Pittsburgh's Out #38 May 1980

Summary

This issue of Out magazine, published in May 1980, features a variety of articles and news items relevant to the gay community in Pittsburgh and beyond.Key Articles and Features:

“The Sociology of Dithridge Street” by Mike Crawmer (page 15): This article details a study by University of Pittsburgh graduate student Al Alessi, who is documenting the fading gay subculture of Dithridge Street in Oakland, Pittsburgh. The street was historically a central meeting place for gay men, offering a unique mix of sex, danger, and camaraderie, especially for those under 21 who couldn’t frequent bars. Alessi’s ethnography explores the street’s social history, its unique lingo, and the experiences of harassment and violence faced by its patrons.
“Martin Von Myering: he’ll teach you to take care of yourself, naturally” by Butch Madison (page 4): This profile introduces Martin Von Myering, proprietor of Martin Von Myering Beauty Salons, known for his natural beauty treatments that avoid man-made chemicals. His family has a 70-year history in the beauty industry, with techniques and bio-botanical products passed down through generations, originally discovered in Egyptian diggings. Von Myering emphasizes lifetime skin and body care, and his salon is located at 2111 Jenkins Arcade.
“Interviews: gays in Russia” (page 18): Based on accounts from five Moscow citizens, this feature by the International Gay News Agency (IGNA) offers exclusive insights into the challenging reality of gay life in the Soviet Union. It highlights the illegality of homosexuality (Article 121 of the Penal Code), the lack of privacy, and the fear of persecution experienced by gay individuals like Volodja, Sasha, Igor, and Nikolai.
“James Baldwin and his critics” by Andrea Lowenstein (page 21): Lowenstein reflects on the impact of James Baldwin’s novels, particularly Another Country and Giovanni’s Room, on her understanding of sexuality and race. She discusses the criticism Baldwin received, especially regarding his portrayal of homosexual characters and his use of white personas, and argues that such attacks may have affected the authenticity of his later works.

News and Community Updates:

Vigilantes in Parkersburg, WV (page 8): Reports on violent anti-gay vigilantism that led to the closure of two gay bars, the Passage Club and TT’s, in Parkersburg.
Akron Bar Torching (page 9): Details the destruction of the Stagecoach Inn, a gay bar in Akron, OH, by fire, possibly inspired by the movie Cruising.
Pitt Police Crackdown (page 9): Campus police at the University of Pittsburgh are increasing surveillance and cracking down on homosexual activity in the men’s restrooms of the Cathedral of Learning.
ABC plans gay sit-com (page 9): ABC is developing a comedy series tentatively titled Adam and Yves, featuring “upper-middle class, middle-aged gay men.”
NGTF protests Defense-Anita tie (page 10): The National Gay Task Force (NGTF) is protesting the Department of Defense’s cooperation in Anita Bryant’s television program, citing concerns about church-state separation and implicit government sanction of her anti-gay crusade.
CBS Special on April 26 (page 10): CBS is broadcasting “CBS Reports: Gay Power, Gay Politics,” a special about the emergence of gay political power in San Francisco.
Help for Jeannete Foster (page 11): A plea for donations to support Jeannete Foster, author of Sex Variant Women in Literature, who is 85 and in a nursing home with dwindling savings.
Joel Grey to portray Harvey Milk (page 11): Actor Joel Grey is researching Harvey Milk’s life for a potential made-for-TV movie.
First Gay S&L (page 11): Atlas Savings, the first gay savings and loan, is preparing to open in San Francisco.
Baptists drop anti-gay evangelist (page 11): James Robison, an evangelist known for anti-gay statements, has been dropped from a Baptist Bible Conference.
Resignations after restroom arrests (page 11): Three men, including a state representative and a brewery president, resigned their jobs after being arrested for sex in a restroom in Olympia, WA.
Playboy donation to sexual liberties group (page 14): The Playboy Foundation granted $7,500 to the National Committee for Sexual Civil Liberties for litigation support.
Dutch assail US on immigration (page 14): The Netherlands has criticized the United States at a UN Human Rights Commission meeting for its law forbidding entrance visas to gay men and lesbians.
APA manual changes (page 14): The American Psychiatric Association’s diagnostic manual will introduce “Ego-Dystonic Homosexuality” for those distressed by their sexual orientation, maintaining that homosexuality itself is not a mental disorder.

Community Engagement:

Readers’ Survey (page 3): Out magazine is conducting its first readers’ survey to develop a profile of its readership and improve the magazine.
Letters to the Editor (pages 5-7): Includes reader feedback on the Electric Banana bar, Anita Bryant, Gay Pride Week, “discophobia,” and the magazine’s content, including calls to “Ban the nudes” and criticisms of the “Outgrowth Lampoon” section.

Advertisements and Listings:

Pittsburgh Baths (page 2)
Legal services for the gay community by Sharon and Sharon (page 18)
Coupons for various services and advertising (page 12)
Amtrak advertisement (page 10)
Outguide listing of gay businesses (page 3)