• nt A vIce-• umor. Issue #2 - July 23-29, 1976 I Police Accused' 0 Harassi Gav Bars and HOO stor .... The Houston Police Dept. Plus, to get all the arrests that that .it gave approval to state during the past two weeks has they can to be used as evidence laws making such activity illegal. conducted a number of raids in the case. Texas has such a law. aimed at the gay community. Another reason for the in- What to do? Rev. Hill Thirty-six people were arrest- creased harassment, says Hill, appeared before City Council ed at the Exile, 10 11 Bell, on may be a misinterpretation of Wednesday morning, July 21 Friday, July 16, in the largest the recent Supreme Court ruling (see speech below), to bring the operation in memory involving a involving two men from Issue to the press and out in gay business. Most were charged Virginia. The Court upheld public. He said he feels that if e with "public intoxication," but a lower court decision that the public spotlight is put on the .Star has learned from convicted the two of· homo- the Police Dept., the harass- reliable sources that several of sexual activity between two ment will be curbed, at least those so charged were members adults in private. If the court somewhat. Also, Hill discussed ." of' Alcoholics Anonymous and . had overturned the ruling it the situation on his two-hour had not had anything stronger would have also overturned talk show Wednesday night on than 7-Up in several months. the Virginia law. Since the. KPFT,. FM-90. (The shows airs Asked why were they at the bar, Supreme Court agreed, it meant every other Wednesday.) the Star was told, "that's where gay people hang out so that's where we go, whether we drink .or not." Alsp during the last weekend, two men were arrested and Ray Hill Complains charged 'fith lewd dancing at the Tarigiers, 2637 Winrock. Normally, charges of lewd danc- Before Citv Council where we go, wnetner VIle en .or not." Alsp during the last weekend, two men were arrested and Ray Hill Complains charged With lewd dancing at the Tangiers, 2637 Winrock. Normally, charges of lewd danc- Before City Council ing are reserved for a method of controlling straight strip joints. Police activity also occurred Rev. Ray Hill, long-time events have been too numerous at .the Venture-N, 2923 South Houston gay activist, took the and they are essentially the same Main, but owners of that club issue of the alleged police kinds of events as they were the I would not disclose the nature. harassment (see the above story) last several times I have been Two gay book stores were before City Council Wednesday, before you. j -,.. Baths' Big Contest ' . subjected to prolonged visits July 21. All eight city council- "The gay community still from the Police Dept. during men plus the mayor were . endures the presence of a radio mid-week last week. On Wed- present for the regular Wednes- patrol night sergeant who has nesday, July 14, several people day morning council meeting in characterized to me that, in Scheduled This Week were hasseled for over an hour at which any citizen can speak and his opinion, gay citizens have Adult Arcade, 1201 Richmond, be heard, provided he has NO rights. In the past week but no one was arrested. registered with the city secretary there have been eight reported The good-looking man album later this year. The next night, one person prior to the meeting. incidents involving excessive po- above is Eddie Abshire, Broadway director Ed- was busted for possessing a . The Council hears several I lice action in gay community -;, as photographed. last year, ward Miller has accepted marijuana cigarette at Studz dozen such speeches each establishments. Gay people have just after winning the Mr. the burden of staging the News, 1132 West Alabama. The Wednesday and does take action been subjected to the physical Club Houston Contest. contest. Miller says to be illegal drug was discovered after on many of the complaints and verbal abuse that has. come The contest was first prepared for a fast-moving, police had "hung around for voiced. But many citizens are to be the hallmark of police scheduled to be held at every-minute-dynamite, quite a awhile just looking for not there for the purpose of City macho and homophobia. the Old Plantation, but spectacular showcase. something." Council to hear their message. "The raid of one bar, result- baths officials decided to Contestants can sign up' Why this harassment? Ray They are there for the purpose ing in 36 arrests, was the most make a last minute switch as late as Monday (and Hill of the Metropolitan Com- .of the press to hear their mes- massive abuse of police power and stage the event at the in such