In Conversation with Glen Echo Group’s Davey McKissick, Senior Vice President, and Miranda Neil, Senior Director.

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As technology policy increasingly shapes how people access information, connect with their communities and participate online, ensuring LGBTQ+ voices are part of the conversations developing those policies is crucial. For over a decade, LGBT Tech has worked to advance policies directly affecting the LGBTQ+ community’s online experiences, with issues ranging from broadband access to device affordability, privacy, content moderation and artificial intelligence.

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At the Glen Echo Group, we are proud to support LGBT Tech’s mission through media support. We work to amplify the research, education and community engagement LGBT Tech does in service of the LGBTQ+ community, ensuring they have a voice in important conversations about technology policy.

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In this Q&A, Senior Vice President Davey McKissick and Senior Director Miranda Neil discuss LGBT Tech’s work, the challenges the LGBTQ+ community faces online and the organization’s recent advocacy efforts.

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What makes LGBT Tech unique within the technology space?

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LGBT Tech has carved out its niche by having the technical expertise to thoroughly understand the policy particulars and how regulations, policies and industry actions affect the LGBTQ+ community, specifically. LGBT Tech works with numerous LGBTQ+ community centers around the country to listen to their experiences and concerns, and it incorporates those into all of the education and advocacy work they do.

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LGBT Tech is also unique in that not only do they engage with the community and advocate for policies based upon what they directly hear from LGBTQ+ folks, but then they bring that work back to a grassroots level by running grant programs to supply devices or running educational programs to teach cybersecurity and online privacy tips – reaching LGBTQ+ individuals across the United States.

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What are some of the biggest challenges facing the LGBTQ+ community online?

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The challenges the LGBTQ+ community faces online often mirror and even exacerbate the challenges they face offline. The ability to even afford to buy a device or internet access is the first crucial step, and many in the community look to community centers, libraries or other public spaces with free internet access to even be able to access the internet. Once they are online, they often run into the challenges of misinformation, harassment and data privacy, which are not concerns specific to the LGBTQ+ community, but they can be more dangerous at times. Misinformation about transgender individuals can lead to increased harassment in both online and offline spaces. Concerns about data privacy can lead to being “outed” in spaces that may be unsafe. 

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LGBT Tech recently published its new report “ctrl+alt+lgbt: Digital Access, Usage, and Experiences of the LGBTQ+ Community (2026).” What do you think is the most important takeaway from that report?

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It’s incredibly important to see the optimism the LGBTQ+ community has when it comes to being online. Despite real concerns about harassment, safety, affordability and data security, the community, generally, feels safer online than offline. They find community online when they are not safe offline. They find support and lifesaving information when they don’t have that in their offline spaces. Even with AI, where the community is the most skeptical, they still see optimism in the ability for AI to increase accessibility for those with disabilities.

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We've had the opportunity to work closely with LGBT Tech over the years. From your perspective, what has made our partnership successful?

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A mutual respect for each other and understanding that we all want to make the internet more accessible and safe for everyone, and that, in particular, marginalized communities, such as the LGBTQ+ community, must have a seat at the table in order for that to happen.

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Can you share a recent LGBT Tech initiative or success story that you're particularly proud of?

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Over the summer, LGBT Tech testified before the California legislature twice regarding the negative impacts social media bans would have on LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly LGBTQ+ youth. This was a major step in LGBT Tech’s education efforts directly with policymakers to publicly show up and ensure LGBTQ+ voices were being considered in the legislative debate.

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As technology continues to shape how people connect, learn and engage with their communities, ensuring everyone is represented in those conversations remains essential. Whether you are navigating new policy issues, advancing meaningful research or building stronger media relations, Glen Echo helps translate complex technology policy and drive meaningful change. Looking for a partner to help elevate your voice in the fast-moving tech policy landscape? Reach out to us.

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Davey McKissick is a Senior Vice President at Glen Echo, where he works with clients of all sizes to craft and execute full-service public affairs campaigns navigating an increasingly partisan federal political environment.

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Miranda Neil is a Senior Director at Glen Echo, leading a range of technology clients to successful public affairs campaigns through media relations, policy research and content development.

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