Continued from Page 2. Dismal

reviews from Gay communities all over the country, was one of the leading acts at the March on Washington in 1987, and plays at women's festivals all year round. A 5-foot, 98 pound lesbian in full leather, she can sing, joke, do heart wrenching songs about AIDS, being Jewish and being a lesbian. In short, Lavner would attract gay men and lesbians alike, how could I go wrong?

Was it too expensive? Eight dollars pre-sale and $10 at the door, (three Vodka tonics with tip.) Was it the location? The Allen Memorial Library seats 470, not a lot. It's accessible by RTA and bus, it in on the Case Western Reserve University campus, and right across the street from Severance Hall.

Was it not publicized well? We placed ads in The Chronicle, Valentine News, What She Wants, and the Edition. We flyered cars the week prior to the concert at all the major bars.....we talked it up.

So, What went wrong?

I'm not new to fundraising in Cleveland and I guess the disappointment I feel is not new either. I'm frustrated and angry that we, as a community, can not support such a fine artist.

I love my community. We are a diverse group of powerful, loving, gentle people. I constantly hear both men and women wanting options other than the bars, so where were you? We have to help ourselves, this government has proven that, so please, be aware of community events, get on your favorite mailing list, (Health Issues Taskforce, Women's Building Project, The Names Project, Lesbian and Gay Community Center, Oven) And for heaven's sake pick up this paper and other gay and lesbian publications! Know what is going on in the community......Help Us to Help Ourselves! Zak Haley

Bores

lesbian

community. His input, direction, and prodigious work kept organizations afloat when less experienced leadership dreamed but did not know how to produce accomplishments. During this time Jerry honed his interest and focused on Eleanor Roosevelt, Health Issues Taskforce and the annual gay/lesbian conference sponsored by CWRU. None of these organizations could have achieved what they have without his tireless efforts and insight.

During the last half of this decade Jerry's role has shifted somewhat from an initiator to an advisor. In this role Jerry has proven even more capable, and as a result, reaped even more criticism. His is a even more thankless task as Jerry put to the test and the task numerous dreamers and schemers to produce rather than pontificate. If he were leaving Cleveland due to exhaustion or disillusionment it would understandable, but, because he sought little or no recognition for his work and contributions, this is not the reason for his departure.

be

Jerry is not the man of the month: he is the man of the decade. Those of us who have known and worked with him are forever grateful for what he has done. Who can forget the speakers he has brought to us, the workshops, the financial expertise, the resolutions and the resolutions, the broadening of our experiences and opportunities as gays and lesbians, and

yes,

the mailing list(s). Jerry, singlehandedly, has been the glue that has kept us together as a community during the eighties.

As much as I want for his success in Portland I grieve at the loss (as much as I grieved at any loss) of my closest community confident. And in this grief I know I must be experiencing what many others are feeling. Look out Portland.▼ Theodore R. Wilson

Taskforce

Taskforce/Names Project. HIT "stole" nothing. And all this business about alleged fund-raising is pure fantasy on Melsness' part. HIT hasn't done any fund-raising mailings; it has only sent out the bi-monthly Newsletter. Is there any problem with people getting accurate information about AIDS?

But let's talk about the REAL issue. The HIT mailing list is confidential, and is never given to other groups. HIT has always been willing to do a mailing to its members about events, just as it did for the Names Project. HIT also publicizes events through the Newsletter. Melsness' complaints about not getting a copy of the HIT mailing list is exactly what he accuses HIT of doing. (I think the term is projection.)

Regarding HIT's description of itself, let me say this one more (and please, let it be the last) time: HIT never claimed to be the only AIDS service organization in Cleveland. HIT is the only organization to provide, on a fulltime basis, COMPREHENSIVE services AND education. HIT said that it served more people with AIDS or ARC than any other organization, and Melsness could not and cannot disprove that fact. As for the really low comment about "just emotional support," Melsness knows that HIT provides thousands of dollars in financial assistance, and paid the rent on the first house run by the AIDS Housing Council from November 1987 until (at least) August 1988. HIT also offers lots of other practical services free that would otherwise cost PWAS a lot of money. As the lover of a man who died of AIDS in 1983, I also resent very deeply the denigration of Buddies as "just" offering emotional support. I know I could not have taken care of my lover at home during the last six weeks of his life if it hadn't been for the Buddies who did a hell of a lot more than stand around and emote.

