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Pittsburgh’s Out #52 July 1981

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Summary

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

Interview with Allen Ginsberg and Charlie Murphy: The issue features an interview with Beat Generation poet Allen Ginsberg and a profile of folk singer Charlie Murphy, discussing their music, philosophy, and how they relate to hopes and fears about the future.
Debate: Gays and Religion: Two Pittsburghers, Joe Houle of the Metropolitan Community Church and atheist Glenn Masters III, debate whether religion and the gay lifestyle can mix, with one arguing “Yes” and the other “No.”
Legal Rights in Pennsylvania: An editorial and article discuss the limited legal protections for gays and lesbians in Pennsylvania, highlighting issues in housing, employment, and child custody. It notes that the state Supreme Court recently ruled the “sodomy” law unconstitutional, but legislators are attempting to create new laws to criminalize it again, specifically targeting gays.
Shadyside Arts Festival: The annual Shadyside Summer Arts Festival is celebrated as a significant event for the gay community in Pittsburgh, drawing large crowds and having a “particularly gay” image.
“Gay Pride, Gay Shame” Letter: A reader, Tony Smith, shares a personal reflection on the challenges and joys of being gay, expressing both pride in the community’s progress and shame over issues like racism and misogyny within it.
News and Events:
- Immigration Law: Protests occurred in the U.S. and Europe after a gay Canadian man was excluded from entering the U.S. due to anti-gay immigration laws, leading to a proposed bill in the House of Representatives to repeal the exclusionary section.
- Lesbian Eviction Case: A New York Housing Court judge ordered the eviction of a lesbian couple, stating that homosexuals living together do not constitute a family unit.
- Pneumonia Outbreak: A mysterious, sometimes fatal pneumonia outbreak among gay men in San Francisco and other major cities is causing concern among disease specialists, with investigations focusing on its connection to the homosexual lifestyle or sexually transmitted diseases like CMV.
- Gay Rights National Lobby (GRNL): GRNL is mobilizing religious denominations and other organizations to support national gay civil rights legislation.
- First Gay Savings Bank: Atlas Savings, the world’s first gay savings and loan organization, has reached its capitalization goal and plans to open soon in San Francisco.
- California State Workers’ Rights: California has hired its first full-time official to protect gay state workers from discrimination, following an executive order by Governor Jerry Brown.
- National Gay Task Force (NGTF): NGTF is targeting the “Moral Majority” and the “Family Protection Act” and has lobbied over 500 news directors and editors on gay issues to promote fair and accurate reporting.
- Mr. Leather 1981: Marty Kiker of San Francisco won the title of International Mr. Leather 1981.
Social Scene: The issue includes a “Picnic Scrapbook” with photos from the Golden Triangle Picnic in North Park, “Faces and Places” photos from various gay venues, and a “Outbursts” gossip column detailing social events and observations in the Pittsburgh gay community.
“Outguide”: A directory of gay-friendly businesses and organizations in Pittsburgh and the surrounding tri-state area (Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia) is provided, including bars, baths, bookstores, churches, and legal services.

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