Press and references

Where his work has been documented, newest first. Search by outlet or topic, or filter by type.

Documents, programs and clippings from Michael’s personal collection are kept here as files so the links last. Tell us if a publisher would like one removed.

Aug 12, 2026
Comment on the passing of Rev. Derek Terry
Cincinnati Enquirer · Print or web
Jul 22, 2026
Surviving Voices: the corporate response to the pandemic (Chapter 12)
National AIDS Memorial · Film
Filmmaker Jorg Fockele asked Michael for his reflections on P&G during those years.
May 19, 2026
First-ever Mt. Adams Pride ad, featuring Michael Chanak
Michael’s archive · Print or web
Event page
May 8, 2026
Cincinnati Before Stonewall: The Untold Queer History of the Queen City
Jake Hogue (book) · Print or web
Michael is acknowledged in the foreword as one of the author’s resources. Link goes to Local 12’s coverage of the book.
Mar 1, 2026
“Keep It Queer”
Transform, youth zine Vice Versa · Print or web
Michael wrote this article as an invited guest author.
Oct 25, 2025
Intergenerational panel on building community
Caracole and the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County · Event
Oct 8, 2025
Featured for LGBTQ+ History Month
Bethany House · Print or web
Jun 26, 2025
Pride Multifaith Service: committee member, publicity and promotions
Michael’s archive · Event
Jun 24, 2025
Quote on P&G’s Pride sponsorship commitment
Cincinnati Enquirer · Print or web
Jun 12, 2025
Perspectives on Pride: Serving and Supporting our Consumer and One Another
P&G General Offices · Event
Michael attended as an invited guest. The Courageous Leadership and Effective Allyship scholarships were awarded. Speakers: Sarah Kate Ellis of GLAAD and Maria Sjodin of Outright International.
Jun 12, 2025
Hillsboro Pride attendance mention
Highland County Press · Print or web
Jun 1, 2025
Interfaith Cincinnati newsletter on the first Multifaith Service, June 1986
Interfaith Cincinnati · Print or web
References Michael speaking at that first service.
Apr 11, 2025
Two panels on LGBTQ+ activism in Cincinnati, moderated by Jake Hogue
Cincinnati Community Television · Broadcast
Michael was on panel two, with Sean Andres, Arial Show and Truly Scrumptious St. Janes. Panel one featured Brandon Long, Missy Spears, Ron Clemons and Troy Lynch. To be aired.
Panel one
Nov 23, 2024
LGBTQ+ history panel
Caracole and the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County · Event
Jul 30, 2024
Conversation with Michael Chanak and Delaine Adkins
P&G Latin America Innovation Center · Event
Hosts: Yasmin Fernandes Silva and Pedro Sampaio.
Jun 24, 2024
We celebrate the history of Cincinnati gay bars
WVXU-FM (NPR) · Broadcast
With Carl Fox and Randy Bridges.
Audio (MP3) · Saved copy of the article
Jun 20, 2024
Pride Multifaith Celebration: Michael introduced, committee member
Michael’s archive · Event
Dec 1, 2023
World AIDS Day Committee program
World AIDS Day Committee · Event
Oct 22, 2023
LGBTQ+ history in Cincinnati: panel with Vic Ramstetter, Phebe Beiser, Michael Chanak Jr. and Scott Knox
Clifton United Methodist Church · Event
Video of the panel.
Program
Sep 25, 2023
Ohio Lesbian Archives moves to Over-the-Rhine
WVXU-FM (NPR) · Broadcast
Saved copy
Jun 28, 2023
Pride and the struggle continues
Pope Consulting · Print or web
Quotes Michael Chanak Jr.
Pope Consulting site
Jun 23, 2023
Local LGBTQ+ community gathers to celebrate 50th Cincy Pride
Spectrum News · Print or web
Saved copy
Jun 6, 2023
Celebrate Pride Month and the 50-year anniversary of Cincinnati Pride
Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County · Document
Michael contributed to the digital collection. Search “Chanak” for his submissions.
May 21, 2023
Guest and speaker
Tri-State Prime Timers · Event
Dec 1, 2022
World AIDS Day program, with Michael as speaker
World AIDS Day Committee · Event
Speech text · Speech video
Dec 2022
Class notes (see 1971)
Kent State University Magazine, Fall/Winter 2022–23 · Print or web
Oct 28, 2022
P&G and the Ohio Lesbian Archives: preserving history
Michael’s archive · Document
Oct 25, 2022
Providing access and opportunities for the LGBTQ+ community
P&G · Print or web
P&G’s page on its LGBTQ+ work. It includes its films, among them “The Words Matter,” which honors Michael.
Oct 14, 2022
LGBTQ+ is our history
P&G · Document
Sep 15, 2022
P&G celebrates our 30-year commitment to LGBTQ+ visibility, equality and inclusion
P&G · Document
Jul 16, 2022
Michael at the P&G museum, GO Towers
Michael’s archive · Document
