Leroy F. Aarons (1944 - November 28, 2004) was an American journalist, editor, author, playwright, founder of the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association , and founding member of the Maynard Institute .

He served as a national correspondent for the Washington Post during the Watergate scandals of the 1970s and served in editorial positions of the Oakland Tribune from the 1980s into the 1990s. During his tenure as senior vice president for news at the Tribune, the paper won a 1990 Pulitzer Prize for news photography for its coverage of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake.

Also in 1990, Aarons and six other lesbian and gay journalists met to form an organization that became the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association (NLGJA). As of December 2004, the group had grown to include 1,200 members in 24 chapters throught the United States. The organization also has spawned similar affiliate organizations in Canada and Germany.

External link

• NLGJA press release announcing Aarons' death
• Maynard Institute announcement of Aarons' death
• NPR tribute to Aarons