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In a historic move, California Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. has appointed an openly gay person to a judgeship. On September 15, 1979, Stephen M. Lachs (left) was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Los Angeles Superior Court. The appointment is in keeping with Brown's strong commitment to equality of opportunity regardless of sexual orientation.

Stephen Lachs has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles Gay Community Services Center. He was a founder and is currently an exofficio member of the board of the Municipal Elections Committee of Los Angeles, a gay political group which makes substantial financial contributions to candidates who support gay causes. Further information, refer to High Gear October 79 issue. In the picture, Lachs is congratulated by Attorney Thomas F. Coleman (right).

Deaf gays meet

The National Rainbow Society of the Deaf, the national organization of gay deaf persons, held its third annual international conference recently here in Cleveland, at the Holiday Inn Lakeside Hotel. Hosted by the Ohio-based Buckeye Rainbow Society of the Deaf with support from the GEAR Foundation, the three day conference dealt with

Lesbian ministers ordained in Akron

On Sunday, September 23, the Rev. A.S. Umbertino and the Rev. Karen J. Wheelen, pastors of the Akron Metropolitan Christian Church were ordained by the Rev. Robert Baldauf, pastor of the Grace United Church of Christ in Norton. Assisting the

Rev. Baldauf was the Rev. Ted L. Richmond of the Metropolitan Community Church of Ann Arbor. Both womens' parents were present for the ordination, the Rev. Umbertino's family had flown here from St. Louis, Missouri. The celebration also included three baptisms and the signing of a new membership

issues of gay rights, the establishment of a gay deaf golden age center, improving relations between the hearing and nonhearing populations through awareness programming, and the election of new national officers for the 1979-1980 year.

In addition to the serious nature of the conference, the clear highlights were the talent and beauty contests that took place between a series of performers highlighted by renown mime Greggory Koppel of the Fairmont Theatre of the Deaf. The Cleveland gay community kicked off the conference socializing by sponsoring a party at Exedra on East 18th Street, hosting the conference delegates on tours and entertainment, and finishing with a send-off brunch at Michael's Place on Superior

Avenue.

The next conference is scheduled for Toronto, Ontario, September, 1980. Information on Buckeye Rainbow can be obtained by calling the Gay Hotline during staffed hours, 216-621-3380.

HIGH GEAR Page 3

Brown endorses petition

trary to the fundamental principles for which this nation stands. Efforts to end such discrimination against gay and lesbian Americans at all levels will always have my strong support."

National Gay Task Force's In a telegram to NGTF's co-vidual is unacceptable and con"Petition the President" camexecutive directors Charles paign received the "wholeBrydon and Lucia Valeska, Govhearted support" of Governor ernor Brown pointed out that the Edmund ("Jerry") Brown of Caligoals of the petition were confornia. The petition campaign, sistent with the executive order which was originally launched in he signed in California earlier connection with the successful this year. October 14 March on WashingOn a more political note, Govton, calls on President Carter to ernor Brown stressed his comissue an executive order barring mitment to the adoption of a discrimination against lesbians plank to the 1980 Democratic and gay men, and to endorse the National Platform that would current gay rights bill before urge passage of the congresCongress (HR 2074) which sional bill in addition to those would extend the 1964 and 1968 pending in several state legislaCivil Rights Acts to include protures. The Governor concluded tection on the basis of sexual by observing that "such unjust discrimination against any indi-

orientation.

Co-Executive Directors Brydon and Valeska observed that Governor Brown's continual and clear-cut support of gay rights is especially welcome, but that NGTF was not offering a political endorsement for the governor's presidential candidacy. "We would hope that all of the candidates, in both parties, would make a similar declaration," they pointed out.

Court for DA, against gays

Judge Charles Egan Goff ruled October 10, 1979, against the removal of San Francisco District Attorney Joseph Freitas from prosecuting the May 21st "Dan White Night" riot defendants. In his ruling Judge Goff said that the defense did not sufficiently prove that the May 21st riot was directed against Freitas and his staff nor that it publicly appeared as such.

The decision came one week after a two day hearing in which the defense presented an extensive media exhibit and two witnesses to show the demonstration that night was directed in large part against Freitas' handling of the Dan White trial, and therefore Freitas could not prosecute the May 21st defendants without the "appearance of impropriety."

The media exhibit included over one hundred documents printed in various media related to the May 21st demonstration, including a section of articles expressing criticism of the D.A.'s handling of the White trial. The defense also called Cleve Jones and Jim Denman, both present at City Hall on May 21st, to testify about what they saw. Jones testified that he gave a speech at Market and Castro denouncing Freitas and said, "Let's march to City Hall." He told of both signs and chants which said "Dump Freitas."

