Daniel "Dan" Savage
- Born:
- October 7, 1964, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Advice Columnist, Author, Journalist, Podcaster, LGBTQ+ Activist
Early Life and Education
- Grew up in Chicago, Illinois, in a Catholic family.
- Graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1986 with a degree in theater.
Career and Major Achievements
- Began his career writing for alternative newspapers in Seattle.
- Founded the syndicated sex advice column "Savage Love" in 1991. This column is a major reason why the phrase "dan savage author biography" is widely searched.
- Established "The Stranger," a Seattle alternative weekly newspaper, in 1991.
- Launched the "Savage Lovecast" podcast in 2006.
- Founded the It Gets Better Project in 2010 in response to suicides of LGBTQ+ teenagers.
- Received numerous awards and accolades for his writing and activism, including a GLAAD Media Award.
Notable Works
- Books:
- Savage Love: Straight Answers from America's Most Popular Sex Columnist (1998)
- The Kid: What Happened After My Boyfriend and I Decided to Go Get Pregnant (1999)
- Skipping Towards Gomorrah: The Sinister Side of Gay Rights (2002)
- The Commitment: Love, Sex, Marriage, and My Family (2005)
- American Savage: Insights, Outrage, and Illicit Advice from the Wildly Popular Savage Love Columnist (2006)
- It Gets Better: Coming Out, Overcoming Bullying, and Creating a Life Worth Living (2011) (Editor)
- Podcast: Savage Lovecast
- Column: Savage Love
Legacy and Impact
Dan Savage has significantly impacted discussions surrounding sex, relationships, and LGBTQ+ rights. His "Savage Love" column and associated projects have provided a platform for open and honest conversations on these topics. The It Gets Better Project, in particular, has offered hope and support to countless LGBTQ+ youth, reducing the rates of suicide.