to haunt the holidays,” we realize people in 1981 were just as jaded about the holidays as people are now. 1982 January: Divine performs Jan. 17 at Rainbows on Walnut Street. PGN interviews Edith Massey and Divine. February: PGN reviews “Making Love,” a mainstream drama about a married man coming to terms with his homosexuality. March: PGN talks to out author Randy Shilts prior to the release of his book “The Mayor of Castro Street: The Life and Times of Harvey Milk.” April: PGN does a special S&M-themed issue. (Current editor would never let us get away with that.) 1983 July: Marvin Gaye performs July 9 at the Spectrum. Sylvester performs July 10 at DCA. David Bowie performs July 18-21 at the Spectrum. October: PGN interviews feminist activist Gloria Steinem.
1984 February: PGN reports Eddie Murphy’s antigay jokes have resulted in a backlash from gay record stores, who pulled all of Murphy’s records and videotapes.
The Venture Inn turns 150.
March: PGN debates lesbian roles in feature films such as “Personal Best” and “Silkwood.”
April: PGN reports on “Cagney & Lacey,” which was canceled, then brought back after fans launched a letter-writing campaign. The controversy around original cast member Meg Foster is examined. Foster was replaced by Sharon Gless because executives thought that Foster too aggressive and too likely to be perceived as a lesbian by viewers.
35TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL EDITION
May: PGN declares Annie Lennox, Joan Jett and Jamie Lee Curtis as the newest pin-up infatuations for young lesbians. June: PGN praises Dolly Parton’s performance (and her rack) in “Rhinestone.” 1985 July: PGN reviews “Pumping Iron II: The Women” in the Lesbian Voice section. August: Rock Hudson goes public with the fact that he has AIDS. Joan Rivers criticized Hudson in the press for not going public with this information sooner. PGN lauds Boy George for being an out and outspoken rock star. Disneyland reverses a 28-year-old ban on samesex dancing at Magic Kingdom. November: NBC airs “An Early Frost,” one of the first major films to deal with the subject of HIV/AIDS. 1986 January: PGN reviews “The Color Purple” starring future superstars Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey. July: PGN talks to Donna Deitch, producer and director of “Desert Hearts.” August: PGN reviews summer blockbuster “Aliens,” starring Sigourney Weaver. PGN interviews jazz singer Nancy Wilson. September: Local bars screen the season premiere of the new season of “Dynasty.” October: PGN talks to former Supreme Mary Wilson.
Philadelphia Gay News www.epgn.com Feb. 18-24, 2011
55