Creating The GCRM Media Club & You

[Patrick Yaeger]

Last year I began aggregating queer feeds at http://friendfeed.com/gay-civil-rights. I've now collected around a 100 notable GLBT media feeds there and created what I call a mega feed of the Movement. I can often find new videos just by looking back through the feed there.

Anyways, once I created the Mega Feed I discovered Ning social networks. Actually, I think I created a Facebook fan page based up0n the Mega Feed first and saw that people were drawn to it. Once I realized that people were genuinely interested in the concept, I remembered Ning and created the club.

Basically, I know that content I create isn't going to be as interesting as what's already voluminously out there; aggregating feeds and showcasing media (especially videos, photos and audio) already available does the job of creating frequently updated interesting content for me. It helps that a lot of great GLBT content supporting the Movement isn't getting much of an audience. I created the Mega Feed and, more specifically, The GCRM Media Club to take advantage of and remedy this. Hope that makes sense.

The problem I'm finding is that there are far far more people interested in passively absorbing the content rather than collecting it and sharing it with our club. I'm glad to have all the members I have but I seriously need more geeky people like me to go out and find stuff or share what they already have. I also need to contact more producers and collectors who have media that's just sitting around going unseen. You mentioned having some content you'd like to share?

If you'd like to help, I have suggestions (Hurray!). First suggestion, search back through the Mega Feed for videos I miss and post them if you think they're interesting and focused on the Movement. I generally don't post gay entertainment/gossipy media though I do have a GCRM Performing Arts playlist on YouTube (youtube.com/patrickometry). In the Media Club, go to Video | Mega Theater to see how I showcase my YouTube playlists.

Wait, let me try this again with less bloat:

1. Watch the Mega Feed for videos. Post them here in the club if they've not already been posted.
2. Search YouTube and Google Videos for videos relating to the GLBTQ experience and the Movement. Post them here if they've not already been posted. Remember to use the Quick Add drop down in the right column. Much easier.
3. Join our flickr group (see Groups above). I'll give you curator privileges. Search flickr for photos relating to the Movement. Invite the photos to be added to our Group Pool on flickr. They'll show up on our Club Main page here in the Flickr feed.
4. Search for news/interview/discussion oriented podcasts about the GLBTQ experience. I already showcase some on the Main page and in our Mega Podcast page (see Audio above.)

Okay, hope I haven't overwhelmed you. I'm all about using existing web technologies to make things super easy to build our club and showcase content. But finding content still takes time. If any of this still interests you I'd be thrilled to have your help in any of the various ways I've suggested.

As to the focus of content, peripheral subjects are fine as long as they don't take over. For instance, some people have posted a lot of personal drag photos. That's fine. That's in keeping with the social aspect of our club. But in the various affiliate chapters I avoid that kind of content.

If the content is about the challenges of living openly gay or about empowering gay people to overcome adversity then I think it's central to the Movement. If it's gossipy celebrity 'hunk of the day' banter, this isn't the place for that. Though there is some of that in the Mega Podcast.

If you have other ideas, especially if there's a way of doing any of this that would be easier, please let me know. If you have content to share, please do share it. Maybe there's a way to showcase it.

Any questions?