On February 22 and 23, over 60 of the nation’s top LGBT bloggers, reporters and editors traveled to Philadelphia for the 4th annual LGBT Editors and Bloggers Convening. Funded by the Evelyn & Walter Haas, Jr. Fund and hosted by NLGJA board member and Bilerico Project Editor-In-Chief, Bil Browning, this invitation-only event has quickly become one of the most anticipated of the year.

The National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association is very excited to have sponsored the convening for a second straight year and is proud to have helped make this a premier event for the LGBT journalist community.

The goal of the forum is to strengthen the capacity of LGBT members of the media and blogosphere to more deeply understand and more effectively communicate regarding critical issues facing the LGBT community, as well as assist in increasing the presence and diversity of LGBT bloggers in the national blogging community. This year’s theme, “Coalition Building,” brought leaders from around the social justice spectrum to join reporters and bloggers to help educate about emerging and pressing issues, including new developments in immigrant issues, international issues, trans issues and LGBT seniors.

The event was live tweeted by many of the participants, and the event’s hashtag, #LGBTmedia13, became the top trending topic on Twitter.

NLGJA would like to thank this year’s host committee for their dedication: Bil Browning (Bilerico), Sarah Balzucki (NLGJA), Matt Foreman (Haas, Jr. Fund), Rod McCollum (Ebony Magazine), Karen Ocamb (Frontiers Magazine), Mark Segal (Philadelphia Gay News), Adele Stan (Alternet), and NLGJA Membership Coordinator Matthew Rose.

NLGJA would also like to thank Comcast for their support of the convening’s opening night plenary and reception.