Alt-Ally

I don't think straight people realize liking queer people doesn't automatically make them actual allies

The day of the decision, the newsroom had a really good atmosphere. We got to a point by then where you couldn't even be neutral on it. I remember Clinton and DOMA but that's so far now; I don't think people even want to remember their thoughts back then.

My alt weekly was always more supportive of gay visibility. A lot of outlets struggle with the idea that victims of some identity only affects that identity or community, like with trans people. I can't even count how many times stories after the first page should have definitely been front page stories but weren't just because of that.

But Austin was on another level even before the ruling. The tide had been turning toward more queer coverage even before the ruling - meaning sensitivity to queer issues. We ran a cover story on a trans male cop and that was a huge deal. The first openly gay councilmember faced homophobia during his campaign and we covered it the most, too. We could have done better, but we did the best in the city in hindsight.

The staff over there is still all white and cis, though... that didn't change.