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THE BARB - 2 Editor’s Notebook By Bill Smith In February of 1974 I saw the first issue of the Atlanta Barb; I thought it IjpBlIj was dreadful. In March Ip Ray Green, then the editor i and publisher of' the paper, asked me to do a political column for the paper. I agreed and my first column appeared in the March issue. It was the beginning of a relationship that today finds me The Barb’s editor and pub lisher. The year has been one of many changes, changes often so abrupt that they occurred before I could realize that they were hap pening. Increasingly, as Billy Jones, Peter summer turned into fall, Thomas, and others will my time and money was continue to give you the expended working with The news and gossip on the Barb. Re-writes, layouts, social scene. A new office files, financial rec- lounge, restaurant, any ords and on and oh. special^ event, and you will In November Ray asked ou ^ about it in The me to become the paper’s Barb. Steve Warren will business manager. Before continue to let you know the business cards could who is gaying to the mov- be printed Ray offered me ^ es - Gibson Higgins and 40% of the paper for a others will be writing token price if I would also about our lifestyles, feel- agree to assume all of the * n S’ growth, and failures, editorial responsibilities. Editorially, I will con- Columnist, business tinue. with the traditional manager, editor; the titles vice of gay publishers, that and responsibilities * s > presenting my own changed before I could viewpoint. The editorial orient myself to them. page will be open to those But an end to the changes with other views. You will had not yet come. InMarch, the thoughts and just as my association opinions of gays throughout with The Barb passed the political spectrum. The through its first full year, Barb will not propagandize my partner announced that f or any political party or he was moving to Memphis. ideology. We will have For three days I pondered things for you to agree what direction to take. My with and to rage against, decision was to terminate We will continue to con the partnership that began front the issues import - such a short time before. ant to us as gay women The “Wizard of Oz” and men. We will support droned in the background and criticize the sacred as as we drew up the termi- well as the profane as the nation contract. I seemed facts and our judgement an appropriate symbol of lead us to. We will an era,.which, thoughgone, crusade from time to time, will re-run from time to hoping to involve you in time. My thoughts are ab- your community and sup- sorbed by the prospects port you in your choice of and possibilities of this programs, new era of which The Barb Our overall policy is a small part. The Barb whether it be in the area is not an avantegarde pub- of news, politics or enter- lication, it has never tried tainment is to inform you to be, and Ray’s departure as accurately and honestly will not cause a radical as we possibly can. transformation of the paper’s format. In December we initaited a series of changes, inter nal and external; we im proved our cover design, and our staff was re-or ganized with responsibili ties carefully delegated. Our March issue, dnd this issue both reflect much of what we want to -express. We will continue to coin* centrate on coverage of events and >: news relevant to gays in the south. The national straight and gay press f ; : . deeming it • unim portant, often ignore the progress made by gay peo ple in Miami, Atlanta, Nashville, and throughout the south. But this does not mean we will leave out the important events occuring east and west. In any center of gay activity The Barb will be there to let you know what is hap pening. v v The Barb is published monthly by Wesjir Enterprises. Application to mail at second-class postage rates is pend ing at Atlanta, Georgia. Subscriptions are $4.00 for one year (12 issues). Letters and manuscripts are welcomed. Please enclose stamped, self-addressed envelope for return of manuscripts, photos, etc. Opinions expressed by our columnists do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Barb management. Editor . ............ Editorial Assistant Barb Staff: David Bryant Jeanni C. Graham Gibson Higgins Kathy Phyllis Killer Advertising Representatives: Atlanta: Billy Jones POB 7922 Atlanta, GA. 30309 (404) 872-6068 Bill Smith .Richard Evans Lee Bob Salo Peter Thomas Steve Warren Michael Young Glen Long Ft. Lauderdale: Peter Thomas 3801 N. Ocean Blvd. Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. 33308 (305) 566-4376 “THE VOICE OF THE GAY COMMUNITY’ George and Mike ^ bring you The Best in Films TWO NEW FEATURES EACH WEEK $ 1.00 Mon - Thurs $2.00 Weekends Weekend Special |2nd & Midnight Shows $2.00 Call for this week feature. i£»ra«4 rwwn ANSLEY MALL PImImoi at Moan* 873-2274 Publishers Farwell Note It is with much regret that I must announce to all of you fine readers and patrons that as of April 1,1975, I am relinquishing my interest in the Barb. Because of other com mitments outside Atlanta, I found it necessary to sell my interest in The Barb. Because of my dedication to gay com munity, I would like to see the success continue and I am sure that it will. My successor, Mr. William E. Smith, present editor is a very competent person who is dedicated to the gay community as well and is experienced in community affairs, politics and business. In one short year The Barb has gown from a local newspaper serving Atlanta and its neighboring cities to “The Voice Of The Gay Community Serving The Southeast And The Nation. ’ ’ Although we had no dis tribution overseas, our greatest thrill came when we received a classified from Munich, Germany. Since then we have received classifieds from Ontario, Canada, Hawaii, etc. It’s a nice feeling to learn that the newspaper is read and accepted by many gay people all throughout the country. Much of the success can be attributed to the fine staff of The Barb. Without writers like Steve Warren, who keeps us informed , about the movies, and Jeanni Graham who played a large part in launching the newspaper, this could not have been done. These, along with Bill Smith who has acquired The Barb, have been loyal and never faltering eventhough things were tough at times. We also owe a great vote of thank to Zelda Zorch, Liddia, Gretta Gossip, Kathy and of course the talented Peter Thomas who has represented us so successfully in Florida. There are many more too 1 numerous to mention and thanks to all of you. Make The Barb “your voice to the gay com munity” ringing loud and clear. Publisher CHECK OUR • CLASSIFIED ADS ARKANSAS 50 YEARS AGO: Ordinance #20 ' Section 1. - Hereafter, it shall be unlawful for any man or woman, male or female , to be guilty of committing the act of sexual intercourse be tween themselves at any place within the. corporate limits of said town (Norphelt)......*.. Section 3. - Section One of this ordinance shall not apply to married persons, as between themselves, and their husband and wife, un less of grossly improper and lascivious nature. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 1925: Police early today raided the premises at 345 Penn sylvania Avenue Northwest, and arrested fifteen china- men on charges of playing Mah-jong, it the first raid of this kind in Washington. Toxicvw«i 3(< n C Wakefield Poole's |Ur CASEY DONOVAN mVVIlUl BURT EDOUARDS »300 2-~ priXfc 1*>Q 3*fri x* 4 425 BILL HARRISON BOYS IN THE SAND CASEY DONOVAN 8MM COLOR EACH REEL 400 FT. (25 MIN.) $25. COMPLETE 3 PARTS EACH FILM $70. ALL MALE / UNCENSORED Write for Free Illustrated Brochure. Over 21 Only IRVING. INC. 850 Seventh Ave. / Suite 204 / New York City, 10019 UftDQW? S’? f Wr. Congeniality II uoollasa ?zs Q&epeodQ ee »r» Qi 2.T-2.S l*pri2fc ?H00 Z.* prixe 2,^prize 4 fO t/TY 4 2S coap. V**- 0 * Nvu *,r. ClftnXiVIM.tr , Fl.*% ,