(What’s happening at your publication? Let us know. Email editor Fred Kuhr at editor@presspassq.com)

CAMP REHOBOTH, the Rehoboth Beach, Del., community center that publishes LETTERS FROM CAMP REHOBOTH, announced the retirement of its executive director, KIM LEISEY. She began in her position in July 2023 and will step down in January 2026.

CURVE MAGAZINE held its first live book reading with acclaimed lesbian writer ACHY OBEJAS reading from her newly published bilingual poetry collection, “The Boy Kingdom/El reino de los varones,” a meditation on being a queer mother of two sons. The reading was held virtually on October 16, 2025.

ION ARIZONA, based in Phoenix, announced that its longtime editor DEON BROWN, was let go for financial reasons, citing a 20 percent reduction in sales resulting from Trump administration economic and anti-LGBTQ policies. The publication also furloughed a number of contractors. Additionally, the publication moved out of its midtown Phoenix office after 24 years, stating that maintaining the office had become too expensive.

THE LOS ANGELES BLADE announced that KRISTIE SONG has joined the newspaper as a California Local News Fellow. She recently completed the UC Berkeley California Local News Fellowship. In her new position, Song will explore the intersections of identity, culture and resistance across L.A.’s queer political scene.

NBC OUT, the NBC News vertical focused on LGBTQ news, suffered layoffs along with other community-specific verticals, including NBC BLK, NBC LATINO, and NBC ASIA AMERICA. The layoffs affected about 150 staffers across NBC’s news operations.

NEWS IS OUT, a queer media collaborative, celebrated LGBTQ History Month with a live virtual event on October 28, 2025, entitled, “We Were Here.” Panelists included PHILADELPHIA GAY NEWS founder and publisher MARK SEGAL, writer MARTHA SHELLEY, and activist VICTOR SALVO.

OPTIONS, baed in Providence, R.I., held its fourth annual Options Awards on October 14, 2025, at Mirabar in downtown Providence.

OUT MAGAZINE revealed its full list of 2025 honorers for its 31st annual OUT100 issue. The print edition hit newsstands on October 28, 2025, with actress NIECY NASH-BETTS on the cover as its icon of the year.

OUTSFL, based in Wilton Manors, Fla., announced applications are now open for the MELISSA ST. JOHN College Student Scholarship, honouring the legacy of drag star and activist Melissa St. John. The annual scholarship will support an LGBTQ-identifying undergraduate or graduate student who demonstrates a deep commitment to community service and leadership. Open to Florida residents enrolled or planning to enroll in any accredited two- or four-year college or university in the state, the scholarship will award $1,000 to a student whose activism, volunteer work, or grassroots service is helping uplift their community, especially the LGBTQ community.

QUEERTY, the culture-based LGBTQ website, celebrated its 20th anniversary in October 2025. 

THE WASHINGTON BLADE Best of LGBTQ DC Readers’ Choice Awards Party was held October 16, 2025, at Crush Bar on 14th Street.

WINDY CITY TIMES, based in Chicago, celebrated its 40th anniversary at the city’s famed Sidetrack bar on Halsted Street on September 25, 2025.

JAKE WITTICH, managing editor of Chicago’s WINDY CITY TIMES, was named Journalist of the Year by the Chicago Journalists Association. The award was presented on November 14, 2025, at the organization’s 86th annual awards ceremony. The keynote speaker at the event was TRACY BAIM, executive director of PRESS FORWARD CHICAGO, a fund dedicated to strengthening local news organizations. Baim is also a co-founder of Windy City Times.

THE WORD, based in San Diego, entered its third year of publication with its September 2025 issue.

TRANSITIONS AND MILESTONES
Volume 27
Issue 9