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The organization will honor them along with other Southern California LGBTQ+ journalists and local outlets at the Press Pride Prom on May 9, 2026

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Download bios and headshots of nominees

LOS ANGELES, CA (APRIL 15, 2026) – The Los Angeles chapter of NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists is set to celebrate Southern California journalists and newsrooms at its second annual Press Pride Prom journalism awards gala on May 9, 2026, at the Los Angeles LGBT Center.

The ceremony will honor Greg Gordon and Lucia Chappelle of This Way Out Radio with the Troy Masters Legacy Award for Visionaries in Media. Presented in collaboration with the Los Angeles Blade, the award honors a journalist or news media professional whose work reflects a dedication to the craft of journalism. The award is named in honor of Troy Masters, veteran queer journalist and former publisher of the Los Angeles Blade. Chappelle will accept the award in person at the ceremony, as Gordon passed away earlier this year.

“For nearly 40 years, This Way Out Radio, which was founded here in Southern California, has diligently captured the stories of LGBTQ+ people from around the world,” said Hansen Bursic, President of the Los Angeles chapter of NLGJA, “Gordon and Chappelle’s work is the true embodyment of this award, and we are thrilled to honor them and their history-making outlet.”

This award is one of four being presented during the event. These awards honor Southern California-based journalists and newsrooms who did exceptional LGBTQ+ coverage in 2025. You can read about each award and the nominees below.

Press Pride Prom is a benefit for NLGJA LA’s LGBTQ+ youth journalism scholarship and is set to take place at the Los Angeles LGBT Center from 6 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, May 9 in Hollywood. The event offers LGBTQ+ and other attendees the opportunity to relive their high school prom as their authentic selves. 

The event’s principal sponsors include Award Sponsor ABC7, Step & Repeat Sponsors APLA Health and the Los Angeles LGBT Center, and Supporting Sponsor First Entertainment Credit Union. The event will be hosted by viral drag queen Ericka Qwerk, AKA Lauren Banall, and will feature food, drinks, live music, and more.

Early bird tickets are on sale now until Sunday, April 19. Tables and regular tickets will also be available to purchase through May 4, 2026, space permitting. You can learn more and get tickets here: https://lanlgja.betterworld.org/events/press-pride-prom-2026

You can read the complete list of nominees below. For more about newsrooms, and nominee bios and headshots, learn more and download here.

Troy Masters Legacy Award for Visionaries in Media
Presented in collaboration with the Los Angeles Blade

Honorees: Greg Gordon and Lucia Chappelle, This Way Out Radio

This award honors a journalist or news media professional whose work reflects a dedication to the craft of journalism and a commitment to setting the stage for the next generation of LGBTQ+ industry leaders.

Excellence in LGBTQ+ Reporting Newsroom Award

This award honors a news outlet whose coverage of the queer and trans community is well-informed, complex, varied and intersectional, with a track record of promoting The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists’ mission to advance fair and accurate coverage of LGBTQ+ communities and issues.

NOMINEES: 

• LA Public Press
• Q Voice News
• ABC7

Queer Beat Award for Excellence in LGBTQ+ Reporting

This award honors a single story or series that demonstrates care, skill and a commitment to fair and accurate reporting of LGBTQ+ themes, issues and people.

NOMINEES:

• After Narrowly Surviving the LA Wildfires, This Recovery Center Has Become a Trans Refuge by Jireh Deng for In These Times
• How Jewel Thais-Williams’ vision guides LA’s New Black LGBTQ+ Generation by Leo Aquino for LA Public Press
• Grace Under Fire: Transgender Student Athlete AB Hernandez’s Winning Weekend by Cerise Castle for Capital and Main

Critiquing with Pride Award for Excellence in Arts & Entertainment Reporting
Presented in collaboration with GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics

This award honors a Southern California-based arts & entertainment journalist whose body of work has helped foster important dialogue on LGBTQ+ representation in media and applies a nuanced, queer lens to film and television criticism.

