Alumnus speaks of being ‘out’ in the newsroom

Posted on April 18, 2008
Filed Under Gay News Blog

Eric Hegedus, Class of 1984, is a former photo editor of The Daily Collegian and also a gay journalist who is “out” in the newsroom.

Hegedus, president of the National Lesbian & Gay Journalist Association (NLGJA), addressed a crowd of about 300 people at The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel yesterday, touching on the impact LGBT journalists are having on the field.

The NLGJA, according to its Web site, nlgja.org, is an organization of journalists, media professionals, educators and students that works within the news industry to foster fair and accurate coverage of LGBT issues.

In his speech, Hegedus stressed many different ideas, including the importance of diversity in the newsroom and using correct terminology when referring to members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

The most common error is the use of “sexual preference,” Hegedus said. The correct phrase to use would be “sexual orientation.”

See Alumnus speaks of being ‘out’ in the newsroom
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