PAGE 2 HIGH GEAR

DEWS

Sexual conduct laws in

Ohio lack precision

masturbating in the door-less to the prosecutor and judge.

stall.

By John Zeh CINCINNATI, OH Recent court cases and police practices Three recent convictions of demonstrate that although men charged with felony gross Ohio's laws covering sexual sexual imposition (GSI) point out conduct were liberalized the perils of older men having sex recently, current statutes on the with teenagers and younger books in the Buckeye State still children, A Silverton man was pose real dangers to some citiconvicted in late January of GSI zens gay and straight. and rape in connection with Informed sources have abuse of eight suburban children

claimed in interviews with GCN that certain police officers are using questionable tactics to enforce Ohio's "public indecency" law, and that the Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office is giving special treatment to cases involving sex acts between. youths and older people.

Disposition of same-sex sexual conduct cases had differed, depending upon attorney's strategies and judges' attitudes And what constitutes a "sexual crime" differs from state to state . in this tri-state region. Cases in point

under 13; his wife pleaded guilty in a plea barganning arrangement to attempted complicity in GSI. In another case settled late last month, a man charged with GSI plea-bargained to misdemeanor sexual imposition, and then was given a suspended sentence.

Details of the cases are enlightening.

Gene, charged by park police. told GCN he was followed into the Burnet Woods restroom by a man who then crouched down on the floor and made sucking noises while Gene sat on the Sources say Cincinnati Park tollet. He claims there was no

learn their attitude to such cases. and then negotiate a change in plea and a fine. The fourth degree misdemeanor prohibits reckless exposing of private parts that can be viewed by or would affront people not part of the defendant's household, masturbation, or conduct that could observer as such. It carries posbe considered by an ordinary sible 30-day sentence and a $250 fine.

The source who tipped GCN to the Norwood arrest for public indecency criticized, the police peeping as "disgusting surreptitious surveillance" that ought to be challenged. The source said Norwood Mayor Donald Prues, has been handing out "steep" $200 fines in such cases, so the

defendant would be wise to transfer the case from Mayor's court downtown to Municipal court where he can use the same

strategy as Gene. (The Mayor's

brother, a court clerk and Nor-

Police are working undercover in sexual, or even verbal. contact, yet wood councillor at the time, was

and around the Burnet Woods men's room; one defendant claims entrapment. Another reliable source says police in nearby Norwood are photographing men using the Surrey Square restroom through a peep-hole. the defendant, who says he is not gay, was busted for allegedly

the man, an undercover police officer named Neil Zollner, called in a fellow officer, arrested Gene for public indecency, and said he masterbating in the door less

stall

Gene was urged by his attor ney to plead not guilty, a strategy that will enable his lawyer to talk

Lesbian rights discussed

found guilty a couple of years ago of having sex with a 14-year old boy in a car.)

A Norwood police spokesper. son declined to discuss the department's "investigative techniques," but mentioned child molestation as a serious (Contd on page 9)

Workshop to cover legal rights of women

The 1980 Women's Legal Rights Workshop will take place on April 19, 1980. at the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, 1801 Euclid Avenue, with State Representative Mary O. Boyle as the keynote speaker.

The workshop is sponsored by the Women's Law Caucus of the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law and co-sponsored by the Cleveland Foundation, Eaton Corporation, Fox Foundation. and WomenSpace.

The purpose of the workshop is to provide basic legal information in areas of interest and con-

cern to all women. Workshop topics include: Battered Women/Domestic Violence, Rape. Employment Discrimination, Domestic Relations-Divorce/Alimony/Name Change. Criminal Justice/Arrest to Trial, Lesbian Rights, Handicapped Law, Landlord/Tenant, Social Security. Credit, Reproductive Rights. Taxation, Welfare, Mental Health Law, Rights of the Elderly, Estate Planning/Pension Planning. Property Buying, Wills & Trusts.