If Melsness is so interested in honesty, why doesn't he explain why he has effectively closed out of the Project the person with AIDS who was his cochair? Is this because this PWA is a Board member of HIT? Is that really an excuse? Is there any valid reason to exclude a person with AIDS from decision-making in any AIDS organization, much less the Names Project? Are we learning to treat a piece of cloth with greater care and dignity than we do a person living with AIDS? Are we letting egos and personal turf issues (once again) lead us down the lavender path to selfdestruction?

Those of us who have been involved in lesbian/gay politics and AIDS activism for many years can understand how the enthusiasm that comes from becoming active in an issue can slide into self-righteous excesses. We have all had to work out these things over time. I just wish Dale Melsness would work them out on someone else for a change. ▼

Joe Interrante

More Dancin'

"....little effort to give back to the community", it is clear that the organization itself, HIT, is being labeled "greedy." The editorialist is apparently angry that merchants, presumably including the GPC, are not permitted to profit from "Dancin". However HIT is a nonprofit service organization, deriving no monetary gain from the event; more to the point, there is direct financial benefit to the community from "Dancin", in the form of at least $10,000. cash given to PWA's for the necessities of life. Perhaps businesspeople could see the street fair as an opportunity to build visibility and good will; there would undoubtedly be financial benefit from their support of a worthwhile cause.

Many other points in the editorial are well worth discussion i.e., alcohol, gender issues. The initial hostility and provocative statements make it difficult to begin "constructive" dialogue. We must do better.▾ Nina W.

a

Horizons

COUNSELING SERVICES, INC.

Individuals and Couples Treatment for Sexual Dysfunction

and Sexual Abuse

5851 Pearl Road Parma Heights, Ohio 44130

Numbers cont. Continued from Page 6.

and application forms and other information can be obtained from Cleveland U.S.A. Pageantry, Box 732, Berea, OH 44017-0732, or by calling Michael, the pageant director, at (216) 631-8249. Numbers' phone number is (216) 621-6900. The emcee will be Carmen.

LARCHMERE

"STREET OF SHOPS"

HOLIDAY WALK! Saturday & Sunday November 26 & 27

Noon to 6 p.m.

A Connoisseur's Delight of Specialty Stores & Services: Arts & Crafts, Antiques, Gifts, Jewelry, Clothing, Furniture, Great Food and ENTERTAINMENT!

12

LARCHMERE

SHAKER SQUARE

(216) 845-9011

Johnson cont. Continued from Page 1. believes that trying to change the system is draining energy and co-opting vision.

In Johnson's book Going Out of Our Minds: The Metaphysics of Liberation (The Crossing Press, 1987 $10.95) she says, "...as long as men have privilege at our expense...we cannot trust them...(We) must take our bodies (& minds) back completely, get them out of men's laws & hands altogether, back into our own hands and those of our sisters. The third phase of the women's movement consists of each of us revolutionizing our internal worlds in the knowledge that this alone can change the external world."

Requested donation for this engagement is $8 to $12. Tickets are available at the following locations: ReThreads, Cleveland Heights;

Another State of Mind, Lakewood; Bookstore on West 25th, Cleveland; First Unitarian Church, Shaker Heights; Booksellers, Beachwood and Shaker Square.

This event is wheelchair accessible.▼

Our activities

BLACK & WHITE MEN include rap meetings,

workshops on

TOGETHER/CLEVELAND racism and other

forms of prejudice, educational sessions on black and gay history, parties and other social events, a yearly retreat, and networking with members of other chapters.

We are interested in men and women who will bring enthusiasm, ideas, and a willingness to be engaged and to work.

Anton F. Feo Clinical Psychologist

331-2898

13

COME, JOIN US!

For further information call John at 371-4597 or write: BWMT/Cleveland P.O. Box 5144

Specializing In:

Cleveland, OH 44101-0144

Chemically Dependent Homosexuals Sexual

Dysfunction Sexual Deviance

Couples Therapy

Ph.D.

20800 Center Ridge Rd. Suite 422 Rocky River, Ohio 44116

331-2899