HIGH GEAR

YOUNG GAYS COUNSELED

By Tim Connelly

GAYLINE, 513-241-0001. in Cincinnati. is a seven-day-aweek telephone counseling, rapline and information service. The hours are 6 PM to midnight. The line is staffed by volunteers and currently averages 300 calls each month.

One of the largest categories of callers is the under age 18 group (mostly 16 & 17). For the most part, these young people are reaching out to make contacts with both other young per sons and gays over 18. There is no viable means in Cincinnati for these people to meet others. There are no programs or events geared to this age group. There has been aik at times of a coffee-house to be made available through several organizations. Nothing concrete has developed to this date. Perhaps MCC. Dignity. Integrity and other groups including Gayline could pool their resources to develop a working plan Developing and providing the space for such a youth group. sucial or rap clatch is frought with many difficulties. Not the least of these difficulties is a commitment of time by interested individuals. It seems a shame that young gays 16 & 17. have only age 18 to look forward to for going into the bars to meet others. It's no wonder that bars need I.D. checkers to keep out under-age persons.

There is much paranoia surrounding association with youths with other gays. Certainly there are negative factors and persons with those factors that contribute to the difficulty. There are risks. But. there are .also good folks with knowledge and concern with whom young persons can identify These young people need a place they can go to meet others (and I'm not talking about sexual outlets only!) I'm not talking about recruitment either. since these youths will be making choices and some will opt for heterosexuality.

An opportunity for choice is what I support Availability of persons and information when the self-questioning begins and when identity becomes impor-

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tant. It's a truism that stuffing things away. suppression of though's and feelings can only last so long. Eventually all these repressed feelings will surface and that surfacing can be traumatic for the oppressor as well as the suppressor. I suggest that the secrecy (first names only!). the immoral and anti-social labeling of gays is oppression of the worst kind. Our own learned need of secrecy is self-oppression. We aid in our oppression! -

One way young people migh: have some means of contac: would be for one of the bars to have a night where the alcohol is locked up and the bar would be "dry." This could be a night when business is slow or any night in the early hours, say from 6 PM to 10 PM. Youths could be admitted as well as older persons and all could enjoy a social climate that a disco provides. Is it unrealistic? It might mean that the bar owner would have a period that might only break even on costs but ine significance for the gay populace would have impact.

Short Shots: A new bar has opened in Cincy called the In-

terlude. It is located on Gano Alley which runs between 6th and 7th Streets. When this comes to print there will be two floors open with plans for a third.

P.J.'s will be reopening the 2nd floor room in November with

a show. It is not your usual dragpantomime show. Lynn Carter (of P-Town fame) is coming for a 2-week stand. Check with P.J.'s for dates.

Badlands will co-sponsor with Gayline a fundraiser on MardiGras weekend March 3, 1979.

This will provide funds for Gayline to remain in operation. The theme will be "T Shirt Night," with free beer as part of the attraction. Door minimums will be increased as a donation to Gayline. We hope for your support.

CONNELLY'S PHILOSOPHY

FROM CINCINNATI: Some Philosophy, Some Definitions, Some Messag

Tim Connelly

My last article "And Then There Was One" is still very fresh in my mind, It was a difficult article to write and then to have published as some kind of editorial on a current state of affairs for me as well as anyone who can identify with it. It gave me a chance to express some anger to get it out-in a far more healthier way than frontation. Though confrontation is thought to be the best way to get another to recognize and acknowledge your anger, rarely does it get another to accept its justification.

con-

We all have our defense mechanisms built up to ward off attacks on our egos. Anger is

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one of those mechanisms. Bui feel justified and usually that usually when we are angry, we justification comes from the person with whom we are angry. An Apology. That will be all you'll get and for your ego that usually isn't enough. What do you do? Try breaking something. A plate, a bowl, a window almost anything breakable will do. Dig up those old impish desires and you'll think of something creatively breakable. It's fun and your reaction after breaking the item will surprise you. Try it.

Grieving. What is it? It is the time after a loss that it takes you to accept the loss. It is the time when the reality of a loss becomes oppressive. It is the time during which your unspoken agendas become heard. It is a time of guilt and anger. It is a natural thing.

Chicago: A city in Illinois where so many nice, really nice people live. Go there.It's a great city in which to rebuild a weak ego. Those folks truly love the out-of-towners. Go to the Broadway Limited. Tell Hugo that Tim, from Cincinnati, said "hello." Try Blinkers on Saturday & Sunday afternoons. More ego building. The Bisto is OK for your second visit as it seems to be a place where ruptured ego: can be kicked rather hard. Go to Belmont Rocks on Saturday & Sunday late mornings & afternoons-super place for sunning and sighting.

Some Messagers:

To P.J.'s and Badlands: Please support the fund raiser for Gayline-they send a lot of people your way.

To the Queen City Ave. HiltonKeep cool.

To WGW-Love va.

1

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