Out and The Advocate announce new editorial team
by Fred Kuhr
Last December, the editors in chief of two of the most venerable community magazines — Out and The Advocate — both announced that they were leaving Pride Media, which owns both publications, on the same day, December 11. In total, as many as 11 staffers left the company in one fell swoop.
But in February, the company announced what it called “a new and innovative leadership structure.”
According to the company, CEO Diane Anderson-Minshall will serve as executive editorial director of all five of its brands — Out, The Advocate, Plus, Pride, and Out Traveler, overseeing 15 editors, three social media experts, and five creative arts staffers who each work across the brands.
David Artavia and Tracy E. Gilchrist have been named editors in chief of The Advocate. Artavia, who has
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| New Out editor in chief Richard Pérez-Feria (left) and new editors in chief of The Advocate Tracy E. Gilchrist and David Artavia |
most recently been serving as managing editor for The Advocate and Plus magazines, is an award-winning journalist whose recent reporting has ignited dialogue about #MeToo and sexual assault among gay and bi men as well as access to health care among LGBTQ people and those living with chronic health conditions.
Noting that Artavia is Latinx, Pride Media said he will continue to do work that pressures public officials to reach out to marginalized communities. Prior to The Advocate, Artavia was head writer for GayGuys.com and the popular gay blog Gayety.co. He was named one of Folio Magazine’s 2019 Rising Stars.
“The Advocate quite literally saved my life growing up,” said Artavia. “In today’s political climate, where the rights of LGBTQ people are constantly under threat and scrutiny, there has never been a more important time to preserve our stories. Our jobs as journalists have never been more vital, as we are the watchdogs and protectors of truth. I’m very much looking forward to continue uplifting the voices of the marginalized and bringing visibility to our ever-changing, colorful landscape of thought leaders, activists, and game-changers.”
Gilchrist, who has been with Pride Media (previously Here Media) for 12 years, was The Advocate’s first feminism editor, writing about the intersections of women and LGBTQ equality and pop culture. Prior to that, she was deputy editor of Pride.com and, for nearly a decade, editor in chief of SheWired, Here Media’s site for queer women. In addition to her writing, Gilchrist created and cohosted The Advocate’s Podcast, the brand’s first podcast.
“As a reader of The Advocate since I bought my first copy at the LGBTQ-owned Reader’s Feast Bookstore and Café in Hartford, Conn., circa 1990,” said Gilchrist, “I’ve had firsthand knowledge of its power, importance, and reach. I’ve since dedicated my career to writing for several different LGBTQ media brands and for amplifying queer stories and storytellers. At a time when the relevance of queer media is continually in question, it is my honor to help carry forth The Advocate brand. Although it is a virtual queer space, its existence as a destination for queer people is as important as our Pride festivals, community centers, and remaining clubs and bars.”
Richard Pérez-Feria has been named Out’s new editor in chief. Currently editor in chief and CEO of Saratoga Living, he began his career at Esquire. Early in his career, Pérez-Feria was the founding editor in chief of Poz Magazine. He later was editor in chief at Time Inc.’s People en Español.
Mikelle Street, formerly Out’s senior editor, has been named digital director of the magazine. Street was previously a style editor for Maxim. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, GQ, Esquire, Allure, Vice, Elle and Harper’s.
Additionally, Raine Bascos, creative director of The Advocate and Plus, has been named executive creative director, and Michael Lombardo named associate creative director, for all brands. Out’s former visuals editor, Nic Bloise, has been named photo director while associate editor Desirée Guerrero has become associate editor and interactive art associate.
Neal Broverman was named digital editor in chief of Advocate.com and editor in chief of Plus magazine, the company’s health magazine. Neal previously served as executive editor of The Advocate.
Jacob Anderson-Minshall becomes editor in chief of OutTraveler.com as well as production editor of Out, Plus and The Advocate. A disabled queer transgender editor and writer, Jacob has most recently served as the deputy editor of The Advocate and Plus magazines and has worked with Pride’s branded partnerships team (with clients including Greater Fort Lauderdale, Marriott, and Gilead).
Trudy Ring becomes senior politics editor of The Advocate (she was previously copy chief) and Donald Padgett will become an assistant editor (he was previously assistant to the editor). Raffy Ermac will continue as editor in chief of Pride.com with Taylor Henderson as deputy editor. The Advocate’s senior editor Daniel Reynolds will now have that title across all brands.
“As we move into a new decade and an important election year, I can’t help but be excited by these exceptionally talented editors and artists who are ready to drive the cultural conversation around LGBTQ issues,” said Diane Anderson-Minshall.
“Pride Media is an exciting microcosm of the LGBTQ community: The team is African American, Native American, Asian American, Latinx, and white; men, women, and nonbinary folks; married parents and single moms; religious minorities, Jews, Christians, and atheists; straight allies and PFLAG parents; bisexual, gay, lesbian, queer, transgender, and pansexual; single, married, divorced, swinging, and looking for love. Our youngest is barely out of the teens, our oldest in a septuagenarian. We all know it’s the voices and stories of the people outside our offices who matter most. We aim to elevate them and serve a social mission to amplify LGBTQ voices while entertaining, educating, and challenging our readers, users, and followers.”
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Volume 21
Issue 12
