Pittsburgh's Out #54 September 1981

Summary

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

Key highlights include:

Five individuals share their experiences with gay personal ads, which are a prominent feature in the magazine’s “Meet market” section.
Researcher Toby Marotta pursues whys, wherefores, of the gay liberation movement: A profile of social scientist Toby Marotta, author of The Politics of Homosexuality, which chronicles gay political activity from the 1950s to the 1980s. He discusses the institutionalization of gay liberation, particularly in areas like the Castro in San Francisco, and defends “gay ghettos” as serving liberation and identity-building.
An Openly Gay Mayor in a Town of 4197: Nick Maklary reports on Gerald E. (Gene) Ulrich, the openly gay mayor of Bunceton, Missouri, and his nine-year relationship with Larry Fowler. The article highlights the town’s acceptance and lack of concern about their mayor’s sexual orientation.
Commentary: The ‘Family Protection’ Bill: Mary C. Dunlap analyzes Senate Bill 1378, the proposed “Family Protection Act of 1981.” She argues that the bill is unconstitutional, attacks the rights of minorities including gays, and promotes a narrow, patriarchal definition of family.
Reflections on Those High School Years: Columnist Brian McNaught discusses the pain and isolation experienced by closeted gay adolescents in high school and urges gay adults to advocate for better sex education and supportive environments in schools.
Outspoken: Those Wedding Bells: An editorial reflecting on the institution of marriage in general, particularly in light of the royal wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer. The author expresses frustration that gay individuals cannot legally marry the ones they love and criticizes the law’s emphasis on traditional marriage.
Readers’ Turn: The Debate Continues: A letter from Rev. Joe Houle responding to criticism of his previous article on “Religion and Gays,” defending his definitions of meditation and religion and sharing his personal experiences with discrimination within religious institutions.
Readers’ Turn: Playing into Falwell’s hands?: A letter from an anonymous reader criticizing a satirical piece in a previous issue of Out titled “Chicken Shortage To Reach Epidemic Proportions,” arguing that its content could be used by groups like the Moral Majority to portray gays negatively.

News and Updates:

ACLU equality committee maps future strategy; Media Watch notes successes: The Pittsburgh chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union’s Lesbian/Gay Equality Committee and its Media Watch effort have seen success in sensitizing local media to gay issues, particularly with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. They plan to continue working for an equal protection ordinance.
New address for Center’s mail: The Persad Community Center has a new mailing address (P.O. Box 7536, Pittsburgh, PA 15213) to streamline mail handling.
Gay Rodeo ’81 draws 10,000 to Reno fairgrounds: A report on the National Reno Gay Rodeo, highlighting its success and the community it fostered.
Gays get no break in immigration policy revision: President Reagan’s administration has remained silent on repealing the exclusion of homosexuals from immigration, despite recommendations from the previous administration and ongoing efforts by gay rights groups.
White House wary of far-right supporters: President Reagan is reportedly resisting calls from the New Christian Right to involve the White House in lobbying for social legislation, including anti-gay measures, to avoid political disputes.
‘Embarrassing’ data on gay homes dropped by Census: The U.S. Census Bureau decided not to tabulate households with same-sex partners from the 1980 census, fearing the results would be “controversial” and “embarrassing” to policymakers.
UFMCC elects first lay member to board; adopts language policy: The Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches (UFMCC) elected a lay person to its governing board and adopted a policy to eliminate sexism in references to the deity.
BWMT-Pittsburgh visits Philly for East conference: Representatives from Pittsburgh’s Black & White Men Together chapter attended an East Coast conference, sharing ideas and experiences with other chapters.
Police sue San Francisco gay newspaper for $20M; libel in brutality story charged: The San Francisco Police Officers Association filed a $20 million libel suit against the Bay Area Reporter over a story detailing alleged police brutality.
Violence alert! A warning to gay men in Pittsburgh’s Oakland cruising areas about a group of six white male high school-age youths violently attacking them.
Pgh. gay youth elect officers, set goals: The Growing Alternative Youth of Pittsburgh (GAYP) elected new officers and set goals including increasing visibility, holding social events, fundraising, and developing a newsletter and youth library.
Top firms adopt non-discrimination policy: A National Gay Task Force survey found that many of the nation’s largest corporations are adopting non-discrimination policies in hiring and promotion for gays and lesbians.
Lesbian named by NGTF to head drive: Charlotte Bunch has been hired by the National Gay Task Force to lead a women’s program aimed at promoting lesbian visibility and strengthening ties with the women’s movement.
International gay group maps plans for the future: Highlights from the third annual International Gay Association conference, including discussions on medical classification of homosexuality, repression in Spain, and artificial insemination laws.
Public support for gay rights grows, poll finds: NBC television polls show a significant increase in public support for gay rights, with support for non-discrimination laws rising from 44% to 48%.
Censorship in libraries on the rise: The American Library Association reports a five-fold increase in attempts to censor books in schools and libraries, largely from conservative groups opposing sex education and books treating homosexuality with “understanding.”
Bisexual prelate featured in controversial new book: A Catholic priest, Rev. Andrew M. Greeley, has written a novel, The Cardinal Sins, featuring a bisexual cardinal and depicting homosexuality as prevalent in seminaries, raising eyebrows despite the author’s insistence on fictionality.
Crumpley found not guilty-insane: Ronald Crumpley, who shot and killed two men at a gay bar, was found not guilty by reason of insanity, claiming he acted in self-defense against homosexuals attempting to convert him.
Group to monitor Moral Majority: The Campaign for Viewer Responsibility has organized to oppose the Moral Majority’s attempts to pressure the media.
UFMCC to seek affiliation with the National Council of Churches: The Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches plans to apply for membership in the National Council of Churches, though its chances for acceptance appear dim.
Carr pulls out of La Cage venture: Producer Allan Carr postponed his stage musical version of La Cage aux Folles due to creative and financial differences.
Business group will honor Baez: Humanitarian singer Joan Baez will be honored by the National Association of Business Councils at their first national lesbian and gay business and professional convention.
Lovers’ letters bring high price: A series of 145 letters from two female lovers in the 18th and 19th centuries, known as the “Ladies of Llangollen,” sold for nearly 2,000 pounds at Sotheby’s.
National gay Democrats organize: A National Association of Gay and Lesbian Democratic Clubs is forming to build upon political successes within the Democratic Party and combat the New Right.
October vote important to Center’s future: Elections for the advisory committee of the Persad Community Center will be instrumental in its transition to an independent, incorporated Gay Community Center by mid-1982.
Tennis star Navratilova takes a public plunge: Tennis star Martina Navratilova came out as bisexual, facing potential backlash from sponsors and personal challenges.
Sharon and Sharon: An advertisement for a law firm offering legal services to the gay community in Pittsburgh.

The issue also includes regular departments such as “Bazaar” (classifieds), “Doing America” (travel), “Faces and Places” (social photos), “The Family Zoo” (satire), “Gallery” (photography and art), “Lost and Found” (reviews), “The Meet Market” (personal contact ads), “Newsworthy,” “Out and About” (upcoming social events), “Outbursts” (gossip), “Outfront” (profile), “Outguide” (advertisers directory), “Outrageous” (soft news), “Outspoken” (editorial), “Readers’ Turn” (letters), “Resources” (gay guide and map), and “What’s Happening” (monthly calendar).