In 1758, on land that belonged to generations of Allegawis, Delaware, Seneca, Iroquois and other native tribes, a fort was built by British and Colonial troops. Led by Generals John Forbes and George Washington, the hastily built facility would be named in honor of British statesman Sir William Pitt. Thus, the seeds for the city of Pittsburgh were sown.
The Pittsburgh 250 Commission has organized Pittsburgh’s official 250th birthday. It is a cornerstone to what is to be a multiyear initiative. All year long there will be performances, exhibits and other activities in Pittsburgh and its surrounding areas. More information on the program can be found at lmaginePittsburgh.com and a good list of Pittsburgh 250 events — along with Pride Month events — can be found at PostGazette.com/ events
PrideFest and the annual parade have been the most visible expression ofthe local GLBT community for years. Yet, there is more to our history than this annual event
As part of Pride Pittsburgh’s contribution to Pittsburgh 250, here are a few of the many interesting GLBT historical events that happened in, or touched on, Pittsburgh:
• Founded in 1972, Persad Center is the nations second oldest licensed counseling center specifically created to serve the GLBT community.
• Randy Forrester ran as the first openly gay candidate for Allegheny County Commissioner in 1972. He loses, but his candidacy spurs the GLBT community to become more active in public affairs.
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• A single-page newsletter called Gay Alternatives Pittsburgh debuts in 1973, and has since evolved into Out, the region’s GLBT newspaper.
• In 1975, the Metropolitan Community Church, a specifically GLBT-friendly Christian church, holds its first worship service with a mere ten people attending. It’s a part of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches, which has churches in 22 countries. More than 30 years later the church is thriving with hundreds of members.
• The Gay& Lesbian Community Center of Pittsburgh has its beginnings in 1979 as an information phone line established by Persad. In 1981, the GLCC moves into its first offices and receives its non-profit designation in 1984.
• In 1983, the Lambda Foundation is incorporated to fosterthe educational, social, cultural, health and artistic projects and programs forthe area’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
• The Pittsburgh Lesbian & Gay Film Festival begins in 1985. Today, it is the second oldest GLBT film festival in the U.S.
• Responding to the growing health crisis, the Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force is formed in 1985. The organization provides direct support and information to those living with HIV/AIDS and those at risk of infection.
• In 1985, the Renaissance City Choir is founded with a men’s and a women’s choir. They work to culturally enrich audiences through music while educating them aboutthe GLBT community.
• BetTikvah (“House of Hope”) founded in 1988forthe GLBT Jewish community by holding worship services and events.
• A local chapter of PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) is formed in 1989. PFLAG promotes the health of the GLBT persons with an adverse society, education to enlighten the public. While advocating the end of discrimination.
• Pittsburgh City Council votes in 1990 to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation. A group of conservatives fails to have the ordinance reversed in 1991.
• Aformer instructor files a complaint againstthe University of Pittsburgh in 1996 that begins a complicated effort to obtain domestic partner benefits for employees. Health benefits are extended in 2004.
• Originally incorporated on July 17, 1996, the Delta Foundation was created for the purposes of uniting and fostering fellowship and social interaction among the GLBT residents in Greater Pittsburgh. After hosting a number of picnics and river cruises, the organization falls dormant for several years. In late 2007, a different group of interested GLBT business owners and citizens come together and restartthe foundation.
• In 2000, Showtime debuts the American version of the hit British TV series “Queer As Folk.” Although set in Pittsburgh, the show is filmed entirely in Toronto for budgetary reasons.
• In 2001, East Liberty’s Regent Square Theater reopens after renovation. It’s renamed the Kelly-Strayhorn, honoring gay jazz artist Billy Strayhorn.
• On September 11,2001, it is believed that a group of passengers, including openly gay public relations executive Mark Bingham stormed the cockpit of United Flight 93 to force the plane down and keep it from its intended target of the White House.
• A Pennsylvania court rules in 2002 that the former lesbian partner of a woman who bore five children during their relationship must pay child support
• Two of Pittsburgh’s bridges are renamed after prominent GLBT people: the 6h Street Bridge is renamed after openly gay artistAndyWarhol in 2005 and the 9Ih Street Bridge is renamed after naturalist Rachel Carson in 2006. Many scholars believe that Carson was either lesbian or bisexual.
• On January 7,2008, Bruce A. Kraus is sworn in as Pittsburgh’s first openly gay member of City Council.
• In 2008, a group of conservative politicians seek to amend the Pennsylvania constitution to ban samesex marriage, civil unions and partnership registries.
In addition, some ofthe most important people in the GLBT world have Pittsburgh roots: Writer Gertrude Stein, a catalyst in the development of modern art and literature, was bom on the city’s North Side; marine biologist and naturalist Rachel Carson grew up just outside the city, Andy Warhol was born and raised in Pittsburgh, first developing his artistic talents at what is now Carnegie-Mellon University, and Billy Strayhorn, though born in Ohio, launched his impressive musical career in Pittsburgh playing around the citywith his firstjazz combo, the Mad Hatters.