Photo courtesy of Eric Thyen.
Jun 27, 2022
“When the People Decide: Equal Rights, Not Special Rights”
Penn State McCourtney Institute, The People Decide · Podcast
On Issue 3, Cincinnati, 1993, with Scott Knox.
Transcript (PDF) · Saved copy of the transcript
Jun 23, 2022
Multifaith Pride Service: “History, Herstory, Their Story”
Hebrew Union College · Event
Michael was the featured speaker.
Jun 22, 2022
P&G executive on LGBTQ+ marketing
Ad Age, Marketer’s Brief podcast · Podcast
Brent Miller references Michael at 5:50 on how “The Words Matter” came about.
Excerpt, 5:50–11:18
Jun 22, 2022
Class notes
Kent State University Magazine, Spring/Summer 2022 · Print or web
Jun 2, 2022
Pride Month conversation with Phebe Beiser, founder of the Ohio Lesbian Archives
WVXU-FM (NPR) · Broadcast
Audio (MP3) · Saved copy of the article
Jun 1, 2022
Cincinnati Pride flag raising
Spectrum News Cincinnati · Broadcast
The flag was raised at Cincinnati City Hall on June 1, 2022.
Saved copy
Dec 1, 2021
World AIDS Day at Church of Our Saviour
Local 12 · Broadcast
Photography by Michael Chanak Jr.
Jun 30, 2021
“It’s About Pride”: outtakes with Michael Chanak Jr.
WCPO-TV · Broadcast
Jun 24, 2021
Cincinnati Pride has hit its stride
Cincinnati Magazine · Print or web
Jun 10, 2021
Points of Pride: Michael Chanak’s televised kiss helped change P&G’s equal employment policy
WCPO-TV · Broadcast
Video on YouTube
Jun 18, 2020
P&G’s perspective on the US Supreme Court decision on employment equality
P&G · Print or web
Includes a statement from Michael.
May 28, 2020
“They Will See You: LGBTQ+ Visibility in Advertising”
P&G and CNN Great Big Story · Film
Oct 3, 2019
“The Words Matter” screening
Cincinnati Film Festival · Event
Jun 24, 2019
Stonewall 50 years later: the riot energized Cincinnati’s gay community
Cincinnati Enquirer · Print or web
Names the P&G policy change as a milestone toward equality.
Jun 18, 2019
“Out of the Shadows: Risking Their Careers in the Name of Equality”
P&G and CNN Great Big Story · Film
Jun 12, 2019
The evolution of LGBTQ+ rights in Cincinnati and America
WVXU-FM (NPR) · Broadcast
With Scott Knox and Delaine Adkins.
Feb 12, 2019
Human Rights Campaign to celebrate 10th anniversary in March
Movers & Makers · Print or web
Dec 26, 2018
P&G’s top 10 commercials of 2018
Cincinnati Business Courier · Print or web
Dec 22, 2018
He took on Procter & Gamble for gay rights: an interview with Michael Chanak, Jr.
WKSU (Ideastream Public Media) · Broadcast
Interview by J. Nungesser; the page has a 12-minute audio player.
Dec 2018
“Change Maker”
Kent State University Magazine · Print or web
Jul 10, 2018
Marketing Week on P&G’s diversity film
Marketing Week · Print or web
Jul 3, 2018
P&G ad pulled by Facebook
Cincinnati Business Courier · Print or web
Jun 27, 2018
City of Cincinnati resolution honoring Michael Chanak Jr.
City of Cincinnati · Document
Resolution 0042-2018, sponsored by Councilmembers Dennard and Seelbach, passed June 27, 2018: “Recognizing and honoring Michael Chanak, Jr. for his work on behalf of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.” Select the link for the Council minutes.
Apr 12, 2018
“The Words Matter: One Voice Can Make a Difference”
P&G and CNN Great Big Story · Film
2018
P&G’s 10th consecutive HRC Equality Award, with a reference to Michael
Michael’s archive · Document
Oct 2017
“Pride and Prejudice: How I Helped P&G Come Out”
HuffPost · Print or web
Aug 29, 2017
Letter from P&G’s Chief Diversity Officer, William Gipson, thanking Michael for his leadership
P&G · Document
Written ahead of P&G’s celebration of 25 years of LGBT inclusion. The Gay Ohio History Initiative holds this letter in its archive.
Gay Ohio History Initiative archive
Jun 11, 2000
Cincinnati Pride Rally, Burnet Woods
Michael’s archive · Document
Nov 1, 1992
Rightfully Proud: History of EEO Change at P&G
Dayton, Ohio (letter) · Document
Sep 16, 1992
Sexual orientation added to P&G hiring rules
Cincinnati Post · Print or web
By Sarah Sturmon and Dick Rawe. Cited in Grace Shields’s paper.
Apr 5, 1990
P&G pays for training on AIDS
Cincinnati Enquirer · Print or web
By Patricia Gallagher. Cited in Grace Shields’s paper.
1990
A Day in Eden: activism while employed at P&G
Michael’s archive · Document
Jul 9, 1989
Research adapting for AIDS: local doctors’ groups to test treatments
Cincinnati Enquirer · Print or web
Cited in Grace Shields’s paper.
Aug 16, 1987
Evolution results in better products
Cincinnati Enquirer · Print or web
By Patricia Gallagher. Cited in Grace Shields’s paper.