by Laniaya Hoofatt

Before heading to the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Michelangelo Signorile stopped by the NLGJA convention to do a live broadcast of his Sirius Satellite Show. Signorile was joined by Lisa Keen, freelance writer; Kevin Naff, editor of Washington Blade; and Kerry Eleveld, news editor of The Advocate.

The availability of the candidates to LGBT media has been limited and sometimes nonexistent, said the panelists. It is already hard for journalists to gain access to a candidate, but it is even more difficult for a gay-media outlet to get past those sacred gates of their campaign doors.

"I simply want an interview, and I want it in person," said Keen, who has repeatedly tried to get interviews with Barack Obama and has been ignored. "Readers need to find out as much as they can."

The candidates have been hesitant to be too supportive of gay rights and even more hesitant to speak to gay media.

"Candidates don't want to be too supportive of the gays," Keen said.

Signorile and his guests discussed how the gay press has had limited access to Democratic presidential candidates than in past contests. For example, Eleveld had a friend ask Obama at a private event why he didn't do more LGBT media, and Obama responded by saying, "You're right, we need to do more LGBT press."

Aside from an interview with The Advocate, Obama has avoided LGBT press, leaving most gay media out in the dust.

"I don't think either of them want to talk to us," Eleveld said.

The conversation veered into the one opportunity the queer community had to get the questions they wanted answered—last year's Human Rights Campaign forum—and it was done by a panel including Melissa Etheridge, but no journalists from the LGBT press.* The panelists repeatedly returned to that fact.

The panelists want the presidential candidates to understand there is nothing simple about the queer community. Gays are no different than anyone else in this country, they said. They want to be afforded the same rights of their straight counterparts.

Signorile says the real test will come after the election when Obama is inaugurated.

"No candidate really does follow through on their promises. If he [Obama] follows through on one or two promises that would be great, but once they get in office reality sets in and if Obama has the will to do it he will," Signorile said.

*Journalists Jonathan Capehart and Margaret Carlson were in attendance at the event unlike previously noted.