PAGE 2 HIGH GEAR

New location sought

NEWS

GEAR abandons plan to relocate in Tremont

The Board of Trustees of the Gay Educational and Awareness Resources Foundation (GEAR), has abandoned its hopes to establish a new community center at the Bernard Furniture building, 2645 West 14th Street, in Cleveland. The Board's decision follows weeks of discussions with the Cleveland Community Relations Board and representatives of the Tremont Area, most notably Councilman Lester McFadden, William Novak, President of the Tremont Area Civic Association, and Carolyn Giotta, candidate for precinct chair in Ward 5.

The representatives strongly suggested the Foundation not proceed with its plans to open the community center in Tremont warning the building might be firebombed. In addition, the representatives noted that persons who might use the center could become the victims of the area's prejudices.

The building has recently become the target of anti-gay vandalism. Neither McFadden nor Novak have been successful in finding a substitute buyer for the building forcing the Foundation to complete the purchase or run the risk of losing it's $7,000 deposit.

Referring to these facts, Foundation President John Lehner said. "My personal opinion is that some community leaders, including McFadden, Novak, and Giotta played politics with the new center and the Tremont community for their own personal ends and in the process, have created a monster they can no longer control."

Although it will retain ownership until a buyer can be found, the Foundation is actively persuing a new location for its operations. An appeal for help in locating a building and a safe neighborhood has been issued to the general Cleveland com-

munity. The Foundation requires 3,000 to 5,000 square feet of space, relatively close to public transportation, to meet the threefold increase in demand for its services in the past year.

The GEAR Foundation is a non-profit, tax exempt (501 c 3) corporation created to research, collect, and disseminate educational material concerning sexuality and sexual orientation. In addition, the Foundation provides facilities and services for the gay community in the areas of mental and physical health, social alternatives, and endowment funding for qualifying organizations, persons and events. The Foundation publishes High GEAR, a statewide monthly journal of news and information relating to the gay population. The estimated gay population in Cuyahoga County is 159,000 (based on the 1970 census figures).

Prison bureau relaxes standards

In a reversal of policy, Federal rapes." That position, which Bureau of Prisons Director NorCarlson steadfastly refused to man Carlson, has announced label a "policy." was sharply conthat federal inmates m a y tested by gay representatives receive some gay publications. who maintained rape was conThe favorable decision, which nected to violence and not had been sought in a two-year homosexuality. lawsuit by various gay publications, the National Gay Task Force, and Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, came after Carlson was pressured by the White House and U.S. Rep. Robert Kastenmeier (D-Wis.), who oversees Carlson's budget.

Carlson now says publications which are "nonpornographic... and do not jeopardize the orderly running of the institutions" may be admitted. Previously, federal prisoners in maximum security facilities had been blocked from receiving any gay literature as a result of a federal prison assertion that the recipients would be the target of "homosexual

Lawyers from the Federal Bureau of Prisons are now cooperating with Lambda Legal Defense in drawing up regulations to implement Carlson's new position, with the lawsuit still pending the outcome of those discussions.

Carlson's agency is also the focus of a second gay lawsuit charging that MCC ministers and other gay religious representatives are denied access to prisoners who wish to see them. Both the White House and Kastenmeier's committee indicate a second out-of-court settlement can be expected.

courtesy of THE ADVOCATE

UN World Conference

Lesbian concerns to be discussed

The official U.S. delegation to the United Nations World Conference for the Decade for Women plans to include lesbian concerns about health issues and sex education in its presentation at the international meeting. The decision marks the first time that an official U.S. body will bring gay issues to a world forum.

U.S. Public Health Service coordinators said the lesbian issues will include health care programs, counseling programs, and balanced presentation of homosexuality in school sex

education programs. At the same time, U.S. coordinators announced an outreach to lesbian and gay organizations for supplementary materials for use at the conference.

The UN World Conference for the Decade for Women will meet in Copenhagen July 14-30. Representatives of the International Gay Association in Amsterdam, upon learning of the new U.S. plan, announced that their organization will petition European governments to similarly include lesbian concerns.

Chronicle of events leading to decision of GEAR Board

2/1

Foundation begins looking seriously at the Bernard Furniture building and the Tremont area of a new community center.

2/19

President of the Foundation recommends and the Board of Trustees approves the purchase of the Bernard Furniture building. Earnest money is deposited.

2/24

Board of Trustees convenes to work out details concerning fundraising for the full down payment on the building. Down payment due 3/7/80. Financial review set for 3/4/80.

2/19 & 3/1 Fundraising efforts concentrate on gay establishments and raise $2,000.

3/4

Board reviews finances acknowledging members activities that raise an additional $6,150. Downpayment is approved. NORAUS

3/7

Down payment made and purchase agreement signed. Monies placed into escrow.

3/10

News items appears on WKYC TV concerning neighborhood concerns regarding the Foundation's purchase. William Novak of the Tremont area civic Association contacts the Foundation President. They agree to hold a public meeting to alleviate fears at the earliest possible date.

3/11

William Novak arranges a conference call between himself, Councilman Lester McFadden (Ward 5), and Foundation President John Lehner. All agree to public meeting on Sunday, March 16, at Post 577 of the American Legion. Copy for public flyers discussed and agreed upon designed to be informative of the meeting without opinion.

3/16

Public meeting reflects a selecsitive notification of the meeting to is asibuta noitsoinummos ni

area residents. Foundation is explained and floor plans showing intended use of the building

made available. Responding to the negative nature of the audience, the Councilman vows to use legal methods at this disposal to keep the Foundation out of the area.

3/18

At regular meeting of the Board, discussion of the March 16, public meeting results in decision to seek assistance from other agencies, specifically the Cleveland Community Relations Board.

3/21

Representatives from the Foundation meet with Director Williams and Paula Kalamaris of the Community Relations Board.

3/26

Meeting arranged through Community Relations Board between representatives of the Tremont Area and representatives of the Foundation. After lengthy discussions, John

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Lehner offers possible resolution involving the leasing of the ground floor of the Bernard Furniture building at $900 per month for the 4,300 square feet available. The offer rests on assistance from Tremont leaders to find tenants and meet with Foundation Board on April 2.

4/2

Foundation Board meets with Councilman McFadden, William Novak, and three Tremont Area residents. After lengthy discussions, the Board votes to abandon the purchase of the Bernard Furniture building provided no monies are lost in doing so. The Board also votes to begin an extensive educational campaign focusing initially on the Tremont

area.

4/3

Foundation President learns it is not possible to abandon the purchase without a substantial loss of money. Pursuit of an alternative buyer for the building is begun. Councilman McFadden and William Novak informed, of fon at won iron ishi priǝargA sd of amit aldiena

Courtesy of THE ADVOCATE

the situation. Both offer help locate potential buyers.

4/15

At regular meeting of the Board, Foundation decides not to risk loss of money and proceed with the purchase of the building. Disposition of the building to be decided after title is received. Board also informed volunteer staff would suffer greatly if center is opened on West 14th Street. Board agrees to actively search for a new community center location, preferably rent free until funds in escrow are released.

4/17

Three plate glass panels on the first floor and two windows on the second floor of the Bernard Furniture building are broken. William Novak and Councilman McFadden informed that strong avenues to protect the building from further damages were being actively pursued. Foundation President plans to meet with representatives of the National Gay Task Force in New York 4/21 regarding outside assistance Ensinisisine est engil