PHILADELPHIA, October 3, 2006  –  Celebrants of October’s Gay History Month will have icing to add to their cake this year as a collection of leading GLBT newspapers will, for the first time ever, collectively recognize national and local pioneers from the GLBT community.

Sixteen major GLBT newspapers from across the country will promote Gay History Month in their publications with exclusive articles from some of the nation’s most well-known activists, sports figures, authors and entertainers.

Among those slated to appear are Congressman Barney Frank, tennis champion Martina Navratilova, and Oscar Award winning writer Bruce Vilanch.

In addition to the nationally known and distinguished pioneers, each publication will also celebrate a roster of their local GLBT leaders.

“We want to celebrate our homegrown gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender heroes along with those who are nationally known,” said Dallas Voice publisher Robert Moore.  “And we want to help our National Gay History Month gain the momentum it deserves.”

Mark Segal, publisher of the Philadelphia Gay News and the founder and coordinator of the Gay History Project added: “Local gay newspapers are the most complete, comprehensive record of LGBT history; no individual, organization or traditional medium has the knowledge and experience which make up our almost 40 years of coverage.”

Among the publications taking part in the celebration are: Philadelphia Gay News, San Francisco’s Bay Area Reporter, New York City’s Gay City News, Dallas Voice, Chicago’s Windy City Times, Detroit Pride Source, Boston’s Bay Windows, LA’s Frontiers, Seattle Gay News, Echo Magazine of Phoenix AZ, Washington DC’s Metro Weekly, Out Front Denver Colorado, Minneapolis’ Lavender Magazine, San Diego Gay and Lesbian Times, Inside Out in Nashville, and Cleveland’s Chronicle.

The participating publications have a combined circulation of over one half million – making the project the largest GLBT media promotion in the history of the gay press. This first-time event is expected to become a yearly tradition.