In response to the increasing wave of anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and actions across the political landscape, a groundbreaking collaboration has emerged within the LGBTQ+ media community. Eleven independent queer newsrooms from across the United States have joined forces to form the Queer News Network (QNN). This initiative will provide critical, in-depth, and nuanced coverage of the 2024 General Election through an LGBTQ+ lens, ensuring that the voices and experiences of the community are prioritized in the nation’s political discourse. For QVegas, a leading LGBTQ+ publication based in Nevada, the opportunity to take part in this national project is monumental, marking a new era for both the magazine and the broader scope of LGBTQ+ media.

The Rise of Queer News Network

QNN is not just a response to the current political climate—it is a revolutionary step forward in how LGBTQ+ issues will be covered in the media. As political conversations in recent elections have often relegated LGBTQ+ topics to a footnote, QNN seeks to change the narrative. While same-sex marriage dominated headlines in previous years, today's critical issues, such as healthcare access, trans rights, child-rearing for same-sex couples, and personal expression, have been largely sidelined by major news outlets. These issues have become cornerstones of far-right campaigns, which have strategically weaponized anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment to galvanize their bases. In contrast, QNN’s mission is to center these topics and provide clear, fact-based reporting that reflects the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals and their allies.

QVegas' Role in the Coalition

QVegas has been selected as one of the three governing newsrooms of this ambitious project, alongside Q Voice News in California and LOOKOUT in Arizona. For QVegas, which has been a longstanding voice for the LGBTQ+ community in Nevada, this represents a monumental achievement. After years of promoting and printing in-depth voter guides that help local readers navigate election season, QVegas is now poised to make its mark on a national scale.

The Queer News Network will replace QVegas’ Voter Guide for the 2024 election, allowing the magazine to focus its resources on a collaborative national effort that promises to reach a broader audience than ever before. This is a significant transition for QVegas, as it moves from its local roots to become a key player in a national project designed to elevate LGBTQ+ voices across the country.

Moreover, QVegas has been tapped to lead the technology efforts for QNN. As part of this responsibility, QVegas will play a crucial role in creating and maintaining the digital infrastructure for QNN’s central platform. This platform will serve as a comprehensive news hub where LGBTQ+ voters can access critical information about candidates, political issues, and voter rights in the months leading up to the 2024 General Election. For QVegas, this isn’t just about scaling up their operations—it’s about ensuring that LGBTQ+ voters are informed and empowered as they head to the polls.

Why QNN Is Necessary

The necessity of QNN’s formation stems from the increasing marginalization of LGBTQ+ voices in mainstream media. Even as LGBTQ+ rights have become more integrated into the political discourse, many of the stories and challenges faced by the community remain overlooked. Anti-LGBTQ+ bills, from those restricting access to gender-affirming care to attempts to ban discussions about gender identity and sexual orientation in schools, have proliferated in recent years, yet they rarely receive the thorough coverage they deserve in larger outlets.

“This is something that is long overdue in LGBTQ+ media, but hasn’t happened because of corporate buyouts, lack of resources, or simply many of our queer newsrooms shuttering their doors,” said Joseph Darius Jaafari, editor in chief and founder of LOOKOUT in Arizona. “We’re excited to help spearhead this and elevate the election reporting being done by our partner newsrooms to show that queer journalism isn’t just niche — it’s imperative to local democracy.”

This marginalization is particularly concerning when you consider the stakes of the 2024 General Election. LGBTQ+ issues will likely play a pivotal role in shaping the platforms of both parties. Many far-right candidates have embraced anti-LGBTQ+ platforms as a cornerstone of their campaigns, which has not only emboldened harmful rhetoric but also encouraged policies that threaten the fundamental rights of queer individuals.

QNN is committed to highlighting these threats and providing in-depth analysis that puts LGBTQ+ voters at the center of the conversation. The coalition’s reporters will track candidates, monitor campaign rhetoric, and investigate the real-world impacts of proposed policies. This commitment to fact-based reporting is not only crucial for the LGBTQ+ community, but also for advocates of democracy and human rights more broadly.

QNN’s Structure and Partners

The Queer News Network is divided into four regional coalitions: West, Central, South, and Northeast, with each region contributing unique perspectives and coverage to the broader network.

West: Q Voice News (Los Angeles, CA), LOOKOUT (Arizona), QVegas (Las Vegas, NV), Seattle Lesbian (Seattle, WA)

Central: Illinois Eagle (Illinois), The Gayly (Oklahoma), Queerency (National)

South: Queer Kentucky (Kentucky), OUT South Florida (Fort Lauderdale, FL)

Northeast: QBurgh (Pittsburgh, PA), Buckeye Flame (Ohio)

“We are thrilled to be a part of the Queer News Network,” said Phillip Zonkel, editor and co-founder of Q Voice News in California. “The mission of QNN is to center LGBTQ+ experiences in political narratives, offering fact-based reporting that highlights the profound impact of anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments on queer lives. By raising the standard of LGBTQ+ news coverage, this ground-breaking project will empower the community with vital information and hold those in power accountable through truth and visibility.”

QNN’s editorial direction is guided by a strong belief that LGBTQ+ journalism is not a niche but a critical component of a functioning democracy. This ethos underpins the work of QNN, as it seeks to provide timely, accurate, and community-focused reporting in the lead-up to the 2024 election.

QNN’s Student Newsroom

Another exciting aspect of QNN’s mission is the involvement of student journalists. The network has partnered with the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism to create a student newsroom dedicated to election coverage. Eight students will be selected to work alongside QNN editors to monitor campaigns and track election-related events. This not only provides a valuable training ground for the next generation of LGBTQ+ journalists but also helps ensure that QNN’s coverage remains fresh, innovative, and deeply connected to the community.

By involving student reporters, QNN is building a pipeline of talent that will help sustain and grow LGBTQ+ journalism for years to come. It’s an opportunity for young journalists to gain hands-on experience while contributing to a critical cause. The student newsroom will operate from October 1 to November 12, offering real-time analysis and election reporting.

Looking Ahead: The Importance of 2024

For QVegas, the opportunity to take part in QNN represents a turning point. After years of being a regional publication known for its deep ties to the Southern Nevada LGBTQ+ community, QVegas is now stepping onto the national stage. By leading the technology efforts for QNN and helping to coordinate the network’s content, QVegas is playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of LGBTQ+ media.

This is not only a monumental step for QVegas but also for the entire LGBTQ+ community. The Queer News Network promises to elevate the standard of queer journalism, ensuring that LGBTQ+ issues receive the thoughtful, comprehensive coverage they deserve. As the nation heads into a critical election year, QNN will be there to provide the kind of reporting that empowers voters, holds candidates accountable, and ensures that LGBTQ+ voices are heard.

In the face of increasing political hostility, QNN offers a beacon of hope—a reminder that LGBTQ+ lives matter and that their stories deserve to be told with truth, integrity, and respect. For QVegas and its partners, this is only the beginning.

Queer News Network launches on October 1. Sign up at  at queernn.com to be notified when the site goes live, to ask questions, advertise, or become a sponsor.