26. May 2009 by admin.

What a ride!

No sooner did we get the June Pride issue out, it’s Memorial Day weekend.  And, with Memorial Day comes the annual Memorial Weekend Picnic at North Park.  Ed and I got to the park early and to our surprise, many others did too.  Who says Pittsburghers are always late?  As the day went on, the crowd swelled into the upper parking lot and all over the lodge grounds.  Many faces that I knew, but many unfamiliar. 

The entrance was guarded by Gilbert from Images, Chuck Honse and a nice looking police officer.  No, not Tony, the cute Pittsburgh Police officer that is a staple at many of the gay events around town.  Although, we did see him later in the day.  Also spotted was David Stanton who is Out’s website manager and my co-host on Talk It Out, Brian T, www.outonline.com’s OTV and Gay Life TV personality, Jason Lucarelli from OTV’s Pridecast, Cassandra Buncie from Delta, Out’s famous photographer Mara Rago, Bill Kaelin, Greco (now living in Baltimore), P-Town owners Gary and Jeff, Jon aka The Link Pixter and his friends one of which I overheard she was that famous bitch in Out newspaper while I was standing in the port-a-john line,  Peter, Steve and Gary Vanhorn working their asses off getting the food ready for you drunken picnic folks and many more people from Pittsburgh, Ohio and West Virginia.  Ed and I were there too!  Noticibly absent that day was Donny Thinnes.  I can assure you he is doing fine.  I visited with him earlier in the week and he looks good.  He has had a tough few months, but he assured me that he will be at Pride. 

It was wonderful seeing such a large crowd of LGBT people having a good time.  My guess is 1500+ attended.  Thanks guys and gals for a wonderful picnic. 

Later that evening, some of the city bars were were bursting at the seams.  Real Luck Cafe seems to pack them in after the picnic and this year was no different.  I heard after the bar closed, the deck and parking lot were still packed with folks.  Hotel/Motel Time…  If you know the rest of that saying, than you probably were one of people in that (or another) parking lot in Pittsburgh at 2:30am.    One person reported back to me that Nancy, the owner of the bar was the perfect host on the deck.  Nancy, we have to talk!

Much like Lucky’s, the clubs around town were partying like it was 1999.  Remember that?  1999, I am talking about.  Sources tell me that the Sunday evening felt like a Saturday night in our bars.   It is great seeing our establishments making money.  I am one that believes we should support our LGBT AND LGBT friendly businesses.  And, Pittsburgh you did just that last weekend.  

Pick up the June Pride issue of Out (now available) and the Pride Guide.  Enjoy!  Don’t forget to support the businesses that advertised in these publications because without them, Pittsburgh’s  Out newspaper and the Pride Festival could not be a success.

Post-Delta Foundation Memorial Weekend Picnic, we headed to a family picnic on Irwin.  Chris and his girlfriend took the younger boys to the Irwin picnic so that Ed and I could attend the North Park picnic.  Thank you Heather and Chris!

I need to wrap things up so I can get ready for Heinz Hall.  Spring Awakening is in town until May 31, but you probably already know that from the banner and video ads on www.outonline.com.  Speaking of the website, it is not too late to reach LGBT folks for Pride week.  Banner ads reach THOUSANDS of people a day, many of which will visiting Pittsburgh for Pride week.  Don’t miss the last opportunity to reach this desirable community.  As I mentioned above, they will support your business.  tony@outpub.com

Missed ya!

Keep Reading…

Tony

PS…rumor has it that Out has a new My Space page to go along with it’s website, facebook and Twitter (www.twitter.com/outonline).

ME, TOMORROW..TALK IT OUT…11AM.  WATCH LIVE!

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19. May 2009 by admin.

The June issue is at the printer.  What a beautiful and colorful issue it will be.  Pick up your copy tomorrow afternoon.

Today we are shooting Talk It Out show.  Check out the show Wednesday at 11am.  This week’s topics will be “Who’s Bi in Hollywood”, “What are you rights? - bedside or with funerals” and special guest Robin.

Keep Reading…

Tony

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13. May 2009 by admin.

I am still here, just super busy with the June Pride issue of Out and TIO.  Super busy!  Next Wednesday the new Out will be available.

Ed and I went to Persad’s Celebrate Life, Celebrate Art on Monday.  More details to come later.

Keep Reading…

Tony

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9. May 2009 by admin.

