Leadership, for me, has always been about building things that last. Whether it’s a newsroom, a campaign, or an online community, I’ve focused on creating spaces where people can do their best work and audiences feel seen.

At its core, my work has been about more than managing content; it’s about shaping culture. From mentoring young journalists to standing up for equity in media, I’ve always led with both vision and conviction, knowing that the work only matters when it resonates in people’s lives.

That belief has propelled my activism as much as my editorial work. I’ve turned online momentum into offline change, holding companies, politicians, and not-for-profits accountable while championing campaigns that secured lasting protections for millions of LGBTQ+ people. It’s leadership with impact.

Founded The Bilerico Project — Launched one of the first national LGBTQ blogs, which became a go-to source for queer politics and was later archived by the Library of Congress. Both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton used the site for their first outreach to the online community.

Built a National Forum for Queer Media — Organized and hosted the annual LGBT Media Journalists Convening for a decade, bringing together reporters, editors, and activists to strengthen queer coverage and community.

Redefined What Counts as Journalism — As the first non-mainstream reporter to serve as a board member of NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists, I represented the emerging world of digital reporting and challenged the industry to catch up.

Led National LGBTQ Newsrooms — Served as Executive Editor at Q.Digital, guiding some of the most widely read queer publications in the U.S.

Shaped Digital Media Strategy — I was the first verified LGBTQ journalist on Facebook, leveraging this platform to build networks and amplify the community's voice during pivotal moments for LGBTQ rights, from the marriage equality fight to the Trump era.

Elevated Queer Storytelling — Mentored new journalists and amplified the voices of underrepresented individuals, ensuring diverse perspectives were represented in national LGBTQ coverage. The Bilerico Project gave transgender people an equal voice in queer media for the first time.

Led the First Online LGBTQ+ Rights Campaign — Organized a digital campaign against a company that fired gay employees, the first of its kind. The effort pressured one of America's largest employers to add nondiscrimination protections and demonstrated how digital activism could drive real-world change.

Turned Digital Media into Corporate Accountability — Utilized The Bilerico Project to pressure companies into apologizing for anti-LGBTQ actions, donating to queer charities, and adopting nondiscrimination protections. 

Helped Free an Unjustly Imprisoned Woman — Leveraging The Bilerico Project’s reach to spotlight a wrongful conviction, I mobilized public pressure and won her release.

Launched Indiana’s First LGBTQ+ Direct Action Group — Co-founded the Indiana Action Network and organized the state’s largest queer rights demonstrations at the time, preventing the Republican-dominated state legislature from passing a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage.

Secured Nondiscrimination Protections for Millions — As the Regional Chair of Indiana Equality, I built and spearheaded a coalition of over 25 civil rights organizations to pass a fully inclusive human rights ordinance.

Helped Organize the Largest LGBTQ+ Rights March in U.S. History — Served on the National Equality March Advisory Council, which brought hundreds of thousands of people to Washington, D.C. in 2009 for the biggest LGBTQ protest in American history.

Barbara Gittings Award for Excellence in LGBTQ Media (2025) - Part of the incredibly talented team at Q.Digital to win the prestigious award for amplifying the voices of the vibrant LGBTQ community.

Recognized for Excellence (2014) — Personal papers and memorabilia archived by the Smithsonian National Museum of American History and Indiana State Museum, plus The Bilerico Project by the Library of Congress, underscoring both historical significance and journalistic leadership.

Capital Pride Hero & Parade Marshal (2011) — Honored by Capital Pride in Washington, D.C. as a community trailblazer and chosen to lead the city’s Pride parade.

Excellence in Online Journalism (2011) — Awarded by NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists for an in-depth series that helped free an HIV+ woman unjustly imprisoned in Florida.

Bob Craig Media Award (2010) — Presented by the Los Angeles Stonewall Democrats for raising awareness of LGBTQ+ issues through The Bilerico Project.

Courage Award (2009) — Recognized by the New York City Anti-Violence Project for impactful reporting and advocacy on behalf of LGBTQ+ people facing violence and discrimination.

Chuck Avery Award for Outstanding Organizational Leadership (2006) — Honored by Indiana Stonewall Democrats for leading a coalition of civil rights organizations to pass Indianapolis’ fully inclusive human rights ordinance.