This year, we have 18 participating LGBTQ+ media outlets, a $5,000 matching sponsor for the day and two Power Hour sponsors. Plus a little extra love ($400 from LMA team members to start us off).
Our plan is to create several big moments when everyone is talking about Media Day at once, then stagger additional posts throughout the day based roughly on when your audience is most active.
These are suggested posting windows, not requirements. Use what works for your outlet and audience and feel free to schedule posts.
Image assets: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/17QtQkhHCmUwsIAFJ2nQv8xjymbjccTen
Social posts (feel free to create your own): https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jbCArLswb2R1YnfTP4CAlI8zAJrHkICnsSe1YYkvxac/edit?tab=t.0
Fundraiser link: https://givebutter.com/LGBTQMediaGivingDay2026
The big picture
All-day $5,000 match
We have a $5,000 matching sponsor for Local LGBTQ+ Media Giving Day. This will be our main fundraising message throughout the day.
Power Hour #1: Youth MOVE
7 a.m. PT / 10 a.m. ET
We’ll launch Media Day with a $100 Power Hour match from Youth MOVE.
https://youthmovenational.org/
https://www.instagram.com/youthmove
https://www.facebook.com/YouthMOVENational/
East Coast and Central should post at launch.
Power Hour #2: Minocqua Brewing Company Times
2 p.m. PT / 5 p.m. ET
Our second Power Hour will feature a $300 match from Minocqua Brewing Company.
https://www.instagram.com/mbcbrews/
https://www.facebook.com/MBCBrews
We’re placing this later in the day to create another burst of activity as the East Coast workday ends and the West Coast heads into the afternoon.
Everyone should post for this Power Hour.
Day-of schedule
|
PT |
ET |
What’s happening |
Suggested outlets |
|
7 a.m. |
10 a.m. |
LAUNCH + Youth MOVE $100 Power Hour |
East Coasters and Central |
|
8 a.m. |
11 a.m. |
Morning push |
The Buckeye Flame, Philadelphia Gay News, Washington Blade, PrideSource/Between the Lines, Queer Kentucky |
|
9 a.m. |
Noon |
Lunch-hour push begins |
Windy City Times, Dallas Voice, OutSFL, Gaily Show, E3 Radio |
|
10 a.m. |
1 p.m. |
Community/storytelling push |
The Buckeye Flame, Philadelphia Gay News, Washington Blade, PrideSource/Between the Lines, Queer Kentucky |
|
11 a.m. |
2 p.m. |
Keep the momentum going |
Windy City Times, Dallas Voice, OutSFL, Gaily Show, E3 Radio |
|
Noon |
3 p.m. |
West Coast afternoon push |
Bay Area Reporter, Los Angeles Blade, Lookout, Seattle Gay News, News is Out |
|
1 p.m. |
4 p.m. |
Build toward the next Power Hour |
Bay Area Reporter, Los Angeles Blade, Lookout, Seattle Gay News, News is Out |
|
2 p.m. |
5 p.m. |
Minocqua Brewing Company Times $300 Power Hour |
EVERYONE |
|
3 p.m. |
6 p.m. |
East/Central after-work push |
Windy City Times, Dallas Voice, OutSFL, Gaily Show, E3 Radio, Tagg Magazine |
|
4 p.m. |
7 p.m. |
West Coast after-work + final-hour warning |
Bay Area Reporter, Los Angeles Blade, Lookout, Seattle Gay News, News is Out |
|
5 p.m. |
8 p.m. |
FINAL PUSH + campaign wrap |
West Coasters |
What to talk about throughout the day
Don’t make every post the same fundraising ask. Mix up the message as the day progresses.
Launch: Local LGBTQ+ Media Giving Day is here. Help us start strong and work toward our $20,000 goal.
Power Hours: Lead with the additional matching opportunity and the one-hour deadline.
Your newsroom: Tell your audience what their support makes possible for your outlet. This is your chance to make the ask personal.
The larger network: Remind readers that LGBTQ+ media organizations across the country are participating together. Talk about the role independent LGBTQ+ journalism plays in your community and why reader support matters.
The $5,000 match: Remind people throughout the day that donations are being matched.
Progress: Share campaign updates as we hit milestones.
The moments we really need everyone
If you can’t follow the full schedule, prioritize these:
7 a.m. PT / 10 a.m. ET: East Coasters
Launch + Youth MOVE $100 Power Hour
Midday
Share or repost a Media Day update when it makes sense for your audience.
2 p.m. PT / 5 p.m. ET
Minocqua Brewing Company Times $300 Power Hour
5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET: West Coasters
Final coordinated push + campaign wrap
A few ways to help beyond your own posts
Share other participating outlets. If you see another Media Day post, amplify it. Shares and reposts help us reach beyond our individual audiences.
Talk about your own work. Your audience already knows you. Tell them what their donations help you do.
Use your newsletters. If you have an email going out on Oct. 8, include Media Day prominently and link directly to the campaign.
Ask your people directly. Staff, board members, contributors and supporters can help extend the campaign beyond your outlet’s primary social accounts.
Keep an eye on updates from News is Out. We’ll share campaign totals, milestones and updated language throughout the day so you have something fresh to post. Dana will also be personally thanking everyone who donates.
Our goal: $20,000
This is our third Local LGBTQ+ Media Giving Day, and this year we have something we haven’t had before: multiple matching sponsors helping us turn individual donations into even more support for LGBTQ+ media. We already have $6,000 in matching donations so we’re starting off strong, a quarter of the way there.
With 18 participating outlets pushing together throughout the day, we have a real opportunity to make this our biggest Media Day yet.
Participant prep sheet
Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026
Campaign: 7 a.m.–5 p.m. PT / 10 a.m.–8 p.m. ET
Goal: $20,000
