STONEWALL

CLEVELAND

Achian/gay political organization of Northeastern Ohio

Special rights? Or equal rights?

by Keith Sutton

Members of the radical right have been meeting in both Columbus and Cincinnati and would have the majority of voters of Ohio believe that lesbians and gay men want "special" rights. This is what a majority of voters in Colorado were lead to believe.

The majority of voters are of course heterosexual. And most will never clearly understand homosexuality. Therefore, if the majority in this country were always permitted to have it their way, American minorities would undoubtedly still be targets of behavior similar to ethnic cleansing. Therefore, and justifiably, laws are sometimes needed to protect the civil rights of minorities.

Yet, we're not asking for anything more than "equal" rights. Equal rights to job security... If an employer finds out that our sexuality is different, that alone should not be grounds for termination.

Equal rights to housing... If a landlord rents a one bedroom apartment to an unmarried man and woman and then two individuals of the same sex attempt to rent a one bedroom apartment, the fact that they are the same sex should not be grounds for rejection.

Yet, if members of the right wing have their way, and if their latest propaganda videotape works to their plan, they'll convince many people to fear us and hate us. They'll have Main Street U.S.A. believing that we want to walk down the streets with breasts and genitals bared, and they'll point to the San Francisco parades to prove it.

If organizers of the right have their way, we'll have an anti-gay amendment in Ohio this November. We can't allow this to happen. We must come together and organize. To begin this process in Cleveland, we're having a "Gay Town Hall Meeting" on Monday, April 5 at 7:00 p.m. at Room 364 of the University Center, CSU.

What can you do combat what the right wing is doing? You get visible. You get active. You get involved.

The most convincing defense you can have against their slanders is the power of your own example. Your personal testimony will have a more positive affect on your family, friends and close acquaintances than any third party accusations. This is one of the reasons why we're always supportive of people who come out to family and friends.

Have you called or written the White House, your Senators or your Representative? If you haven't, you haven't taken your opportunity to counter the opposing calls and letters. Your silence works in favor of the right wing.

You can help fund the efforts of existing gay and lesbian organizations. On the national level we're represented by the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force and the Human Rights Campaign Fund, among others. Send a check, no matter how small.

And of course, you can volunteer your time toward the goals of your local organizations such as Stonewall, the Chronicle, the Center and the recently-formed statewide organization Out Voice. We need volunteers to accomplish our task.

If you're interested in your civil rights, if you're willing to learn more about how we can combat an Ohio anti-gay amendment, attend our special "Gay Town Hall Meeting" on Monday, April 5 at 7:00p.m. at the University Center, Room 364, Cleveland State University, 2121 Euclid Ave.

We'll also be showing the propaganda videotape that the radical right has been mailing to your senators, representatives and other political influencers. It's entitled The Gay Agenda, but fear and hate is clearly their agenda.

This space has been provided to Stonewall-Cleveland by the Chronicle, and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Chronicle staff or management.

TECHMAN

SERVICE S

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MARCH 19, 1993 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE 29

COVENTRY CATS

Cleveland's first full-service cat boutique.

a specialty shop for cats, and those who love them.

1810 Coventry Rd.

M-Sat. 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

Cleveland Hts., Ohio 44118 216-321-3033

Announcing the Monotones first...

Sun.

1 p.m.-4 p.m.

G.LET.

presents

MOONLIGHT BOWL '93

WE'RE BACK!

ALONG WITH ALL THAT CRAZY BOWLING, MUSIC, PRIZES AND GAMES!

Saturday April 17, 1993

Ambassador Superior Lanes 1500 Superior Ave.

Check in starts at 10:30 pm and bowling begins at 11:00 pm. Cost is $7.00 per person. Shoe rental $.25. Inside parking is available for $1.00.

CLEVELAND GIF

Poker Run and Fun Rallye

Sunday, May 2nd, 1993 Registration: 11:00AM 12 Noon

Chi-Chi's Mexican Restaurant, Rockside Rd & I-77, Independence

Driver and Navigator use clues to find route!

• Prizes for answering questions along the way!

• Collect poker hand along route for prizes!

• Awards ceremony at The Avenue, Tower City Center, where you can enjoy lunch and shopping! • Free photo of you and your car!

DONT MISS I

Admission: $8 per car in advance, $10 per car at the door open to all in the Community...call 734-7980 for more information or current ticket availability get your tickets at Mix Drinkery or by mail: Box 771102, Lakewood 44107

Every day is a gift Unwrap it carefully

Use it gratefully Live it lovingly... and

EAT POTATO PANCAKES!

miracles'

Restaurants

Subscribe to the Gay People's Chronicle, 12 issues at the low price of $25! Or 24 issues and the savings are even greater, only $40!

Each month The Chronicle will arrive in a plain white envelope. No more running around town trying to find the latest issue.

Enclosed is my check or money order for: $25. or $40. Please make checks payable to G.P.C.

NAME

ADDRESS

CITY-

STATE

ZIP

Near Downtown: 621-6419 University Circle: 721-6244

Send coupon & payment to: P.O. Box 5426 Cleveland Ohio 44101