243 awards and counting …

PGN is the nation’s most-awarded LGBT publication. We’ve garnered at least 243 awards in our 40 years from local, state and national press associations. For our 40th anniversary, we scoured our archives and compiled a full list of our accolades. 

1983-1988

Gay & Lesbian Press Association

• Tommi Avicolli — Local News Reporting

• Victoria Brownworth — Ongoing Coverage of Non-Medical Issues, Ongoing Coverage Health Coverage, National News Reporting

• Joseph DeMarco — Award for Excellence in Feature Writing

• Nathan Fain — Community Service Award

• John Hanson — National News Reporting

• Karla Jay — Award for Excellence in Interviews

• Lawrence Mass, M.D. — Community Service Award

• Michael Melquist — Ongoing Coverage of a Specific Non-Medical Issue

• Staff — Editorial Writing and Commentary, Coverage of Lesbian Issues, National News Reporting (3), Local News Reporting (2)

• Staff — The Wallace Hamilton Award for Cultural Reporting

 

1989-1995*

 

1996

PA Newspaper Publishers Association: Keystone Press Awards

• Brian Caffall — 2nd place, Column; 2nd place, Feature Beat Reporting

• Victor Havens — 1st place, Page Design

• Sarah Miller — 2nd place, Public Service/Investigative Reporting

• Al Patrick — 1st place, Editorial

 

1997

PA Newspaper Publishers Association: Keystone Press Awards

• Brian Caffall — 2nd place, Column

• Victor Havens — 1st place, Graphic/Photo Illustration; 2nd place, Page Design

• Kevin Melrose — 1st place, Front Page Design

 

PA Newspaper Publishers Association: Newspaper of the Year Contest

• Staff — 1st place, Newswriting Excellence

         — 2nd place, Advertising Excellence

 

PA Newspaper Publishers Association: Display Advertising Contest

• Staff — 1st place, Single Ad, Half-Page and Over  — “This is a Test”

         — 2nd place, Single Ad, Half-Page and Over — “Everyday”

 

PA Newspaper Publishers Association: Classified Advertising Contest

• Staff — 1st place, Commercial/Non-Commercial Ad — “Danny’s Adam and Eve”

 

1998

PA Newspaper Publishers Association: Display Advertising Contest

• Staff — 1st place, Single Ad, Over Half-Page — “The Raven: Cabaret”

         — 2nd place, Single Ad, Over Half-Page — “The Raven: 4 Knights”

         — 3rd place, Single Ad, Over Half-Page — “The Raven: Sunday Brunch”

         — 3rd place, Single Ad, Under Half-Page — “Today’s Male”

         — 3rd place, Use of Clip Art Service — “I Am Proud”

 

PA Newspaper Publishers Association: Classified Advertising Contest

• Staff — 1st place, Commercial/Non-Commercial Ad — “Tropical Paradise”

         — 2nd place, Classifieds/Special Section — “PGN Telepersonals”

         — 2nd place, Promotion of a Classified Section — “Win a Trip for Two”

 

PA Newspaper Publishers Association: Newspaper of the Year Contest

• Staff — 2nd place, Editorial/Opinion Page Excellence

         — 2nd place, Newswriting Excellence

         — Honorable mention, Layout and Design

 

PA Newspaper Publishers Association: Keystone Press Awards

• Robert DiGiacomo — 2nd place, Feature Beat Reporting

• Karen Goulart — Honorable mention, News Beat Reporting

• Kevin Melrose — 2nd place, Business and Consumer Story

• Harriet Schwartz —1st place, Feature Beat Reporting

• Patti Tihey — 2nd place, Headline Writing

 

1999

SPJ: Greater Philadelphia Chapter Excellence in Journalism Awards

• Bob Adams — 3rd place, Deadline or Spot News Story

• Karen Goulart — 2nd place, Non-deadline Writing

• Karen Goulart — 3rd place, Deadline or Spot News Story

• Kevin Melrose — 3rd place, Page Design

 

PA Newspaper Publishers Association: Newspaper of the Year Contest

• Staff — 2nd place, Editorial/Opinion Page Excellence

 

PA Newspaper Publishers Association: Keystone Press Awards

• Bob Adams — 2nd place, Feature Story

• Kevin Melrose — 1st place, Front Page Design

 

2000

SPJ: Greater Philadelphia Chapter Excellence in Journalism Awards

• Karen Goulart —2nd place, Non-deadline Writing

• Patti Tihey — 3rd place, Editorial

 

