by Joe Siegel

Beginning in January, Atlanta-based Georgia Voice will have a whole new look — and fewer print issues.

The publication has been sold to “hyperlocal” news publisher Rough Draft Atlanta and will begin publishing under Rough Draft’s website, where its archives will soon transfer, and launch a weekly newsletter, according to the company.

The publication will continue to publish a print edition. But starting next year, it will scale back from two issues per month to one. The format will also change to a larger size and will be printed on higher quality paper stock. Georgia Voice will maintain its circulation of 4,500 and remain in the same drop-off locations across the city.

Georgia Voice has been the city’s primary LGBTQ media outlet since it was launched 15 years ago. Publisher Tim Boyd, one of the newspaper’s three founders, is close to retirement. Georgia Voice began after its predecessor Southern Voice shuttered as its parent company went bankrupt. Chris Cash and Laura Douglas-Brown, the other two founders, are no longer affiliated with the newspaper.

Under its new ownership, the Voice’s coverage of issues, events and perspectives amplifying queer voices won’t change, according to Rough Draft’s owner and publisher Keith Pepper. 

Rough Draft will look to add more locations in other cities across the state where the news will be relevant, such as in Athens, where the University of Georgia is located, Pepper noted.

In 2022, Rough Draft conducted an overhaul of its online brand and launch of a new print edition in suburban Tucker. The purchase of Georgia Voice consolidates its status as a media powerhouse.

“It’s also an opportunity to invest in the future of queer-focused media, aligning with the publication’s goal of amplifying the voices of Georgia’s diverse communities,” Pepper said.

Rough Draft publishes six free monthly newspapers mailed to homes in Atlanta, Brookhaven, Dunwoody, Sandy Springs and Tucker, and has 10 regular weekly email newsletters. Georgia Voice will become its seventh paper and 11th newsletter.

“It’s critical that the Voice continues for the LGBTQ community,” Pepper continued. “Having an outlet that is edited and curated by folks in the community gives space for [different] voices, especially in the wake of the last presidential campaign and results of the election.”

Taking the leadership position at the paper is Rough Draft executive editor Collin Kelley. He will serve as both an executive editor at the Voice and Atlanta Intown, one of Rough Draft’s local publications. Rough Draft staff writer Dyana Bagby, who previously served as an editor for Southern Voice, will author the new weekly newsletter.

IN THE NEWS
Volume 26
Issue 10