Page 4 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE April, 1989

HIT

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in the community during my tenure as director."

Reynolds said he thought the support he received from the Cleveland lesbian and gay community was "very solid. Cleveland has a caring, generous community."

When asked why Reynolds resigned, Geno Taylor, chairman of the HIT board, said that after a year, "both parties assessed the relationship and decided to move on."

He declined further comment, because Reynolds still has a contract with the Taskforce.

"It's just that our hands are being tied because of the contract that was negotiated between Gary and the [board], so we have to be careful of how we deal with any questions about what took place," Taylor said.

Reynolds saw the ad for the director's position in the Washington Post in October 1987. He was living in Alexandria, Va., where he worked in the criminal justice system. He also volunteered with the United Way, where he became involved in AIDS services.

Reynolds said, "I had five to six years experience with non-profit management, and felt compelled to do something with AIDS services. I felt at the time I could make a real commitment to the [Cleveland; community, and I believe I

WBP

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managed to stay afloat, a monthly struggle to pay the bills has left no extra funds to put aside for a building.

Regardless of finances, the WBP has decided that now is the time to pursue its goal. The Building Project would like to own its own building, or at least be the sole tenant of an acceptable rental property.

have fulfilled that commitment."

Reynolds' arrival in April 1988 was part of HIT's plan to establish a more professional organizational structure, Although Reynolds was the third executive director since HIT was founded in 1983, he was the first to have experience in non-profit management.

At the time, Taylor emphasized the need for a professional staff who could answer emergency calls, talk to the media and handle the details of running an agency that volunteers have neither the time or expertise to do effectively.

Taylor and Reynolds agreed that someone with professional skills could accelerate the delivery of services to clients, and that this was one of Reynolds' most significant contributions to HIT.

Taylor also said that under Reynolds' direction, HIT developed and solidified relationships with the Red Cross, the Cleveland AIDS Commission, CSU, the Free Clinic, the Ohio Department of Health, the Western Reserve AIDS Foundation, The Living Room at the Lesbian and Gay Community Services Center, North Coast Care and other Northeast Ohio service organizations. With WRAF, HIT co-sponsored the production of As Is at the Cleveland Playhouse in January.

Also during Reynolds' tenure, the board hired three more staff membersan education director and two minority outreach coordinators.

In addition, Reynolds was responsible for the expansion of HIT's offices on

Recent developments at the Civic have served as a catalyst for the move. One longstanding issue has been a heating problem at the Civic. More importantly, the Civic has requested that WBP tenants be out of the building by 9 p.m. on four of the five weeknights. This has posed a problem for groups using the space. There also have been frequent occurrences of men walking through Happy Feet parties.

Chernyk believes the WBP faces issues that must be dealt with when renting anywhere, but the WBP would rather not

Major New AIDS Study

Many people with AIDS and advanced ARC cannot tolerate full doses of AZT (zidovudine) because of problems with their blood counts. A large study has just begun to evaluate a new treatment program which may enhance the effectiveness of low-dose AZT in these AZT-sensitive people by adding an additional anti-viral drug to their lowdose AZT regimen.

For information about participating in this study please call toll-free

1-800-432-2828

Euclid Avenue. HIT commissioned architect R. Van Petten to draw plans for a renovation that will include a kitchen, library, meeting rooms and space for smaller AIDS groups who can't afford their own offices. Three walk-in programs are housed at the facility-a clothing center, a food bank and an art therapy project. An AIDS counselor from the Cuyahoga County Department of Human Services also works with clients out of her office at HIT.

Critics say Reynolds "lacked personal involvement" with the membership, and that he tried to move the agency away from AIDS as a gay issue. The latter is important because HIT was founded by five gay men who committed themselves to fighting a disease that was killing mostly gay men at the time, as is still the case. Reynolds emphasized involvement with all PWAS, not just those who are gay.

"When I came on board, although it was always there, I placed more of an emphasis on us being an AIDS service organization, because it is a disease that does not discriminate. I didn't want anybody to feel alienated from accessibility to services. I wanted everybody to feel they could contribute and be a part, and not be concerned with whether it was a gay issue or not, but definitely not to forget that the majority of cases diagnosed are from the gay community."

