Where you don't have to try out ... you just have to be out!
Cate Colgan's Discussions
This is crazy!!!!! - DOMA - Obama
Started Jun 12
The Nation For Marriage Folks are at it Again! - we must sign this petitions and do What We Can!!! -
1 Reply
Started this discussion. Last reply by Amanda Hager Apr 9.
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Love It! - thanks for sharing Jerry !!!!
Thanks for posting Shannon! - our host from the West Coast - we love you!!!! - Chat soon!
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- Seasonal Spotlight444444
Q&A with Cate Colgan,
founder of IMGay.tv!
St. Petersburg, FL - IMGay.tv was launched in early 2007, as an extensive social networking and news portal for the GLBT community. The long-term vision for the site is that it will become a dynamic news and information outlet, always with the foundation of integrating user-generated content from everyday site viewers who wish to contribute. The founder, Cate Colgan, is driven. Within just a year, she has hyped up and re-invented her ideas, inspired hundreds to get involved, and has begun to build an impressive degree of name recognition for her site. This is one to watch!
RWNM: How did IMGay.tv get started? What was your inspiration?
Cate Colgan (CC): Once the technology caught up with our ideas, and evolved to the point that a site like this could be free for viewers to use... At that time I thought of various URLs and ended up with IMGay.tv.
I've always been a social networker. And I've always been a believer in everyday people sharing their stories. You know, ‘I do this, I do that... and by the way I'm gay...' So IMGay.tv offers a place for people to vlog about everyday life.
RWNM: And how has the site evolved?
CC: Well the idea has had to evolve all along. At its most basic, IMGay.tv is a place where all different kinds of people can share information. So, as more people got involved, the concept has had to change. And I'm an idea-person, by nature, as anyone will tell you!... So the implementation is something, in many ways, I've left up to others who have wanted to contribute. For instance, my producer Kelly Fry jumped on board very early on. She is so committed, and has {helped develop} so much of the vision of IMGay.tv.
But I've never wanted the site to be about fake people or fake stories... and that commitment will never change.
RWNM: And your partner has been involved as well?
CC: Yes! Marty Seyler - she's supportive and she believes in the site. She is in charge of IG Wear {IMGay.tv merchandise line.} Marty is glad the resource is available for people.
And on a side note, she and I are celebrating our ten-year anniversary this April 18th!
RWNM: Congratulations! That is a true milestone.
RWNM: Back to IMGay.tv... what is your vision for the company? What does the website look like a year from now? Five years from now??
CC: We're revamping the site now, so there will be some big changes real soon. Right now it lacks a profile page and such, so that will be included in the new site and will help all the vlogs and blogs and news and everything be more cohesive for the site viewer.
A year from now, I see social networking wrapped around videoing... and with all the new technology, like widgets, we'll be able to transport any piece of information anyone wants to share into all types of social networking applications.
We're creating a nationwide social network, specifically for the GLBT community! And we're also advocating very real citizen journalism, at all levels - from amateur to celebrity. Once we get funding, we'll also be more of a media outlet, maybe even shoot weekly out of a studio.
Five years from now I don't have a clue, because the technology changes so much... You can call me a dreamer!... but I believe there will be IMGay.tv media outlets around the world.
RWNM: Why is it important for the community to have IMGay.tv?
CC: For instance, when we went up to the Iowa Caucus earlier this year, it was great. We decided to go and have a presence there and that was so important, because we never hide our identity as a gay media outlet. So there we are, talking to Pat Buchanan and everyone else...
RWNM: So you're collecting news information from the point of view of the GLBT community? At the same time, you're legitimizing the power of the GLBT community, simply by being present as a news outlet.
CC: Yes. People in Iowa loved it. They wanted to collect our buttons and hand them out to others they knew -like a brother or co-worker- back home who are gay.
It's also important for the community to have a resource like IMGay.tv, because it's a place where everyone knows that they can express themselves. People who may or may not be famous, they can vlog about everyday situations... Like our tag line says, ‘You don't have to try out, you can just be out.' And for those who are not out, well they can come online and relate to all the stories and videos.
RWNM: Tell us some of the highlight experiences you've had, as you've developed the company this past year... Who have you met / who has chosen to get on board?
CC: The Iowa Caucus was definitely a highlight. The Advocate was there, we got to meet so many people, it was a good time.
I mean, I've met so many people this year, it's incredible. We've had meetings with vice presidents of huge companies, we've met the Presidential candidates, but it's not really about that. It's about meeting the everyday people.
Oh, and I remember meeting Amanda that first time, and that's how I got introduced to RainbowWeddingNetwork! She had a booth at Girls at Gay Days in Orlando in 2007. She's so phenomenal: she did that interview with us after such a long weekend - and she did such a great job! Our alliance with RainbowWeddingNetwork has turned into a strong relationship; I'm glad we met that day. Now people can log on to IMGay.tv and view videos by all the staff there at RainbowWeddingNetwork, to find out all the work RWN does everyday for marriage rights and the Expos and equality.
