The
Philadelphia Gay News is distributed for free and can be picked up in vending boxes throughout Greater Philadelphia, Eastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey and Delaware.
Vending machines The
Philadelphia Gay News received its batch of around 30 vending boxes in 1976. They were provided for free by the
Philadelphia Evening Bulletin, who were retiring an old fleet.
PGN's longtime distribution manager, Don Pignolet, took them to Earl Shibe Auto for painting. The shop was willing to donate paint for the boxes, but only one color: fresh plum, or RAL-0007. "No one else had that color," Pignolet said, "and it just seemed so gay." Pignolet and his father attached the coin mechanisms to the boxes, initially charging 50 cents an issue. Today the paper is free. Throughout the years the boxes have been used as trash cans and vandalized with stickers and graffiti. People have glued the boxes shut and scrawled homophobic graffiti on them, such as "Gay=Got AIDS Yet?" On several occasions, the boxes were blown up with homemade bombs consisting of M-80 fireworks. ==References==