Page 8" HIGH GEAK

""

Any regrets about being gay?"

By Brian McNaught The young medical student finally blurted out the question which had been gnawing at him. "Do you ever regret being gay?"

"No," I said with a growing smile. "Sometimes I regret being so totally identified with my sexual orientation, but I never regre: being gay."

"Wouldn't you really rather be straight?" asked one Jewish talk show host. "Would you rather be Christian?" I asked.

"Think of all the hostility you face." commented one black woman. "Because of that, wouldn't you heterosexual?"

prefer being

"Who's telling who about hostility?" I queried. "How much would it take before you wished you were white?"

As supportive as hey might become, straight people have a lot of difficulty thinking of homosexuality as an intrinsic part of a person's psychological make-up. Even if they can be convinced that gay people didn't choose to be gay. 'hey still need to hear us admit we would rather be like them.

I like being gay. I like knowing there is something very unique and even mysterious about me which separates me from most of the rest of the world. I like knowing that I share a special secret with a select group of men and women who lived before me and with those special few who will follow.

I like walking a: life's edge as a pioneer; as an individual who must learn for himself the meaning of relationship, love of equals, sexuality and morality. Without the blessing of the Church and Society, my life is one outrageous experiment after another. I like knowing that if settle into a particular frame of thought, it is because I have found it appropriate and not because I was raised to believe that's the way things must be. i like knowing that I can go anywhere in the world and meet someone who will smile that knowing smile which instantly says "Yes, I know, me too. Isn't it nice to not be alone. Hang in there" is a twinkle and a smile which results not from being white or male or Catholic or American. It is a secret smile which only gay men and lesbians exchange.

like exchanging that knowing smile with waiters in Galveston, airline stewards in

Terre Haute. theater ushers in Detroit, salesmen in Boston and sunbathers in Sarasota. I like to give and receive those smiles at Mass, at lectures, in departmen: stores, at the laundramat and on the street. I like the feeling I'm not alone.

i like believing the studies which indicate gay folk are generally smarter, more creative and more sensitive than non-gay folk. It makes me feel "chosen." I like knowing that a gay man's dinner party will usually be more elegant, that a gay-orchestrated religious service will usually be more artistic and that a gay disco will generally be more fun. I like knowing that there is far less class division to be found at most gay parties Janitors and lawyers and truck drivers and librarians are bound to unknowingly bump elbows and even likely to sit next to Lily Tomlin, Paul Lynd or half the Ice Follies.

I get a kick out of knowing

FOR GAY CATHOLICS

... and nc catholics too

DIGNITY CLEVELAND

that anti-gay women are football field and learning abou: probably wearing a dress other scores from a gay sportdesigned by a gay person, living scaster. I especially love the in a home decorated by gay perthought of Anita Bryant and Pa: son, attending a play performed Boone praying to gay saints. by a gay person and participating in a Sunday service celebrated by a gay person.

I like being gay for all of these and many more reasons. Primarily, I like being gay I laugh when I think of antibecause it is an essential aspec gay men cheering gays on the of who I am and I like myself.

Danny's

Route 422 & Robinwood

in Youngstown, Ohio

1 mile south of Girard

Sunday thru Thursday 9 to 1 am B.Y.O.B.

"CONSTANT DISCO MUSIC"

junk food, soft drinks

P.O. BOX 18479 CLEVELAND, OHIO 44118

791-0942

-A place to be yourself and do your own thing---just knock on the door

THE TROUBADOUR LOUNGE 2010 Market Street, Youngstown, Ohio Proudly Presents

AN EVENING WITH MELISSA ROSS

★

Miss Gay Ohio 1978. Miss Ohio Female Impersonator 1978.

CELEBRATING NEW YEAR'S EVE Sunday, December 31, 1978

AND WHAT AN EVENING IT WILL BE $5.00 Cover Features

Two Complete Shows 11:00 & Midnight

★Beer & Soft Drinks 9:00 PM-11:00PM

Traditional Holiday, Buffet Served In The "Down & Under" Bar ★ Latest Disco Sounds For Dancing During And After Hours Hats & Noisemakers

★An Atmosphere That Makes Meeting New Friends Free & Easy

THE TROUBADOUR LOUNGE

The Finest Dance, Cruise And Show Bar In The Area Open 7 Nights 9PM-2:30AM