Page 2 GAY PEOPLES CHRONICLE February, 1989

EDITORIAL

Different from the others

Here at the Chronicle we always enjoy receiving letters from our readers. Some of the letters are a result of readers who are upset with the community and wanting to express their concern. Some of the letters are from readers who are upset with the Chronicle. Some of the letters are funny; some are sad. We make an effort to print all of the letters we receive.

This month we received a letter from a Richard S. (he doesn't want us to use his last name because "I'm not quite that liberated.") Richard's letter was the first we've received that actually spelled out how he felt about the Chronicle; he even asked a few questions. We would like to take the time and space this month to reply to Richard.

Dear Richard,

Thank you very much for taking the time to write to the Chronicle and tell us how you feel about our publication. We don't often get letters like yours, and appreciate that you think of us.

You wanted to know what direction the Chronicle is taking, or will be taking, because you are concerned that we will fade away like other publications. The Chronicle is a newspaper. As a newspaper we are dedicated to bringing the news as it affects lesbians and gay men in the Northeastern Ohio area. We also feel we can be a place where lesbians and gay men can communicate to each other, something that is often missed in day-to-day life. This is our direction and what we hope to achieve in the many years to come. We hope someday soon to become a weekly paper with all sorts of news and information. We are a business. We want to be able to hire our staff, buy our own equipment, and eventually help give back to the community what they have given to us by being so supportive. In short, our plan is to be a institution of Cleveland's lesbian-gay community for many, many years. There isn't anyone on the staff that doesn't believe that will happen. We have come a long way in the short time we have been publishing. Maybe we won't be an Advocate, but we might even be better.

We want our stories to reflect the entire community, not only Cleveland but around the world. One way we do this is by including stories and features that will be of interest to both lesbians and gay men. This means some stories will be of interest to both, some stories to one or the other. The guest editorial is a good example. These editorials are written by people representing such

groups as drag queens, radical lesbian separatists, people who prefer to stay closeted, and those who want help in destroying their closets forever, as well as other diverse segments of our community. Maybe someday we will even have a straight person write one. We want you to get more than just our opinion. Other stories are chosen by the editor, but usually by consensus of the entire writing staff (actually only the ones who show up for the meetings.)

Politics is important. Attention to our political scene has been sorely lacking in Cleveland for years. What goes on in politics affects us as individuals. When they come to take us away to the camps we don't want to be saying, "How did this happen, how come I didn't pay attention before?" As for the many AIDS articles... Well, AIDS is killing a great percentage of our people. It isn't a gay disease, but we are dying of it in great numbers. The more information we give you about AIDS, maybe, just maybe we might help save the life of a lesbian or gay man. We need everyone we can get. But, precisely because politics and AIDS can get us down, we include such features as, In the Kitchen with Auntie Ray, Campin' Out by Patty M, and Dykes to Watch Out For. (We would like our own cartoonist. If you know one, have them call.) We hope as we grow to include more national and international news. Lack of such is more a function of space than anything else.

We hope the above-mentioned policies do make us different from the "others," because we are different. We aren't a calendar of events and announcements like What She Wants, we aren't associated with a one establishment, we aren't strictly for gay men. We know lesbians exist and we like to acknowledge them. We encourage other publications because we know we can't serve everyone's needs. I do need to correct you one one comment you made. The Chronicle has not been the only quality lesbian-gay paper in Cleveland in the last "25 years". High Gear, published by the GEAR Foundation, was in business for many, many years and was a paper of high quality journalism.

You mention how much you love Cleveland. We love Cleveland, too. We also love the people who live here, work here and do their best to make Cleveland a better place to live. Because of this we have our feature, Clevelanders to Take Pride In. Every month (or so), we feature a lesbian or gay Clevelander who makes a differ-

GUEST EDITORIAL

ence in our community. We want everyone to know these people exist. They are our own local heroes. What could be more positive? Don't forget we also have the Community Service Awards which award and recognize one lesbian and one gay man who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in serving our community

We do need to take exception with the words "chosen lifestyle". This phrasing seems to suggest that all people could be heterosexual (the easier, softer way) if they wanted to; but "choose" to be homosexual, presumably because the sex is worth the pain, rejection, and violence. People don't choose to homosexual; they do choose how they express and acknowledge it. We agree that lesbians and gay men choose to live an out, open lifestyle as opposed to a closeted, secreted way of life. At the Chronicle we like to help those who choose to live in secret, and commend those who choose to be out.

About advertising. . . It is not true that we will not accept bar advertising (please see the ad for the 5 Cent Decision, a wonderful new bar in Parma.) As a company we do not solicit ads from anyone. The ads you see on these pages have all asked to be there. Sure, one time we asked Auntie Ray to help but when we said solicit he got confused, and well. . . Recently, things have worked out so we will be able to have someone selling ads. We are working on a new ad brochure and hope to have things rolling by March. This means approaching not only lesbian and gay businesses but straight ones as well. As an economic base the lesbians and gay men of Cleveland have been ignored too long. We intend to show businesses that we as a community do have money and will spend it in places that pay attention to us. We will be issuing a survey so we know what kind of people read our paper, and then we can pass that information on to potential advertisers. The bars will be approached, but remember, they know we exist, too. We don't turn down ads.

