The following is by John Wright, Lone Star Q - Texas' Statewide LGBT News Source, and not affiliated to 'OZ' - The 'Other' Side of the Rainbow:
During my seven years as a reporter and editor at Dallas Voice, it became clear that what Texas really needs is a statewide, online LGBT news and information source.
Texas is the second-most-populous state in the U.S. It is easily the largest red state and among the more conservative.
The LGBT community has no statewide protections against discrimination and zero relationship recognition at the state level in Texas. Part of the challenge is geography. The big cities where LGBT people tend to gravitate are so spread out that it hampers communication and information-sharing among activists and organizations.
Dallas has a weekly newspaper. Houston has a monthly magazine. San Antonio and Austin have web sites. But other areas, from El Paso to East Texas, have essentially nothing, and no media outlet consistently and thoroughly reports on issues affecting the LGBT community statewide, including the state’s executive, judicial and legislative branches. Lone Star Q is designed to fill that void by becoming a centralized clearinghouse for LGBT news and information across the Lone Star State.
One thing I’ve learned covering the LGBT movement is that communication and education — within the community, among allies and even among opponents — are critical to achieving equality. From transgender protections at both Dallas Area Rapid Transit and Dallas County, to a fully inclusive anti-bullying policy at the Dallas Independent School District, my reporting at Dallas Voice served as a catalyst for change. With your help, Lone Star Q can do so too — and on a larger playing field.
Texas is about to enter a historic election year in which, among other things, voters will choose between a staunch ally and a bitter enemy in the governor’s race. Meanwhile, the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision striking down the Defense of Marriage Act and the spread of marriage equality to 14 states have brought hope that we will soon see change in the Lone Star State. It has never been more important for the community to unite and seize this momentum, and Lone Star Q is here to help.
Please donate to Lone Star Q by going here, join our email list by going here, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter. We are also seeking contributors from across the state. If you’re interested in covering LGBT topics in your city for Lone Star Q, send us an email by going here.
Thank you for your support.
Official logo of Lone Star Q |
During my seven years as a reporter and editor at Dallas Voice, it became clear that what Texas really needs is a statewide, online LGBT news and information source.
Texas is the second-most-populous state in the U.S. It is easily the largest red state and among the more conservative.
The LGBT community has no statewide protections against discrimination and zero relationship recognition at the state level in Texas. Part of the challenge is geography. The big cities where LGBT people tend to gravitate are so spread out that it hampers communication and information-sharing among activists and organizations.
Dallas has a weekly newspaper. Houston has a monthly magazine. San Antonio and Austin have web sites. But other areas, from El Paso to East Texas, have essentially nothing, and no media outlet consistently and thoroughly reports on issues affecting the LGBT community statewide, including the state’s executive, judicial and legislative branches. Lone Star Q is designed to fill that void by becoming a centralized clearinghouse for LGBT news and information across the Lone Star State.
One thing I’ve learned covering the LGBT movement is that communication and education — within the community, among allies and even among opponents — are critical to achieving equality. From transgender protections at both Dallas Area Rapid Transit and Dallas County, to a fully inclusive anti-bullying policy at the Dallas Independent School District, my reporting at Dallas Voice served as a catalyst for change. With your help, Lone Star Q can do so too — and on a larger playing field.
Texas is about to enter a historic election year in which, among other things, voters will choose between a staunch ally and a bitter enemy in the governor’s race. Meanwhile, the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision striking down the Defense of Marriage Act and the spread of marriage equality to 14 states have brought hope that we will soon see change in the Lone Star State. It has never been more important for the community to unite and seize this momentum, and Lone Star Q is here to help.
Please donate to Lone Star Q by going here, join our email list by going here, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter. We are also seeking contributors from across the state. If you’re interested in covering LGBT topics in your city for Lone Star Q, send us an email by going here.
Thank you for your support.
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