Alex Cooper named editor-in-chief of The Advocate; Stephanie Williams hired as equalpride audience director

Alex Cooper

The Advocate, the world’s leading source of LGBTQ+ news and information, announced that Alex Cooper has been named the publication’s new editor-in-chief. With extensive experience in digital journalism and a deep commitment to the LGBTQ+ community, Cooper is poised to elevate The Advocate’s editorial excellence. Additionally, The Advocate’s parent company, equalpride, welcomes media veteran Stephanie Williams into an all-new role as audience director. Williams will oversee audience development and market reach expansion for all equalpride brands, which include Out, Out Traveler, Pride.com and more.

The Advocate continues to capture the political and cultural conversations of the community through award-winning journalism, compelling photography, video and vital commentary. As the country’s oldest and most iconic LGBTQ+ publication, The Advocate has earned numerous accolades including the 2024 Legacy Award from NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists and 15 GLAAD Media Awards for Best Magazine Overall Coverage.

"Alex has done an exceptional job leading our digital newsroom and growing The Advocate's audience online. I know he'll bring that same audience-first mindset to our print magazine," says Kayla Gagnet, senior vice president of editorial at equalpride.

Cooper joined The Advocate in 2021, where he now manages the digital newsroom and editorial strategy, writes the email newsletter, and helps lead initiatives that resulted in winning two GLAAD Media Awards for Best Overall Coverage. Before joining The Advocate, Cooper reported on the COVID-19 pandemic, business and nonprofit organizations in Upstate South Carolina and covered LGBTQ+ stories in Eastern Europe. He began his journalism career at the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina. He holds an M.A. in Gender Studies from Central European University and a B.A. in Government and Community Studies from The College of William & Mary.

“At this time in our history — in our queer community’s history, our country’s history, our world’s history — it’s a privilege to be the new editor-in-chief of The Advocate and to hold that responsibility,” Cooper says, adding, “We need LGBTQ+ stories. We need them told. The Advocate’s print magazine has never been more crucial as LGBTQ+ people — specifically transgender people — have come under attack in ways they haven’t in recent memory.”

Stephanie Williams

Equalpride also welcomes Stephanie Williams to the team as its audience director. Williams is a media leader with over 15 years of experience driving growth across print, digital, social and broadcast. She most recently led global audience development at Condé Nast for brands like GQ, Teen Vogue, Pitchfork and them, overseeing strategy in 10 countries. Before that, she led social media at U.S. News & World Report, launching its top-performing social strategy and founding the “Racial Divide” vertical and its first diversity council. At The Washington Post, she was a features editor for Express and while at National Geographic and Warner Bros. Discovery she shaped audience strategy and programming, including Through the Wormhole with Morgan Freeman and the launch of Oprah Winfrey’s OWN network. 

"Stephanie is an experienced media leader and respected journalist. She has expertise in growing LGBTQ+ audiences, so we're thrilled to have her join us as we continue to lead the way in LGBTQ+ publishing. We can't wait to work with her," says Gagnet.

For more information, visit https://www.advocate.com/ and follow the publication on Instagram: @theadvocatemag, Facebook: The Advocate, and X: @theadvocatemag.

About equalpride:

equalpride, the leading certified LGBTQ+ owned and operated media company in the U.S., is a beacon of inclusivity. The company’s mission is to provide content of inspiration, hope, community, equality, and love through its media platforms, which reach a vast majority of the American LGBTQ+ audience every month. equalpride is a proud diverse community of storytellers, innovators, and influencers who believe in giving a voice to all people. The company’s portfolio includes the world's most prestigious LGBTQ+ brands: Out, The Advocate, Out Traveler, Health PLUS Wellness, PRIDE.com and the Advocate Channel.