Being an LGBT journalist isn’t always easy.  Our staff routinely reaches out to state, federal, tribal, and international sources to provide well rounded coverage for our readers.  Seldom do we find outright hostility from a state agency.  Louisiana has refused media access requests.  We have tried on several occasions and at several levels of Louisiana state government.

Now, it might be easy to say, “Maybe they have enough people covering them”.  The problem with that thought is that there isn’t that level of coverage.  Beyond local news, and a few niche travel sites, nobody gets to hear about Parks work, or wildlife conservation in Louisiana.  People don’t have the opportunity to find easy access to hunting or fishing seasons in Louisiana.

Other’s may take a shielded approach by attacking coverage quality.  We have a strict politics free editorial policy.  We don’t make characterizations, nor do we apply them to quotes.  Our regular readers notice we provide context to our coverage with contextual maps, images, video, and documents.  This has been the case, and at great expense since our founding.  We can line up hundreds of people interviewed who can attest to our honest, well mannered approach to reporting.

Attacking our responsiveness would be just plain silly.  We have a CLEARLY outlined news and article submission page.  We actively communicate with state press agencies around the country to ensure we’re providing the highest quality information available.  We do this because the hours of dedicated work to care for our nation’s outdoor spaces is worth something.  Their work means something.  To them, and every person who benefits even remotely from the sweat of their brow.  We honor that work, and have done so every day since our founding.

The lowest form of rationale would be to question my credentials to report on outdoor news.  “What business does he have”?  I’m the 8th generation of my family to be involved with wildlife conservation and stewardship.  I grew up on the shores of Lake Ontario.  I have been actively involved with outdoor sports from a young age.  I have been involved with conservation work and land stewardship just as long.

I have experienced the issues and pain points sportsmen have experienced for 40 years now. I have always made my home near our nation’s wild spaces.  To put a razor sharp tip to the point, we aren’t based out of New York City and owned by the same company like our nearest subject matter competitors.

Once we burn off all other matters in the crucible, remains the most repugnant of bias. Sexual identity. Which shouldn’t even be a question because I don’t even know them, much less be interested in that kind of activity. I certainly don’t have those issues or concerns as an LGBT Journalist with the other 49 states or 15 international governments we work with.

Granted Washington and Oregon are butt hurt by what we publish, they have the grace and manners to maintain a fair reporting media relationship. Because they know when the chips are down, I will write a FAIR AND HONEST article when everyone else is gathering the pitch forks and torches.

Though all of the biased and bigoted behavior shown by media representatives in the State Of Louisiana toward this LGBT Journalist, we are STILL willing to maintain a fair and accountable media relationship. We’re mature enough to recognize that not everyone in the state holds such narrow minded bigoted views to the extent they would sabotage the tourism potential of their state beyond a bar counter.

We welcome individual Louisiana parks and agencies to contact us directly at editor@therogueoutdoorsman.com . We don’t charge for publishing your press releases or news articles. You may get requests for local photos of your project or event to provide context and aid in it’s promotion. We endeavor to provide a friendly and non confrontational environment to promote the ethical use of our amazing Nation’s public lands.

https://www.louisiana.gov/