by David Chong

NLGJA members honored one of their own Saturday, inducting pioneer journalist Gail Shister into the LGBT Journalists Hall of Fame. Her work for the Philadelphia Inquirer has earned her considerable respect from some of the nation's most prominent journalists.

Former NLGJA board member Bob Witeck presented Shister with the award during the organization's 2008 convention in Washington D.C.

Shister was not only one of the first openly gay journalists at a mainstream publication when she joined the New Orleans States-Item in 1975, but also the paper's first female sports reporter.

The 56-year-old writer said she wasn't afraid to be out in the newsroom, but often felt isolated in the early years of her career.

"I never believed anything would prevent me from entering anything in my profession, but I didn't see people of my own tribe," she said.

She moved on to the Inquirer in 1979, where her television column ran for 25 years, mostly focusing on the news industry.
NLGJA founder Leroy Aarons personally invited Shister to become a founding member of the organization because of her courage to be out throughout her career. She went on to serve as vice president and two-term board member of the organization.

Shister said she never would have imagined at the beginning of her career there would be an organization for LGBT journalists working in mainstream media, but she's proud of how it has developed through the years.

"I feel very maternal now," she said of the organization.

But she said she hopes LGBT journalists do no not become complacent now that her generation has open doors for them.

"Never assume that because we've made strides, the advances are going to stay," she said. "The social climate can change quickly."

Upon accepting the Lifetime Achievement award, she showed some of gruff charm and wit she's famous for quipping, "We're here. We're queer. We're on deadline. And we're not going away."