Each person participating in the workshop will have a choice. of attending four different work-

shop sessions: two in the morning and two in the afternoon,

the hearing impaired will be proFree child care and signer's for vided. Participants are asked to bring their own funch.

Registration is by mail or at the door. Registration fee is $5 per person and is waivable upon request.

For more information, Women's Legal Rights Workshop. c/o Women's Law Caucus, Cleveland-Marshall College of law, Cleveland, Ohio 44115, or call (216) 687-4555.

Companion bill

introduced in Senate

A companion bill to Senate legislation introduced by Alan Cranston has been introduced Into the House of Representatives.

in the words of the late Justice William O. Douglas, would be tantamount to saying that Sappho, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Andre Gide and perhaps even Shakespeare, were

The measure, HR 6306, would delete the term "sexual devia-they to come to life again, would tion" from the 1952 Immigration be deemed unfit to visit our shores."

and Naturalization Act.

It was introduced by California Democrats Anthony Beilenson, Julian Dixon and Henry Waxman.

The congressmen sent a "Dear Colleague" letter urging other members of the House to cosponsor the bill. In the letter they write. "We are disturbed that INS resources continue to be expended in enforcement of the (antigay) policy. To continue to deny aliens entry into the U.S. solely on their sexual orientation,

The Gay Rights National Lobby urges voters to call, write or visit their representatives and senators, asking them to support a legislative change in the immigration law.

GRNL also urges people to write to Rep. Elizabeth Holtzman, chair of the House Subcommittee on Immigration, Refugees and International Law, 2137 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC. 20515.

courtesty of The Advocate

Cincinnati police admit negligence

Cincinnati, OH The City Safety Director, Richard Castellini, has admitted that police ignored a call for help when a private swim party for gays was attacked by a mob of queerSection simply did not respond bashers here in July of 1979. in an appropriate manner," Castellini told members of the City

"The Police Communications

Council.

"One member made indiscreet comments and did not properly handle the situation. He is no longer a city employee. Lambda Sports (which offered the outing) was not afforded the degree of police cooperation to which it

was entitled."

Lambda Sports had rented a

city park pool closed on weekends. Area residents erected anti-gay signs. About thirty-five people taunted the swimmers and later threw rocks, bottles, and debris when a police officer left his assigned post.

Coalition used the acknowledge-" The Greater Cincinnati Gay ment of police malfeasance as "a perfect example of why we need a Human Rights Ordinance prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation." Members of GCGC also issued a statement deploring police harassment of gay businesses and individuals, and the systematic exclusion of gay persons from the Cincinnati Police Force.

courtesy of GPU NEWS

GEAR organizes Women's women's events

The GEAR Foundation's Women's organizers are having a lot of fun cooking up social and sports activities for spring. The day, March 31. All women are next planning meeting is Moninvited to join us!

The caucus is currently running 2 groups for women. "Women With Women" which meets the 3rd Monday of each month offering a safe place for women who are beginning to explore their feelings about other

women.

"Out and Now What?" which

meets the first Monday of each month is a drop-in group for women who may be beyond the initial hurdles of "coming out"

and who wish to meet other women to discuss common issues and Interests. More mature women are especially welcome.

Groups are open to all women and meet at the Gay Community. Center, 1012 Sumner Court at 8:00 PM. For further Information call the HOTLINE: (216) 621-3380.

Practice makes perfect

Authorities are no longer uniLondon, UK Although U.S. formly enforcing immigration homosexuals from entry into the regulations banning practicing ficulties in applying for visas at United States, gays still face difforeign embassies, and various pockets of incompetence and confusion on the part of officials of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). Visa officers at U.S. embassies abroad are still, apparently, required to

inquire about sexual orientation jumped the visa hurdle is QuenThe latest gay known to have of The Naked Civil Servant tin Crisp, septuagenarian author Stateside lecture tour, Crisp app Before setting off for another lied for a new visa, and was asked by. US. officials in London if he were a practicing homosexual.

He responded: "At the age of 70, one doesn't need to practice" He got the visa.