April, 1991

GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

Page 3

Letters

Apologies

To the Editor:

The Kent Gay-Lesbian Foundation (formerly known as the Kent Gay Liberation Front) would like to offer its sincerest apologies for its March 16 mailing.

The organization mailed its Twentieth Anniversary Conference brochure in bulk without each brochure enclosed in its own envelope [the organization's full name was on the outside]. This "poor judgement" is not the fault of Mj Consulting or the Gay People's Chronicle. It is solely our own and it is one we truly regret.

It is obvious that this event has caused outrage to some of the gay community. In the future, all mailings from KGLF will be sent in a more discreet manner. I personally would like to offer my apologies for any inconvenience that we may have caused you at this time.

Jessie Grant KGLF Executive Director

Too-o-o bad

To the Editor:

Lately, we've been hearing men complain about not being allowed into the Cleveland Women's Variety Show produced by Oven Productions. Our response those complaints is: "Whaaawaaaaaaahhh-waaaaaaaaaahhhhhh,

to

bad."

Signed in unity,

Susanriver Deb Smith Louise Luczak Susan Woodworth Woody Blue Sharon Kinsela Susan Holland Nancy Decker

Cynthia Sency

100

Barb Mykkanen Dusty Miller Lisa Strayer Heather Thorp

Joy Savren

ellie strong Lori Hyler Becky Stream Lu Olivo Joanne Coleman

Center perplexed

To the Editor:

The Lesbian-Gay Community Service Center's Board of Trustees is perplexed by Valerie Griffith's letter in the March Chronicle. The letter implied that the Center board, for racist reasons, does not support Sistahparty.

The Center board supports the goals and objectives of Sistahparty and voted unanimously in December to accept their request that we serve as fiscal agent. (One member abstained since she is a member of both organizations.)

We communicated our support to Sistahparty by letter in December and sent a draft contract. This contract is modeled after one we currently hold with the Cleveland Pride Committee, and includes points from Sistahparty's official proposal. As this is written, we are awaiting their response.

We believe that diversity can be one of Our community's greatest strengths. The Center seeks to serve all gays and lesbians, and we pledge to do so to the best of our ability.

Robert C. Laycock President

Sistahparty clarifies

To the Editor:

In the interest in preventing any misunderstanding, Sistahparty would like the opportunity to clarify the following:

1. In the letter section of the March Gay Attitude problems

Peoples Chronicle, a letter appeared that was critical of the relationship between Sistahparty and the Center. Sistahparty supports the rights of the author (Valerie Griffith) to express her opinion, but wishes to be clear that the letter was not written on behalf of, nor was it intended to express the views of Sistahparty as a whole.

2. Sistahparty provides an opportunity to build bridges of respect between Lesbians of Color and community institutions. We currently receive the generous support of many of those community institutions including the West Side Women's Center, the Lesbian and Gay Community Service Center and others. Several of those institutions extend their support through referrals through their hotlines and the use of a mailing address.

Sistahparty looks forward to continued mutual support and partnership in Cleveland's gay-lesbian and women's communities. We hope that this letter resolves any questions or concerns which may have arisen.

Yvonne Johnson on behalf of Sistahparty

Positive effect

To the Editor:

I am writing on behalf of Chevrei Tikva Synagogue and the Congregation to thank your publication for providing our listing and space in the Chronicle. We are proud to be in support of the community along with your fine publication.

We would like to thank you for the courtesy you extend to us when we have had a late planning session and are tardy. We greatly appreciate your patience.

Your newspaper has given Chevrei Tikva a voice in the community. There is no way that you could know just how much a positive effect this has been for our organization. Thank you.

Rick Rounds Newsletter Chairperson

Our own bigots

To the Editor:

My best friend and I went to 1223 Niteclub on Thursday, March 7. We arrived about 2:00 a.m. There were only a handful of people left. My friend, who is a heterosexual female, and I love to dance.

This particular night, she and I had the whole dance floor to ourselves, and we took advantage of it. Unfortunately, when we sat down with our friends, they told us that four lesbians, who incidentally were the only others by the dance floor, were making fun of the way I was dancing. I dance very "hard" which they found amusing, and when I used my handkerchief to wipe my face, one said, "Typical fag."

I was very offended. I have always felt that we are to support one another, whether you are gay or lesbian. Neither I nor my straight friend treat lesbians any different than anyone else. I judge no one according to orientation to do so would be discrimination. I am disappointed that they are so homophobic.

It is frustrating to me to think that my friend can be so comfortable with gay people yet a certain gay woman must insult a gay man. The orientations are different but they are also very similar. We should stand together if we are to make a difference in our lives. I have always felt this way, I feel it is the only way we can make things change.

