Riese Bernard
Marie Lyn Bernard, known professionally as Riese Bernard, is an American writer and digital media executive. She is best known as the CEO and co-founder of the lesbian and queer women's interest website Autostraddle. Bernard received a 2017 GLAAD Media Award nomination for her article, "105 Trans Women On American TV: A History and Analysis."
Early life and education
Bernard was born and raised in Michigan. Her father, Victor L. Bernard, a scholar, researcher and professor in the field of financial statement analysis, died of a heart attack when she was 14 years old. Her mother came out to her as gay shortly after her father's death.She graduated from Interlochen Arts Academy in 1999 with a major in creative writing. After graduating from University of Michigan with a bachelor's degree in English in 2003, she moved to New York City to pursue a career in writing.
Career
In 2007, Bernard created The Road Best Straddled, a spin-off of her personal blog This Girl Called Automatic Win, to recap The L Word, then in its fourth season. This led to collaborations with The L Word Online and Showtime and her blogs gained sizeable followings. She also interned at the now-defunct website Nerve and worked for the Donald Maass Literary Agency.Bernard has published writing in Marie Claire, Curve, [GO (American magazine)|GO], Queerty, Bitch, Jezebel and Emily Books. Her article “105 Trans Women On American TV: A History and Analysis” was nominated for a 2017 GLAAD Media Award. In 2018, Bernard's profile of Hayley Kiyoko was the cover story for Nylon's first-ever Pride Issue.