Writer | Reporter | Journalist
Madison April Jones
Hello! Welcome to my portfolio website. I am a transgender journalist and freelance writer who has published articles in the United States and Taiwan covering topics such as: LGBTQ issues, travel, and politics. These days, I am based in Seattle, WA covering stories for local publications like the Seattle Gay News and Stonewall News Northwest.
Previous Interviews - Stonewall News Northwest
Mayor Douglas Orr: The struggles of being a Gay mayor in SW Washington (03/25)
Being the mayor of a small-town like Aberdeen is difficult enough on its own, with all the responsibilities and public scrutiny it entails. But as an openly Gay man, Mayor Douglas Orr has faced some unique challenges since winning his election over a year ago, as he shared with me for Stonewall News Northwest.
Previous Features - Seattle Gay News
Singapore and the Christian far right's attack on Queer rights (03/25)
Despite same-sex relations being decriminalized in Singapore in 2022, it continues to be a steep uphill battle for LGBTQIA+ rights there. I interviewed activists Carissa Cheow, Joyce Ng, and Lune Loh for the SGN on how Singapore has been at the focal point of the American right's agenda in the Asia-Pacific region.
Previous Articles - Seattle Gay News
Taipei, mon amour: A Queer love letter to life in Taiwan (03/25)
Taipei has one of the most vibrant nightlife scenes in the world, offering a vast array of late-night markets, eateries, music venues, and of course Gay bars. In this travel feature for the SGN, I share my own Queer journey, with its own woes and triumphs, while living in Taipei for a year.
Previous Interviews - Seattle Gay News
No Harm serves its LGBTQIA+ clientele with pride (02/25)
Anita Hulitza and Andy Coleman, partners in life as well as business, are the joint owners of No Harm, a Ballard-based hair salon that has operated since 2020. The duo works together as stylists specializing in Queer-affirming cuts, opening up to how they started their journey together for the SGN.
Previous Articles - Seattle Gay News
David Gray shares his journey in "Dear Life" at the Moore Theatre (02/25)
Dear Life, sees Gray continuing to demonstrate his chops, exploring motifs of emotional crisis and resolution, mortality and faith, reality and illusion, loss and acceptance. Gray gave the audience a taste of it, as well as covering the popular highlights of his back catalogue, while on tour in Seattle at the Moore Theater.
Previous Articles - Seattle Gay News
Queer indie icon Jordana hits the stage at Madame Lou's for "Lively Premonition" tour (02/25)
On a frigid Wednesday evening during the week of Valentine's Day, Madame Lou's was bustling. As the doors opened, showgoers that were lined up early outside the venue began to pack into the cramped basement to see the Queer indie icon Jordana. Here is the follow up piece covering Jordana's show while on tour.
Previous Interviews - Seattle Gay News
Roger Nyhus, a year as an openly Gay US ambassador in the Eastern Caribbean (01/25)
Roger Nyhus recently returned to his home in Seattle from Barbados, after completing his one-year diplomatic assignment under the Biden Administration. I spoke with the outgoing ambassador on his first day back to reflect on his time serving abroad.
Previous Interviews - Seattle Gay News
Love, Family, and Leadership: Sen. Jamie Pedersen on marriage, parenthood, and fighting for LGBTQ+ rights (01/25)
Sen. Jamie Pedersen (D-43) is a seasoned politician who has been diligently securing legislative wins for the Queer community. He sat down with the SGN to share his breadth of knowledge and experience as a Gay legislator.
Previous Interviews - Seattle Gay News
Jordana delivers indie ballads about the Queer experience in her new album, "Lively Premonition" (01/25)
Jordana Nye is a LA based indie musician who has captivated queer listeners with her tales of heartbreak, sobriety, and finding community. She spoke to me for the SGN to discuss her upcoming show in Seattle on Feb. 12th at Madame Lou's.
Previous Articles - Seattle Gay News
Mx. Pucks A'Plenty leads the charge to create spaces for Seattle's fat and Queer performers (01/25)
Mx. Pucks A'Plenty is a fat and non-binary burlesque performer based in Seattle, and the organizer of Fat Con and Fatlesque Fest Northwest. Once at the receiving end of right-wing media attention and harassment, Mx. Pucks discussed their personal journey and more with me for the SGN.
Previous Interviews - Seattle Gay News
Delving into the world of Ryka Aoki and "Light from Uncommon Stars" (01/25)
I had the wonderful opportunity of interviewing Ms. Aoki on the inspirations of her award winning novel, as well as her outlook on the current US political climate against immigrants and transgender people.
Previous Articles - Seattle Gay News
No Judgment Fitness fights to create an all-inclusive space for LGBTQ+ patrons (01/25)
In this feature piece, Ms. Walker spoke to me on the unique challenges of running a queer and trans affirming, small community gym in a post-pandemic Seattle.
Previous Articles - Seattle Gay News
The struggles of obtaining VA benefits for LGBTQ service members (12/24)
While the incoming Trump administration is preparing to roll back precious gains for LGBTQ+ veterans and servicemembers, folks are reaching out to obtain VA services before Trump's next inauguration.
Previous Op-Eds - Seattle Gay News
I sat in on the anti-Trans panel at Seattle Central Library so you didn't have to (11/24)
On Nov. 17th, 2024 Seattle Public Library allowed anti-transgender hate group Women Declaration International (WDI) USA to host a panel event at their Central Library location. I attended the protest outside, and then sat in on the panel to thoroughly debunk their harmful rhetoric in an op-ed for the SGN.
Previous Projects - Gender Justice League
Trans Wiki Eastern WA Resources Page (10/24)
For my first front-end web development project as a volunteer for Seattle based advocacy organization: Gender Justice League, I have complied a resource webpage for transgender people living in the Eastern part of Washington State.
Previous Letter to Editor - The Seattle Times
Sound Transit Invest in Safety (07/24)
This letter to the editor was written in response to the Thursday, July 11th front-page story regarding funding issues renovating Seattle light rail's southside system; published in print on Saturday, July 20th 2024.
Previous Articles - Taipei Quarterly
Cooking with Cookin Taiwan (06/24)
My article on taking a Taiwanese cooking class. Published in the 2024 summer issue of Taipei Quarterly: the official travel magazine of the Taipei City Department of Information and Tourism.
Previous Articles - Centered on Taiwan
Discovering Taiwan as an LGBT Foreigner (06/24)
"In this honest and insightful article, Madison Jones shares their experiences as a genderfluid transgender person living in Taipei. From finding community to navigating healthcare, discover the challenges and triumphs of being LGBT in Taiwan."
- Roma Mehta, Editor
Previous Articles - Seattle Gay News
Nymphia Wind and the Growth of Drag in Taiwan (05/24)
My third article published in Seattle Gay News featuring an interview with Taiwanese gay elder, bar owner, and close friend to Nymphia Wind: Alvin Chang. Together, we discuss topics such as Taipei drag history and Nymphia Wind's historic win of RuPaul's Drag Race Season 16.
Previous Articles - Seattle Gay News
Being an American in an Americanizing Taiwan (04/24)
My travel feature and second piece published in Seattle Gay News, for the spring 2024 special issue of "Queer Journeys", where I share the elements of US culture Taiwanese people have adopted in interesting ways.
Previous Articles - Seattle Gay News
"Transtopia in the Sinophone Pacific" Book Review (03/24)
Review of Howard Chiang's third book on LGBT historiography, Sinophone Asia, and the importance of pursuing cross disciplinary research. My first article published for Seattle Gay News.
Contact Information
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Email is the best method to get in touch. I am also on a few other platforms creating videos and blogging too.
