Page 10 HIGH GEAR

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Gear campaigns in capitol city

By Carl Howard

Weeks had passed since Lucy had finally decided to make the trip-heavy workload, pressures of a busy social life in Cleveland and all other extraneous things were to be put aside. The time had come for Lucy to return to Columbus--a return to the roots. if you will. "My won't it be fun to see old familiar faces again. I' wonder if any of the old gang is still there?," said Lucy. And to think that Danny of HIGH GEAR would single me out with a commission to do a picture essay and report on the "old home front"! "I must get in touch with Rob Davis while I'm there. He can supply me with facts and figures and help guide me to new spots." Flushed with the excitement of anticipation, Lucy immediately called Rob who was equally. excited by the proposal Lucy outlined and suggested they make a party of the entire weekend. So now Lucy had to. recruit others who would be interested in partying in Columbus. Meanwhile. Rob would find party-goers from Columbus Lucy made a few calls in Cleveland and quickly linedup Rick, Calvin, Paul and Don. Rick and Paul had never been to central Ohio or Columbus and were very anxious to see what the city had to offer.

Now it must be observed that Lucy is not noted for efficient planning and organizing. Therefore, true to form, this trip was put together quickly at the last moment and everyone left to getting themselves to Columbus as best they could. Lucy did remember to call father and step-mother, Kay and tell them that a band of crazies from Cleveland bent on good-times and picture taking would be descending on their home 'sometime Friday evening -of course one must realize that this great piece of news was dropped on them two hours before Rick (and Calvin arrived. However, being the Saints they are, Kay and Mr. K. took everything in stride and were a totally wonderful and gracious host and hostess all weekend.

Meanwhile Lucy discovered, that Jim, another Cleveland friend, was spending a week in

Columbus on business and would be joining the party. This, of course, delighted Lucy always room for one more.

While making some phone calls around town Lucy found that many changes had taken place. People who had been active in forming the Gay Liberation Front in 1971 were now involved in other more recently developed organizations or had left town altogether. This caused Lucy to become nostalgic and reflective. However, it was a joy hearing again from Craig Covey of the Gay Activist Alliance and hearing about all of GAA's many projects in helping Columbus gays. Lucy thought back to those days in the summer of '72 when GAA organized that terrific Gay Pride Celebration with its dances and workshops and everyone was happy just to be a part of such an event. Also, there was the formation of the Gay Ball Fund that summer and the official recognition of GAA as a student organization by OSU officials.

Then in 1973. Gay Women's Peer Counseling (later Lesbian Peer Support) was formed as was Gay Women Sapphonsified. This group has now become central Ohio Lesbians and is a social and political organization.

As they talked. Lucy and Craig were joined by Rob Davis who had picked up an extension phone. Rob reminded them that

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1974 Columbus finally adopted a new, revised Criminal Code covering housing and public accommodations compromise bill with

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employment protection but for Columbus and Ohio, a major progressive step. Rob also pointed out that in 1974 they had seen the Gay Clinic formed at the Open Door Clinic, 237 E. 17th Avenue. This solidified the availability of gay counseling and medical services in the city.

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Just prior to finishing their reminisences, Craig, Rob and Lucy made arrangements to meet later that evening and do a whirlwind round of the bars Rob would take pictures for Lucy and HIGH GEAR. Before hanging up though, they were in. agreement that much has happened in Columbus and

many services are offered to gay and lesbian students and nonstudents, e.g. Dignity/Columbus MCC/Columbus, Women's Action Collective, Gay Alcoholics, Gay Women's Support, Gay Peer Counseling, Club Appollo, and others.

By the time Lucy finished this phone conversation, reams of notes had been taken and confusion reigned momentarily. "How on earth can I colate all this information into a report so quickly? "asked Lucy. "I'm not a reporter, I'll certainly leave out something important to someone. I do hope they'll understand that it's not intentional if I do! Oh, dear, what will I do?"

Being a stout-hearted soul though, Lucy proceeded to outlined and organize the

material as well as possible and. ended up with a remarkably well orchestrated overview. Rob Davis' invaluable assistance was, of course, the key to this success. Lucy does know how to get good people involved and working on such things.

