Erin Reed (journalist)

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Erin Reed
Born1988or1989(age 35–36)
Louisiana, U.S.
Occupation(s)Journalist, transgender rights activist
Notable workErin in the Morning
Spouse
​
(m. 2024)​
Children1
TikTok information
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Followers448.7K
Likes20.1M
Last updated: October 30, 2024

Erin Reed (born 1988or1989) [1] is an American journalist and transgender rights activist. She writes a newsletter titled Erin in the Morning. [2]

Contents

Career

Reed worked as a digital director for The American Independent from 2016 until 2021. [3] [4] While there, she created a column that made election predictions. [5]

After 2021, Reed worked as a transgender rights blogger. She focuses on legislation that impacts LGBT, and often specifically transgender, people. [3] [6] In addition to her blog, Reed has written for Harper's Bazaar , [7] the Los Angeles Blade , [8] and other publications. [9] In 2024, she won the NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ Journalists Jeanne Córdova award. [10] Reed was awarded 2024's Outstanding Blog at the GLAAD Media Awards. [11]

Activism

Reed was inspired to become an advocate while searching for affirming medical providers after learning that her nearest suitable clinic was more than three hours away. [12] In 2019, Reed created a map of informed consent clinics to help trans people find healthcare providers. [4] In 2021, her data was used by anti-trans activists to harass healthcare providers on the list. [13] [14]

In 2022, Reed published a map tracking US states that had the most and least legislative protection for transgender individuals. She has updated the map as new laws are proposed and passed. [15] [16] [17] Her news coverage was widely shared on Twitter and Tiktok, with many videos going viral with thousands of views. Reed begun working on her newsletter full time in 2022. [12]

In 2024, Reed endorsed Kamala Harris in the 2024 United States presidential election. [18] She highlighted in public appearances that the Trump reelection campaign devoted significant funding towards anti-transgender advertising. [19] [20] After the election, Reed has continued to advocate for transgender healthcare access [21] , emphasizing the importance of local elections specifically [20] .

Personal life

Reed was raised in southern Louisiana, [22] and she now lives in Montgomery County, Maryland. [23] Reed has a son. [24]

Reed is transgender. [4] She began researching gender transition when she was 13. [4] However, she did not pursue it until her early 30s, as she did not know how to access healthcare options. [4] [22] In an editorial from the Advocate, Reed wrote that, "In truth, I’d known I was meant to be a girl as early as age 6, but society offered neither the concept nor the hope that such a truth could be realized." [21]

In 2022, Reed started a long-distance relationship with Montana state representative Zooey Zephyr. [25] They were engaged in 2023 [26] after Zephyr proposed at a local gay prom [27] . In 2023, the couple was targeted in failed swatting attempts. Reed credited local police for stopping the incident. [23] [28] Later that year, the Associated Press referred to Reed and Zephyr as "prominent figures in the world of LGBTQ+ advocacy," despite being unknown just a few months prior. [25]

Reed and Zephyr were married in December of 2024. The wedding ceremony was held at the Missoula County Fairgrounds in Montana, and was officiated by GLAAD president Sarah Kate Ellis. [29]

