December, 1991

GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

Page 3

Letters

Talent show a joy

To the Editor:

I am writing this letter to exclaim my delight, joy and excitement from being an audience participant at the First Annual Lesbian-Gay Talent Show. I have been out for nine years and have literally longed for an event which would include both men and women.

Looking around the auditorium at the Civic, which I am only used to viewing as a

But I hope in the future she enters the race again.

These are people we need in our community who have the willingness to serve our community.

After November 5 I've decided it is time to get more involved in our gay and lesbian community! I am on a quest to get this community registered to vote. And hopefully we will learn from this experience.

Paula "Kelly" Scahill

haven for "February lesbians," it gave me an What community?

unparalleled hope that perhaps our community can finally bridge the gap between gay men and lesbians.

I am proud to say that I am not a separatist, and I simply cannot understand why an individual would want to exclude half of the world's population from her or his life. I do understand the need for a safe space for both genders in order to be able to deal with issues, but when do we all come back together to unite against the oppression that we all must deal with?

Our community must constantly struggle with external forces and perhaps even our own internalized homophobia, so why do we continue to fight against each other? In all honesty, I must admit there have been periods of time when I doubted whether I was a "real" lesbian because most of my closest friends were gay males and that did not seem to be a politically correct, whatever that means, action.

I have never been treated poorly, rudely or abusively by a gay male because I am a woman. I sadly cannot say I have not seen that treatment from some of the women in our community directed toward the men. It is acceptable to have issues and it is absolutely imperative to deal with them if one wants to be a fulfilled human being, but do not forget to come back to a group of people that will support you if you let them.

I say we need more events in our community where we can all come together in an entertainment atmosphere where the focus is not bad lighting, alcoholic beverages and pool tables. I say we need to support each other; we need to encourage each other's growth; we need to respect each other; and we need to have fun with each other. Brotherhood? Sisterhood? How about Peoplehood!

Kathlin E. McCann

Show spurned women

To the Editor:

Although it was entirely predictable, I was still appalled by the atmosphere and outcome of the Center's Talent Show. Men won all of the prizes as well as the honorable mention at the show. This proves once again that when women are judged in the man's world we cannot win. As a matter of fact, women are not even recognized. This is just one of the reasons that non-judgemental, women-only space is so valuable to us.

Debra Hirshberg

To the Editor:

Bravo for your November Chronicle editorial, "Is anyone there and do they care?" As a gay Republican I was appalled over the lack of Democrats not expressing their voting right and responsibility during the primary and general elections in Lakewood. It seems to me a misnomer to use the words "gay community."

Had I written the article, I would have peppered it with a few four or more letter expletives. And extended the area from Edgewater Park to the local gay "watering holes. It's always so wonderful listening to the barroom philosophers making unkind remarks about those in power, but not giving a shit how they got there.

Ms. Boscia deserved better treatment from the Lakewood gay community (oops). Finally, we have a person who is aware of the particular needs of our community, but few had the time to support her. How many times have we sat in a bar and listened to the B.S. about the financial/political power of the gay coalition? Again, just another impotent, fleeting comment.

Further, why, after Ms. Boscia was not selected, did not the gay community (oops) support Mr. Harbarger, letting the Democrat electee know that we do not support an anti-gay leader, regardless of political persuasion. It seems to me that the gay community is confused over the liberality of the Democrat politicians. I switched political parties to support Ms. Boscia, and it seems to me that the gay Democrats must weigh the advantages of the person, not the party.

And most of all, why in the hell didn't they vote?

Stanley M. Mason

Proud of my stand

To the Editor:

Taking a stand on a political or social issue, especially when that issue goes against the grain of "mainstream" thinking, is a tremendous undertaking.

The stand that I took on separatism and equal access to public facilities is a stand that I proudly stand by and will continue to do so. I have paid a high price for my stand, a very high price. I will not respond or resort to the type of mud-slinging that has come my way since bringing this issue to light earlier this year.

It was a certain sexist policy that

Learn from Lakewood prompted me into going public and thus trying

To the Editor:

On November 5th, this was one lesbian in Lakewood, Ohio that voted!

After reading the editorial in the November Chronicle, I can appreciate those

same sentiments. Where was the gay and

lesbian community? No excuses!

I moved here a little over a year ago and one of the first things I did was register to vote. It's a right that America has given us.

I helped campaign for Kathy Craig for Lakewood judge because she had a concern with our gay and lesbian community. Unfortunately, she lost to Judge Pat Carroll.

to evoke change. Since my stand on this issue went public, women are now being served whenever and wherever they want. End of story!

