Summary
This edition of the Pittsburgh Gay News (February 1, 1975) covers a range of topics relevant to the local and national gay community.Key Local Stories:
- Norreh Club Fire: The Norreh Social Club, a popular gay establishment in Pittsburgh’ was spared in a five-alarm fire on January 16 that destroyed a neighboring building. Manager Don Thinnes expressed hope of acquiring and demolishing the destroyed building for additional parking.
- Pittsburgh Gay Pride Week: A planning meeting for the 1975 Gay Pride Week is set for February 10 at Persad Center. Gay Alternatives Pittsburgh (GAP) will serve as a catalyst for organizing the event, discussing dates, events, and publicity.
- Pittsburgh MCC First Service: The Pittsburgh Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) held its first worship service on January 26, led by Rev. Frank W. Scott. The group plans to meet weekly at the UACM Building in Oakland.
- PGN Storefront Search: PGN, Inc. is actively seeking a storefront facility in the Shadyside-East Liberty area for an office, production facility, and social event space, ideally 800 sq. ft. with rent between $100-$150 per month.
- Pittsburgh Broadcasters Hearing: Randal G. Forrester, executive director of Persad Center, Inc., spoke at a Pittsburgh Area Broadcasters Association hearing on January 14, advocating for better media representation of the sexual minority community and addressing common stereotypes.
- Pittsburgh Gay Theatre: The Pittsburgh Gay Theatre is seeking cast and crew for its production of “Coming Out” by Jonathan Katz, to be directed by Oliver Pitcher.
National and Other News:
- Watergate Tapes: Newly released Watergate tape transcripts from June 1972 contain anti-gay passages, revealing a conversation between Nixon and H.R. Haldeman about gay activism and a lawsuit to legalize cross-dressing.
- State-Gay Meeting in Harrisburg: Representatives from gay organizations are scheduled to meet with officials from Governor Shapp’s office on January 28 in Harrisburg to discuss gay rights in Pennsylvania and a proposed Gay Concerns Task Force.
- “Mr. Club” Competition: Three “Club” members from Pittsburgh and Cleveland areas, Denis McTigue, Al Nemer, and Tim Manning, will compete in the 1975 International “Mr. Club” competition in Miami on February 20.
- Dayton Lesbians Fight for Marriage License: Two women in Dayton, Ohio, Grace Thornton and Phyllis Marshall, have filed a $100 million suit after being denied a marriage license in 1974.
- Jean O’Leary to Speak at Pitt: Ms. Jean O’Leary, president of Lesbian Feminist Liberation of New York, will speak at the University of Pittsburgh on February 12, hosted by Gay Students at Pitt.
- Fourth Annual Women’s Cultural Festival: The University of Pittsburgh is hosting this festival from January 27 to February 2, featuring lectures, workshops, poetry, and a concert. “Sexuality Day” on January 30 is co-sponsored by Gay Students at Pitt and Persad Center.
- FCC-Prompted Hearings: Pittsburgh broadcasters are seeking and receiving input from the gay community to ascertain community problems, needs, and interests for license renewal.
- MCC/Akron Conference: The Akron Metropolitan Community Church Mission will host the Great Lakes District Conference of MCC on February 21-23, with Rev. Troy Perry as a featured guest. Rev. Perry is also tentatively scheduled to speak in Pittsburgh on February 26.
- “Lambda Gay Radio Show”: WYEP-FM 91.5 Stereo airs the “Lambda Gay Radio Show” every Thursday from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm.
- Gay Dial-A-Message in Chicago: The Free Spirit Fellowship in Chicago offers a three-minute recorded gay message service (312) 427-1234, providing local and national gay news and social events.
Editorials and Opinion:
- An editorial addresses the common misconception that various gay organizations in Pittsburgh are centrally controlled, emphasizing their separate structures and operations.
- PGN expresses gratitude to readers and advertisers for their support, allowing the newspaper to continue publishing after implementing a 35-cent per copy charge.
- An editorial urges Pennsylvania’s gay citizens to seize the current opportunity to advocate for gay rights within the receptive Shapp administration.
- A letter to the editor calls for the rebirth of the Pennsylvania Federation of Gays for statewide representation of gay people.
- Richard Meritzer encourages gay individuals to run for County Commissioner positions in the upcoming elections.
- An open letter to the Mormon Church from a prison resident, Kari Ahlers, Jr., questions the church’s condemnation of homosexuality.
The issue also features a community calendar of events, advertisements for gay-friendly businesses and services, and statistics on the homosexual population in the United States.