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Pittsburgh’s Out #49 April 1981

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Summary

This issue of Pittsburgh’s Out, published in April 1981, covers:

“Man to Man: Gay Couples in America”: An interview with psychologist Charles Silverstein, author of a new book exploring gay relationships. Silverstein discusses his previous work, The Joy of Gay Sex, and challenges the myth that gay relationships don’t last.
“Movies! and the myth of the psychotic gay murderer”: An article by Lawrence Mass, M.D., criticizing Hollywood’s perpetuation of the stereotype of the “psychotic gay murderer” in films like Cruising and Dressed to Kill, linking it to outdated psychiatric theories.
“Ohio vs. John Zeh”: This piece details the legal troubles of John Zeh, host of the Cincinnati radio program Gay Dreams, who was indicted for “disseminating material harmful to juveniles” after reading excerpts from an article on sexual lubricants. The case is seen as a test of local “family” values against gay programming and a potential threat to First Amendment rights in broadcast media.
Law and the Fight for Lesbian and Gay Rights Conference: A summary of a national conference in Pittsburgh, where California Superior Court Judge Stephen Lachs called for unity and a national effort from gay lawyers to advance the gay movement, emphasizing the importance of professional competence and addressing laws criminalizing homosexual acts.
Pittsburgh Gay and Lesbian Community Center: An announcement of the grand opening of Pittsburgh’s first gay and lesbian community center on April 11, located in Oakland and housing the Persad library and Gayline.
Gay Parents group: News about a newly formed support group in Pittsburgh for gay parents, offering a space to share experiences and challenges in raising children.
Political Updates: Reports on the Gay Caucus of the national Democratic Party planning strategy for upcoming elections, a rift between the National Gay Task Force (NGTF) and the Gay Rights National Lobby (GRNL) over military discrimination legislation, the Moral Majority’s anti-homosexuality campaign in Michigan, and a Florida bill attempting to deny recognition to gay campus groups.
Psychiatric Backlash Warning: An article discussing Ronald Bayer’s book, Homosexuality and American Psychiatry: the Politics of Diagnosis, which warns that psychiatrists might revert to labeling homosexuals as “mentally disordered” if societal intolerance towards gays increases.
Other features: Include a “Gallery” of New Wave photography by Pam Lewis, a short story titled “The Merpeople,” and “Mud Wrestling!” action photos from Pittsburgh’s first gay mud wrestling competition.