About the BAR
The Bay Area Reporter is America’s longest continuously-published and highest circulation LGBTQ newspaper.
Since 1971, we have been dedicated to serving as the undisputed publication of record for the San Francisco Bay Area LGBTQ community.
The Bay Area Reporter is regarded for practicing advocacy journalism and producing original reporting on news and culture from an LGBTQ perspective — from the birth of the LGBTQ rights movement all the way to achieving marriage equality and advocating for transgender rights.
Our political coverage started when Harvey Milk was our first political columnist, before he was elected supervisor. The BAR was the first LGBT community publication to unapologetically feature the leather community with a regular column by the legendary Marcus Hernandez (Mr. Marcus), and the first to publish obituaries with photos during the AIDS crisis.
The BAR strives to prioritize coverage of stories that mainstream media may overlook: anti-gay discrimination in employment and housing; bias and fear of people with HIV/AIDS; victims of abuse and anti-gay violence; the plight of at-risk youth; and the unmet needs of LGBT elders. Our articles have given voice to the vulnerable and are a record of our history.