Gay, Lesbian Newspapers Cease Publication

Window Media LLC was America's largest publisher of newspapers serving the gay and lesbian community. It announced it was shutting down over the weekend and all of its newspapers have ceased publication.

The Southern Voice (Atlanta), the Houston Voice, the South Florida Blade and the Washington Blade all ceased publication on Monday. Window Media LLC's publications were some of the oldest, largest and most influential gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender publications in the United States. According to examiner.com, the Washington Blade would have celebrated its 40th anniversary later this year and had a circulation of 23,000. The Southern Voice had been published for 21 years and had a circulation of 100,000. On Monday Windows Media LLC's Washington offices were locked and a brief statement was posted: "It is with great regret that we must inform you that effective immediately, the operations of Window Media LLC and Unite Media LLC have closed down." The Washington Blade announced its closure with a terse tweet Monday morning: "The Washington Blade, like all Window Media publications, is closing today. Thank you for your support. (Keep following us for developments.)" Its main competitor, Washington Metro will continue to publish. Looking to the future the editor and staff of the Washington Blade hope to establish an employee-run newspaper to fill the gap left by the Blade's closure. The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that the closure of Windows Media LLC reflects problems also evident in the mainstream media and national gay publications such as The Advocate. "Window Media's troubles reflect the challenges gay publications are facing nationally, said Todd Evans, president and chief executive officer of Rivendell Media. Several national magazines and newspapers, including the Advocate, one of the nation’s longest-running magazines, are facing closure."