Washington Blade and Other Gay Publications Shut Down By Parent Company

UPDATE 2 11/17/2009: Press Release: Falls Church News-Press Owner Won Bid to Buy & Perpetuate Washington Blade; Future of Significant LGBT Publication Uncertain

UPDATE: The Final Hours of the Washington Blade.

With a heavy heart, I report that Windows Media, the publisher for gay news publications such as the Washington Blade, South Florida Blade and Southern Voice, has shut down due to parent company Avalon Equity Fund having been forced into receivership and has effectively closed shop on all outlets immediately.

Staff of the Southern Voice showed up to work over the weekend to discover this note posted on the office door.

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.

Please return to this office on WEDNESDAY, November 18th, 2009 at 11:00 AM to collect personal belongings and to receive information on your separation stipulations. Please bring boxes and/or containers that will allow you to collect all your personal belongings at one time.

Regretfully,

Steve Myers
Mike Kitchens

All websites have been taken down.

This is a real blow to the community. Before the internet, these papers were a vital news source to the LGBT population. Even in the internet age, they continued to cover stories that were largely overlooked by mainstream media but important to LGBT citizens.