D.C. is saying goodbye to its most prominent GLBT newspaper, the Washington Blade. It had just turned 40 and was turning a small profit, but its parent company, Window Media, wasn't and was forced into Chapter 7 bankruptcy. From Paul Scwartzman: 
 
"The Blade, born in an era when most gays lived in the closet, grew in size and stature as Washington's gay population blossomed and became more politically active and influential."
 
The editor, Kevin Naff, says he hopes to keep the staff together and start another publication in the future.
 
Here is D.C. delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton's statement on the Blade's closing:
 

“Unlike many of today’s publications, the Blade has been an essential resource, not simply a redundant echo among today’s many media fighting for air.  In fact, the Blade was apparently profitable, but went down with its parent corporation.  The Blade has been a unique human rights and information source.  It has always been clear what the Blade has meant to the GLBT community during many years of unusually harsh and intentional discrimination, and far worse.  However, the loss of the Blade also is a loss for every person who wants to be well informed.  Since I have been in Congress, the Blade has been a weekly must-read for me.  I know that many will agree that we should all do whatever we can to help Blade editor Kevin Naff be successful in starting a new GLBT newspaper to serve the gay community and the national capital region."

 
 
 
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