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References

  1. ↑ Munz, Michele (February 19, 2023). "Choice of lawyers for whistleblower at St. Louis transgender clinic taints her motive, critics say". St. Louis Post-Dispatch . Archived from the original on September 8, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  2. ↑ Reed, Erin (March 1, 2023). "Parents concerned as new state laws restrict rights of transgender children" (Interview). Interviewed by William Brangham. Archived from the original on September 1, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
  3. 1 2 Fritz, Will (April 28, 2023). "Independent journalist Erin Reed discusses Republicans' anti-LGBTQ proposals". The American Independent . Archived from the original on April 29, 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 O'Brien, Casey (October 16, 2019). "Meet the Woman Making It Easier for Trans People Around the Country to Get Hormones". Rewire News Group . Archived from the original on April 29, 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  5. ↑ "Erin Reed". The American Independent . Archived from the original on April 29, 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  6. ↑ Hansford, Amelia (May 9, 2023). "Trans journalist Erin Reed makes sobering prediction on future of queer rights". PinkNews . Archived from the original on May 20, 2023. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Erin Reed". Harper's Bazaar . Archived from the original on April 29, 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  8. ↑ Reed, Erin (May 11, 2023). "Trans patients being dropped as Florida law bans "Up To 80%"". Los Angeles Blade . Archived from the original on May 20, 2023. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Erin Reed". Xtra Magazine . Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  10. ↑ "Erin Reed Named the Recipient of the 2024 Jeanne Córdova Award : NLGJA" . Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  11. ↑ Levesque, Brody (May 13, 2024). "Journalist Erin Reed wins Best Blog at 35th annual GLAAD awards". Los Angeles Blade: LGBTQ News, Rights, Politics, Entertainment. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
  12. 1 2 Fraizer, Emmet (February 22, 2024). "The Mainstream Media Is Failing Trans People. These Journalists Are Fighting Back". ISSN   0027-8378 . Retrieved January 14, 2025.
  13. ↑ Skolnik, Jon (October 30, 2021). "Co-opting the message: How anti-trans activists hijacked a tool meant to help trans people". Salon . Archived from the original on April 29, 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  14. ↑ Doyle, Jude Ellison S. (March 30, 2022). "Anti-Trans Extremists 'Come For' Doctors". Ms. Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  15. ↑ Reed, Erin (July 18, 2022). "New Map! Anti-Transgender Legislative Risk By State". www.erininthemorning.com. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  16. ↑ Reed, Erin (March 5, 2023). "Second period anti-trans legislative risk assessment map". Los Angeles Blade . Archived from the original on April 29, 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  17. ↑ Ali, Joe (March 19, 2023). "Activist creates map of US to show where it's safe to be trans". PinkNews . Archived from the original on April 29, 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  18. ↑ "Why anti-transgender political ads are dominating the airwaves this election". PBS . November 2, 2024.
  19. ↑ "Why anti-transgender political ads are dominating the airwaves this election". PBS News. November 2, 2024. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
  20. 1 2 "Erin Reed on Pride and the Fight for Transgender Rights". Center for American Progress Action. June 14, 2024. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
  21. 1 2 "It was always going to be a generational fight for trans people". www.advocate.com. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
  22. 1 2 Parks, Casey (June 14, 2023). "LGBTQ+ Americans have stronger support than ever — and fiercer backlash". The Washington Post . Archived from the original on August 8, 2023. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  23. 1 2 Ahaghotu, Chioma-Emilia; Leshan, Bruce (May 3, 2023). "Montana Rep. Zooey Zephyr and her girlfriend avoid 'swatting' incidents". WUSA . Archived from the original on May 20, 2023. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
  24. ↑ "Power couple Zooey Zephyr and Erin Reed are spreading hope to fellow trans people". NBC News. June 27, 2023. Retrieved December 31, 2024.
  25. 1 2 Costley, Drew; Schoenbaum, Hannah; Hanson, Amy Beth (June 27, 2023). "Power couple Zooey Zephyr and Erin Reed are spreading hope to fellow transgender people". Missoula, Montana: Associated Press. Archived from the original on August 6, 2023. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  26. ↑ Yurcaba, Jo (May 8, 2023). "Trans Montana Rep. Zooey Zephyr proposes to girlfriend at queer prom". NBC News . Archived from the original on May 20, 2023. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
  27. ↑ Sprayregen, Molly (May 8, 2023). "Trans lawmaker Zooey Zephyr proposes to journalist girlfriend at queer prom". LGBTQ Nation. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
  28. ↑ Wiggins, Christoper (May 2, 2023). "Montana Transgender Rep. Zooey Zephyr's Girlfriend Foils SWATting Attempt". The Advocate . Archived from the original on May 3, 2023. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  29. ↑ Owen, Greg (December 17, 2024). "Trans power couple Zooey Zephyr & Erin Reed got married & the pictures will melt your heart". LGBTQ Nation. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
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