Page 18 HIGH GEAR

Third gay Miss Ohio Universe

The third annual Miss Gay Ohio Universe Pageant was held in Canton, Saturday, September 29, 1979 at the American Legion Hall. First prize was $500.00 and the title of Miss Ohio Universe, 1980.

talent, evening, casual and swimsonal interviews. wear, self-expression and per-

Judges were asked to keep in mind that this was not a beauty pageant and that each contestant should be judged on their The theme for this year's pagemerits in all categories. Effectiveant was "Ain't No Mountain Highness and manner of presentaEnough" and was sponsored by tion, self-confidence, impression T.M. Mackey. Full bar service of femininity and audience was provided by BOOBIES, WHY response to performance were NOT CLUB, of Canton. with the judges. qualities which weighed heavily

In addition to the main purpose of this year's event, the pageant's proceeds were donated to the Akron/Canton GOLD, an area new publication.

This is the largest female "impersonator contest in Ohio and is held each year in Sep-

tember. Contestants from all

parts of Ohio are welcomed and encouraged to participate in this event. Each contestant must be a title-holder or have the backing

of, at least, one bar.

Judges were randomly selected from the audience the evening of the contest to insure impartiality and fairness.

The categories in which contestants were judged included

•

Miss Ohio Universe, '79, Andrea Nicole, Miss Ohio Female Impersonator, 1979, Jayne Winters and Miss Nikki Deeree made guest cameo appearances on stage that evening.

Contestants in the show included: Teri Lyn Summers, Christine James, Jamie Black, Valerie Blake, Joey Sands, Rhonda Love, Nikkie Summers, and Janette Montay.

land was selected and crowned Miss Nikkie Summers of Cleveas Miss Gay Ohio Universe, 1980. Miss Summers captivated both the audience and the judges with dynamic and talented perfor-

mances in each category. Also, when questioned on what she would do as Miss Gay Ohio Universe, Nikkie replied, "I will be myself. I can't be any more or any less. I will work to promote gay unity and togetherness. As an entertainer, I admire Diana Ross for her efforts at unity and togetherness and this is one of the main needs of the gay community."

When interviewed after the contest, Miss Summers said, "This is one of the happiest days of my life. I just want to thank the many, many, friends who gave me their love and support and without whom this would never

have been possible for me. From the bottom of my heart, thank you."

First runner-up was Rhonda Love of Canton and second runner-up was Valerie Blake, also from Canton.

Other notable persons in attendance that evening were Mr. Steve Job, Editor of Akron/Can-

ton GOLD and Mr. Don Brice, President of GOLD, INC., who accepted the proceeds of the contest on behalf of the paper.

Youngstown potluck

The Youngstown area lesbians and gay persons welcome other gays from near and far to meet with them the third Saturday of each month at 5:30 PM for potluck dinner and get-together.

The pot-luck dinners which started regularly in October have been successful in helping Youngstown gays meet together in an atmosphere that provides for both good food and good informal rapping. Both men and women from the area are attending and contributing to these very stimulating but relaxing gettogethers. The group has been supported strongly, not only by area gays, but also by persons from a similar group serving the Kent-Akron area; individuals

from that group have attended also and contributed much to the discussion (and refreshments).

The Youngstown group exists to provide a much-needed opportunity for free rapping and socializing away from the bar scene. Besides planning future activities, the group's raps at previous meetings have ranged from social to religious to political to purely personal topics. During the second October gettogether, several persons who had attended the Oct. 14 March on Washington played their recordings of Troy Perry and other Speakers at the Washington Rally.

For information about the group, call Gil (216-743-3833) or Bob (216-747-3624).

Papal Visit, cont'd

be comforted. It says that the greatest commandment of God

is that we love ourselves. In loving ourselves we are enabled to love our neighbor despite all of the elements which separate us. By superseding ego, by loving

GAY OH

self and loving neighbor selflessly, we love God.

Anita Bryant and Kent Philpott, and most "Born Again" Christians I have met, unknowingly pervert the message. They're not evil people; they're ignorant people. They don't understand their own faith and they surely don't understand love.

Pople John Paul understands love. He understands his faith. His struggle against oppression enabled him to identify with the Gospel. However, even if his reference to "sexual pleasure" wasn't intended to include homosexuals, he has neither written nor said anything which suggests to me that he understands homosexuality. He is a wonderful man whose transworld journeys are inspiring hope in millions of suffering brothers and sisters and prompting major discomfort with that element of the human family which is too comfortable. But, until he educates himself in the field of human sexuality, until his scholarship embraces the findings of the majority of social scientists today, he too causes in me more a sense of rejection than a sense of hope with his promise of love.

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