Samantha Leigh Allen

Last updated
Samantha Leigh Allen
Born California, U.S.
Occupation
  • Journalist
  • author
NationalityAmerican
Education Brigham Young University
Rutgers University
Emory University (PhD)
Notable works Real Queer America (2019)
Notable awards GLAAD Media Award (2018)

Samantha Leigh Allen is an American journalist and author. Allen worked as a senior reporter for The Daily Beast and now works as Senior Culture Editor at Them. In 2019 she published the nonfiction book Real Queer America: LGBT Stories From Red States .

Contents

Early life and education

Allen was born in California and grew up in New Jersey. [1] She was raised in a conservative, Mormon household. [2] [3] As a young adult she served as a Mormon missionary. [4] She officially left the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 2008 and transferred from Brigham Young University to Rutgers University later that year. [2] [5] She came out as a transgender woman in 2012. [6] [7]

She has a Ph.D. in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies with a certificate in Psychoanalytic Studies from Emory University. [8] [9] She was a recipient of a George W. Woodruff Fellowship while at Emory. [10] In 2013 she received the John Money Fellowship for Scholars of Sexology from the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University Bloomington. [11] In 2014 she was a recipient of the Unsung Heroine Award from the Center for Women at Emory as well as a Transgender Advocate of the Year Award from Emory's Office of LGBT Life. [12]

Career

Allen covered LGBTQ stories as a senior reporter for The Daily Beast and worked as a staff writer for Fusion TV's Sex + Life vertical. [11] [13] She later became a Senior Culture Editor at Them. [14] She has written for The New York Times , Rolling Stone , Out , CNN, and Crosscut.com . [12] Allen has also written for LGBTQ media outlets including Them [15] and Logo TV's NewNowNext as a freelance writer. [16] She also writes a travel newsletter called Get Lost on Substack and co-hosts a podcast about the WNBA called Double W with Laurel Powell. [16]

In 2018 she received the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Digital Journalism Article for her article on the cultural erasure of bisexual men. In 2019 she was nominated for a GLAAD Award her piece on non-binary inclusion in the workplace. [12] In 2018 Allen published Love & Estrogen with Amazon Original Stories, which is a biographical queer romantic comedy about meeting her wife at the Kinsey Institute. [12]

In 2019 she published the biography Real Queer America: LGBT Stories From Red States , which won the Judy Turner Prize for Community Service at the Decatur Books Festival. [12] [17] Her book focuses on LGBTQ communities in Utah, Texas, Indiana, Tennessee, Georgia, and Mississippi. [16] [18] [19] [20]

Allen's first fiction novel, Patricia Wants to Cuddle, was published June 28, 2022 by Zando. It follows the final four contestants on a reality dating show as they encounter a creature named Patricia in the woods on a remote island. [21] [22]

On November 6, 2024, Allen's spouse, Corey Burke, was arrested for the murder of her father, who was found bludgeoned and stabbed in the Seattle house they shared. [23] [24] [25]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBTQ community</span> Community and culture of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people

The LGBTQ community is a loosely defined grouping of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning individuals united by a common culture and social movements. These communities generally celebrate pride, diversity, individuality, and sexuality. LGBTQ activists and sociologists see LGBTQ community-building as a counterweight to heterosexism, homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, sexualism, and conformist pressures that exist in the larger society. The term pride or sometimes gay pride expresses the LGBTQ community's identity and collective strength; pride parades provide both a prime example of the use and a demonstration of the general meaning of the term. The LGBTQ community is diverse in political affiliation. Not all people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender consider themselves part of the LGBTQ community.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Human Rights Campaign</span> LGBTQ civil rights advocacy group

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is an American LGBTQ advocacy group. It is the largest LGBTQ political lobbying organization within the United States. Based in Washington, D.C., the organization focuses on protecting and expanding rights for LGBTQ individuals, including advocating for same-sex marriage, anti-discrimination and hate crimes legislation, and HIV/AIDS advocacy. The organization has a number of legislative initiatives as well as supporting resources for LGBTQ individuals.

LGBTQ slang, LGBTQ speak, queer slang, or gay slang is a set of English slang lexicon used predominantly among LGBTQ+ people. It has been used in various languages since the early 20th century as a means by which members of the LGBTQ+ community identify themselves and speak in code with brevity and speed to others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBTQ tourism</span> Tourism marketed to LGBTQ people

LGBTQ tourism is a form of tourism marketed to gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer(LGBTQ) people. People might be open about their sexual orientation and gender identity at times, but less so in areas known for violence against LGBTQ people.

