EDITORIAL
EDITORIAL
. EDITORIAL
EDITORIAL
In two seperate incidences in the past two weeks the Clevealand PLAIN DEALER, the only straight paper in town, has dealt with the subject of homosexuality.
First let us congratulate the PLAIN DEALER on its coverage of the Mulgrew murders. Mulgrew, a gay man who was also pediphile, was murdered three years ago by a 17 year old man after allegedly making sexual advances toward the youth. The murderer, James L. Oliver was released this week after a jury found that he had killed Mulgrew in self-defense. The PLAIN DEALER and Judge Corrigan both expressed doubts that this same verdict would have been reached if the murder victim hadn't been gay. This we feel was responsible reporting of a horrible trend that leads to the devaluating of a gay persons' life.
The
Last week (Sunday August 2, 1987) the PLAIN DEALER took a quite opposite stand and printed an "Enquirer" type article about Tom Cousineau. article reeked of homophobic remarks and myths that should have been buried long ago. The CHRONICLE maintains that the Cleveland PLAIN DEALER was irresponsible and in fact insulting to the gay community of Cleveland by print such a slanderous, biased article.
We are asking your support to tell the PLAIN DEALER and The Browns exactly how we feel about the "horrors of homosexuality" being front page news. If you join the staff of the Chronicle in being enraged at this obvious malignment of gays and lesbians then cut out the letter we have provided, copy it several times and send it to the addresses provided below. Sign your name if you can, maybe add a comment of your own if you like, but do it! You have nothing to lose but 44 cents and lots of pride to gain. Let the straights of Cleveland know that we are here and we won't settle for anything less than dignity.
Dear Plain Dealer and The Browns:
As a concern member of Cleveland's Gay and Lesbian Community I am writing to you about the August 2, 1987 article on Tom Cousineau's sexual orinatation.
I am concerned about how irresponsible the article was in it's language and implication about what it is like being gay. The article stated several myths and homophobic remarks which were very insulting to me, my friends and family. I am also concerned for the young gay football player who reads this article and once again is told it is not OK to be gay. In fact one out of every 10 people in the world are gay or lesbian, this includes football players and many other athletes. Being gay does not effect a persons ability or desires to be a football player.
It is all right if Tom Cousineau isn't gay just like it is all right that I am. As a member of this community, my family, friends and I demand an apology for the homophobic, sexist remarks printed in the article.
Cleveland's gay and staight community has always lived together in peace and harmony without this type of mudsling that is typical of many small-town mentalities. Lets not drag Cleveland down with these homophobic attitudes.
A proud and concerned Gay/Lesbian Clevelander
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Martha
J. Pontoni
PRODUCTION EDITOR: Robert Downing
LAY OUT: Sue Lacy
REPORTERS: Martha Pontoni, Bob Downing, Dora Forbes
PHOTOGRAPHER: Louise Luczak
DISTRIBUTION CHIEF: Bob Downing
BUSINESS MANAGER: Martha Pontoni
LEGAL COUNSEL: Joy Savren
Publication of the name, picture, or other representation of an
individual, organization, or place of business in the CHRONICLE is not indicative of his/her sexual orientation or character.
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Phone (216) 321-1129
Art Modell
The Cleveland Browns Tower B
1085 West 3rd Street Cleveland, Ohio 44113
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