Editorial

Cleveland's Organized; Support Needed

Cleveland's lesbian and gay community has long been chided for not being organized. Although this may have once been true, some gay Clevelanders are working to prove this a false accusation.

This issue of the CHRONICLE is full of stories about our community coming together to get something done. For example, the women of Oven Productions and their supporters were nearly successful in getting the Holly Near Concert cancelled (see Guest Editorial). The annual Lesbian and Gay Conference at Case Western Reserve University is another group of people organized and ready to bring a vital service to the Cleveland gay community. Our most shining triumph of organization will be to bring the Names Project Quilt here to Cleveland without having to turn to the straight community for help in sponsoring or organizing the Quilt display.

We can do it. alike.

women

Pooh

done

It can be our event. We all need to help--men and And we need to stick together and not fight amongst ourselves. the (gay?) man who call the PD and tattled that not enough was being to get the Quilt here. That is the kind of publicity that we as a community don't need.

to

Often calls come into the CHRONICLE asking for names of people who might help with a certain project. Frequently, it is the member of a gay men's organization who would like some input from the women's community, but doesn't know where to turn. True, difficult no one is perfect and it is often very for lesbians and gay men to work together, but it is time we tried here in Cleveland. The Conference and the Quilt would be excellent places to start and then move on to projects the women's community has been trying to get off the ground. If the men and women of Cleveland worked together we could offer wonderful things for all.

Editor's note: The CHRONICLE wishes to withhold comment on the Western Reserve AIDS Foundation until it is clear whether of not the gay community will The CHRONICLE is glad, however, that raising funds for AIDS

actually benefit.

is now in vogue.

Letters

Buck Supported

I support without reservation Buck Harris' efforts to write sexually explicit articles, on safer sex or anything else, without from Mr.

the CHRONICLE.

Harris'

censorship

(I read one of columns on "anal pleasuring" in the Leather Stallion ROUNDUP, and don't understand the controversy. It was frank but restrained in its language.)

Concern

about

the possible reactions of non-gay readers (!!) [sic] is no excuse for a paper, which purports to speak to and for the lesbian/gay community of Cleveland, engage in erotophobia. Are the sensibilities of non-gay readers of greater consequence than the lives of Because that's what Harris gay men?

to

is talking about: promoting safer sex, transforming our sexual culture, and saving lives.

that

a

Does the CHRONICLE really believe presenting sexually circumspect, "sanitized" image of gayness will appease the homophobes? People

I

was going to take out a subscription because I believe in supporting lesbian/gay institutions. I guess I'd better wait until figure out exactly whose vision of

But

liberation promoting. police.

I

the CHRONICLE Save me from the

is sex

Editor's note:

Joe Interrante

Cleveland

The CHRONICLE stands

by its policy not to publish sexually explicit material in any form, inclassifieds, cluding advertisements, pictures, or text. We wish to remind our readers that the CHRONICLE's main objective and purpose is to provide a common forum for both lesbians gay men.

and

The CHRONICLE does not beleive Mr. Harris took into account that he was writing for a Lesbian and Gay paper. CHRONICLE needs to be sensitive all our readers and explicit language about anal sex is not being sensitive to our lesbian readers.

The like Helms and Dannemeyer are

mention

sex-obsessed; and gays lesbians and that's what they think about regardless of what you say. about

Furthermore--a

question

consistency: why does "anal pleasure" contribute to stereotypes more

to

So

we

Mr. The CHRONICLE is not aware of Harris' column in the Leather Stallion's ROUNDUP, cannot compare the two columns. We do wish encourage the Leather Stallion to continue to publish sexually explicit descriptions about safe sex, as this

than the no

to

the line

the use of the word "queers" or columnist "Auntie Ray?" I have problem with any of these, but wonder draw you regarding "respectability?"

where

gay people's CHRONICLE

THE GAY PEOPLES CHRONICLE Vol. 3 Issue 6.

Copyright (C) December 1987. All rights reserved. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF:

Martha J. Pontoni.

PRODUCTION MANAGER: Rob B.

FOUNDER:

Charles Callender,

1928-1986.

Kaija Berzins.

COPY EDITOR:

REPORTERS & WRITERS:

Martha Pontoni, Tom P.,

Dora

Forbes, Robert Downing, John Robinson, Raymond Burton.

COLUMNISTS:

Buck Harris, John Robinson, Janice T., Auntie Ray,

Moore.

ARTIST:

Dale Petersen.

PRODUCTION STAFF:

Janice T.,

Doug

Raymond Burton,

Kaija Berzins, Rob B., Robert Downing.

DISTRIBUTION CHIEF:

Robert Downing.

Publication of the name, picture, or other representation of an individual, organization, or place of business in the GAY PEOPLES CHRONICLE is not indicative of his/her sexual orientation or character.

editing.

CHRONICLE

return of

The

Any material submitted for publication will be subject to GAY PEOPLES cannot guarantee the any such materials unless accompanied by a stamped, self addressed envelope. Advertisers rate may obtain sheets and other information by writing the CHRONICLE, P.O. Box 5426, Cleveland, OH 44101. Our phone number is (216) 321-1129. The GAY PEOPLES CHRONICLE is distributed free of charge in any establishment that permits its distribution.

The GAY PEOPLES CHRONICLE is copyrighted under federal law. Any reproduction of its contents is unless prohibited either written or verbal permission is obtained.

The CHRONICLE needs proofreaders, writers, artists, and production help. INTERESTED Call 321-1129 or 621-0228.

does help encourage the practice safe sex.

as

the

of

So, CHRONICLE does acknowledge the need for sexually explicit descriptions about safe sex, is do not believe that ours the proper forum for it.

we

encourage

The CHRONICLE does further discussion on this matter.

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