Become a Member

With over 1,000 members across the world, NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists is a journalist-led association working within the news media to advance fair and accurate coverage of LGBTQ+ communities and issues. Our members come from print, broadcast, and online newsrooms, as well as community-based LGBTQ+ media, academic institutions, and the public relations and communications profession.

Why Join?

An annual membership with NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists guarantees access to:

  • Discounts on registration rates for annual events like our National Convention
  • Reduced submission fees for programs like our Excellence in Journalism Awards
  • Exclusive access to members-only scholarships, which offer up to $5,000 in yearly tuition assistance
  • Direct contact with hiring managers and recruiters through features like our members-only Job Board and yearly Career and Community Expos
  • Access to our members-only weekly newsletter, filled with job listings, fellowships, awards, scholarship opportunities and more
  • Personal recognition in the “Members on the Move” section weekly newsletter for special achievements or career moves
  • An expanded professional network offered by our regional chapters and local events

Membership Rates

Membership Type

Price Per Year

Description

Basic Membership $75 People who derive income from the gathering, editing or presentation of news or editorial content for print, broadcast or online. Includes the right to vote and to run for office.
Associate Membership $75 People who are former full or part-time journalists or who hold media related jobs such as public relations, public or corporate information, directors of media organizations or who worked as a journalist in the past or who are journalism educators. Includes the right to vote, but excludes the right to run for office.
Student & Early Career Membership $25 People just entering the field: engaged/enrolled in high school or an educational institution of higher learning, or under the age of 25 planning to pursue a career in journalism. Includes the right to vote, but excludes the right to run for office.
LGBTQ+ Media Membership $45 People who derive income from the gathering, editing or presentation of news or editorial content for broadcast, online or print in LGBTQ+ Media. Includes the right to vote and run for office.
Retiree Membership $25 People who no longer work full-time but who when working qualified for Basic membership. Includes the right to vote, but excludes the right to run for office.
Ally Membership $75 People who are supporters of the association’s mission but are NOT former journalists; part-time journalists; holding media-related jobs; nor qualified to be a member in any other category. Ally members have access to member rates for conferences, summits, conventions and events, where a member rate is offered. Does not include the right to vote, nor run for office.
International Membership $25 People living outside of the US. Includes the right to vote, but excludes the right to run for office. Voting as subject to qualification as a Basic or Associate member.
Lifetime Membership $1200 Lifetime Members receive all the benefits of general membership, as well as special recognition in the organization’s various publications and at select events. Open to people who meet the criteria of basic, associate, LGBTQ+, student or retiree membership levels. Learn more here.

In the beginning, I joined NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists because I thought it was important to show that I supported its central mission. I have remained a member because of all the wonderful people I have met — both incredible friends and professional connections.

David Steinberg

Former Copy Desk Chief, San Francisco Chronicle

I stay an NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists member not only because I support fair and accurate coverage, but I also enjoy the camaraderie among my fellow LGBTQ+ journalists and media professionals.

Oriol Guttierez

Editor-in-Chief, POZ Magazine

Affinity Group Membership Discount

NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists is proud to partner with several organizations whose missions align with our own to diversify newsrooms and ensure fair and accurate coverage of underrepresented communities. If you are an active member of one of our Affinity Partners, you may be eligible for a discount of up to $25 on your NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists membership when you renew or join as a new member. Our Affinity Partners include: Asian American Journalists Association, Journalism and Women’s Symposium, National Association of Black Journalists, National Association of Hispanic Journalists, Indigenous Journalists Association, South Asian Journalists Association and Trans Journalists Association. 

To receive this discount upon joining or renewing, please email info@nlgja.org with your name, the name of the Affinity Partner you are currently a member of and the email address associated with your membership in that affinity group. This membership discount is only eligible upon joining or renewing with NLGJA: The Association or LGBTQ+ Journalists and you must be a member in good standing with our Affinity Partner. No retroactive refunds or credits will be granted. Please allow up to three business days for staff to validate your membership with our Affinity Partner. This offer is valid for Basic, Associate and Ally memberships.

If you have questions or run into trouble while registering, please contact us at info@nlgja.org.