Over the course of its history, the LGBTQ community has adopted certain symbols for self-identification to demonstrate unity, pride, shared values, and allegiance to one another. These symbols communicate ideas, concepts, and identity both within their communities and to mainstream culture. The two symbols most recognized internationally are the pink triangle and the rainbow flag.

Historically, the portrayal of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people in media has been largely negative if not altogether absent, reflecting a general cultural intolerance of LGBTQ individuals; however, from the 1990s to present day, there has been an increase in the positive depictions of LGBTQ people, issues, and concerns within mainstream media in North America. The LGBTQ communities have taken an increasingly proactive stand in defining their own culture, with a primary goal of achieving an affirmative visibility in mainstream media. The positive portrayal or increased presence of the LGBTQ communities in media has served to increase acceptance and support for LGBT communities, establish LGBTQ communities as a norm, and provide information on the topic.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer+(LGBTQ+)music is music that focuses on the experiences of gender and sexual minorities as a product of the broad gay liberation movement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Susan Stryker</span> American professor, historian, author, and filmmaker

Susan O'Neal Stryker, best known as Susan Stryker, is an American professor, historian, author, filmmaker, and theorist whose work focuses on gender and sexuality and trans realities. She is a professor of Gender and Women's Studies, former director of the Institute for LGBT Studies, and founder of the Transgender Studies Initiative at the University of Arizona. Stryker is the author of several books and a founding figure of transgender studies as well as a leading scholar of transgender history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBTQ culture in New York City</span>

New York City has been described as the gay capital of the world and the central node of the LGBTQ+ sociopolitical ecosystem, and is home to one of the world's largest and most prominent LGBTQ+ populations. Brian Silverman, the author of Frommer's New York City from $90 a Day, wrote the city has "one of the world's largest, loudest, and most powerful LGBT communities", and "Gay and lesbian culture is as much a part of New York's basic identity as yellow cabs, high-rise buildings, and Broadway theatre". LGBT travel guide Queer in the World states, "The fabulosity of Gay New York is unrivaled on Earth, and queer culture seeps into every corner of its five boroughs". LGBTQ advocate and entertainer Madonna stated metaphorically, "Anyways, not only is New York City the best place in the world because of the queer people here. Let me tell you something, if you can make it here, then you must be queer."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">African-American LGBTQ community</span> African-American population within the LGBT community

The African-American LGBT community, otherwise referred to as the Black American LGBT community, is part of the overall LGBTQ culture and overall African-American culture. The initialism LGBT stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender.

The National LGBTQ Wall of Honor is a memorial wall in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City, dedicated to LGBTQ "pioneers, trailblazers, and heroes". Located inside the Stonewall Inn, the wall is part of the Stonewall National Monument, the first U.S. National Monument dedicated to the country's LGBTQ rights and history. The first fifty inductees were unveiled June 27, 2019, as a part of events marking the 50th anniversary of Stonewall. Five honorees are added annually.

<i>Real Queer America</i> 2019 non-fiction book by Samantha Allen

Real Queer America: LGBT Stories From Red States is a 2019 nonfiction book written by Samantha Allen. The book documents a road trip Allen took in the summer of 2017 through LGBT communities in conservative parts of the United States, focusing on Utah, Texas, Indiana, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Georgia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the LGBT community</span> Impact of COVID-19 on the LGBTQ+ community

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted inequities experienced by marginalized populations, and has had a significant impact on the LGBT community. Pride events were cancelled or postponed worldwide. More than 220 gay pride celebrations around the world were canceled or postponed in 2020, and in response a Global Pride event was hosted online. LGBTQ+ people also tend to be more likely to have pre-existing health conditions, such as asthma, HIV/AIDS, cancer, or obesity, that would worsen their chances of survival if they became infected with COVID-19. They are also more likely to smoke.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pride Month</span> Monthlong observance celebrating LGBTQ culture

Pride Month, sometimes specified as LGBTQ Pride Month, is a monthlong observance dedicated to the celebration of LGBTQ pride, commemorating the contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer(LGBTQ) culture and community. Pride Month is observed in June in the United States, coinciding with the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall riots, a series of gay liberation protests.

