Spirit of Change

NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists changes name to just Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists at 2023 conference in Philadelphia.

BY JOHN SOTOMAYOR PHOTOS BY BECCA HAYDU AND TROY DIGGS

The NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ Journalists unveiled something new — a name change. Known as the National Association of Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association (NLGJA) since 1990, then adjusted it to NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ Journalists a few years ago, had made that nal big leap and are now known as: The Association of LGBTQ Journalists (NLGJA since 1990). The reveal was made at the 2023 National Convention held September 7-10, 2023, at The Loews Philadelphia Hotel in Philadelphia.

For Embrace Magazine publisher John Sotomayor, the convention was his rst as a national board member.

The National Convention featured a Career & Community Expo, more than 40 breakout and plenary sessions, and many opportunities to connect and network. Topics included: “Covering the Club Q Shooting Responsibly,” “Going the Extra Yard: The Art of Multimedia Storytelling,” “Covering LGBTQ+ Issues in Red States,” and “Beyond the Breaking News: Covering LGBTQ+ Communities and Spaces.”

The Pre-Convention Warm Up Happy Hour was hosted by the Philadelphia Chapter of NLGJA and was held at the Pen & Pencil Club. Founded in 1892, the Pen & Pencil Club is the oldest press club in continuous operation in the country and a Philadelphia Institution. The annual Stoli Friday Night Out took place at TABU, one of Philadelphia’s premier gay bars, celebrating 10 years of Stoli and NLGJA and the launch of Stoli’s new global campaign, “Spirit of Change.”

The NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ Journalists Excellence in Journalism Awards were established in 1993 to foster, recognize and reward excellence in journalism on issues related to the LGBTQ community.

The highest individual awards, Journalist of the Year, and the Sarah Petitt Memorial Award for the LGBTQ Journalist of the Year, have been awarded to Ari Shapiro, radio journalist at National Public Radio, and Victoria A. Brownworth, a journalist, writer, and editor, most notably for Philadelphia newspapers, respectively.

For the complete list of award recipients, visit www.nlgja.org/blog/2023/07/nlgja-the-associationof-lgbtq-journalists-announces-2023-excellence-injournalism-award-recipients/

For the complete list of Board of Directors, visit www.nlgja.org/about/board-of-directors/