Reynolds points out that perhaps some of the misunderstanding comes from the nature of the disease. "We've reached a point where people must address these issues and talk about the HIV

deal with them at all.

The process of finding a new home went into full swing February 19 when more than 50 women attended a community meeting regarding the change.

WBP coordinator Wendy PassovAlexander said three committees were formed at the meeting. The Fund-Raising Committee will focus on generating money for the move. The Publicity Committee will concentrate on keeping the women's community informed at all stages of the process. And the Search For A Space Committee will look into available buildings.

Chernyk said, "I think the community meeting went great. I was very optimistic. Over 50 women showed up and there was a lot of energy going toward finding a new building."

The WPB's primary criteria for a building is that it be a safe space, have adequate parking and be easily accessible by public transportation. There is no preference for East or West Side, and

Pride

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"Major fundraising will have to take place between now and June to assure we have enough funds to pay for the bare necessities" said Pontoni.

Tables, chairs, staging, and porta-potties all cost money that has to be paid in advance. Since the committee started this project with no funding, Pontoni, Cari and the rest of the committee are asking the community to buy posters and buttons and donate what they can so the celebration can be held.

Pontoni said there are many ways to be involved in the eventn. Sponsorships are available. "But these sponsorships aren't just for businesses," said Cari. "Individuals can be a 'friend' of Pride for $25

Equality

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Supreme Court's interpretation of the Constitutional basis for a woman's right to choice. The right of a woman to control her body and her own sexuality is central to the struggle we wage as a gay and lesbian people to be able to lead our lives freely, without government interference and harassment."

Anyone concerned about privacy rights is urged to attend the march. Local

epidemic. It's caused a lot of people to get involved who normally wouldn't do so."

Taylor said Reynolds was involved in the organization "from top to bottom,” and cannot understand why anyone would say Reynolds lacked personal involvement. "He was at every board meeting to consult with us and to give us the details on matters we might not have been aware of.

"He was there to give us direction. And in any situation where 21 people are involved, there are going to be disagreements, and there are going to be people who, perhaps, have a problem with either someone's character or personality or the way one carries oneself. And if there were people on the board who had that problem, then, obviously, they were there-that's just a realistic picture. But that is something we do not allow to influence the running of the organization.

"If anyone had a personal problem with Gary, it should have been up to them to resolve it on a one-to-one basis.

Reynolds predicts increased involvement in HIT fund-raisers like As Is that "are more educational and cultural in scope, more cooperative efforts with other groups, and more involvement with the general population of Cleveland."

Regarding his own future, Reynolds said he is not sure what he will do. He denied a report in the March issue of the Chronicle that he will return to Washington. "I am taking a hard look at where I am and where I want to go." ▼

there is some hope for finding a centralized location.

Passov-Alexander said, "We're going towards our final goal very openedminded."

Chernyk hopes the move will "nourish the emergence of new ideas, new programs and different ways of thinking."

Hopes and dreams for the future include: the possibility of housing small women-owned businesses, providing a better networking system, having an area for professional women's office space, and maintaining a coffee house or similar

area.

The board welcomes help from any interested women.

Chernyk said, "We're looking for women to really be a part of this process. This is their community."

For more information and meeting times, call 321-3054 Monday through Thursday from 3 to 7 p.m.

and have their name listed in the program, as well as a sense of community involvement."

"If you can't volunteer, then donate. If you can't donate, then volunteer. If you can do both, then great," emphasized Pontoni.

Contracts are available by calling 3211129.

The Pride '89 committee consists of more than 10 lesbians and gay men, but more volunteers are needed. Meetings are held at the the Center on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month. The next meeting is scheduled for April 13 at 7:30 p.m.

The committee is looking for a booth coordinator, help with security and various other responsibilites.▼

contacts may be obtained from NOW by calling 202-347-2279.

Also, women who have had abortions are urged to contact the National Abortion Rights Action League, which is preparing a special brief to the Supreme Court on behalf of women who have had an abortion. NARAL may be reached at 202-371-0779.▼