Page 13, High Gea

Pessimists? Bah humbug!

by John J. Lehner

Sometimes I think we in the gay community suffer from a terrible case of pessimism. How often have you heard someone say, "Oh, that bar won't last," or "That business is in trouble, they're on their way out," or "Those two never last, you wait and

see."

Well, when the GEAR Foundation moved into its new quarters on West 14th Street we all heard the same kind of pessimism, especially following the feedback from the local council representative. But the simple fact is the Community Center did open, and still is open. In fact, this month the Gay Community Center celebrates its one year anniversary of being open to the public at the new location.

Much to the chagrin of the loudest pessimists among us, there has been no violence against us, we have not folded under the financial burden, and, as of the first of last month, we have expanded to occupy an additional 1600 square feet of needed space on the first floor. Compared to the old center, we now have an additional 2500 square feet of space with which to serve the community, and you!

Expensive? You bet it is. And the economy the way it is right now, it's not easy either. But we in the gay community have sometimes been known for being one step ahead of the game, and having income-producing property to pay for the building itself was a lifesaver in the continued operation of the Center.

Still, it costs the community approximately $40.00 per day to operate the new Community Center. Roughly $25.00 per day is generated in rents from the building itself, leaving the community $15.00 per day to recuperate, or less than one dollar for every phone call that comes over the Hotline monthly. For those of you who enjoy the larger, more shocking in life, these little figures add up to an annual cost of $14,400 per year.

Staggering? Perhaps, but the simple fact is, we're doing it. The gay community of Cleveland is doing what only three other cities in the country have even tried, and there is a very real building that stands on West 14th Street in Cleveland that represents a living and visable gay community.

If you're still not sure what the Community Center or the GEAR Foundation is all about, check out this partial listing of activities: Gay Hotline, potluck dinners, coffee house, Gay AA, party center, meeting rooms, HIGH GEAR Newspaper,

legal referrals, medical referrals, counseling services, housing information, membership discounts at participating local businesses, men's and women's discussion groups, travel information and weekend jaunts, and a speaker's bureau for the straight community.

Now for the really juicy news for the invisible rumor mill out there! Yes, there are things we should be doing, but given our current costs and barely-break-even budget, there's no money! Our service offerings are frozen at the current level, and unless some of you start putting a few bucks aside for yourself and your community, things are going to stay that way for the next five years as the Gay Community Center pays off its mortgage; after which it can collect the full value of the monthly rents.

There is no paid staff at the Center, so you know your money would be donated to the community only. Also, because we are required to file financial reports with the Federal Government · each year, you can check our finances as a matter of public record. (Donors are protected under the Privacy Act.)

SAM and HENRY

PRESENT.

AN EVENING WITH

TWO TONS

NEW YEAR'S EVE

O' FUN

The GEAR Foundation and the Community Center it operates are tax exempt, and you can deduct your contributions from your taxes. There are many ways you can give; membership, pledge, will, or any number of planned giving options. Shopping at Fazios, December 14-17 of this year, will also help us since that store will give us 5% of your grocery bill if you ask for a coupon and credit your sale to us. For details on any of these ideas, call the Hotline.

This Holiday Season, we wish to thank all those who had the faith to make contributions thus far, and to the endless number of volunteers who make the Center and its work possible. WE ARE TRULY GRATEFUL! In this season of reflection we hope more of you will take some time out to discover what the Community Center is all about. We hope you find it within you to offer your help where it's most needed, in your own family; whether it be in the form of volunteer help or in financial aid that will enable us to continue our services.

When it comes right down to the nitty gritty, when we've got no one else, we've got each other; and that's what the GEAR Foundation and Community Center are all about! Happy holidays and a prosperous new year to one and all!

Thursday Evening, December 31, 1981

2140 Payne Avenue Cleveland

Mist-A-Henry's

All Seats Reserved

Tickets Non-refundable

Show Time 11:30 p.m.

Another TICKETS $10.00 ADVANCE Place S

For Ticket Information Call

$12.00 AT THE DOOR

216-694-9778