News is Out member publication Dallas Voice has been announced as a finalist for the LION Local Journalism Award in the category of Collaboration of the Year. This recognition is a result of Dallas Voice’s integral role in co-founding and participation in News Is Out, a pioneering LGBTQ+ news collaborative incubated by Local Media Association. News is Out was launched in late 2022 with a focus on sustainability in queer media.
Regarding the nomination, Dallas Voice publisher Leo Cusimano said, “For successful publishers, it is all about evolving, changing with the times, adapting to new technologies, and staying ahead of the game. Collaborative journalism is the next big thing in local media. It is all about creating a sustainable future.”
The winners will be announced at the upcoming LION Award Ceremony and Dinner, Oct. 3. in Durham, North Carolina.
The LION Awards acknowledge the achievements of local independent online news enterprises that encompass their pillars of sustainability: journalistic impact, financial health and operational resilience.
Dallas Voice’s columnists have also recently been acknowledged by the Association of Alternative Newsmedia. Tammye Nash, managing editor of Dallas Voice, received a second place AAN Award in the political column category while contributing columnist and drag performer Cassie Nova (James Love) received an honorable mention for his “Ask A Drag Queen” column.
Dallas Voice made history in 2022 by becoming the first LGBTQ+ news media publication to be granted membership in AAN and hosted the 2023 AAN annual conference and awards ceremony in Dallas this July.