Page 4 HIGH GEAR

Big fest awaits

Everyone seems to be gossiping about Cleveland's Gay Festival and planning for it too. This summer's end event, sponsored by the Greater Cleveland Gay Coalition, on Sunday, September 2, 1979 at Meadow Ridge Farm, 17305 Mayfield Road (Rt. #322, near Windsor, Ohio), has become the talk of the town, country and village square.

Scheduled to run from 11:00 AM until dark, the Festival promises to be a big day for all who attend. A huge raffle, hot cruising, good food and dance music are but a few of the attractions

advertised.

Pre-ticket sales have been good and continue to increase as September 2 nears. Those who do wait to buy tickets at the gate will have to pay the $9.00 price rather than the $7.00 advance cost. All bars and baths in Cleve-

land as well as several book stores are carrying tickets. Beyond Cleveland, numerous bars throughout the state are also selling tickets. "The Coalition is tremendously happy with the people's initial response to the Festival," said Fred Schenk, chairperson of the Cleveland Coalition. "If anyone hasn't gotten a ticket yet, I urge them to buy one soon, there isn't much time left."

The Raffle prize list is huge. First prize is a weekend trip for two to Summit Lodge in southern Ohio. Second prize is a 10-speed bicycle and third prizes will be raffled off also. "The odds are that one in every ten people will be a winner of something. The people who donated prizes cover a wide spectrum and certainly deserve the hearty thanks of everyone in the Coalition", said

Totie of the Vaults, "we couldn't have done it without them."

The menu for the day includes hot dogs, beer and pop all day. A dinner is to be served at 3:00 PM and will consist of one-half a BarB-Qued chicken, corn on the cob, cole slaw, and potato salad. Swimming, volleyball, baseball and organized games as well as "nature walks" and sunbathing are being planned. Two live shows will be presented and otherwise disco dancing will run throughout the day.

Publicity for the Festival has been extensive and large numbers of people are expected; estimates range from 1,500 to over 3,000.

For more information, contact Dave in Cleveland at (216)8618404.

1200 at Cinci pro choice rally

By John Zeh

CINCINNATI The Reproductive Rights National Network and the local Abortion Rights Committee (ARC) rallied some 1200, people to protest the national Right-to-Life convention and support women's right to control their own lives.

"Right-to-Life" has declared war on women. They've taken on the Equal Right Amendment, child care for working mothers, gay rights, and reproductive rights in general to legalize their own personal view on women's proper role in society." said Celia

Petty of ARC. "People are saying no to mandatory pregnancy. forced sterilization, and the Hyde Amendment (which denies Medicaid funding or abortions)."

Lesbian recording artists Meg Christian and Therese Edell entertained the crowd in an amphitheatre on the bank of the Ohio River overlooking Northern Kentucky, where the Right-toLife convention was held.

ARC supports the rights of minority women not to be steril-

The Reproductive Rights National Network is a coalition of groups with a progressive femi-zed nist approach to the issues of reproductive freedom. "It sees the interconnection between abortion, changes in the family, sexuality, contraception, child care, and sexual freedom," according to Petty.

The ARC began work a little over a year ago to defend contraceptives/abortion clinics from violent attacks and to protect women from the fear of harassment and terrorism," she said.

ARC says Ohio has been a primary target of "pro-life" violence; burned down, and vandalized. clinics have been bombed, The group got a tip during the Right-to-Life convention that two busloads of delegates would try to take over the Margaret Sanger Center. It successfully organized pro-choice people to defend the clinic. "We kept them from getting nary a toe on the center's ground." said Colleen Nunn of ARC.

against their will; of working mothers to have affordable, quality child care: of poor women to h safe legal abortions; and of Lesbian mothers to enjoy custody of their children.

An anti-abortion candidate for City Council here recently attacked Mayor Bobbie Sterne (a woman) for proclaiming June 30 Lesbian//Gay Pride Day. "The direct link-up between feminist and abortion rights and gay rights isn't apparent to lots of people. But this past week, the opposition made that link for us."

Wiretapped ex-wife gets $17,000

Akron-ite Judy Fluharty was recently granted $17,000 in damages stemming from a suit she filed in U.S. District Court against her former husband, Larry.

Mr. Fluharty admitted under oath that he had wiretapped his ex-wife's telephone conversations for over a year during their pending divorce case. Common Pleas Court apparently decided he would be awarded custody of the couple's 2 sons because of a statement by Ms. Fluharty expressing a homosexual interest. Ms. Fluharty twice lost appeals to regain custody of the children.

In the Federal Court, she

charged that the phone tapping was not only in violation of federal law, but also an overt invasion of her privacy.

Also awarded Ms. Fluharty were $3500, for lawyer's fees, while her attorney, John Wolfe, was granted $1000 compensatory damages.

Larry Fluharty has since filed an appeal of the federal court's decison, and also filed a further suit against his former wife.

When contacted at home, Judy Fluharty said regarding her victory: "The money was not the issue. What I wanted was for someone else to see, that what he did was wrong."

MCC Akron withdraws from Universal Fellowship

The Metropolitan Community Church of Akron by a unanimous vote of the congregation on Sunday, August 12, withdrew from the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches. The decision was made following a series of events which caused the Board of Directors of the Church and the members of the congregation to feel that the Church could better meet the needs of the gay community in Akron and the surrounding area without the limitations imposed by the

UFMCC.

The congregation expressed love and respect for the Reverend Troy Perry, founder of the UFCC, but said it feels that the Church has moved away from the

ideals established by Perry when he formed the first church with a special ministry to gay people.

The local church will continue to minister to the Akron gay community under the leadership of the Reverend A. S. Umbertino and the Reverend Karen Wheeler as co-pastors under a new three year contract.

The congregation also voted to re-name the church the Akron Metropolitan Christian Church. Weekly worship services will continue to be held at 7:30 p.m. on Sundays at the Unitarian Universalist Church at 3300 Morewood Street in Akron during the summer months. In the fall and winter the services are held as 2:00 p.m. each Sunday.

Bonnie Jefferson of ARC told Akron MCC doings in September WAIF FM that the "upsurge" in Right-to-Life activity coincides with intensified persecution of homosexuals, legislatively and socially. We support peoples' freedom to define our sexuality and choose sexual partners and living arrangements freely."

On Monday, September 3rd, in the upstairs lounge of the Stagecoach Social activities for September are highlighted by two major events: Inn there will be a Spaghetti Dinner with all the extras from 8-10pm. The dinner will be just prior to the Mr. Stagecoach--Mr. Club Bath contest. Then on September 23rd, there will be a special worship service of dedication and ordination followed by a chicken dinner at 3300 Morewood Road (across from Summit Mall). The service wil begin at 2:00 pm.

In October, watch for a benefit show, the 3rd annual Hayride, and a Halloween Ball. For information on these activities or services call (216) 836-3930.

National City Barber

precision haircutting for the discriminating female

conveniently located in the national city bank building

ASK US ABOUT OUR EUROPEAN BOW

CALL PETER AT 241-2305

Shop

MAILING ADDRESS:

P.C. BOX 563 AKRON, OHIO 44309

AKBON

MCC

METROPOLITAN

CHRISTIAN

CHURCH

WITH A SPECIAL OUTREACH

TO THE GAY COMMUNITY SERVICES: 2 PM SUNDAY at 3300 Morewood Rd. FOR INFORMATION CALL: (216) 836-3930

REV. A. S. UMBERTINO REV. KAREN J. WHEELER PASTORS

COUNSELING RAP GROUPS SOCIAL ACTIVITIES GAY WEDDINGS, ETC.