Jan. 7-13
1996
U.S.: Pat Cool, a longtime New York publishing executive who was in charge of advertising and promotion for the Pocket Books and audio divisions of Simon & Shuster, dies of AIDS at 48. * Assemblyman William J. "Pete" Knight introduces a bill that would prevent California from recognizing same-sex marriages performed legally outside the state. The Republican lawmaker introduced his bill in anticipation of expected legalization of same-sex marriages in Hawaii. * CBS Sports banishes Ben Wright as a golf analyst, eight months after he was quoted by a Delaware newspaper reporter as making pejorative remarks about the impact of lesbianism on the women's golf tour. * Quote of The Week: Congressman Barney Frank says, "The single most important thing you can do politically for gay rights is to come out. Not to write a letter to your congressman, but to come out." * Taiwan: In Taipei, Chang Ching-shen, director of the city's Bureau of Urban Development, announces that the bureau is planning to open a gay club at a "symbolic'' location.
1991
U.S.: The hot new porno video is Blasting Off To Uranus: Butt Boys In Space. * Trash Trio by John Waters is in bookstores. It includes the screenplays of Pink Flamingos, Desperate Living, and Flamingos Forever, the unmade sequel to Pink Flamingos. * Alan Wiggins, a former outfielder for the Baltimore Orioles, and the San Diego Padres, dies of AIDS. * The ACT UP chapter of Portland, Ore., disbands after two factions within the group start feuding, with one group, the Radical Activist Truth Squad ( RATS ) , accusing the other group, Vanguard, of threatening their personal safety.
1986
U.S.: In Rochester, N.Y., Tim Mains, the openly gay candidate for city council, is finally sworn into office after a state judge declared him the official winner of last November's election and lifted an order restraining him from taking office. Main's struggle continued for two months after the election, in which he was declared the unofficial winner of the position by 127 votes. The reason for the delay was that a number of ballots hadn't been counted. Main's lead over his opponent was cut to 11 votes. * In Michigan, the East Lansing City Council considers a proposal to extend spousal benefits to "lovers" and "significant others" of city workers. * Poland: A Polish communist magazine advocates establishing a public organization for gay men "to provide alternatives to secretive sexual contacts which are spreading AIDS." * Australia: The Sydney City Council votes to assist the 1986 gay Mardi Gras Parade, despite opposition by the Labour Caucus.
1981
U.S.: Dynasty, a gay favorite, and with occasional gay characters, premieres on TV. * In New York City, a Gay Press Association is approved for formation at a three-day convention, attended by almost 50 gay magazines, newspapers and guides. * New back pocket fad in San Francisco: A white plastic fork stuck in the right pocket means "Take me to dinner and I'm yours." ( Left pocket = "I'll pick up the tab" ) . * Pieces of 8 and Class of '84 are the hot porn videos on Video and Beta. * Alix Dobkin's third album XX Alix is in record stores.