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GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

November, 1991

Editorial

Is anyone there and do they care?

To all the Chronicle readers in Lakewood, on November 5th please DON'T VOTE. This should be easy for you since you didn't bother to vote in the mayoral primary in October. Because lesbian and gay Lakewood citizens continue to be uninvolved,

non-car-

ing and generally disinterested in their own welfare as lesbian and gay citizens, a bornagain, right wing supported white male, Edward Graham, has been chosen to represent the Democrats in Lakewood. Don't vote for him. He is a basher as are his supporters. His opponent Harbarage is not much better. Lakewood, your only choice in getting out of this situation with any kind of dignity is just to not vote at all.

On October 1, the lesbian and gay citizens of Lakewood decided not to vote in the mayoral primary. They certainly were informed. Two Democratic candidates were not only recommended by this paper but these same two candidates took ads out in the paper asking you to vote for them. The queers in Lakewood must have been too busy at Edgewater to stop for a second and cast a vote because the winner of the election, Edward Graham, is an anti-choice, homophobic bigot who refused to acknowledge that there were any lesbians and gays in Lakewood to whom he needed to pay attention.

Graham supporter Edward Heben sent a letter out on September 27, (three days before the election), citing Joann Boscia endorsement and John Gallagher's recommendation by this paper. He sent out a copy of the endorsement (heaven knows what bar he visited to get one), with big block letters say IS THIS WHAT YOU WANT????

He wrote: "I cannot sit back and allow the obscenity and pornography vendors and the promoters of abortion, homosexuality and lesbianism to step forward to control our community which we live in and in which our children will be raised." He goes on to mention the "Gay Liberation Movement" and the Chronicle endorsement specifically.

Obviously this Heben fellow is way out step with the times, reflected by his use of the term, "Gay Liberation Movement." [Sort of brings backs pictures of Harry Hay doesn't it?] His point was well taken though. Graham has tried to distance himself from this "father of eleven", but the stink of this letter has clung to all involved.

Bravo to the other Democrats for renouncing Graham for letting this happen, but it did happen. It happened in the Fingerhut/ Loving-Vail Ohio Senate race and it can happen again. Those candidates who have been seeking the endorsement of the Chronicle will start to see it as a liability and not worth the trouble it can cause. Mostly, because it can't help them get elected. Whether you like it or not, the Chronicle is considered the voice of this community.

Fingerhut won, Boscia lost. So what? We have endorsed more winning canidates than losing. The particular shame of this race is the legend of how many gays live in Lakewood and the power they would have if they acted as a group. Your votes could have gotten Boscia or Gallagher elected if you had bothered to vote for either of these candidates. The numbers don't lie, neither candidate lost by enough that your votes wouldn't have counted.

All it would have taken was for one of the candidates the Chronicle recommended to get

elected in Lakewood. Our community would have then been taken even more seriously by the our elected officials. But no, the lesbians and gays of Lakewood continue to be doomed to political obscurity. You have only yourselves to blame.

Boscia and Gallagher lost by a mere handful of votes and with their loss came the loss of the lesbians and gays in Lakewood to make any kind of political progress. The blame is entirely on YOUR shoulders.

Shame, shame, shame. This community, after years of obscurity has finally made some progress, only be set back years by your refusal to vote. What are you people doing in Lakewood anyway? We all keep saying there are so many of us there WHERE are you? Are you registered to vote? DO YOU CARE ABOUT ANYTHING?

Joann Boscia and John Gallagher lost this election but they are not losers. Both will

GAINST •PROMOTER

where the polling booths are. Something different, but maybe if you told them there was a party afterwards they would go.

Phone ZAP!!!

Those of you who care, why don't you give this Ed Heben fellow a call at 431-LAWS, 1-800-487-3278, for you out of town folks, or fax him at 391-3278 and tell him how you feel about his homophobic ranting. We've reprinted his letter, so you can quote him if you like.

Monkeys in a cage.

When will Hank Burger realize that the lesbians and gays of Cleveland are not entertainment for the straight folks? Once again Burger is trying to open a fancy cage for the straights to watch the queers. This time it is call Trash, as opposed to Traxx or U4ia. Wake up Hank this is 1991, not 1976.

"The DEVIL

And The

DEEP

BLUE

MERRILY

MERRIL

SEA

MERRILY

SLIFE IS BUT

A DREAM...

GAYS LAKEWOR

VOTER

APATHY

come back another day and be great public servants. The losers here are the lesbians and gays in Lakewood. Losers because they have to live yet another four years without a chance to change the political climate of Lakewood. Losers because they don't care about their own community and losers because they make the rest of us look like political liabilities.