References

  1. ↑ "Real Queer America author Samantha Allen on why Atlanta is the best city in the country for the LGBTQ community". Atlanta Magazine. 12 March 2019. Archived from the original on 2020-02-28. Retrieved 2020-02-28.
  2. 1 2 "Samantha Allen- Real Queer America — Love Les". Loveles.co. Archived from the original on 2020-02-28. Retrieved 2020-02-28.
  3. ↑ "Crowdfunding just bought Samantha Allen a vagina | the Daily Dot". The Daily Dot . Archived from the original on 2020-02-28. Retrieved 2020-02-28.
  4. ↑ "The Seattle Public Library - Author Readings and Library Events: Samantha Allen discusses Real Queer America: LGBT Stories from Red States on Apple Podcasts". Podcasts.apple.com. Retrieved 2020-02-28.[ dead link ]
  5. ↑ "Former BYU Student Samatha Allen Shares Stories of LGBTQ Americans in Conservative States". Archived from the original on 2020-02-28. Retrieved 2020-02-28.
  6. ↑ "Samantha Allen: On Exploring LGBTQ Culture in America's Red States – Profiles in Pride". Archived from the original on 2020-02-28. Retrieved 2020-02-28.
  7. ↑ Darling, Wendy (Fall 2018). "Seen & Heard". Emory Medicine Magazine. News.emory.edu. Archived from the original on 2020-02-28. Retrieved 2020-02-28.
  8. ↑ "Samantha Allen". Mic.com. 1994-09-22. Retrieved 2020-02-28.
  9. ↑ "Taking the Leap: A Conversation with Samantha Leigh Allen". Popqt.com. Retrieved 2020-02-28.[ permanent dead link ]
  10. ↑ "Samantha Allen - LA Times Festival of Books 2019". Latimesfestivalofbooks2019.sched.com. Archived from the original on 2020-02-28. Retrieved 2020-02-28.
  11. 1 2 "Samantha Allen | Fusion". Fusion.tv. Archived from the original on 2020-02-28. Retrieved 2020-02-28.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 "Samantha Leigh Allen". Samantha Leigh Allen. Archived from the original on 2020-02-05. Retrieved 2020-02-28.
  13. ↑ Samantha Allen@SLAwrites (14 August 2019). "Samantha Allen". The Daily Beast. Archived from the original on 2020-01-30. Retrieved 2020-02-28.
  14. ↑ "Samantha Allen". Them. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
  15. ↑ "Samantha Allen Latest Articles". Them.us. Archived from the original on 2020-02-28. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
  16. 1 2 3 Daniel Bogan (2019-12-26). "Uses This / Samantha Allen". Usesthis.com. Archived from the original on 2020-01-03. Retrieved 2020-02-28.
  17. ↑ McIlvain, Ryan (2019-06-20). ""Progress Is Happening and It's Happening Everywhere": A Conversation with Samantha Allen – BLARB". Blog.lareviewofbooks.org. Archived from the original on 2020-02-28. Retrieved 2020-02-28.
  18. ↑ "Writer finds LGBT support, inclusion in red states". Msnbc.com. Archived from the original on 2020-02-28. Retrieved 2020-02-28.
  19. ↑ "The journalist telling the complicated, hopeful truth about LGBTQ life in red states - Columbia Journalism Review". Cjr.org. Archived from the original on 2020-02-28. Retrieved 2020-02-28.
  20. ↑ "Review: 'Real Queer America' shines light on LGBT folks living in red states - Los Angeles Times". Los Angeles Times . Archived from the original on 2020-02-18. Retrieved 2020-02-28.
  21. ↑ PATRICIA WANTS TO CUDDLE | Kirkus Reviews. 2022-06-28.
  22. ↑ "Patricia Wants to Cuddle by Samantha Allen". www.publishersweekly.com. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
  23. ↑ "Seattle woman accused of killing father with ice axe after argument about lights". KIRO 7 News Seattle. 2024-11-11. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
  24. ↑ "Seattle woman murders father with ice axe after feeling "overwhelmed" by Trump's victory". The Times of India . 2024-11-14. Retrieved 2024-11-14. Burke, a training program manager at Blue Origin, Jeff Bezos spacecraft company, is married to author Samantha Leigh Allen, according to public records and Linked In
  25. ↑ Delaney, Matt (2024-11-14). "Seattle lesbian charged with strangling, hacking dad to death with axe in Election Day slaying". The Washington Times . Retrieved 2024-11-14. [Burke] is married to a transgender woman Samantha Leigh Allen, who is an editor for Conde Nast's transgender news site called "Them."
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.