If You Have

a Drinking Problem,

Call 631-5330.

There is a solution.

***

Constance Comments

I got so much response from my last effort at writing a column, that I decided it was a good idea to torture you all on a monthly schedule. So here I am again, with some gossip off the streets.

The Bayou Landing has finally signed their lease! In a few weeks they can start working on the interior of their building, as soon as they get their liquor license settled. Hopefully, they will be in full operation by the middle of June, so I can go get a drink in a decent bar. Speaking of decent bars, I found out that quite a few of the Cleveland gays are starting to go all the way to Akron's "New American Hotel" for a good time. The bar owners in this city better start looking around at the competition, and start competing.

The ninth street club baths has done a wonderful job so far, of their new whirlpool and shower area. The steam room will be enormous, and HOT. I want to thank the owner for bringing some decenr facilities into our fair city, and giving our community a choice other than bad or worse. The 32nd street club is the oldest Club Baths in the country, being the original of the chain, and is celebrating their tenth yaer. Happy Anniversary Kenny!

Dignity is doing rather well, and it looks as if the patchy relationship between them and MCC is improving. Glad to hear that, because gay unity is really important. They are having meetings in the homes of members, as well as at the Hallinen Center, for special events, and it appears to be working out well.

The Cleveland MCC goes to Chicago for their District Conference this month. I read the article about Beau McDaniels, the pastor of the Indianapolis MCC, and their District Coordinator. The article was very good, but I am wondering why they didn't include Cleveland in the listing of the churches and study groups in her district. The Cleveland MCC hopes to apply for Mission status while in Chicago, and we want to wish them good luck. They are having a Memorial Day Picnic for those of us whoa re not busy.

Gay Pride is coming up soon, and if you want to join in on the fun, and the work, call the gay hotline...631-5330.

That's about all for now. See you next month. And if you come across any dirt, or even some good news, write to Constance, c/o HIGH GEAR, P.O. Box 6177, Cleveland, Ohio.

GAA continued

the latest trend of criticism, GAA was often left philosophically and directionally impotent.

Nor was the GAA immune to the general apathy which succeeded the revolutionary fervor of the late sixties and infected all activist organizations. As the modish zeal of that era faded, so did the participation in most movement enterprises. It was disheartening to Cleveland GAA to hear of declining memberships, schisms, and collapses of other gay organizations in Ohio. The growing polarization of gay women outside of GAA threatened our cohesiveness, (which is not to say that Lesbian separatism is irresponsible or unjustifiable.) The women in GAA faced conflicted goals and allegiances.

Although GAA was a recognized campus organization, CWRU bureaucrats made frequent efforts to obstruct our activities, especially those which might draw considerable publicity. GAA was occasionally denied use of facilities granted to other student groups.

nied use of facilities granted to other student groups. University harrassment culminated in scandal when Cleveland GAA planned to hold All Ohio Gay Conference at CWRU. When GAA applied for the use of facilities far in advance of the conference, permission was granted without hesitation. However, only a few weeks before the conference was scheduled to begin, CWRU refused without explanation or apology to allow the conference to take place on its premises. Some sources close to the university administration indicated that the refusal was prompted by fear that such a well-publicized: assembly of homosexuals on its property might embarrass the trustees and donors to the university.

Contrary to popular notion, the departure of Anne Weld-Harrington from GAA was symtomatic rather than causal to its downfall. While Anne probably contributed more to the organization than any other individual, she was hardly its sole pillar and support. GAA's strengths and liabilities represented the collective dynamism or lack of it of all the organization's members.

The disappearance of GAA in no way spells the end of gay pride in Cleveland. The newly evolved organization at Cleveland State University is in many ways more effective than GAA had been as is the recently established Cleveland Gay Federation. Respect for gays will continue in Cleveland as long as there are people who are glad they are gay and would never have it otherwise.

Fred Schenk suggests you DRINK

Stroh's and Miller High Life

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