Gay Journos Gather

April 14, 2004

By ANDREW KIRALY

After disappearing in 1999, the Las Vegas chapter of the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association is reforming. While that's notable enough in its own right, it's also a sign of the cultural maturity of the gay community, the influx of gay media professionals over the past four years--and growing tolerance in Southern Nevada.

"Things have certainly changed in the TV industry and in public relations, areas that for a long time could be seen as problematic [for gays]," says Steve Friess, who is helping restart the group. "But there's been a change in the culture, and compared to five years ago, there are a lot more gay people in town."

The group dissolved in '99 because of dwindling interest and low turnout, but Friess says this time they're relaxing the rules a bit to include professionals from other fields such as public relations. And while the organization is geared more toward professional development than social or political change, Friess, a longtime local journalist (and R-J alum), is happy to share his thoughts on coverage of the gay community in Las Vegas.

"I think coverage in Las Vegas is pretty good," he says. "Things have changed a lot. There was a time not so long ago, for instance, when the R-J was using the word 'pervert' in its editorials [to describe homosexuals], or when papers wouldn't run certain comic strips because they had gay characters. That would be unthinkable now. And there was a time when there were only two gay people to quote in town on gay community issues."

Friess pegs the turning point at about '98, when newspapers (including the R-J, he says) ran on the front page the story of the murder of Matthew Shepard, the 21-year-old student who was targeted because of his sexual orientation. The local chapter of the NLGJA celebrates its rebirth Sunday at 8 p.m. at Gipsy. The gathering will include NLGJA Executive Director Pamela Strother.