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Gay Life Pittsburgh #29 August 1979

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Summary

This issue of Gay Life from August 1979 includes articles on topics relevant to the gay community in Pittsburgh and beyond. Key highlights include:

Legal Developments: A local attorney, Leonard Sharon, suspects Pittsburgh police are “spying” on gay activists by photographing participants in the Gay Pride March, and he is considering a class action lawsuit. Separately, an Allegheny County Criminal Court judge declared the state’s “voluntary deviate sexual intercourse” law unconstitutional because it only applied to single individuals, not married ones. This ruling is expected to be appealed.
Poppers: There’s a detailed exploration of “poppers” (butyl nitrite), describing their journey from an underground gay kick to a $20-million-a-year mainstream industry. The article discusses their chemical properties, marketing, legal challenges, and the varied “love-hate” relationships users have with them, including side effects like headaches and coughing.
Community Events & Nightlife: The “Best Bets” section lists upcoming social events in August, such as Blueboy Magazine’s “Man Of The Year” Contest at 2001, self-defense classes for gays in Wilkinsburg, and parties at Paradise Cove in Schenley. There’s also information about the Labor Day Golden Triangle Picnic and a “Fun Buns” Contest at the Follies Club. The “Nightlife and more” section provides a comprehensive listing of gay bars, clubs, baths, and other organizations in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia.
Other Features:
- “Culture Cues” reviews local theater, including the Civic Light Opera’s Cabaret and upcoming shows, as well as the Pittsburgh Opera’s 1979-80 season and the Shadyside Arts and Crafts Festival.
- “The Book Shelf” reviews Young, Gay and Proud, a book for young gay people.
- “The Record Rack” features a review of Ethel Merman’s disco song and an interview with disco star Ullanda McCullough, along with Pittsburgh’s Top Fifty disco songs.
- “Bits and Pieces” discusses research on male sex hormones influencing gender identity and a potential cure for the herpes simplex virus.
- “Viewpoint” compares Pittsburgh police surveillance to similar issues in Seattle.
- “Dining Out” reviews Cafe Stephen B’s in Shadyside.
Advertising and Classifieds: The issue also contains various advertisements for businesses, services (including legal and accounting), and classified ads in a “Bazaar” section, which includes job offerings and real estate listings.