Summary
This March 2, 1974, issue of Pittsburgh Gay News (PGN) covers a range of topics relevant to the local and national gay community.Key points include:
- Gay Pride Week Plans: Pittsburgh’s Gay Pride Week is tentatively set for June 17-23, with planning underway by the Pittsburgh Gay Pride Week Coordinating Committee (PGPWCC). Events under consideration include a march and picnic, a dance, a trolley party, a bus excursion, a “gay-in” at Point Park, a street fair, an entertainment program with a coffeehouse atmosphere, and a city-wide “bar-hop.” (pages 1, 4)
- GAP Anniversary Celebration: Gay Alternatives Pittsburgh (GAP) is celebrating its second anniversary on April 6 with a reception, dinner, and dance at the First Unitarian Church in Shadyside. A speaker from the National Gay Task Force is scheduled, and the first GAP News Media Awards will be presented to John Haidar and KDKA radio. (page 3, 6)
- KDKA-TV Gay Series Review: A six-part documentary on gay lifestyles aired on KDKA-TV 2 in early February. The series received mixed reactions from the local gay community, with some feeling it didn’t accurately represent the “average” gay person, particularly due to the portrayal of effeminate men and a lack of lesbian input. However, an informal survey suggested the program positively influenced “Middle America’s” attitudes towards homosexuals. (pages 3, 9)
- Pittsburgh Gay Theatre: John Upson is forming the Pittsburgh Gay Theatre, a performance group for gay women and men aiming to create a new and “mindchanging” theatre experience that will represent an artistic advance and express gay pride and liberated gay consciousness. (pages 7, 12)
- “LIVE” Service Discontinued: Chelsea Diamond’s “LIVE” service, which aimed to organize social affairs for gays, was discontinued because too many people misinterpreted it as a “sex club.” (page 5)
- Women’s Cultural Festival: The article “The Women’s Cultural Festival And Beyond” reflects on the two years since Sidney Abbott and Barbara Love’s presentation sparked the founding of GAP and Gay Students at Pitt (GSP). Sidney Abbott’s return as a guest lecturer at this year’s festival prompted a look at the progress and remaining challenges in the gay and women’s liberation movements. (page 2)
- Legal and Social Issues: The “National Roundup” column covers various national news of interest to gays, including a conference at Rutgers, protests against police harassment in Los Angeles, an MCC chapel arson in Santa Monica, a new gay rights bill in New York City, aid for Upstairs Lounge holocaust victims, and a federal appeals court denying a gay teacher’s appeal in Virginia. (page 4)
- Local Bar Allegations: Two newly opened gay liquor establishments, 1999, Inc. and The Fallen Angel, Inc., faced scrutiny from The Pittsburgh Press regarding operating without proper licenses and alleged organized crime connections. 1999, Inc. has since obtained necessary permits and is operating legally as an open bar. (page 13)
- Jeanette, PA, Radio Show Canceled: A scheduled radio call-in talk show on WBCW in Jeanette, PA, featuring guests from GAP to discuss gay lifestyles, was canceled due to threatening calls from irate listeners and sponsors withdrawing commercials. (page 13)
- Prison Liaison Program: GAP has initiated a program to aid gay prison residents, including establishing an education series in institutions and planning a gay prisoners seminar. (page 17)
- Persad Center Services: Persad Center, a mental health center for sexual minorities, describes its clinical services, including individual, group, and marriage counseling, crisis intervention, and a Gender Identity Team working with Johns Hopkins Hospital for transsexual and transvestite evaluations and hormonal therapy. (page 18)
- Universal Church of Celebration (UCC): UCC is planning Easter Eve Worship Services and an outdoor Easter Service. They also hold regular Sunday services and a monthly dance. (page 18)
- Advertising and Contact Information: The PGN also includes various advertisements for businesses like Elk Ridge Ranch & Campground, Flo’s Records, Shawn’s 1209 (women’s bar), 1999 Inc., Schume Liberty Baths, Madeline’s Gateway Hideaway Bar, David’s Lounge, Penthouse II Theatre (male theatre), Stanton-Negley Grill, and Biddle’s Motel (sewing machine repairs). A “Gay Calendar” lists upcoming events, and a “Directory” provides contact information for local gay organizations. (pages 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 11, 12, 19)