NLGJA Honors Missy Spears with the Jeanne Córdova Award
WASHINGTON, DC (August 5, 2025) – NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists has named Missy Spears, Executive Director of Queer Kentucky, as the 2025 recipient of the Jeanne Córdova Award.
Organization's Praise for Spears
NLGJA Executive Director Adam Pawlus praised Spears’ impact, noting her leadership and the tangible ways her journalism has strengthened public life in Kentucky. The organization highlighted her reporting and advocacy as lifesaving work worthy of the honor.
About the Jeanne Córdova Award
The Jeanne Córdova Award honors the legacy of journalist and Lesbian Tide editor and publisher Jeanne Córdova. It recognizes an LGBTQ+ woman for a current body of journalism or opinion work, especially coverage that addresses issues central to the LGBTQ+ community across any platform.
Spears’ Impact in Kentucky
As Executive Director of Queer Kentucky, Spears has expanded the outlet’s reach in a politically conservative state. She built consistent coverage of the Kentucky Legislature through a queer perspective and led the creation of the Queer Election Guide, a free, vis...