Summary
This October 5, 1974 issue of Pittsburgh Gay News covers various topics relevant to the LGBTQ+ community.
Local News & Community:
- The Universal Church of Celebration (UCC), Pittsburgh’s first gay religious organization, closed its doors on September 11, 1974, due to financial difficulties and leadership issues, particularly involving “Rev.” Donald Martin who allegedly stole church funds.
- Persad Center’s funding from Allegheny County was unexpectedly cut by the County Commissioners on September 26, despite recommendations for approval. The article urges community action to save Persad Center.
- Gay Alternatives Pittsburgh (GAP) is sponsoring a gay blood drive on October 11 at Persad Center. GAP also announced annual elections for steering committee positions and a new monthly gay dance, with the first being a Halloween dance on October 26.
- A new Lesbian Coffeehouse is scheduled to open at Persad Center on Friday, October 18.
- Dignity/Pittsburgh, a local chapter for gay Catholics, held its first organizational meeting on September 5.
- A new gay male date-match service called Banner Enterprises has launched in the tri-state area.
- The first gay bowling league in Pittsburgh’s history has been established, sponsored by the Norreh Social Club.
- The Pittsburgh Gay News (PGN) is incorporating as a non-profit and will begin selling for 35 cents an issue in January 1975.
- A local gay VD educational brochure, a joint effort by Persad Center, GAP, and the Allegheny County Health Department, has received national acclaim.
Politics & Legal:
- Major candidates in Pennsylvania’s 1974 gubernatorial and U.S. Senate races are being questioned by gay organizations about their stances on civil liberties for gay people. Governor Shapp provided a partial, though vague, response supporting an end to discrimination but expressed doubts about legislative support for abolishing consensual sex laws.
- Challenges to sodomy laws in the District of Columbia are underway, with a judge dismissing charges against three men, ruling the law only applies to non-consenting acts. An appeal is expected, potentially leading to a U.S. Supreme Court review.
- The U.S. Supreme Court may hear the case of openly gay school teacher Joseph Acanfora, fighting for his right to employment.
National & International:
- The Encyclopedia Britannica has agreed to revise its anti-gay policy and include pro-gay information and a “Gay Liberation” heading in future publications.
- The Metropolitan Community Temple (MCT) of Los Angeles, a gay-oriented Jewish temple, has been accepted into the Union of American Hebrew Congregations.
- The first International Gay Rights Congress will be held in the United Kingdom in December, with the National Gay Task Force (NGTF) organizing a U.S. delegation.
Other Features:
- A calendar of gay community events for October and early November is included.
- Letters to the editor discuss the closure of UCC, call for reprisal against anti-gay slurs, address the lack of women at the GAP coffeehouse, and debate issues related to VD and promiscuity.
- An Ohio lesbian child custody case resulted in a temporary victory for Larraine Townend and her lover Vicky Dickinson.
- The London Pub and Norreh Social Club are advertising Halloween parties and other events.