It's Our Six Month Anniversary! What We've Done and Where We're Headed [WATCH]
Spencer Macnaughton | Uncloseted Media Weekly Newsletter
As per my video message above, it’s Uncloseted Media's six month anniversary this week!
We're so proud of all the rigorous reporting we've done so far. We've published over 100 stories, including roughly 50 pieces of originally reported investigative LGBTQ journalism.
A lot of these stories are investigations into America's far right. Why is Kristen Waggoner, the woman who helped overturn Roe v. Wade, now coming for LGBTQ rights? Why do at least six anti-LGBTQ hate groups have Special Consultative Status inside the United Nations? And why did Trump spend $215 million on anti-trans ads this election cycle, five times more than he spent on the economy?
In addition to our investigations, we've also leveled up partnerships with queer media and mainstream media alike.
Hope Pisoni's recent investigation into Riley Gaines and why the far-right chose her as the figurehead for the trans sports debate has now been picked up by about 10 different publications, including the Michigan Standard, the Oregonian, the 19th, GAY TIMES, Queer Kentucky, Seattle Gay News and more. Outstanding!
We want our work to have an impact and be seen by as many people as possible. So we encourage all newsrooms to republish our important journalism. Check out our republishing guidelines here.
We've also focused on character-driven, human stories. We've looked at America's homeschooling movement and how it impacts queer kids being raised in Christian households who believe that homosexuality is a sin. We've looked at why trans men are the most likely group to suffer from eating disorders. And we've investigated why Black women are over nine times more likely to contract HIV than their white counterparts.
Sam Donndelinger penned an investigation into PrEP deserts across the United States. And like all our stories, this one had an impact. The American Pharmacists Association said they would use this investigation in their testimonies and letters to lawmakers when discussing PrEP lawsuits in the American legislatures. We also heard from an AIDS center in Birmingham, Alabama, who said that the story pushed them to hire their first Black female doctor, which helped attract more women to the clinic.
In this current climate in American history, LGBTQ rights are perhaps more under attack than ever before. And we need rigorous accountability journalism to hold the people, the money and the power to account. We at Uncloseted Media want to scale up and add more rigor, heft and depth to our investigative storytelling. But we really need help.
If you do have the means, like our work and are able to upgrade to a paid or founding subscriber, we would be so grateful. There are many places in the article where you can do that really easily. At any rate, we are grateful to have you here, and we're looking forward to the next six months with all of you as we continue to grow and continue to tell the stories that matter. Thank you so much.
![Bravo TV’s West Wilson On How Social Media Is Fueling a Toxic Far Right Masculinity [WATCH]](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_140,h_140,c_fill,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep,g_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6d3a2ed6-18f6-4a84-b39f-46e231c27a63_1146x762.png)
Where Being Gay Is Punishable by Death, Aid Cuts Are ‘Heartbreaking’ (The New York Times)
Uganda’s L.G.B.T.Q. population was already struggling to cope with the fallout of a harsh anti-gay law when the disruption of U.S. aid put people at even greater risk.
'Who am I to judge?' With five words, Pope Francis set new tone for Catholic Church (USA Today)
Pope Francis signaled that his papacy was going to be different from his predecessors', especially when it came to LGBTQ issues.
Some Republican lawmakers increase calls against gay marriage SCOTUS ruling (ABC News)
Same-sex marriage has come under scrutiny by some conservative legislators.
U.S. withdraws from U.N. LGBTQ and intersex group (The Advocate)
The move is among numerous anti-LGBTQ actions by the Trump administration.
We passed 7,000 subscribers! Thank you to everyone for continuing to support our work.
We’re thrilled to have co-reported our investigation into MassResistance, the group taking credit for the new efforts to chip away at marriage equality, with the esteemed Idaho Statesman, a publication with a rich history dating back to 1864.
Our West Wilson social post went mega-viral on Instagram, with over 1,000 comments from folks with polarizing perspectives. Click here for the clip and stay for the commentary.
This weekend, be on the lookout for new Uncloseted reporting:
🆕 As companies sprint away from DEI, biblically responsible investing is booming. Tom Sayers and I investigate the rapidly growing, socially conservative form of Christian faith-based investing that steers Christians, no matter how well-intentioned, away from investing in companies that support or promote various LGBTQ rights or that make efforts to create inclusive environments for gay and trans people.
Thanks for reading! Feel free to email me with questions, complaints, tips, and story ideas!
Spencer Macnaughton, Editor-In-Chief
spencer@unclosetedmedia.com
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