News February 26, 2010
NLGJA News > News Releases > February 26, 2010

For Immediate Release : February 26, 2010
Media Contact : Bach Polakowski , 202-588-9888 or bach@nlgja.org

NLGJA Announces Kathie Lee Gifford & Hoda Kotb as Co-Hosts for All-Star Event in New York City
“Headlines & Headliners” Benefit on March 25th Kicks Off 20th Anniversary Celebrations

Washington, D.C. – Today the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association (NLGJA) announced that “Today” show's Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb will co-host its marquis event March 25 in New York City. “Headlines & Headliners,” as the annual benefit event is billed, is the first in the series of 20th anniversary activities for NLGJA, the nation's leading group for LGBT journalists, media professionals, educators and students.

“We are incredibly pleased that Kathie Lee and Hoda are kicking off NLGJA's twentieth year working for fairness, accuracy, and diversity in news coverage,” said NLGJA Managing Director Michael Tune . “While many media organizations are in a financial crisis and LGBT issues continue to garner headlines, our nation cannot afford to have journalists or journalism silenced. This benefit helps keep our voice strong.”

The benefit is expected to draw 300 journalists and allies from across the east coast, as well as notable special guests:

• Andy Cohen, Bravo, Senior Vice President of Original Programming & Host "Watch What Happens: Live"
• Jane Velez-Mitchell, HLN, Host "Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell"
• Jeanne Moos, CNN, National Correspondent
• Mike Huckman, CNBC , Pharmaceuticals Reporter

At the benefit, Kathie Lee & Hoda will present NLGJA's fifth Leroy F. Aarons scholarship award. Each year, NLGJA awards a scholarship to an undergraduate or graduate student who plans a career in journalism and is committed to further NLGJA's mission of fair & accurate coverage of the LGBT community.  The scholarship was established in 2005 to honor Aarons, the organization's founder and a pioneering journalist.

The Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams Company is sponsoring this year's benefit. Proceeds from the event will help support NLGJA's networking, outreach and education programs, such as its Student Workshop, which provides a week-long, hands-on newsroom experience each summer.

For more information or tickets to “Headlines & Headliners,” visit www.nlgja.org .

NLGJA's 20th anniversary celebration will culminate with its annual convention, which takes place in San Francisco in September.

About the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association

NLGJA is an organization of journalists, media professionals, educators and students working from within the news industry to foster fair and accurate coverage of LGBT issues. NLGJA opposes all forms of workplace bias and provides professional development to its members. For more information, visit the NLGJA Web site at www.nlgja.org.

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