Summary
This April 1973 newsletter from Gay Alternatives Pittsburgh (later Pittsburgh Gay News) details various activities and initiatives within the Pittsburgh gay community. Key highlights include:
- First Local Gay VD Clinic: An experimental clinic for testing and diagnosis of venereal disease in gay individuals was set to open on April 26, 1973, at Persad Center. This was a joint venture of the County Health Dept. and Persad Center, in response to a high rate of VD among gay males.
- Educational Speaking Engagements: Members of GAP, Lesbian/Feminists (L/F), and Gay Students at Pitt (GSP) were actively involved in speaking engagements at colleges and in the community to educate people about the gay lifestyle and the gay liberation movement.
- Political Action: GAP’s Political/Legal Action Committee was preparing a questionnaire for State Assemblymen and Senators in Allegheny County to ascertain their views on gay rights issues, including the abolition of criminal penalties for consenting adult sexual relationships and the addition of sexual orientation to anti-discrimination codes. The results would be used as a voters’ guide.
- Legal Workshop on Police Harassment: A workshop was held to discuss police harassment of gay people and the possibility of meeting with the Pittsburgh Superintendent of Police.
- “Gay-in” at Pitt: GSP sponsored a “gay-in” at the University of Pittsburgh on April 6, featuring an information booth and activities like “hug a homosexual” and “take a lesbian to lunch.”
- Lesbian Mothers Program: GAP held an educational program addressing the unique challenges faced by lesbian mothers.
- National Gay Conference: The Third Annual Conference of Gay Liberation and Culture was scheduled for April 26-29 at Rutgers University.
- Community Activities: The newsletter also mentions ongoing activities such as lesbian softball, a Gay Women’s Open House every Friday at Persad Center, a weekly gay coffeehouse at the First Unitarian Church, and regular Sunday community meetings for GAP.
- Organizational Updates: Information is provided on upcoming elections for GAP co-chairpersons, the distribution of informational brochures for GAP and Persad Center, and the celebration of GAP’s first anniversary.
- Future Plans: Discussions were underway for a second statewide gay convention, a county-wide candidates’ night focusing on gay issues, and efforts to offer lesbian counseling at the Pittsburgh Free Clinic.