HIGH GEAR PAGE 5

Cincinnati news

ACLU gets Alley Cat case,

muggers convicted, police disciplined

Police disciplined

The Greater Cincinnati Gay Coalition (GCGC) demanded an investigation of police inaction during the summer's Coy Pool riot, an incident that received national attention in media sto-

ries about violence against gays. The Police Division conducted its own investigation and concluded that the. gay swimmer's group was not afforded the degree of police protection to which it was entitled." As a result of the Coalition's pressure, several police employees were disciplined and another was fired. Lions' muggers convicted

Golden Lions bar brought charges against the muggers that were attacking the bar and its patrons; two of the ringleaders were convicted and given jail terms, and the rest of the gang has disappeared. GCGC has called upon City Council "to issue a statement deploring unprovoked acts of violence against gay citizens in Cincinnati and to point out that gay people are tax-paying citizens with equal rights to use public facilities."

ACLU takes police case

On September 21, the police confiscated over $100 worth of books being held on sale at The Alley Cat bar. The bar owner was

cited for possession of lewd and/or pornographic material."

All of the books--serious literature such as The Front Runner, Loving Someone Gay, Consenting Adult. The Joy of Gay Sex, A Parent's Guide to Homosexuality, and Positively Gay -are sold in straight bookstores all over town.

police officer agreed that he did not see how gays could be legally excluded from police recruitment, but he refused to return the confiscated books taken at The Alley Cat

As a result of his refusal, GCGC called on the American Civil Liberties Union (AFLU) to take this case. At press time. attorney Allen Brown has graciously volunteered to handle an ACLU suit against the police. GCGC is continuing to press for an end to police violations of civil rights.

As result of all of these actions, GCGC asked Mayor Sterne for a meeting at City Hall to discuss these discriminatory and illegal acts by the police. A meeting was held on October 18, with the officers of GCGC and LAB testicourtesy of The Yellow Page, fying to the head of the Police Division's community relations division, and to representatives of the Mayor's office and the Human Relations Commission.

After hearing the testimony,

the civil officials agreed that a

serious problem exists in police

treatment of gays. They pledged

to have gay men and women representatives appointed to any future police-community relations panels, and to include gay speakers as a regular part of police training.

The police rep., Lt. Tom Burke, admitted there were problems. but felt that "regular channels" could handle them. GCGC and LAB responded that the system was not working for gays, testified by numerous and repeated incidents of harassment The

Director admits

police negligence

By John Zeh

CINCINNATI-The City Safety Director has admitted that police ignored a call for help when a private swim party for gays was attacked by a mob here in July.

"The Police Communications Section simply did not respond in an appropriate manner." Richard Castellini told City Council. "One member made indiscrete comments and did not properly handle the situation. He is no longer a city employee. Lambda Sports was not afforded the degree of police protection to which it was entitled."

The group had rented a city park pool closed on weekends. Area residents found out, and erected anti-gay signs. About 35 people taunted the swimmers, and later threw rocks, bottles, and debris when a police officer The Greater Cincinnati Gay Coalition used the acknow edgement of police inaction as "a perfect example of why we need a Human Rights Ordinance prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation." It called upon Council to reconsider passage, and to issue a statement "deploring unprovoked acts of violence against

gay citizens."

Complaints about the police division's handling of the incident and other problems sparked a meeting between local Lesbians, gays, Cincinnati Human Relations Commission represen-

11/79

MILK

March on Washington wrap-up, see stories and more pictures on pages 14 and 15.

Columbus news

Columbus Dignity disbands, new group forms, Perry speaks to MCC, Changes changes

by Bob Roehm

The Rev. Elder Troy Perry. founder of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches, spoke here November 7 at the Wednesday evening service of MCC/Columbus. He was here to install Rev. Rob Shivers as the new pastor of MCC/Columbus. The service was followed by a reception in the church basement.

Rev. Perry's sermon, "I Am Not Afraid, spoke of how we must not be afraid of what others think of us. He described the power we can have when we adopt that stance. After service. he explained how he can be Gay and Christian at the same time. "My Bible says, 'Come unto me. all ye who labor and are heavyladen. Nowhere does it say. Come unto me, all ye heterosex uals who have sex in the missionary position"

tatives, and Lt. Thomas Burke of the police Community Assistance Unit. The homosexuals complained about harassment of gay establishments and gay people in parks, and the excluMCC/Columbus will go carolsion of gays from police recruiting. immediately following the ment. The Lesbian Activist Bureau said it had learned that homosexuals were being weeded out during lie detector tests with felons and drug addicts.

