Reporter at KPIX News in San Francisco, CA
What or who inspired you to become a journalist?
My whole life I have been obsessed with wanting to know everything and being in the thick of every important discussion or event. I don’t remember the exact moment I decided I wanted to become a journalist but what I do know is that the second I made that choice I knew it was the perfect fit. My dad has been a news junkie his whole life. He, to this day, watches the news every night. I definitely believe that introduction to broadcast news through his passion for it showed me it was a career option. Both my dad and my mom have been huge supporters of my career choice and I credit them for inspiring me to go after my dreams and find work that I am passionate about.
What is your favorite story that you have written?
That’s a tough one. There are so many stories I am proud to be a part of. There are the obvious major events, like elections and natural disasters but I actually think some of my favorite stories have been those unique people-driven stories you just kind of stumble upon. I remember doing a story in Peoria, Illinois with this lesbian couple who had been one of the first LGBTQ couples in the area to get married after it was legalized in 2015. I wasn’t fully out at the time but being able to document their experience and share it with a local audience in rural Illinois felt very important not just for that audience but for me as well.
Do you feel like you have a dual responsibility for being queer and a journalist?
I do. I absolutely love being queer. It’s a huge part of my life, it’s a huge part of how I relate to popular culture and to the world. I am so invested in the LGBTQ community, I love gay culture, I love gay music, I love everything about it. When I am at work as a journalist, I want that part of my personality to still shine. I believe it is so important to have diversity in journalism and examples of LGBTQ journalists for younger people to see and know exist. I think sometimes people think journalism is this very serious industry that has to be washed of all personality and I don’t believe that’s true. My favorite journalists are those that show their personality and do their job in an honest, accurate and authentic way.
Do you believe you have a role to play in helping preserve LGBTQ+ history and culture in your work?
I definitely do. As an LGBTQ person I have a better understanding and idea of what’s going on in LGBTQ culture and the history of our culture than say a straight, cis journalist. I love doing stories involving the LGBTQ community and I think it is very important to document our community, both the ups and downs, the struggles and triumphs. I really enjoy interviewing people within the community, and I actually equally enjoy interviewing some of the people that may be working against the community. My goal is always trying to understand and bring to light why people chose to do what they do and being able to interview people on opposing sides of some of these issues helps educate all on the root causes behind some of these ideas and hopefully shows audiences a way forward.
What keeps you passionate about journalism?
Meeting new people. Every day I go out and work on a new story it just amazes me what people in this world are doing. Journalism is exciting because every day is a new day, and you never quite know what’s going to happen. I love that unknown. I love that so many people are doing what they can to make this world a better place for all. Even when some people may think the news can focus on the negative too much, I still believe that every story we report on has a purpose and gives opportunity for the audience to take action. As they say, knowledge is power, and journalism is at the heart of that. I love learning and with this job I get to learn something new every day.
What advice would you have for those wanting to become a journalist?
I would say go for it! Like any profession, you really have to be passionate about it if you are going to be successful. Journalism can sometimes be hard; it can put you in a difficult spot or take you out of a comfort zone, but I think those are the exact things that make it so amazing. Getting the chance to go out in the world and share people’s stories is a gift. As long as you get excited at the chance to do that, you’ll be set.
How has being a journalist impacted your personal life?
As someone who took the more “traditional route” in broadcast news, meaning I started out in smaller markets and worked my way up, I’m not going to lie, it was sometimes rough on my personal life. I went straight out of college to my first job in Peoria, Illinois. It was there that I finally worked up the courage to fully come out, but it was hard being at that stage in my life in such a small town. Thankfully I was still able to find an LGBTQ community there and fostered friendships and relationships. As I got to larger and larger markets things only got easier. The job can also be difficult on your personal life because of the erratic hours. I sometimes had a hard time making new friends in new cities when I was working the night shift or on weekends. But in the end, you find a way to make it work. You definitely have to balance your work and personal life. This job can sometimes feel like it must use up all of your energy in order for you to be successful in it. But the older and more experienced I get, the more I realize how important it is to have that balance and how when you find it, both can actually complement each other.
Do you have any future goals or projects you would like to share with us?
I am always just striving to be a better journalist and a trustworthy source. My goal will always be to share people’s stories honestly and accurately and in a day and age where many think the industry is shrinking, I truly believe we have so many great things ahead of us. The news will never end, and storytelling will always be important. I can’t wait to see how it all works out long into the future.
