REFLECTIONS: TAX-EXEMPTION

by Dan

A few mont

1 received a call from the Treasurer of the GEAR Found to inform me that the dation had received tax-exempt status from the IRS. I was extremely pleased and surprised at the news, and glad this step had been accomplished.

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After this call, I began to reflect on the work at, went into filing the document for the tax-exempt status. pert on this subjectomy only preparation for was my accounting background. I won't go into detail about the task of filing the request for taxexemption, but I will give a few hints to other organizations which are contemplating making this venture. These suggestions relate to the financial dealings of the organization, although the IRS also will request information regarding the nature of the organization.

Any organization which will apply for tax-exempt status must strive to maintain records of where its funds originated from, and where they went. The easiest way to do this is by utilizing a checking account. Although receipts are beneficial, all disbursements should be made by check, noting all uses of funds. This safety measure will assure that funds expended >y the organization can be raced at some future date.

A more difficult, task is to record the source of all incoming funds. It is wise to keep

record of the source donation, including a listat people who have made actual donations. Obviously, this can be a "sticky" proposition. The IRS does ask for the names of people who have made substantial contributions to the organization. It is nice to have this information available, although the IRS does not have to know it is readily available. An alternative is to list donors as "Anonymous" in the organizations records.

A final hint to "ease the pain" of filing for tax-exemption is to have a person familiar with accounting as treasurer of the organization. Unfortunately, this is easier said than done. At this point, I appeal to all accountants to get involved, because talent in this area of organizational activity is badly needed! If proper records are maintained from the inception of the organization, the work at a later date can be minimized.

Now that GEAR has received tax exempt status, I would like to thank those that helped me with the original filing, in particular Stan Brown and John ́ Nosek. I would also like to extend my extreme gratitude to Bill Smith for completing the project after I left Cleveland. The ruling by the IRS that the GEAR Foundation is a tax-exempt entity indeed an accomplishment is to be applauded by the community!

OUR UNIQUENESS

Dear Editor:

Gay people are unique in many ways. Wherever there is something different from a majority, there is a uniqueness.

Gays are joining the bandwagon in search of gay rights.

My friends, no one can take a human right from you. What most gays fail to realize is that we live in a society whose laws are basically set up by the straights.

I feel our problem is that gays in Cleveland tend to separate from the straights.

We must learn to accept straights for being straight, as well as gays being accepted as gays.

I know when in the company of straights, there are some things about gays they don't understand. It is up to me to try to set them on the path of a better understanding. As a gay man, the only difference is my sexual preference, the styles in clothing and a few moral and political beliefs.

I look at myself as first a human being, whose sex just happens to be male. Tell me from this how can anyone tell if I'm gay? Yes, I'm gay, but I'm also a man. I try to carry myself as one at all times.

Most of my straight associates don't even know that I'm gay.

Not that I've lived in a closet or anything. It's just that you don't discuss sex with everyone. And we all must agree that's where the difference lies.

Being with straights and gays I have learned quite a few things. The most important being one cannot do without the other. Both groups strive for social change. Only straights tend to have more leadership. Therefore, they are more open in their campaigns for civil rights. What is so disturbing to me is, we as gays can not even accept each other but yet we want the straights to accept us.

Go to the gay discos, blacks are sometimes harassed for memberships, triplicate ID's, and other requirements. I have yet to have the same problem at straight discos. And probably never will.

We say we want the same rights as straights. Yet we alienate our own kind. Why? Is it because of fear? If so then that's understandable. But you must understand straights must have those same fears.

We gays must learn to pull forces together. Learn to intermingle among ourselves. Blacks and whites striving for common interest, to benefit all. After all, change takes place

FACES AT EXEDRA

only when a better way is shown. If gays have the same problems as straights, then it's i no wonder change is at a standstill.

Gays must forget about social prejudice and prove the gays have a better way! Gay is just a word. Human dignity is universal.

Paul Gillam

Some animals eat their young, Miss Bryant.

Couldn't you have been born to one of these.

Couldn't you have been born a hamster, or a puppy!

Better still, perhaps a goldfish or guppy.

Ah, but you'd be born again, Somehow, a more perfect daughter,

and priggishly you'd rise to walk upon the water.

Fundamental Question: When Miss Bryant finishes with the fruits will she start attacking the juice?