August 1980-HIGH GEAR Page

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NYC hosts Gay Arts Festival

NEW YORK (IGNA)-The First Gay American Arts Festival took place in New York City during the six-week period between May 19 and June 29. The purpose of the Festival was to bring attention to the cultural achievements of the gay community. The Festival included music, art, mime. theater, dance, film, literary, and special events.

The Festival was presented by The Glines, a non-profit organization funded in part by the New York State Council on the Arts. Substantial support for the Festival came from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Artists of both sexes from throughout the United States

participated in a variety of loca tions, from Off-Broadway theaters to Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center.

Plays featured during the Festival included Robert Patrick's "T-Shirts," featuring the author himself in one of the roles; Doric Wilson's Forever After; Janes Chambers' Last Summer at Bluefish Cove; Lane Bateman's Living in State, brought to New York by the Out and About Theatre of Minneapolis; and Theatre Rhinoceros of San San Francisco's production of Cal Yeomans' "Richmond Jim",and Lanford Wilson's "Great Nebula in Orion."

Pulitzer Prize winner Richard Howard, Felice Picano, Dennis Cooper, and four lesbian poets.

Prose readings were given by Edmund White, George Whitmore, John Rechy, and Jonathan Katz.

of New York, Edward I. Koch, A proclamation by the mayor declared June 23-29 “Gay Arts Festival Week."

Mayor Koch in the proclamation said it was "in recognition of the artistic contribution which

to our cultural life.". the gay experience has brought

The excellent overall attendance at the numerous events of the Festival has made the Second Gay American Arts Festival strong possibility for next year.

S.F. pride parade held

By Daniel Curzon

SAN FRANCISCO. CA. (IGNA) -The world's largest gay pride parade took place on Sunday, June 29, under sunny skies. The parade was notable for its Poetry readings were given by mellowness: Some 200,000 peo-

NOT CBS planned

LOS ANGELES, CA. (Compiled by John Kyper for the June 21, 1980 · issue of Gay Community News) Over a month after the controversial CBS documentary "Gay Power, Gay Politics" was shown on national television, the reverberations continue. The documentary which purported to tell "how the gays in San Francisco are using the political process to further their special interests," has been widely criticized as being sensational and inflamatory because of a preoccupation with public sex and sadomasochism that overshadows the political party. (See the June 1980 issue of HIGH GEAR).

Community United Against Violence reports that attacks against gay men have escalated in the vicinity of Buena Vista Park, scene of the documentary's super-8 mm footage of naked men in the bushes.

In San Jose, members of the Santa Clara Coalition for Human Rights have speculated that the program contributed to the three-to-one defeat of local gay rights ordinances in the June 3rd election. "Don't let IT spread," was the slogan of the pro-repeal forces, and their propaganda made explicit the reference to San Francisco's gay community.

Los Angeles has become the scene of organizing a National Operation Tune-out CBS (NOT CBS) protest, planned for September.

On Monday, May 5, 500 chanting demonstrators picketed and leafleted outside a CBS television affiliates' meeting at the Century Plaza Hotel in Century City. This was the annual meeting when the network unveils its autumn programming. "We spoiled it by demonstrating and leasing a hospitality suite where we showed "Gay Power. Gay Politics" for CBS employees who had not seen it," said veteran Los Angeles gay activist Morris Kight.

The reaction of CBS was, predictably, tense: One week before the protest police were called to the site of, a press conference being held at the edge of CBS TV city. Kight was prevented from entering the Century-Plaza to'

Kight explained NOT CBS to David Lamble of KFPA radio's "Fruit Punch": "The tuneout alone is very threatening, if you think about it. From Monday at 8 to the following Monday at 8 we'll just get everybody, wherever they are, to agree not to watch CBS. The tuneout will be scheduled during a rating period and will be announced."

During the affiliates' meeting. network president William Leonard announced that CBS would not be pressured by outside groups, apparently referring to the gay protest as well as to controversies over the film. "The Day Christ Died" and the casting of Vanessa Redgrave, who is proPalestinian, as a Jewish concentration camp survivor. CBS TV president John Backe has come under much criticism because of his vocal fundamentalist views. Several days later, however, William Paley had Backe removed.

NOT CBS has been working with gay groups in 25 cities throughout the country, including.such places as Chicago. Akron and Fort Worth. Members of the Los Angeles group have had a meeting with the local CBS affiliate KNXT-TV, and representatives of the National Gay Task Force have met with a CBS vice president. Kight considered neither of these meetings to be particularly productive.

NOT CBS can be contacted at 1428 North McCadden Place. Los Angeles, CA. 90028; or telephone 213-463-3928.

ple marched and lined the parade route.

Lacking an immediate controversial issue, this year's San Francisco Gay Pride Parade, although large (requiring four hours to complete its route down Market St. to Civic Center). struck most observers as somewhat perfunctory.

