HIGH GEAR/SEPTEMBER 1977

IRS GRANTS 1ST GAY GROUP DAYTON $10,000 DEDUCTIBLE STATUS

The National Gay Task Force announced today that through a combined effort of NGTF and the Fund, for Human Dignity, Inc., tax-exempt status has been. granted under section 501 (c) (3)`' of the Internal Revenue Code to the Fund for Human Dignity (The Howard Brown Memorial Fund). This important ruling is a major reversal of IRS policy which routinely refused to grant such tax-deductible status unless the applying organization stated that homosexuality is, "a sickness, disturbance, or diseased pathology". This policy has kept gay organizations from receiving the important taxdeductible contributions which are necessary to fund the major educational projects on the role of gay porsons in society.

Mr. Robert Livingston, the .Chair of the Board of Directors of the Fund, stated, "This ruling culminates a long effort on behalf of the gay community, for not only will this ruling allow the Fund for Human Dignity to begin its work but it also at last opens the way for other qualified gay organizations to receive tax-

exempt status in the coming memory. months."

long standing. prejudice which has placed gay persons as the "most discriminated-against minority in America today" in a recent Harris Poll.

The Fund will seek conThis ruling has culminated a tributions from individuals and 2-year effort by the Fund and its foundations for a broad edcounsel, the distinguished tax-ucational effort to reverse the attorney, Mr. Stanley Weithorn of Baer, Marks and Upham of New York; Dr. Bruce Voeller of the National Gay Task Force; and Mr. Aryen Neler of the American Civil Liberties Union. This ruling reaches one of the objectives brought to the recent White House meeting with Margaret (Midge) Costanza in March 1977 by the National Gay Task Force and representatives of the gay community from coast to coast. This ruling is a result of action by the Fund and its counsel, not the result of any intervention by Ms. Costanza or the White House staff with the Internal Revenue Service.

The Fund for Human Dignity was incorporated in New York State in June of 1974 by the late Howard Brown. Dr. Brown, a founder of the National Gay Task Force and a former New York City Health Commissioner, died in January 1975 and the fund was renamed in his

GAY MEDIA ALERT

The National Gay Task Force recently filed a petition with the Federal Communications Commission asking the FCC to require broadcasters to interview gay leaders as part of their "Community Ascertainment" process. Specifically, the petition asks that the Commission add "organizations of and for the gay community" to its checklist of 19 groups and institutions which broadcast licenses are expected to consult in ascertaining the needs of the

OVEN PERFORM ANCE

Oven Productions opens its 1977-78 season with a concert featuring some of Cleveland's finest feminist musicians: Rita Coriell, with June Adams, Chris Haynes, Betsy Reeves. Jamie Hecker. and Mary Ann Huckabay. The concert will be held on Saturday, Oct. 1. 8:30 p.m., in Ford Auditorium, Allen Medical Library. Case Western Reserve University campus. admission is $3 $3.50 at the door. · Special "matron" tickets, which will provide extra support to these local musicians and help Oven Productions off to a good start, are $5 and $10. Free child care is available by reservation: 321-0692. The event is cosponsored by the CWRU Women's Center. The public is warmly invited.

Regular advance,

community they are licensed to

serve

Please ask groups and individuals in your area to address their comments to: Office of the Secretary Federal Commission

Communications

1919 M. St., N.W. Washington, DC. 20554

In your letter, refer to the File Number of the petition: RM2937. The full title of the petition is: "Petition for Rulemaking to Amend the Primer Ascertainment of Community Problems by Broadcast Renewal Applicants to Add to the Community Leader Survey Checklist the Following Category: Organizations of and for the Gay Community."

Gay organizations, who acquired tax-exempt status under the former provision and wish to have the language In their letter of exemption changed to reflect this new policy are advised to apply to their district director of the Internal Revenue Service through counsel for a revised letter of exemption.

