It’s Pride month and Local Media Association is celebrating all things LGBTQ+. News is Out, the nation’s only queer media collaborative, is a part of the LMA family. We asked members of News is Out to share their thoughts and memories about Pride and why queer media is still so vital.
Philadelphia Gay News founder and longtime LGBTQ+ advocate, Mark Segal, shares memories of PGN’s early days and the fight to be visible.
“There always seems to be a debate on what we should label our community: LGBT, LGBTQ, LGBTQI, queer, and a few others. As we have grown as a community, we seem to be taking up more of the alphabet. There was a time when society had no reference point to who any of us were. We were literally invisible and needed to have some sort of label or reference points to identify ourselves, so the simple words “Gay” and “Lesbian” became those first labels. To promote those labels, we became out loud and proud of who we were.
When starting the Philadelphia Gay News, we took that point of being visible to heart. We realized, as is still true today, that our best weapon against backlash is our visibility. That is why we chose the name “Philadelphia Gay News” in 1976. It was right there in the title, out and proud. Within our first year, we had bought used vending boxes from other newspapers, repaired and painted them, and added a large printed silk screen sign on both sides and the front of the boxes that clearly proclaimed “Philadelphia Gay News.” These were placed throughout Center City, the business heart of the city, and even across from Independence Hall for all the tourists.
Our distribution manager, Don Pignolet, had his hands full early on since the boxes were often targets. His commitment to visibility meant replacing them almost overnight. We would not be invisible again.”
The Bay Area Reporter publisher Michael Yamashita has been a part of the B.A.R. team for decades. He shares how B.A.R. was a pioneer in queer media and has continued to be an vital voice for and about the community in San Francisco and the Bay Area.
“The Bay Area Reporter established in 1971, has long been a vital voice for the LGBTQ+ community in San Francisco. As the oldest and largest LGBTQ+-focused news outlet in the Bay Area, the B.A.R. has played a crucial role in documenting the history and struggles of the community, from the fight for civil rights to the ongoing battle against discrimination. During Pride Month, the B.A.R. provides extensive coverage of events, celebrations, and issues that matter to the LGBTQ+ community, offering a platform for voices that are often marginalized in mainstream media.
LGBTQ+-owned media like the B.A.R. is essential for several reasons. It ensures authentic representation and advocacy for the community, offering nuanced perspectives that mainstream outlets might overlook. The B.A.R.’s commitment to original reporting and advocacy journalism helps to combat stereotypes and misinformation while promoting equity and civil rights. This is particularly important in a city like San Francisco, where the LGBTQ+ community has a rich history but also faces ongoing challenges such as housing discrimination, health disparities, and the need for social support.
In 2024, the San Francisco LGBTQ+ community remains vibrant and resilient, celebrating Pride Month with a renewed sense of purpose and solidarity. Despite facing a national climate of increasing anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment, local Pride events continue to flourish, showcasing the community’s diversity and strength. The B.A.R. highlights these events, from parades to cultural festivals, ensuring that the stories and experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals are seen and heard. By documenting these celebrations and struggles, the Bay Area Reporter not only honors the past but also inspires future generations to continue the fight for equality and acceptance.”
Dana Piccoli is the Managing Director of News is Out and recalls finding connection at her first Pride events and discovering queer media that would prove to be a lifeline as a young lesbian in the late ‘90s.
“The ‘90s were full of a lot of hope for me as a young queer person. We began seeing some positive representation in television and film, k.d. lang was on the cover of Vanity Fair with Cindy Crawford, and even politicians were beginning to see the power of the LGBTQ+ community.
My first few Pride events were in Ferndale and Lansing, Michigan. It was there that I came across publications like the Lesbian Connection and Between the Lines. I would pick up copies of the papers and rifle through until my fingers were stained with ink. Through queer media, I found empowering events, read reviews about queer books and music, and even a place to stay across the country. I’m delighted to say, both are still in publication today.”
2024 marks 100 years of LGBTQ+ media, starting in 1924 with Henry Gerber’s “Friendship and Freedom.” Follow News is Out this year as they celebrate this milestone and explore even more queer media history. Happy Pride!