Page 2 HIGH GEAR-DECEMBER 1980

Trustees meet

NEWS

GEAR plans benefits

CLEVELAND The first meetAlso scheduled was the house-

warming celebration for the new center to be held December 14, between 4 and 8 p.m. Although all friends are welcome to attend. invitations will be mailed to GEAR members and area busi-

support is requested.

ing of the GEAR Foundation; Board of Trustees in Gear's new center at 2641 West 14th Street took place on Tuesday night, November 18. The principle order of business was the announcement of various fund-nessmen, whose continuing raising activities planned by Ray Chesnick who had been selected at the October meeting to develop an enlarged calendar of events. Announced were December 12 and February 27 performances by Ray and Company at the Crown Cafe and the arrangement of Fazio Benefit Days February 16-19 in favor of. the Foundation.

Chesnick explained that Fazio's has agreed to return to the Foundation monies amounting to 5% of all grocery purchases made by members and Friends during the four days February 16-19: Foundation members and friends identified by cards specially printed by Fazio's will have the opportunity to shop the day of their choice during the Benefit Days. Fazio's after totaling the amounts registered on the cards used by GEAR. will forward to the Foundation 5%, excluding purchases of alcohol and cigarettes. Identitication coupons will be available to all interested community members through the commun-

ity center and at the Ray and Company benefit at the Crown Cafe December 12.

To further one of its long-term goals, the Board put out an appeal for donations to the gay resource library being compiled at the community center. Board President John Lehner expressed gratitude to those involved in the organizing of the nucleus of this library and called on community members to aid in its establishment through the donation of books, periodicals and articles of

interest.

Donations are also asked of the community in this holiday period of canned goods and boxed foods for the needy. Community Center Director Thom David appealed for the community's help in gathering food to be distributed to the poor. Donations may be placed in the appropriate box in the center.

In additional business, the Board announced it had obtained the services of a professional grant-writer for the Foundation. Because it is a taxexempt entity under IRS guidelines, GEAR is eligible for grants from philanthropic and govern-t'

mental institutions. GEAR President Lehner has requested of f

those affiliated that they begin compiling a "wish list" of desirable activities not now possible because of financial restrictions. It is these activities that the grant-writer will target. Although no grant monies have as yet been received, the Board is extremely hopeful and excited at the broadened scope of community work which may become possible.

Expanding its hours of service. from the nightly 7 p.m.11 p.m. period, the hotline is now in service between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Thursday afternoons as well. Mark Kinsley, Hotline Coordinator, expressed satisfaction at the hotline's continued growth and increasing service and announced the dates of training sessions for new hotline staff December 14 and 17. Check the calendar or call the hotline, 6213380, for further information.

Additional action was taken on two other Foundation projects, both slightly behind in their completion goals. The newsletter to have been mailed to GEAR members in November is now scheduled for December release. and regular mailings thereafter are promised. Containing information on GEAR Board actions and news of GEAR activities, it is hoped that the newsletter will: keep members personally involved in their organization. The work-study secretary

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Navy continues discharges

MONTEREY (IGNA) Despite decisions elsewhere to retain gay military personnel, seven sailors are being discharged and five more are being investigated for homosexual activity at the Defense Language Institute, a Navy spokesman said.

The twelve include eleven men and one woman. The spokesman declined to name those involved.

The acts of homosexuality allegedly took place in barracks at the Army-run school at the Monterey Presidio and in the city of Monterey, where some of the accused live.

The investigations have been going on since mid-July, when the Navy, which has 300 sailors at the school, first became aware of ⚫the situation.

The homosexuality discharges are part of a pattern at this facility, with forty-one others discharged in 1978.

The seven "guilty" persons were discharged by a threemember Navy administration

board. According to Navy policy. homosexuality "in a military environment seriously impairs combat readiness, efficiency; security and morale.".

The military made the same statements about blacks sharing quarters with whites, women being officers, but later changed its regulations.

Commander Allen Sherwood. spokesman for the Navy, said that in the close confines of a ship at sea. "Living conditions are sometimes stressful under any circumstances, and anything other than normal circumstances could impose strains on good order and discipline." Commander Sherwood said nothing about sexual frustration and its effect on good order and discipline.

