“Gay Cancer” Surfaces Locally: The magazine reports on the first two known cases of Kaposi’s Sarcoma (KS) and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PC) in Pittsburgh, diseases that have been affecting gay men at an alarming rate. Control groups are being set up to study the causes and potential cures [1].
Protest Against Jerry Falwell: Over 200 people protested against Moral Majority leader Jerry Falwell during his fundraising visit to Pittsburgh. Protesters carried signs highlighting gay rights, religious plurality, and anti-nuclear sentiments [1].
Civil Rights Under Reagan: Americans for Democratic Action (ADA) “flunks” the Reagan Administration for undermining civil rights efforts, including those for women, minorities, and the gay and lesbian communities [1].
Pittsburgh’s Steel City Softball League (SCSL): The formation of a gay softball league is announced, with the 1982 season commencing on May 2. The article emphasizes the league’s commitment to building a more diverse and visible gay community beyond traditional gay establishments [1].
Double Tragedy: A heartbreaking story from Washington, D.C., details the suicide of Phillip Zimmer after his lover, Howard “Ricky” Testerman, Jr., died in an Air Florida plane crash. Zimmer faced exclusion from Testerman’s family and legal obstacles in seeking damages, highlighting the lack of protections for gay relationships [1].
Larry Tighe’s Candidacy in West Virginia: Kristoffer Roy profiles Larry Tighe, a candidate for the West Virginia State Senate, who publicly endorses gay rights and aims to revise the state’s Human Rights Act to include “affectional preference” as a protected group [1].
National Gay Olympic Games “Flame Chain”: San Francisco is preparing for the first-ever Gay Olympic Games in August, preceded by a “national torch run” or “flame chain” starting in New York City and planned to pass through Pittsburgh in early July [1].
Polygraph Curbs Urged: The increasing use of polygraphs in businesses is a concern for gay individuals, as it could lead to employers delving into their private lives. Opponents of lie detectors express fears of a “Big Brother mentality” [1].
Homophobia in Pittsburgh City Council: City Council Chairman Eugene DePasquale is criticized for homophobic remarks made during a Council session, particularly regarding a hypothetical gay ward chairman [1].
Love, Glorious Love—Six Years Young!: Brian McNaught shares a personal commentary on his six-year relationship with his partner, Ray, discussing the similarities between gay and straight relationships, communication, and evolving understandings of commitment [1].
Canadian Gay Paper Facing Retrial: The Body Politic, a gay monthly published in Toronto, is preparing for a retrial on charges of distributing “immoral, indecent and scurrilous” material through the mail [1].
National Group for Gay Democrats: Gays involved in the Democratic National Convention are renewing efforts to form a national confederation of gay Democratic clubs, with a conference planned for June 24 in Philadelphia [1].

The magazine also includes regular sections such as “Bazaar” (classifieds), “Butcherblock” (cooking), “Crosswords,” “Doing America,” “Faces and Places” (photos), “Fortunes” (astrology), “Our Bodies / Our Minds” (health), “Ourstory” (history), “Out and About” (social events), “Outbursts” (gossip), “Outguide” (advertisers directory), “Outrageous” (soft news), “Outspoken” (editorials), “Readers’ Turn” (letters), “Resources” (gay guide and map), “Tongues-in-cheek” (satire), and “What’s Happening” (monthly calendar) [1].

PrevPreviousPittsburgh’s Out #61 April 1982

NextPittsburgh’s Out #63 June 1982Next

Explore more of: Pittsburgh's Out

RETURN TO Q ARCHIVES PORTAL

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comment *

Name *

Email *

Website

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Sign me up for the newsletter!

Δ

QBurgh is your source for LGBTQ news and community resources in Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania. info@qburgh.com

Facebook-f Instagram Twitter

Home
The Feed
About Us
Contact Us
Write for Us
Support Us
Advertise
Media Kit

Home
The Feed
About Us
Contact Us
Write for Us
Support Us
Advertise
Media Kit

Q Archives
Community Calendar
Community Directory
Submit an Event
Submit a Directory Listing
Manage Your Subscriptions
Editorial Ethics and Guidelines
Pay your invoice

Q Archives
Community Calendar
Community Directory
Submit an Event
Submit a Directory Listing
Manage Your Subscriptions
Editorial Ethics and Guidelines
Pay your invoice

Get In Touch

223 Fourth Avenue
Floor 10
Pittsburgh, PA 15222

info@qburgh.com
412-353-9759

Mondays suck. Unless you’re getting 'Slay Weekly.' QBurgh's good-news-only newsletter serving queer joy, glitter, and chaos every Monday. 'Cause the world sucks but we're still fabulous!

Invalid email address

Starting January 2026. Get in early, queen!

Slay! See you soon!

Will you support the Q Archives

When fully digitized, the Q Archives will be the most comprehensive, accessible exhibition of Pittsburgh’s queer history available online. Every contribution helps us bring our past into the present and make sure it’s never forgotten again.

Invalid email address

Not at this time

Slay! See you soon!