LGBTQ Presidential Forum
Role: Creative Director, Producer
Ten Democratic presidential candidates gathered in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on September 20, 2019 to discuss a topic that has largely been ignored on the primary debate stage: LGBTQ issues.
Organized by GLAAD, the Advocate, and the Cedar Rapids Gazette, the forum primarily revolved around how each candidate would respond as president to the Trump administration’s attacks on LGBTQ rights, including the transgender military ban and plans to rollback health care non-discrimination protections and access to shelters for trans people.
Full video:
As the Creative Director my role was to create a co-branded event that included both graphic and animated creative assets. I lead the production of the televised event that included staging, logo creation, look/feel, and animated on screen elements.
Impressions
Broadcast
Total National Viewership: 5,524,172 (CNN, MSNBC, CBS)
On Twitter
During the event, #LGBTQForum was the #1 trending topic on Twitter in the United States and #4 worldwide.
Headlines
There were a total of 464 unique stories (see below) written about the event totaling 1.65 billion impressions.
Social clips
The LGBTQ Forum and clips from it also racked up over 1 million views in less than a day.
All Election 2020 Work
The road to Election 2020 was filled with hundreds of unique pieces of content and various campaigns. View this video to see the full scope of work that was done during the 2020 election cycle.
Press
NBC News: Democratic 2020 hopefuls tout their pride at Iowa LGBTQ forum
USA Today: At LGBTQ forum, Democratic candidates offer support, defend records
CNN: Iowa Democrats trim their lists over a marquee weekend
The New York Times: Joe Biden Has Tense Exchange Over L.G.B.T.Q. Record
Washington Post: Biden’s awkward, tense moments at first 2020 LGBTQ forum
Reuters: Biden's LGBTQ record draws scrutiny at Iowa presidential forum
Reuters: Warren lists 18 trans women of color killed in 2019
CBS News: Biden defends LGBTQ record at Iowa forum
CBS News: Booker warns lack of fundraising could end his 2020 campaign
USA Today: LGBTQ forum moderator says Joe Biden called her 'a real sweetheart' after tough questions
USA Today: Joe Biden accused of making condescending remark to LGBTQ presidential forum moderator
Los Angeles Times: Behind Elizabeth Warren’s surge: Emotional punch coupled with attention to detail
The New Yorker: The Colorful Pageantry and Mob Mentality of the Iowa Caucuses
Advocate: The Advocate's LGBTQ Presidential Forum: Top 10 Moments
Advocate: At LGBTQ Forum, Marianne Williamson Responds to Her History With AIDS
Advocate: Tulsi Gabbard Rejects Claim Her LGBTQ Commitment Is 'Skin-Deep'
Advocate: Kamala Harris on Denying Gender Affirmation Surgery to Trans Inmates
Advocate: Amid Spicer Furor, Karamo Brown Slams Trump at The Advocate's LGBTQ Forum
Advocate: LGBTQ Forum Moderator Accused of Racial Bias Against Kamala Harris
Advocate: Buttigieg's Complicated Relationship With LGBTQ Media Is Relatable
OUT: Karamo Brown Attacks Trump Administration at LGBTQ Forum
HuffPost: 2020 Democratic Candidates Reach Out To LGBTQ Voters At Iowa Forum
Newsweek: TRANS ACTRESS ANGELICA ROSS QUITS TWITTER AFTER ONLINE ATTACKS FROM SANDERS, TRUMP SUPPORTERS
The Hill: Biden pressed about LGBT record during Iowa forum
Politico: Buttigieg fights to lock down Iowa LGBTQ vote
Deadline: Democratic Presidential Candidates Face Tough Questions At LGBTQ Forum In Iowa
The Hollywood Reporter: Pete Buttigieg Gets Personal During Presidential LGBTQ Forum: "I've Got To Be Who I Am"
The Wrap: Joe Biden Doesn’t Think Donald Trump Is ‘All That Decent’ But Still Addresses Him as ‘President’
The Guardian: 'A huge misstep': Angelica Ross on Sanders' LGBTQ forum no-show
Vox: 2 winners and 3 losers from the LGBTQ presidential forum
Vox: An exchange at an LGBTQ forum reopens questions about Joe Biden’s treatment of women
Yahoo! News: Presidential Candidates Participate In LGBTQ Forum
Yahoo Entertainment: Democratic Presidential Candidates Face Tough Questions At LGBTQ Forum In Iowa
Yahoo! News UK: Warren lists 18 trans women of color killed in 2019
NBC Washington: Steak, Beer and Politics: 2020 Democrats Descend on Iowa
CBS 2 Iowa: LGBTQ Presidential Forum showcases progress in movement
Fox West Texas: 'A Real Sweetheart': Biden Accused of Making Condescending Remart to LGBTQ Presidential Forum Moderator
Indystar: Pete Buttigieg, others presidential rivals offer support, defend records at Iowa LGBTQ forum
Des Moines Register: At Iowa LGBTQ forum, Democratic candidates offer support, defend records
