by Joe Siegel

The January 30 arrest of gay journalist Don Lemon sent shock waves through the American news media. But LGBTQ editors and publishers are remaining steadfast despite the attacks on journalists and press freedom.

“Authorities arrested Lemon less than two weeks after he entered Cities Church in St. Paul, Minn., with a group of protesters who confronted a pastor who works for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement,” wrote Michael K. Lavers, an editor with the Washington Blade. “Lemon insists he was simply covering the Cities Church protest that interrupted the service. A federal magistrate … declined to charge the openly gay journalist in connection with the demonstration.”

“Don Lemon was taken into custody by federal agents … in Los Angeles, where he was covering the Grammy awards,” Lemon’s lawyer, prominent defense attorney Abbe Lowell, said in a statement. “Don has been a journalist for 30 years, and his constitutionally protected work in Minneapolis was no different than what he has always done. The First Amendment exists to protect journalists whose role it is to shine light on the truth and hold those in power accountable.”

LGBTQ media organizations issued statements about Lemon’s arrest as well as the arrest of Minneapolis-based independent journalist Georgia Fort.

“NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists condemns the arrests of journalist and NLGJA Lifetime Member Don Lemon and journalist Georgia Fort for engaging in newsgathering. Their arrests should alarm all Americans who believe in the Constitution and a functioning democracy,” NLGJA said in a statement. “The federal government cannot arrest journalists simply because it objects to their reporting. Journalists must be allowed to document protests and matters of public concern without fear of detention or prosecution, as guaranteed by the First Amendment.”

NLGJA joined other journalism organizations in calling for the release of Lemon and Fort. They also called for “a clear explanation of the legal basis for their arrests. We stand with them today, and with all journalists who have been threatened, demeaned, and targeted by this administration.  An attack on one journalist is an attack on press freedom itself. A free and independent press must be protected. NLGJA stands with Lemon, Fort and all other journalists who have been targeted simply for doing their constitutionally protected jobs.”

Both Lemon and Fort were released. They also both pled not guilty to the charges.

GLAAD, the organization formerly known as the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, also issued a statement: “Today GLAAD joined the National Association of Black Journalists, the Society of Professional Journalists, and more than three dozen organizations representing journalists, LGBTQ people, and people of color, to demand justice for Don Lemon and Georgia Fort. Both were arrested by federal agents while simply doing their jobs, reporting facts from Minneapolis. This is more than an arrest; it’s an attempt to silence storytellers and journalists who report on LGBTQ and other important news fairly and accurately. The First Amendment is not optional.”

“Don Lemon’s unconstitutional arrest is just the latest outrage from this corrupt administration,” said Kevin Naff, editor of the Washington Blade. “This is all part of a larger strategy to quell dissent and silence critics. All of us in the media must redouble efforts to hold these officials accountable for their reckless and un-American acts.”

Some media outlets are preparing their reporters in case of such ask emergency.

“We haven’t had any of our own reporters targeted by law enforcement or government, but we train our staff on safety protocols, both digital and physical, to protect themselves in their line of work,” said Joseph Jaafari, editor of Phoenix-based Lookout.

“I do believe we are seeing a moment of increased targeting of journalists doing their work, and it would not shock me if we are going to see even more of an increase as we do our jobs, both in the field while reporting on protests as well as trying to hold governments accountable through our publishing.” Jaafari said. “But this won’t change our focus. If anything, what people should know is that when you go after the press, we tend to dig our heels deeper into the ground. We’re not known to run away from danger.”

Ken Schneck, editor of The Buckeye Flame in suburban Cleveland, Ohio, devoted an episode of his podcast This News is So Gay to the issue.

“Short story: truly scary times for LGBTQ+ journalists and it feels like this is yet another sacrosanct protection that the current government is trying to roll back,” said Schneck. “As we had reporters covering ICE protests last weekend, they were certainly more nervous given what happened to Don Lemon and Georgia Fort.”

“We have safety plans in place for our reporters, and we are holding those plans a little more tightly after these arrests,” Schneck added.

Mark Segal, founder and publisher of Philadelphia Gay News (PGN) noted, “My first reaction was, now Trump is not only speaking negatively about the press, he’s now attempting to silence media. Yes, I’d expect him to try it again, but no one at PGN has expressed any concern. We’ve fought bullies before.”

Madison Jones, editor of Seattle Gay News (SGN), called Lemon’s treatment “abhorrent.”

“We will not back down, silence ourselves, nor give in to the pressure,” Jones said. “Throughout our 52-year history, we have always endeavored to stand up against state violence going back to police harassment and raids on queer bars. And I encourage anybody who feels that what is happening to our country is wrong and immoral to speak out, and get more involved with organizing in their local community.”

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Volume 28
Issue 1