HIGH GEAR newspaper is a publication of the Gay Educational & Awareness Resouces (GEAR) Foundation, of Cleveland, Ohio. It is distributed free of charge in any establishment and with any organization, that will permit distribution. We are a non-profit publication, and all proceeds not used to pay the printing costs and service fees are set aside for the use of the GEAR Foundation'sCommunity Center.

The prescence of the name or picture or other representation of an organization, place of business, or person(s) in HIGH GEAR is not necessarily indicative of the sexual orientation of such organizations, businesses, or persons, and may not be used as evidence of the sexual orientation of any contributors.

We welcome all contributions of written materials, art work, or photography, by members of the gay community. All materials submitted for publication are subject to editorialization, unless directed to the FORUM column. We cannot guarantee the return of any materials submitted for publication, whether used by HIGH GEAR, or not, unless it is accompan ied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope.

Anyone interested in working on the staff of HIGH GEAR, should inquire by calling, 6315330, or writing to HIGH GEAR STAFF, P.O. Box 6177, Cleveland, Ohio, 44101.

Businesses or organizations wishing to advertise in HIGH GEAR, may obtain advertising rate sheets and other information by calling 631-5330, or writing to Advertising, HIGH GEAR, P.O. Box 6177, Cleveland, Ohio, 44101.

The deadline for HIGH GEAR publication dates is as follows:

MANAGING EDITOR

Advertising by the 20th of every month, camera-ready and composition ads.

Written material by the 25th of every month.

News items until publication.

STAFF

HIGH GEAR

NEWS AND FEATURE EDITORS

A.G. Madigan John Nosek Leon Stevens

PHOTOGRAPHY

ADVERTISING

GENERAL STAFF

PUBLISHED BY

Robert Keith Peter Aubrey

Peter Barr Ethan Erikson Art McDonald ..Matt Phillips

Tim Turner Ray Unger

The Gay Educational and Awareness Resources Center CIRCULATION: 10,000

DISTRIBUTION: Akron, Canton, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Cleveland Heights, Columbus, Kent, Toledo, and Warren.

Dear Editors;

LETTERS

August, 1975

Recently, I saw your newspaper, the HIGH GEAR, and would like to say that you are doing a fine job. I myself am heterosexual, but do not have feelings or prejudice toward homosexuals. In fact, I would like to say that I think what you are doing is the right thing. I think you should stand up for your rights, and I must say you are doing a very good job at it. All I am basically trying to say is thank you, and good luck.

Sincerely, T.E. Shezelski

T.E.; thanks for your support. We hope that it will encourage more of Our heterosexual brothers and sisters to openly support their gay friends.

Dear Editor;

Thank you! Your Cleveland map has been a fantastic help. Breaking out is hard enough, and it seems in Cleveland, even harder. I've been here 2 years and only knew of four of the bars listed. You could provide an even greater service by listing the atmosphere and preferences of each.

This was the first issue of any gay paper I had ever seen in Cleveland. Who GIVES anybody anything here? May your hopes forthis paper prosper as my own.

Frank

Frank: thanks. If you look at the Map section for this issue, you will find that we have taken your ideas to heart. We also received a letter from a young man who is 18, and wanted information on the age policies of the club. He should find what he is looking for as well.

Dear Editor:

I would very much appreciate it if you would print the following in the next issue of HIGH GEAR. Today was the day I finally opened my closet door to family and friends, and I would like to share my experience with other readers.

People Tell Me:

"Someday you'll meet the right giri and you'll fall in love." But I am not looking for the right girl; in fact, I'm not looking for any girl...because I am gay, and extremely proud of it!

"You're crazy, go to a psychiatrist; maybe he can give you some help." But the only way he could help me is by letting me do my thing! I'm gay, very gay, and the straight person's reactions are really a bust out. Because, you see, in their dictionary, a homosexual is a forbidden topic. We don't exist. But in my dictionary, homosexuals are on the front page, in the biggest, boldest, letters!

"Wake Up! You know it's not the rightorthings to do God created avode navig

males and females to unite together, not members of the same sex! "But I don't give a good shit what people tell me, because today the sun is shining, the birds are singing, and I'm in all my glory, because today is the day I opened my closet door, and I want the whole world to know that I am GAY, and proud of it!

Thank you very much for the HIGH GEAR newspaper. I feel that it's your newspaper that gave me extra strength to come out of my closet!

Raymond Douglass Cincinnati, Ohio

Dear Editor;

About three years ago I took a fall in Cleveland, and I am now serving a life sentence in London Ohio Correctional Institute. Since I've been locked up, I've lost contact with all my gay friends in Cleveland. When a friend told me of your new gay newspaper, I thought it would be a good way to get back in touch. I'm not allowed to have any gay publications here, or I would order a subscription. from you.

If it is possible, could you please publish my name and address in your paper, and ask the gay Clevelanders to write. I would like to keep up on what's happening because in another 8 to 10 years, when I get out, I'll be coming to Cleveland. I don't want to be lost in my own home town.

I am 31, 5'8", dig the bars, parties, hard rock, and grass (all when I am on the outside). Looking for gay penpals and new friends. I would also like to hear from old friends in the Cleveland area. I'll answer all letters. Thank you for you time and I truly hope to hear from some of you.

Thank you, Kenny Weiss 136-113. Box 69

London, Ohio 43140

Dear Kenny; we are more than happy to help you get in contact with your friends. While you will not be able to read this yourself, perhaps one of those friends will read it to you. We will investigate the ban on gay literature at the London Institute, and hopefully open it up, so you can read HIGH GEAR yourself. To any other gay men and women who are in prisons of one kind or another, we will begin a column for you to write your questions and problems to. We will also send complimentary subscriptions to any prisoners.

COOMA art to amori Isnighc...