Multimedia Platforms Worldwide (MMPW),
which owns several LGBT outlets, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
MMPW, which is based in Fort
Lauderdale, Florida, owns weekly LGBT publications Florida Agenda
and Next Magazine, which is circulated throughout New York
City, upstate New York, New Jersey and Fire Island, Los Angeles
biweekly gay lifestyle magazine Frontiers, WiRLD city guides
and LGBT newssite WiRLD.com.
According
to South
Florida Gay News, MMPW filed for bankruptcy on Tuesday in
federal court.
MMPW estimates in its bankruptcy
petition assets at less than $50,000 and liabilities between $1 and
$10 million.
MMPW founder Bobby Blair said in a
press release last month that the company was the target of a lawsuit
filed by lenders in Massachusetts which resulted in seizure of the
company's assets. The company's various magazines and newspapers
have ceased publication.
News of MMPW's troubles came less than
a week after the parent company of lesbian website AfterEllen.com
denied
claims that it was shutting down the site but added that going
forward it would rely on freelance writers.