CWRU. Harvard, Chicago, Northwestern, Oberlin, Cleveland State, and many other educational institutions have done so without the skies falling, the government rescinding grants, outraged alumni tearing up their diplomas, or homophobes assuming that their administrations and boards of trustees are gay.