PA Newspaper Publisher’s Association: Display Advertising Contest

• Staff — 1st place, Use of One or More Colors — “A Night at the Speakeasy”

         — 1st place, Single Ad, Quarter Page and Under — “Mark Watkins”

         — 1st place, Single Ad, Over a Quarter Page — “Hard Surfaces”

         — 2nd place, Single Ad, Over a Quarter Page — “The Raven”

         — 1st place, Ad Campaign or Series — “Trellis Florist”

         — 2nd place, Self-Promotion Advertising — “Dating Can be Confusing”

         — 2nd place, Use of One or More Colors — “After 20 Years”

 

PA Newspaper Publishers Association: Newspaper of the Year Contest

• Staff — 2nd place, Diversity, 2nd place, Advertising Excellence

 

PA Newspaper Publishers Association: Keystone Press Awards

• Karen Goulart — Honorable mention, Series/Special Project

• Victor Havens — 2nd place, Page Design

• Kevin Melrose — 2nd place, Feature Beat Reporting

• Kevin Melrose — Honorable mention, Business or Consumer Story

• Eddy Palumbo — 1st place, Photo Story

• Patti Tihey — 1st place, Headline Writing

 

2001

PA Newspaper Publishers Association: Display Advertising Contest

• Staff — 1st place, Single Ad, Over a Quarter-Page — “CHR Construction”

         — 2nd place, Single Ad, Over a Quarter-Page — “Do Not Attempt This at Home”

         — 2nd place, Single Ad, Under a Quarter-Page — “London Calling”

         — 2nd place, Website Promotion — “Point & Click”

         — 3rd place, Single Ad, Over a Quarter-Page — “Travel”

 

PA Newspaper Publishers Association: Keystone Press Awards

• Mark Segal — 2nd place, Column

• Patti Tihey — 2nd place, Page Design

 

PA Newspaper Publishers Association: Newspaper of the Year Contest

• Staff — 2nd places, Layout and Design, Special Section

 

2002

PA Newspaper Publishers Association: Keystone Press Awards

• Karen Goulart — 1st place, Weeklies: General News

• Staff —1st place, Weeklies: Special Project

 

PA Newspaper Publishers Association: Newspaper of the Year Contest

• Staff — 1st place, Diversity

 

2003

PA Newspaper Publishers Association: Newspaper of the Year Contest

• Staff — 1st place, Special Section

         — 2nd place, Layout and Design

         — 2nd place, General and Departmental News Coverage

         — 2nd place, Editorial/Opinion Page Excellence

 

2004

PA Newspaper Publishers Association: Display Advertising Contest

• Staff — 2nd place, Use of One Color — “Sun Worshippers”

         — 3rd place, Self-Promotion Advertising — “EPGN Web Advertising”

 

2005

PA Newspaper Publishers Association: Display Advertising Contest

• Staff — 1st place, Special Section — “Home Décor”

         — 3rd place, Single Ad — “Cat Call”

 

Society of Professional Journalists: Spotlight Awards

• Staff — Overall Weekly

 

2006*

 

2007

Suburban Newspaper Association: Editorial Contest

• Casey Bell — 1st place, Arts Writing/Feature

         — “Out cartoonist serves up a somber dose of ‘fun’”

• Victoria Brownworth — 1st place, Investigative Reporting

         — “Our dirtiest secret: Domestic violence in our community”

• Larry Nichols — 3rd place, Continuing Coverage

         — “Couples grapple with UPS over benefits”

• Mark Segal — Honorable mention, Column Writing — “Mark My Words”

 

2008

Suburban Newspaper Association: Editorial Contest

• Larry Nichols — 1st Place, A&E Writing/Feature

         — “Actor chronicles long walk along celebrity lane”

• Larry Nichols — 2nd Place, A&E Criticism/Commentary

         — “They want to keep you movin’ and groovin’”

• Larry Nichols — 3rd Place, A&E Writing/Feature

         — “Cyndi Lauper launches new album and second True Colors tour”

• Staff — 2nd Place, A&E/Lifestyle Section — Detour

 

2009

Keystone Pro chapter of SPJ: Spotlight Contest

• Victoria Brownworth — 1st Place, Enterprise Story — “Hiding in Plain Sight”

• Scott A. Drake — Honorable mention, Feature Photo — “Gone But Not Forgotten”

• Mark Segal — 2nd Place, Commentary, Non-Daily — “Mark My Words”

