TL;DR: The media fails us when it doesn't report Trump's lies as exactly that. This time around, we must refuse. Meanwhile there are lessons from queer history that should guide us in this pivotal moment as we remind ourselves: we've won this fight before and we will again.
During the last Trump presidency, the media danced in circles around him. I refuse to play a part in that this time. Not when the lives of marginalised people all over the world, not least the LGBTQIA+ community, are at stake.
The tango Trump tricked journalists into was based on our approach to reporting what happened.
That meant that when Trump said he didn't say something, the media reported it - even when he did say it, and we had video evidence to prove it.
Instead, we should have reported the simple truth: Trump lied.
A core tenet of journalism is fact-checking. And a core principle of populism is lying. It's our job in the media to refuse to dance with lying partners - and instead, critique, analyse and hold to account all of their moves.
This election is, no doubt, a shock to the system. It’s become the source of a great deal of fear in the queer community. In my close circle alone, I've seen people changing their citizenship, retreating from the horrifying news, feeling physically unwell.
But I've also seen another response. One which has the energy I'll be bringing to the next four years. One where we roll up our sleeves and say: what would our queer history makers do?
They lived in a time when we were criminalised, persecuted and vilified. And what did they do? They fought back.
We have won this fight before, and we will again.
Queer history makers, from Harvey Milk to Audre Lorde, Marsha P. Johnson to Sylvia Rivera, have set out many successful tactics for our community to use against the rise of right-wing politics.
Audre Lorde would tell us to lead with our truth. As a journalist, that also means not repeating their lies. Not giving a platform to their hate - even to conquer it.
In an age of populism, the more airtime we give to figures like Trump and Nigel Farage, the more real they become. They don't deserve our time and attention; our communities do. Research shows time and again that even just reposting their lies spreads them further.
Harvey Milk would tell us to come out, and show our friends, colleagues and customers we're not the monsters the media say we are. Whether we like it or not, we pull so much of what we think and feel unconsciously from the media. Changing those decision-making processes is paramount - and it starts, sometimes, with a simple story about spending time with your boyfriend at the weekend.
As for Marsha and Sylvia - their undying perseverance to show up, time and time again, in the face of prejudice even even within the community, means we still talk about them today as pioneering leaders of our modern rights movement.
So, if you're worried, I hear you. Those feelings are so valid. But here's what I want you to know:
The fightback has already begun, and there is nothing queers do better than organising, fighting back, and reminding everyone just how much love we have.
And to use an old queer adage - it's time to get out of the bars and onto the streets.
The media is failing us. But the change we want is out there.
The media lobbying work QueerAF does is a vital part of our work - and we need your help to accelerate it.
We need more queer journalists to urgently join newsrooms all over the country, so they can counter harmful narratives, and speak on our behalf.
In the last three years, we've trained, mentored and helped to kickstart the careers of nearly a hundred journalists, creatives and media professionals.
We've met with countless media groups, queer grassroots organisations and LGBTQIA+ third sector organisations.
All the while, we've been in thousands of people's inboxes helping them understand the LGBTQIA+ news - so they can use information as a tool for liberation.
All on a shoestring budget, with a tiny team.
During a Trump presidency, we need to make that work sing louder, punch above our weight even more, and dramatically shift the scales.
We need you to sign up, to help us deliver this week in week out. Which is why we're in the middle of a membership drive.
To secure the future of our work, we need to find 15 new members by the end of the month. After just one week, we're 40% of the way to our first goal, which speaks volumes to how many of you understand the importance of this work.
Will you be next to join the drive? We've laid on some tasty discounts to help make it easier to help out:
The more perks you choose, the better the discount you can grab:
- 10% off 'Supporter': Monthly / Annual
- 15% off '100% QueerAF': Monthly / Annual
- 20% off 'Editor': Monthly / Annual
You'll join the likes of Simon Blake, David and Cynthia, who all signed up and claimed a shout out - and you’ll be one of over 300 QueerAF members who help set our editorial agenda.
Media change is long-term work, but with more queers in the media sphere that change is doable. In fact it’s already happening, and we’re making it happen faster with your help.
