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Pittsburgh’s Out #40 July 1980

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Summary

Legal Victory in Pennsylvania: The State Supreme Court overturned Pennsylvania’s “voluntary deviate sexual intercourse” law, effectively legalizing consensual homosexual activity between adults in private. This landmark decision was the result of an appeal by the Allegheny County District Attorney’s office in a case involving heterosexual individuals arrested at an adult theater.

“The Great Morals Squad Scandal Circa 1950”: An in-depth feature exposes a historical scandal in Pittsburgh where a police “Morals Squad” terrorized and blackmailed nearly 800 gay men between 1948 and 1951. The squad conducted sweeps in gay cruising areas, often entrapping men and extorting money to drop charges. Six officers, including Lt. Louis Morgan, were eventually convicted for perjury and obstructing justice.
Lesbian and Gay Pride Week Committee Response: The committee refutes criticisms from a previous letter to the editor, clarifying their inclusive policies for the Pride march and events, and addressing misinformation regarding cancelled male-oriented events and a female impersonation act. They emphasize the unity between lesbians and gay men in Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh Free Clinic Profile: The magazine features Phil Parr, the executive director of the Pittsburgh Free Clinic, highlighting its role as a resource for the gay and lesbian community, offering preventive and therapeutic care sensitive to their needs. The clinic faced skepticism and funding challenges due to its early provision of abortion services, sex counseling for teenagers, and outreach to the LGBTQ+ community.
National Gay Volleyball Tournament: The second annual tournament was held in Chicago with 23 teams from across the country, though Pittsburgh did not have an organized team participating despite local interest.
Golden Triangle Picnic: The fifth annual picnic, sponsored by local gay bars, attracted over 2,000 attendees, making it potentially the largest gathering of gay people in Pittsburgh’s history.
“Looking at the Lavender Left”: An article discusses the historical and contemporary relationship between the socialist movement and the lesbian/gay liberation movement, examining how leftist groups have grappled with supporting autonomous movements of the oppressed.
National and Federal News: Other articles report on Philadelphia adopting a pro-gay non-discrimination policy for unionized city workers, a lesbian police officer in D.C. filing a complaint after reassignment, the National Lawyers Guild advocating for affirmative action for gays, TV Guide refusing a gay advertisement, Senator Robert Packwood cosponsoring a gay rights bill, Democrats adding a pro-gay statement to their platform, an Army judge ruling against the discharge of a lesbian WAC, and a White House policy protecting federal gay jobs.