When I became editor of the Gayzette in 1984, I could not have imagined a more influential time for the weekly GLBT newspaper in San Diego. AIDS had only recently affected our community. Many people were frightened and even panicked because information about the disease – how it was transmitted, who was at risk, and what help was available – was nearly impossible to find.

In that void, our community regularly turned to the Gayzette and other GLBT publications for news about AIDS research and services. Readers found respectful and comprehensive information, unlike much of the coverage in other media outlets that highlighted hate-filled responses to AIDS.

In addition to providing a directory of AIDS resources, local GLBT publications at the time played other critical roles. They gave voice to an overlooked and underserved community, demanding increased funding for AIDS research, better treatment by the police, and protections in housing and employment. The newspapers showcased the social organizations, athletic leagues, and houses of worship where new residents could meet people and integrate into the community. And for those who were closeted, the paper became a visible entrance to a community they would likely join in the future.

While the Gayzette and several other GLBT papers in San Diego have since folded, the Gay & Lesbian Times has remained a staple of the GLBT community’s weekly reading for 20 years. It is a noteworthy accomplishment, especially during a time when paid subscribers to major daily newspapers are declining, and Internet news services are attracting more readers.

The GLT has endured for 20 years because it remained true to its mission: keeping San Diego’s GLBT community informed about what affects us. Even as the larger community increasingly accepts us and tells our story in a respectful way, we still have our perspectives and concerns that need to be told in a forum catered to us.

We want to be informed about the various “out” candidates running for office in San Diego. We want to know what new HIV testing methods are available. We want to learn who is leading our various organizations and the good work they are doing. This type of coverage is unlikely to be found in the daily newspaper or on the evening newscast.

Most important, the GLT is a conduit to the community. For new GLBT residents, the GLT introduces them to the San Diego restaurants and shops that shape our community, and the resources and organizations that serve us. The same is true for GLBT youth, or those who are in the process of “coming out” and embracing their identity. Given that need, there will always be a role for the GLT.

Perhaps the greatest evolution of the GLT is how our straight allies also view it as a resource. At The Center’s community coalition breakfast in February, the CEO of the San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council, Lorena Gonzalez, told how she reads Nicole Murray-Ramirez’s column in the GLT to hear what issues are being discussed. The labor leader’s interest is a credit both to Nicole and his provocative writing, and to the GLT for its commitment to serious reporting of political events in San Diego.

I want to congratulate the GLT for its outstanding work to keep the GLBT community informed and connected, and for educating the larger community about the people, stories, and issues affecting us. It is a tremendous service this paper provides, and clearly a very successful one having reached its 20th anniversary. Keep up the great work. Your role in our community is deeply appreciated.