Page 2 HIGH GEAR AUGUST 1901

Big march in Columbus

Lesbian/Gay group

prominent in June 21

NEWS Coalition

Annual GEAR meeting

Sunday June 28th was the day and the Gay Community Center the place as the GEAR Foundation held its annual meeting in its new building. This was the first such meeting to be held since the purchase of the old furniture store last year.

The crowd of members and friends packed the main meeting room. Of the 60-odd people in attendance, 55 were voting members and more than constituted a quorum under the foundation rules.

The day being bright and sunny and crowd ready, a gay time was had by all.

The meeting opened with minutes from the previous board meeting. The reading of the annual report or summaries thereof followed.

Awards for service and contributions to the gay community followed.

Elections of half the board-six trustees are elected to two year terms annuallywere the most time consuming items of business. Re-elected to the board were trustees John Lehner, Melinda McGeorge, and Pat Baskin. New board persons are Gregg Leach, Diana Owens, and Jeff Wobbecke. This maintains the board at 5 women and 7 men. There is one black on the board.

A wine and cheese party followed the meeting. Tours of the GCC and some of the apartments above it were offered. The next meeting of the board is scheduled for August 18th at 7:30 at the GCC.

We get Bloodmobile

On August 26, 1981 from 4 to 8 p.m. the Red Cross Bloodmobile will be at the Gay Community Center at 2641 West 14th. This blood donation program will be used to establish credits with the Red Cross that can be used for Community members who may be in need of blood for operations. Anyone interested in knowing the requirements for blood donation may call the Red Cross and ask for Paul, the Coordinator for the Tremont

area.

Fred B., who is coordinating the project for GCC says the goal for the initial visit is to collect between 35 and 40 pints of blood.

LESBIAN

PEER

SUPPORT

M.S.

Depending upon the initial response from the Community to the drive it may be repeated up to four times per year. Further details will be released upon completion of the initial collection drive as to how to contact GCC to obtain the credits for those of the Community in need.

This drive marks the first time in Cleveland that the Gay Community has attempted to establish a program such as this for its members. Your participation in donating will assist others within the Gay Community and will assure yourself that if the need arises the assistance will be there for you.

GHTS

By Bob Roehm COLUMBUS--"Reagan's Got No Mandate--Stop The Attacks At Home And Abroad" was the

slogan of a demonstration and

march held June 21. Over 500 people, including Gays and Lesbians, welfare recipients, peace activists, senior citizens, antiracists, Legal Services Corporation lawyers, ministers, and others participated in the event, which drew people from several states and had the endorsements of over 50 organizations.

The rally was called to protest President Reagan's scheduled appearance at the 25th annual conference of the International Union of Local Authorities held here in the newly-completed

RAF

NO WAR

GAY

Organizer Craig Covey

ACTION NG

COL CTIVE

OLUMBUS, OHIO

Photo by Bob Roehm

instyprints

TAVAS

Ohio Convention Center, several blocks north of the State House. Early reports indicated that Reagan would deliver the keynote address at the week-long conference. Reagan, however, was unable to speak, reportedly due. to a "heavy schedule" in Washington. Rally organizers expressed doubt about the valid ity of this cancellation, and plans for the demonstration and march continued.

Demonstrators gathered at 12:00 noon at Goodale Park for a two-hour rally, which continued in spite of occasional rain show ers. Speakers focused on such issues as U.S. involvement in El Salvador, budget cuts and the military build-up, Gay and Lesbian rights, increasing attacks by paramilitary groups such as the Ku Klux Klan, and the dangers of nuclear war. At 2:00, a march formed, traveled several blocks to the Ohio Center, paused there, and then returned to Goodale

Park.

Marchers included a Gay/Lesbian contingent carrying a large banner reading, "Gay People-We Are Strong--Don't Tread On Us"; E.R.A. supporters wearing white and carrying individual letters which spelled out "REAGAN IS ANTI-WOMAN"; and people wearing Robin Hood costumes and carrying a sign, "Feed

GAYS →

GAINST

OHID STATE

People--Not The Pentagon."

The June 21 Coalition, a local ad hoc group, coordinated protest activities. This coalition of "progressive" organizations sought endorsements from groups representing people which will be adversely affected by the Reagan Administration. Groups contacted by the Coalition were told that they would not necessarily have to endorse the goals of other groups involved in the protest; rather, they were enemy" that they all shared (the budget cut-backs, military buildup, and conservative legislation).

asked to consider the “common

Craig Covey, liaison with the Gay/Lesbian community for the June 21st Coalition, stated that between 60 and 80 people at the march were openly Gay, or were there because they were Gay. Gays and Lesbians marched together in the same area of the match, and cooperation was positive, according to Covey. At one point during the march, a Gay male was observed carrying a Lesbian sign.

"I see more Gay people involved in coalition work in the future," predicted Covey. "With the rise of the religious right, and such specific threats as the Family Protection Act, I think Gays will become more involved. (This involvement) has already started, and it's growing."

GAY OK

LESBIA

eom ggar

Dai

erit bra enivet

noisus

Photo by Bob Roehm