Some journalists tell stories. Others change the way stories are told
Kailon Magazine had the privilege of speaking with one of the most influential voices in LGBTQ+ media, a journalist whose work has helped shape the cultural landscape of queer storytelling for more than two decades.
Tracy E. Gilchrist is an award-winning journalist, editor, interviewer, producer, and trailblazer in queer media. As the former Editor-in-Chief of The Advocate, this nation’s oldest continuously published LGBTQ+ publication, she helped lead award-winning journalism that amplified LGBTQ+ voices and earned multiple GLAAD Media Awards for Outstanding Magazine Overall Coverage.
But Tracy’s legacy extends far beyond the titles she’s held. She has spent her career documenting queer history while helping create it, ensuring that LGBTQ+ people, artists, activists, and visionaries are not only seen, but truly understood.
And if you’ve ever had a girl crush, chances are Tracy has interviewed her.
From Rachel Weisz to Kate Winslet and Janelle Monáe, to countless groundbreaking artists and changemakers, Tracy has built a career on asking questions that move beyond publicity and into something deeper—identity, artistry, vulnerability, and truth.
In 2024, her now-iconic “holding space” interview with Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande transcended entertainment journalism and became a global cultural moment, sparking conversations around empathy, listening, and connection as well as cementing itself as a pop culture moment we will all be quoting until the end of time. The impact of that moment reached far beyond queer media, leading to appearances on platforms including The Kelly Clarkson Show, where audiences across the country were introduced to the journalist whose thoughtful approach to conversation has long made her one of the most respected interviewers in the business.
Today, Tracy continues creating meaningful dialogue as host and executive producer of Holding Space with Tracy E. Gilchrist. She also serves on the board of the It Gets Better Project and was recently honored with the Equality New York Storyteller Award, an especially fitting recognition for someone whose life’s work has been preserving the stories that shape our community.
Because when we talk about pioneers in queer journalism, we’re talking about people who don’t just report on history. They make sure that it is not forgotten.
