Letters

No special tax rights

To the Editors:

The religious right is planning on placing an anti-gay referendum on the ballot in Ohio similar to the one in Colorado. This is the improper use of government to force a point of view, which officially condemns and excludes a group of taxpaying citizens. The democratic process cannot be supported when the rights of a minority are voted out by the majority, and basic humanity and dignity are undermined.

This situation is very similar to antiJewish legislation passed by Nazi Germany in the 1930s. And, like Nazi Germany, even gay sympathizers are not safe, as the Oregon amendment clearly proves. This situation is very real and frightening, and we

Love is never a crime

To the Editors:

About a year ago on the Geraldo show, a young man, Michael Callen, stated that he had survived HIV for nine years (without drugs, I think). This man is a talented singer. During the show, he sang "Love Don't Need A Reason, Love Is Never A Crime," words so reassuring to us the struggling. Why isn't this song in every Gay bar? How is Michael Callen?

Harry (Granny) Armstead

Callen's group, The Flirtations, is scheduled to appear at Oberlin College in March. It is not known if he will be able to appear with them. --Ed.

should not stand around waiting for Concert put on hold

Krystallnacht 1993.

It is hypocritical that the religious right says no "special rights" for gays, while it enjoys the special right of being tax-free, and we are not. Further, it uses those taxfree dollars supposedly fighting for the rights of the "unborn," while at the same time trying to take our civil rights protections away, and we are alive (at least for now).

What we must do is place an initiative on the ballot that grants "no special rights to politically active religious affiliations regarding taxes." This is in keeping with the separation of church and state, and will also take a big bite out of their wallets and their influence. They would also be under the horrible scrutiny of the IRS. Donations to religious organizations should be sent to one of countless charities, like feeding the homeless, rather than reviving the Inquisition.

Richard P. Zemba

To the Editors:

In regard to the press release on the Washington Sisters' concert that was printed in the December issue of the Chronicle, at this time the Lesbian-Gay Student Resource of the University of Akron has had to put the plans on hold. The reasons are due to the current financial status of both our organization and the University of Akron. The Washington Sisters are still eager to come to our area, and we are discussing the possibility of a performance during the next academic year.

February 19, 1993

GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

Page 3

Part of a divine design

To the Editors:

Thank you for printing the article by Kenneth L. Cuthbertson, Ph.D titled "What

Good luck and know that there is some strength in Cleveland that is still behind you.

Steve Romelfanger

the Bible really says about gays and lesbiRethink the boycott

ans" in the December issue. The article

opens up a subject often left in the closet as well as the gays themselves with the inhibitions resulting from Biblical mis-teachings. Direct research about this subject is appreciated and I hope is benefiting other gay people coming to terms with issues related to religion, spirituality, and sexuality.

It was while I was a student of Biblical philosophies and a resident in a Christian women's home that I knew I was gay; however for various reasons I was closeted by belief systems projected upon me. I found the subject handled inadequately by superiors, teachers, and a counselor. After much pain, I came out as an adult with auch resolve, healing, joy--and delightful awe!

I hope other gays whose Christian childhoods were filled with confusion are as fortunate as myself to feel free and able to celebrate their lives.

Come on out. We don't have to be alone with our spirituality and sexuality. We are part of a whole divine design.

The Lesbian-Gay Student Resource would like to thank all those individuals Sick of closet cases and organizations who expressed their interest and offers of support for the proposed performance. We hope that we can all keep the enthusiasm building for this event. Together, we can make this a reality.

Matthew J. Burns, President Lesbian-Gay Student Resource

Hate Crime Update

Compiled by the Maryann Finegan Project

January 17--Latino man visiting Cleveland robbed at gunpoint outside of Leather Stallion Saloon by two Latino Males. Leather coat, book bag and all his money taken.

January 19-White east side gay male resident reports that white youths in neighborhood have repeatedly broken windows of home. Man also verbally abused and physically threatened by the youths.

January 26-White male, 31, approached by four other white males, 18-31, in Legends. Victim is asked to go out drinking with the men who drive to a residence near W. 108 and Baltic. Man attacked outside of residence, resulting in chipped teeth and blackened eye. Coat, wallet and keys stolen. Very slow police response time, indifference on behalf of officer, and incomplete report taken.

This assault was a planned, non-police entrapment of a gay male in the Cleveland area, of the sort that have taken place at Edgewater park in 1992. The lesbian and gay community is urged to be aware when leaving known gay hangouts with strangers. Often victims are lured to a secluded place where more assailants are waiting for the unsuspecting victim.

February 9--After articles appear in local papers, openly gay minister received three threatening and abusive phone calls. Cleveland police reported; officer very responsive.

