LEVELANDER'S

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When Linda Malicki decided to leave the retail meat business and began looking for a new way to feed her three dogs, her career path seemed fairly clear. "The only other thing I knew about," said Malicki, "was books." Thus was born Another State of Mind.

The book and gift shop, a year old this May, is located on Madison Avenue in Lakewood. In addition to used books, ASM carries books on Lesbian and Gay subjects, spirituality, and self help, and cards and crafts. Malicki has devised novelties of her own such as personalized gift packages and a Lesbian and Gay "Celebration Service" featuring gift balloons and airborne gift certificates. Business at ASM is overseen by a very friendly gray tabby named Sophie.

Malicki's interest in the Gay community, however, extends much farther than the sound of her cash register. The proprietor of ASM sees her role as a Gay businessperson as a dual one, partly business and partly community service. Ninety percent of ASM's clientele is Gay, and Malicki hopes to give back to her customers by providing in her store an atmosphere that generates community feeling.

Like many other Gay people, she is always exploring fun and interesting alternatives to the bar scene. "A lot of people don't go to the bars," says Malicki. "But where are they? Where do they go?" She observes that west side Lesbians are far less organized and cohesive than their east side counterparts. Finally, there is the perennial lack of communication and solidarity between Lesbians and Gay men. "I'd like my store to be a place where all Gay people feel comfortable, and where they can come and talk," she said simply.

Malicki succeeds in finding creative ways to bring people together. As might be expected from one of the founders of the women's group Wonderful Westside Women, Malicki has established a Saturday morning women's discussion meeting at ASM, and on Thursday evenings an amateur writers group for women gathers at the shop.

Perhaps her most conspicuous achievment to date has been the Gay Business Fair, held at the Lesbian/Gay Community Service Center in May. Ever seeking to translate her personal vision into practical terms, Malicki decided that Gay businesses and

organizations needed to be able to identify each other and to promote themselves to the rest of the family. The fair, however, grew beyond its original design: it opened avenues of communication between Lesbians and Gay men by taking a first step toward reassembling the fractured elements of Cleveland's Gay community.

The primary organizer of the event was surprised and gratified by the results of her efforts. "It was more successful than I ever imagined," said Malicki. Thirty-one booths advertised a diversity of wares and services. Lawyers, small businesses, religious groups, clothing makers and designers, social groups, Oven, HIT, the Women's Building Project, and the Names Project were among the organizations represented. Local musical talent provided entertainent, and the fair was attended about equally by women and men. The afternoon was flavored with good will and good cheer.

Malicki is already planning new projects. Tentatively scheduled for November is another business fair to promote Gay businesses for the Christmas season. The 32-year-old entrepreneuse (yes, entrepreneuse) is also compiling a Gay Business Directory, to be published later this year.

It isn't always easy, however, to motivate Cleveland's Gay businesses. The personable Malicki does a lot of leg work, but seems undaunted by the need to persuade her business colleages that they are a vital part of the Gay community. "Getting started is always the hardest part," says Malicki optimistically.

She concedes that the conservatism some would say apathy -of Cleveland's Lesbians and Gay men is grounded in the town we live in. Cleveland is not known for political activism or social innovation, but Malicki believes Cleveland has great potential. She has seen positive stirrings in this city over the past year, which she attributes in part to the reorganization of the Lesbian/Gay Community Service Center [formerly the GEAR Center] and to the reestablishment of the Gay People's Chronicle. We need to have a dialogue," says Malicki. "We need to build a strong community, and to acheive that we need to talk to and support each other." She feels that these groups and others are moving Cleveland toward that goal.

Perhaps Gay Cleveland is now ready for the new ideas being generated in the community. And perhaps Linda Malicki is another reason that Cleveland's Gay men and women are beginning to grow together.

Kay Bookkeeping Service

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LESBIAN GAY

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This space has been donated to the Center by the Gay People's Chronicle for the Center's use. Views expressed in this column in no way reflect the views or opinions of the Chronicle staff or publishers.

Lesbian and Gay Community Service Center Report

Congratulations! A grant of $7500 has been awarded to the Center from the Chicago Resource Center. Director Aubrey Wertheim, along with staff and volunteer representatives, attended the 2nd International Lesbian and Gay Health Conference and AIDS forum in Boston July 20-26. Sessions attended included: youth programs, substance

New & Used Books

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abuse, and programming, PWA, AIDS intervention. Information gathered will be shared at a forum to be held at the Center on Tuesday August 9th at 8 pm.

Renovation of the space to be used for the LIVING ROOM started

August 1. Volunteers are needed to help with the renovation.

The Center has been accepted as a member group of GREATER CLEVELAND COMMUNITY SHARES, an alternative to United Way givings. Now you can contribute through payroll deduction to the Center via Community Shares. Also remember to take advantage of the 2 for 1 membership special this summer. 2 individuals of households can join for the price of 1. We exist and are able to do our valuable work because of your generous contributions. Speaking of contributions the Center is in need of a computer system. If you know where we might obtain one, please call.

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