LGBTQ people and journalists who are dedicated to social justice bring unique perspectives to every story. This varied group of panelists examine how their own personal experiences and commitments lead to better stories and better ways of informing others. Whether it is sharing our sexual or gender identity, our HIV status, our experience with race, language or class or just being determined to report on a story others have left behind or didn’t even see to begin with, these connections can make a big difference. When do you disclose? When don’t you? When do you stay with a story or let go? How do you handle labels of identity politics and bias? How do you manage the trolls and critics? Join us as we share ways you can put more of you into every story you cover.
Moderator: Diane Anderson-Minshall
Panelists: David Begnaud, Monica Roberts, Donna Rossi, Karl Schmid
Awards presented: Excellence in Sports Writing, Excellence in Profile Writing, Excellence in Food Writing, Excellence in Longform Journalism, Excellence in Radio
DIANE ANDERSON-MINSHALL is CEO/editorial director of Retrograde Communications, a Pride Media editorial partner, where she oversees editorial and production of The Advocate, Chill, Plus and Out Traveler magazines, as well as TinyLivingChic.com, Chill.us, and HIVPlusMag.com. She is executive producer of My Health, My Way, HIV Stops With Me, The T With Dr. D and IPrEP4. She also serves as president of GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics. She’s the author of four mystery novels from Bold Strokes Books and a memoir, “Queerly Beloved: A Love Story Across Genders” (which she penned with trans journalist Jacob Anderson-Minshall, her co-pilot of 27 years). She is the recipient of several awards from GLAAD, NLGJA, Western Publishing Association’s Maggies and more.
DAVID BEGNAUD is a CBS News correspondent based in Dallas. He joined CBS News in August 2015 as a Miami-based correspondent and was relocated to the Dallas bureau in January 2017. His reporting has been featured across CBS News broadcasts and platforms including “CBS This Morning,” “CBS Evening News,” “48 Hours,” “CBS Sunday Morning” and CBSN, CBS News’ 24/7 streaming news service. In summer 2017, Begnaud covered Hurricane Harvey in Houston, Hurricane Irma in Florida and Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. He reported in Puerto Rico for over 30 days, covering Hurricane Maria and its devastation. His reporting earned him the prestigious George Polk Award for public service, which recognizes intrepid, bold and influential work of reporters across all media. He began his journalism career in his home state of Louisiana at age 18 at KLFY-TV as a weekend anchor and reporter while still attending college. He graduated from the University of Louisiana, Lafayette.
MONICA ROBERTS is an African-American blogger, writer, and transgender rights advocate. She is the founding editor in chief of TransGriot, a blog focusing on issues pertaining to transgender women of color, with a mission to chronicle the history of Black trans people. Now 12 years old, the blog is among one of the most honored in the LGBTQ sphere and Roberts has received numerous awards including the 2017 HRC John Walzel Equality Award and, in 2018, the GLAAD Media Awards for Outstanding Blog.
DONNA ROSSI is a five-time Emmy Award-winning reporter who has logged three decades covering and uncovering some of the most high-profile stories in the state of Arizona. She started her professional journalism career at KNAZ-TV in Flagstaff, Arizona, while still attending Northern Arizona University. She then moved to the CBS affiliate in Tucson, Arizona, and joined CBS 5 News in Phoenix. She is a past president of the Rocky Mountain Southwest Chapter of the National Academy of Arts and Sciences and continues to serve on the Board of Governors. In fall 2018, Rossi will be inducted into the Arizona Broadcaster’s Association Hall of Fame and will become an adjunct instructor at the prestigious Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University.
Australian born television Host and Producer KARL SCHMID has been busy on American, Canadian and British televisions for the last 9 years. Most recently, Southern Californian audiences know him as the face of ABC 7’s informative SoCal Spotlight segments. Whether he’s been covering the Academy Awards and entertainment news and red carpets for ABC with ‘On The Red Carpet’, or the Royal Wedding live from London for TLC, or taking television viewers on an emotional journey as the host of Logo’s ‘Operation Vacation’ for two seasons, Karl Schmid has become one of Australia’s most sought after hosts abroad. His latest Producing credits include ‘Cover Story: Meghan Markle, The Prince and the Game Show Model’ for GSN, the Barry Humphries presented ‘Passions; The Music Hitler Banned’ for Sky Arts in the UK and ‘Rich & Acquitted’ for REELZ.