Gay bashings, robberies, aggravated assaults, and car thefts are on the sharp rise in the Cleveland area. The Mary Ann Finegan Project of the Lesbian-Gay Community Center and the Health Issues Taskforce report that homophobic violence is occurring especially at:

• Edgewater Park

Bars in the W, 117th & Detroit area,

especially Legends.

How to Protect Yourself

Anyone can be a victim of homophobic crime, but you can reduce your chances of becoming a victim. Stay Alert

Awareness is your best defense. Alcohol and drugs reduce judgement and reaction time.

Park in well-lit lots.

Choose busy, well-lit streets, avoid alleys, doorways, parks after dark. Don't walk alone. Project Confidence

Walk as if you know where you're going. Trust Your Instincts

If you think something is wrong, remove yourself from the situation. Avoid Entrapments -

Before you decide to leave with someone, ask friends or the bartender if they know the person(s).

Be especially suspect if they want to choose the destination, or they want to drive.

If you go alone with someone, make sure you tell your friends or the bartender that you are leaving with the person(s). If Attacked

Protect yourself the best way you can. Yell and scream for help. "Fire!" often gets a better response.

Call Police, EMS, 911 immediately. Attend to physical needs.

Make mental notes of height, weight, ages, hair types, and distinguishing characteristics of assailants. Give as detailed a report as possible to police.

Call the Maryann Finegan Project to report and receive victim assistance. Feelings of paranoia, sleeplessness, isolation, crying, inability to concentrate, disruption of personal relationships are all common symptoms of violent crime.

Call the Maryann Finegan Project for confidential assistance and reporting, 5221999.days. 781-6736.evenings weekends.

R. Elle

The following letter was addressed to Chronicle publisher Martha Pontoni.

Dear Martha:

I wanted to bring to your attention something which I think could be a valuable item of notice. I don't know how often you look at the Advocate, but the editorial by publisher Niles Merton in Issue 622, dated February 9, makes a very interesting state-

ment.

[The editorial says that we don't value our civil rights enough to put ourselves in harm's way for them, the way other oppressed groups have done. This means, at the very least, coming out in large numbers regardless of the risks, to "put a face on our movement."]

This is something that the citizens of the gay community of Cleveland could stand to take notice of. I suppose that could be wishful thinking that this could draw some closet cases to realize that there is a lot to do for the community and that there is some risk in showing the world that we have some worth. Anyhow, I think the article has some value, and makes a good point.

Also, I want to congratulate you. Your recent appearances in the newspaper and on the TV are a tribute to your devotion to the community. I give you a lot of credit for sticking with this closeted bunch of spineless wimps. I myself have become sick of it.

The entire attitude of the gay and lesbian peoples of Cleveland irritates me to no end. When are these people going to grow up? When are they going to learn their own value and stick up for themselves? I don't know. I know I made all kinds of efforts to motivate people to think about our situation, and make some kind of action. Only to see them run back to their safe little havens and cower in the corner. I guess now I know why so many people leave Cleveland, or say it's a great place to be from.

Keep up the good work, Martha. I want you to know that I appreciate all that you do for us. I wish I had the same stamina to keep with it the way you do. Hopefully, some day, the gay and lesbian citizens of Cleveland will realize just what you have done and learn to appreciate and emulate those efforts. Right now, unfortunately, their closet doors are too busy slapping them in the face.

On that note I will wish you and the Chronicle a bright and prosperous future.

To the Editors:

I have become convinced that the Boycott Colorado movement is a hasty and selfdefeating response to a very real threat.

As everyone must know by now, three of the communities most affected by this boycott--Denver, Boulder, and Aspen-have gay rights ordinances. "They'll just have to sacrifice" is the usual response of boycott supporters, often with the implied accusation that members of these cities (which voted overwhelmingly against Amendment 2) are at fault for not having done even more to stop it.

This is great hindsight, but lousy politics. The fact is, we're hurting our supporters in hopes that a little of the economic pain will trickle down to our opponents. Sound familiar? Trickle-down punishment is even goofier than trickle-down economics.

Amendment 2 came about, in large part, as a backlash against the gay rights ordinances of these three cities. A blanket boycott of Colorado sends out a dangerous message: Your support of lesbian and gay rights is now going to cost you.

In a perfect world, voters might flock to vote their conscience, and to hell with their wallet. In the real world, we invite disaster if we start rewarding our supporters with an economic boycott. A targeted boycott, aimed at businesses and cities that supported Amendment 2, would be a far smarter approach.

The boycott movement has quickly taken on an aura of political orthodoxy. On this (as on so many other issues), debate should be encouraged, not squelched. Perhaps the time will come when a blanket boycott of Colorado seems like our only option. But it should be a last resort, not a knee-jerk first response.

Sasha Alyson Boston, Mass.

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, or fax to 216621-5282. Include your address and phone number so we may contact you.

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