Various locations:

The Fountain - March 1971-June 1971

The Oregon Fountain - July 1971 only

The Fountain - August 1971 –December 1973

The Fountain

It originally was distributed free, but within a few issues, the paper announced in its June 1971 issue.

Right: November 1971 The Fountain announced that they had moved into new offices at 1017 S.W. Morrison in the Fine Arts Building.

Far Right: Fine Arts Building photo

Article to the RIGHT states that in the February 1974 issue of the Northwest Gay Review, it says, “The Fountain magazine have found new locations in the East Side Commercial Building at 615 SE Alder which now is known as the Melody Ball Room or Melody Events Center. However, it appears that the newspaper never published another copy.

Far Right: photo of 615 SE Alder building

Left: First issue, March 1971 of The Fountain. Middle: Only issue published as The Oregon Fountain, July 1971 Far Right: One-year anniversary issue of The Fountain March 1972 Below: By December 1971, The Fountain announcement.

citations & references:

  • It is the first specifically gay periodical in Oregon.

  • First editor: Neil Hutchins March – June 1971 [Neil becomes Business and Advertising Manager but then leaves per March 1972 issue page 6 there is a headline***Farewell Neil*** “Due to a variety of economic and other pressures, Neil is resigning his position as Business and Advertising Manager effective March 1].

     

  • In the June issue, it states that Lanny is a photographer, however, it is known that when Neil stepped down, he asked his friend Lanny Swerdlow to become editor, though he used an alias. They had both started a newspaper earlier, Old Portland Today.

     

  • Second Editor – October 1971 -? Dave Laurance [Dave Laurence (pseudonym for: Lanny Swerdlow). After his real name was published by major wire services after appearing before the Oregon House of Representatives Committee on State and Federal Affairs to testify on behalf of House Bill 2930, a bill to include gay people under Oregon's Civil Rights laws, Lanny Swerdlow "came out" in an editorial column in the June 1973 issue and published his real name as editor of the paper. Latest issue consulted: V. 3, issue 12 (Dec. 1973). [per Library of Congress]

  • Third Editor - September 1973 per headline that announced, ‘Fountain Editor Resigns.’

  • Per GLAPN website: Some gay people who wanted to work for their human dignity sought a more structured organization than the Portland GLF. They founded and incorporated a non-profit called the Second Foundation of Oregon in late 1970. In March 1971, the Second Foundation launched a monthly newspaper called The Fountain. The Fountain was the first Oregon periodical that identified as gay. I worked for the Fountain from 1971 to late mid-1973, mostly writing politically oriented articles.

    Among other things, the Fountain publicized the positions political candidates took on measures that would protect gay people from discrimination. As attempts to pass such legislation progressed, the Fountain publicized those as well. This led to considerable support and a huge political awaking among Oregon’s gay men and lesbians. As with all gay papers, the Fountain also published numerous social articles. It was distributed free, mostly through the bars, and was entirely advertiser supported.

    The Fountain’s original editor was Neil Hutchens. Later, Lanny Swerdlow joined the team and became editor of the third issue. In August 1973, both left the newspaper. I left at the same time. After those departures, the Fountain published a couple of more issues, then discontinued.

Why the name The Fountain? If you look closely, you’ll see there is a fountain that is the drawing of the Skidmore Fountain located at 55 SW Ankeny St, Portland, OR 97204.

Questionnaire from The Fountain.