Our offices have been populated over the years by hundreds of folks — from advertising reps to writers to photographers to designers to support staff. Here are what just a few of the former (and current) contributors had to say about their time with PGN:
Joe DeMarco
“When I started writing for PGN, I was given many wonderful opportunities to cover not only splashy happenings but also features honing in on issues that didn’t get headline coverage. Mark Segal’s wisdom in knowing the importance of these issues was essential, as was the guidance of editors such as Rich Grzesiak and Stanley Ward, which gave me the openings to do some great work.
In 1983, my article ‘Gay Racism,’ which PGN courageously published, won the Best Feature Award from the Gay Press Association. I was up against the biggest names in the business at the time and I thought I had no chance. I left the awards ceremony before they reached that category. Later that day, I received a call from Rich Grzesiak who was in tears as he told me I’d won. That was a moment I’ve savored. And it was PGN that made it possible.
So, I wish a happy anniversary to PGN and to Mark Segal. I hope to appear in your pages again soon.”
Ian Morrison
“I would not be the person I am today without having my start at the PGN. Patti Tihey brought me in as an intern and my first article was a review of a guide on ‘Coming Out.’ (It was the ’90s). My internship became a full-time position as the PGN’s editorial assistant, with my own weekly column called ‘The Buzz’ (again, it was the cheesy ’90s).
The AP style of writing was forever burned into my brain with ‘time, date and place’ being my most memorable words from that position.
During this time, my career as Brittany Lynn was skyrocketing from working at the legendary Shampoo Nightclub. Patti always kept me in line by making sure both worlds never collided, and I was never allowed to write or feature any of the events I was in while writing my column. The only time my professional world and Brittany’s collided was when I won Miss’d America by performing a number where I gave birth on stage; Mark Segal was head judge and he just loved that number.
My job at PGN led me to becoming the advertising and PR director for Live Link. It was a chat line (Gay Live), and I took over all of the cities that the company existed in. My job was to create ‘awareness’ for the chat lines. So they flew me to seven different cities with a huge budget to throw events and for Brittany to headline! With my status as Brittany Lynn growing and growing, I now got the opportunity to work with the legends of club life — drag queens and party promoters — and got paid while touring all over the country!
After the technology changed from chat lines to the Internet, I took over as an advertising and PR director for Manhunt for Philadelphia and the Tri-State Area.
Go figure that my journalist internship could lead to a successful PR and advertising career, with an added benefit of launching a huge drag career.
I should mention that I formed the Miss Fancy Brigade — the Mummers’ only LGBT drag and trans brigade that leads the very front of the parade — with Mark by my side.
I owe so much to Mark and the PGN, and will be forever grateful.
Thank you and here’s to another 40 years and more!”
Suzi Nash
“Having a chance to share the stories of people from all over the city and beyond for over a decade has had a tremendous effect on me. For starters, it has made me a font of wisdom. I was just talking to someone who was complaining about a crick in their neck and immediately I said, ‘You should see Dan Myers, I did his profile a while back.’ Need a therapist or a tattoo artist, someone to perform your commitment ceremony or to help euthanize your pet? I’ve probably profiled someone who can do it.
I love shining a spotlight on someone doing wonderful things who may have gone unnoticed or showing a different side of people we see often in the community. I’ve gotten to see some magnificent performances, gotten insight on different perspectives, frustrated three very patient editors and made an awful lot of friends through the column.
I appreciate the accolades I’ve been given for my work and always get a warm feeling when a friend, spouse, parent or loved one tells me, ‘You nailed them. You captured their essence perfectly.’ I’ve had people tell me they’ve found help, solace and love through the column or just an entertaining read that brightens their day a little.
And every time I hear it, it makes my day shine a little brighter too.”