27. January 2010 by admin.

I am passionate. 

Very passionate about the things I love and care about about.  I love Ed passionately.  I love Out newspaper passionately.  Not the same, but different types of passion.  Ed and I have been together for 21 years.  It is hard to remember my life without him and the kids, not that I sit around and think about it much.  We have created new memories together.  For example February 2, 2001 we flew off to Montgomery Center, Vermont and were united in Civil Union.  We have been many places and have many memories on cruises, in other countries, amusement parks and gay resort towns. 

But, the best memories I have are when he stood strongly by my side when my mother died, when he said “lets go for it, you have my support” when I wanted to buy Out Publishing Co. Inc., when we decided we wanted more children and met them for the first time and the beautiful moment we shared at the very emotional homecoming at the airport.  My point is that we do not have to be somewhere special for the perfect memory.  It is what we are sharing and how we share it that is most important.

The paragraph above shows you my number one passion, but I also have a passion and love for Pittsburgh’s Out newspaper.  When the newspaper first became available for purchase over 16 years ago, it was not my passion, it was someone Else’s.  We were concerned that the newspaper would get into the hands of someone with motives other than giving you-our readers a quality newspaper that educations but also entertains.  A decision at that time that didn’t seem very sound managed to blossom into a great investment and one of the best decisions we ever made.  It wasn’t easy early on, but along the way the investment in the regional LGBT community and newspaper paid off.  It has been rule number one from day one that this newspaper never be used for personal attacks and have the highest level of integrity possible. 

Today, the February issue is still hot off the press and I must admit, I am damn proud of it and my staff.  I believe there is something for every person, every group inside.  It is our goal to reach everyone including gays, lesbians, bi-sexuals and transgendered people and that includes leather-men, drag queens, young, old, rich and poor, arts community and all the diverse people and groups that make this community so special.  After all, we are all equal and part of something bigger. 

Having said that, Pittsburgh’s Out will always be much bigger than me and so much more than one of, if not the oldest LGBT regional publication in the United States.  Can you see now?  These are the reasons why we do what we do and why this newspaper will continue to grow and success with trust, honesty and integrity.

The next time you pick up a copy, remember this.  Support the advertisers inside.  Each and every beautiful page of newsprint is designed with you in mind.  Those advertisers and the newspaper have been your supporter and contributors to our community for over 38 years.  How cool is that?   Be loyal to your hometown newspaper-a part of your community, your friend.  And never forget your Best Friend Forever…

Keep Reading…

Tony

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14. January 2010 by admin.

Hello everyone and welcome back to my blog.

Now that we have 2009 out of the way, it time to recharge and start planning for the new year.  Can you believe it is 2010?  Remember the 2000 scare?  Seems like only yesterday we were panicking about the 2000 computer turnover scare.  Now, 2012 seems to be the end of the world which means I have two years to make my point on this blog.  I have so much to do and a ton of space to fill until then.

Since last year, my Talk It Out show has become Talk It Out Everyday.  We now are featured Monday through Friday from 12 noon until 1pm.  And, if that’s not enough, a extended after-show continues from 1pm-?.  I admit the show is a lot of fun and informative, not only to our audience but to me too.  OTV Update: Now offering 10 shows, 8 of which are produced locally.  We just added The Real Zephyrevery Wednesday at 6pm.  Let me know what you think about the new-look website and the new programming?  www.outonline.com

My birthday and Christmas was tough.  I really missed my mother.  This was the first birthday and Christmas that I did not spend with her.  Many of you know what I am saying.  Thank God that Ed was there for me.  I must admit, I am still dealing with the loss, but each day gets easier.

The January issue was released without a hitch which afforded me some time off to recharge.  Nothing was accomplished around my house.  Uncomplicated and no real schedule, I got my shit together and started to plan again for the future of the newspaper and www.outonline.com.  It’s a blessing to be able to focus and set realistic goals again.  I am back on track 110% and loving it.  The newspaper had a pretty decent 4th quarter and 2010 has brought record numbers to the website.

2012 may not be the end of all things.  However, I would settle with the end of Prop 8, man and woman only marriage, discrimination of any kind or any group of people, hate, taxes, lies, snow and wind chills, Quinn and Rose, Sarah Palin, unemployment, poverty, death, my pastor at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Monroeville wanting to leave the ELCA because of it’s new pro-gay policies, certain politicians, parkway east traffic, recession, Pat Robinson’s stupid and hateful comments, junk e-mail, all diseases, suffering, commercials that promised credit card debt relief, limit of 2, the belief that Ronald Reagan was a great president, the belief that George Bush kept us safe, mortgages, G20 trials, the Spin Factor, organizations asking me for money, closeted people that hold our community back and finally not doing updates on this blog.

The end of the world? I don’t think so, but hopefully the end of the world as we know it.

Keep Reading…

Tony

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1. January 2010 by admin.

Happy New Year from the staff of Out, OTV and Gay Life Tv. 

Thank you for another successful year.  We are here for you in 2010! 

Best wishes for a great year! 

Tony

www.outonline.com and OTV
Pittsburgh’s Out newspaper since 1973!

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