Gay publisher Window Media has
shuttered its most recognizable newspaper, the Washington Blade,
after 40 years.
In a Blade Twitter post Monday, the
paper announced the closure: “Washington Blade, like all
Window Media publications, is closing today. Thank you for your
support.”
The paper's website was offline on
Monday.
Also ending their runs today are the
Atlanta-based gay weekly Southern Voice, Houston Voice,
David Atlanta, South Florida Blade and 411 Magazine.
The development follows an earlier
announcement that gay monthly The
Advocate will be trimmed down from a standalone magazine to a
32-page insert bundled inside gay-glam glossy Out.
Window Media is
considered America's largest gay and lesbian newspaper publisher.
The company closed down three additional properties over the summer:
HX Magazine, the New York Blade and monthly glossy
Genre.
“To everyone
who's expressing gratitude, love and support: Thank you,” said a
message posted on the Blade's Twitter account. “You're helping
stem the tears.”
The UK's only
national LGBT newspaper, Pink
Paper, closed its print operation in July, but executives
said they might return when the economy rebounds.