Thanks from sister publication
There is no other newspaper for the LGBTQ community in the country that I'd rather say happy anniversary to than the Bay Area Reporter ["Bay Area Reporter turns 50," April 1]. The reasons are really simple: you do the work that every media serving our community should do. You proudly and unbiasedly present the news that is important to our community, good, bad, sad or happy. You are the heart of the San Francisco's LGBTQ community and its platform for dialogue. You do it all with, as we say at Philadelphia Gay News, "Honesty, integrity and professionalism." That is why we at PGN consider you our sister publication, and I personally have been honored to work with you, and hope to continue that valued relationship and friendship. Happy anniversary.
Mark Segal, Publisher
Philadelphia Gay News
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Some stuff left out
I enjoyed the 50th anniversary edition of the B.A.R. Missing in the coverage was the AIDS Emergency Fund (not PRC, which took it over) and its beneficial relationship with the paper and its founder Bob Ross. Ross was an active member of the AEF board. He and the leather community were essential supporters of endless fundraisers that enabled AEF to give out $500 grants to people living with AIDS in San Francisco and the East Bay. Marcus Hernandez was also a staunch promoter of AEF. Parenthetically, a longtime AEF volunteer, Pat Smith, just died this week at 92, still recalling her time with other AEF volunteers and clients in my weekly visits with her.
Stephen McNeil
San Francisco
Help keep the Bay Area Reporter going in these tough times. To support local, independent, LGBTQ journalism, consider becoming a BAR member.