Resolution 110123

..Title Recognizing and Honoring the Philadelphia Gay News and it's Publisher Mark Segal on 35 years of ground breaking journalism and civic commitment. ..Body WHEREAS, In 1975, Mark Segal founded the Philadelphia Gay News (PGN), one of the nations earliest publications targeted to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Trans Community (LGBT); and WHEREAS, Mark Segal and PGN have been powerful advocates for LGBT causes, as well as producing exceptional journalism that serves the needs and interest of Philadelphia's gay community; and WHEREAS, PGN has served as a true community paper and forum within the LGBT community as well as providing a platform to communicate with the broader Philadelphia community; and WHEREAS, PGN broke barriers for many other LBGT targeted publications, working in alliance with other mainstream publications in Pennsylvania to gain admission to the Pennsylvania Newspaper's Association, a battle that took nearly 15 years; and WHEREAS, PGN led a coalition of other LGBT publications to recognize October as Gay History Month; and WHEREAS, The work of Mark Segal and PGN has broken barriers of intolerance and given a voice, platform, and recognition to Philadelphia's LGBT community. RESOLVED THAT, The Philadelphia City Council hereby congratulates and honors Mark Segal and PGN on 35 years of dedicated service to the City of Philadelphia and it's LGBT community. We recognize your courage and dedication to the City of Philadelphia, and wish you many more decades of continued success. FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to PGN and it's publisher Mark Segal as a sincere expression of City Council's appreciation and gratitude. ..End