NOMINEES: 

• Sa’iyda Shabazz
• Megan Vick
• Dana Han-Klein

For interviews with NLGJA LA organizers or any of the nominees, please contact LA@nlgja.org. 

ABOUT NLGJA: THE ASSOCIATION OF LGBTQ+ JOURNALISTS

Founded in 1990, NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists is an organization of journalists, media professionals, educators and students working from within the news industry to foster fair and accurate coverage of LGBTQ+ issues. NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists opposes all forms of workplace bias and provides professional development to its members. 

The Los Angeles chapter of NLGJA advocates for and bolsters the voices of LGBTQ+ community in the Southland while striving to foster community among LA’s queer and trans journalists, news media professionals, and creatives.

This decision coincides with recent polling from the HRC Foundation confirming that a super-majority of Americans favor marriage equality protections

WASHINGTON, DC— Today, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to grant certiorari in Davis v. Ermold, where former Kentucky county clerk Kim Davis hoped the Court would rehear a lower court’s decision awarding damages to a same-sex couple to whom she refused to issue a marriage license, despite a court ordering her to do so, in 2015. As part of her request Davis asked the Court to overturn Obergefell v. Hodges, the landmark case that affirmed Constitutional marriage protections for same-sex couples. As a result, the lower court ruling stands, leaving Davis liable for refusing to abide by existing law and signaling that the Court is, for now, unwilling to revisit or reverse precedent that establishes marriage equality for the LGBTQ+ community. This ruling also underscores that public officials cannot evade accountability under the law by invoking anti-LGBTQ+ beliefs.

Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson released the following statement:

“Today, love won again. When public officials take an oath to serve their communities, that promise extends to everyone — including LGBTQ+ people. The Supreme Court made clear today that refusing to respect the constitutional rights of others does not come without consequences.

Thanks to the hard work of HRC and so many, marriage equality remains the law of the land through Obergefell v. Hodges and the Respect for Marriage Act. Even so, we must remain vigilant.

It’s no secret that there are many in power right now working to undermine our freedoms — including marriage equality — and attack the dignity of our community any chance they get. Last week, voters rejected the politics of fear, division, and hate, and chose leaders who believe in fairness, freedom, and the future. In race after race, the American people rejected anti-transgender attacks and made history electing pro-equality candidates up and down the ballot.

And from California to Virginia to New Jersey to New York City, LGBTQ+ voters and Equality Voters made the winning difference. We will never relent and will not stop fighting until all of us are free.”

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people, with 3.6 million members and supporters. The HRC Foundation (a 501(c)(3)) works to ensure LGBTQ+ people are safe, seen and supported where it matters most: at school, at work and in every community across the country. From the courtroom to the classroom, from Congress to corporate America, HRC and the HRC Foundation build power through partnerships, storytelling, and action—working to create a future rooted in equity, freedom and belonging for all LGBTQ+ people.

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As Federal Government and Many States Continue Legislative and Administrative Onslaught Against LGBTQ+ People, Violent Crimes Against Members of Community Remain Elevated

WASHINGTON — The latest annual crime report from the FBI highlights once again that while overall violent crime in the U.S. continues to decline, hate crimes against the LGBTQ+ community remain alarmingly high.

In 2024, according to FBI data submitted by local jurisdictions, attacks based on a victim’s sexual orientation made up 17.2% of all hate crimes, and 4 percent were based on gender identity.

“The FBI’s 2024 hate crime data has revealed a national emergency hiding in plain sight. Everyone deserves to be safe in this country and have the chance to thrive. But anti-equality politicians continue to spread lies about LGBTQ+ people, trying to push us out of more and more corners of society,” said Kelley Robinson, Human Rights Campaign President. “Those smears come with a cost. The FBI has exposed a chilling reality: our community remains a target of violence — and that is unacceptable. LGBTQ+ people, just like everyone else, should be free to live our lives, pursue our careers and education, build our homes and pursue our American Dreams, without the threat of violence hanging over our heads. This FBI data is clear: we need more support from our political leaders, not animosity and attacks that seek to demonize us.”

