Vol.3 A Publication of the GEAR Foundation Issue 5
HIGH GEAR
1976 GEAR
FINALLY!
NEW GAY CENTER
CLEVELAND-On January 5 the Gay Educational and Awareness Resources (G.E.A.R.) Board of Directors voted to sign a one year lease for 600 sq. feet at Euclid-Mayfield in University Circle. The decision culminated one year of discussion, preparation and debate over where, when and how large a Gay Community Center was needed for the Cleveland area.
Originally, G.E.A.R. had planned a multi-service center where dances and state-wide conferences could be held; but after an open forum held at The Vaults, those interested, whelmingly voted to pursue sites with smaller facilities.
and gay publications from across the country.
While G.E.A.R. directors have
not yet appointed a Center Coordinator, volunteers interested in planning and helping out are asked to call Staff Coordinator John Kelsey at 932-5635. Those who have any furnishings to donate may call Don Skaggs at 932-9906.
FUND-RAISING
DRIVE LAUNCHED
CLEVELAND The G.E.A.R. Foundation has announced a major effort to make the Cleveland Gay Community Center an ongoing reality. At present the Foundation has a working budget of $900.00, money accumulated from private donations and two benefits, one at the Shaker Club, the other at the New Mayfield Cinema. An advisory committee to the Board of Directors estimates that $4000.00 is needed to operate the newly selected MayfieldEuclid site for a one year period. The breakdown of expenditures
The lease for the new site is to begin on Feb. 1, 1977. Reminiscent of an apartment, the center is made up of three large rooms, one half room and a bathroom. Dividing doors will is as follows: overpermit different activities to occur simultaneously. All staff will be volunteer and answerable to the G.E.A.R. Board of Directors. Input from the gay community is to be continuously sought. High Gear plans publicity of all center services and activities.
Services to be provided by the center will include professional counseling by and for gay people, weekly rap and personal growth groups, workshops. housing for the HotlineSwitchboard, VD referral, focal point for local political action, space from which to operate High Gear (which at present eminates from the editors' apartments) and housing for a reading room and library which will include various gay volumes
Photo by Jon Gilmore
Further details on the Cleveland Gay Center will be made available at the G.E.A.R. Foundation meeting on Wednesday, 7:30 p.m., January 26 at the CWRU Thwing Hall on Euclid Avenue in University Circle. The entire gay community is invited.
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$2400.00 basic rent at $200.00 a month
$700.00yearly hotline estimate
$400.00 yearly electric bill $200.00 rental deposit $300.00miscellaneous $4000.00 total
Furnishings will be donated. Rather than stringing out a number of benefits over the year to finance the Center, the G.E.A.R. Board has instead chosen to launch an intensive campaign for all the necessary
PASSALAQUA FOODS
funds now. While it is acknowledged there is some risk involved in reaching the
goal, the Board felt the gay community would be more apt to respond to pleas for a committed site. The fund-raising drive which began January 5 will continue through February 27. The campaign will consist of two phases. The first, which ends on February 8, has as its goal $2500.00 The second, concluding February 27, will strive toward obtaining the final $1500.00.
Contributions are being solicited by telephone and in person by Foundation members and volunteers. Among those to be contacted are individual members of the N.E. Ohio gay community, business owners catering to a gay clientele, friends and acquaintances of local activists, straight supporters and anonymous contributors. Cash and check donations will be sought along with longer range pledges. All checks should be made payable to the GEAR Community Center.
Essentially, the GEAR Foundation is putting its complete faith in the area gay community. Larger individual donations are needed $200.00, $100.00, $50.00, $25.00, $10.00 and $5.00. While most of the funds will be accrued through individual contact, two tentative benefits at local area bars are also being planned. The Shaker Club will host one such benefit on Wednesday, February 23, The Zanzibar, on the last day of the campaign, Sunday, February 27. Those who can't afford a larger donation are encouraged to attend these smaller scale benefits.
It is hoped that once a gay community services center is operating and proves itself successful that major Cleveland foundations will be more inclined to direct grants for future expansion and eventual downtown relocation.
G.E.A.R. feels a gay commanity center will greatly benefit the N.E. Ohio gay community and the businesses that cater to it. By offering a wide range of services and activities, Cleveland will attract more gay people and lend a spirit of
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cohesion and unity to those already here.
Now it is up to the community to offer the support it wills. G.E.A.R. is asking that donations of any amount be sent to The Center Fund, P.O. Box 6177, Cleveland, Ohio 44101. If any reader has time to work on the fund-raising committee, s/he is asked to call the Gay Switchboard at 321-6632 after 6 p.m. The campaign ends on February 27.