I’m kind of fuzzy-headed this morning, just like this fire hydrant! I went to a fundraising reception and dinner last night for the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association, or NLGJA (which we fondly pronounce “negligee”). I had about six glasses of wine over the course of the evening -- hence the fuzziness!
So here’s my history with NLGJA: I first heard about the group in 1996, when I was a reporter in Florida, and I went to the annual convention in Miami. It was such an incredible experience to be there with hundreds of other gay journalists, all talking shop. (Gay men and newspapers -- two of my favorite things!) The conventions are typically a combination of journalism education, panel discussions about gay issues in the workplace and in coverage, and DRINKING. I joined immediately and went to many more conventions in the coming years: Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, New York, Atlanta.
After I moved to New York in 2000 I became a vice president of the New York chapter, a post I held for several years. During that time I also served as the informal leader of the loosely organized gay employees’ group at the company where I work.
I’m not much of an activist, so all this was quite a departure for me. I do think it was important work -- NLGJA encouraged many media companies to offer domestic partner benefits (for those lucky enough to have a domestic partner!) and still raises questions about coverage that's unfair or inept.
But eventually, activism-fatigue set in. I stepped down from my chapter post a couple of years ago, and when my company formed a formal GLBT “diversity group,” I helped transition our existing network to that new format. And then I got the heck out of the way.
All of which is a long way of saying that it was great to go last night and catch up with old friends, and make a few new ones. (At dinner I sat next to this woman, who works for PBS television and was very charming. She teased me for not knowing anything about "American Idol.")
I haven’t been to a convention in a couple of years, but I plan to go this summer -- it’s being held in Montreal, where I’ve never been. (Assuming I’m still employed, which is a big assumption, given the state of the newspaper industry!)
(Photo: Williamsburg, Brooklyn, March 2009)
You'll love Montreal. Start working on your French. But meanwhile, I'm glad you had a chance to catch up with old friends and enjoy such illustrious dinner company!
ReplyDeleteYou don't know anything about American Idol?
ReplyDeleteI suddenly like you just a little bit more. :)
Great to catch up and have a few drinks. I know a few things about Am. Idol. (I know Paula Abdul was involved and a mean guy named Simon, and it's a talent show on TV. that's it.
ReplyDelete)
ReplyDeleteI admire your low-key activism.
ReplyDeleteI proudly say that I've never see even a moment of American Idol, except when it popos up in a TV commercial.
I wish I'd been a member of this group back in the 1980s to early 1990s when I was a journalists. (I don't think being a blogger today counts.)
ReplyDeleteActivism fatigue is a familiar thing. I was on something like four boards and volunteering for as many groups about 6-7 years ago and slowly slipped out of those commitments as family/parent care took over my life. Your post reminds me that I'm ready to slip back into it. (If only for the DRINKING.)