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HIGH GEAR journal is a publication of the Gay Educational and Awareness Resources (G.E.A.R.) 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 printing costs and service fees are set aside for the Gay Hotline-Switchboard, (216) 3216632 and the G.E.A.R. Foundation which sponsors rap groups, a Speaker's Bureau, and other services to the Northeastern Ohio gay community.

The presence 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. We cannot guarantee the return of materials submitted for publication, whether used by HIGH GEAR or not, unless it is accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope.

All HIGH GEAR staff are volunteers. Anyone interested in working on the staff of HIGH GEAR should inquire by calling (216) 321-6632 or write 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 writing to the above address.

The deadline for HIGH GEAR publication dates is as follows: Advertising by the 30th of every month, camera ready and composition ads. Written material by the 5th of every month. News items until publication.

HIGH GEAR is printed the second Thursday of every month and available at bars, baths, universities, businesses and elsewhere thereafter.

HIGH GEAR is copyrighted under federal law. Reproduction is granted to all other gay publications so long as credit is given to HIGH GEAR. All others must obtain written permission.

STAFF

Coordinating Editor..........................John Nosek, Leon Stevens Advertising and Public Relations................................Matt Phillips Photography...................................................................................Albert Morrill, Matt Phillips Art Coordinators.....................................Rudi Haakon, Ron King Layout Staff.............................Michael Dubleki, Rowe Davidson, Anthony Scafaro, Mike Schanda and the crew. News......... ...............Neil Caldwell, David Holleb, Jerry Juszczyk, Chris Jacobson, Matt Phillips, Martha Watson Features and Reviews............. .........................................David Akers, Van Ault, George Brown, Marc Lewis, Mitchell Menigu, Donna Minkler, Timor Pudoris, Aaron Ross and others Drag...................................................................................................Anne Ritchey

Distribution............ .........Akron, Barberton, Berea, Brooklyn, Canton, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Cleveland Hts., Columbus, Dayton, Fairview Park, Lakewood, Lima, Lorain, Mansfield, Middleburgh Hts., Painesville, Parma, Parma Hts., Piqua, Rockbridge, Rocky River, Sandusky, Shaker Hts., Springfield, Steubenville, Toledo, Warren, Youngstown.

EARL!

EARL, WHERE ARE YOU? Earl, we still need your help on the paper, but we've misplaced your number. Please cali

John as soon as possible before Jan. 19 or after Jan. 26. You're to valuable to lose!

HIGH GEAR

JANUARY 1977

LUTHERAN GAYS MEET IN COLUMBUS

COLUMBUS Gay Lutherans will meet in the Parish Hall of First English Lutheran Church, E. Main at 22nd St., Saturday, January 15, 1 P.M., to organize a State-wide Chapter.

It is anticipated that separate Chapters may later be established at other cities and elsewhere in Ohio where gays are clustered.

The national organization of gay and non-gay Lutheran supporters is working within the church to bring change within the Lutheran Church, in behalf of the Gospel of love, understanding and reconciliation for all women and men, irrespective of their affectional orientation, and to seek to remove discrimination wherever it exists.

Founded in Minneapolis in June 1974 with a seed money

DAYTON

grant from the church, the organization has grown steadily, drawing members from New England and Florida to California and the Northwest, gay and non-gay lay people and clergy from all Lutheran Church bodies in America. A number of Chapters now exist at various places throughout the country which include all gays in their membership, regardless of their denominational persuasion, and cooperating with other Christian gay caucuses.

Lutherans Concerned had a display booth at the All-Lutheran Youth Convocation, attended by 30,000 teen agers, in Houston, Texas, last summer. It also had representatives at the headquarters of the Convention of the American Lutheran Church in

Washington, D.C. last October. At both assemblies there were far more favorable inquiries than had been expected. From these greatly increased membership and the starting processes of a number of additional Chapters resulted.

The national level is working to persuade the Lutheran Church to face honestly and forthrightly the question and needs of gay people, both to those within the Church and those who have left it, in light of the church's failure to understand them. Its input has been received at the request of national Lutheran Church officers and sociological and theological official committees with which a good relationship exists.

NEW AKRON TUROFF'S

LAMBDA

GAY GROUP

SOCIETY

DAYTON A new gay organization formed to meet the social and educational needs of the Dayton community was recently announced by Leslie E. Sheward. Pegged the Lambda society, the group hopes to "educate both gays and Straights about the gay life Style." Said Sheward: "In educating the gay youth we hope to show a more positive outlook on our life styles and encourage them not to put themselves back in the closet."

Plans for the future include a

rap group for parents of gays where "parents can come to talk freely about their concern for their children." Those desiring more information on the Dayton group may write: Lambda Society, c/o Leslie Sheward,

Dayton, Ohio 45410.

AKRON Mike Anderson, former co-moderator of the Akron Gay Alliance, has announced the formation of a new group called The Akron Coalition for Gay Conscious Raising. A socio-political organization, the group will be a nonprofit attempt to provide a mutually supportive structure for Akron gays. A Speaker's Bureau is already in the works.

A.C.G.C.R.'s logo is a lambda superimposed on a button which reads "I Found It." No meetings have yet been scheduled as input from Akron gays is initially required, The only other present gay activist group in the city is the Akron Metropolitan Community Church. A.C.G.C.R. hopes to be an attractive alternative for those seeking nonreligious gay groups. Those interested should write to

WORD

The following recently appeared in Carole Turoff's column, "The Sexolution" in The Press:

Dear Carole: My girl friend left me for another girl. That is pretty hard for a guy to take. How do we fight that? At least if it were another man, I'd understand. Do you think all of this Women's Lib stuff has caused this sort of thing? Brokenhearted.

Answer: History will have the answer. There are many who feel that Women's Liberation has caused women to hate and/or resent men. There are many downtrodden, frustrated women who think only another woman can understand what they are going through. And the reverse may also be true. The male who is too threatened by aggressive women may turn to other males. Then again, maybe it's just a matter of finally opening all of the closet doors. Meanwhile Broken-hearted, your

A.C.G.C.R., P.O. Box 655, Bargirlfriend appears to be bl-

berton, O. 44203 for more information.

MCC'S EAST SIDE SERVICES

CLEVELAND .. Local Metropolitan Community Church pastor, Dan Richmond, has initiated church services on Cleveland's East Side. The services, which began Jan. 2, occur now each Sunday at 2 p.m. at 2728 Lancashire Road. After each service, there is social

hour. MCC is a Christian church with a special outreach to the gay community. Founded by the Rev. Troy Perry, the organization celebrated its eighth anniversary recently.

Cleveland MCC also is now providing a professional rela'tionship counselor for couples

sexual. May the best person win!

and groups. A bowling league and roller skating expedition are slated for February, as is a visit by Great Lakes District Coordinator, Ken Martin. Information on these and other events may be obtained by calling 216631-8222.

GAY SWITCHBOARD Fri.-Sat., 8pm-3am Sun.-Thurs., 6pm-2am 321-6632