AUGUST 1982

The New High Gear

P.O. Box 6177 Cleveland, Ohio 44101 (216) 621-3380

Co-Editors Robert Toth Shane McConnell

Financial Officer

Marian Laird Anthology Coordinator Marty Damm

Advertising Manager Jim Booth Photographers John A. Barrick Linda Buescher Brenda Jones

Distribution Managers Alan Holcer Linda Hudson Associate Editor R. Woodward Contributing Writers Bob Anthony, Rick Berg Tom Conti, Craig Covey Marty Damm, Karen G. Gregg Leach, J.J. Lehner Jack Sowers, Val Thogmartin J. Coulson, Blain Stevens

The New High Gear is a publication of the GEAR Foundation, a federally tax exempt publication.

The New High Gear cannot return any written, photographic or art work unless accompanied by a self addressed, stamped envelope.

The presence of the name or picture or other representation of an organization, place of business or person(s) is not necessarily indicative of the sexual orientation of such organizations or persons.

The New High Gear staff members are all volunteer. Anyone interested in working on the staff should contact the paper at the address above. The New High Gear will provide advertisement information upon request.

The New High Gear is typeset by Melody Graphics.

The New High Gear is printed by Bionic Litho.

Cleveland

Gay Academic Union Formed

The Lesbian-Gay Academic Union (LGAU) of Cleveland has held its first formation meeting. The LGAU is a subsidiary of the National Gay Adademic Union found near most universities or academic associations. They are a loose-knit federation of individuals not limited to those in academics or associated with academics. Each group collects dues in order to belong to the national organization which entitles them to a tax-exempt status.

One of the objectives of the Cleveland chapter would be to develop social and interpersonal contacts on a particular campus as well as between campuses.

Since most local academic

function within the gay coYWW. nity the new chapter will be meeting to establish goals and objectives. The next meeting will be Sunday August 1. Any interested individuals may attend. For more information call 932-2195 or 6315986.

PAGE 3

Bill Bars Gay Teachers

The National Gay Task Force announced that it will appeal the June 29th decision of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Okiahoma which upheld the constitutionality of Oklahoma's controversial Helm Bill.

The bill bars gay men and women from teaching in public

schools and allows school districts to fire anyone "advocating, soliciting, imposing, encouraging or promoting public or private homosexual activity which creates a substantial risk that such conduct will come to the attention of school children or school employees."

Beastly Doings Go On At Zoo

On June 13th at the Cleveland Metropark Zoo, members and friends of the Men's Action Committee spent a Sunday afternoon viewing and interacting with the variously beastly inhabitants. Led by a Committee member familiar with the Zoo's history and behind the scenes activities, members of the group covered all 125 acres.

Both those animals within the exhibits and those standing before them were eagerly scrutinized. Activities included

Hotline Revamped

The new Lake County Gay Hotline is now under different management. The new directors are looking for members to begin an organization that would include rap groups and other gay related activities. All gay men, lesbians, parents of gays, and gays with children are welcome and are asked to participate. Also included in the changes to be made, will be new hotline hours and numbers. For women, the phone number is 257-9503 and will answer 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The number for men is 257-6488 after 6:00 p.m. seven days a week.

The directors of the new organization are seeking aid from other organizations with the same goals and interests in order to make their organization as successful as possible.

Tenth Muse Holds WomynFair '82

Tenth Muse Productions, Inc. of Kent is pleased to announce WomynFair '82-our 2nd Annual music and craft extravaganza. The date this year is Sunday July 25th, to be held rain or shine, from 1:00-7:00 p.m., behind the Coffeehouse building

at 202 N Lincoln Street in Kent the

music, area artisans, organizational tables, craftswomen, food and brought back by popular demand-the infamous Dunking Machine. Admission to the fair is $.75. Join us for a fun-filled exciting afternoon. All women are welcome.

cookout-replete with puns about the roasting of weenies and buns.

A donation of $50 was made to the zoo in memory of the woman recently killed in the flats. There will be a Men's Action Committee outing to Cedar Point on July 31st. For information call the Hotline (621-3380).

Men's Action Committee enjoying Feed A Beast Day at the zoo.

Women's Coffeehouse Stages Entertainment

The Women's Open House is a coffeehouse for women held on the 4th Saturday of each month at 2728 Lancashire (off Coventry near Mayfield) in Cleveland Hts. Entertainment is provided by musicians from Cleveland and the Akron-Kent area. Coffee, teas, juice and snacks are available, and all women are welcome.

The July 24th Open House will feature music by D.J. Adler, who is well known in the Cleveland women's community. Besides playing in the northeast Ohio area for the past 3 years, she has also performed on the East Coast and in other Midwestern states. She has recently released a cassette tape of original songs called D.J. Adler-Here And Now which will be available at the Open House.

The coffeehouse is open from 8 p.m. till midnight, with music beginning at 9 p.m. A $1.50 donation is asked at the door for the entertainment The Õpen House is

**f**

of music with Deb Adler, and mark August 28th on your calendar for the following Women's Open House. For more information, please call the Hotline at 621-3380.

Passed in 1978, the bill was introduced by Oklahoma state representative Mary Helm. It was patterned after California's Briggs initiative. A lawsuit was filed against the statute in 1980.

In his June 29th decision upholding the law, U.S. District Judge Luther Eubanks rejected the National Gay Task Force's argument that such restrictions on teachers violate their federally protected rights to freedom of speech and association as well as privacy.

According to the court's opinion, "public homosexual conduct would cause a substantial and material disruption of school activities."

While agreeing with the court's recognition of the government's interest in regulating standards for teachers, NGTF Board Member Bill Rogers, criticized that part of the decision which "equates a teacher's homosexuality with disruption of the school operation." An ACLU attorney, Rogers joined with Gay Rights Advocates to represent the National Gay Task Force in bringing the suit.

Rogers noted that Judge Eubanks did warn school boards that denying employment to a teacher solely for advocating gay rights might not pass constitutional muster.

Gay Rights Advocates Executive Director Jean O'Leary said that the Helm Bill causes a chilling effect on the freedom of all teachers, whether homosexual or not.

Said Leonard Graff, GRA's Legal Director, "We are committed to an appeal to the Tenth Circuit because this law is also vague and overbroad... It does not adequately define 'homosexual conduct'.

"It is now doubtful that a teacher in Oklahoma who says 'I am gay' can keep his or her job."

Description of Flats murder/rape suspect: Black male, 20-25 years old, 5'6" to 5'7" tall of medium build 140 lbs. Medium complexion, medium black hair, clean shaven.