Like many, I was very sad to see the demise of the Washington Blade and Southern Voice as Windows Media went into Chapter 7 bankruptcy the weekend before last. I've interacted with Blade and Southern Voice staff on a number of occasions, starting back in 2003 when the Southern Voice broke the story on former "ex-gay" poster boy Michael Johnston who was sleeping around the greater Norfolk area with guys using an assumed name. That story more or less ended Johnston's lucrative career as an ex-gay for pay and he continues to hide out at a whacked out Christian "ministry." The staff has always been dedicated and concerned about putting out quality articles. I wish Kevin Naff, Chris Johnson and all the rest of the new DC-Agenda staff (pictured above) much success with the new paper. Kevin Naff had told some of us confidentially that the plan was to rise from the ashes of the Blade and I am pleased to see that the plan is moving forward. Here's some highlights from DC-Agenda's article of the new newspaper's mission:*
Don’t judge us too harshly — the edition of DC Agenda you’re holding is a modest, early iteration of what we hope to achieve in the wake of Washington Blade’s sudden closing this week.
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The former staff of the Washington Blade remains united and DC Agenda represents our effort at continuing the important mission and work of the Blade. It will grow and evolve to include a much larger and more diverse group of voices. But the core of the Washington Blade’s work remains unchanged. We will cover Congress, the White House, the LGBT rights movement, the D.C. marriage fight, local hate crimes and other political issues important to the LGBT residents of the city.
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It’s been a tough week for us, but we are buoyed by the outpouring of support from people all over the city and beyond. We welcome and need your help and will respond to each offer as soon as possible. Thank you to all who have pledged to stick with us, especially our advertisers. Please visit savetheblade.com for updated information on DC Agenda or to make a gift to support the new venture.
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The strength of the Washington Blade did not lie in its brand name — it came from the spirit of those who worked passionately to serve and inform our community. Those people are still here. Our work continues.
Don’t judge us too harshly — the edition of DC Agenda you’re holding is a modest, early iteration of what we hope to achieve in the wake of Washington Blade’s sudden closing this week.
*
The former staff of the Washington Blade remains united and DC Agenda represents our effort at continuing the important mission and work of the Blade. It will grow and evolve to include a much larger and more diverse group of voices. But the core of the Washington Blade’s work remains unchanged. We will cover Congress, the White House, the LGBT rights movement, the D.C. marriage fight, local hate crimes and other political issues important to the LGBT residents of the city.
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It’s been a tough week for us, but we are buoyed by the outpouring of support from people all over the city and beyond. We welcome and need your help and will respond to each offer as soon as possible. Thank you to all who have pledged to stick with us, especially our advertisers. Please visit savetheblade.com for updated information on DC Agenda or to make a gift to support the new venture.
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The strength of the Washington Blade did not lie in its brand name — it came from the spirit of those who worked passionately to serve and inform our community. Those people are still here. Our work continues.
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The Washington Post took note of all that the Washington Blade had done over a period of 40 years and I hope the DC-Agenda will build on that illustrious past.
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