Contact: Robert Livingston (212) 288-2618

Robert Herrick (212) 741-1014

PERK PIED FOR GAYS

Last Tuesday, as he opened his campaign headquarters, anti-gay Mayor Ralph J. Perk was hit in the face with a strawberry-rhubarb pie thrown partly in the name of Cleveland's gay community.

The pie was thrown by Sue Kuklick, a member of the Youth International (Yippie!) Party. The Yippies stated that the pie-ing was "in direct retaliation for his attacks upon the gay community's very right to exist," and also for his anti-abortion stand and the anti-pornography blitz. Ms. Kuklick later added that Perk was "part of the forces of repression" against gays and

women.

The Yippies, a pro-gay radical group with many gay members, also intend to pie Anita Bryant. They are holding a festival with free marijuana on October 30 at the Mall.

WOMENSPACE

ANNUAL MEETING SEPTEMBER 29 7:30 PM Mark this evening on your calendar!! The Annual Meeting is our time to come together, review our progress and develop plans for the future. Every member of Women Space is encouraged to attend.

The Women Space Award for Outstanding Service will be presented. Workshops designed to bring members into active roles within organization are planned: 'Women and Media.. Women and Money

-fund raising credit union

-seminer planning

more the

New Women's Talent Bank

Each of these areas were highlighted at the March Retreat as priorities for the coalition. The workshops should emerge with action plans.

We hope that this meeting will not only be a working session, but a lift to our often sagging spirits. The major strength of Women Space is the diversity of its membership. Our Annual Meeting will be an opportunity to experience that diversity as we all come together!

Members will be sent further details. Make sure to be there. Women Space, 1258 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH, 44115. Phone 696-3100.

PAGE:

HUMAN RIGHTS DRIVE

A group of nearly 100 Dayton area residents has formed a Human Rights Committee to raise $10,000 locally to help in the nationwide effort to keep gay rights laws on the books of the nearly 40 American cities: that have them.

The local fund-raising drive is one of many, being organized across the country in response to an anti-gay rights campaign successfully led by entertainer Anita Bryant in Miami. Bryant's campaign resulted in a referendum repeal in June of a. county civil rights ordinance containing protection of gay citizens' rights..

Bryant has stated she may stage similar campaigns, through her Save Our Children, Inc. organization, in other communities. Possible targets of the Bryant campaign include Seattle, Portland, San Jose, Minneapolis, Austin: Washington, D.C. and Cleveland

Heights. All money raised by the Dayton area Human Rights Committee will goto oppose any upcoming Bryant campaigns. The Human Rights Committee's efforts designed to reach the $10.000 goal by October 1. The drive includes:

An area-wide drive which has committee members contacting potential donors personally.

An already held Anita Bryant Memorial Dance at the Yellow Springs Antioch College, sponsored by Antioch Gay Center.

Special shows, concerning the proand anti-gay movements in America on Radio. station WYSO-FM, 7 pm, on Fridays, September 16, 23, and 30.

Contributions may be made. out to the Human Rights Committee and mailed to P.O.. Box 411, Yellow Springs, OH. 4538/.

FREE VD CHECKS

The Cleveland Health Department in cooperation with the management of the Club Cleveland and the Club Baths, provides free and confidential tests for veneral disease. The tests are given at the baths on Tuesday or Wednesday evenings from 8 to 10 p.m. The schedule of future testing is as follows: Tuesday

The Club Baths

August 23, 1977 September 6, 1977 September 20, 1977 October 4, 1977 October 18, 1977

BE A MEMBER!

Wednesdays

The Club Cleveland

August 31, 1977 September 14, 1977 September 26, 1977 October 12, 1977 October 26, 1977

Please mail this form, with your check or money order, to

GEAR Foundation--sacratary

P.O. Box 6177

Cleveland, Ohio 44101

(If you can't afford the membership dues, but would like to become member, send a request for waiver of dues with this blank.)

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Address...

GEAR Foundation Registration for Membership

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Date............... 1977