Betty Sullivan knew she was different, but it wasn't until her mid-20s when she caught a glimpse of television news reports detailing annual LGBT pride events across the country that she knew she was not alone. It was also the moment that Sullivan, co-publisher and co-editor of the San Francisco Bay Times, recognized the importance of accessible and informative media outlets.
Sullivan's hometown of Greenwood, Mississippi, the self-proclaimed "cotton capital of the world," was not a particularly inclusive place during the 1970s. It was obvious to her that moving north to find community was necessary.
"I was basically isolated," she said. "There were no people around me who comprised any sort of LGBT community. There was no discussion related to gays and lesbians at all. I decided to leave and take the journey away from home in search of an area without rampant bigotry and discrimination."
Her first stop was Memphis, Tennessee and in 1982, Sullivan marched in her first pride parade with around 100 other people. Since then, she's participated in pride parades in New York City; Washington, D.C.; and San Francisco, where she has been a resident and well-known LGBT community member since 1995.
"Pride parades are very dear to me. It's once a year that we can make happen an event that echoes throughout the world," she said.
But this year's Pride celebration is special for Sullivan, 60. In late April, the San Francisco LGBT Pride Celebration Committee board named her as a community grand marshal.
"It's very exciting," Sullivan said. "It also feels in many ways like a logical progression."
In the last 13 years, Sullivan's contributions to the Bay Area LGBT community have been many. In 1996, she founded Betty's List, a notable email announcement service that compiles Bay Area news and events for thousands of LGBT subscribers.
In addition, Betty's List has sponsored numerous events and groups that include the Ladies Go Biking Group, Parents Are Too Social Group, Betty's List Book Club, Ladies Night, Saturday Singles Brunch, Outdoor Adventures Series, New Year's Eve Celebration, Theater Night Out Series, and the Smart Business Network.
"Betty's List is more than just an email list," Sullivan said. "Thousands of women and men have participated in our events, and hundreds of nonprofits, small and large businesses, and individuals use our services to get the word out about events, products, services, etc."
In August 2011, Sullivan and her partner, Jennifer L. Viegas, purchased the Bay Times from former publisher Kim Corsaro for an undisclosed amount. Viegas, 46, a senior correspondent for Discovery Channel News, co-publishes and co-edits the bimonthly publication with Sullivan. They have been together for three years and, depending on the Supreme Court's ruling on marriage equality, may get married.
"We've definitely been talking about it," Sullivan said.
Sullivan has served on numerous nonprofit organization boards over the years. They've included the Horizons Foundation, Golden Gate Business Association, UCSF AIDS Health Alliance, Bay Area Career Women, the PFLAG National Board of Directors, and the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus.
The recipient of a Distinguished Alumni Award from Columbia University in New York, Sullivan has worked for the Newspaper Association of America Foundation, the New York Times, New York Newsday, USA Today , the San Francisco Chronicle , and other local, regional, and national newspapers.
As an educator, her newspaper and newspaper-related organization lecture tours have taken her to Japan, Malaysia, and South Africa. In addition, she is a founding member of the World Newspaper Association's Young Reader's Committee, and has served on a number of committees for professional media and education organizations.
Honored to be recognized at this year's Pride, Sullivan emphasized the importance of celebrating as a community.
"Pride is about getting out to come out," she said, "and we just want everybody to come and participate."