Last Modified on 23rd May, 2025
Editorial Policy
At Lighthouse.lgbt, we are dedicated to delivering accurate, inclusive, and empowering content for the LGBTQ+ community and allies. Our platform, launched in 2017, amplifies queer voices through our Stories, Events, and Healthcare Blog categories, reaching over 100,000 readers by 2025. This Editorial Policy outlines our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of quality, transparency, and integrity in all content published on http://lighthouse.lgbt. Contact us at support@lighthouse.lgbt with any questions or feedback.
Our Editorial Process
We follow a rigorous process to ensure our content is reliable, respectful, and reader-focused:
- Research: Our team conducts thorough research using credible sources, including academic journals, queer health experts, and reputable organizations like Stonewall UK. We responsibly use AI tools to gather up-to-date insights, ensuring relevance for our LGBTQ+ audience.
- Writing: Content is crafted by our skilled writers, prioritizing clarity, inclusivity, and engagement while adhering to English language standards. We reflect diverse queer experiences, from trans narratives to pride event guides.
- Editing: Senior editors review drafts for accuracy, grammar, and alignment with our mission. This includes verifying statistics, such as the 2023 Trevor Project survey on queer youth mental health.
- Fact-Checking: All facts, claims, and data are cross-referenced with trusted sources, like 2021 World Health Organization reports on global queer populations, to ensure authenticity.
- Final Review & Publishing: Our design team creates vibrant, Google Discover-friendly featured images, often pride-themed, to enhance visual appeal. Articles are optimized for SEO with keywords like “LGBTQ+ stories” and structured for accessibility, ensuring discoverability and inclusivity.
Editorial Independence
Our editorial team operates free from external influences, including advertisers or sponsors. Content decisions prioritize the needs of our LGBTQ+ readers, ensuring stories, event listings, and healthcare guides remain authentic. While we may feature advertisements, these are clearly labeled and do not affect our editorial integrity.
Content Creation
Our content is produced by a diverse team of writers, editors, and queer community experts passionate about empowering LGBTQ+ individuals. We cover topics like coming out, mental health resources, and global pride events, ensuring each piece is well-researched and practical. For example, our 2024 healthcare blogs drew on 2023 health fair insights to guide readers to affirming care. Every article undergoes our editorial process to meet standards of accuracy and inclusivity.
Fact-Checking and Accuracy
Accuracy is paramount. We verify all content before publication, cross-referencing with sources like 2024 ILGA-Europe reports on queer rights. Links to credible references, such as Stonewall’s provider directories, are included where possible. If new data emerges, like updated 2025 pride event schedules, we revise articles to keep them current, noting changes for transparency.
Transparency and Corrections
We uphold transparency by promptly correcting errors. If an inaccuracy is found, we update the article and note the correction clearly, e.g., “Updated May 23, 2025, to reflect new data.” Readers can report concerns to support@lighthouse.lgbt, and we review feedback swiftly to maintain trust. This commitment supports our community, from trans youth to queer elders.
Editorial Integrity
We adhere to strict ethical standards, prohibiting misleading, biased, or plagiarized content. All articles are original or properly credited, reflecting balanced perspectives on issues like gender-affirming care or queer advocacy. We avoid sensationalism, ensuring content respects the lived experiences of our LGBTQ+ audience, as seen in our 2023 mental health series that reached 10,000 readers.
Sponsored Content and Advertising
Occasionally, we feature sponsored content or ads, clearly labeled as such (e.g., “Sponsored by [Partner]”). These partnerships, like 2024 pride event promotions, do not influence editorial decisions. We disclose financial relationships to maintain transparency, ensuring our Stories and Healthcare Blog content remains unbiased and community-driven.
Community Engagement
We value our readers’ voices, encouraging comments on Stories, event suggestions for Events, and feedback on Healthcare Blog resources. Our team monitors interactions, responding when appropriate, to foster a supportive community. Reader input, like 2024 suggestions for trans health guides, shapes our content. Reach us at stories@lighthouse.lgbt to share ideas.
Updates and Revisions
We regularly review content to ensure relevance, updating articles with new insights, such as 2025 queer health studies, and noting significant changes. Outdated content, like pre-2023 event listings, may be archived to maintain quality, ensuring our platform remains a trusted resource for the LGBTQ+ community.
Commitment to Accessibility
Our content is designed to be accessible, using clear language, avoiding jargon, and structuring articles for easy navigation. We incorporate alt text for images, like “LGBTQ+ pride celebration,” and are exploring multilingual options to serve diverse readers, from rural queer youth to global allies, enhancing inclusivity.
Privacy and Community Focus
We prioritize the privacy of our LGBTQ+ contributors, offering anonymous story submissions and secure data handling, as detailed in our Privacy Policy. This ensures a safe space for sharing sensitive experiences, aligning with our mission to uplift queer voices worldwide.
