IRE board issues statement in support of LGBTQ+ community

Today, the IRE Board of Directors issued the following statement:

IRE is committed to maintaining a safe environment where all our members can learn and be supported professionally. We believe all discrimination is damaging, including discrimination based on gender identity or expression.

In advance of the 2023 IRE Conference in Orlando, some of our members have expressed concern about their safety, especially in light of new legislation in Florida aimed at the LGBTQ+ community passed this year.

We want to reiterate that we will do everything we can to ensure all attendees are supported and protected. If anybody feels unsafe during the conference, they should seek out an IRE staff member or board member for assistance. They are there to help. IRE also has a Code of Conduct to address complaints of discriminatory or harassing behavior. We encourage members to reach out to the IRE board or executive director with further questions.  Please review the organization’s recent DEI initiatives for additional details.

There are LGBTQ+ journalists in Florida who are IRE members, colleagues and friends – and we support them. We will be there in Orlando to do just that.  We will be more than 1,000 strong in Orlando, and we are proud to show where we stand – for the LGBTQ+ community and journalists everywhere.