Journalists Toolbox | NLGJA

National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association

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Journalists Toolbox

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Members Only	Title	Publication Date
	Advice for Young Journalists Pounding the Pavement for a New Job Written by Sue Green With the local news industry in upheaval the past few years, you can only imagine how daunting it is for students graduating from journalism programs across the country to try and find a job. Read more on the NLGJA Members Only Site	Jan 12 2010
	Be Proud of Your Pride Coverage Find a new angle. Gay pride parades happen every year, but the world that the participants inhabit is always changing. Look closer and you may find a story that hasn’t been told a thousand times before. Here are some ideas to pitch to your bosses or suggest to your staffers: Read more on the NLGJA Members Only Site
	Being Out Has Its Ups & Downs By Lauren Ober One journalist's story on being out in the Northeast... click here for more.
	Career Advice Written by Geoff Dankert There’s No Such Thing As A Stupid Question Ask To See How The Fries are Made Read more on the NLGJA Members Only Site	Jul 5 2012
	Career Advice - Apply for the Job You Want Written by Geoff Dankert One key to a successful job search may sound obvious, but it’s a trap a number of people fall into... Read more on the NLGJA Members Only Site	Feb 2 2011
	Career Advice - Getting that next Job Written by NLGJA Staff Think you’re doing enough to get that next job? You’re not. Read more on the NLGJA Members Only Site	Jun 14 2011
	Covering LGBT Rights Objectively By Jennifer Lea Reed Cultural awareness of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights in the United States has been on the rise, amid a continuing debate in our society about sexual minorities. Journalists need to familiarize themselves with issues such as marriage, nondiscrimination policies and domestic partner benefits. They must be sure they understand what proponents seek and what critics oppose... click here for more.
	Covering Nondiscrimination Laws and the LGBT Community Federal laws do not prohibit discrimination based on a person’s sexual orientation in housing or employment. NLGJA offers topical tip sheets by reporters for reporters covering current issues relating to the LGBT Community. Tip sheets are available online in PDF or HTML.	May 22 2012
	Deconstructing Red Tape on Campus By Matthew Leung I was alone, with a $50 donation from a local business and the goal to publish 500 copies of a 31-page magazine with a glossy cover and at least two inside color pages. It was October, and I had two months to make it happen. Matthew Leung is NLGJA's 2008 Leroy F. Aarons Scholarship Award winner. He also participated in NLGJA's 2007 Student Project. Read more on the NLGJA Members Only Site
	Dig Deeper at Pride Celebrations Story Ideas Beyond the Flashy Parade By Randy Dotinga Gay pride celebrations come to U.S. cities every summer, and journalists start thinking about how to cover the various parades and festivals. The drag queens and brigades of lesbian motorcyclists make flashy pictures, and they are easy to find. But dig a little deeper: You'll find plenty of informative stories by spending more time exploring your local lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community... click here for more.
	From Journalism to PR Written by Patty Mattern I’m here to tell you, it isn’t dark on this side. It’s just different. And, it takes time to adjust, to shift, to let go – to transition. Read more on the NLGJA Members Only Site	Jan 12 2010
	Getting the Marriage Story Right The battle over marriage rights for same-sex couples in America has been a major news story for much of this decade. It continues to be an ever-evolving story, with new developments arising throughout the country each year. Massachusetts in 2004 became the first state to allow same-sex marriage. The latest is New York, with licenses being issued starting July 24, 2011. Iowa, Vermont, New Hampshire, the District of Columbia and Connecticut also allow same-sex couples to wed.
	Getting the Marriage Story Right: the History, Current Law & the Future The battle over marriage rights for same sex couples in America has been a major news story for much of this decade. It continues to be an ever-evolving story, with new developments arising throughout the country each year. NLGJA offers topical tip sheets by reporters for reporters covering current issues relating to the LGBT Community. Getting the Marriage Story Right: the History, Current Law & the Future	Dec 1 2011
	How I Made a Gender Transition on the Job By Ina Fried Deciding to transition at work was one of the toughest decisions of my life. Read more on the NLGJA Members Only Site
	I am a lesbian journalist. Hear me roar By Robin J. Phillips As LGBT women, we need to make sure our story is told. As journalists, men and women, we need to make sure the stories of our female colleagues are not overlooked. Read more on the NLGJA Members Only Site
	Making a Successful Transition By Helen Lee McComas How do you tell people you’ve been working with for almost 20 years that you’re going to change your gender; that you’re going to use a new name, speak with a new voice, dress and behave differently; and that the old you will be gone forever? Read more on the NLGJA Members Only Site
	News Value & Fairness It's Good for Ratings, But is it News? By Carl Sullivan Four times a year, it's sweeps month at local television stations. And that often means celebrities, sex, and more sex. But the annual quest for broadcast ratings supremacy can sometimes result in inaccurate or unbalanced stories about sexual minorities. And print outlets can be just as guilty...click here for more.
	One Year In Written by Mary Susman A freshman year of college towards a career in journalism. Read more on the NLGJA Members Only Site	Apr 21 2011
	Pace Yourself! Written by Geoff Dankert You’ve heard people say that looking for work should be a full-time job, and that’s true to a point. However, if you jump into a search with a plan to spend 8-9 hours a day looking for work, you’ll quickly burn out. Read more on the NLGJA Members Only Site	Apr 12 2012
	Preparing for a Challenging Yet Rewarding Career By Andrew Harmon A 2006 graduate of Medill explains his decision to choose journalism school... click here for more. This piece originally appeared in 2006, in the official newsmagazine of NLGJA.
	Recognizing & Overcoming Two Types of Homophobia By Eric Hegedus How appropriate is it to quote interviewees whose ideas could be considered homophobic? This piece originally appeared in 2006, in the official newsmagazine of NLGJA.
	Religion & Homosexuality Avoid Mistakes by Doing Your Homework By Randy Dotinga If you're exploring the intersection of religion and homosexuality, you might wish you could buy a flak jacket before hitting the keyboard or picking up a microphone. But you can arm yourself against criticism by being fair and balanced. Don't make assumptions about a religion, denomination or book of faith. Someone is bound to disagree with statements you may write or broadcast... click here for more.
	Seeing Beyond the Superficial with Race, Sexual Orientation By Helen Zia It’s both a gift and a responsibility to have a special insight into communities that are too often rendered invisible. On the other hand, I’ve wondered how it must be to never have to think about the impact of one’s words and deeds on those “other” people. Read more on the NLGJA Members Only Site
	Social Media Corner By Barbara Dozetos Helping others find the nuggets of gold in all that is a skill for which journalists are particularly well trained. Tap into this to make your social media presence stand out in the crowd. Read more on the NLGJA Members Only Site	Jul 5 2012
	Social Media Marketing for Writers - Recorded Webinar Authors have to be marketers these days. If you want a book contract, or most any other writing gig, you need to show that you come with an audience. This webinar will offer writers tips in building your presence online and cultivating strategic partnerships through social media. There will be something for all levels: savvy to luddite.	Jan 9 2013

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