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GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE September, 1990

Editorial

Bashing is not our birthright

From time to time we hear the unfortunate and "rare" story of someone being physically assaulted because they were assumed to have been gay or lesbian. What is really unfortunate is that we pretend these assaults are rare.

True, we are not in some war zone where there is constant physical threat everywhere we go. But gay bashing both physical and verbal abuse does exist and is a major challenge to the lesbian and gay community. This is an issue that has been with us and will stay with us, and it is not something that should be downplayed or ignored.

Think for a minute what a vicious cycle we create for ourselves. When a mugging is reported in the press, attention is drawn to the area, the incident, the people involved, and the police response. By keeping our problems to ourselves by not reporting violence or demanding action no one knows about it and no one cares. How do you suppose we can get attention, sympathy and cooperative action if the story is never told, if the victims don't alert the police, press or even friends within the community? Only by reporting the crimes and gaining attention can we hope to have society respond to our needs.

The Chronicle is aware of several gay bashing incidents which have occurred during the past few months on Detroit Road between West 114th and West 117th. Last month we reported on an individual who was attacked behind Legends. Although these recent assaults have focused our attention on this area, it is not the only place where gay bashings can and do occur.

We need to recognize that this is a community-wide issue. We must learn to take steps to protect ourselves and our sisters and brothers.

One step is self-awareness and preservation. Always make sure you are aware of your surroundings. If you are leaving a bar at a time or in an area where you don't feel safe, or if you've had a little too much to drink, walk out to your car with a group of people. Several gay organizations across the country suggest carrying and using a whistle at the first sign of trouble. Don't attempt to take on the attacker(s). Remove yourself from the situation or start calling for help.

Another step is to report the incident, even if it is "just" verbal abuse. Verbal abuse often intensifies quickly; people who feel they have the right to denounce us as faggots will be able to justify escalating the assault from verbal to physi-

cal. Reporting gay bashing and verbal harassment lets community leaders and officials see trends, including how often and where these incidents occur. Then, they can use this information to help us get the protection that we are due.

Yet another step is for the owners of bars and other gay establishments to hire security personnel to patrol the sidewalks and parking lots adjacent to their businesses. The argument has been made that the presence of guards or cops near the entrance frightens customers away. The Chronicle does not accept this "cop out" since a couple of bars in town currently have visible security people, with no reported decrease in business. The practice is quite common in cities

BASHINGS

support you need don't deny yourself, your dignity or your self-worth. Never assume that you deserve the abuse or that there is nothing you can do about it. If it occurred right outside a gay establishment, make sure you let the owner or manager know. As businesses they can demand police cooperation.

Let's not overlook the fact that we have the right to enjoy a social evening or daytime event. No homophobic loudmouths or drunken teenagers should be denying us that. We deny ourselves as long as we fail to report these crimes and threats and as long as we assume that the police won't do anything.

The situation is not hopeless. The Chronicle knows of rapid and sym-

BARS

across the country and provides patrons with peace of mind as they step into the night.

The recent inclusion of sexual orientation in the Hate Crimes law is a major milestone. Our representatives in Washington have finally been convinced that gay and lesbian people are targets of hate crimes. Let's make sure they hear us when an incident occurs. If you don't feel comfortable calling the police, call the Center (522-1999). The Lesbian-Gay Community Service Center provides victim assistance after an incident through the Mary Ann Finegan Project. Call the Justice Department (1-800-347-HATE). Tell people. Get the word out and get the

Guest Opinion

Lesbians not exempt from violence

As a survivor of a violent crime against a lesbian woman in Cleveland, I will share my story with the hope that more of you will take heed.

It has been 8 years since my lover was killed, and I was shot and raped and left for dead. It takes lot of love for me even to speak out. You see, I know that there are others like myself who have been victimized and who are still too scared or who did not survive. Because we, the survivors, do not speak out or even report the crimes against us, we allow you to think that there is no violence or to deny that it could happen to you.

On June 4, 1982, my lover, Mary Ann Finegan, and myself were sitting in her pickup truck in front of Isis bar waiting to pull out of the parking lot. A man approached the passenger door. He simply opened our unlocked door and sat down waving a gun, directing us to drive to a desolate location. From stories that were told to me even a year later, there were others that night whom he approached but who got away. He knew it was a lesbian bar. I might add, he has

never been apprehended.

Fear has been the keynote of my existence for years. I blamed myself for being a lesbian because this would not have happened if I'd been straight. Then one day, I just decided that I was not going to allow this one individual or any other individual to take away from who I am. I began to work in this community out of pride and compassion, determined I would use the horrible knowledge I have stamped to my soul to reach out to

Letters

We're listening, WPHR

The following is a copy of a letter sent to Mark Heiden, General Manager of WPHR 108 FM.

Dear Mr. Heiden:

pathetic police response to several incidents outside some bars. Some police districts are more sensitive than others. In cases where don't get support, group pressure is usually effective in causing the authorities to react. But we cannot generate group pressure if you keep the incident to yourself!

Maybe you've been lucky and haven't been a victim of verbal or physical abuse. Maybe you don't know anyone who has been bashed. But when do you you hear about it, or if it happens to you, don't forget this message: report the incident, demand your rights, and seek assistance from the Center.

others.

I still have fear. I have worked through my anger, which eventually turned into rage where I either wanted to kill myself to rid myself of the horror within me, or to kill him. I have come to a middle ground in my recovery where I now know that for me loving is my answer; loving myself enough to be who I am: a lesbian

woman. V

The author, who does not wish her

On July 23rd, one of WPHR's announcers, Rick Michaels, made a casual-though blatantly homophobic reference to the gay community while relating a story about Ken and Barbie dolls.

Hate humor and heavily-biased comments discourage your many gay and lesbian listeners from continued listening to the station (myself among them), but

gay people's

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Vol 6, Issue 3.

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name revealed, was a former office manager for the Health Issues Taskforce, a former Ohio AIDS Hotline volunteer, a former Coffeehouse Collective fundraiser, and a former Center board member. As she notes, "My name isn't important. It is what I do and what I have to say which is important. I still feel that I need some protection since my rapist was never caught. God forbid that he would ever read the Chronicle."

more than that they perpetuate a climate of intolerance and prejudice that many Clevelanders would like to leave behind. Ours is a city that has been characterized by racial and ethnic prejudices for decades, a situation that has lowered the city's quality of life and its national reputation as a desirable urban environment. By fostering attitudes that deride Continued on Page 3