Page 6 HIGH GEAR

More from the mailbag

To the Editor:

hope your

In this era of anti-Gay and anti-everlasting. lesbian backlash when we are being forced to defend Ourselves, it becomes difficult to do that when obnoxious ads such as that on page 24 of the April issue of High Gear appears..

Wet jockey shorts and wet Tshirts contests do not desere space in what is otherwise a fine newspaper. Sucht hings usually appear in underground high school newspaper, next to a gossip column.

High Gear states its policies will notpermit racist, sexist or pornographic material to be printed. This ad is most assuredly sexist. It is also cheap and dehumanizing to both mena nd woman. Are we just lurid object?

For those of us who have spent years trying to build bridges of understanding, rather than walls of isolation, this cheap attitude only hurts. If we don't have any better viewsof ourselves than drag shows, wet jockey shorts or wet T-shirts. then what can others believe? when people say our community has a long way to go. it's clear that includes a long way to go with ourselves. not to mention others.

Gentlemen:

George Painter Columus, Ohio

I would first like to commen! on the popularity of your newspaper. I am originally from New York City. When I moved to Lorain County (near Cleveland, Ohio), I was shocked to see your newspaper openly displayed in all of the local bookstores. I

success

is

received yet another shock when I visited some of the local gay bars, discos, and club baths. ́. The patrons of these establishments discreetly let me know that my presence there was not welcomed. I would like to discreetly let those who discriminated know that they are distastefully displaying their ignorance.

Naturally, we all have certain pictures in mind, of the people we want to share our lives with but mus: we look down on those who won't have exactly what we need or want?

We are in the process of falling back into that badly constructed view society has on homosexuality. To them we're a group of undecided queers with no place to go.

Until we accept each other as human beings. in: colors. shapes and sizes) society will continued to wonder about our sanity. As the discrimination among us continues, so too will the discrimination society has against us and themselves. "We must set the examples."

"I am not white. I am not black. Nor am I Indian or Spanish. I am a human being who wants only to be accepted as such. My wants and needs are human and, they should not separate me from anyone else" Nate

Dear Editor

I am writing to you in sympathy of the problems that Cleveland

Gay News (GNC an out of state produced paper) has caused the true One Paper: High Gear and Ohio Area Newsletters.

Ohio Gay businesses and organizations are to blame. They are paying exorbitant ad rates which only benefit the Pennsylvanians who make it happen. There is almost no Ohio cover. age in Cleveland Gay News, now known as Gay News and isn't : ven a good imitation of the advocate.

High Gear is a wonderful paper, and the unpaid sta!! reaps the loss of advertising revenue due to the greedy Pennsylvanians.

Ohio businesses and organizations should wake up and first

show support to their own kind before they go out of state

High Gear has 11.000 plus in Jistribution, which Cleveland Gay news has yet to duplicate and their advertising rates are wice what High Gears erg

Sad Ohio Supporter. Steve Jobe

To the Editors:

When I found that High Gear was planning a feature on Columbus for the May issue. was thrilled that the Columbus story would be published. I looked forward to rereading the exciting history Columbus has had and its eight years of

contributions made to the movement.

However when I read it. I thought I would die This absurd and insulting comedy glosses Over the accomplishments and

Columbus organizations which were ignored in the article?

1 rarely brag but I honestly believe, Columbus has made the greatest contribution to the movement and this article ignores it. What other major city has a civil rights law covering sexual orientation?" What other city has ascertained candidates for public office and published a Gay Community Voter's Guide for every election since 1976? · What city pioneered the Gay history of Columbus and talks about cruising in bars (which is not news to anyone), and gives us another installment in the continuing Saga of Lucy (which is not of interest to people outside Cleveland if even to them).

·

Carl Howard treats the history of organizations as though he would prefer not to, but does only because he is required to

Where is the mention of the courageous struggle by the Gay Liberation Front against Ohio State University's refusal to recognize GLF as a student organization way back in 1971? Where is the mention of Gay Activist Alliance succeeding in getting recognition? What about the efforts of GAA and Columbus activists in 1972 when they convinced the Ohio General Assembly to repeal the consensual sodomy law in the criminal code revision? What about success of other

Community Calendar which hsa been copied by other cities? What city coordinates statewide projects such as the Ohio State Fair Booth and the lobbying activities in the Ohio General Assembly? Why are these not mentioned? And most of all, why did a resident of Cleveland write the Columbus history?

I strongly suggest that High Gear's next feature city be? trusted fairly and be written by someone who lives there A serious attitude would be helpful, George Painter

STATE FAIR BOOTH

By ROB DAVIS

Planning for the Ohio Gay Rights Coalition-sponsored booth at the Ohio State Fair is now complete, and an urgent call is now being made for funding and staffing. July 20th is the date for the last payment to be made for the booth space; also, books must be ordered by that point. Staffing should be completed by August 1. and those who apply. first will be more likely to qualify for half-price admission to the Fair. To volunteer or donate for this project, please call Jay at 614-262-7547.

GAY ALCOHOLIC GROUP FORMS

By Rob Davis

MANSFIELD: The Acceptance Group a days Alcholics Group. has recently formed here. The program is for gay people and for those concerned about the special problems of the gay alcoholic The group meets Saturdays at 6:30 PM in the

Fireside Room of the First English Lutheran Church, at the corner of Park Avenue West and Mulberry Street. For further information, picase cali Roger Dugger at 419-526-1194 or 419526-0593

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