Let's not stereotype; we are only making it more difficult on ourselves when this happens.

Mark Pasher

To the Editor:

I would like to address the prejudice, ignorance, bigotry, and attitude problems in our gay community.

First of all, we have two nightclubs that go to their 'members-only' admittance policy (that is as long as business keeps up, usually during summer months), unless you are friends with the doorman.

Then there is the nightclub that would only let women in that wore dresses (that should have meant that men had to wear pants, so that wipes out drag queens; which most of us have done at least once), which I would have to say more gay men wear, than gay women. Then there is black night, which some of my friends think it is just awful that I (being a white-boy) would go that night, or (Lord forbid) to Porky's; and even worse, enjoy myself!

Then there are those with it (AIDS or HIV) vs. those without it (unfortunately many of those without it just have never been tested).

In many ways, I can truly see why the

heterosexual community does not accept us. We need to start with ourselves before we can change another community.

The ten commandments of human relations:

1. Speak to people. 2. Smile at people.

3. Call people by name.

4. Be friendly and helpful. 5. Be cordial.

6. Be genuinely interested in people. 7. Be generous with praise.

8. Be considerate of the feelings of others. 9. Be alert to serve.

10. Have a good sense of humor.

Bill Balch

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

Address letters to the Chronicle, P.O. Box 5426, Cleveland, Ohio, 44101. Include your address and phone number so we may contact you.

Hate Crime Update

Compiled by the Maryann Finegan Project

The following is a list of crimes of bias which have been reported during January and February. Some of these may have occurred in 1990, but were not reported until 1991.

This article will appear in this location every issue to keep you aware of crimes of bias against people in the lesbian and gay community.

Crimes of Bias this month:

Mid-September-Big Creek Reservation, Tiedemann Rd. at Memphis Ave.Two plainclothes Metroparks rangers entrapping, then arresting.

October-9500 block of Detroit-Three young men attacked man with rocks. When another man tried to intervene he was stabbed.

January 19-Edgewater Park-Entrapment and verbal abuse by state park ranger. Charges brought against victim. The victim is now on probation.

January 24-W. 117th and Detroit area-Man confronted by one male who attempted to hit the victim. A car then pulled up and a number of others men jumped from the car. One assailant had a knife and attempted to stab the victim. The victim kicked the knife from his hand and escaped. The victim received injury to his head, neck and back. A report was filed with the Lakewood Police.

January 30-Akron-Verbal abuse by family of lover.

February 1-Edgewater Park-Verbal harassment by state park rangers.

February 2-Independence-Victim was arrested by police while changing clothes in the bathroom of a local restaurant. Victim was not read his rights and underwent verbal abuse and harassment by the patrolmen for over two hours.

February 10-Berea MetroparksEntrapment.

February 12-Bedford Metroparks— Entrapment.

March 2-Man arrested at home due to charges brought by hustler. Verbal harassment and threats by police. After charges were dropped, the victim was permitted to leave the Justice Center, but was not given his shoes.

March 8-5300 block of Detroit-Victim came out to find four men vandalizing his car. The victim was subjected to homophobic language and was struck from behind with a pipe or bat. The victim set off his car alarm to

attract attention. The victim was taken to the hospital for treatment of a gash to the back of his head.

March 13-Police refused to intervene in a domestic violence incident.

Court Watch

Some of the cases may involve trials or court appearances. Due to court schedules and the time format for printing the Chronicle, we can not give actual dates. If you are interested in participating in a court watch please call the Center at 522-1999. Safety tips:

Avoid known danger zones where previous attacks have been reported or discussed. If you are walking alone, walk aggressively and be alert. Leave bars or parties when other people are leaving.

If you become a victim:

Report the crime immediately to the police.

Request a copy of the report or at least get the report number. Each municipality regulations may vary regarding copies of the report but a report number can be obtained.

Call the Center at 522-1999 on the next business day to report the crime.

Lesbian author to speak April 13

by Martha Pontoni

Riena Klepfisz, noted lesbian feminist poet, author and interim director of the New Jewish Agenda will be in Cleveland April 13. Klepfisz will be reading her poetry at Gifts of Athena at 2199 Lee Road in Cleveland Heights at 4:00 p.m. She will then address the Workman's Circle group with a talk entititled "War and Peacemaking and Our Jewish Heritage" at 8:00 p.m. The Workman's Circle is located at 1980 South Green Rd.

The New Jewish Agenda is a progessive Jewish organization with a commitment to the lesbian and gay community. The talk is free. For more information call Esther Weissman at 579-1818.