Executive Editor of GayCities
What or who inspired you to become a journalist?
I loved journalism class in high school, but didn’t pursue it in college. Instead, I had a couple of jobs as a stringer for small local papers and an entertainment review column. When blogging first became popular, I started one of the first LGBTQ blogs, covering politics and writing a lot of op-eds on LGBTQ issues. Almost 20 years later, I’m still covering LGBTQ issues online, but as an editor now.
What is your favorite story that you have written?
My favorite is at the top of my list is there because of what happened after the story published. A young Black immigrant woman with HIV had been jailed in Florida for spitting on a police officer during a mental health crisis. She was convicted of attempted murder. She also had cancer and was dying. A coalition formed after I highlighted her plight, including local and state politicians, and she was released from prison to hospice care and was able to die surrounded by her family instead of alone in a prison cell.
Do you feel like you have a dual responsibility for being queer and a journalist?
There’s a responsibility to tell the truth. As long as I follow that, both about our community and our opponents, merge into one. Telling the truth can be seen as advocacy, but, in the end, the truth is the arbiter. Politics is a grey area. But the truth is black or white.
Do you believe you have a role to play in helping preserve LGBTQ+ history and culture in your work?
Definitely. Throughout time, telling the stories of our history and ancestors has propelled humanity forward. The LGBTQ+ community is no exception.
What keeps you passionate about journalism?
My coverage has spanned multiple topics, from politics to travel stories. Each genre has had one focus: making LGBTQ+ people more informed and able to make decisions about their lives with more facts that they can trust. It’s a way of serving the community.
What advice would you have for those wanting to become a journalist?
Know that it can be a hard job and nothing like the movies. Be prepared for both the mental health difficulties it can spur and the joy that can result. And most of all, practice writing every day, whether that’s reported stories, reviews, fiction, or essays. Every word you write will help you to improve your craft.
How has being a journalist impacted your personal life?
Covering the attacks on the community has been stressful and depressing at times. The death threats and right-wing attacks have been terrifying. The trips required to report stories has opened my eyes to lots of issues and trips to travel locations have shown me beautiful things I wouldn’t have normally seen. I have met and spoke to my personal heroes and interviewed villains, but each one has opened my mind to all the possibilities that humanity has to offer. Journalism has been the biggest joy and challenge of my life and I wouldn’t have had it any other way; it has kept it from being tedious.
Do you have any future goals or projects you would like to share with us?
Last month I switched from hard news and politics to become the editor of the largest LGBTQ+ travel site. I’m looking forward to taking more trips and providing lighter insights. It’s a new area for me and I’m excited to take it on.
