Deep South Voice

Founder Ashton Pittman began Deep South Voice as a short-term journalism class project in 2011, but it has since morphed into a passionate pursuit to dig deep into issues that touch the heart of communities across the region. We’ve been the first to unearth stories that impact underserved communities and put humanity back at the forefront of political, social, and economic issues. This gay-owned publication gained notoriety in 2014 after we broke the story on Mississippi Senate Bill 2681, a so-called “religious freedom” bill written by out-of-state actors to enable discrimination against the LGBT community by making an exception for individuals and businesses that cite “deeply held religious views” as justification. Our coverage drew national attention from LGBT rights organizations and figures, including the Human Rights Campaign and former 'N Sync star Lance Bass, a Mississippi native. Though the mainstream media missed the story initially, our work drove it to the forefront of a statewide debate, and a number of House members who had not understood the bill’s implications when they first voted for it re-examined the bill, changed their votes, and began to speak out fervently against it. A significantly smaller majority of legislators ultimately approved the bill, and Governor Phil Bryant signed S.B. 2681 into law that spring. Still, we shined a light on the legislation's true intent, and the ensuing statewide conversation proved we were onto something. Because we believe in making a difference telling stories that matter, we’ve decided to dedicate our resources and talents to Deep South Voice full time. We’ll tackle tough topics, seek the truth, and strive for substantive change. We’re also a source for daily news and how it affects the diverse communities in the Deep South states of Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and South Carolina. Join us on this journey as we lift up the voices of those around us.