NLGJA 2026 National Convention

What's it like to be a queer journalist in a red state? How do you engage with people who are the polar opposite of who you are? How do you ensure a fair and balanced report when the policy proposals also impact you? Let's have a conversation with LGBTQ+ journalists in the "flyover" and red states about navigating the complexities and intersectionalities that come with being an LGBTQ+ journalist in those states. 

Queer women face persistent erasure in media and culture, misrepresentation and stereotypes, and a lack of spaces specifically celebrating queer women. How can we reclaim the L in LGBTQ+ media while still being inclusive. 

Media is at a critical inflection point. As legacy and mainstream outlets decline ― in readership, trust, funding and support for marginalized populations ― progressive media makers are using emergent strategies to shape the future of storytelling. Among these innovative methods of storytelling, a unifying vision has emerged: in the future, marginalized communities will maintain agency over our own narratives.  This panel will feature four trans and nonbinary thought leaders, from journalists to authors to community organizers, articulating possible pathways for building the media future we deserve. Participants will leave the session with ideas for how to integrate this vision in their current newsrooms, and inspiration for building their own media initiatives. Attendees will gain an understanding of movement journalism and the frameworks for establishing media co-ops and zines. They will also network with other media makers who share similar goals, increasing their ability to accomplish them.