Pa. ‘sodomy’ repeal to be introduced
Adapted from reporting by Harry Langhorne
Democratic state Sen. Louis Hill announced his intention in April 1976 to repeal the so-called “sodomy law.”
It referred to the “voluntary deviate sexual intercourse” section of the state penal code, which criminalized certain acts like oral and anal intercourse.
Four other senators from Southeastern Pennsylvania agreed to co-sponsor the bill. At least 13 senators from other parts of the state indicated support.
Hill said he decided to introduce the repeal bill after he saw the strong showing of gay-rights advocates during Gay Lobby Day in March 1976.
The law was overturned by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in 1980.
Gay counseling center in the works
Adapted from reporting by Karen Martin
Psychological Alternatives, a new counseling center for gay people, was set to open in Philadelphia.
Organizers announced that Dr. Frank W. Ginn would operate the center along similar lines of those used at the Eromin Center, where he used to work.
“As a group, we’re committed to providing quality mental-health services to gay people,” Ginn said, noting he wanted to set up his own center because he wanted a clinical setting with minimal bureaucracy.
He called counseling “an experience in living in which the counselor participates as much as the client, but where the responsibility for change is with the client.”
Psychological Alternatives was slated to offer individual, group and couples counseling; awareness counseling; assertiveness training; treatment for sexual dysfunction and related services. Clients paid fees on a sliding scale based on their income.
— compiled by Paige Cooperstein