6 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE JULY 23, 1993

Are you still wearing yesterdays hair style with today's fashions? Let us bring you up to date!

Gravity West

THE SALON

1309 Linda Street ▲ Rocky River ▲ 216/331-8113 formerly Thee Alternative

Same talented Staff of: Wendy Kamm, Liz Gilchrist and Sean Taugher

Gravity West

Your Alternative Salon

Supporting & Understanding ✩✩✩✩ Cleveland's Gay Community

Open 24 Hours

New Releases Every Week✩ Top Ten All Male & Lesbian Videos In-Store Specials

Adult Toys

✰✰✰ Women Welcome✩✩✩

Brookpark News & Books

VISA

16700 Brookpark Road 267-9019

Bring In This Ad For 10% Off Any Purchase

"Hey Girls!"

MASTER

CARD

Pro-choice activists

are a diverse crowd

by Charlton Harper

Both Heather and Danielle have moms

said, 'promise me if it's violent you'll leave," said Danielle. At seventeen, she's

who knew where their teenage daughters just beginning to test the political waters,

were last week. In fact, Heather's mom had helped plan their trip in to Cleveland from Lake County. Bertha's children, ironically, were keeping tabs on their mother. "Every night my kids call and say, 'didn't see you on the news tonight mom,"" said the 78 year old grandmother from Shaker Heights.

The striking age range of these women is just one aspect in the diversity of pro-choice supporters gathered last week to defend women's access to abortions against the anti-choice Operation Rescue.

"The diversity of the pro-choice community and the diversity of Cleveland is why people should support choice," said Cassandra McConnell, a spokesperson for Cleveland Pro-Choice Access Committee (CPAC). Her words were well matched by the variety of ages, races and sexes apparent outside the Pre-Term clinic on Carnegie Avenue.

Bertha was joined by her friend Rose, 79, also of Shaker Heights. "We've been doing this kind of thing for a long time and it's so nice to see young people helping out. We're really not activists, we're just doing what we believe in," said Rose. She and Bertha can point to years of civil rights work. "We were able to stop a war you know, and defeat a president." Citing the 60s as their political roots lead the conversation to Martin Luther King, Jr. Any influences? “Oh yes, Dr. King was a big inspiration, we still feel his influence on our lives," Bertha said, smiling beneath the wide brim of her hat.

With the low mid-week response of supporters, was fighting apathy a motivation? "We want to leave the option of choice to our grandchildren. We're getting too old and won't be around to fight it for them. I don't think it's apathy, but maybe fear. People need to get involved and not be afraid," Rose said. It was only the heat that drove the two women away after a long morning on the sidewalk.

Both women were members of the National Council of Jewish Women, just one of the many support groups helping to defend clinics and patients. NOW members Justine and Lynn were called in from Youngstown to lend a hand. But since most activity throughout the week was peaceful, the women felt relieved and dismayed. “The police have done a lot, no doubt about it. As a patient I would be comforted by their presence," said Justine. "But I have to say as activists we were looking for a little more action. We had been to Buffalo last year and we expected a lot worse."

Fear was on many people's minds. "I was a little scared coming down here. My mom

but her friend Heather notices the apathy of their peers. "My friends are supportive of issues as long as they don't have to do anything. They'll sign petitions, but that's it. People take too many things for granted." "I agree," said Susan, a law school graduate. "We're fighting for rights we already have."

"We" was a word thrown around a lot during the week. But what does it mean? Is this solely a woman's issue, or does it affect men too?

“I see it as a human rights issue," said Norm. "First they attack women, then me because I'm Jewish, then they come after you for being gay. It's a large cultural issue." Norm also felt the early influence of supportive parents who encouraged his views. Is his activism a legacy to them? "No way, I just support civil rights. Passover is my legacy to them," he laughed. "You know, you gotta find some humor in all this." He also felt the need for more confrontation. "They may be quiet now, but their philosophy hasn't changed. I'm just dying to get in someone's face, but I'm holding back out of respect to CPAC." He meant it too. Honking, supportive motorists got frequent cheers from Norm. "You'll mention that I'm straight, won't you?" he added.

Jon, a graduate student, was less anxious for trouble. "I'm pleased as punch that it's been peaceful so far and I'm hoping like hell that it rains real hard at the end of the week." He too saw the importance of choice to all people. "When someone has an argument that they can't back factually and it always comes back to basically 'God told me so,' I think that's a creeping evil that needs to be fought."

But some women are protective of the issue as women's domain and the role men can play. Justine and Lynn both denounced the male control evident their day at PreTerm. "The male presence is welcomed, but not their domination," Justine said.

"Different races, different sexes, different sexual orientations, everyone's important," said Cassandra. "As an AfricanAmerican I've seen my family face a life with no choice. That's why I'm so adamant about what I'm doing."

While diversity and unity seemed major factors on the pro-choice side, it was the involvement of teens that lingered. “I'm in this for life, not just until the end of the week," said Molly, 17. “I'll be doing it until it's no longer an issue." Heather seemed just as committed. "My mom's very active with Planned Parenthood and I've been doing these things with her for awhile. I've even got a few petitions. Want to sign one?” ▼

GIRL SHIPWRIGHT-Today women want to be useful as well as glamorous. It is patriotic to do essential work. Good personal appearance derived from physical fitness and good grooming aids morale for yourself and others.

Meet Your Dream Date in the Gay People's Chronicle Voice Personals!!

RESPOND INSTANTLY!

1-900-370-7566

Editors Patricia Myers and Richard Cleaver will lead a discussion of the issues raised in A Certain Terror, such as homophobia, feminism, the sources of anti-gay

violence, and how these issues relate to militarism.

Published by the American Friends

Service Committee.

Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Saturday

July 31 at 7:00 p.m.

GIFTS OF ATHENA 2199 Lee Road in Cleveland Heights (216) 371-1937