What or who inspired you to become a journalist?:
I entered journalism in junior college. I had really gotten into photography and a friend who worked on the school newspaper said their photographer had quit and urged me to apply. I soon learned that I liked photographing people more than the nature pictures I had been shooting until then. After two decades in photojournalism, I felt like I had done it all and I switched to reporting and editing around 2005.
What is your favorite story that you have written?
I don’t have a favorite story, per se. I have written many stories that I was proud of, or enjoyed reporting them. My favorites are ones where I make readers cry – or laugh. I like to provoke an emotional response. Sometimes, I just like to dig deep or enlighten readers about facets of their local community that they were unaware of.
Do you feel like you have a dual responsibility for being queer and a journalist?
I do walk that fine line between representing my LGBTQ+ community and not being pigeon-holed as the “gay reporter” in town. I’m OK with that to a certain extent, but I’m not a one-trick pony. Hopefully, the queer community knows I’m there for them and the community at large knows that’s just one of many subjects I cover. After many years of going it alone, we now have multiple queer reporters at The News Tribune.
Do you believe you have a role to play in helping preserve LGBTQ+ history and culture in your work?
It’s often said that the journalists of today are writing tomorrow’s history. So, yes.
What keeps you passionate about journalism?
There are so many stories to tell. My life will not be long enough to tell them all. I know my readers appreciate my work because they tell me so. That keeps me going. At a societal level, journalism and journalists are now more important to our democracy and freedoms than ever before. It’s sad to see so many people who think everything will just be fine without a robust free press.
What advice would you have for those wanting to become a journalist?
Not everyone is cut out to be a journalist. You have to like people and have zero qualms about asking them highly personal questions. You have to be curious about the world around you. You can’t be cynical but you have to be skeptical and not accept things at face value. You must have a passion to tell accurate stories about people – some you may not like on a personal level. If that describes you, then think about becoming a journalist. The rest will fall into place.
How has being a journalist impacted your personal life?
Journalism has taken me to places and enlightened me in ways that few professions could have. It’s hard to tell how different my life would have been if I hadn’t chosen journalism. But, from what others have told me: I can make decisions and action plans very quickly. I can ask pointed questions to anyone. I am not shy. I can find information about anything and anyone very easily. I have a finely tuned B.S. detector.
