Co-Founder of Out Sports
What or who inspired you to become a journalist?
My Outsports.com co-founder Jim Buzinski taught me a ton about being a journalist early on. He has been in the business since the 1980s, including in sports journalism, so he had super valuable information to share. Also, my editor at the New York Blade, as well as former Out magazine editor Aaron Hicklin, both demonstrated to me, in editing my writing, how to become a better storyteller.
What is your favorite story that you have written?
In 2017, I wrote the coming-out story of former NFL player Ryan O’Callaghan. That was deeply rewarding. In 2019, I got to write the book adaptation of that article and the rest of his life story. That book is probably the best thing I’ll ever write. I wrote it like it were a movie, as I used to work in script development at Disney. Telling that story in a longer form was an incredible experience. It’s called, and this was my idea for the title: My Life on the Line: How the NFL Damn Near Killed Me and Ended Up Saving My Life. It’s got a 4.8 on Amazon. I’m really proud of that book. And it just a great story.
Do you feel like you have a dual responsibility for being queer and a journalist?
I’m gay and a journalist. And I think the responsibilities go hand in hand. The Constitutional duty of journalists is to be advocates for the people. I’m proud to be a journalistic advocate for the LGBTQ community. Sometimes I don’t see eye-to-eye with my own community, and that’s fine. But as a journalist I try to listen, tell the truth and share stories that educate people about their fellow humans.
Do you believe you have a role to play in helping preserve LGBTQ+ history and culture in your work?
I often write about people who made history, or events from the past that the “next generation” should know about. In 2011, Outsports ran our list of the 100 most important moments in LGBT sports history. I’ve been thinking we need to update that list. So much has happened since 2011.
What keeps you passionate about journalism?
The storytelling. I love telling people’s stories. I love the process of talking with people about their experiences, distilling that into a comprehensible and enjoyable story, and sharing it widely. When I write these stories, I write for an audience of one: the coach or athlete I’m writing about. Their response to my writing of their story is always a highlight. And I haven’t screwed up one yet.
What advice would you have for those wanting to become a journalist?
Listen and tell the truth.
How has being a journalist impacted your personal life?
I was at a friend’s toga party last weekend, and an acquaintance came up to me to talk about the Kansas City Chiefs idiot kicker who made homophobic and sexist remarks at a college commencement. Everywhere I go, someone seems to want to talk about LGBTQ issues in sports. It’s been a great way to meet people, and a good conversation-starter.
Do you have any future goals or projects you would like to share with us?
I’m part of a group bringing Pride House to Los Angeles for the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics. The latter is going to be in West Hollywood, and it will be the single greatest event specifically created to celebrate the LGBTQ community that we’ve ever seen. I hope you’ll join us.