FINAL DAYS TO DEADLINE…
THIS MONDAY, MAY 11 IS DISPLAY AD DEADLINE FOR OUT’s JUNE PRIDE ISSUE!
THE BEST ISSUE OF THE YEAR!
Contact tony@outpub.com

The website has a ton of new updates as does the May issue of Out.  We have some new features coming in the June PRIDE issue
of Out for our women readers.  Stay tuned…keep reading… We appreciate you!
 

Go Pens!  I plan on a nice Friday evening at home with Ed and the boys cheering on the Penguins.  
It will be (and always is) a fun, happy evening in the Molnar-Strejcek house… 

As you read above, the deadline for Out’s June Pride issue is Monday, May 11 and will be available on May 20!  
You can imagine, I have been so busy trying to keep on top of things.  I love what I do and the people I meet.
A publisher’s job is very demanding.  It is very well worth it when I see the finished product and how excited this city gets about the publication. 
My staff is incredible and loves Out.  See this on every page in every issues.

This afternoon, I was doing my banking on the South Side and noticed quite a few gays and lesbians out and about.  One question.
Where are all the LGBT businesses on the South Side other than Out Publishing?  No gay and lesbian bars or rainbow flags… but lots of gay men spending money.
Just a thought to ponder.

Like Out newspaper, we are everywhere.

Have a great weekend and spend some time with your mom on Sunday.

Keep Reading… Out and www.outonline.com
Tony

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8. May 2009 by admin.

Check out the Pittsburgh View show starting now only on OTV at http://www.outonline.com.  Talk It Out show every Wednesday at 11am.

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7. May 2009 by admin.

You’re not going to believe what they’re saying about the Matthew Shepard Act, S.909.

Yesterday, far right groups launched their latest attacks: action alerts and online videos with outrageously false claims that the Matthew Shepard Act would “give legally protected status to pedophiles.”

Senate offices are being blasted with calls trying to pawn off these ridiculous lies and scare senators.

We need you to call your senators to make sure that they are hearing from fair-minded people like you.

It takes about 45 seconds to call each one of your senators – and each one of them needs to hear from you today. So set yourself a reminder on your computer. Make the call on your way to lunch. Or stop reading this and do it right now. Whatever you do, make sure to CALL YOUR SENATORS TODAY.

If you’ve never called Congress, let me assure you, it’s easy.

1. Before 5 p.m. ET, call Sen. Casey at (202) 224-6324 and Sen. Specter at (202) 224-4254.
2. Most likely, one of your senator’s interns will answer and ask where you’re calling from and why. You’re calling to urge the Senator to support the Matthew Shepard Act (S. 909). Most calls end right there. But if you like, you can add:
   • Sexual Orientation is already defined in Federal law and clearly does not include any of the criminal acts right wing groups are claiming it does.
   • In fact, hate crimes against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are on the rise. One out of every six hate crimes is because of the victim’s sexual orientation.
   • Hate crimes have more than one victim. They are intended to create an atmosphere of fear and terrorize entire communities.
3. IMPORTANT: After you hang up, click here to let us know that you made the call. Don’t skip this step! It helps us track our progress.

We have the truth on our side – and we need you to speak the truth today to counter our opponents’ outrageous lies. Please make your phone calls right now.

Then, please pass this email on to your friends and family.

Thank you for taking action.

Warmly,

Joe Solmonese
President

Keep Reading…
Tony

Help counter the lies.

Call your senators TODAY and ask them to support the hate crimes bill.

Sen. Casey
(202) 224-6324

Sen. Specter
(202) 224-4254

Then click here to report your call.

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5. May 2009 by admin.

The new Out is Out.  Available everywhere.  Well, almost everywhere. Now available at over 200+ locations.    Check out all the new features that we have added. This is a very nice issue.  The June Pride Issue promises to be even better.

Deadline for our June Pride Issue is May 11.  This issue will be out before the Memorial Day picnic.  I strongly recommend advertising in it.

Tonight one of my boys is singing the National Anthem at PNC Park with his classmates.  I am so excited and proud!  I will admit, I am not a big Pirates fan, but after watching the Pens go down 2-0 last night, I am willing to support the once again struggling team. 

Maybe it’s a Pittsburgh thing… 

Please, no rain tonight.

Please take a minute to check out Out’s new look website,  www.outonline.com.  I promise you will enjoy.  It has become Pittsburgh’s largest LGBT website!

Keep Reading…

Tony

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