Article Submissions: OP-ED, Commentary, & Events
Queer Kentucky publishes original writing that centers LGBTQ+ people in Kentucky.
Our editorial focus is grounded in three core areas:
- Government and politics
- Public health
- The arts and queer joy
We are especially interested in work that examines how power, policy, culture, and community shape queer life across the state.
We welcome reported journalism, interviews, cultural criticism, first-person essays, and opinion pieces that align with these priorities.
We maintain editorial standards and cannot publish every submission. All pitches and drafts are reviewed for clarity, relevance, quality, and alignment with our mission and editorial priorities.
Please note: General submissions are unpaid. We do pay writers for commissioned work when funding is available.
We also accept press releases for LGBTQ+ events. We do not have the capacity to attend or cover most events, but we will consider publishing complete press releases with photos.
If you are unsure whether your idea fits, send a pitch before drafting a full piece.
What We Publish
We accept original, unpublished op-eds and commentary that:
- Center LGBTQ+ people in Kentucky and surrounding Appalachia
- Make a clear argument
- Engage a current issue, local debate, or community concern
- Offer cultural critique, political analysis, or grounded perspective
- Uplift intersectional voices, including BIPOC, trans and nonbinary people, rural communities, disabled LGBTQ+ people, immigrants, and working-class Kentuckians
We are especially interested in work that is Kentucky-specific, accessible, and willing to challenge systems of power.
Topics of Interest
Examples include:
- Kentucky legislation impacting LGBTQ+ people
- Trans healthcare and safety in the South
- Rural organizing and community building
- Queer life outside major cities
- Faith and LGBTQ+ identity
- Education, book bans, and youth advocacy
- Labor, housing, poverty, and mutual aid
- Arts and culture through a queer lens
- Accountability writing about public institutions
- Responses to urgent local events
This list is not exhaustive.
What We Do Not Publish
We do not accept:
- Previously published work,including blogs, Substack, or social media posts
- Poetry, fiction, or creative writing
- Personal essays without a broader argument or community relevance
- Unfinished drafts requiring heavy editing
- National commentary without a meaningful Kentucky connection
- Hate speech, bigotry, or dehumanizing language
- Allegations that require legal review
- Promotional or advertorial content, including rewritten press releases
Event Submissions and Press Releases
We cannot attend or cover most events.
If you would like your event considered for publication, submit a complete press release with high-quality photos and photo credits.
Include:
- Event name
- Date, time, and location
- Description of the event
- Why it matters to LGBTQ+ communities in Kentucky
- Quotes from organizers
Publication is not guaranteed. Submission does not mean we will attend.
Length and Format
- 600 to 1,300 words
- Google Doc preferred, submitted as an editable link
- Suggested headline
- 2 to 3 sentence author bio, pronouns optional
- Optional headshot or images you have permission to share
We may request sources for factual claims.
Use of AI Tools
Submissions must be written by the author.
We do not accept articles generated or substantially written using artificial intelligence tools. AI-drafted or AI-rewritten submissions will be declined.
Basic proofreading tools are acceptable. The ideas, structure, and argument must be your own.
By submitting, you confirm the work is original and not AI-generated.
Editorial Process
- Submissions are reviewed on a rolling basis.
- We may suggest edits for clarity, length, and tone.
- We reserve the right to edit for grammar and style.
- Acceptance does not guarantee immediate publication.
Payment
We do not currently pay for general submissions.
We do pay for commissioned content when grant funding allows. Paid opportunities are announced on our social media channels, and we prioritize writers directly impacted by the issue being covered.
Rights
By submitting, you confirm the work is original and unpublished.
If accepted, Queer Kentucky may publish the piece on our website and digital platforms and edit it for clarity and alignment with our guidelines.
Published pieces may not be submitted elsewhere without permission. Authors may request permission to republish later.
The views expressed are those of the author.
Response Time
Please allow up to 3 business days for a response. You are welcome to follow up after that time.
