PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

Welcome to NLGJA-Carolinas! We're proud to represent LGBT journalists and media professionals at the newspapers, magazines, television and radio stations and media Web sites in the Tar Heel and Palmetto states. This site is the place to turn for details of our many educational, social and career development programs. Hope to see you at a chapter event soon! Sharif Durhams

CHAPTER NEWS

Let's face it, everyone has a book idea brewing somewhere in the back of their head. Given some of the changes and uncertainty in the journalism industry today, what better time to finally go out on a limb and make it happen? We invite you to join our panel of seasoned authors for a spirited conversation about the entire process — from pitching manuscripts to staying motivated to doing that book tour on a shoestring budget. This is your chance to learn the spoken and unspoken rules of the road. Who knows, it might just be the start of a brand new chapter in your career. 

NLGJA will hold a panel July 8, 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. by phone with experts who can help you with your pitch.Email Sharif if you want information on calling in for the discussion.

NLGJA NEWS

Two members of the NLGJA Hall of Fame were the first to marry in San Francisco after the allowance of gay marriage in California.   .More 

NLGJA is already gearing up for the organization's 2008 annual convention and fifth annual LGBT Media Summit August 21-24 in Washington D.C. Come see exhibits and hear industry leaders talk about the state of the news business and the role we can play in shaping it. Early Bird registration is already open for the  convention, which will be held at at the Washington Hilton.

You can contact Carolinas Chapter President Sharif Durhams for more information or you can register early for the convention, the media summit or both here

You can learn the basics about our plans for out 2009 and 2010 conventions here.

INDUSTRY NEWS 

NLGJA Carolinas is working to organize a mixer with members of the Unity: Journalists of Color organization for mid June. Stay tuned for more information.

The News & Observer of Raleigh has offered buyouts to 230 employees at North Carolina's second-largest newspaper. The paper is hoping 1 percent to 2 percent of employees will accept it as a way for the McClatchy paper to cut costs. More

LGBT NEWS

Despite a political battle that involved Mecklenburg County's school board, the National Day of Silence went off in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools in relative calm. Anti-gay graffiti at one school was the only incident reported that marred the day, according to The Charlotte Observer.  More.

 Is the sexual orientation of Jim Neal relevant to his candidacy for the U.S. Senate? Yes, says The News & Observer, which disclosed Neal's sexuality on the front page Tuesday, under the headline "Gay man's race for Senate is a rarity." Neal is seeking the Democratic nomination to run against Republican Sen. Elizabeth Dole.  More from the N&O. Here's a profile of Jim Neal from the Greensboro News & Record.