Denman, a Senior Deputy Sheriff in San Francisco for over five years, told of his experiences the night of May 21st. He described parts of conversations he overheard, including: "It was murder. he (Dan White) got away with

covenant by the congregation. Noble to address MOHR

The eighty-five persons present were also excited by the announcement that Akron Metropolitan Christian Church has been accepted as a full member of the Greater Akron Association of Churches.

A chicken dinner followed the ceremony and everyone present felt a real family sense as there were ten parents of various members in attendance. The Rev. Baldauf who officiated has been an ordained minister for over 44 years.

For information on activities or future events, or for counseling, call the Church office at (216)

929-2855.

Ms. Elaine Noble, noted feminist/lesbian political figure and former member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, will be the keynote speaker at the annual Michigan Organization for Human Rights Convention in Southfield, north of Detroit, November 9, 10 and 11.

Ms. Noble's address, "The Political Power of Gay People", is set for 8 p.m. Saturday, November 10 at the Oakland Community College Orchard Ridge Campus Multi-purpose Complex. All other M.O.HR. Convention activities, workshops and the annual meeting will take place at the Southfield Ramada Inn.

This convention marks the culmination of two years' activity for M.O.HR, a statewide, non-profit coalition of human rights, gay and lesbian organizations and individuals. The Association for the convention. Suburban People, an organizational member of M.O.H.A., will host

For further information, contact the M.O.HR office, 940 W. McNichols, Detroit, 48203, or call (313) 863-7255

murder" "There were no gay people on the jury." "There was no real prosecution of the case," and "Freitas threw the trial." Denman also said he heard discussions about marching to the Hall of Justice, because the police and District Attorney's office are there.

ented no evidence. The District Attorrey pres-

In his ruling. Judge Gof claimed that the mecia exhibit did not report actual chants or signs directly opposing Freitas.

Columbus News

Furthermore he said both witnesses were "credible," but that Denman was not asked about anti-Freitas chants and signs and that Jones' testimony was not strong enough to counteract the lack of evidence in the media exhibit.

The defense will appeal the ruling. The presiding judge of the Municipal Court set November 2 as the next court date, at which time he will hear motions and set dates for preliminary hearings.

Gay art fest, OS women

By Rob Roehn

Gay Arts Festival

vides services for women in the Ohio State University area. Organized support groups are A gay arts festival, Fete des formed as needed, and teleBeaux Artes, is being planned for phone referrals are provided Gay Awareness Week. April 20through the Gay Women's Sup20, 1980. Sponsored by Gay port office in the Ohio Union. Alliance and Gay Women's Sup"We hope to make dorm port, the festival will be a multi-women more secure," said a media event, featuring painting. GWS coordinator in a recent drawings, ceramics, photointerview. "We are planning a graphy, and music.

"We are looking for art with gay themes," said Joe Goldberg of the festival committee." Anything which shows the gay experience will be welcomed. Possible themes are cruising, the bar scene, and romance. We want to show our ideas of beauty."

"We hope to have many pieces from the lesbian community." said Ms. Jay Webster, festival committee member, speaking of the importance of having works by both women and men in the festival. "We want works that show what it's like to be a woman-identified woman."

workshop for dorm directors and resident advisors, to make them more sensitive to lesbian issues, and to tell them of our program."

Sexism in the classroom is

being confronted by Gay Women's Support. The group plans to take action against instructors by reporting incidents of sexism to superiors and others in the department.

Gay Women's Support holds weekly meetings. For times and places call (614) 422-0833. Gay Alliance

The Gay Alliance's constitution is being revised. A committee has been formed to review the document and make suggestions for its improvement.

"We want to include everyone (lesbians and gay men) in this "Constitutional revision will show," said Goldberg, "It's going help the group run to be a community effort." smoothly," said Keith Gaspar, Various Ohio area artists are Gay Alliance president. "Many of being invited to participate in the the rules in the present docushow, and some works are being ment have been ineffective. We done for it especially. Any artist are much more communitywho wants to participate in the minded now, and we hope that show can contactday Alliance at this revision will lay the foundaP.O. Box 8296, Columbus, Ohio tion for improved community 43201 or phone (614) 422-9212 services." Festival members may also be contacted directly-Joe Goldberg at (614) 424-0396 or Jay Webster at (614' 262-7547. Gay Women's Support Gay Womens Support pro-

alternate with business meetings Program meetings continue to in the Gay Alliance's revised schedule.

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