Soc

gay people's

I R

PUBLIC LIBRARY

DCS-1988

DECEMBER 1988

VOL.4 ISSUE 6

CLEVELAND, OHIO

A Chronicle of the Lesbian & Gay Community

Gay political club folds

by Michele Smeller

The Eleanor Roosevelt Gay Political Club (ERGPC) held its last meeting Oct. 26.

Although all 60 members were notified, only six members were present while the club voted to dissolve.

The disbanding of ERGPC marks the end of Cleveland's oldest gay political club. The membership decided to give half of its remaining funds to political leaders in Cleveland and the rest will be distributed within the lesbian and gay community.

Founded in the late 1970s by David Batz and Rick Berg, the club's goal was "to promote gay rights through the political process in the Cleveland area," said Brian DeWitt, a three-year member.

Over the years, ERGPC has endorsed and interviewed candidates for local office. It worked with elected officials to get lesbian and gay anti-discrimination bills legislated, and succeeded in getting Cuyahoga County to pass an anti-discriminatory policy for county employees. ERGPC also was responsible for the Freedom Express bus ride

to annual marches in Columbus.

The decision to fold came as no surprise to Tom Tamasi, the club's treasurer. A long time had passed since the membership had been significantly involved. A typical meeting consisted of a handful of people, leaving most major decision making and planning responsibilities to the same core group.

ERGPC is not the only organization faced with an apathetic membership. "[Apathy] seems to be prevalent in many groups," Tamasi said. "Active membership is decreasing. People send in their dues, but don't put in their time and energy."

ERGPC members hope that by disbanding, they will make people realize there isn't an organization out there to take the responsibility for political action. Although ERGPC ran its course, members believe it was a credible organization, representing a significant constituency. That is why they think it won't be the last political club in Cleveland.

Said Tamasi, "I bet next year a political group, like a phoenix rising from the ashes, so will it reappear on the Cleveland scene."

Preparations begin for Pride 89

Within the past year or so, the Cleveland lesbian-gay community has experienced a rebirth in activities built around a community center. With the public grand opening of the LesbianGay Community Service Center of Greater Cleveland in October of this year the stage has been set for the emergence of a more greatly visible community.

Because of societal and political pressures that tend to operate against us as a community, it is a necessity that we show our numbers so that we will no longer be an invisible minority. Such action is vital not merely to our survival but also to insure that

we will continue to grow and progress in development and strength as a community. Without a strong cohesive community we cannot seriously tackle the task of educating a society that is less than receptive to our lives and lifestyles. Without such a community we also cannot seriously begin to educate ourselves and put a end to our own homophobia.

One of the necessary steps in our development is to learn to celebrate ourselves and our relationships. We need to demonstrate to the greater society that we acknowledge our num-

Continued on Page 3.

Static for "Midnight Caller"

by Allen White

been

Protest actions have taken and will continue to be taken against an episode of the new television series Midnight Caller. The NBC television show is being denounced by AIDS organizations across the United States. It was shut down while filming on the streets in San Francisco by ACT UP and other activists. The episode in question portrays a man who is violently murdered after he makes a woman pregnant knowing he is HIVpositive.

On the evening of Oct. 20, ACT UP/SF stopped the Lorimar Productions company from shooting the film on location at Jones and Broadway. The following Monday, Lorimar responded by seeking and obtaining a restraining order against two named ACT UP/SF members and 300 'Doe's.

That order was to no avail, for on the following night approximately 200 protesters demonstrated and again succeeded in shutting down production. Over 50 police officers were on duty at the site. There were no arrests. Continued on Page 6.

Women's blood drive to fight AIDS fears

Many people nationwide have stopped giving blood out of fear--fear that they might contract AIDS by donating. The nation's blood supply is suffering as a result of AIDS paranoia, as well as the shrinkage in the donor pool because high-risk groups are not able to donate.

