Pioneering LGBTQ+ Rights Activist & Journalist; Founder of Philadelphia Gay News; Author of "And Then I Danced"

Philadelphia, PA, USA
Live Event: $10,000 - $20,000 Virtual Event: $5,000 - $10,000 More Fee Info

Mark Segal Biography

Mark Segal is recognized as a significant figure in the history of American LGBTQ+ civil rights. A participant in the Stonewall Riots, Segal was a founding member of the Gay Liberation Front and the founder of Gay Youth, the nation's first organization to address bullying and suicide among LGBTQ+ youth. He served as a marshal and member of the Christopher Street Gay Liberation Day Committee, which created the world's first Gay Pride march. Segal is also known for writing on the sidewalks and walls along Christopher Street to set the stage for the second night of the Stonewall uprising.

Following Stonewall, Segal became known for a form of protest called the "zap." He disrupted a fundraising dinner for Richard Nixon, chained himself to the Liberty Bell, and interrupted Walter Cronkite's evening broadcast of CBS News, which reached 60 million viewers. His campaign to end the invisibility of the LGBTQ+ community in media led him to disrupt live television shows, including "The CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite" and "The Today Show with Barbara Walters." These actions contributed to increased and fairer media coverage of the LGBTQ+ community. Working with Pennsylvania Governor Milton Shapp, Segal helped enact the nation's first executive order banning discrimination in state government, leading to the creation of the first official cabinet-level commission on LGBTQ+ affairs.

Segal founded Philadelphia Gay News, an LGBTQ+ newspaper in the Philadelphia area. He is one of the founders and a former president of both the National Gay Press Association and the National Gay Newspaper Guild, and was inducted into the National Lesbian & Gay Journalist Association Hall of Fame. His weekly syndicated column, "Mark My Words," has received awards from the Society of Professional Journalists and the National Newspaper Association. Beyond journalism, Segal partnered with the Obama administration to create the nation's first official LGBT-friendly senior affordable housing apartment building, the John C. Anderson Apartments, a $19.8 million project.

Segal is the author of "And Then I Danced: Traveling the Road to LGBT Equality," a memoir that was named Best Book by the National Lesbian Gay Journalist Association. His personal papers and artifacts, spanning more than five decades, are part of the collections at the Archives Center at the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian Institution, and a selection of his artifacts from the first Gay Pride were included in a Gay Pride exhibit at the White House. Segal continues to work with the National Parks Conservation Association to promote the Stonewall story and advocate for inclusive storytelling at park sites. He provides firsthand accounts of LGBTQ+ history and activism, highlighting the impact of advocacy and civil rights efforts in the United States.

BOOK Mark Segal

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 06/01/2026.

Mark Segal Speaking Topics

    • LGBT History
    • Diversity and Inclusion from the Board Room
    • From Stonewall to The White House, my road to LGBT Equality

Mark Segal Videos

First Five Now: Remembering Stonewall with LGBTQ Pioneer Mark ...

First Five Now: Remembering Stonewall with LGBTQ Pioneer Mark ...

Journalist And Activist Mark Segal Reflects On LGBT Movement ...

Journalist And Activist Mark Segal Reflects On LGBT Movement ...

  • How do I book Mark Segal to speak at my event?

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  • What are the speaker fees for Mark Segal

    Speaking fees for Mark Segal, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Mark Segal are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and under $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Mark Segal, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Mark Segal speak about?

    Mark Segal is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Author, Civil Rights, Culture, Diversity & Inclusion, Empowerment, Journalist, LGBTQ, Non-Fiction Authors, Personal Growth, Social Activism, Social Justice, Storytelling
  • Where does Mark Segal travel from?

    Mark Segal generally travels from Philadelphia, PA, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
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Mark Segal is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as . The estimated speaking fee range to book Mark Segal for your event is $10,000 - $20,000. Mark Segal generally travels from Philadelphia, PA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Channing Gerard Joseph, Kylar Broadus, Darian Aaron, Jackie Biskupski and Sophie Santos. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Mark Segal for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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