Introduction to Pride in Print

Pride in Print celebrates two groundbreaking Lehigh Valley LGBT publications: Above Ground (1994-1998) and Gaydar Magazine (2005-2008). Both publications played an important role in documenting national and regional political movements for LGBT civil rights, discussing major health care issues for LGBT people, and promoting local LGBT businesses, nightlife, and culture. Additionally, they were central vehicles through which LGBT people in the Lehigh Valley shared personal stories about their lives, discussed the work of local organizations fighting for social change, and reflected upon the unique LGBT community in the Lehigh Valley. Pride in Print examines the multiple ways that these two publications connected LGBT readers to urgent political struggles, dynamic local LGBT organizations, and vibrant cultural events.        

Moving Above Ground

From 1994 to 1996, Mitch Hemphill, a Lehigh Valley native, published Above Ground. He started Above Ground because he recognized a greater need for a publication that would be a hub for information relevent to the larger LGBT community. Hemphill chose the name to symbolize the LGBT community was no longer willing to be marginalized and pushed underground, but was rising above ground to fight for civil rights, social acceptance, and greater recognition in our region and nation. The publication served as a way for LGBT people to keep up to date about regional events as well as the work of local and national political organizations and to celebrate Lehigh Valley LGBT culture. In addition, Above Ground published stories by and about local LGBT people that discussed domestic partnerships, family building, health care, and discrimination in the Lehigh Valley. In 1996, Hemphill sold Above Ground but espite its short run, Hemphill and Above Ground had a major impact in the Lehigh Valley and paved the way for other publications to continue regional conversations about LGBT communities, organizations, and politics in the 21st century.

Embracing Our Gaydar

In the winter of 2005, Stephen Libby, a full-time hospice worker, published Gaydar Magazine: a quarterly-produced, infotainment publication for LGBT people and their allies in the Lehigh Valley. Libby’s magazine included colorful photography of Lehigh Valley events and many revealing, sex-positive images of men, who invited readers to explore the publication’s contents. Similarly to Above Ground, the magazine offered articles focused on local politics, organizations, and nightlife as well as issues that impact LGBT people. Gaydar also extended beyond the Lehigh Valley in order to cover national political battles, LGBT celebrities and allies as well as groundbreaking representations of LGBT people in popular culture. In this way, Gaydar documents progress for LGBT people on the national stage such as the fight for marriage equality and on national media outlets while maintaining a central focus on the Lehigh Valley LGBT community. Gaydar was published until 2008. However, Libby’s departure from publishing was short-lived as in 2018 he worked with Gary Gaugler, Jr. to publish The Gay Journal. 

Introducing Readers to Hate Crimes Legislation

Above Ground and Gaydar captured the Lehigh Valley LGBT community’s fight for the addition of sexual orientation and gender identity to Pennsylvania’s hate crimes legislation. Although Pennsylvania already had legislation that addressed crimes based on racism, religious prejudice, and anti-immigrant xenophobia, the law did not address violence against LGBT people. Regional publications gave LGBT political organizations a platform to rally for an amendment to existing civil rights legislation so that bias-motivated crimes against LGBT people would be treated as hate crimes with stiffer penalties for perpetrators. In the 1990s and early 2000s, regional publications played a major role in sharing knowledge about the state-wide fight to revise hate crimes law.

Above Ground and Gaydar depended on strong relationships with Lehigh Valley activists to provide stories about the struggle to amend Pennsylvania hate crimes legislation. They published articles written by members of the Pennsylvania League of Gay and Lesbian Voters and PA Gay and Lesbian Alliance (PA-GALA). These writers reported on LGBT organizations’  lobbying efforts and actions, as well as shared stories of violent crimes against LGBT people in order to show why hate crimes legislation would benefit victims. The passage of amendments to the law to include sexual orientation, gender, and gender identity in 2002 is due to the work of LGBT political organizations and regional publications that motivated communities to keep political pressure on state representatives. 

