Mission Statement
Q Voice News publishes fierce and compelling journalism through a queer lens that amplifies, engages, and empowers the LGBTQ+ community.
About Us
Q Voice News is an ambitious and pioneering digital queer newsroom that created a new and essential space in the Los Angeles local news ecosystem. It is the only digital-first LGBTQ+ newsroom in the greater L.A. region; in fact, Q Voice News is the only digital-first local queer newsroom in Southern California. Q Voice News serves a vital need because the region for the queer community is a news desert. Q Voice News also is a watchdog, holding public servants accountable. No free passes for public officials just because you identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community or claim to be an ally.
Q Voice News is locally owned and operated, and is certified by the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce as an LGBTQ+ business.
Q Voice News is about us, by us, and for us.
Meet the Team
Phillip Zonkel — Editor, Co-Founder, Managing Director; Phillip.Zonkel@QVoiceNews.com
Award-winning journalist Phillip Zonkel has more than two decades years of print and digital experience. He spent 16 years at the Press-Telegram, a daily newspaper in Long Beach, where he covered everything from features and breaking news to local governments, education and LGBTQ+ issues.
Zonkel has a habit of bringing queer news out of the closet. He was the P-T’s only reporter to have a beat covering the city’s LGBTQ+ community, and he also created an LGBTQ+ news blog for its website.
Zonkel’s journalism has won two awards, and he has been nominated for his reporting, including a two-part investigation that exposed anti-gay bullying of local high school students and the school districts’ failure to implement state mandated protections for LGBTQ+ students.
Zonkel created Q Voice News after seeing that the greater Los Angeles region is a news desert for the LGBTQ+ community. Under his leadership, Q Voice News has spoken truth to power, publishing several articles on the Long Beach Police Department’s dark history of discriminating against gay men and falsely arresting them for lewd conduct.
Zonkel saw the need to amplify the community’s unknown queer history and created “Queer History Lessons with Jewels.” The short-form video series uncovers and spotlights essential historical moments that showcase the community’s indefatigability in its pursuit for equality.
Zonkel curated a queer history series in October 2025 that was published in collaboration with LA Public Press. The four-part project focused on Los Angeles’ unknown queer history with articles and short-form videos on three trailblazers and one renowned safe space.
Billy Huang, Creative Visuals & Audience Development
Billy Huang is passionate about making LGBTQ+ voices heard.
He creates platforms where their underrepresented stories can not only be amplified, but also shared and celebrated by allies, friends, and families in the community.
Huang’s work blends aesthetics, creativity, and strategy — whether it’s developing PR plans, campaigns or managing digital media projects. He also incorporates those elements with his experience in traditional and digital storytelling.
In his work with Q Voice News, Huang designs graphics that make news enticing and attention grabbing for all the queens out there who want to slay all day without the hate.
Huang designed Q Voice News’ social media rebranding project.
Huang also is part of the marketing team, playing a vital role in strategic planning and implementation.
Huang graduated from California Polytechnic State University, Pomona, with an emphasis in multimedia journalism and a minor in public relations.
David Mosqueda, Sexual Health and Wellness Reporter
David Mosqueda is a community sexual health worker, author, and filmmaker who was born and raised in Long Beach. He has spoken across the nation on HIV prevention, harm reduction, and queer inclusive care. On a warm weekend, you may see him strolling through the gayborhood or dancing the night away at Falcon North.
Mosqueda writes health-related articles and columns that offer useful news and tools that will help empower LGBTQ+ readers to make informed choices about their health.
Calista Pineda, Video Producer
Calista Pineda is a queer-Latina video journalist who focuses on community and storytelling that highlight local issues and unrepresented populations. Her goal is to tell meaningful stories that educate, uplift, and create impact by amplifying community voices or preserving important histories.
Pineda was the video producer for a queer history series in October 2025 that was published in collaboration between Q Voice News and LA Public Press. The four-part project focused on Los Angeles’ unknown queer history with articles and short-form videos on three trailblazers and one renowned safe space.
She completed a fellowship with the LA Press Club, learning and collaborating with veteran journalists and curating her own documentary. Pineda also won an award in 2025 from the LA Press Club for social media storytelling.
She graduated in 2024 with a degree in film, television, and media with a minor in journalism from California State University of Los Angeles. At the university, Pineda was a full-time reporter for the University Times, building skills as a multimedia journalist.
Beatriz E. Valenzuela, Contributing Editor & Strategic Counselor
Beatriz E. Valenzuela is an award-winning journalist who covered breaking news in Southern California more than 12 years and has been on the front lines of national and international news events.
She also covers all things nerd, including comic book culture and video games.
Valenzuela is an amateur obstacle course racer, constant fact-checker, mother of three, and lover of all things geek.
She also is an advisor and editor with Q Voice News, including copy editing and counseling on strategic planning for the news calendar and marketing objectives.