Summary
This edition of Pittsburgh Gay News (Number Nineteen, March 1, 1975) covers a range of topics, including:
- State-level Gay Rights Meeting (Pages 1, 2, 10-11): Pennsylvania’s second state-convened meeting on Gay Rights took place on January 28, 1975, in Harrisburg. Representatives from various government departments and gay activists discussed equal rights for the estimated 110,000 gay individuals in Pennsylvania. Key issues included policies of credit bureaus and insurance companies, banking practices (e.g., considering combined incomes for loans), job security and hostile attitudes toward gay students in education, lack of visitation rights and staff attitudes in the health department, institutionalization of gay individuals and adoption criteria in public welfare, and the Human Relations Commission’s limitations. The meeting also discussed the ongoing illegality of homosexual activity due to “Victimless Crimes” laws and the possibility of a Governor’s Executive Order on Homosexual Rights.
- In Memoriam: Dr. Howard J. Brown (Pages 1, 2-3, 4): Dr. Howard J. Brown, Chairman of the National Gay Task Force and a nationally known gay professional, died on February 1, 1975, at age 50 from a heart ailment. He gained fame on October 2, 1973, when he publicly announced his homosexuality, a groundbreaking act for a former Health Services Administrator for New York City. He was instrumental in founding the National Gay Task Force and worked tirelessly for the gay movement. Memorial services were held in New York, and a “Fund for Human Dignity: The Howard Brown Memorial Fund” was established in his honor.
- Gay Pride Week Plans (Pages 1, 3-4): The initial planning session for Pittsburgh’s 1975 Gay Pride Week, tentatively scheduled for June 14-22, was held on February 10. The organizers emphasized unity and cooperation among various gay community segments. Events discussed included a four-part radio program by WYEP’s Lambda, a multi-day showing of the film A Very Natural Thing, a four-page Gay Pride Week supplement in Gay News, a dance contest or “Drag” show, gay and women’s liberation documentary films, personal awareness workshops coordinated by Persad Center, and commemorative events for the “Year of the Woman.” A parade and picnic are planned for Sunday, June 22, and the “Gay Trolley Party” is also being considered.
- Persad Center Funding Cut (Page 5): Allegheny County Commissioners William R. Hunt and Thomas J. Foerster voted to cut all Allegheny County Mental Health and Mental Retardation Program (MH/MR) funding for Persad Center, Inc., as of October 31, 1974, without providing reasons. Persad Center, which received only 1/10th of the average allocation for an MH/MR-funded agency, provided over 2,900 hours of service in the previous fiscal year. Executive Director Randal G. Forrester announced a lawsuit against the Commissioners, alleging violation of the Pennsylvania Mental Health and Mental Retardation Act and civil rights of sexual minority individuals.
- Gay Civil Rights Bill in Congress (Pages 4, 7): H.R. 166, the “Civil Rights Amendment of 1975,” was introduced in the House of Representatives by five Congressional sponsors, including Bella S. Abzug (D-NY) and Robert Nix (D-PA). The bill aims to prohibit discrimination based on “affectional or sexual preference” in employment, housing, public accommodations, facilities, and education.
- Challenging West Penn AAA Policy (Pages 1, 6-7): A coalition of gay men and women who are West Penn AAA members plans to challenge the organization’s Associate Membership policy, which currently uses the undefined term “spouse.” This challenge arose after News editor Jim Austin’s attempt to include his male lover in an Associate Membership plan was met with resistance and an unofficial workaround. A strategy meeting is scheduled for March 20 at Persad Center.
- Other News and Features:
- National Roundup (Page 6): Briefs on topics like a gay man denied entrance to the Methodist ministry, a transsexual operation guardianship, the first openly gay person to practice law in D.C., a non-discriminatory policy from the New York City Board of Education, and an openly gay man winning unsupervised visitation rights with his children.
- Openly Gay Man Wins Security Clearance (Page 6): Otis Francis Tabler, Jr., an openly gay man, was granted a secret-level security clearance by the Department of Defense, a decision the government is appealing.
- Ms. Magazine Petition (Page 6): The February issue of Ms. Magazine includes a “Petition for Sanity” supporting gay rights, initiated by NGTP board member Jean O’Leary.
- NBC Affirmative Action (Page 6): NBC released an affirmative action statement protecting sexual minority persons regarding employment and plans meetings for gay input into programming.
- “Coming Out to Your Family” (Page 9): An article by James Huggins, MSW, from Persad Center, discusses the challenges and considerations for gay individuals revealing their sexuality to their families, addressing common family concerns such as guilt, concerns about pathology, disappointment, fear of “contamination,” stereotyping, anxiety, and shame.
- Editorial Viewpoints (Page 10): An editorial urging unity and action among Pennsylvania’s gay citizens to influence state government efforts in procuring gay civil rights, and another criticizing governmental and private sector “snooping” on private citizens.
- Reader Viewpoints (Page 12): A letter from “Joe (16-year-old gay student)” in Pittsburgh discusses his reluctance to take a guy to the prom due to fears of losing friends, dignity, and family, and the editor’s response.
- Community Calendar (Page 3): Listings of events for March 1975 in the Pittsburgh area, including meetings, social events, and radio programs.
- Advertisements: Ads for local gay establishments like Fallen Angel, Home Circle Club, Cruella DeVille’s, Club Baths of Pittsburgh, London Pub, Shawn’s 1209, Norreh Social Club, and Penthouse II Theatre.