Did you know Spotlight PA is a nonprofit? Learn more about our nonpartisan journalism »
Skip to main content
Main content
Events

WATCH: The history of Pennsylvania’s queer media

by Spotlight PA Staff |

Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding visits Broad Street Market to highlight LGBTQ+ and women-owned businesses.
Commonwealth Media Services

Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit newsroom producing investigative and public-service journalism that holds power to account and drives positive change in Pennsylvania. Sign up for our free newsletters.

Before the rise of the internet, Pennsylvania’s queer community connected through underground newsletters, newspapers, zines, and hotlines. The media wave started in big cities, like Philadelphia, but soon spread to much smaller communities statewide.

The discussion below focuses on that movement, the players, and the accompanying risks, all ahead of an upcoming retrospective on the subject hosted by the LGBT Center of Central Pennsylvania History Project. Watch it.

Our panelists were:

  • Colin Deppen, newsletter editor, Spotlight PA

  • Barry Loveland, chair, LGBT Center of Central Pennsylvania History Project

  • Megan Massanelli, engagement and outreach librarian, Pitt Library System

  • Frank Pizzoli, writer, the Village Voice

Queering the News from Spotlight PA on Vimeo.

» Spotlight PA’s events operate on a “pay-what-you-can” honor system. If you value this public-service event, pay it forward and contribute any amount to Spotlight PA now so we can keep our programming free for everyone: spotlightpa.org/donate.

Get the top news from across Pennsylvania, plus some fun and a puzzle, all in one free daily email newsletter.