Bloodsisters, a women's community blood drive scheduled for January 8, is a response to that crisis. "We wanted to do something in response to the blood shortage,"

explains Deb Dunkle, a Bloodsisters organizer. "And also to say that we in the lesbian community want to show support for people with AIDS, and fight the paranoia which surrounds this disease."

The blood drive is planned for Sunday, January 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Women's Building Project, 3130 Mayfield Road.

The event will be lightened by a brunch, sponsored by the men's community, and a music-listening

Continued on Page 3.

Brynna Fish (left) with Olivia recording artist Nancy Vogl.

Bluefish serves diverse community needs

by Michele Smeller

Think Bluefish.

Bluefish Productions, that is. Brynna Fish, sole proprietor of Bluefish, began producing acts, as a hobby, nearly two years ago. Bluefish has been operating as a business, however, only since August 1. Despite being a relatively "new kid in the business," Bluefish was the first independent production company to get Peabody's Down Under on a Saturday night, a feat even Belkin Productions has yet to accomplish.

Producing such acts as Dianne Davidson and Ferron, it would seem that Bluefish is well on its way to becoming the premier producer of womyn's music in Cleveland. But running Bluefish is not without its problems.

Because Brynna has been a member of Oven Productions for five years, beginning her own production company presented her with many challenges, among them the tension between other members of Oven and making the public aware of Bluefish as separate and distinct from Oven.

"I am an Oven member first," says Brynna. "Once Oven sets its production schedule, Bluefish Productions makes its schedule to fall in the cracks calendar cracks, that is."

A common misconception, according to Brynna, is Bluefish takes those acts Oven won't produce, and then produces them herself. Case in point: Dianne Davidson. Oven was the first producer in Cleveland contacted by Davidson. But because her band would include two men, Oven decided it would not be consistent with the col-

lective's objectives to produce the concert. That's when Bluefish stepped in.

"I founded Bluefish to serve a community with diverse interests. I want to increase the number and variety of productions available. The market is not saturated, and it's got to be better having Bluefish as an alternative, rather than Belkin," Brynna defends.

The major difference between Bluefish and Oven is difficult to ascertain. Brynna explains it as the difference between "what is lesbian culture and what comes out of lesbian culture--or lesbian entertainment." Oven seeks to nurture the womyn's community and the rest of the world.

So Bluefish may choose to produce some of the performers Oven does not, but that is not always the case. When Bluefish decides to produce an act, Brynna alone makes the decision.

"Bluefish wants artists who are more in the mainstream, who can maintain an audience in a club venue-200 to 300 people--and, of course, they have to have a certain artistic level. I want an artist who can say, 'I'm not afraid of saying who I am, because who I am is a great artist'."

Brynna used the example of Dianne Davidson to illustrate. Dianne has been accused of selling out, by using men in her band and going more mainstream. But as Brynna is quick to point out, "Dianne is not using the community. She wants to be who she is and has the guts to perform and say what Tracy Chapman won't." That's the Continued on Page 3.

"Men in Touch" funded

The Lesbian-Gay Community Service Center has received "continuation funds" from the Ohio Depart ment of Health AIDS Activity Unit in order to run its Men in Touch program. This program is targeted at gay and bisexual men who are not practicing safer sex 100 percent of the time. It offers group and individual support for discussing AIDS fears, safer sex negotiation skills and how to enjoy safer sex.

The program was funded during the last fiscal year, but had a very late start. Additional funds were requested to ensure the program's

success.

The program has two halftime staff members and twenty volunteer facilitators. It hopes to convert to

an all volunteer staff by 1989.

Safer sex is not always easy. A lot of gay men have trouble integrati the guidelines into their sexual lives. some have experienced an occasional "slip-up". Others feel the guidelines are too boring, or find alcohol and drugs interfering with their judgment.

sex.

Another common reason for "less than safe" behaviors is the belief that one's partner may be "turned off" by safer Men in Touch helps men to identify what prevents them from practicing safer sex all the time and provides support for change. Is motto is "Men helping men to make a through the eighties." If interested in either volunteering or participating, call 5221998. ▼