Those discharged can appeal to the Navy's Bureau of Naval Personnel and eventually to Secretary of the Navy Edward Hidalgo.

Court supports Navy

SAN FRANCISCO (IGNA) The U.S. Navy has the right to discharge personnel for homosexual conduct, the U.S. Court of Appeals has ruled in San Francisco.

The decision was a victory, at least for the present, for the military services, which in recent months have been embroiled in Controversies over gay members.

The ruling said that discharges of two men and a woman did not violate their constitutional rights and noted that the Navy may take such actions to "protect the fabric of military life."

The Court held that the Navy has a need for discipline and order, particularly with respect to potential problems arising from close confinement aboard ship and on bases.

"A substantial number of naval personnel have feelings regarding homosexuality...which could the ruling noted, In other words, create tensions, and hostilities,"

Cleveland chapter of BWMT formed

By Reginald Williamson

The CLEVELAND chapter of Black and White Men Together (BWMT) held it's first meeting Nov. 20th. The concept for BWMT was started in San Francisco in January of this year by Mike Smith and some of his friends. Together they organized a group for men who enjoy relationships with men of different colors. The result of his efforts and others is BWMT with 13 chapters in cities across the . country and also chapters in Canada and the United Kingdom.

As BWM chapters have begun in other cities, various needs have become repeatedly apparent. There was a need to

provide a forum for discussing and confronting issues and problems related with interracial dating and to help raise the consciousness about problems of racism in gay communities across the country. To help change this problem with communication, many chapters now offer rap groups and other support groups for its members and interested friends. The need for a conducive setting for forming

friendships and providing support has been answered through social and cultural events as a group, in many of the chapters. An update of other cities' activities, goals, social outings and other forms of support can be

The national and local BWMT newsletters offer short stories, a forum for an exchange of thoughts and feelings, a list of national contact persons for other BWMT chapters and a classified ads section.

BWMT Cleveland made it's first appearance Nov. 7th. at the Gay Community Center's Friday Rap. After a brief history and dis cussion of goals, that were found to be very similar to the goals of

other chapters;. a meeting. date and contact name and phone number for Cleveland was announced. From that rap came the idea and hope of working with existing gay groups and keeping members posted on

found in the national newsletter: events of interest in the commun-

the prejudices of members of an organization can be used to justify excluding other members.

If the Navy tolerates homosexuality, the Court said, "as expressed in a less broad prohibition, (it) might be understood as tacit approval."

At the same time, the judges noted that the Navy's "blanket rule (sic) requiring discharge of all who have engaged in homosexual conduct is perhaps broader than necessary." -

Plaintiffs in the five-year-long case were Dennis Beller, James Lee Miller and Mary R. Saal, who claimed their discharges were

unconstitutional..

Attorney John Vaisey, who represented Miller, said, "I think the decision perpetuates the hypocrisy of the military. He added that he believes as much as 20 percent of the armed forces is either gay or have participated in gay activity.

ity. Cleveland also needs a Cleveland is set for Wednesday. social-support group for men Dec. 3rd. at 8 p.m. at St. Philomeconcerned about interracial rela-na's Church Annex, located at tionships and race relations in 13824 Euclid Ave. Plans for outthe gay community. A group is ings as a group will be discussed needed to provide opportunities for developing friendships and sharing our experiences and problems with like-minded people. Many of the goals and needs brought up at the rap were discussed at the first meeting: The general feeling at the meeting

was to start out socially and establish ourselves within the gay community. Discussion of

future meeting places required a location as accessible as possi'ble to both cast and west side residentmotors1qzib -

The second meeting for BWMT

structure for the group, maybe along with ideas for a possible through the use of committees. meeting and movie of the San Also, on Wednesday, Dec. 10th. a Francisco 1980 Gay Pride Day Parade is scheduled. Persons ing on the 10th. should call interested in attending the meetJames, our contact person at 662-8303 after 5 p.m. for more details and location. BWMT welcomes the participation of anxane interested in sharing our als gordası tavattenda meeting.