کی الا

gay people's

CLEVELAND PUBLIC LIBRARY

SOCIAL SCIENCES DEPT. PERIODICAL

HRONI

and

Public Librar

5 1991

Cleveland, Ohio

August, 1991

Volume 7 Issue 2

An Independent Chronicle of the Lesbian & Gay Community

Canton AIDS residence burned in arson fire

by Nora Vetarius

A Canton house to be used as a residence for people with AIDS and people in the HIV spectrum was burned and rendered unsalvageable last month, with damages estimated at $22,000.

At approximately 2:30 a.m. on July 12, an arsonist poured flammable liquid throughout the house and ignited it, apparently at more than one point. Neighbors reported hearing sounds like glass breaking, then an explosion followed by flames.

The vacant two-story house had been purchased this spring by St. HOPE (Stark County Helping Our People Endure), which was formed by a woman whose 31year-old son died of AIDS. According to Michelene Hart, vice chairman of St. HOPE and a therapist at the Akron Family

State budget protects ROTC discrimination

by Martha Pontoni

Ohio's higher-education budget includes protection for the Reserve Office Training Corps (ROTC) from being thrown off Ohio college campuses for its policy of not including lesbians and gays in its programs.

According to the Akron Beacon Journal, an obscure line-item in the state budget stops "public colleges and universities for removing ROTC units without the approval of the General Assembly." The budget provision's sponsor, Rep. Robert Netzley, R-Laura, was quoted in the Beacon Journal story as saying this was a "major victory.. because it stops attempts in recent months by some leftist students and professors to expel ROTC units."

Netzley, from the Cincinnati area, was also the sponsor of an earlier provision to stop state funding for gay and lesbian student groups, which was defeated in committee.

"I don't want to be in a foxhole next to a flirt."

The Beacon Journal also quoted state Sen. Eugene Watts, R-Galloway, as saying that his reason for supporting the ROTC measure was, "I don't want to be in foxhole next to a flirt."

The University of Cincinnati, Kent State University and Ohio State have all considered banning ROTC because of its discriminatory policies against gays and lesbians.

Gov. George V. Voinovich has the power to veto this line, but had not taken a stand on this issue at Chronicle press time.

Readers may reach Rep. Netzley at 614-466-3357, Sen. Watts at 614-4664900, and Gov. Voinovich at 614-4663555; or write them at the State House, Columbus, 43215.

Institute, approximately 750 hours of volunteer work had gone into preparing the house for renovation and eventual rental in the fall by four to five persons with AIDS.

The 12-member board and approximately 70 volunteers of St. HOPE are "outraged by this horrible hate crime," Hart said. "Every room had been soaked with kerosene or gasoline, even the basement." She said the group had just gotten the house in shape to refurbish, and had formulated a list of persons eligible to become residents.

Hart emphasized that it was intended to be a private residence, not a hospice or group home. St. HOPE was going to act as one source of support for residents, but they were to be asked to get as much support as they could on their own, such as through the buddy system. It was to have been a landlord-tenant situation, with rent being paid on a sliding scale. Funding was strictly from donations, fund-raisers and the like. At some future point, said Hart, "our thought was to purchase another place which would provide more extensive care."

There were no solid leads in the immediate aftermath of the fire. The address of the house had not been made public because of the possibility of violence, as well as confidentiality considerations relating to potential residents. Rumors had arisen in the neighborhood concerning plans for the house, but there had been no known organized efforts or petition drives to block the project.

"We are going to find a way to have a home, and soon," Hart said. She said that St. HOPE has been offered houses in various areas of the city, including the same vicinity as the burned house. Citizens Savings Bank in Canton has established an account for St. HOPE. Those in other areas who would like to help may send donations to the St. HOPE AIDS Housing Fund, P.O. Box 8502, Canton, OH 44711-8502. ▼

City Hall to respond to hate crimes

Increasing reports of hate-motivated crimes have prompted Stonewall Cleveland to contact city officials, expressing outrage, growing fears and demanding a safer community in which to live.

Letters were sent to Cleveland Mayor Michael R. White, Cleveland Police Chief Edward Kovacic and Council President Jay Westbrook.

Westbrook responded with a letter of support and Kovacic responded with a personal phone call. White responded with a personal letter of commitment as well as an invitation, extended through Barry Withers of the Safety Commission, to join in meetings with Maryann Finegan Project representatives to discuss recent events.

Specific cases of reported violence were discussed and questions were raised regarding the thoroughness of police investigations. Based on a discrepancy in information supplied to the Maryann Finegan Project and a lack of evidence supplied to the prosecutor's office, the Safety Commission asked Fred Szabo of Professional Standards to investigate the thoroughness of the investigations.

Additional progress was made in estab-

lishing within City Hall formal procedures to track reports of crimes of bias. Tracking the number of reported crimes of bias will have a positive effect on efforts to pass sexual-orientation amendments to current ethnic-intimidation, employment and housing laws.

In a subsequent meeting with Sam Thomas III, director of the Community Relations Board, and Pat Purdy, its program manager, it was decided that all Maryann Finegan cases and any community calls reporting victimization due to sexual orientation will be assigned to Purdy.

Purdy's most recent public display of community support was when he carried the Community Relations Board banner in the Pride '91 march. Having previously lived in San Francisco with his family before moving to Cleveland, Purdy is an advocate of greater gay and lesbian representation.

And finally, but also of significant importance, confirmation has been received that the prosecutor's office will assign a prosecutor to coordinate any hate crimes brought to its attention.

All reports of violence or intimidation should be reported to the police, by calling 9-1-1, and to the Maryann Finegan Project at the Center at 522-1999.

Furthermore, all community service organizations are encouraged to report incidents to the Maryann Finegan Project, regardless of whether victim assistance is utilized, or to Pat Purdy at City Hall.

Editorials Letters

CONTENTS

2 3

Question of the Month.

Here comes the HIT Squad

Gay archive opens

Army memo: Let gays serve Amnesty Int'l lobbied

Bias rule at mental health board. 7 Stonewall has ward meetings.. Lizzie Borden's Forty Whacks Living Room's new staffer. Gayme Time.. Pride '91.... Charlie's Calendar.