Pittsburgh's Out #48 March 1981

Summary

This issue of Pittsburgh’s Out, published in March 1981, covers:

“Outfront: Jim Fischerkeller: the story of an activist” by Mike Crawmer (Page A3): Profiles Jim Fischerkeller, a prominent Pittsburgh gay activist who is “semi-retired” from the movement due to burnout. He now dedicates two hours a week to the Gayline at Persad Center, while focusing on his job as a library associate and his studies at Pitt. Fischerkeller believes the local activist community is “spread pretty thin” and needs better coordination and focus, especially with Pittsburgh hosting a national gay conference and other major events.
“Moral Majority’s leader grants second interview” by Larry Bush (Page A5): A follow-up interview with Rev. Jerry Falwell, leader of the Moral Majority. Falwell denies Jimmy Breslin’s story about seeking legislation to ban unmarried couples from sharing motel rooms. He outlines his legislative priorities, which include the “Human Life Amendment” to end abortion and the “Family Protection Act” to “rebuild the emphasis and credentials of the traditional family” and prevent the promotion of homosexuality as an “alternate or acceptable lifestyle.” Falwell explicitly states that the ban on suspected homosexuals entering the country “needs to be on the books” as their lifestyle is “immoral and not acceptable.”
“New Pentagon rule tightens anti-gay policy” by Larry Bush (Page A6): Reports that the Pentagon formally approved new orders on January 16, 1981, banning homosexuals without exception from military service. This move aims to provide a legal basis for the military’s stance and addresses previous federal court rulings. The new policy defines “homosexual” broadly to include those who “engage in, desire to engage in, or intend to engage in homosexual acts,” and allows for dismissal based on acts prior to service. Gay civil rights leaders and lawyers strongly condemned the new directive, with legal director Don Knutson calling it “incredible” and “clearly unconstitutional” in parts.
“Press reps call for unity; woo national ads” by Larry Bush (Page A6): Details a January 8-10 meeting in New York City where representatives from nearly 50 gay publications formed the first Gay Press Association and discussed attracting national advertisers. Panel members highlighted homophobia in advertising and the “semi-professional appearance” of many gay publications as reasons for a lack of serious attention to the gay market. The importance of better financial management, observing copyright, and greater attention to staff was also discussed.
“Conference officially recognizes ‘the gay family'” (Page A7): Summarizes the long-awaited report from the White House Conference on Families. Recommendations passed at regional conferences in Baltimore and Los Angeles called for laws to protect families from discrimination based on sexual preference. The report also noted that the conference recognized the “pluralistic and diverse nature of society and its families.” Minority reports from all three conferences urged an end to discrimination against homosexuals in various areas, including jobs, housing, public accommodations, and family-related matters like child custody and adoption, and the conferral of “family benefits” on all units that define themselves as families.
“Delegates prepare for LA meeting; four Pittsburghers to attend” (Page A7): Discusses preparations for the April 24-26 National Conference on Lesbian and Gay Rights at UCLA. Four delegates from Pittsburgh, part of a 12-person contingent from Pennsylvania, will attend. The conference aims to establish a national information and resource network for gay and lesbian activities. The Pittsburgh Committee for Lesbian and Gay Rights (PCLGR) is organizing local efforts and fundraising for travel expenses.
“New gay rights bill introduced in House” (Page A8): Reports that Representatives Ted Weiss (D-NY) and Henry Waxman (D-CA) have reintroduced national lesbian and gay civil rights legislation (H.R. 1454) in the House, with 34 initial co-sponsors. Despite this strong start, the Gay Rights National Lobby (GRNL) warned that some former co-sponsors might be reluctant to sign on again due to a shift to the right and reapportionment concerns.
“Onofre ruling used by judge to uphold male-male adoption” (Page A8): A New York Family Court judge ruled in early February 1981 that there is no legal or public policy prohibiting the adoption of one adult male homosexual by another. The decision relied on the People v. Onofre opinion, which declared New York’s consensual sodomy law unconstitutional.
“Conservative signs pro-gay law banning housing discrimination” (Page A9): King County Executive Ron Dunlap in Seattle, a conservative, signed an open housing ordinance prohibiting landlords from discriminating against gays, a move that surprised the local gay community. Meanwhile, in Detroit, a judge ruled a similar human rights ordinance unconstitutional, stating that such authority rests with the state, which lacks a sexual orientation anti-discrimination law.
“Fiction: the flood that leveled Hadleyville” by Steve Bedsworth (Pages A10-A11): An original Steeltown fiction piece recounting a fantastical story of Joe Magarac (a steel man) meeting Paul Bunyan, leading to a “flood” of frothy white liquid that devastates Hadleyville.

Other Notable Content:

Advertisements and Resources (Pages A2, A9, A11): Includes ads for BC Club Pittsburgh (a bathhouse), Sharon and Sharon (legal services), Robert G. McFadden (insurance), and a resource directory listing Pittsburgh bars, clubs, baths, bookstores, churches, coffeehouses, counseling centers, discotheques, health services, and various gay and lesbian organizations.
Editorials and Reader Feedback (Page A4): “Outspoken” features an editorial on “Winter renewal 1981” discussing the vibrant local gay and lesbian activism, including the revived coffeehouse and the upcoming national law conference. “Hands of fear” addresses homophobia and self-hatred within the community. “Readers’ turn” includes a letter from C.F. Brydon and Lucia Valeska, Co-executive directors of the National Gay Task Force (NGTF), responding to previous articles and clarifying NGTF’s actions and positions.
News Shorts: Various shorter news items cover topics like Pitt police cracking down on “tearoom sex,” FBI spying on gay activists in Chicago, college freshmen’s attitudes towards gay relations, a political club planning for primary elections, San Diego reimbursing gays caught in police campaigns, anti-gay violence in several major cities, a Texas court fining a disco for barring same-sex dancing, a Navy settlement in a discharge suit, Toronto gays protesting baths raids, a sensationalized CBS News report being submitted to a festival without network approval, and gay prisoners being denied the right to gather.