Mail Bag
Mr. Anita Bryant 4681 North Bay Road Miami, FL
Dear Mr. Bryant:
It was with the greatest sorrow that I read your touching tale of woe in the December 21, issue of B.A.R. I was so moved, in fact, that I feel compelled to offer a suggestion: Why don't you tell your plight to Richard Heakin?
Or Ron Pettine? Or robert Hillsborough? Or Ovidios Ramos? Or Terry Mangan? Or Duane Scranton? Or Harvey Milk? Or George Moscone? They may not be sympathetic, but they probably won't be unsympathetic, either.
Or, failing that, you might try crying on the shoulder of the guy in a New York City hospital who had his head basin with a baseball bat by a gang of punks who set out to follow your shining example and "Kill a Queer for Christ." And, the guy in the hospital has an advantage over those listed above -he's alive; as alive as any vegetable can be said to
be.
I believe that, that also answers your question. You know, the one where you asked:
"It makes me wonder who else has been silenced simply becaused they dared to differ... Do we not have the right to differ?" I count NINE right here, Mr. Bryant. Nine who were silenced real silenced -because they "differ'ed. None of them have said a word for weeks, or months, or even years. Compared to your flapping lip, what does that tell you, Mr. Bryant? And with that, Mr. Bryant, should wish you a happy new year. I would rather wish the men on this list a Happy New Year, but that isn't possible now, is it? Donald Cameron Scot
PS: A bit of advance gossip for you. Although I have no connec-
tions to (and certainly am not "firmly entrenched in show business"); and although I am part of no "Gay Lobby," I, acting alone and as an individual, will launch a new and continuing offensive against Anita Bryant this Friday afternoon, December 29, 1978 just in time for the New Year. I haven't forgotten Anita Bryant's and George Vecsey's attempted smear of me last year through the
New York Times.
But don't worry, Mr. Bryant. You'll love it. Through a combination of family upbringing (Yes, Mr. Bryant, I DO have a family--a mother, a father, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews the works), and of being gay (you learn to live with a lot of crap without complaining, Mr. Bryant) I was taught not to whine. But you, Mr. Bryant and your wife obviously suffer from no such class and can have a field day crying all over the media about how unfairly you've been treated. There should be enough in what is coming Friday to keep you whining and complaining for a good part of 1979. But I will make a concession toyou: every time I hear you complaining, I'll consult with the people on the foregoing list to see how they feel about it before I go any father I have premonition, though, that their respnse to your sad stories will be very close to mine, wouldn't you think?
Dear Editor:
I've recently moved to Cleveland and started reading High Gear. Your paper is both informative and helpful. I particles, my favorite is Mark's monticularly enjoy your monthly arthly apology.
Dear Editor,
In last month's HIGH GEAR there was yet another example of minority group representatives showing themselves to be smugly ignorant of who gay peopie are.
Mandala, Inc. is a non-profit organization in West Hartford, Connecticut which takes its name from a phrase meaning "wholeness and unity." It was formed to raise funds to build a monument to commemorate the
victims of the Nazi Holocaust. This group, which has offered representation to various religious and racial groups, has rejected requests from a local gay church to have the monument mention the several hundred thousand gay people killed by the Nazis. One member of the group, a certain Rabbi Isaac Avigdor, has commented that he will not "insult the Jewish people by placing them on the seam monument as with homosexuals."
The group's rejection and the words accompanying it are hardly the worst example imaginable of anti-gay bigotry, but they are enough for the group's members to have ear. ned the contempt of many of their own friends and relatives.
There is no ethnic, racial, or religious group that does not have gay members.
Rejecting gays, either by ignoring them or by being overtly hostile toward them is dangerous. Most who are gay are not noticeable as such. This means that no group, ethnic racial, or religious, can ever be sure that the percentage of itself that is gay is any smaller than the percentage that is gay of any
other group.
Many who are eager to hurl rocks have no idea what nearby objects these rocks might -Sean Hanna ricochet off of to smash the
Men's Rap Session 3rd Sun. 4-7p.m.
Kent United Presbyterian Church
1456 E. Summit St.
Sponsored by
The Tri-Co Gay Coalition Presbyterian Gay Caucus
>
throwers in the face.
HIGH GEAR Page 7 Many thanks for your
Sincerely, Jayne Hunter
Any ethnic, racial, or religious leader who attacks gays attacks part of his or her own group, consistent and though helps to destroy its unity, coverage of shows and weakens it, compromises its inperformers. I am greatly tegrity. Many whose energies, appreciative and the publicity is skills, and dedication are gorgeous. needed for a group's continuing welfare are continually made to feel, by the group itself, that they should abandon the group to its own unenlightened devices. I was recently doing research Gay people, like other living at the Ohio Supreme Court Law organisms, have limited Library and uncovered the fact capacities for supporting that in April of 1977 Vermont parasites. Those who go repealed it's parasites. Those who go repealed it's consensual hacking around blindly may find themselves missing some imporSodomy law without anyone's apparent knowledge. It was con-
tant limbs.
Brooks
Dear Editor,
Attacking gays is a form of tained in a general sexual assault reform bill (SB34) which self-mutilation. was signed by the Governor April 23, 1977, effective July 1, 1977. That brings to 22 the number of states which have repealed!
Gentlemen:
In regard to the article on page 3 of your January issue concerning the Benefit at Exedra for GCCC, you report that Jayne Hunter made her debut appearance for the first time in Ohio. At the risk of sounding trivial, I have appeared in approximately six shows in the city of Cleveland since June, 1978.
Por information
781-4074
651-6998
+
CELEBRAT
GOD
I have notified Brooks McKay of NGTF and Frank Kameny of the Washington Mattachine Society of this fact.
If you would like more information let me know.
UNBIASED
George Painter 2:00pm, Sunday Services
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