RWNM: Any other exciting connections you've made this year?
CC: Oh, definitely. Christine O'Leary has been involved with us for quite a long time - as you know she is in the running for Curve Magazine's ‘Best Lesbian Comic.' Christine has her Gayly Show posted on our site, and she's been a great advocate all along...
And I've met so many important and wonderful people through my involvement with the Tampa Bay Business Guild and the GayBor District Coalition, both local organizations here in the Tampa/St. Pete area.
And most exciting for us right now: we're choosing to make GayAmericanHeroes.com our official non-profit cause. Everyone should check out the awesome work that they do! We'll be fundraising for them in a variety of ways, particularly upcoming contests to be announced through our website. That will be an exciting new feature, in fact, in the very near future for IMGay.tv site viewers... Great contests! -For instance, you can submit your ‘Best Vlog' to be considered to win free tix to the True Colors Concert in Clearwater. And all proceeds from the contest will head over to GayAmericanHeroes.com.
RWNM: So, in general, how does it work? How can new site visitors get involved with IMGay.tv?
CC: Just get online and register! It's easy. My partner, Marty, says it best: ‘Sign on up!' Then they can upload their videos... They have all the control about how much they want to do... And we always welcome suggestions about what they want to see on the site. They don't have to have a special camera or anything; it's easy.
And I always enjoy knowing that young people are excited about what we do. They're really getting involved. Today's young people are always online, but it's good to remember the importance of direct meetings like the one we had at GayDays with Amanda... That's at the heart of social networking.
RWNM: Anything else you'd like to share?
CC: We're always here to talk to people, that's really important to us. In fact, Kelly Fry has been a great help in encouraging everyone and answering questions... No matter how big we grow, we'll always be there to talk to people.
Just come out and be yourselves, we'll see you on IMGay.tv!
Cate Colgan
(727) 599-9787
cate@imgay.tv
http://www.imgay.tv/
Other sites to check out!
http://www.gayamericanheroes.com/
Tampa Bay Business Guild: http://www.tbbg.org/
GayBor District Coalition: http://www.gaybor.com/
- Website:
- http://ImGay.tv
Cate Colgan's Photos
Cate Colgan's Videos
Cate Colgan's Blog
Weather Person Wanted!!
I heard that there is a young man who lives in Ottawa Canada that has had a secret yearning to be "The Weatherman" !! - How bout it Kevin Flack - you up to it?? - bring it on - after you help us fight for NO ON AMENDMENT 2 down here in Florida - Oh, you're sitting right next to me!!! - get your boots, galoshes, umbrella and snow shovels ready folks cuz Kevin is storming his way in to ImGay.TV !!!
Posted on October 25, 2008 at 8:38pm — 1 Comment
New Platform for ImGay.tv
Ok everyone right now we are bi-platform - right here at ImGay.tv
Stay tuned while we make the platform transition - hold on tight!
Cuz we are having a "Gay baby" in about 2 weeks.........................
Stay tuned while we make the platform transition - hold on tight!
Cuz we are having a "Gay baby" in about 2 weeks.........................
Posted on May 15, 2008 at 6:02pm — 1 Comment
Comment Wall (122 comments)
- At 4:48pm on September 2, 2009,
Mike said…
- Thanks for the welcome, Cate! It's good to be here!
- At 10:22am on August 22, 2009,
Bryan said…
- Thanx for the welcome. I was beins silly when I wrote my 'non thanx' to peeps of the group. I can have a very wicked scense of humor. You said to tell you about myself. N E thing particular you want to know?
- At 5:29pm on August 4, 2009,
NANN / NANCY RANCOURT said… - Hey Cate, I know I've been M.I.A for a wee bit, lol. How have things been in your corner?
- At 7:32am on March 9, 2009,
Reyna said… - Awee thank you for the coment!! your sweet!
- At 12:11pm on March 8, 2009,
Marjorie said… - Good to see you today, Cate. Thanks for giving us an opportunity to be a Voice of Equality.
- At 12:38am on March 8, 2009,
Nick Tarlton and Jesse Hilton said… - well thank you for the warm welcome back. I browse my email from the site, but don't often get on the site. I have spread myself so thin with time....
- At 5:09pm on February 19, 2009,
Omaha Gay Village said… - Thanks for the add!!! :)
- At 9:19pm on February 16, 2009,
CCP_WebGoddess said… - Thanks Cate! Galdto be here. I'm stillfumbling aroudn trying to manage the controls here! We hope youmake it back sometime soon too!
- At 5:03pm on February 2, 2009,
comedienne christineoleary.com said… - moderate comments? huh?
- At 5:00pm on February 2, 2009,
comedienne christineoleary.com said…
- hello cate, I have something like you had and feel wilted like a flower and the coughing. hope all is well and we will connect on the phone when we are both like we used to be.
love to you, m and da babies!
c
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