Alwood provides a far-reaching historical review of the attempts in the gay community to gain responsible news coverage and describes efforts to create an independent voice in a lesbian and gay press, from the Mattachine Review to the Advocate.
Uncovering as myths the ideals of fairness, balance, and objectivity that have long been central elements of the media's self-portrait, Straight News is a pioneering expose of American journalism and how it is practiced. Alwood offers evidence that a representative, compassionate lesbian and gay presence in the media will continue to develop but cautions that this endeavor is by no means finished.