 

PA Newspaper Publishers Association: Display Advertising Contest

• Staff — 1st place, Wild Card Category — “Metrodate”

         — 1st place, Special Section/Niche Publication — “Gayborhood”

         — 1st place, New Media — “It Only Feels Like an Emergency”

         — 1st place, Classifieds Section — “It’s Time to Read the Writing on the Wall”

         — 1st place, Self-Promotion Ad — “Detour”

         — 2nd place, Classifieds Section — “We’ve Got Your Color”

 

Suburban Newspaper Association: Editorial Contest

• Scott A. Drake — 1st place, Feature Photo — “Love Park”

• Scott A. Drake — 2nd place, Feature Photo — “Gone But Not Forgotten”

• Larry Nichols — 3rd place, A&E Writing/Feature

         — “Reality TV comic to get real live in New Hope”

• Mark Segal — 1st place, Column Writing — Mark My Words

 

2010

Keystone Pro chapter of SPJ: Spotlight Contest

• Jen Colletta — 2nd place, Health and Medical Story

         — “Researchers: Gays excluded from clinical trials”

• Jen Colletta — 3rd place, Spot News Story

         — “Obama Extends Benefits to LGBT Federal Employees”

• Sarah Blazucki — 2nd place, Editorial

• Scott A. Drake — 2nd place, News Photos — “PDA with a Purpose”

• Mark Segal — 2nd place, Commentary, Non-Daily — “Mark My Words”

 

National Newspaper Association

• Jen Colletta — 2nd place, Feature Story

         — “Kelly McGillis talks marriages, divorces and civil union”

• Mark Segal — 2nd place, Serious Column        — “Mosque issue is an LGBT issue”

 

Suburban Newspaper Association

• Scott A. Drake — Honorable mention, Photojournalism — “OutFest”

• Scott A. Drake — Honorable mention, News Photo — “Historic Storm”

• Gary M. Kramer — 1st place, A&E Writing — “John Waters is my role model”

• Larry Nichols — 2nd place, A&E Writing — “The many faces of Meshell”

• Staff — 1st place, Special Section — World AIDS Day Supplement

 

2011

Local Media Association: Editorial Contest

• Jen Colletta — 1st place, Continuing Coverage

         — Coverage of Stacey Blahnik murder

• Jen Colletta — Honorable mention,  In-depth Reporting

         — “Crystal Meth: Club, culture and the gay community”

• Larry Nichols — 3rd place, A&E Criticism

         — “These women want to rock you with new music”

• Larry Nichols — Honorable mention, A&E Writing/Feature

         — “Author brings her story to the stage in Philly”

• Aaron Stella — 1st place, Column Writing — “Millennial Poz”

• Mark Segal — 3rd place, Opinion Column — “Mark My Words”

• Staff — 1st place, Graphic Artwork

         — November election, Regional civil union/marriage laws, PGN 35th timeline

         — 1st place, A&E/Lifestyle Section — Arts & Culture

         — 1st place, Non-Page One Layout — Arts & Culture feature story covers

         — 3rd place, Special Section — World AIDS Day Supplement

 

National Newspaper Association

• Jen Colletta — 2nd place, Feature Writing

 

2012

Local Media Association: Editorial Contest

• Jen Colletta — 1st Place, Breaking News

         —“Penn to offset tax burden for gay employees”

• Jen Colletta — 3rd Place, Breaking News

         — “PA legislature gets first-ever LGBT caucus”

• Jen Colletta — 3rd Place, Feature

         — “‘Berlin Patient’ tells Philadelphia his story”

• Jen Colletta — Honorable mention, In-depth Reporting

         — “Funding fallout for HIV/AIDS orgs”

• Tim Cwiek — 3rd Place, Continuing Coverage

         — “Coverage of the Boy Scouts dispute”

• Larry Nichols — 3rd Place, A&E Writing

         — “New documentary highlights musicians’ exploration of love and gender”

• Larry Nichols — 2nd Place, A&E Criticism

         — “New restaurant sings for your supper”

• Staff — 2nd Place, Community Service Award — “Weigh it Forward”

         — 2nd Place, A&E/Lifestyle Section — Arts & Culture

 

Pennsylvania Newspaper Association: Newspaper of the Year Awards

• Staff — 2nd Place, Diversity

         — 2nd Place, Editorial Page

         — Honorable Mention, Newswriting Excellence

 

