It is a sad day for LGBT media now that employees of the seminal gay newspaper Southern Voice arrived at the publication's office Monday to find the doors locked and a sign posted saying the magazine was no longer in business.
A notice posted at the Southern Voice office in Atlanta stated: "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."
Window Media LLC, based in Washington, D.C., is the country's largest gay and lesbian newspaper publisher. The company also owns the Washington Blade, Genre Magazine, South Florida Blade and a handful of other gay publications.
The Washington Blade, which has been printing groundbreaking gay and lesbian news for 40 years, has also reportedly ceased operation, along with the Houston Voice and various other Window Media properties.
The websites for some of the publications have been taken offline, while others remain up, but with no fresh content posted.
Southern Voice Editor Laura Douglas-Brown told Creative Loafing that employees knew the newspaper was in trouble, but were not notified of the shut down in advance. "We had been told that essentially we'd be sold down the road," Douglas-Brown said. "We had no inclination it'd be this morning. Everyone's in shock right now."
The notice posted at the Southern Voice office asked employees to return on Wednesday to retrieve personal belongings and receive information on separation stipulations.
Window Media was put into federal receivership earlier this year under the Small Business Administration due to serious financial issues with the company. David Unger, CEO of Window Media and United Media, resigned in July after reports he was forced out by the SBA, according toProjectQAtlanta.com.
Posting on the Southern Voice Facebook page Monday, editor
Douglas-Brown said: "While the 20 years of SoVo have come to an end, our civil rights movement is only beginning. I am personally grateful to all of the staff, and to all of you have had the courage to share your stories. It has been the honor of my life to help you tell them."
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