JULY 7, 1995 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE 13

COMMUNITY GROUPS

How to avoid being bashed when you need more than just the straight numbers.

by Judith Rainbrook

Nationally, anti-gay violence is on the rise. In Cleveland, the Lesbian-Gay Center has fielded five severe-this means hospitalization and police involvement-violencerelated calls in the last two months, as well as several discrimination calls.

Kevin Jennings, the executive director of the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Teachers' Network, in town recently to help organize a Cleveland chapter, had an interesting perspective on this rising violence. He said that gays and lesbians have, in reality, won their struggle for equal treatment, because so many of us are out and visible and more are com-

will respond more quickly and it will confuse your attackers. Run if you can, screaming the whole time. If you can't run, hit the ground and curl up in a fetal position, covering your head with your arms.

LESBIAN GAY Community Service Center

ing out every day. People can't be duped into believing the lies that right wing extremists are pushing because too many people know who we are. And, because these extremists can sense that they've lost the battle, they are taking more and more desperate measures to try to get us back into the closet. So the next few years are likely to be bad as the right wing vents its frustration in homophobic hate rhetoric, which will result in greater anti-gay violence.

Which means it's time to pay attention to your safety in other areas besides your sex life. Some suggestions:

Don't go back in the closet! And, if you're in, come out. Most gay-lesbian people who are attacked in this country are deeply closeted and their shame and fear about being discovered as gay increases their chances of becoming victims.

Look people in the eye. One of the cues bullies look for in their victims is the unwillingness to make eye contact. It sends a message that you are submissive.

Don't be afraid to ask for an escort if you're leaving a bar. Or time your departure to correspond with a friend's. Walk to one of your cars together, then drive to the other person's car. Watch out for each other and report suspicious people to bar security.

Keep calm if you are confronted. Don't respond to hate speech with more hate speech. And don't respond with fear. Respond with curiosity and a willingness to educate. People who are bullies are motivated by fear and powerlessness. Many, many of the most virulent anti-gay folks are people who are themselves gay and in deep denial.

Practice what you would say if confronted, both in your head and with your friends, so you are ready if it happens.

If you are attacked, scream bloody murder! Carry a whistle. Yell "Fire!" People

loja

Arts & Crafts Gallery

All Items Hand-Crafted

Home Decorating Items, Gifts and Wearable Art Terrific Handcrafted Products by Talented Local Artisians. Hours: M.W.F, Sat. 10-6 T-Th 10-8 Sun. 12-4

•

Crafters Wanted

(216) 228-1900 13607 Detroit Avenue Lakewood, Ohio 44107

Report it! The Center has developed supportive relationships with the City of Cleveland's Community Relations Department and the police, as well as with police and government officials in several surrounding areas. They will follow up. We can refer you to legal, medical, and psychological assistance. Reports are confidential. No information is released without your consent. If you report it, the law will catch up with these creeps. If you don't report it, they will very likely go on to victimize another member of your community and you will have helped make that happen. Call the office at 216-522-1999 in the daytime, or the Hotline at 216-861-5454 in the evening.

OF GREATER CLEVELAND

Take a stand. Get involved in the Center's anti-discrimination project. Volunteer on the Hotline. Call and find out if someone has done a safety survey for your local gaylesbian hang-out. If not, survey it to determine if and when it has security, what the lighting is like outside, whether the parking is isolated or poorly lit, whether it has provisions for escorting patrons to their cars, and whether their is a history of locals regularly harassing patrons. Then call the Center and give us this information.

CINEMATHEQUE

WY5119

The festival awa

strand releasing presents

boys life

three stories of love, lust and liberation

Cleveland Premiere! FRI., 7/21 AT 9:10 PM Two Shows Only! SAT., 7/22 AT 7:30 PM

at the Cleveland Institute of Art* 11141 East Blvd Admission $6* Free Parking * 421-7450

MARK A. KIKTA Attorney-At-Law

1398 Edwards, Suite 201 Lakewood, Ohio 44107

General Practice of Law including:

Estate Planning Taxes Probate Wills Trusts Business Start-Up Corporations Non-Profit Organizations Free initial consultation

Phone: 216-228-6670 Fax: 216-228-6671 Ensure that your partner is not left out of your estate plan due to the Ohio laws of descent and distribution ... |

Ernest Giaco

Certified Public Accountant

3255 Warrensville Center Road, Suite 204 Shaker Heights, OH 44122

help here...

(216) 561-1212

cky Streem

*CCDC III 953-8809

Dr. Eileen McGee & Associates, Inc. 34950 Chardon Road Suite 102

•

Willoughby Hills, Ohio 44094

"THE SUPER BOWL OF DRAG!

AN UNABASHEDLY LIBERATED SIGN OF THE TIMES!"

-Bruce Williamson, PLAYBOY

"MORE CLAWS THAN CATS!"

-Lypsinka

"AN EYE-OPENING EXPERIENCE!"

Pat Kramer, BOX OFFICE MAGAZINE

"HILARIOUS AND CELEBRATORY!"

Andrew Crane, PLANET HOMO

"YOU'LL FLIP YOUR WIG!"

-The "Lady" Bunny

"DRAG A FRIEND ALONG!"

-Eva Destruction

WRESTOCK

The movie

Columbus Exclusive!

DREXEL

STARTS FRI. JULY 7 2254 E. Main 231-9512