Roger Zucker

Four points on the Stallion debate

To the Editor:

I have read letters of response regarding the controversy surrounding the Leather Stallion Saloon. I will disregard the personal

slander dealt Roger Zucker; it merits no response. However, four erroneous points were made that I would like to respond to.

First and foremost, Mr. John Schwartz has made the lethal statement "Lesbians are able to have...no fear of AIDS..." and we have no need for safer sex. Please John, stop by HIT (2250 Euclid Ave., 621-0766) and educate yourself before your misinformation

womyn hanging out there. We are, after all, soon to enter 1992, with the year 2001 less than a decade away. I suggest if you really have a problem with womyn in a bar, you take "time out" to educate yourself and kindly step aside.

causes the death of one of my sisters. In fact, Verily, verily

lesbians do have AIDS transmitted through womyn-to-womyn contact. The womyn's leather community has taken the lead in getting safer-sex information out to all womyn and it remains an important factor in all of their play.

Second, Mr. Schwartz wrote of the existence of "many women-only bars," presumably in Cleveland. There are in fact no womyn-only bars in Cleveland. All are open and welcoming to men.

Third, Mr Schwartz claims "The power of the mighty dollar is the determining factor." I ask you, John, please be aware of the fact that womyn still to this day make only 64 cents on the white male dollar. So, while many gay men are able to stuff their queerness into their back pockets and masquerade in the big work world as straight white males--those bastions of our dear power structure--many lesbian womyn pocket their 64 cents in change and have learned to value other powers such a truth, love and respect for others.

Fourth, Mr. Daniel R. Kahn attempted an analogy between the Leather Stallion and the Women's Halloween Party, a separatist event. Missing in your analogy, Daniel, was the recognition of the fact that the Stallion is a public establishment, open daily, while the party is a one-time, annual event.

I don't honestly understand the big fuss. As I mentioned to the reporter who questioned me, most all the men I met while in the Stallion have no problem with leather

To the Editor:

Debra Shepherd

I just read the letter from Jos. V. Columbo in the November issue of the Chronicle in rebuttal of Roger's October "Good News" column for Emmanuel MCC. I missed that article so I have no idea if Mr. Columbo is quoting Roger out of context.

Just have Mr. or Ms. Columbo read St. John 10:1 to quote verbatim, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that Entereth not by the door into the Sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber." Then in verse 9, Jesus said, "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.'

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I could go on, but I think they ought to just read Chapter 10:1-18. God bless you all. Through His son Jesus Christ.

Keith D. Thayer

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 Recently reported incidents:

September 29--W. 6th and Frankfort-Two males leaving Numbers on foot were followed and verbally harassed by six males in a car who then threw something at victims. Victims started to run, assailants got out of the car and chased them, eventually catching up and assaulting both. Black eye and leg injuries reported. Police report made.

October 1--Two women in serious domestic violence altercation intervened by police. Policeman refers to incident as “a couple of girls partying too hard" when dealing with ambulance paramedic.

November 17-E. 22 and St. ClairHomophobic motive not established: Two policemen assaulting male half a block from the Leather Stallion. Witness reported one officer repeatedly banging victim's head against roof of car while other officer laughed. Victim then resisted being put in car and was forced to ground. Witness then left scene, but reported "at least a dozen" others witnessing the incident.

If you have any further knowledge of this incident, please contact the Center at 522-1999.

November 2-W. 6th & LakesideThree male assailants jumped curb trapping pedestrian. Hurrying from car,

assailants began homophobically harassing victim, then robbed him. Necklaces and glasses forcibly removed.

Congratulations to volunteers who finished the Maryann Finegan Project's first "Allies" training. Allies are the victim advocate volunteers who will be helping community members who've been attacked.

Our gratitude goes to Chris, Bill, Valerie, Gary A. Gary I., Howard, Kevin, Joc and Pat for pulling together an exemplary training and manual. Also, thanks to Dave and Lynn at the Witness/Victim Center for assistance with the training.

Volunteers still needed to do outreach to the Lakewood Police Dept. as well as assist with incident data entry.

In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Project was included in a Witness/Victim Service Center day-long conference at the Justice Center October 18. A homophobia presentation covered the challenge of same-sex domestic violence to our community and the justice system. This was followed by a first-person account by a survivor of same-sex domestic violence who successfully prosecuted his partner in Cleveland domestic court.