contests, dozens munity Church came up with sage. our community has suffered Depository. usually do wait until the several possibilities. Rev. Hill makes no secret that since the 19508. Among those This Tuesday (July 27) last minute to sign up). It may be as a result of a visit he is after press coverage. He charged with public intoxication j will be the third annual such Applications' are available two weeks ago to Houston by told the Star that he believes if were several non-drinkers and contest and it promises to at Club Houston, 2205 Los Angeles Police Chief Ed the news media of Houston people who had only moments 1 be a real blockbuster. Tif- Fannin. I Davis, well-known homophobe. I were to give his speech ample before' the raid entered the fany Jones (better known Winners will receive cash Davis evangelized his anti-gay coverage, the publicity would establishment. ~ as the "Texas Tornado") is and trophies. Third place views during that visit to his help control police harassment "I am understandably con- being flown in to share the winner will get $25 and a commrades in the Houston Po- of gay gathering places. But Hill cerned about reports I have ~ ,y emcee honors with C.1. year's pass to the baths. lice Dept., and that may have also emphatically emphasizes received that police officers had 1 Harrington (former Mr. Gay First runner-up will get $50 given Houston the incentive to that he is before the City Coun- threatened and beaten a young 1 Texas). and a year's pass. And. stage a campaign against the gay cil to give council members fair man while he was in custody 1 Also scheduled to en- the winner receives $100 l community. warning. in an unsuccessful attempt to 1 tertain is a new muscial- cash, a year's pass, and an Another possibility for the Here is Rev. Hill's prepared intimidate him to implicate me I comedy group you may' expense-paid trip to Chicago increased activity, says Hill, is speech: . in recent activity. have read about: Mixed this fall to compete in that the court date is growing "Mayor Hofheinz, members (Note:. Rev. Hill is referring I Company. They will do the Mr. Club International near for a suit that Hill has of the Council. I am back yet to a time when an overnight a special thirty-minute ver- Contest. against the Police Dept. over another time to speak to you visitor at the Metropolitan Com- sion of their show before Tickets to attend the harassment on the "circuit." about problems between the munity Church thought he heard the contest begins. Part contest are on sale at Club They may be fearing that the gay community and the police a burglar and called the police. of this concert will be Houston, located 2205 Fan- . outcome of the case may restrict establishment. When the police arrived. they ~ L. ~:~:rded_ for use in an nin, downtown. ~.. .J them, so they are trying to get in "I will not express the details found no burglar but are ac- 1 .+ all the action now that they can. in instant replay, because recent continued page 19 , 1 ..:::) ..... .... :. .)\:',:~:::. .'. 7""(;Y.1'; ~~;& ii~~)tfNP=;(P~'~,,}'}:·'vTAm:::..::: ,.::.:..:.- .:.",;;»:.:~.:'.::,::,: ,,:.::::::::,:. 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CMI.l1l"< ~ . _ this your envelq numb c Then inside mail cover THJ I 1 You letter: I to dif1 Hom-e of the Houston Motorcycle Club aass~ mailed office 8 p.n Friday Saturd PAGE 2 THE MONTROSE STAR JUL Y·23-29, 1976 on • IPJ®@[P)lL@ This week the Star's Roving Camera ay rights the Dem- caught these two lention by bartenders at sk Force Women's the Second Sun. ih Caucus. ~re elated us adopt- nimously. rt Caucus party for history. to 600 were ob- asy Task port for e, accord- e, which nications n head- ajar con- THE s of the / to gay- BARN CLUB & DISCO OFFERS TO FRIENDLY KICKERS (AND THEIR ADMIRERS) A COMFORTABLE COUNTRY/WESTERN ATMOSPHERE A SECLUDED BARNYARD FOR 2637 Winrock LATE EVENING SWINGING 785-8211 AN UPSTAIRS BRIDGE ROOM FOR COMPETITIVE PLAYERS A 'SECLUDED-BARNYARD FOR 2637 Winrock LATE EVENING SWINGING --- 785-8211 Was no AN UPSTAIRS BRIDGE ROOM legate and f{l) FOR COMPETITIVE PLAYERS were gay --- ho were SWINGS ON THE FRONT PORCH .1 --- s And as , VOLLEY BALL PLAYING u~s -\vere ON THE FRONT LAWN SAT. & SUN. AFTERNOONS O'Leary, PLUS THE PORCH UPSTAIRS Director rJ Co nven- t TO WATCH THE PLAYERS OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK .:,1 --- esistance THE RED BANDANA BALLROOM 4:00 P.M. til 2:00,A.M . Is to the FOR A LARGE DANCE AREA -W y rights --- was the I, POOL, PINBALL AND COLD BEER _ support I (OR BRING YOUR OWN BOTTLE) S+N I lose the --- E HAPPY HOUR I PLUS SUNDAY BRUNCH OF .we work- AUTHENTIC CAJUN JAMBALAYA 7 Days A Week 'rom the 'J.