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…
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Tony