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GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE July 17, 1992

gay people's

HRONICLE

Editorial

Non-profit or for-profit, which is best?

KWIR Publications, the company that was formed in 1987 to publish the Gay People's Chronicle, has struggled with its internal finances over the years, and occasionally approached the community for donations. With such public airing of money problems, criticism arose about how the company was doing business.

Fair enough.

In retrospect, it was not managed as well as it could have been. Steps have been taken to make the business able to stand on its own profits.

But a lot of the suggestions and criticism had to do with the Chronicle being a "for profit' company. It was implied--and even expected in some instances--that the Chronicle should be a nonprofit organization.

We applaud the many lesbian and gay nonprofit organizations in this community and the work they do. We also applaud the many gay and lesbian for-profit businesses in this community for the merchandise and services they provide. Do you consider the particular makeup of the organization when deciding to use its services? We doubt it. We feel it may be a misunderstanding of the nature of a "non-profit" or "tax-exempt" status that has caused some to take the Chronicle to task. Here is our explanation:

The large majority of "non-profit" organizations must meet the criteria in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Center is such an organization; so are HIT and NOCI. When the IRS, after review, grants an organization 501(c)(3) sta-

tus, it becomes "tax-exempt," avoiding payment of state sales and use tax, and not paying federal corporate income tax. It is also eligible to apply for grants from foundations to support itself, and it may hold raffles and other fundraisers. Individuals may make contributions to a 501(c)(3) organization and then show it as a charitable deduction on their 1040 form.

However, 501(c)(3) organizations may not make political statements, other than bland generalities about getting out to vote on an issue. No individuals may be endorsed for political office, nor can the group take stands on ballot issues.

Political entities such as PACs, which can take stands on issues and politicians, are regulated differently. These groups do not fall under the IRS's general 501(c) regulations. Individual contributions fall into a different, more restrictive deduction category on the 1040 form. Foundations are by law not permitted to support these groups.

So we must ask ourselves, is there an advantage in making the Chronicle a notfor-profit venture? We are certainly not going to stop endorsing candidates, or alerting the community to homophobic officeseekers. Political commentary is a fundamental mission of a newspaper. Aside from saving on sales tax, we see no reason to change.

Is there some gross indecency in having a queer business try to make a profit? Bars, bookstores, florists, therapists and others have been doing it for years without any objection.

Yes, the Chronicle exists to serve the community, but that doesn't affect its inter-

nal structure. Making it nonprofit will not make it any more effective, and it won't help the paper meet its expenses any better, either. Salaries, benefits, utilities all stay the same. Printing costs and supplies are reduced slightly by the amount of sales tax paid (which, as a cost of doing business, is deducted on the corporate tax form anyway).

We have asked for your financial support through donations in the past because we had inadequate financial backing, limited advertisers, and a poor business sense. Nonprofit groups have been poorly managed, too. We, like any other American enterprise, have the right to struggle and the right to make a profit.

Most newspapers, straight and gay, are run as for-profit businesses, and the Chronicle will continue as it has, hopefully this time actually making a profit at some point.

And the profit itself, where will the money go? Some will be earmarked for reserves to upgrade equipment, some will be used to accelerate paying off any longterm debt, and the rest will be divided among the owners of the corporation. KWIR Publications is a Subchapter S corporation. Its stockholders are the publisher and editorial staff, so we are rewarding ourselves if the company makes money, similar to a profit-sharing plan.

We're going to be working harder to make the paper more interesting, informative and attractive to readers and advertisers, expanding our coverage and encouraging dialogue. It makes economic sense for us, and a better Chronicle for you.

Vol. 8, Issue 1 Copyright

1992.

All rights reserved.

Founded by Charles Callender

1928-1986

Published by KWIR Publications

Publisher:

Martha J. Pontoni Business Manager

Patti Harris Managing Editor: Kevin Beaney Production Manager: Brian De Witt Associate Editor:

Scott Hare

Reporters and Writers:

Martha J. Pontoni, Dora Forbes, Marne Harris Kevin Beaney, Douglas Braun, Editorial Cartoonist: E.J. Farbarik Artist:

Christine Hahn Sales Manager: Betsy Marshall Editorial Board:

Martha J. Pontoni, Patti Harris, Kevin Beaney, Brian De Witt, Scott Hare, Betsy Marshall

The Gay People's Chronicle is dedicated to providing a space in the northeast Ohio lesbian-gay commmity for all of its members to commumicate and be involved with each other. This means that every Chronicle, to the best of its ability, will be equally dedicated to both men's and women's issues, as well as issues that affect the entire community. Striving for this balance will not only provide the commmity with a forum to air grievances and express joys, but will also help all of us achieve this balance in our lives.