Perhaps the most controversial float was one from San Jose, with six persons in clown makeup that included painted tears

standing with their arms tied to crosses. The float had "Where Were You?" printed on the back. It was a dramatization of the feeling in the San Jose gay community that very few gays in the San Francisco Bay Area were concerned enough about a vote on gay rights in San Jose and Santa Clara County to help alter the recent election there.

The gay rights ordinance was repealed by a vote of approximately 70% to 30%.

Mayor Dianne Feinstein chose not to ride in this year's parade. Only a few public officials appeared in the parade: Public Utilities Commissioner David Scott, State Senator Milton Marks, San Francisco Sheriff

Michael Hennessy. Supervisor Harry Britt, and one or two others.

There was little nudity in evidence in the parade, although the weather was warm.

Some of the marchers and floats proved the wide range of gays and gay life styles:

Parading were: AXIOS. Eastern and Orthodox Christian Gays, DYKES ON BIKES. LAVENDER LEFT, SAMOIS-support group for lesbian S&M, STRAIGHTS FOR GAY RIGHTS. GAY FOR STRAIGHTS, GAY FATHERS, TOURISTS FOR GAY RIGHTS, and even GAYS AGAINST BRUNCH.

Women's picnic revisited

By Katie Kashner

Darkening skies and the subsequent severe mid-morning thunderstorm threatened to drow, hopes of drawing a crowd to Frann's all-women's picnic on July 5, but a much cheered appearance of the sun in the early afternoon inspired about 75 women to attend.

The Independence Day.weekend seemed especially appropriate for a gathering of women who have chosen an alternate lifestyle. The plush green picnic area in a far eastern suburb proved to be a perfect playground for volleyball, softball, badminton, football, and frisbee.

The private park was bordered by a wooded area complete with a picturesque meandering stream. The babbling brook provided great relief to hot tired feet and also proved to be a soothing sight for the eyes.

Hunger pains and parched throats brought on by the vigorous activity during the hot and

humid days were satisfied by a well-planned and prepared

Signing class to meet

Want to try your hands at sign language but not sure if it's really for you? Then come and join us in a relaxed atmosphere for an Introduction to Sign Language Class. This eight week class will cover the importance of body language and facial expression. mime and basic signs. The class. taught by Dianne Fishman, will meet at the Gay, Community Center, 1012 Sumner Ct. (next to New Dimensions) Sunday evenIngs from 7 pm to 9 p.m.. The

Bring registration fee ($5.00) to the first class meeting.

This course will be a good | review for anyone who has taken a sign class in the last year, but has not been able to practice. It is true; if you don't use it-you lose it!

Plans include a future activity involving some members of the Buckey Rainbow Society for the Deaf (BRSD)..

All are welcome to attend this class.Pam Inpin vill vorī

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menu. Picnic goers had a choice of a rib dinner ($5) or hot dogs and hamburgers ($3). Delicious side dishes such as baked beans and cole slaw quickly disappeared, and salty favorites such as potato chips and pretzels were washed down with beer and pop.

Char tended the cash bar for mixed drinks and was sided by Iris. Some women tried to woo Lady Luck by joining in a poker game while others stuck to test ing physical skills and burning

off calories on the softball field or volleyball court in after dinner games.

As the sun began flirting with the Western horizon, another storm blew in from the southwest. It pelted the area with large raindrops but the partiers refused to let it dampen their spirits. Many adjourned to Dimensions or Exedra to continue celebrating their independence. See pictures on Page 4.

Club Akron birthday

By Robyn Forst

AKRON (GOLD) Time for HAPPY BIRTHDAY again for Club Akron! It hardly seems like a year has passed since they had their 1st Birthday Party and here it is time to celebrate birthday number 2..

Sunday, June 16th, they shared the occasion with local and out of town friends who came to a really fine buffet. There was a huge punch bowl on the

table in the TV room with the

buffet table set up in the movie

lounge. More than enough for all

Delicious potato salad, meats, cheese, relishes of all kinds, with an extra fine, fruit platter with three kinds of mellons. It was all capped off with a terrific cake that said it loud and clear, "Happy 2nd Anniversary, CLUB AKRON!"

The party brings a lot of changes at the club since last year. The redecorated dormitories, and the coming sun deck. It, will soon be ready and its grand opening could be the reason for enother celebration

man," and nowhere is it more true than at the CLUB AKRON where CHRIS PARKER has managed for a year and a half. The growing crowds attest to his management skill and effort. He is always on the job making the place just right.

Well, time to go. On the way out the Club gave nice gifts to the guests. (Now that's a good idea).

Akron hotline

operates

On July 20th, Gold Magazine's new Gay Hotline went into operation. The new service will operate 24 hours a day in an effort tomeet the needs of the Gay Community in the Akron area.

The Gold Gay Hotline will answer questions concerning Gold Magazine, Gay health referral legal assistance referral, and information about the Gay Community Businesses and organizations The Gold Gay Yaidomethine is (236706990-24 hours a day! vino behnaixe migo inerija tadijus betrioq et

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