SPJ Keystone Pro Chapter: Spotlight Contest

• Jen Colletta — 2nd Place, Editorial Writing

• Jen Colletta — 3rd Place, Spot News — “Philly rated top in nation for LGBT equality”

• Scott A. Drake — 3rd Place, Photo Story — “Philly Pride 2012”

• Scott A. Drake — 3rd Place, News Photography — “Acting to End AIDS”

• Scott A. Drake — 3rd Place, Sports Photography — “Taking it to the Mats”

• Mark Segal — 3rd Place, Commentary — “Mark My Words”

 

2013

Local Media Association

• Dan Calhoun — Advertising Director of the Year

 

National Newspaper Association: Better Newspaper Contest

• Scott Drake — Honorable mention, Photo Essay — “Pride 2012”

• Larry Nichols — Honorable mention, Feature Story

         — “New documentary highlights musicians’ exploration of love and gender”

 

National Newspaper Association: Better Newspaper Advertising Contest

• Staff — 1st place, Newspaper Promotion

 

Pennsylvania News Media Association: Keystone Press Awards

• Jen Colletta — Honorable mention, General News

         — “Antigay incident sparks media controversy”

• Jen Colletta — Honorable mention, Series

         — “Philly marks 30 years of gay-rights protections”

• Mark Segal — Honorable mention, Column Writing — “Mark My Words”

 

Pennsylvania Newspaper Association: Newspaper of the Year Awards

• Staff — 2nd place, Editorial Page Excellence

         — 2nd place, Community Service

         — Honorable mention, Use of Photography

         — Honorable mention, Diversity

         — Honorable mention, General News

        

Local Media Association: Editorial Contest

• Jen Colletta — 2nd place, Editorial Writing

• Jen Colletta — 2nd place, Continuing Coverage        — Coverage of Pennsylvania’s marriage-equality progress

• Jen Colletta — 2nd place, Breaking News: “Philly’s only lesbian bar shuts down”

• Larry Nichols — 3rd place, A&E Writing: “Artist features trans portraits in exhibition”

• Staff — Honorable mention, Special Section: World AIDS Day Supplement

         — Honorable mention, A&E Section: Arts & Culture

 

2014

Local Media Association: Editorial Contest

• Jen Colletta, Angela Thomas, Scott A. Drake, Sean Dorn

         — 1st place, Breaking News Story — “Pennsylvania says ‘I do’”

• Jen Colletta — Honorable mention, Breaking News Story

         — “PA treasurer enters marriage fray”

• Larry Nichols — 2nd place, A&E Writing/Feature

         — “Meshell Ndegeocello’s new album burns bright”

• Larry Nichols — Honorable mention, A&E Writing/Feature

         — “Runaway singer to perform in Philly”

• Mark Segal — 2nd place, Opinion Column — “Mark My Words”

• Staff       — 1st place, Coverage of Life Under 30 — LGBTQ Youth Supplement

         — 2nd place, Front Page

         — 2nd place, Special Section — World AIDS Day Supplement

         — 2nd place, Local Election Coverage —“Philadelphia 2014 Primary Election

         — 2nd place, Non-Page-One Layout — Arts & Culture Feature Story

         — 3rd place, Community Service

 

Pennsylvania News Media Association: Keystone Press Awards

• Victoria Brownworth — 2nd place, Series — “Trans sex workers”

• Jen Colletta — 2nd place, Editorial

• Scott Drake — 2nd place, News Photo — “Exposed to the Elements”

• Scott Drake — Honorable mention, Sports Photo — “Spartans Tournament”

• Angela Thomas — Honorable mention, General News — LGBT equality bill

• Angela Thomas — 2nd place, Ongoing News Coverage — Russian sister city

 

Pennsylvania News Media Association: Newspaper of the Year Awards

• Staff — 1st place, Community Service — World AIDS Day and LGBTQ Youth

 

SPJ Keystone Pro Chapter: Spotlight Contest

• Victoria Brownworth — 1st place, Enterprise Reporting — “Trans sex workers”

• Jen Colletta — 1st place, Spot News — “PA couples sue for marriage equality”

• Jen Colletta — 2nd place, Editorial

• Scott Drake — 1st place, News Photography — “Exposure for Closure”

• Mark Segal — 3rd place, Column Writing

• Angela Thomas — 1st place, Online Breaking News — “Giovanni’s Room to be sold”

• Angela Thomas — 2nd place, Online Breaking News — “City Council passes LGBT equality bill, first in the nation”