The only hope left is that Heben's blantant display of homophobia will rally some of the lesbians and gays in Lakewood. Don't you think there are enough of you to even elect a councilperson? Does anyone out there even know who is the councilperson representing the Gold Coast? Her name is Nancy Roth and she called recently to assure the community their interests will still be represented--thanks. If only one of those high rises on the "Coast" would empty themselves of queers on election day, a gay councilperson could be elected easily.

Stonewall--Cleveland, we know you are busy with ordinances in Cleveland and there aren't many of you to go around, but how about organizing Lakewood? They could sure use some help. Maybe you could sponsor a field-trip and show these guys

Guest Opinion

Dear Fellow Supporter of the Northeast Ohio Roundtable:

I am writing you this correspondence belatedly on the eve of an important and momentous occasion, the election of a new mayor for the City of Lakewood. I would first like to take a moment to introduce myself to you. I am a resident of the City of Lakewood, a member of the Northeast Ohio Roundtable Council of 56, and an ardent supporter of

Christiona, Pro-Life, moralistic causes, and the father of eleven. I have not been actively involved in the support of a political candidate before in my 16 years as an attorney, but I find this election to be a compelling call to stand up and voice my support for traditional Judaic-Christian principles. I cannot sit back and allow the obscenity and pornography vendors and the promoters of abortion, homosexuality and

[INCUMBAN STATUS

QUO

Burger continues to exploit the gay population he so vocally says he is serving. Remember, it was at his orders that U4ia refused service to women who didn't have a dress on thus eliminating most of the lesbian patrons.

This time his "Trash" couldn't open on time because of building code violations, so he has his flunkies call Helen Smith, councilwoman for Ohio City, and try to make it into a gay thing. Kudos to Smith for realizing that Burger, a straight man, doesn't represent the community and checking out the complaints. Burger was also on the phone complaining to us, thinking we would fall for him once again. Too bad none of those names you gave us would back up your story. One wouldn't even talk to us!

Hank, read this loud and clear. You are not a member of our community. We don't need or want you to exploit us for cheap entertainment for straight people. We have plenty of fine bars and nightclubs owned by gay people to frequent. If straight people really want to mingle with us, they can go to Numbers. Have Mary, Mary come to Trash but stop bothering us.

lesbianism to step forward to control our community which we live in and in which our children will be raised.

I most heartly beseech and request each and every one of you to make a strong, sincere and dedicated effort to vote in the Democratic primary on Tuesday, October 1, 1991, for Edward M Graham for Mayor of the City of Lakewood. I, myself and not a registered Democrat, but do intend to voice

gay people's

IRONICLE

Vol. 7, Issue 5

Founded by Charles Callender

1928-1986

Published by KWIR Publications Co-Owners:

Robert Downing Martha J. Pontoni

Editor-in-Chief:

Martha J. Pontoni Associate Editors:

Brian DeWitt Copy Editor:

Nora Vetarius, Marty Gibbons Reporters and Writers:

Martha J. Pontoni, Dora Forbes, Mame Harris Faith Klasek, Kevin Beaney, Lizzie Bordon Douglas Braun, Bob Downing, Stephanie Dlugon, W. A. Brooks, Nora Vetarius, Madison Square Photographers

Pat Young, Tom Ritter Editorial Cartoonist: E.J. Farbarik Typesetting/Graphics: Kathi Officer

Artists:

Waldina Sister Distribution Chief: Robert Downing Office Manager: Ray P. Triggs Sales Manager: Betsy Marshall

Editorial Board:

Martha J. Pontoni, Robert Downing, Brian DeWitt, Kim Taylor, Betsy Marshall

The Gay People's 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.

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Many, Many, Many, Thanks

Lastly, we just want to thank everyone who helped us in our recovery from the robbery. From the Plain Dealer, to the politicians who called and offered support, to Jerry Szoka, Tim Leiden and those guys from the East Side who donated money for the security system, to the Center and Aubrey, to Dale and Rick and all of those who gave time money and caring to make sure we survived, a hearty thank-you and kiss, kiss. We're back and raring to go. Stay tuned for major announcements in the December.

my vote for Mr. Graham in Tuesday's Democratic primary election. The Democratic primary election is one not only for existing registered Democrats but also for independents and Republicans who must at the polling place sign a simple form designating their desire to vote Democrat in this primary. This form will allow you to vote for Ed Graham as mayor and will not

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