have our heroes in this profession: somebody who inspired us to get into this business by setting an example of telling the truth – whatever the cost and whatever the difficulties.

When I was growing up and thought I might go into broadcasting, it was Edward R. Murrow for those famous World War II broadcasts from the London rooftops and his courageous denunciation of Sen. Joseph McCarthy. I also admired all of the brave reporters – print and broadcast – who came to my native South to cover the civil rights revolution.

Younger journalists may think of Woodward and Bernstein and the Watergate story. Or Seymour Hersh and his dogged reporting from My Lai through Abu Ghraib. Or Christiane Amanpour and her stories from so many hot spots around the globe.

We in the LGBT community have our own heroes: LGBT journalists who have shown courage and resolve by telling the truth, including their own personal truths, whatever the cost and whatever the difficulties.

NLGJA's LGBT Journalists Hall of Fame was launched to make sure that their stories are told and preserved – not just for us, but for all journalists and for our readers and viewers.

The journalists honored here are true heroes. All of us hope that these stories will inspire you as they inspire us.

Kenneth Jost
Former Chair, LGBT Journalists Hall of Fame Committee