Joe Dietrich
(1947 - living) U.S.A.
Television Documentary Producer, Community Leader, Gay Activist
Joe Dietrich, native of Flint, Michigan, began his journey toward gay self-awareness in Buffalo, NY, 1976. As executive board member of the Mattachine Society and chairperson of Gay Pride Week events, Joe was honored with Buffalo's prestigeous "Lavender Letter Award" for outstanding service to the Gay & Lesbian community.
Relocating to Key West, Florida, Joe co-founded the first Key West Gay & Lesbian Speakers Group. With Joe Dietrich's radio-television communication background he was chosen by TCI to set up and manage the Florida Keys first local television station, Channel 5. Joe Dietrich produced and created hundreds of hours of community programming that served a diverse population including native Key Wester's, the Hispanic community, the Bahamian African-American community,
the emerging Gay & Lesbian community and the visiting tourists.
During the 15 years under Joe's exceptional management Ch. 5 became a model of community television throughout TCI and in the industry. As an openly gay man Joe Dietrich was able to develop programs that would not only reflect the community at large, but also issues directly affecting the Gay & Lesbian community. In the 1980's he produced two documentaries focusing on AIDS/HIV Awareness. Both recieved national awards: one from the Cable Television Public Affairs Assoc. and two from the Community Action Network New York.
Joe Dietrich blended community service with local politics while maintaining an active, professional gay image in the community.
Joe held numerous positions in organizations which included: Executive board member of the Monroe County Democratic Party,(Joe was a voting delegate to the 1991 Dem.Convention in Orlando to nominate Bill Clinton, and got an interview with Hillary on gay rights issues), Joe was a founding member of the Key West Lesbian & Gay Pride Alliance, and served as executive board member & fund raiser for the Florida Task Force gay rights lobbying group.
Joe's career achievements were praised by corporate and community leaders alike. Joe was awarded Employee of the Year of all Tele-Communications Inc. systems in the southeastern United States for his "...outstanding leadership and dedication to community television", and praised as "...an industry leader". But Joe Dietrich's most cherished commendation was given to him in 1994 as he accepted the Key West Business Guild's Presidents Award " For the presentation of programming by and about the Gay and Lesbian community while manager of Channel 5 Television".
"I was extremely fortunate to be in a particular place and time and to have the opportunity make a difference in my community earning the admiration and respect of my peers and my friends. Life doesn't get much better than that".
Joe Dietrich is presently living with his life partner, Plato C. Lee in Chicago,Il.
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