Connecting Readers to National and Regional Anti-Discrimination Legislation: Employment Non-Discrimination Act

Beyond comprehensive reporting on Pennsylvanian legislation to protect LGBT communities, Above Ground and Gaydar also addressed federal and civic legislation like the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). ENDA was legislation that would prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and, in some versions, gender identity. Various regional advocates, including Liz Bradbury and Steve Black, contributed to Above Ground by discussing the implications of ENDA for LGBT people and how community members could help pass it. Regional publications like Above Ground and Gaydar contributed to building awareness and support for legislation like ENDA that set the stage for contemporary activist efforts in support of the Equality Act.

Allentown Anti-Discrimination Ordinance

While publications focused on federal policy, they also addressed local legislation like Allentown’s anti-discrimination ordinance. In the 1990s, the ordinance protected citizens on the basis of race, color, religion, and national origin, ensuring protected classes “enjoy the full benefits of citizenship and are afforded equal opportunities for employment, housing, and use of public accommodation facilities.” However, LGBT people were not included and could lose housing and employment due to homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia. Above Ground and Gaydar reported consistently on local activists’ leadership in changing the anti-discrimination ordinance to include LGBT people. In 2002, with support from the American Civil Liberties Union and the Center for Lesbian and Gay Civil Rights, LGBT people were included in Allentown’s anti-discrimination ordinance. 

Connecting Readers to the Fight Against AIDS

From the 1990s to the early 21st century, regional publications like Above Ground and Gaydar were important sources of information about AIDS research, medical support for people living with HIV, and local political organizations that fought discrimination against HIV-positive people. Publications supported regional organizations by reporting on activism to increase governmental funding for AIDS research and to combat homophobia in healthcare organizations. They also covered local fundraisers for organizations like the annual AIDS walk and dinners hosted by Fighting AIDS Continuously Together (F.A.C.T.). Beyond coverage of events to support AIDS organizations, publications recognized local residents “for the outstanding work they have done in the fight against AIDS” and printed writing by HIV-positive artists.

Above Ground and Gaydar included articles and advertisements that promoted safe sex while celebrating sexuality. For example, publications used sex-positive humor and sensual imagery to encourage the use of condoms. Articles offered rigorous reviews of books that focused on HIV and AIDS as well as detailed instructions about how to have safe and pleasurable anal sex. Reporters also provided statistics on how HIV affected LGBT communities. Because of their sex-positive coverage, regional publications were central venues for sharing knowledge about safe sex as HIV continued to impact LGBT communities.

Connecting Readers to Mental Health Services

During the AIDS epidemic, regional publications also addressed other health issues in the LGBT community. Above Ground featured articles that explored mental health resources in the Lehigh Valley and advice from regional mental health professionals. Jacqueline Marish, a psychologist in Bethlehem, provided information, guidance, and support to LGBT communities. She also discussed the value of counseling services for LGBT people. Beyond Marish’s articles, Above Ground published advertisements for psychologists and referral lists to religious and spiritual organizations that were committed to LGBT people. Above Ground, through its articles and advertisements, supported the mental health and wellbeing of LGBT people.

Gaydar offered articles on mental health and LGBT-friendly regional therapeutic and spiritual support. Gaydar promoted community conversations about the impact of discrimination, homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia. Spiritual and religious leaders discussed the impact of discriminatory religious institutions and the import of welcoming spiritual communities. In his column, Tao of Tau Tom, Reverend Tom Cormier, spoke about bigotry in religious organizations that harms the spiritual growth and development of LGBT people. Through his column, he shared his journey as a gay man while being involved in inclusive religious communities and sharing spiritual practices with readers.

Connecting Readers to LGBT Humor

Although Above Ground and Gaydar featured serious articles in each issue, they also centered LGBT humor and wit with clever comics, horoscopes (known as “Horrorscoops”), and advertisements. Above Ground offered monthly comic strips by artists Ruby Zebu, Daboize Toys, and karalynn that used humor to address the joys and challenges of lesbian relationships. Jeff Faller’s comic, “The Drag Zone”, featured drag queens with sharp tongues, ready to slay the stage and each other with deadly quips. In Gaydar, some of the frequent comics were “Queer Force One” by Shawn Patrick Mazzatta, “Down with Pants” by Justin Lamble, and “Transbian View” by Rachel Thompson. These comics, horoscopes, and advertisements connected readers to laughter, a form of healing in a world fraught with inequities.

