Tat Bellamy-Walker joins the TJA Board of Directors, Adam Rhodes steps down
The Trans Journalists Association is pleased to announce the appointment of Tat Bellamy-Walker to its Board of Directors. Bellamy-Walker is an active member of the TJA with proven commitment to our ongoing mission. As an at-large member of the Board, he will help guide the organization’s vision and support long-term sustainability and growth.
“We are thrilled to welcome Tat to the Board,” said TJA board president Minami Funakoshi. “Having served as a newsroom trainer for us as well as co-director of the TJA peer mentorship program, their unique insights will be invaluable as we continue to serve our community and the industry."
Bellamy-Walker is currently Program Manager of Digital Safety Training and Resources (Media) at PEN America. Previously, they worked at The Seattle Times, NBC News and Gay City News. Their reporting has also appeared in The Daily Beast, Inc. Magazine and on CNN. Bellamy-Walker is also a member of the National Association of Black Journalists, the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, and NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists.
“I am so excited to take this next step in continuing to provide resources and support to transgender and nonbinary journalists,” Bellamy-Walker said. “I look forward to expanding TJA’s capacity to nurture the careers of trans journalists, including removing barriers to our long term success in the journalism industry. At a time when online harassment disproportionately targets the trans community, my work in digital safety and advocacy for trans journalists feels more urgent now than ever. It’s truly an honor to support my community.”
Bellamy-Walker joins Funakoshi, Treasurer Kae Petrin, Secretary Graph Massara, and member-at-large Gina Chua. His appointment comes as the TJA is celebrating its 5-year anniversary.
In addition, board member Adam Rhodes is stepping down at the conclusion of their officership. “I have tremendously enjoyed and take immense pride in the work we have done here together at TJA, and the good we have done for the industry, and trans people across the globe,” Rhodes said. “I will continue to be a staunch supporter and helping hand when needed.”
During their tenure, Rhodes piloted the TJA’s first mentorship program with Bellamy-Walker, provided lively panel moderation, coordinated with the National Association of Hispanic Journalists’ LGBTQ+ Task Force, and trained trans journalists on vital investigative skills.
"We are immensely grateful for Adam's service," said Petrin.
About the TJA
The Trans Journalists Association is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) professional membership organization that promotes accurate, nuanced coverage of trans rights and communities in the media and fosters the careers of gender-expansive journalists. Since its founding in 2020, the TJA has worked with newsrooms, affinity groups, and journalism-supporting organizations to discuss best practices for covering trans people in all contexts. As part of that work, we maintain a style guide that aims to address common and complex questions that arise when reporting on our communities. We also produce a workplace guide that includes safety resources, newsroom policy best practices, and other resources. Our members span the globe and represent a vast spectrum of media formats, experience levels, and coverage areas. We welcome the support of gender-expansive journalists of all self-descriptions and backgrounds, as well as allies interested in our work. Help us reclaim trans narratives by donating to support our work on our five-year anniversary.
About Tat Bellamy-Walker
Tat Bellamy-Walker (He/They) is the Program Manager of Digital Safety Training and Resources (Media) at PEN America. Previously, Bellamy-Walker was a communities reporter at The Seattle Times and a newsroom equity team committee member. Bellamy-Walker is program co-director of the Trans Journalists Association’s Peer Career Network, the organization’s inaugural mentoring program. Before joining The Seattle Times, they worked for NBC News’ diversity verticals and as a digital editor/reporter at Gay City News. Their work has also appeared in The Daily Beast, Inc. Magazine and on CNN. In 2023, they were selected for IWMF’s HEFAT training in Austin, Texas. Bellamy-Walker later shared digital safety tips in a local journalists webinar with the Council on Foreign Relations. They have also been a panel speaker at Investigative Reporters and Editors, NABJ, NAHJ and NLGJA. Bellamy-Walker has a Master’s in Journalism with a concentration in Health and Science from the Craig Newmark School of Journalism.
