Author Archives: Sophie Perry

LGBTQ+ journalists set to leave Meta over ‘dangerous’ new hate speech rules

This piece was published in collaboration with the Press Gazette LGBTQ+ journalists have spoken of their dismay at Meta’s controversial changes to its Hateful Conduct policy, with some planning to phase out using platforms owned by the technology company in their journalism practice.

Outsports celebrates 25th anniversary

The world’s leading LGBTQ+ sports publication, Outsports, has celebrated its 25th anniversary, marking a quarter of a century of game-changing journalism. The online news outlet – which is owned and operated by San Francisco LGBTQ+ media company Q.Digital – was launched in November 1999 by Cyd Zeigler and Jim Buzinski, two “gay NFL fans looking to haveContinue reading “Outsports celebrates 25th anniversary”

Former BBC LGBT reporter joins CNN as anchor and correspondent

Award-winning journalist Ben Hunte, formerly the BBC’s LGBT correspondent, has joined CNN as an international anchor and correspondent. As per a press release shared by the broadcaster, Hunte will host CNN Newsroom at weekends for morning audiences in EMEA, afternoon viewers in Asia, and late-night audiences in the U.S. on CNN International. He will alsoContinue reading “Former BBC LGBT reporter joins CNN as anchor and correspondent”

Trans+ History Week launched by QueerAF and Marty Davies

LGBTQ+ Journalism Network partner QueerAF is launching the first ever Trans+ History Week alongside trans non-binary creative Marty Davies and key stakeholders from across the LGBTQ+ sector.  The inaugural Trans+ History Week will take place from May 6 to 12 2024, the date coinciding with the anniversary of the 1933 Nazi raid on the world’sContinue reading “Trans+ History Week launched by QueerAF and Marty Davies”

Obituary: Gay News founder Andrew Lumsden

By Isabelle Truscott A “pioneer” of LGBTQ+ journalism and a ‘towering figure’ in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights, that is how admirers of Andrew Lumsden have described him following his death on 1 November. Lumsden, born in 1941, was a powerhouse – co-founding Gay News in 1971, one the UK’s first leading LGBTQ+ publications; joiningContinue reading “Obituary: Gay News founder Andrew Lumsden”

LGBTQ+ Journalism Network attends special reception at Downing Street 

The LGBTQ+ Journalism Network was invited by the government to attend a special reception at 10 Downing Street, as it set out new plans to boost protections for journalists against hate and abuse.  Founder Sophie Perry attended the event – which marked the start of the News Media Association’s Journalism Matters Week – on MondayContinue reading “LGBTQ+ Journalism Network attends special reception at Downing Street “

Queer and getting into journalism? Networking could be a lifeline

By Emma Curzon, freelance journalist and writer I was 20 when I first realised I was in love with a girl. I’d say that it was the moment I realised I was queer, but at that point, the word was barely in my vocabulary. It had never occurred to me that I could be anythingContinue reading “Queer and getting into journalism? Networking could be a lifeline”

IPSO’s new guidance on sex and gender met with mixed reaction from trans journalists

The Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) has released new guidance on reporting on sex and gender, to mixed reaction from trans journalists.  The new guidance follows a four-week consultation period earlier in the year, which led to responses from the LGBTQ+ people, members of the public, charity workers and civil servants, and aims to takeContinue reading “IPSO’s new guidance on sex and gender met with mixed reaction from trans journalists”

LGBTQ+ representation on the pitch and in sports journalism at the Women’s World Cup

The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup is well underway in Australia and New Zealand, with one sports journalist describing how cultural sensitivity is key to exploring LGBTQ+ topics at the tournament. The World Cup kicked off on 20 July and boasts a record number of publicly out LGBTQ+ athletes according to Outsports, with at leastContinue reading “LGBTQ+ representation on the pitch and in sports journalism at the Women’s World Cup”