Every October, our community comes together to celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month.
This year, Tagg Magazine and our friends at News is Out are trying something a little different. If you don’t know, News Is Out is a collaboration of six LGBTQ+ publications representing more than 250 collective years of experience covering LGBTQ+ community news. And this year, we’re all coming together to launch the first LGBTQ+ Media Giving Day on Tuesday, October 8.
We chose this date as the first gay publication in the U.S. started 100 years ago this year—1924’s Friendship & Freedom, produced by Chicagoan Henry Gerber and his peers. Unfortunately, the newsletter was shut down by police after just two issues. Later influential LGBTQ+ publications include ONE, Mattachine Review, The Ladder, Gay Community News, and hundreds of other LGBTQ+ media. Currently, there are more than 100 LGBTQ+ media of some kind in the U.S., and they, like many forms of media, are looking to diversify their support to continue to do the important work of covering the community.
We’d love to have your support in this endeavor. Donations are being accepted now through October 8 at https://givebutter.com/LGBTQequityfund. With one tax-deductible donation, you can support six of the top LGBTQ+ outlets: Bay Area Reporter, Dallas Voice, Philadelphia Gay News, Tagg Magazine, Washington Blade, and Windy City Times. News Is Out plans to expand the campaign to include even more publications in year two.
“We are proud to be part of this historic initiative, celebrating a century of resilience and dedication in LGBTQ+ media,” said Michael Yamashita, publisher of the Bay Area Reporter. “Local LGBTQ+ Media Giving Day is a testament to the vital role our publications play in the community. Your support will help ensure that we continue to provide essential news and amplify LGBTQ+ voices for years to come.”
News Is Out is supported by the Local Media Foundation, a 501 (C)(3) organization. Donations are tax deductible, and will be used to directly fund journalism through the LGBTQ+ Journalism Equity Fund.
Help LGBTQ+ media survive for the next generation. Donate here: https://givebutter.com/LGBTQequityfund.