Dana Piccoli - Award-winning writer, LGBTQ+ speaker and host
Writer - Host - LGBTQ+ Speaker

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Dana Piccoli.
LGBTQ+ media · Journalism · Strategy

Building a stronger future for LGBTQ+ media.

Journalist. Media strategist. Collaborative leader.

I bring newsrooms, researchers and organizations together to strengthen LGBTQ+ journalism and the communities it serves.

Explore my work ↗Let’s connect
Dana Piccoli smiling, wearing a cream jacket over a black top
Dana PiccoliMedia leadership & strategy

The work.

Three connected areas of expertise
01

Media leadership

Building partnerships and supporting independent LGBTQ+ journalism through News is Out.

02

Collaboration & project management

Connecting newsrooms, researchers and organizations around shared projects, and managing them from first plan to final report so they serve communities and strengthen local journalism.

03

Speaking & storytelling

Bringing journalism, LGBTQ+ cultural knowledge and a moderator’s curiosity to conferences, conversations and events.

Work & impact.

Selected projects
Media leadership

News is Out

Leading a national LGBTQ+ media collaborative, building publisher partnerships and supporting journalism that serves LGBTQ+ communities.

Explore News is Out ↗
Research & media sustainability

The LGBTQ+ media mapping project

Contributing to research documenting the local LGBTQ+ media landscape, its challenges and opportunities for collaboration.

Explore the mapping project ↗
Collaboration & community impact

Economic Opportunity Lab

As project manager, organized and led a yearlong collaboration between 48 diverse newsrooms and researchers focused on economic mobility and opportunity.

Explore the lab ↗

Speaking & moderating

A thoughtful speaker. A prepared moderator.

I’m available for conference talks, panel moderation and guest conversations with classes, student organizations and community groups. I speak about my work in LGBTQ+ journalism, leading a national media collaborative and bringing newsrooms and researchers together. I bring a journalist’s preparation, a host’s warmth and room for questions.

Invite me to your event ↗

Topics I bring to the stage

  • The future of LGBTQ+ journalism
  • Collaboration across newsrooms and communities
  • Media sustainability and partnerships
  • LGBTQ+ representation and pop culture
  • My path in journalism and media leadership

About Dana

A journalist’s curiosity.
A collaborative approach.

I’m Dana Piccoli, managing director of News is Out, a journalist, a media strategist and a project manager. My work connects editorial experience with partnerships, research and collaborative projects that support LGBTQ+ media.

I’m a recipient of the Curve Foundation’s Curve Award for Excellence in Lesbian Coverage.

I also serve on the national board of NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists as an at-large director (2026–2028).

My background spans queer entertainment and culture, editing, podcasting, writing and moderating. That experience shapes how I approach leadership: ask good questions, bring people together and keep the community at the center.

The Map of Us.

A podcast hosted by Dana Piccoli

Seven episodes. A national conversation.

The people keeping queer media going.

I talk with LGBTQ+ publishers, editors and journalists about the economics of queer media, reporting under threat and building a sustainable future.

A companion to the LGBTQ+ Media Mapping Project, this seven-part series brings the research into conversation with the people doing the work.

Listen to The Map of Us ↗

Selected journalism.

Reporting · Commentary · History

Journalism · Strategy · Collaboration

Let’s connect.

Have a project, partnership or conversation in mind?
I’m also available for speaking, moderating and visits with classes and groups.

Get in touch ↗
© Dana PiccoliJournalism. Community. Collaboration.