For decades, queer media has served as an important source of community, news, culture, and entertainment for LGBTQ+ people across the U.S. From historic underground zines like DPN: Diseased Pariah News fighting misinformation surrounding HIV/AIDS in the ’90s, to legacy publications like Andy Warhol’s celebrity culture-focused Interview Magazine, to hyperlocal outlets like The Dallas Voice and yours truly, Queer Kentucky, these platforms have shaped the community’s relationship with one another and the way they consume media.

Queer Kentucky was founded in 2018 when LGBTQ+ coverage lacked within local publications. The organization gained traction quickly because people were hungry for queer media. Many LGBTQ+ people said they had only ever seen queer media as a coastal city privilege, so seeing their own neighbors’ stories highlighted in a popular, queer-run, and local publication gave them a strong sense of community and pride.

As a leader in Southeastern LGBTQ+ media, Queer Kentucky recognized the need to highlight the importance of queer media in the region. To better understand its impact, we collected data to assess the challenges, opportunities, and value these publications bring to the LGBTQ+ community. Our goal was to explore the Southern queer media landscape and measure how it resonates with its audience.

We engaged with 11 publications across the Southeast, gathering insights from publishers, staff reporters, and their audiences. Our survey covered everything from demographic data to the depth of connection readers feel with print media versus digital platforms.

Our study found that most LGBTQ+ media consumers are under 35, with many identifying as queer or nonbinary. For them, LGBTQ+ media plays a key role in building self-esteem and community. This is especially true in the Southeast, where rising anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric makes queer media feel even more vital. Younger readers, in particular, see it as a necessary tool for visibility and support. However, older readers are also well represented, with 20% of respondents being 66 years or age or above. And to our surprise, LGBTQ+ publications have a large cis-het readership, making up 26% of survey respondents.

Readers describe intense connection and validation coming from queer media. It’s a lifeline and a lens through which to learn about themselves and the world around them. For all publications surveyed and mentioned in our results, online is the primary method of reading. However, local media and major national publications are still picked up in print by a quarter to a third of readership.

“A physical manifestation of the stories makes them tangible. It’s not just content tracking to break its way into your social media stream and maybe keeping my attention for 30 secs,” said a survey respondent. “I have a person’s life story in my hands, it makes them real and I think it pushes people who may not otherwise open to queer stories to pause and see them.”

The top reason LGBTQ+ people turn to queer media is advocacy and civic awareness, with 67% of respondents citing it as their primary motivation. Queer media amplifies global issues through an LGBTQ+ lens, offering perspectives often missing from mainstream coverage. It also plays a crucial role in affirming identities, making individuals feel safe, seen, and represented. Additionally, it serves as an essential resource for education on LGBTQ+ topics, from politics to health and wellness.

“Learning about different legislation that threatens the LGBTQ community and what we can do to reach out to our legislators to try to stop it,” said another respondent.

Queer media isn’t just about content—it’s about creating safe spaces. Younger readers (45 and under) see LGBTQ+ media as essential for building community and fostering a sense of security. They rely on it to discover aligned businesses, events, and connect with like-minded peers. Many credit queer media, especially social media, with helping them understand their identities and continue to seek it out as they grow. In turn, they trust these platforms to guide them toward safe spaces, both online and in person.

This need for safe spaces is even more urgent in the Southeast, where many readers say they feel queer communities are under attack and in need of financial, political, and emotional support.

Visibility is harder to come by, especially for younger queer Southerners, making LGBTQ+ media a crucial counter-narrative in a region often perceived as hostile. With fewer political representatives advocating for them, queer media plays a vital role in educating both LGBTQ+ and straight audiences on the challenges these communities face.

Despite the growing need for queer media in the Southeast, publishers say they face mounting challenges in keeping their outlets afloat. Rising material costs, an increasing demand for political coverage, and the desire to fairly compensate queer writers all add to the strain.

Funding is a persistent hurdle, but the value of queer media extends far beyond just event listings—it fosters community, provides education, and creates spaces where LGBTQ+ people feel seen and supported. Publishers also say that nonprofit and corporate grants should recognize this impact, understanding that queer media helps individuals find their identity while also educating broader audiences.

Meanwhile, advertisers should take note: this audience is deeply loyal and will actively support businesses that invest in the community. In a region where queer voices are more critical than ever, sustaining and supporting LGBTQ+ media isn’t just a financial decision—it’s an investment in visibility, advocacy, and the future of queer life in the South.

Want the fine details? Read the full study here.

Thank you to our participants: Queerency, Dallas Voice, Focus Mid-South, Connect, QnotesCarolinas, The Georgia Voice, Wussy Magazine, Skirt Magazine SoFlo, OutClique Magazine, and Reckon.