Lesbian & Gay Journalists Convene in New York June 24-27; Convention to Host Dan Rather, Magaret Carlson, David Brock, Ted Allen 6/21/2004
From: Pamela Strother of the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association, 202-588-9888 ext. 11 or 202-486-5990 (cell during convention) or pstrother@nlgja.org or Jake Stafford of Witeck-Combs Communications 202-887-0500 ext. 16 (prior to convention) or 202-215-2210 (cell during convention) jstafford@witeckcombs.com NEW YORK, June 21 -- Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender journalists will gather in New York from June 24 through June 27 for the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association (NLGJA) 2004 National Convention. This year's theme -- "Out on the Town" -- will focus on the massive news coverage in the past year of LGBT civil rights, including marriage of same-sex couples. The convention will host some of the nation's top names in journalism and media, including CBS News' Dan Rather, CNN's Margaret Carlson, author David Brock and "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" food and wine expert Ted Allen. In addition, CBS's Harry Smith and The Poynter Institute's ethicist Kelly McBride will examine continuing newsroom ethical challenges in plenary sessions at the convention. The four-day gathering will draw hundreds of journalists from mainstream and LGBT media to discuss topics that include politics in a presidential election year, HIV/AIDS, the arts, emerging communities within LGBT culture, and journalistic ethics. The 2004 NLGJA Convention will take place at the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge (333 Adams Street, Brooklyn). NLGJA's executive director, Pamela Strother, noted that up to 650 LGBT journalists and news industry leaders are expected to attend, adding, "Our presenters, workshops and plenary sessions promise to make this one of the most compelling conventions ever." NLGJA leaders Barbara Dozetos and David Steinberg served as this year's convention programming co-chairs. Mykel MacCarthy and Maria Baugh are the New York Host Committee co-chairs. David Brock, author of four political books, including the newly released The Republican Noise Machine: Right-Wing Media and How It Corrupts Democracy will take the stage Friday from 4:30-5:45pm for a special plenary, "Conversation with a Newsmaker." Garret Glaser, correspondent, CNBC Business News will interview Brock about his new organization, Media Matters for America, and his years as a conservative media insider. Evan Wolfson, executive director of Freedom to Marry, will review the latest developments and future activity of marriage for same-sex couples, which has dominated headlines for months. Before founding Freedom to Marry, Wolfson was co-counsel in the historic Hawaii marriage case, Baehr v. Miike. "No other convention delivers as high-quality content examining the coverage of LGBT issues," said NLGJA president Steven Petrow. "In a year of unprecedented coverage of LGBT issues, NLGJA is uniquely qualified to distill and bring expert focus on LGBT politicians, the national political landscape, marriage, gay youth, health care and HIV/AIDS, as well as the extremely important issues facing transgender people in our society." Petrow is Senior Vice-President, Editorial Director and Group Publisher for Waterfront Media. The opening breakfast plenary promises a splash of news attention for the 2004 election cycle with "Asking and Telling: How the LGBT Debate Is Changing Politics," featuring Rather, Carlson and David A. Sirulnick, Executive Vice President, News & Production, MTV. NLGJA hosts its first-ever LGBT Media Summit with tracks of panels on Thursday, June 24, on topics relevant to journalists who work in the LGBT press. Featured speakers include Leslie Feinberg, Evan Wolfson and Michelangelo Signorile. The National Convention is hosted by the New York Chapter of NLGJA, with speakers and participants from most major U.S. newspapers and television and radio outlets as well as LGBT-owned media and new media services. A partial list of this year's speakers and participants include: -- Dan Rather, Anchor and Managing Editor, CBS Evening News & Correspondent, 60 Minutes II -- David Brock, author -- Margaret Carlson, columnist, Time magazine -- Harry Smith, Anchor, CBS's The Early Show -- Ted Allen, Food and Wine Expert, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy -- Pete Williams, Justice Correspondent, NBC News -- Roy Simmons, former offensive lineman for the New York Giants and the Washington Redskins -- Hon. Barney Frank (D), U.S. Congressman, Massachusetts -- David Remnick, Editor, New Yorker Magazine -- Howard Chua-Eoan, News Director, Time magazine -- Charles Kaiser, author of The Gay Metropolis -- Kelly McBride, Ethics Faculty, The Poynter Institute -- Stuart Elliott, Advertising Columnist, The New York Times -- Dr. Lillian Dunlap, Media Consultant, Strategic Insight -- Matthew Link, Associate Editor, Newsweek's Budget Travel magazine -- Ed Gray, former Sports Reporter, Boston Herald -- Michael Feingold, Chief Theater Critic, The Village Voice -- Liz Hamel, Sr. Research Associate in Public Opinion and Media Research, Kaiser Family Foundation -- Tim Curran, News Director, Sirius OUTQ -- Sia Michel, Editor in Chief, Spin Magazine -- Gwen Smith, Columnist/Founder, Trans Remembrance Day Web Project -- Bruce Shenitz, Executive Editor, Out Magazine About NLGJA The National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association is an organization of journalists, online media professionals, and students that works from within the journalism industry to foster fair and accurate coverage of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues. NLGJA opposes workplace bias against all minorities and provides professional development for its members. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., NLGJA currently has more than 1,200 members and 23 chapters in the U.S., with affiliates in Canada and Germany. Information about NLGJA and its 2004 convention may be found at http://www.nlgja.org |