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HIGH GEAR

opinion

Cleveland Needs 'Gay Ghetto'

By John Nosek

One of my more amusing past times of late is listening to some gay people in Greater Cleveland complain about the horrendous social conditions of the city, particularly as they relate to so-called "gay ghettos" or the lack thereof.

While Chicago, Washington and Boston have singular gay neighborhood enclaves, Cleveland's gay people are spead out over five noncontiguous regions Downtown, Lakewood's Gold Coast, Cleveland Hts.' Coventry, .Shaker Square and Ohio City.

No one will argue that each of these nieghborhoods is attractive for different reasons. One can, however, question whether we're spreading ourselves too thin.

While one can offer all sorts of theories on Cleveland's decline, the ultimate finger of blame must be pointed at area suburbanites who have literally abandoned the central city.

Newsweek recently reported that Cleveland is unique among major cities in that it consists almost exclusively of lower and lower middle class people. Outside of the downtown high rises and scattered areas in and around the border, the city proper has no professional residents.

It is no secret that it is the educated, professional class which not only has the money and cultural focus, but the progressive ideas so necessary to the vigorous, productive leadership that Cleveland needs.

Not conincidentally, many gay people fit the criteria of a so-called professional class. As well, historically we have always been at the forefront of any avant-garde movement. Now we have a chance to do just that for our city.

Cleveland will not change until people who are concerned enough about the are move back within city borders, vote for the leadership necessary to move the city forward and contribute to the city's future, if through no other means than by their presence.

What I propose is this: that gay people in Greater Cleveland, particularly in Lakewood, Cleveland Hts. and other suburbs give serious consideration to moving either into housing or rental units in Shaker Square, Downtown, or particularly Ohio City.

Downtown, while throbbing with activity is expensive and sadly lacking in any housing other than high rises. (One of the most tragic events in Cleveland's history was its designation as the first city to undergo "urban development." The concept at that time was to obliterate all deteriorating housing in the downtown area and replace it with industry and office complexes. Gorgeous Victorian homes in and around downtown were destroyed. As Is evident, other cities learned from Cleveland's mistake).

Shaker Square, while highly appealing for its walking area and transportation access, has limited rental units available and even fewer homes.

Which brings us to Ohio City. If any area of Cleveland has the potential of a Georgetown or New Town, it is here. Within five to ten minutes driving or train distance to downtown, Ohio City proves one does not need a car to live in Cleveland. The West Side Market is as close to a European flavor as one cari get and the area from Fulton, west to W. 44th St. on Lorain Avenue has extraordinary potential as a commercial, shopping-walking strip.

As many of us are aware, Ohio City already has a significant number of gay people. While it does not have the brick townhouses of Philadelphia or Baltimore, Ohio City does have a healthy variety of single homes ranging from Victorian to Greek revival style (The area referred to as Ohio City is bounded on the north by Detroit Ave., on the south by Bailey Avenue, on the east by W. 25th St. and on the west by W. 45th St.).

The homes are quite inexpensive so far as housing goes and with careful searching

one can find a home needing only cosmetic renovation. Be forewarned that there are social problems in the area. A significant number of poor Puerto Rican and Appalachian people live on the near West Side and burglaries account for the major source of crime. Yet the block clubs in the area are the strongest in the city and active citizen involvement to fight crime. in cooperation with police, has proven effective.

When people express fear of living in the neighborhood, o ne ready response must be that it's a Catch 22 situation. Ulnless professional people in increasing numbers inhabit the area, the situation will not change. The gamble may have to be worth it.

In any event. Cleveland needs a "gay ghetto" and since we already have a start in Ohio City, it's as good a place as any to invest some energy.

Whether or not you participate in Ohio City's development, I appeal to every gay Greater Clevelander to consider seriously living somewhere anywhere within Cleveland's borders Downtown, Shaker Square, BuckeyeEdgewater-Lake Ave., St. ClairSuperior, Little Italy, Broadway

wherever.

Cleveland needs a mass infusion of new leadership and new ideas. Gay people can make a difference. Let us be leaders in putting this town back on its feet.

John Nosek is former coeditor of High Gear and a former officer of the G.E.A.R. foundation. He is currently heading Cleveland First, an ali volunteer organization of both straight and gay people, to encourage suburbanites to move into city neighborhoods.

Those interested in working with the organization or wanting more information should write, Cleveland First. 4135 Balley Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44113 or call 631-5908 (Mon-Fri., 7-9 p.m.)

EditorialTM

Mutual Concern

The assassinations of Harvey Milk and George Moscone, plus severai local incidents, have prompted HIGH GEAR to take a close look at the issue of violence within and surrounding the gay community. Several disturbing facts have come to light which demand comment. It has been learned, for example, that in separate incidents two gay men were recently beaten after leaving Cleveland-area bars. At the Anvil Bar, a gay disco in New York City, two men were murdered within a three-week period. Only two of the many examples that could be mentioned.

Perhaps even more significant is the fact that the consensus among gays is that these are not isolated events: violence is prevalent within our community.

HIGH GEAR abhors these and all other acts of violence and urges our readers to assist in any way possible to prevent them. These actions are obviously the result of some type of mental handicap. We remind our readers that no community is completely void of these individuals and the gay community is no exception. This was clearly evidenced in the widely-publicized murder of at least 32 teenaged youths in Chicago.

Idealistically, HIGH GEAR looks forward to the day when violence itself is only a part of our past. Realistically, however, it is apparent that violence is prevalent and will probably remain so for some time. Based on this observation, it is our view that everyone in the gay community has a responsibility to "watch out" for one another.

"Now nothing is true of homosexuals which is not true of people in general, what we should all do is seek to be like ourselves. What we must do is find that way of living, dressing, speaking, eating and sleeping which expresses ourselves."

HIGA

---Quentin Crisp

CEAR

A Publication of the Gear Foundation. Volume 5 Issue 6

HIGH GEAR journal is a publication of the Gay Educational and Awareness Resources (G.E.A.R.) Foundation of Cleveland, Ohio. It is distributed free of charge in any establishment and with any organization that will permit distribution. We are a non-profit, federally tax-exempt publication.

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