ERIN REED
Erin Reed is a Washington D.C.-based journalist, content creator, and activist making an indelible mark in journalism and on the lives of trans folks with her unwavering dedication to tracking LGBTQ+ legislation across the United States. As the creator of the subscription Substack newsletter Erin In The Morning, she has become a trusted source for individuals and national leaders seeking to stay informed about critical issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community. Reed’s journalism career began as she faced challenges receiving gender-affirming care. “My clinic required a six hour round trip to obtain my hormone therapy,” she says. “I knew there had to be a better solution.” She mapped out hormone therapy clinics offering medications through informed consent—a vital resource for transgender folks. Reed’s commitment quickly made her a central hub for information, and she is often one of the very few reporters covering legislation that targets LGBTQ+ people. Reed’s unique perspectives and her tireless work reporting on state-level LGBTQ+ legislation have earned her accolades and praise nationwide. Her reporting has been featured in major media outlets; her map of the states that are voting against trans people, in particular, is the country’s most detailed; and she ensures that instances of resistance against harmful laws are widely viewed and accessible to all through her social media platforms. The most rewarding aspect of her work, she says, is “witnessing the profound impact of my reporting on people’s lives and especially queer and trans people’s lives. I regularly receive messages from individuals expressing gratitude for my hormone therapy map, which has empowered them to transition.” Looking ahead, Reed envisions a future where women reporters, especially those on the LGBTQ+ spectrum, receive the recognition and respect they deserve. She also has a personal milestone to celebrate: she recently got engaged to her girlfriend, Montana State Representative Zooey Zephyr, at a queer prom event in Missoula, Montana, (the city that sent Zephyr to the state legislature).