Thank you for admiration of us. As a staff we work long and hard to bring you this publication. Little or no payment is made to many women and men who give up their free time to produce these few pages every month. Once we finish with one we start right back up again. It is never-ending but always enjoyable. Because of people like you and letters like yours, we will continue like we have been. We learn a little more each month and to the best of our ability each issue is a little more professional, a little more error-free

We have seen the enemy and it is us

by Judy Rainbrook

Homophobia is the term used to describe hostile reactions to gays and lesbians. Internalized homophobia,

then, is the hostile reaction to gays and lesbians by other gays and lesbians, including self-destructive behavior born of our own self-hatred.

On a personal level, internalized homophobia tends to be exhibited in such behavior as excessive drinking or use of drugs, remaining in physically or emotionally destructive relationships, remaining closeted and isolated, and remaining in low-paying, low-esteem jobs.

Within the gay and lesbian community, internalized homophobia manifests itself in:

Being excessively critical individuals and organizations that serve

the gay and lesbian community;

Withdrawal from individuals or organizations if something happens that is either perceived as a personal slight or an action with which one disagrees;

Telling our friends that we don't like something instead of talking to the person we are unhappy with;

Passing on negative rumors without checking to see if they are true;

A general sense of powerlessness, i.e. feeling that if we are unhappy with the situation, our only alternative is to leave it because we can't change it.

Internalized homophobia is a product of isolation and ignorance the acceptance of society's condemnation without thinking it through rationally, without investigating it, without listening to our own hearts and we must give it up.

If one begins to reach out, to meet other gays and lesbians, to read about gays and lesbians throughout history, several things become apparent:

There are lots of us. No one who went to Washington, D.C. for the 1987 lesbian-gay rights march and spent the weekend with 500,000 other gays and lesbians can ever think about themselves again as some kind of unusual aberration.

There have always been lots of us. Kinsey's research as early as 40 years ago pointed out that almost one in ten people is gay or lesbian. Further research on sexuality supports the thought that many more people are bisexual, finding themselves sometimes attracted to members of either sex. Look up some anthropology and you will find that homosexuals have appeared in every culture since the begin-

gay people's

HRONICLE

Vol. 4, Issue 8.

Founded by Charles Callender 1928-1986

Published by KWIR Publications Co-Owners:

Robert Downing Martha J. Pontoni Editor-in-Chief:

Martha J. Pontoni

Copy Editor:

Carlie Steen

Reporters & Writers:

Martha J. Pontoni, K.D. Mahnal, Dora Forbes, Robert Downing, John Robinson, L. Kolke, Don S., Tracy Miller, Michele Smeller Jesse Dallas.. Columnists:

John Robinson, Auntie Ray, Doug Moore, Ed Santa Vicca, Patty M., Fern R. Levy, Joe Interrante. Production Staff:

Janice T., Tom P., Ray Kempski, Brian DeWitt, Michele Somerson, Denise King, Deb L.

Art Director:

Christine Hahn

Artists:

Pat Hughes, Tom Z. Assistants to the Editor:

Dan Postotnik, Dave Volk. Distribution Chief:

Robert Downing.

The Gay Peoples Chronicle is dedicated to providing a space in Cleveland's lesbian-gay community for all women and men to communicate and be involved with each other. This means that every Chronicle, to the best of our ability, will be equally dedicated to both men's and women's issues, as well as issues that affect all of us. Striving for this balance will not only provide the community with a forum to air grievances and express joys, but will also help all of us achieve this balance in our lives.

Publication of the name, picture or other representation of an individual, organization or place of business in the Gay People's Chronicle is not indicative of his or her sexual orientation or character.

Any material submitted for publication will be subject to editing. The Gay People's Chronicle cannot guarantee the return of any such materials unless accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope.

Advertisers may obtain rate sheets and other information by writing the Chronicle, Box 5426, Cleveland, OH 44101. Our phone number is 216-321-1129.

The Gay People's Chronicle is distributed free of charge in any establishment that permits its distribution.

The Gay People's Chronicle is copyrighted under federal law. Any reproduction of its contents is prohibited unless either written or verbal permission is obtained.

then the last.

Thank you for taking the time to write to us.

The Chronicle encourages everyone to write and express their opinion about the paper or life in general. We reserve the right to edit for length and clarity. We will print your name unless you specifically ask us not to.▼

ning of time, and that, in some cultures, they were honored as special people.

We have made important contributions throughout history to culture, to science, to the betterment of the world. Jane Addams, a lesbian, founded Hull House, the beginning of the entire social-work movement and profession in the United States. Benjamin Britten, an English composer, has more recently had a considerable impact on the music of this century. We are a diverse population, being old, young, Democrats, Republicans, feminists, separatists, male chauvinists, mothers, fathers, vegetarians, smokers, philanderers, monogamists, into roles, into our own space, pianists, people with patience, patriots, and putterers. In many case we have nothing in common but our inability to enjoy the same rights to love and be secure that the heterosexual.com. munity enjoys. Continued on Page 10