Headlines and some news from Rochester's gay newspaper, The Empty Closet, March 1974 issue.
Gay Parents May Face Tough Custody Battles: Family court specialist attorney Louis Gould opinion was that chances of a known gay parent obtaining custody of their children were slim.
Job Protection for Gay’s Discussed In Contract Talks: Negotiators for professional employees and college management at Monroe community college discussed the possibility of including a non-discrimination clause in their recently negotiated contract. The clause would forbid discrimination against gays in employment and promotion practices.
March 15 RIT Slams Closet Door on Photographic Exhibit: A photographic display by freelance photographer Michael Schwieger displaying a mixture of realistic and surrealistic nudes was removed from RIT walls only three days after it was put up as a result of comments by secretaries and administrators.
New theater Group Begins “Cinderella” Rehearsals: Rehearsals began on March 15 of Rochester's new, all-male theater group's production of Cinderella, with ugly sisters, wicked stepmothers, a real fairy godmother and others.
In 1974, the year the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley was incorporated, the following world events are worth noting:
- The Cultural Revolution begins in China encouraged by Chairman Mao Zedong.
- Kathy Kozachenko becomes the first openly homosexual American elected to public office when she wins a seat on the Ann Arbor, Michigan city council.
- House Resolution 14752, the first gay civil rights bill, is introduced in Congress
- Patricia Hearst, 19 year old daughter of publisher Randolph Hearst, was kidnapped by the Symbionese Liberation Army.
- OPEC ends the oil embargo begun in 1973 during the Yom Kippur War.
- In London, the first openly LGBT telephone help line opens, followed one year later by the Brighton Lesbian and Gay Switchboard.
- At the Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, Hank Aaron breaks baseball great's Babe Ruth's record by hitting his 715th home run.
- Richard M. Nixon announces he will resign from the Presidency.
Compiled by Evelyn Bailey