Pam Spaulding
Influential blogger Pam Spaulding of Pam’s House Blend is going into the hospital today to undergo surgery. It is not life-threatening – but it is painful and costly. She is taking unpaid medical leave and she and her wife Kate have to dip into their savings for the next couple of months. Having influence is not the same as having money.
My thoughts and prayers are with Pam, who has been incredibly kind to me as I have tried to make my way as a blogger.
I first met Pam in August 2007 during the HRC/LOGO Visible Vote 08 Presidential Forum in Los Angeles. Along with Kerry Eleveld, then news editor at The Advocate, I was a pool reporter inside the studio and at the end of the event, went back into the press area to fill in any points of interest reporters and bloggers didn’t catch from the live camera feed. Pam was one of the only ones interested in some of the nuances. I told her that the audience “gasped” and “hissed” when Gov. Bill Richardson told Melissa Etheridge that homosexuality was a choice.
His PR people immediately knew they had a problem and started the work the press room. They singled out Pam as THE most influential person to reach the LGBT electorate and asked – actually, begged – her to do an exclusive interview with Richardson via cell phone. Just an aside – they snarled at me because of my report (with Chris Crain) about how Richardson used jokingly used the word “maricon” (Spanish for “faggot”) on a radio show.
Pam’s piece was picked up and distributed widely by LGBT, alternative and mainstream media, alike.  Why? Because her reporting and her attitude sticking up for LGBTs were spot on.
They still are.
But for all her influence, renown and expertise – I am taken by how humble she is. Pam Spaulding is one of the most authentic human beings I know. And it is a real pleasure to share the same cyberspace with her.
Pam – get well soon. We need you.
PS: If you would like to help Pam cover costs, please go to her main site PamsHouseBlend.com and contribute through the PayPal button. Or, if you prefer the old fashioned way, as I do, you can donate something via snail mail with a check made out to Pam Spaulding and send it to:
Pam’s House Blend
105 West Hwy 54, Suite 265,
Box #113,
Durham, NC 27713
I’m sure Pam thanks you.
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