7:00 evening service. A Christmas Eve service is planned Dec. 24 at 11:00 PM. MCC/Columbus meets at the northwest corner of Twelfth and Indianola. For information, call (614) 294-3026.

The board of Dignity/Columbus voted unanimously to disband the chapter, effective

November, 1979. Their final newsletter states. It is a sad time for the few of us who have tried to keep our chapter together Our directors have voted 5-0 to pay the bills, make some donations. and say good-bye. Some of you are having your membership transferred to Dignity/Central Ohio All of you are free to transfer your membership to whatever chapter you wish to May God bless you all. Love and Peace. Jackson"

Felix Fornino, president of Dignity/Central Ohio, stated. We are sorry to see Dignity/Columbus disband, but we welcome any of its members to join us." Dignity/Central Ohio meets every Sunday at 7:30 at St. Augustine's Church, 1550 E. Hudson St A Christmas potluck party and gift exchange are planned for December 16, at 8:30, immediately following 7:30 liturgy. A New Year's Party is planned. phone for location. For information, call (614) 276-7615. Social Organization Forms

The Columbus Social Organization of Friends, an organization for Gay and non-Gay people, has recently formed in Columbus. This organization has an active month planned, featur-

TV special on gays

The Gay Media Alliance has found out that the documentary entitled "ABC News CloseupHomosexuals" is, as of this date, scheduled to be shown on Tuesday. December 18, 1979, at 10 p.m. EST.

Fred Goldhaber of the Gay Media Alliance was allowed to preview the entire one hour program recently.

This program is preceded by an advisory. It advises parental discretion, but it mostly advises against stereotyping gay people. It notes that gay people are just as diverse as straights. It also, states that the program" is not about those who are hiding their sexual preferences."

"This is an important program," Goldhaber said, "which

features only lesbians and gay men talking about themselves, their experiences and their feelings about being gay." The program has no narration at all, and there are no attempts at "professional" overviews or other heterosexual intrusions. The program avoids the usual "origins of homosexuality" trap too.

The program is in four segments 1) oppression, 2) escape, 3) relationships, 4) expression. "Although two of the people discuss suicidal feelings," Goldhaber stated, "it is made clear that these feelings are the result of the often vicious oppression of heterosexual society."

Goldhaber goes on to say, "the lesbian and gay men are a cross section of gay life in America and

reflect a wide range of experiences and beliefs. The lesbians and gay men in this program are people, human beings with human feelings.

"On the whole, the program is sensitive and honest. The emphasis is on the oppression that lesbians and gay men live under in a predominantly heterosexual world, and the ways in which they deal with this oppression and overcome it. Many of the conversations are about the joy and exhilaration that lesbians and gay people have experienced from coming out of their closets, or, as one 50 year old 'convert' to homosexuality put it, going 'over the fence."

ing a bus trip to Marietta and Parkersburg, and several events at Rudely Elegant.

"We are strictly a social group." explained one of the group organizers "We are not political or religious just plain run. We want to provide a way for people to get together besides in the bars."

Events during December include a Christmas Ball December 21, a show December 23. and a "Disco Countdown" December 30. All of these events are at Rudely Elegant. 1005 W. Broad St.

CSOF may be contacted by calling Jeff or Patty at (614) 8681985, or Phil at (614) 927-6295. Mailing address is C.S.O.F (c/o Phil), PO Box 86, Pataskala. Ohio 43062.

Gay Alliance

Gay Alliance au a very active month, with several interesting program meetings. On November 13, flaunting was the topic of discussion. Ways that we "flaunt. our Gayness" were discussed, as well as ways that heterosexuals flaunt. Lesbian-feminism was discussed November 27.

In cooperation with the Kiwanis Club of Columbus, Gay Alliance will be providing food baskets to disadvantaged people for the holidays.

Meetings of Gay Alliance will be in different locations during Christmas break. The December 11 meeting will discuss physical fitness. A caroling party is also planned. For information about Gay Alliance, telephone the Gay Infoline at (614) 422-9212.

Bar 'Changes'

The bar at 2463 E. DublinGranville Rd., previously known as Changes, is now under new management. Night Gallery is the new name of the bar, which is not being promoted as a Gay bar. "Everyone's welcome," stated an employee of the new bar. "We're a bar for everybody." Members of the Gay community should note this change, so that there is no confusion about the bar.