We Want to Hear From You

Op-Eds & Submissions

Queer Kentucky is the only dedicated LGBTQ+ newsroom in Kentucky. We cover policy and government, public health, and arts and culture for LGBTQ+ communities across the state. Our reporting keeps a largely rural and at-risk population informed, connected, and seen.

This page is for community members, advocates, writers, and emerging storytellers who want to contribute op-eds, commentary, essays, and press releases. We accept unpaid submissions on a rolling basis. Looking for paid assignments? Visit our Paid Opportunities page.

New to pitching? Learn who we work with →

Read the guidelines below for the type of submission you are sending: op-ed, commentary, or press release.

Fill out the pitch form. Tell us what you are submitting or pitching, why it matters to LGBTQ+ Kentuckians, and a little about yourself.

We will follow up within 3 business days.

Open Anytime

What We Accept

We publish op-eds, commentary, and press releases for LGBTQ+ news and events in Kentucky on a rolling basis. General submissions are unpaid. If you are not sure whether your idea fits, pitch it before you write the full piece.

What We Publish

Op-eds and commentary on policy, public health, and arts and culture in Kentucky
Cultural criticism and community reporting through a queer lens
Responses to urgent local or state events affecting LGBTQ+ Kentuckians
Accountability writing about public institutions
First-person essays with clear community relevance
Press releases for LGBTQ+ news and events in Kentucky

What We Don’t Publish

Previously published work, including Substack and blog posts
Poetry, fiction, or creative writing
Anonymous submissions or stories relying on anonymous sourcing
Personal essays without broader community relevance
National commentary without a meaningful Kentucky connection
Unfinished drafts that require heavy editing
Promotional or advertorial content
Unverified claims or accusations. If you assert something as fact, you must be able to link to sources that support it.

On AI: Your submission must be written by you. We do not accept pitches, outlines, drafts, or stories where AI was used at any stage of the process, including research, writing, outlining, or fact-checking. Basic spellcheck and grammar tools are fine. The idea, reporting, structure, and argument must be entirely your own. Submissions that appear to use AI at any stage will be declined.

Topics of Interest

Kentucky legislation and LGBTQ+ policy. 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. This list is not exhaustive.

Format

Length500 – 800 words	FormatGoogle Doc (editable link)	Photos1 – 3 required; high-res with credits
IncludeSuggested headline + 2 to 3 sentence bio	Response timeUp to 3 business days	PaymentUnpaid

Press Releases

We receive far more submissions than we have the capacity to cover or publish. Submitting does not guarantee coverage or publication. All submissions must meet a professional writing standard.

To be considered, submit a complete press release: a short, factual document written in the third person. Think of it as a news summary, not a promotional flyer. Tell us who, what, when, where, and why it matters.

Name, date, time, and location (for events)
Description (150 to 300 words): What is this, what will happen, who is it for?
Why it matters to LGBTQ+ communities in Kentucky
A quote from an organizer or spokesperson
1 to 3 high-quality photos with photo credits. We cannot publish without images.