PGN this week is publishing a list of 20 emerging LGBT leaders in the Philadelphia region who are taking the lead on innovative and progressive initiatives and programs that are bringing about positive change for the LGBT and HIV/AIDS communities.
Last year, PGN undertook a similar effort with our Power People feature, which profiled top corporate executives who are out in the workplace. This year, we sought to highlight a different sector of the community by structuring the piece around the theme of People to Watch. There are a wealth of accomplished LGBT leaders who often serve as the faces of the community (and frequently as PGN’s go-to sources for information). However, we also wanted to recognize that great things are being done in our community thanks not only to our established leaders, but also to new generations of activists, advocates and others who may have been inspired by the examples of current leaders. Community work is often a thankless job, and PGN wanted to show this class of People to Watch that their work is appreciated — and to ideally inspire new aspiring leaders to join in their goals.
PGN staffers undertook an exhaustive search for the best of the best emerging leaders — the pool of possibilities was seemingly endless, a positive signal for the years to come. We looked for individuals who were new to the Philadelphia area, launched a new initiative or assumed a new leadership role, or who were members of the under-35 crowd — all of whom were involved with causes that demonstrated the potential to effect measurable gains for our community.
This was by no means a popularity contest. PGN sought to generate discussion among community members on social media about potential emerging leaders, but those suggestions were only suggestions; our staff vetted each selection fully to ensure that he or she was a true advocate for our community.
The 20 men and women in this list ultimately represent the vast body of work that is moving our community forward. Some are health advocates, others are filmmakers and artists, some work with LGBT youth and others work in government. But they all embody what it means to be a true LGBT leader: They were more eager and excited to get recognition for the organizations and causes with which they’re involved than they were for their own personal gratification. That bodes well for the future of our LGBT community.
While our 20 People to Watch deserve a hand for their individual community contributions, their leadership dictates that we instead look to the actual work they are doing and give them a hand with those efforts.