best of service and at the lowest of prices I do my business with him, of

course

Other people, once they know that I am Gay, refuse to associate or even talk with me over the telephone, simply because I am Gay Again, there seems to be some redeeming social value in people in this town because I continue to find some of my best contacts and sources for services and encouragement. They come from Straights who could not care less about whether I was Straight or Gay What's my message?

Well, now is as good a time as any for Gay people everywhere to dispel the old myths and create for Straight and Gay people the opportunity to get to know and establish friendships with other Gay people Gay people they have misunderstood for years maybe because no one ever said: Hello, my name is Joe and yes I am Gay

It will be hard for a lot of people to do this on both sides Straights because they fear the unknown and Gays because they fear the known. the reprisals and discriminations

For years I have seen the need for a communications source of information to serve Gay Ohioans to encourage them to become openly what they are inside. To be themselves. What better way could there be than through the organization that represents Ohio and Gay Rights, the Ohio Gay Rights Coalition (OGRC)

There is an existing Newsletter system and there is a group of people who are willing to work at getting information to people. The little encouragements. The knowing that someone out there really cares is sometimes all it takes. I don't expect everyone to come crawling out of the woodwork with banners raised high. It will be that time for only a few. But it will be that few who will make it easier for the next ones and the ones after them to publicly defend their rights. To defend themselves with lessening fear.

Could you possibly be the next president of the United States, the Gay one? Or, could you possibly be the Joe or Mary down the street who did one better by being the one who helped that candidate open himself or herself to others. Or maybe it was just that young man or woman you work with that you helped make sense of the Gay world.

My message is--Now is the Time. Will it be you?

Or, why not help OGRC help you become one of those people? Join us today, we will be glad you did. And, we know you will too!

Til next time, take care.

Karl Erbland

STRONG/OGRC

MEMBERSHIP CAMPAIGN 1980) Help Us Grow

Comments?

If you have questions or comments regarding the OGRC Newslemer or subjects discussed the Newsletter please feel free to contact us you have any suggestion as to what you would like to see in the Newslet ter or if you would like to do reporting or work contact us for that too. Changes of address are very important to save postal costs Please let us know as soon as possible of a change if you know of anyone who would like to receive the OGRC Newsletter please send their name and address and telephone number and w contact them Our new address is

OGPC Newsletter

Letters Editor

PO Box 86 Fostoria OH 4430

We will answer your letter as soon as possible. We also request your permission to publish your letter Your name can be held in confidence on file if you so desire No person's name will be printed or given our without their permission (Editors Note Maybe that is a good way to help the coming our process start with your permission) Corrections and news should also be sent to the above address

The appearance of any persons name or the name of

organization in the OGRC Newsletter is not to imply their sexual orientation or the association with OGRC unless so specifica stated

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