The FBI’s report noted that there were 1,950 recorded incidents relating to an alleged victim’s sexual orientation in 2024 and 463 relating to an alleged victim’s gender identity. Race/ethnicity motivated hate crimes remained the largest category, making up 51.8% of all hate crimes. Hate crimes based on religion were second, just ahead of sexual orientation.

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ+ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.

Tickets On Sale Now for the 42nd Annual Long Beach Pride™ Festival, May 17–18, 2025

Long Beach, CA (April 22, 2025) — The countdown is on! Long Beach Pride™ is thrilled to announce that tickets are officially on sale for the 42nd Annual Long Beach Pride™ Festival, set to take place on May 17th and 18th, 2025. As the first major Pride event of the season, the Long Beach Pride™ Festival is ready to kick off a summer of love, unity, and celebration for the LGBTQ+ community.

This year’s theme, “The Power of Community,” reflects the strength, diversity, and resilience of the LGBTQ+ family in Long Beach and beyond. From vibrant live performances to immersive art, cultural showcases, and interactive zones, this year’s festival promises an unforgettable weekend for all.

While the City of Long Beach now leads the planning of the Pride Parade, the Long Beach Pride™ organization remains fully focused on delivering a dynamic and inclusive festival experience at the heart of the city’s celebration.

2025 Festival Highlights Include:

Music & Performance Line-Up

More names to come soon — stay tuned!

• MegaWoof – DJs and GoGo Dancers bringing the heat to Stage 2

• Mamboson – Beloved Latinx band returning for another crowd-rocking performance

• Radio Royalty – 80s/90s live band featured on the Founders Stage

• Secret Service Presents: The Takeover – Latinx/Dance/Hip-Hop extravaganza

• Drag Show Extravaganza – Featuring America’s most dynamic Drag Queens from Jewels Productions

• Ballroom Dance-Off – Vogue the house down with The House of Long Beach

Festival Zones & Experiences

• Founders Stage – Live bands, drag, dance battles, and community energy

• Hip Hop Stage – Featuring the best of local DJ talent

• EDM Tent: The Fairies’ Dance Area – Electronic beats and glowing vibes by The Galactivators

• Queer Country – DJ Rick, The Wranglers dance group and line dancing

• Teen Pride – A safe affirming space for teens 17 and under to celebrate their fabulous self

• TransVisibility  – Highlighting the transgender community through art

• Art & Culture – Immersive installations and cultural showcases

• Food & Drink  – Food trucks, picnic areas, and themed bar spaces presented by Broken Spirits

• Health Hub  – Free testing, wellness info, and community orgs including APAIt, Bienestar, APLA, and the Long Beach Health Department

• Recovery & Support Spaces – On-site NA/AA meetings for guests in recovery

• Craft & Info Booths – Nonprofits, local makers, and LGBTQ+ vendors

NBC4 and Telemundo 52 are proud to return as official media partners for the third year in a row. Audiences can tune in to special live coverage of the parade on NBCLA.com, Telemundo52.com, the NBCLA and Telemundo 52 mobile apps, or via the stations’ 24/7 local news streaming channels: NBC Los Angeles News and Telemundo Noticias California.

More exciting initiatives and performances will be unveiled in the coming weeks. Keep an eye out for updates — including the announcement of this year’s headliner — by visiting longbeachpride.com/festival or following Long Beach Pride™ on social media.

Media Inquiries, Press Pass Requests & Interview Opportunities:

Cathy Wesson
Maximus Communications
Cathy@MaximusCommunications.com

Maxime Richard
Maximus Communications
M@MaximusCommunications.com

About Long Beach Pride:
Long Beach Pride™, a 501(c)(3) non-profit and all-volunteer organization, produces the annual three-day Long Beach Pride™ festival, parade, and Teen Pride. As the third largest Pride festival and parade in California, the organization celebrates the LGBTQ+ community with a strong focus on inclusion and works to educate the broader public on the importance of diversity in building a stronger, healthier society. Since its founding in 1984, Long Beach Pride™ has taken pride in its accomplishments and remains committed to teaching future generations that the fight for acceptance continues.