Des Moines Register: Photos: Cedar Rapids LGBTQ Presidential Forum at Coe College
MSN: Biden: I call Trump ‘president,' 'but I don't think he's all that decent'
Iowa Daily Press: Is America ready for gay president? Iowa casts first votes
Sioux City Journal: LGBTQ forum brings marginalized issues into mainstream of 2020 presidential campaign
Iowa City Press-Citizen: At Iowa LGBTQ forum, Democratic candidates offer support, defend records
Iowa City Press-Citizen: LGQBT presidential forum in Cedar Rapids shines needed light on issues
AZ Central: Joe Biden accused of making condescending remark to LGBTQ presidential forum moderator
The New Republic: The Democrats’ Disappointing Rhetoric on LGBTQ Rights
New Civil Rights Movement: Warren Narrowly Beats Sanders to Take Over Second Place for First Time in New Poll of 17,000 Democratic Voters
WQAD8: Local advocates ask for change after presidential candidate LGBTQ+ forum
KTBS3 (ABC): IA: LGBTQ PRES FORUM- CROWD REACTS TO BIDEN
WCCO (CBS): Presidential Candidates Participate In LGBTQ Forum
KCC8: Presidential candidates discuss concerns from LGBTQ community in Cedar Rapids
KCRG: Community members weigh in on LGBTQ presidential forum
News7 KWWL: 10 Democratic Candidates for President discuss LGBTQ issues with Iowans at Coe College
WSBT22: Is America ready for a gay president? Iowa casts first votes
Essence: Karamo Brown Denounces Trump Administration At LGBTQ Presidential Forum
NewNowNext: 7 Takeaways From the LGBTQ Presidential Forum
LGBTQ Nation: Warren shines, Buttigieg promises & Biden blunders at LGBTQ presidential forum
Pink News: Joe Biden called out at LGBT forum for saying Mike Pence is a “decent guy”
Pink News: LGBT forum: Elizabeth Warren names the 18 black trans women murdered this year
PinkNews: After calling Sean Spicer a ‘good guy’, Queer Eye’s Karamo Brown takes aim at Trump administration
Gay City News: At Iowa Forum, Dems Discuss LGBTQ Issues
Washington Blade: 2020 hopefuls gather for LGBT forum, but Biden has tense moment
Los Angeles Blade: Buttigieg on ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ and becoming ‘whole’ after coming out
The Gazette: LGBTQ forum brings marginalized issues into mainstream of 2020 presidential campaign
Metro Weekly: Pete Buttigieg: Where does he stand on LGBTQ issues?
Instinct: LGBTQ Presidential Forum Shows Progress, With One Worrisome Oversight
Chicago Go Pride: Joe Biden, Elizabeth Warren, Pete Buttigieg talk LGBT issues at GLAAD Forum
Jezebel: Joe Biden Insists He Is a Champion of Equality Right Before Calling a Woman Moderator 'Sweetheart'
The Baltimore Post: LGBTQ presidential forum 2019: Winners and Losers
The Daily Iowan: Presidential hopefuls outline priorities for LGBTQ issues 10 years after Iowa issues first gay marriage license
Washington Examiner: Openly gay Buttigieg still must work to win over LGBT voters
Washington Examiner: Biden tells Iowa moderator she’s a 'real sweetheart' and 'lovely person'
Washington Examiner: The five craziest moments from the Democrats’ LGBT presidential forum
Herald Publicist: Democratic Presidential Candidates Face Tough Questions At LGBTQ Forum In Iowa
My San Antonio: Joe Biden Doesn’t Think Donald Trump Is ‘All That Decent’ But Still Addresses Him as ‘President’
Daily Kos: The white bias of the LGBTQ-forum
Daily Kos: At LGBTQ forum, Joe Biden fumbles question on Mike Pence, calls moderator a 'lovely person' instead
Lifesite News: At first LGBT Presidential Forum, Democrats compete to become first ‘woke’ President
The Blaze: Biden blasted at LGBT forum for previously calling Vice President Pence a 'decent guy'
Towleroad: Female Moderator Calls Biden ‘Condescending’ After Questioning at LGBTQ Forum in Iowa: WATCH
The Courier: 10 candidates in Cedar Rapids forum vow to embrace LGBTQ policies
Souther Minn: LGBTQ forum brings marginalized issues into mainstream of 2020 presidential campaign
USA News Hub: Biden defends LGBTQ record at Iowa forum
On Top Magazine: Joe Biden, Elizabeth Warren, Pete Buttigieg Talk LGBT Issues At GLAAD Forum
Free Beacon: Biden Clashes With Moderator At LGBTQ Forum
Post Bulletin: Biden’s awkward, tense moments at first 2020 LGBTQ forum
Joe My God: Biden Defends Track Record At LGBTQ Forum [VIDEO]
News Talk 94.1: Biden Defends LGBTQ Record At Iowa Forum
The Daily Ripple: LGBTQ Presidential Forum in Iowa: Biden, Booker, Buttigieg, Castro, Gabbard, Harris, Klobuchar, Sestak, Warren, and Williamson — LIVE VIDEO
Christian Headlines: Biden Backs Nationwide Ban on Conversion Therapy at LGBT Forum
PJ Media: Joe Biden Accused of 'Sexism with a Smile' for Comment Made at LGBTQ Presidential Forum