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Q Archives:
Gay Life Pittsburgh #3 April 1977

Summary

Local Highlights:

Steel City Corps: Pittsburgh’s first non-profit male social fraternity, catering to the “leather, levi, and denim scene,” launched with a beer blast and membership drive on April 29.
Live Entertainment: The Big Top Theatre introduced nationally-renowned male entertainment, including the Mike DeMarco Dancers and the Jack Wrangler Show. David K. and his marionette “Imogene” also began a sophisticated revue at the Tender Trap every Wednesday.
Social Events: The Venture Inn announced its first picnic of the season on May 24. The Allegheny Social Club planned an “Easter Bonnet Hat Parade” on April 9 and an “Oldies-But-Goodies Costume Party” on April 30.
Theater: Tootsie Kowalski (Gorman Lowe) starred in “An Evening With Tootsie Kowalski” at the Home Circle Club on April 29-30 and May 1.
Persad Center: The center offered two new “growth groups” starting April 19: “Transactional Analysis-Introductory Level” (for men and women) and “Body Integration” (for women only).
Anniversaries: The Venture Inn celebrated its anniversary on April 5, and the House of Tilden hosted a special “membership party” on April 22.
Paradise Cove: The venue was open Sundays (except Easter) and Saturday nights for gays, offering dinners and rooms.
Legal/Political: Barry Kohn, Deputy State Attorney General, publicly declared himself bisexual, becoming one of the highest-placed public officials in Pennsylvania to do so.

National Highlights:

White House Meeting: Representatives of the national lesbian and gay communities were scheduled to meet at the White House on March 26 to discuss federal discrimination against gay people.
Military Discharges: Optimism was high for the upgrading of less-than-honorable military discharges given due to gay-related incidents.
Anita Bryant: Singer Sewing Machine Company reinstated Anita Bryant’s contract after revoking it due to her “controversial” political activities against gay rights.
Fire Island: The gay resort island sustained significant ice damage, requiring thousands of dollars in repairs.
“Voyage of the Damned”: The movie, based on the actual 1939 voyage of the S.S. St. Louis with German-Jewish refugees, was playing at the Forum and Encore.

Lambda Rail Tour:

The “original” 1977 Lambda Rail Tour, a two-week gay rail tour of America, was set to originate in Pittsburgh on September 30. The tour included stops in New York, New Orleans, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and Chicago.

The magazine also featured personal ads, a “Bazaar” section with various listings, and a calendar of local gay events.