Angela: What I am most proud of this Pride season is the PGN staff. We conquered closing LGBT bookstores, the primary election and marriage equality, all while keeping our cool and putting out a quality issue week after week. I am also proud of my girlfriend for putting up with me during these momentous occasions.
Carol: I’m proud to be an ally of the LGBT community during this historic time.
Don: I’m proud of all the advances we have made and that I could marry my partner of 38 years and have it recognized right here in Pennsylvania!
Greg: I’m proud that we have more businesses than ever, both local and national, supporting PGN during Pride season.
Jen: I’m proud of my home state for letting me legally marry my fiancé next year. And I’m proud of the kick-ass staff at PGN who have dealt with the last few weeks of craziness amazingly, and who all helped make this year’s Pride issue one of the biggest and best yet.
Jen G.: Joining the PGN staff and gaining marriage equality are the two things I am most proud of. I no longer feel like “the person who works at the gay paper, looking forward to getting ‘domestically partnered.’” Instead, I am just a person, working at a newspaper, anticipating the day my partner and I choose to obtain a 100-percent legal Pennsylvania marriage license.
Larry: I’m proud to be a part of a team of consummate and cheerful professionals who show up every week and give 110 percent.
Mark: This year is a special Pride as we get to watch the pride and joy you see on faces as couples are finally able to plan a lifetime with marriage.
Prab: I’m proud that marriage equality is here just in time for Pride! Time to find myself a husband!
Sandy: Now I’m only semi-ashamed to say I’m from Pennsylvania. When all citizens of the commonwealth have equal rights and protections, I’ll be mostly unashamed. Does that count as pride?
Scott: I’m proud that my boyfriend, Micheal, stopped smoking and stayed stopped through this past month of challenges and crises. I also take personal pride in our Pride issue, which looks fantastic again this year. And that I didn’t want to kill myself or someone else during the process.
Sean: I’m proud that Pennsylvania is no longer one of the most backwards states in the union on marriage. I’m less proud that it still hasn’t passed a statewide nondiscrimination bill.
Tim: Incredible strides have been made, as Philly’s LGBT community moves forward. Diversity and unity enrich the community. While efforts continue for a more egalitarian, eco-friendly society, public infighting has been kept to a minimum. That bodes well for a great Pride celebration!