From Echo Magazine's October 16, 2008 issue:

In 2006, Echo Magazine recognized 18 individuals who have had an imprint on the gay community landscape in Arizona.  They were our inaugural class of Gay History Pioneers — sort of a Gay Hall of Fame, if you will.  Activists, fundraisers, politicians, artists, businesspeople — this group helped shape the community that we are today, and will always be remembered for their contributions to Arizona’s culture.  That list included such important names as:  Kirk Baxter, John Bircumshaw, Ed Buck, Bj Bud, Bob Ellis, Amy Ettinger, Neil Giuliano, Don Hamill, Bob Hegyi, Linda Hoffman, John King, Bill MacDonald, Gary Mangum (Tish Tanner), Steve May, Marti McElroy, Dianne Post, Steve Schemmel and Dale Williams.

Last year we  recognized 11 more individuals who — with their work, sweat and tears — have given their all to our community.
This year we added 12 more, six of which are featured in our current issue . . . .

Happy News:  PFLAG Phoenix Couple Named as Phoenix Gay History Pioneers    We are extremely proud to share the news that our own beloved PFLAG Phoenix parents, Boots and Ray Reed (pictured below), have been named as Phoenix "gay history pioneers" in Echo Magazine's October 16, 2008 issue.  You can pick up that issue now on newsstands across town, or you can view it here by downloading the current issue and scrolling to page 36.  We at PFLAG Phoenix extend a heartfelt CONGRATULATIONS! to Boots and her beloved Ray who sadly passed away in 2003.  They both remain near and dear to our hearts!