Gay Journalists
Convention, August 21 in D.C.

On Thursday, August 21, the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association will host its fifth annual LGBT Media Summit in Washington, D.C., in conjunction with "NLGJA Goes to Washington," the organization's 2008 National Convention. The one-day conference features hands-on training workshops and topical panel discussions that focus exclusively on the challenges and opportunities unique to this niche within the journalism industry.

Attendees range from publishers and newsroom decision makers to freelancers and students just beginning their careers. There will be panelists from The Advocate, the Bay Area Reporter, Bay Windows, CBS News on Logo, the Dallas Voice, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, Out magazine, South End News, Southern Voice, the Washington Blade, GayWired Media, and here! Networks.

Topics for the conference will include: diversifying LGBT newsrooms, expanding foreign correspondence, balancing news with entertainment, developing access to the Washington political scene, and a discussion with Jim Neal, who ran as an out gay Democratic challenger to North Carolina's Elizabeth Dole for U.S. Senate. NLGJA's Media Summit will take place between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Thursday, August 21, at the Hilton Washington.

The cost of attendance for the LGBT Media Summit is $55. Registrants have the option of registering for both the Media Summit and the National Convention as a package for a discounted price. Visit www.nlgja.org/convention/2008 for complete details on registration and for an evolving lineup of speakers. (The Advocate)