1982/1 January

This is the last edition in NAS

HAIL AND FAREWELL

And so we come to the end of Gay Scotland in its present modest form as a typewritten newsletter. From March [1982] it will be reborn as a properly printed magazine. aimed at all the Scottish gay community, with a supplement to keep SHRG members in touch with each other.

From now on, therefore, all articles and items of general gay interest should be sent to Ian Dunn, 52 Broughton St, Edinburgh. Items referring specifically to SHRG, and intended for the pink-pages supplement, should continue to be sent to David Jago, 50 Queens Dr., Glasgow.

Thanks to all our readers for putting up with typing errors, lapses of memory where vital details are omitted, and shortcoming of that ineffable (or more simply: effeing) duplicator.

Homespun amateurishness, farewell! all hail, glossy sophictication.

1982/2 February

1982/3 March

1982/4 April

1982/5 May

1982/6 June

1982/7 July

1982/8 August

1982/9 September

1982/10 October

1982/11 November

1982/12 December

SUPPORT FOR THE NEW "GAY SCOTLAND" [p6]

Dear Editor,
In this, the final edition of Gay Scotland in newsletter form, [A4 Gestetner duplicated.] I feel obliged to reply to the letters of Sam Paton and Michael Friel in the last issue, expressing their misgivings about the planned new format. I. of course, agree that it must not be an ill-conceived drain on resources, and I sympathise with those speakers at the Forum who expressed the hope that it also will not be politically biased or devoid of humour (an achievement in itself!). Nonetheless, on the fundamental issue I suspect I disagree with all of them, as I believe not only in its inception, but in its eventual commercial viability as a cornerstone of gay life here.

Scotland has what is probably the fastest growing gay scene in Europe, and needs a new publication to consolidate and articulate this. In every thriving community, a newpaper or magazine is needed as a forum for the exchange of ideas, a source of lamenting their failures. While Gay News offers excellent coverage of the larger issues which concern us all, it is essentially and understandably London based and biased. History, and in particular legal history, has dictated that Scotland develop a gay scene which is unique and independent, and as the emergence of a more self-sufficient and self confident community north of the Border becomes apparent, so too does the need for a more relevant publication. If we do not fill this void now, a commercial, and probably less socially responsible, enterprise eventually will. However, if Gay Scotland succeeds in achieving wide circulation, its importance as a lifeline to the more isolated communities and individuals will be immeasurable, complementing the ever-growing network of switchboards in their struggle against ignorance and prejudice. It may also be seen as a standard-bearer to the estimated half-million exiled gay Scots, many of them being victims of harsher times, who have recently begun to trickle back. If New Zealanders living in London can obtain a gay publication from their native land, it is surely time that Scots can.

The time has come for Scotland to take in the international gay community, and this will not be indulging in our traditional traits of self-doubt and derision. The transformation of gay life in this country over the past few years, and the ever-increasing choice of lifestyles it offers, has been achieved by a remarkably small number of brave and determined people. It is now the duty of those of us who were not part of that small “establishment” to come in from the cold and sustain the impetus.

The fact that I know practically nothing about the obviously articulate and concerned individuals to whom I am replying, and they presumably know nothing about me, says it all. It is time for dialogue. I look forward to reading their contributions, however critical, to the new, re-vamped Gay Scotland.

Yours optimistically, Eric Halcro, Editorial Board Member.

And there follows, appropriately enough, the last of the splendid series of poems that Eric has contributed to the newsletter:

I think all aspiring poets
should spend more time in railway stations,
studying the tired lines of haggard commuters
the lonely prostitutes and desperate queers
the sad immigrants and angry youth;
For only then can they realise
how far we still have to go
and do something constructive
instead of writing poetry.

Contacts & Programmes [selection]

PAISLEY & DISTRICT: Meetings Weds AUED Halls, Incle St. 20 Jan The Way Ahead: What would you do? (Allan Donnell), 27 Jan Burns supper, 3 Feb The Treatment of Alcoholism (Rev. Campbell Robertson), 10 Feb Where have all the women gone? (Christine Simm), 17 Feb tba, 24 Feb V.D. (Dr MscMillan), 3 Mar Photography: Do's and Don't's (Robert Livingstone), 10 Mar Gay Parenthood?/Adoption? (Christine Simm), Sat 13 Feb St. Valentine's Disco, AUEW Halls, tickets £1.50.

HAIL AND FAREWELL

And so we come to the end of Gay Scotland in its present modest form as a typewritten newsletter. From March it will be reborn as a properly printed magazine, aimed at all the Scottish gay community, with a supplement to keep SHRG members in touch with each other.

From now on, therefore, all article and item of general gay interest should be sent to Ian Dunn, 52 Broughton Street (Top Flat), Edinburgh EH1. Items referring specifically to SHRG, and intended for the pink-pages supplement, should continue to be sent to David Jago, 50 Queens Drive, Glasgow G42 8DD.

Thanks to all our readers for putting up with typing errors, lapses of memory where vital details are omitted, and the shortcomings of that ineffable (or more simply: effing) duplicator.

Homespun and amateurishness, farewell! All hail, glossy sophistication!

DEADLINES FOR ITEMS FOR PINK-PAGES SUPPLEMENT: MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8^th.