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News & ArtsMonday, November 16, 2009
Homo Publisher Shuts Down Seven Gay Newspapers
Posted by Dan Savage on Mon, Nov 16, 2009 at 9:20 AM
The Washington Blade, Southern Voice, Houston Voice, and four other publications—quality gay papers—are no more. But somehow this is still publishing.
3
The Washington Blade was very good, much closer in quality to The Stranger than to Seattle Gay News.
4
Why is this city cursed with the SGN. I have never met anyone who takes it seriously in the 15 years I have lived here. I pick it up on the rare occasions I go out and find each issue more appalling than the last.
And could someone tell me who the fuck "Buzz Flowers" is?
And could someone tell me who the fuck "Buzz Flowers" is?
5
The SGN has its problems, but at least it isn't mired in debt. It has run as a successful non-profit for since before most SLOG readers were born. Window Media published several very good publications, but they buried themselves in debt and gambled on a failing business model.
Most of the newspapers and magazines that are failing in the US (gay or straight) are not failing because of lower subscriptions or the internet. They are failing because they took on way too much debt trying to expand. If not for the huge debt loads, most of them could survive off their subscription and ad revenues, which easily cover the basic expenses to produce the publications.
Most of the newspapers and magazines that are failing in the US (gay or straight) are not failing because of lower subscriptions or the internet. They are failing because they took on way too much debt trying to expand. If not for the huge debt loads, most of them could survive off their subscription and ad revenues, which easily cover the basic expenses to produce the publications.
6
Hey, at least SGN doesn't flip out and go sociopathic like Just Out in Portland did over Mayor Sam Adams.
That was a glorious implosion, and I half-expected "them" (it's really just one person calling all the shots) to just stop publishing when the first recall petition failed. Of course, since they've obviously got an agenda in getting Sam out of office, they're getting real cozy with the new recall process...
That was a glorious implosion, and I half-expected "them" (it's really just one person calling all the shots) to just stop publishing when the first recall petition failed. Of course, since they've obviously got an agenda in getting Sam out of office, they're getting real cozy with the new recall process...
8
The Advocate is now an insert in Out, which is ironic on a couple of levels, and Men and Freshmen are discontinued. Soon there will be nothing left at the kiosk but...
13
#4
Buzz is an old guy who writes a friendly comment letter about once a month, which the SGN prints, why not?, from what I have observed.
I doubt you would date him, but, your hostility is astonishing. Who the hell are you? Mr. Hot Shit Kirby?
Buzz is an old guy who writes a friendly comment letter about once a month, which the SGN prints, why not?, from what I have observed.
I doubt you would date him, but, your hostility is astonishing. Who the hell are you? Mr. Hot Shit Kirby?
15
The Washington Blade once had some relevance. Then, about five years ago, it started to veer way off course. A lot of this had to do with the editorial direction of Chris Crain (who was responsible for the Blade's official shark-jumping moment: hiring that conservative gay prostitute as a columnist). After he ran off to Brazil to be with his boy, Windows Media just ground what was left of the shitshow into the ground. Luckily, DC still has Metro Weekly. It's an excellent weekly that has taken over all the local reporting the Blade couldn't be bothered with.
And the SGN? I've seen better designed (and better reported) newsletters from the local senior center. Embarrassing.
And the SGN? I've seen better designed (and better reported) newsletters from the local senior center. Embarrassing.
16
yeah, we need more gay rags like the Stranger, who love to TALK about gay rights, but not a single fucking editor or wannabe reporter can actually do anything except ATTACK gay activists. The only people who care about the Stranger are the 20 people who sit in front of their computer screens all day posting on Slog and 17 year old kids on Vashon Island who want to know who's playing in Seattle this weekend. Rot in hell, Keenan Savage.
18
One of the reasons that SGN doesn't have to step up, and no one (like 'Mo) can compete is largely to do with The Stranger.
I assume you're pretty content with that status quo, Dan...
I assume you're pretty content with that status quo, Dan...
19
Everytime I pick up the SGN, it's quickly evident that they know even less about spending money than they do about making it.
20
#19
Gee, such a brilliant statement.
Quickly, take $500,000.00 and compete. Other have tried, many, and several dumped that amount....
Former Seattle Queen, now in LA, avid SGN on line reader
Gee, such a brilliant statement.
Quickly, take $500,000.00 and compete. Other have tried, many, and several dumped that amount....
Former Seattle Queen, now in LA, avid SGN on line reader
21
Calling bullshit on 18 and 20. Mo magazine had a similar budget, looked like a real publication, covered interesting events, (barely) broke even and I'd even occasionally see people reading it. Only reason it stopped was because the owners had to move to AZ for family reasons.
22
#16
"The only people who care about the Stranger are the 20 people who sit in front of their computer screens all day posting on Slog and 17 year old kids on Vashon Island who want to know who's playing in Seattle this weekend"
I live in Wellington, New Zealand - I don't care what's going on in seattle, and I have no idea where vashon island is. I read slog because it is intelligent, witty and incisive. If you hate Dan so much what are you doing "sit[ting] in front of [your] computer screen all day posting on Slog". I would suggest going outside taking a long deep breath and chilling the frak out
"The only people who care about the Stranger are the 20 people who sit in front of their computer screens all day posting on Slog and 17 year old kids on Vashon Island who want to know who's playing in Seattle this weekend"
I live in Wellington, New Zealand - I don't care what's going on in seattle, and I have no idea where vashon island is. I read slog because it is intelligent, witty and incisive. If you hate Dan so much what are you doing "sit[ting] in front of [your] computer screen all day posting on Slog". I would suggest going outside taking a long deep breath and chilling the frak out
23
A sad day for gay media.
Interesting, though, that San Francisco has quite a lot of local gay periodicals, of which at least three (Bay Area Reporter, Bay Times, and Gloss) seem to be doing well.
Interesting, though, that San Francisco has quite a lot of local gay periodicals, of which at least three (Bay Area Reporter, Bay Times, and Gloss) seem to be doing well.
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