HIGH GEAR, PAGE 6

SMORGASBORD

By M.F. Castle

Webster's calls it "a variety of appetizers...." So a bit of food for thought.

An apology to R. Hunter? Poor Bob Hunter, for those unfamilar with his plight, he submitted a rather critical article on the Gay Male Community of Cleveland which was published in the July issue of HIGH GEAR. In August, two letters from our readers were published which laid waste to both Mr. Hunter and his ideas. Unfortunately, in September an article was also published which continued the attack upon him by the Managing Editor. Sorry Bob for the overkill. Perhaps the staff should have warned Mr. Hunter before publishing his article that it was possible that someone would respond to it. However, the two unsolicited responses which appeared in the August issue by readers (not staff members) should have ended the discussion there. Mr. Hunter apparently realized this when he requested that his reply to the replies not be published.

Perhaps a vote of thanks should be in order to Mr. Hunter for opening the door to discussion on just how the Cleveland Community sees itself. Do we really want to become a mini San Francisco? For that matter is San Francisco really the ultimate in our lifestyle? We are unique here in Cleveland. Just using the GEAR Foundation and the Gay Hotline as examples, in talking with men and women from across the United States and Canada in the past month, it is very unusual that gay men and lesbian women can work together so closely and with the spirit of Community that exists here in Cleveland. In Philadelphia and Washington D.C. it's amazing to them that our Cleveland Hotline has women who work along side of the men and that both are willing to learn about the other to be able to assist whoever calls. It also amazes them that in GEAR men and women split the responsibility for making the Foundation work without splitting themselves apart. This is not to say the gay male and lesbian communities in Cleveland are not distinct. Rather, the spirit of cooperation that exists between them is unusual.

Concerning useless miracles. An article which appeared in last month's HIGH GEAR dealt with Biblical interpretations to use as responses to those who feel that we are all condemned because of how they interpret Bible passages. While the article is fine if your bag is debating with people who won't change their opinion because they are interpreting a passage differently than you, the key point that underlies all of Christianity was totally missed. That can be summed up in one word, LOVE. Dignity/Cleveland, the Gay Catholic support group, was recently the subject of a two hour talk show on WERE radio. Needless to say the "Bible Thumpers" were out in force on phoned in questions for the panel from Dignity. One man called in a total of four times with various passages to

recite and use as his basis for condemning the panel to the eternal fires. While he never changed his mind during the entire show, calls received between his were from people who said they didn't believe in Homosexuality but that Christ taught us to love one another and not judge each other and would not condemn the panelists.

Also a glaring error appeared within the article when the writer reminded readers that "Celibacy, it should not be forgotten, is a form of non-heterosexuality." In the interest of accuracy please forget this definition. Celibacy is defined by Webster's as "the state of being unmarried" and "complete sexual abstinence." The Catholic Church is the primary organized religion which requires it s clergy and religious (priests and nuns) to take vows of celibacy. "Complete sexual abstinence" does not refer to sexual orientation. One can be Heterosexual and yet celibate. Priest and nuns involved with Dignity International define their sexual orientation as Homosexual yet still honor their vows of celibacy just as their Heterosexual counterparts do.

Numbers and such. Based on the accepted theory that 10% of the population within an area is of Homosexual orientation, in Cuyahoga alone there are 149,000 plus gays based on the 1980 census. If you accept the figure of 10% of the Gay population visits the bars and the baths, in Cuyahoga County this would be approximately 15,000 of the above figure. Again, if you accept that 2 to 3% of the Gay population be come involved with groups such as GEAR, Dignity, Integrity, BWMT etc. this would be approximately 4,000 people. Now do some subtraction and remember that 130,000 gays and lesbians within this County alone do not become directly involved with the Community. Now let yourself dream a bit and think how dynamic our Community would be if just half of that 130,000 became involved in some way. Perhaps this may explain why articles in this paper constantly refer to the need for Community and your involvement in it. Some of the 130,000 read this paper, some don't even know of its existence. The GEAR Foundatin runs a speaker's bureau to assist in reaching those that don't know, that are still highly closeted. If you are involved with a straight group that would like a visit please contact the Bureau at 621-6546. Better yet if you know someone of... the 130,000 who isn't involved at all let them know there is a HIGH GEAR, a Hotline, and a whole world out there waiting for them.

A pat on the back. Sometimes even we who are the staff of HIGH GEAR forget that "it appeared here first." HIGH GEAR for all of the years of its existence has provided a forum for writers to share their thoughts. In Out of the Closets, Voices of Gay Liberation you will find a credit to a selection which appeared here first. Dignity, Inc. has just published a selection of Brian McNaught's writings called A Disturbed Peace and you guessed it, one of the selections originally appeared in HIGH GEAR.

VAULTS OPENS The Underground September 3

Mary Norman, owner of VAULTS, beams after the opening of The Underground.

by RAY CHESNICK, JR.

VAULTS' downstairs bar, The Underground, opened on Thursday, Sept. 3rd to approximately 450 patrons. The evening was longawaited and worth every anxious moment. The Underground, designed by Totie, Manager of Vaults, has been in the planning stages since last year.

The Underground features a bar, table seating, and plenty of room for partying. At this time, there is one pinball machine in place, but, eventually, there will be more. As an added touch, pictures of "hot" men will soon adorn the brick walls. The atmosphere is warm and cozy, and, even when crowded, permits pleasant and private conversations.

脛

Open Fridays and Saturdays from 9 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and SunTotie (1) and Ray celebrate the opening with a big “smack”. days from 8 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., The Photos: John Barrick enoitenges (itang 555 OW Underground is a welcome change-oons of sd Hiw gste dansol of of-pace.