TODAY'S SCHEDULE

SATURDAY, AUG. 23

Breakfast
9:30AM-10:45AM

Breakout Sessions
9:30AM-10:45AM

Breakout Sessions
11:00AM-12:15AM

Lunch Plenary
12:30PM-2:00PM

Breakout Sessions
2:15PM-3:30PM

Closing Session
3:45PM-5:15PM

Authors' Café
3:45PM-5:45PM

Not-So-Silent Auction
6:45PM-8:45PM

View the full schedule here

TODAY'S WEATHER

WHAT IS NLGJA?

Find out more about NLGJA at the official website.

MENTORS

A big thanks to our mentors:

Brett Zongker
The Associated Press

Caroline K. Hauser
The Washington Post

Mark S. Luckie
Entertainment Weekly

Larry M. Shaw
ABC

Dennis M. Powell
ABC

Doug Mitchell
NPR

"The Michelangelo Signorile Show" at the 2008 NLGJA convention

by Laniaya Hoofatt

Why did Barack Obama interview with The Advocate? How does John McCain skate around the queer media? You can find these answers and more at the live broadcast of "The Michelangelo Signorile Show" at this year's NLGJA convention.

The talk show on Sirius OutQ will have guests discussing the issues and controversies in the current presidential election. The show will be broadcast live in the Thoroughbred room on the Concourse level from 2 to 4 p.m.

Sirius OutQ describes the show as "hard hitting" analysis and commentary with a comedic edge. Every week day afternoon, Signorile brings the latest news in today's society from a queer perspective.

Signorile will be joined by Pam Spaulding, blogger with Pam's House Blend; Lisa Keen, freelance writer; Kevin Naff, editor with the Washington Blade and Kerry Eleveld, news editor of The Advocate. Signorile and his guests will discuss the limited access the queer media has had with the candidates and the noticeable differences between the primaries and the general election.

This will not be another run of the mill election discussion. This live broadcast will discuss major points of both candidates' campaigns. Obama's Donnie McClurkin issue is just one of the many hot topics that will be analyzed through a queer perspective. McClurkin, a gospel singer, is a self professed ex-gay who has preformed at an event held by Obama that has some gays calling foul.

McCain will not be let off so easily. His stance on the queer community, marriage and adoption are up for grabs between Signorile and his guest.

Signorile is best known for his AIDS activism in the late 80's and his highly publicized outing of many mainstream media figures. He has also had four books published, including Outing Yourself and Queer in America.