"Andrea has been at the forefront of journalism on women's rights and LGBT issues this year. She has also done an exceptional job of covering Toronto City Hall for Xtra. Most prominently though she has played a pivotal role in calling attention to the ban on Gay Straight Alliances (GSAs) in Ontario's Catholic Schools."

"I would like to second Andrea's nomination as Newsperson of the Year. In addition to her excellent work covering the fight for Gay Straight Alliances in Catholic schools, she's also fearless, fair, and hardworking in her coverage of all the issues that matter to Xtra's community of readers. And her sense of justice is equalled by her sense of humour. She's a credit to Pink Triangle Press."

Some further coverage that Houston has given to the issue of Gay Straight Alliances includes:

http://dailyxtra.com/toronto/news/gsa-ban-lifted-halton-catholic-school-board

http://dailyxtra.com/toronto/news/rick-mercer-appalled-catholic-schools-deny-gay-straight-alliances

http://dailyxtra.com/toronto/news/ontario-minister-education-vows-gsas-will-mandated-in-schools