You're invited to the NLGJA Philadelphia holiday party!

Need a little holiday cheer? Before the weather outside gets too frightful, the Philly chapter is hosting our annual holiday party—with the help of Our Night Out. Here are the details:

DATE: Tuesday, Dec. 6

TIME: 6-8:30 p.m.

LOCATION: XIX, located at the Bellevue Hotel (Broad and Walnut streets)

Note: There is no cover charge, and there will be drink specials and free appetizers!

Speaking of parties, in January the chapter will begin hosting monthly happy hours for members. Stay plugged in for details.

2011 NLGJA Convention Planning Under Way

Members of the Philadelphia chapter met in early November to begin planning for the 2011 National Convention & 8th Annual LGBT Media Summit to be held in the City of Brotherly Love. Committees are forming and excitement is building as the chapter works toward a show-stopping event.

All members with suggestions, and anyone who would like to support or help coordinate, are encouraged to get in contact with chapter president Gary Kramer.

Upcoming Summer and Fall Events

Thursday, August 19
Happy Hour at Valanni's
5 - 7 p.m.
We're hosting a happy hour and meet-and-greet at the bar at Valanni's, 1229 Spruce Street. There are happy hour specials on drinks and appetizers. (Pay your own way.) This is a casual gathering to meet chapter members.

Monday, August 23
Gay Community Night at the Phillies
7:05 p.m.
The Philly chapter of NLGJA and the Gay and Lesbian Lawyers of Philadelphia (GALLOP) are co-sponsoring the 8th Annual Gay Community Night at the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Game time is 7:05 p.m. Tickets in the Community Night sections are $28 and $20. Order tickets online.

September 2 - 5
LGBT Media Summit & National Convention
We're celebrating 20 years in San Francisco! If you are planning to attend, please email Sarah Blazucki, Philadelphia chapter president. She would like to know who from our chapter is attending.
More information.

Sunday, October 17
AIDS Walk Philly
The chapter will be participating in the 2010 AIDS Walk Philly. If you are interested in walking, please email Gary Kramer.
More information.

Saturday, October 30
Gay BINGO
It was such a hit last spring, we're going to hit it again. The theme is "The Witches of Gay Bingo!" Email Gary Kramer to RSVP. If enough people want to come, we'll get a full table!
More information.


We are in the process of planning more events. Stayed tuned for further details. Meanwhile, if you have any questions, or if you know anyone whose membership has lapsed or who might want to join, please direct them to Sarah Blazucki or Gary Kramer.

Philly chapter teams up with Shister

Chapter President Sarah Blazucki and national board member Jeff McMillan have teamed up with longtime TV critic and NLGJA presence Gail Shister for two panels, one of which will be open to chapter members in April.

They served Feb. 19 on a panel moderated by Shister at IvyQ, billed as the first conference of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students in the Ivy League, held at the University of Pennsylvania. Answering questions posed by Shister and the audience of students, they gave novice journalists advice on being out in the newsroom.

They're set to appear again April 16 at the conference of the American Copy Editors Society at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel. The panel, "Sexual Disorientation: Getting LGBT Terminology Right," will discuss linguistic precision in news coverage of sexual minorities.

Blazucki is editor of the Philadelphia Gay News. McMillan is assistant east editor for The Associated Press.

For more information on how to attend the panel, send Jeff an e-mail.

Kathie Lee Gifford, Hoda Kotb to Co-Host 'Headlines & Headliners' Benefit in NYC

The National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association (NLGJA) announced that "Today" show's Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb will co-host its marquis event March 25 in New York City. "Headlines & Headliners," as the annual benefit event is billed, is the first in the series of 20th anniversary activities for NLGJA, the nation's leading group for LGBT journalists, media professionals, educators and students.

"We are incredibly pleased that Kathie Lee and Hoda are kicking off NLGJA's twentieth year working for fairness, accuracy, and diversity in news coverage," said NLGJA Managing Director Michael Tune. "While many media organizations are in a financial crisis and LGBT issues continue to garner headlines, our nation cannot afford to have journalists or journalism silenced. This benefit helps keep our voice strong."

The benefit is expected to draw 300 journalists and allies from across the east coast, as well as notable special guests:

• --Andy Cohen, Bravo, Senior Vice President of Original Programming & Host "Watch What Happens: Live"
• --Jane Velez-Mitchell, HLN, Host "Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell"
• --Jeanne Moos, CNN, National Correspondent
• --Mike Huckman, CNBC, Pharmaceuticals Reporter

At the benefit, Kathie Lee & Hoda will present NLGJA's fifth Leroy F. Aarons scholarship award. Each year, NLGJA awards a scholarship to an undergraduate or graduate student who plans a career in journalism and is committed to further NLGJA's mission of fair & accurate coverage of the LGBT community. The scholarship was established in 2005 to honor Aarons, the organization's founder and a pioneering journalist.

The Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams Company is sponsoring this year's benefit. Proceeds from the event will help support NLGJA's networking, outreach and education programs, such as its Student Workshop, which provides a week-long, hands-on newsroom experience each summer.

For more information or tickets to "Headlines & Headliners," visit www.nlgja.org.

NLGJA's 20th anniversary celebration will culminate with its annual convention, which takes place in San Francisco in September.

GayBINGO Fundraiser: April 17

NLGJA Philadelphia will host a members' night fundraiser at GayBINGO on Saturday, April 17.

Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) will sponsor 10 tickets to the event at no cost to NLGJA Philadelphia members (first come, first served). We'll use the ticket cost ($25 per person) as a fundraiser for the chapter. Additionally, GPTMC will provide pizzas for the BYOB event!

Thanks to GPTMC and Jeff Guaracino.

Watch this site for more details!

2010 Headlines & Headliners Reception

The National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association cordially invites you to the annual Headlines & Headliners Reception, celebrating NLGJA's 20th Anniversary.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

6:30pm-9:30pm

Host Sponsor:
Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams
210 Lafayette at Kenmare Square
New York, NY

Additional details coming soon.