Washington Blade

Washington Blade
TypeWeekly LGBT newspaper
FormatTabloid
PublisherLynne Brown
EditorKevin Naff
Founded1969; 55 years ago (1969)
HeadquartersWashington, D.C., United States
Circulation20,326 (as of 2019)[1]
ISSN0278-9892
Websitewashingtonblade.com

The Washington Blade is an LGBT newspaper in the Washington metropolitan area. The Blade is the oldest LGBT newspaper in the United States and third largest by circulation, behind the Philadelphia Gay News and the Gay City News of New York City.[2][3] The Blade is often referred to as America's gay newspaper of record because it chronicled LGBT news locally, nationally, and internationally.[4][5][6] The New York Times said the Blade is considered "one of the most influential publications written for a gay audience."[7]

The paper was originally launched as an independent publication in October 1969 with a focus on bringing the community together. In 2001, the Blade was purchased by Window Media LLC,[2] a group of gay-oriented newspapers circulated throughout the United States[8] with a staff composed of professional journalists, becoming a leading source of news for the readers both in Washington and around the nation.[9] The paper publishes weekly on Fridays[10] and celebrated its 50th anniversary in October 2019.[11]

In November 2009, the Blade and several related publications, including the Southern Voice, were shut down after Window Media announced it was closing business.[2][12] After Blade staff members were told they no longer had jobs, plans were made for a new gay publication entitled DC Agenda, since the trademark for Washington Blade was still held by the now-defunct Window Media.[12][13][14]

It was announced on April 27, 2010, that the DC Agenda would rename itself to the Washington Blade. The ownership group of the Agenda consisted of many former staff members of the Blade, who purchased the trademark and paper archives out of bankruptcy court. The first issue of the newly independent Blade debuted on April 30, 2010.[15]

  1. ^ "District of Columbia Newspaper Circulation" (PDF). ANR. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 20, 2019. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c "Oldest US newspaper for gays and lesbians shutting down". Agence France-Presse. news.smh.com.au. November 16, 2009. Archived from the original on August 20, 2012. Retrieved November 16, 2009.
  3. ^ "Distant Voices - Alumni Updates..." (PDF). TunnelVision (5). Vanderbilt University Alumni Association: 5. Spring 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-07-04. Retrieved 2007-02-21.
  4. ^ Burnett, Richard (2006-10-28). "Double-edged Blade". Article. Fugues.com. Archived from the original on 2007-05-03. Retrieved 2007-02-21.
  5. ^ Bugg, Sean (2002-04-18). "Hard News". Article. Metro Weekly. Archived from the original on 2003-04-19. Retrieved 2007-03-06.
  6. ^ Segraves, Mark (November 16, 2009). "Longtime gay publication shutting its doors". WTOP-FM. wtop.com. Archived from the original on June 11, 2011. Retrieved November 16, 2009.
  7. ^ Pérez-Peña, Richard (November 17, 2009). "Washington Blade Newspaper Closes Down". The New York Times. pp. B4. Archived from the original on July 31, 2012. Retrieved November 17, 2009.
  8. ^ "BladeRunners". Article. Washington City Paper. 2002-04-12. Retrieved 2007-02-21. [dead link‍]
  9. ^ Wolf, Buck (2006-07-14). "No Privacy for Lance Bass at Gay Bar". Article. ABC News. Archived from the original on 2007-03-09. Retrieved 2007-02-21.
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference audit was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ Cite error: The named reference rainbowhistory was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  12. ^ a b Schwartzman, Paul (November 16, 2009). "Washington Blade to close". The Washington Post. washingtonpost.com. Archived from the original on November 11, 2012. Retrieved November 16, 2009.
  13. ^ Wemple, Erik (November 16, 2009). "Blade Staff to Launch New Publication". Washington City Paper. washingtoncitypaper.com. Archived from the original on November 19, 2009. Retrieved November 16, 2009.
  14. ^ Hess, Amanda (November 16, 2009). "The Final Hours of the Washington Blade". Washington City Paper. washingtoncitypaper.com. Archived from the original on November 18, 2009. Retrieved November 16, 2009.
  15. ^ Zak, Dan (April 27, 2010). "D.C. Agenda sets a memorable date: The return of the Washington Blade". The Washington Post. pp. C1.[dead link‍]