The Gay People's Chronicle is copyrighted under federal law. Any reproduction of its contents is prohibited unless either written or verbal permission is obtained.

Any material submitted for publication will be subject to editing. The Chronicle cannot guarantee return of any such materials unless accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope.

The Gay People's Chronicle is not responsible for claims made by advertisers. We reserve the right to reject advertising which is unsuitable for our publication.

Next Chronicle comes out

Friday, August 21.

The Gay People's Chronicle is published on the second Friday of the month. Items must be received by deadlines; mail takes several days. Call 621-5280 to inquire about hand delivery. Advertisers:

Call Betsy Marshall at 216-621-5280 for rate sheets and information. Or, write the Chronicle at P.O. Box 5426, Cleveland, Ohio 44101. Deadlines: Articles

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Yearly subscriptions are on a sliding scale starting at $20.00. The Chronicle is sent in a brown envelope. Mail check or money order with address to the Chronicle, P.O. Box 5426, Cleveland, 44101.

Guest Opinion

Long hair and makeup is not off-limits for lesbians

by Gena Beck

I'd like to ventilate my feelings on a subject that has bugged me for quite a while and which I will call "femme prejudice." It is, perhaps, a little known (or even realized) secret in the lesbian community, which I feel must finally go the way of the bustle. We must open our eyes to all of our sisters in the community. Let me explain what I

mean.

In these times of widespread political correctness in our communities, such "p.c."-ness has not escaped our particular community either. As in all forms of oppression, political correctness is merely the modern, insidious way to pressure us into

conformity once again. As a lesbian in our gay community here in Greater Cleveland, I choose to dress and groom myself in a more "femme" mode (if I have to use a label) versus the "butch" mode, thereby looking more or less "straight."

Why? Simply because I want to.

I attended a party last summer where I overheard the hosts talking among themselves in the kitchen about how "Jamie brought a straight girl with her," and, "Our professional identities might be at risk," and other such sentiments. I relayed these comments to Jamie, who reassured them that I was indeed a lesbian also. The couple refused to believe this, telling Jamie that I must be "unsure" of my real sexual iden-

ARE YOU

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Tired of being closeted at work Interested in meeting Gay & Lesbian Business owners and Community Leaders Wanting to help strengthen the Gay/Lesbian Community

WE ARE

Hiring advertising sales people with immediate openings in Cleveland, Akron/ Canton, Youngstown, Toledo/Sandusky, Columbus and Southern Michigan We Believe there are more talented people in the Gay and Lesbian Community than there are positions available

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For an Interview, call Patti Harris at (216) 621-5280

Gay People's Chronicle P.O. Box 5426 Cleveland, Ohio 44101

tity: why else would I want to look so much like a straight woman?

I've thought about that comment for a while now, sub-conciously formulating a reply, so here goes:

Yes, I am a lesbian just as you identify yourself as such. I do not choose to "hide" my "real self" by dressing as a "straight woman." I dress the way I do because I want to. I wear my hair long because I feel I look better in long hair and I'm vain. Ditto for make-up. In fact, there used to be a club called "Lipstick" back in the '70s for lesbians who choose to wear cosmetics and such. I'd like to see the club reassemble again, because as more and more of us come out, we're going to find out that there are all types of lesbians in all kinds of dress, disguise and manner. We must put our stereotypes of dykes to rest: short hair, no make-up or any other feminine adornment.

My other reason that I choose the ultrafemme route is because I relish the butch/ femme continuum (which can be another unpopular notion) and enjoy the role-playing that can occur between these two polarities.

I grew up with the "vanities" of the female role and do not want to, nor will I, relinquish them. I also know that there are plenty of butches out there who go for femme types who wear lipstick and lace. Confession: I also enjoy the shocked look

on people's faces when I tell them that I'm gay. "Gee, you sure don't look it" is the inevitable reply that forces them to realize that lesbians can look, act and appear just as they do!

It's a paradox--this politically correct movement of the 1990's. Many persons erroneously assume that adopting all of the politically correct modes currently in vogue, i.e. vegetarianism, non-animal testing, chem-freeness, etc., frees them from previously entrapped modes of believing and living. They fail to realize that when they cast judgement on persons who do what they want to do, however unpopular, they become the very essence of oppression which they propose to rail against!

So let's open ourselves to all of our sisters and brothers in this community whether they appear to look and act "straight," come out, or stay in the closet, or go against the grain of the majority.▼

The Chronicle invites Guest Opinions on any issue that affects the lesbian and gay community. Submissions should be at least 500 words, not exceeding 1,000 words, typewritten or on an IBM-compatible computer diskette. Please include your name and phone number so we may contact you. Send submissions to P.O. Box 5426, Cleveland, Ohio 44101.