Do we need a gay press in SF?

Pat Murphy, Publisher of San Francisco Sentinel

The online publisher of the San Francisco Sentinel, an openly gay man, called for the resignation of Joe O’Donohue, the leader of the Residential Builders Association. Mr. O’Donohue had penned an ode to Mayor Gavin Newsom, baiting him about whether the Mayor is gay or not. The ode was published in an online progressive newspaper.

Publisher Pat Murphy writes:
“His latest satirical sortie on Mayor Newsom, penned as spokesman for the Residential Builders Association (RBA), so diminishes stature of that organization its welfare demands new leadership.

Published in poetic form, O'Donoghue taunts Newsom sexuality.”

I can’t help but wonder if Murphy would have been as righteously outraged if he had not been gay. For me, it points to the need for inclusion of the LGBT community in the media, whether it be reporters or publishers. In my opinion, LGBT issues just don’t rise to the top of the agenda unless there are LGBT people there to demand it. I’m not suggesting that only LGBT people find this offensive. I’m suggesting that Pat takes it seriously because he is gay and it’s good to have a LGBT person around to notice.

Needless to say, there are numerous examples of writers in San Francisco’s media who need education on LGBT issues. Joe is not alone in this arena. The SF Chronicle has had its ups and downs and even the SF Bay Guardian needs a kick in the butt sometimes.

All in all, I’m glad Pat Murphy is around, and I still pick up my weekly versions of the Bay Area Reporter and the SF Bay Times.

Robert Haaland*

*Full disclosure: I am a queer-identified transgender person who cares about LGBT issues and inclusion..