Rick, Calvin, Jim. Paul and Done were impatiently waiting for Lucy to finish talking and get moving. Everyone was in high party spirits and wantin to get onthe-town boogeying. First stop of the evening was the Village Grotto in German Village. Lucy ushered everyone into the bar and immediately began searching for John, the owner and manager. After some difficulty.. he was found and introduced around the group. However, he 'requested that no pictures be taken in the bar and that ended that. The bar itself is very popular and busy Featuring juke-box disco and a mediumsized dance floor, this bar is very cruisey. Mirrored walls give the narrow aspect of the bar a seemingly larger feeling and yet help to reflect the bar's energy and sense of anticipation. Here as in most other places in Columbus, the people were friendly and helpful. The ceiling is very high and appears to be vaulted; the effect is nice and the design interesting.

Upstairs is another bar which is accessible only à by a steep and narrow staircase. The decor

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is that of a Leather-Levi bar and features somewhat of a maze effect the activity, in parts, is said to be real hot. After meeting some of the patrons and thoroughly checking-out both bars. Lucy shepherded the party to their cars

every mindful of the hour and more territory to conquer, It should be noted here that while Lucy does have difficulties at times with practical matters, nothing brings out the Lucyeffciency like matters pertaining to partying. Want to cover ground, get the most out of an event and thoroughly enjoy yourself call Lucy!

In any case, Lucy next led the party to downtown Columbus and the Tradewinds II Bar. Here the group was met by Chuck Harbst, owner of the bar and his very able staff: Jim Pittock, manager, Ken Kohls, assistant manager, and bartenders Kin, Steve, Larry and Doug. Well, after receiving a very warm welcome from his crew. Lucy was well on the way. Look out Columbus!

This bar is Leather-Levi in its decor but is not to be mistaken as rough. The men in the bar are hot and friendly. This is definitely the cruisiest bar in town and will probably become even more so after opening their new extension called Fort Dicks on May 6. This new bar will feature a handsomely Western-Levi decor and should be real. hot. The dance-floor is raised octagonal in design and will be called the OK Corral. The music will be on Juke-box and a variety of musictypes will be available to those not wanting exclusively disco. Other interesting features of this Western decor include: Heartbreak Hotel, The Livery. The Red Dog Saloon, and the Jailhouse (entry to a Leather Shop).

Opening night, again, May 6, will provde a special show (not to. be a show bar) with Dolly Pardon acting as hostess and also

featuring the Tradewinds Village People and other guest performers.

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COLUMBUS AREA

Lucy and Party, by now having dubbed themselves The GEAHS. were so busy checking all this out, as well as snapping patrons. that they almost forget the time. But never fear. Lucy suddenly remembered the time and snatched the other GEARS out of this bar, down the street, around the corner and into the Kismet Disco.

Here they were met by Butch. manager of the bar. A very affable and pleasant person. Butch soon made the GEARS comfortable and welcome. This is a hot and cruisey disco, also in downtown, which has a new, enlarged dance floor, with good sound and excellent light show. A. numberof improvements in addition to the larger dance floor. have been made. The dj's booth is now off to the side of the floor ard is a major improvement in both appearance and sound performance quality. The light show seems to have been upgraded considerably and. definitely adds a lot to the highenergy party atmosphere of the. bar. Judging from the number of people there. gay Columbus. men and women, must agree. Certainly Lucy and the GEARS got-down and boogeyed while they were there. For those who might be in West Palm Beach, Florida, Kay Saferight also owns and operates the Kismet, South.

Time certa.ly goes fast when having fun but there was one more stop on the ages that fine. Friday evening and off Lucy and Company went.

This time it was out to Changes which is located in the unlikely location of a shopping centeroff the Dublin-Granville Road. This bar is a 21 and over mixed crowd and also features disco. The decor is plush and has a very warm appearance. It seems to be a combination dance-cruise bar and has a good dance floor and light show. A second level balcony effect is certainly a hot feature of the bar and provides intimacy or a terrific view.ot the cont'd on page 20