Summary
Pittsburgh Gay News (PGN) Number Four, published on Saturday, July 21, 1973, by Gay Alternatives Pittsburgh (GAP), covers various topics relevant to the local gay community.Key Highlights:
- Gay Community Center: GAP is seeking suggestions and opinions from the community for establishing a permanent social center and organization headquarters for gay people in Pittsburgh. A survey is included on page 8 to gather input on desired activities, location preferences, and visibility.
- Gay Pride Week ’73 in Pittsburgh: The article details the events of Pittsburgh’s first Gay Pride Week, held from June 12-17. This included:
- A Gay Symposium at Benedum Hall (June 12) with workshops for professionals and a public lecture by Dr. Evelyn Hooker and Dr. Allen Bell.
- A gay coffeehouse at the University of Pittsburgh Student Union (June 13), which led to dancing being introduced at GAP’s regular Saturday coffeehouses.
- Lesbian/Feminists Night at the 1209 Bar (June 14).
- A Gay Cabaret at the Pitt Student Union’s Pine Room (June 15), featuring a satirical rendition of “The Donna Reed Show.”
- The “Gay Trolley” tour of downtown and South Hills (June 16), which provided a public and positive display of the gay community.
- A dance at the First Unitarian Church (June 16), attended by over 200 people.
- Pittsburgh’s First March for Gay Pride on Sunday, June 17, from Market Square to Flagstaff Hill in Schenley Park, followed by a picnic in North Park. The march more than doubled in size and featured chants and songs, marking a significant “coming out” for gay Pittsburgh.
- New Orleans Fire Victims: The PGN reports on the tragic firebombing of The Upstairs Lounge, a gay bar in New Orleans, on June 24, which killed at least 22 patrons. It highlights the emerging consciousness of a national gay community, with leaders organizing relief efforts. Aid is requested for victims and survivors, including blood donations and financial assistance through the “National New Orleans Memorial” fund.
- Gay Church in Pittsburgh: The Universal Life Church of Celebration began holding gay worship services on Flagstaff Hill in Schenley Park every Sunday since June 24. Founded by Rev. Randy Flynn and Rev. Don Martin, it is inter-denominational and seeks a permanent indoor home.
- Persad Center: The Comprehensive Mental Health Center for Sexual Minorities, located at 5100 Centre Avenue, is sponsoring a Consciousness Raising (C-R) Group for gay men every Monday evening.
- Upcoming Events: The newsletter announces two more dances at the First Unitarian Church on July 21 and August 18, and an End-of-Summer Gay Picnic at Braddock Grove in South Park on September 2.
- Gay Liberation Course at Pitt: The University of Pittsburgh will offer a 3-credit course, “Gay Liberation, Marcusean Analysis and the Conspiracy Against Bi-Sexuality/Human-Sexuality: A Study In Social Movements,” in the fall. The course aims to re-examine homosexuality from various disciplinary perspectives and discuss “homophobia” as a social disease.
- Community Meetings: Gay Alternatives Pittsburgh (GAP) holds community meetings every other Sunday at the First Unitarian Church, inviting community input and involvement in its various committees (Political Action, Social, Publicity, Legal Action, Finance, and Education).
- Advertising: The PGN solicits advertising for its next issue, noting a circulation of over 4,000 copies distributed in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia, and emphasizing its role as the primary communication means for the local gay community.
- Rebuttal to Lawrence Lee: Fred Gormley’s letter to the editor of the Pittsburgh Press strongly protests an article by Lawrence Lee, refuting his use of “wholesome” and “normal” in describing society and asserting that homosexuality is natural, though not customary. The letter also addresses Lee’s claims about art, Betty Friedan’s views on lesbians in the women’s liberation movement, and the demand for acceptance, not just tolerance, for gay people.
- Cartoon and Film Review: The issue includes a comic strip titled “THE BRATTY BUNCH” and a review of the film “The Flower Thief,” noting its gay subtext.
- Radio Program: Chuck Myers and Jeff Cole of GAP were guests on the WAMO radio program “Community Feeling, Community Talk,” discussing gay liberation and addressing listener questions, including issues of racism and inclusiveness within the gay community.
- National Gay Mobilizing Committee: A new coalition is forming to plan a march on Washington to call for the repeal of sodomy and solicitation laws and full civil rights for gays. A national convention is planned for October at the University of Illinois.