 

2015

PA NewsMedia Association: Keystone Press Awards

• Jen Colletta — Honorable mention, Series

         — “After prison, one-half of ‘gay-porn twins’ speaks out”

• Scott A. Drake — 2nd place, Sports Photo — “Crash Landing”

• Staff — Honorable mention, Special Project — LGBTQ Youth Supplement

 

SPJ: Keystone Spotlight Awards

• Jen Colletta — 2nd place, Editorial Writing

• Jen Colletta, Angela Thomas, Scott A. Drake, Sean Dorn

         — 1st place, Spot News Story — “Pennsylvania says ‘I do’”

• Jen Colletta and Sarah Blazucki  — 2nd Place, Spot News Story

         — “City mourns LGBT director Gloria Casarez”

• Scott A. Drake — 1st place, Photo Story — “Philly Pride 2014”

• Mark Segal — 3rd place, Commentary — “Mark My Words”

 

National Newspaper Association

• Staff — 3rd place, Newspaper in Education Stories — LGBTQ Youth Supplement

 

PA NewsMedia Association: Newspaper of the Year Awards

• Staff — 1st place, Promotion

         — 2nd place, Diversity

         — 2nd place, Special Section — Bucks County and Wedding issues

         — 2nd place, Community Service — Youth and World AIDS Day supplements

 

Local Media Association: Newspaper of the Year Awards

• Staff — 2nd place, Division C

 

2016

Local Media Association: Excellence in Local News Coverage

• Staff —  1st place, Best Coverage to Reach Millennials — LGBTQ Youth Supplement

         — 1st place, Best Local Coverage / Community Contributors — Senior Supplement

         — 2nd place, Best Local News Coverage Using Social Media

         — 3rd place, Best Local Election Coverage

         — 3rd place, Best Feature Series — “Day in the Life Of”

         — Honorable mention, Community Service Award — World AIDS Day Supplement

         — Honorable mention, Community Service Award — LGBTQ Youth Supplement

• Mark Segal — Third place, Best Opinion Writing — “Mark My Words”

 

PA NewsMedia Association: Keystone Press Awards

• Jen Colletta — Second place, Editorial

• Jen Colletta, Scott Drake, Sean Dorn — Second place, General News

         — “Coverage of SCOTUS marriage decision”

• Jen Colletta First place, Ongoing News Coverage “Coverage of Philadelphia gay-bashing case”

• Staff — Honorable mention, niche publication

• Paige Cooperstein — 2nd place, News Feature Story

         — “Sisterhood and brotherhood in Gay Officer Action League”

• Scott Drake, Sean Dorn — Honorable mention, Graphics — “1965-2015 Timeline”

 

 

* Denotes no awards were recorded.

 

 

NLGJA, Sigma Delta Chi and Other Special Awards

 

National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association: Excellence in Journalism Awards

2010

• Jen Colletta — Excellence in News Writing

         — “Researchers: Gays excluded from clinical trials”

• Scott A. Drake — Excellence in Photojournalism Award — “PDA with a purpose”

2012

• Jen Colletta — Runner-up, Sarah Pettit Journalist of the Year Award

• Jen Colletta — 3rd place, Excellence in News Writing

2013

• Timothy Cwiek — 3rd place, Excellence in News Writing — Coverage of Nizah Morris case

• Scott Drake — 2nd place, Excellence in Photojournalism — “Gay Blades”

2014

• Tim Cwiek — Excellence in News Writing — Coverage of Nizah Morris case

2015

• Scott A. Drake — 2nd place, Excellence in Photojournalism — “Pride in Philly”

• Mark Segal — 1st place, Opinion/Editorial Writing — “Mark My Words”

 

Miscellaneous 

1999

GLAAD: Media Awards

• Staff — Outstanding LGBT Print Media

 

2001

The Society for News Design: The Best of Newspaper Design Awards

• Doug Gruse — Award of Excellence in A&E Design

 

2013

Society of Professional Journalists: Sigma Delta Chi Awards

• Timothy Cwiek — Investigative Reporting — Nizah Morris case

 

2014

PA Bar Association: William A. Schnader Print Media Awards

• Jen Colletta — 1st place, Beat Coverage — “Coverage of marriage equality case”

 

Society of Professional Journalists: Sigma Delta Chi Awards

• Scott A. Drake — Sports Photo — “Almost Home”

 

Newsletter Sign-up