Connecting Readers to Love and the Law: Domestic Partnership

Before marriage equality in Pennsylvania, LGBT publications served an important role in advocating for domestic partner rights. As LGBT partnerships were not recognized by federal or state government, couples did not have the same rights as heterosexual spouses such as the right to inherit property, make medical decisions for an incapacitated partner, or access employer benefits. However, political activists featured in Above Ground and Gaydar wrote articles that informed the LGBT community on legal actions they could pursue to obtain some of the benefits heterosexual couples automatically gained through marriage. Some of these actions included designing effective wills and establishing durable powers of attorney. In the absence of marriage equality, regional publications provided expert advice about how to navigate discrimination against LGBT couples in Pennsylvania.

Marriage Equality

Regional publications were primary sources from which LGBT people learned about local and national political action on marriage equality. Above Ground and Gaydar published articles about ways for Lehigh Valley residents to advocate for marriage equality, including calling government representatives and participating in protests. The publications also celebrated LGBT people in committed relationships as a way to honor partnerships not acknowledged by the U.S. government. Wedding photos, newlywed games, and articles about how couples first met appeared in the magazines to give LGBT relationships the recognition they deserved. In 2014, marriage equality became a reality in Pennsylvania due to the work of activist groups across the state and regional LGBT publications like Above Ground and Gaydar.

Connecting Readers to LGBT Family Building: LGBT Parents

While Above Ground and Gaydar published articles on the political challenges facing LGBT couples, they also contained articles focused on LGBT families with rich personal narratives and commentary on legal battles to protect rights of LGBT parents. In Above Ground, writers shared the unique experiences with family building for LGBT people during a time period when political rhetoric about “family values” focused on heterosexual couples. Michelle Zimmer wrote a column called “Dykes with Tykes,” which addressed her experiences of being in a heterosexual marriage prior to entering a lesbian relationship, blending families with her lesbian partner, and coming out to her children. Personal narratives, like those in Zimmer’s column, offered important representations of diverse family structures and provided advice for LGBT readers as they navigated parenthood.

LGBT Families

In 1995, Above Ground also featured writing by Steve Black, co-founder of the Pennsylvania Gay and Lesbian Alliance, which reported on bias in child custody cases to garner community support for political action to protect LGBT families. In addition, Black provided information about how to find lawyers and other resources that would support LGBT families as they fought discrimination. Gaydar also included pieces on LGBT family building. For example, the magazine offered information about the National Adoption Center in Philadelphia that supported LGBT parents with adoption. The publications’ dual focus on advice for family building and legal challenges faced by LGBT families offered urgent information about discrimination as well as resources for combating bias.

Connecting Readers to the Social Scene

Aside from connecting readers to political and social issues that affected LGBT people, Above Ground and Gaydar also celebrated local LGBT arts, culture, night life, and organizational fundraisers. In each issue, the publications advertised up-coming events and included monthly calendars that charted the vibrancy of the LGBT social scene in the Lehigh Valley. Reporters provided detailed articles about major happenings, including F.A.C.T. fundraisers, gay and lesbian skating nights, drag shows, pageants, and dances. Articles that summarized the events captured images of smiling faces, stunning costumes, and incredible energy found in the local LGBT community. By documenting the rich cultural scene in Lehigh Valley, Above Ground and Gaydar offer readers snapshots of community spaces and events where LGBT individuals could celebrate and embrace their identities.

Connecting Readers to the Voices of People of Color, Bisexual, and Transgender People

By the beginning of the 20th century, publications like Gaydar responded to calls for inclusivity by providing increased coverage of voices marginalized in the mainstream LGBT press. Gaydar openly acknowledged bisexuals, including them in discussions of urgent issues that affected the larger LGBT community. Stories about transgender people, including detailed narratives about gender affirmation surgeries, hormone usage, and navigation of family life during and after transitioning, were featured in many issues. Gaydar also diversified their vibrant imagery by featuring people of color in their photographic spreads, ads, and calendars. Together, Above Ground and Gaydar document how Lehigh Valley’s LGBT publications responded to calls for greater inclusivity, the need to center the voices of people of color, bisexual, and transgender people, and the import of addressing racism, biphobia, and transphobia in our communities, media, and political work.