by Joe Siegel

Layoffs at LGBTQ media outlets, including The Advocate, OUT, Out Traveler, Health PLUS Wellness and Pride.com, have impacted many key staffers.

“Former staff members at the Advocate and Out magazines revealed that parent company Equalpride laid off a number of employees late last week,” the Washington Blade reported in late February. “Those let go included Advocate editor-in-chief Alex Cooper, Pride.com editor-in-chief Rachel Shatto, brand partnerships manager Erin Manley, community editor Marie-Adélina de la Ferriére, and Out magazine staff writers Moises Mendez and Bernardo Sim, according to a report in Hollywood Reporter.”

This latest move follows the Equalpride laying off six staffers last October.

On the heels of the latest layoffs, Equalpride announced it acquired Them, a digital LGBTQ outlet founded in 2017 by Conde Nast and led by editor in chief Fran Tirado,

The Hollywood Reporter printed portions of a memo it obtained that was sent to staff by Mark Berryhill, CEO of Equalpride.

“This is an email no CEO ever wants to write: today, we made the difficult decision to further reduce our staff size. I want to be open and transparent with you about the uphill battle we’re facing. The advertising market remains in turmoil. Companies aren’t spending as much on marketing due to current economic concerns and challenges. In the last few months, we have had cancellations of major advertising campaigns, which have dramatically impacted our company,” Berryhill wrote, according to the Hollywood Reporter, noting that the company will be “pursuing revenue projects that are not tied to advertising dollars.”

“We can’t let the economic and political climate overshadow our calling to amplify the voices that need to be heard as our queer community fights for inclusion and faces daily setbacks in human rights,” Berryhill wrote.

In response to the company acquiring Them so soon after the latest round of layoffs, Berryhill told the Hollywood Reporter, “Equalpride exists to elevate, celebrate and protect LGBTQ+ storytelling at scale. By combining the strengths of our brands with this respected digital platform, we’re creating a unified ecosystem that delivers even more impact for our audiences, advertisers, and community partners. Adding the Them brand accelerates our mission and expands the ways we can champion LGBTQ+ voices year‑round.”

“Leading The Advocate was a dream job,” Cooper said. “At this critical time for LGBTQ+ people, it was a privilege to tell queer stories. I joke that it was ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ that made me want to become a journalist and eventually an editor, so while I wait for ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2,’ I can only imagine where my own story goes next.”

“After nearly four years at Equalpride, I was recently impacted by layoffs. I’m grateful for the work, the experiences, and the incredible people I had the chance to collaborate with during that time,” Manley posted on her LinkedIn account. “I led and supported brand partnerships across digital, social, video, and live events, working with Fortune 500 brands, tourism boards, and mission driven organizations to build campaigns that connected with LGBTQ audiences in meaningful ways. As I look ahead, I’m exploring new opportunities in partnerships, marketing, and audience growth. If you know a team that could use someone with this experience, I’d love to connect.”

“I understand, given the turbulent landscape in media and publishing, that this was a difficult decision for the entire team, but I’m still heartbroken at the news,” said de la Ferriére. “Working with the amazing team at Out Magazine, The Advocate and Pride.com has been one of the best moments in my career as a journalist, content creator, and publicist. Being able to hold an influential role in queer- and LGBT-focused media as a Black trans creative is an honor I don’t take lightly.”

“Last Friday, my time as editor-in-chief of Pride.com came to a close,” Shatto wrote on her LinkedIn page. “It’s a period of my life I’m looking back on with enormous satisfaction and humility. It meant the world to me to be part of a publication that made joy its core ethos and told stories that uplifted as much as they informed and entertained. During my time at Pride, I put my heart and soul into connecting with and growing our audience — who, thankfully, responded in kind. I’m proud of the success we had expanding our reach and becoming a trusted voice in the media landscape. But none of it would have been possible without the incredible work of my team. I’m deeply grateful for their drive, dedication, and talent. I will miss working alongside them most of all.”

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Volume 28
Issue 2