Ann Northrop

Ann Northrop (born 1948 in Hartford, Connecticut) is a journalist and activist, and the current co-host of TV news program Gay USA.

Early life Born in Hartford, Connecticut, Northrop is a native of her mother's hometown, Windsor. Northrop's father was an executive for United Airlines, and the family moved frequently, thus she spent most of her youth in the areas surrounding Hartford, Washington, D.C., Boston, Denver and Chicago. Northrop describes her childhood home as being "very Republican." during which Steinem quoted Black Panther Party co-founder Huey Newton. She reported on all branches of the federal government which included The White House, Congress and the Supreme Court. After a year and a half, Northrop moved to New York City where she worked for WCBS-TV on a program called Woman.

In 1996, Northrop became a co-host of the television news program Gay USA. on a local, national and international level. Northrop joined the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power in New York City, known as ACT UP/New York. She was arrested approximately two dozen times for civil disobedience while participating in the group's direct action demonstrations. Northrop was later convicted on four misdemeanor charges.

Northrop also trained fellow activists on how to interact with news media and reporters.

Personal life Northrop came out as a lesbian when she was about 28, working for Ms. magazine, and met a woman she fell in love with, Lynda. Northrop and Lynda were together for 17 years, and raised Lynda's two children from a previous marriage.