Page 2 HIGH GEAR

news

Gay fest gets good turnout

By Carl Howard large degree of unity. The FestiCleveland's Gay Festival, held val slogan "We Are Family" Sunday, September 2, 1979 at appeared to have been taken to Meadow Ridge Farm near Wind-heart by most of the organizers sor, Ohio, proved to be a great as well as the people in attendance.

success.

This event, sponsored by the Greater Cleveland Gay Coalition for the joint benefit of that group and the GEAR Foundation; attracted a crowd of over 1,200 people and raised much needed money for the GEAR Foundation. People from as far away as New York, Michigan, Kentucky and Pennsylvania came to participate in that day's activities.

This also marked the first time in Cleveland's history that area gay's worked so closely together in a conscious effort to achieve a

Volunteers provided all the person-power. People were very willing to give time helping to cook and serve food, sell raffle tickets, staff booths, move equipment and organize games. Members of the Coalition's Executive Committee expressed real delight and appreciation to these people for their willingness to help.

Booths were set-up near the stae and ranged from the GEAR Foundation to bar sponsored booths and even an Italian pastry

High Gear editor resigns

At the September Board of officers of the Foundation in Trustees meeting of the Gay June, I felt that resigning at that Educational and Awareness point would give too unstable a Resources Foundation (GEAR) picture of the Foundation to the and at the September staff meetcommunity.

ing of High Gear, Dan Mieczni"With the subsequent election of kowski announced that he was the broadest-based Board of Trusresigning his position as Editor tees that GEAR has ever had, of High Gear, effective with the have no doubts about High Gear Publication of the December, surviving and prospering more 1979 issue. than ever."

Saying that he was "just tired", Miecznikowski said that he Intends to stay with High Gear, "but not as editor at this time." "My resignation has been a long time coming," he said. "With

Miecznikowski had been unofficial editor of the paper for six months until his confirmation by the GEAR Board in May, 1978. It is expected that a collective will assume the duties of editor until

the complete changeover of a replacement is found.

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booth. A variety of wares were thereby made available to Festival goers.

The location of the Festival was very private and while there was some minor heckling from nearby residents, outsiders were kept out. This privacy coupled with a busy schedule of events, a large area in which to play and a large crowd, afforded-everyone the opportunity to have a good time. Despite intermittent afternoon showers, many people participated in games of pass the body, races, and rubber toss races, and Swimming, volleyball, andbaseball were also provided.

Lawn disco dancing was also a popular activity even after the rain had turned the "dance-floor" into mud. The sound system for the music was of a very high quality and was made available by local discos. Cleveland dj's from Traxx, Mist-A'-Henry's and New Dimensions delighted the crowd with well-mixed sounds and technical virtuosity.

Mona Desmond and Melissa Ross performed several mime numbers and dazzled the audience with their costumes and dancing.

Approximately 100 acres of woods were located nearby for cruising and appeared to be very popular with most of the people. Trails leading from the picnic

(Cont'd on page 19)

State Fair booth

features March

By Rob Davis State Fair Booth

When asked about a 1980 booth, Ms. Webster said, "we've got money in the bank already for next year's booth." Volleyball League

The Ohio Gay Rights Coalition again sponsored a booth at the Ohio State Fair which ran this A gay volleyball league, year August 14-26. The March on formed here during the summer, Washington was an important has made gay-organized sports a theme at this year's booth. A reality in Columbus. The Village large sign, promoting the march, Athletic League is the nonset off by a map of Ohio, listed official title of the League, which Ohio's gay organizations and has its roots in German Village, gave some quotations supportive just south of Columbus. of gay rights. The idea for the league was

The booth was staffed 12 hours born when a mixed team from the per day, and free literature and Village, Die Dorfleute (The Vilbooks for sale were offered. The lage People), practiced in SouthOGRC/GEAR-funded brochure view Park in Columbus. "Have you ever Wondered?" was "This is a 'non-bar' way for gay a major part of the consciouspeople to meet together," ness-raising effort. Written and explained one of the league's revised for this year's fair, this organizers. "We have six teams brochure answers general queswith 7-8 people per team. Some tions about lesbian/gay people. of these guys never come out. We Specific questions from the just don't make any point of public were answered by the being gay." women and men staffing the booth..

"Things went a lot smoother this year, and there was more cooperation," said Jay Webster, 1979 booth coordinator. It seems to be getting better each year."

An all-star team will be picked to compete in a May, 1980 tournament in Chicago.

Serious volleyball players who wish to join the Columbus league (Columbus news cont'd on page ter)

Support here for march

The National March on super-touring coaches have Washington for Lesbians and been reserved, complete with a Gay Rights in October has stereo tape system throughout. picked up steam in recent weeks with lots of support from the Cleveland gay community.

Cleveland marchers will arrive in Washington at 8 a.m. Sunday morning, and will have all day to The Cleveland Committee for join in the festivities and the the March has organized a bus march. Return departure will be trip for those in the greater at approximately 6-7 p.m. with a Cleveland area who want to 2-3 a.m. Monday morning arrival attend the rights march in in Cleveland. An overnight trip to Washington, Sunday, October the march was considered but 14. changed to the above due to Buses for the event will depart accommodations being fully at midnight Saturday night (Sunbooked. A crowd of more than day morning 12:00 a.m.) from 100,000 is expected to attend the Exedra, 1762 E. 18th St. (between march. Payne and Chester). A big sendoff party at the bar will precede the buses' departure, and everybody is invited to attend and support those making the Washington trip in behalf of the Cleveland gay community. The fun, games, gifts, and gags, will begin at 9 p.m.

Several area clubs are supporting the Cleveland Committee for the March's efforts in launching a representation from our city. The National Committee for the March on Washington hopes that the march will intensify efforts in the government to end all social, economic, judicial, and legal oppression of Lesbian and Gay people.

Round trip bus fare for the March is $22 and includes free admission to the big send-off Information and reservations party. Committee members for the bus trip may be obtained assure the party will continue for by calling 216-234-4446, 24 the marchers on the bus that hours-a-day. night. Grand Canadian-styled

Gays meet in Tiffin

Fifteen people attended the first meeting of the Seneca County Association of Gays in Tiffin, Ohio on Sunday, September 16, 1979. Those present discussed ways of getting more people involved in the group. Everyone was asked to bring a friend to the next coffee.

Possible activities for the fall and winter also were discussed. Suggestions included camping, volleyball, a trip to the Toledo Museum of Art, potluck dinner, swimming party, a hayride, basketball, and to continue the coffees. People will be asked to finalize the activities at the

October meeting.

David S. talked about the October 14 March on Washington. He will be forming a car pool if anyone needs a ride. Frank L. informed the group of the recent Ohio Gay Rights Coalition meeting. Steve C. informed the group about the rap groups and counseling program offered by PRO in Toledo.

The October SCAG meeting will be on Sunday the 21st.

For further information, write: Seneca County Association of Gays (SCAG), c/o 233 Circular Street, Tiffin, OH 44883.