WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association (NLGJA) announced the recipients of its Excellence in Journalism Awards.

This year’s recipients are: L.Z. Granderson of ESPN and CNN (NLGJA Journalist of the Year); Sarah Petit (LGBT Journalist of the Year); Michael Luongo (Freelance Writer); Chris Geidner of MetroWeekly (Excellence in News Writing); Jeff Sharlet of Harpers (Excellence in Feature Writing); CNN, Gay in America, “Gary and Tony Have  a Baby”, Soledad O’Brien, Reporter (Excellence in Network Television); “Gay in America: Tensions and Tolerance” – WTIC-Hartford, CT., Sarah French, Reporter (Excellence in Local Television); State of the Re:Union, “Bayard Rustin: Who is this Man?” (Excellence in Radio); James Kirchick, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, “A Battle for Gay Rights in Belgrade” (Excellence in Photojournalism); Bilerico Project, “A Christmas Miracle for Betsie Gallardo” (Excellence in Online Journalism); Newscene, iTV, “Day of Remembrance” (Excellence in Student Journalism); Rauch, The Advocate, “The Majority Report” (Excellence in Opinion Writing).

NLGJA is an organization of journalists, media professionals, educators and students working from within the news industry to foster fair

and accurate coverage of LGBT issues. NLGJA opposes all forms of workplace bias and provides professional development to its members.