THEGAYUK

Tag: Media Watch

Read the latest news and analysis of media in the UK and abroad. Browse THEGAYUK’s entire archive on news about the media.

  • The slow and steady decline of LGBT+ media: Over 10 news brands have closed in recent years

    The slow and steady decline of LGBT+ media: Over 10 news brands have closed in recent years

    With the news that leading LGBT+ website, Gay Star News has ceased to trade we look at some of the other sites that no longer exist.

    Which gay news websites have closed down
    Free-Photos / Pixabay

    It’s not just LGBT+ venues that are closing at an astonishing rate, gay media is also under threat with many sites, unfortunately shuttering. Here are a few that no longer exist or haven’t been updated in a long time.

    Gay Star News

    Gay Star News was an LGBT+ news site which opened in 2012. It was co-founded by Tris Ried-Smith and Scott Nunn. In ran into financial troubles and closed in 2019 leaving 20 staff without jobs. It was unable to make its last payroll leaving the staff without pay for their work.

    Puffta

    Puffta was an online lifestyle site which ran from the early noughties. Although the domain still exists it hasn’t been updated in years.

    AXM

    AXM magazine was a printed and online magazine which ceased printing in 2008. It was turned into an online-only venture but only one issue was ever created. Although the website was updated sometime after the last issue, the news site no longer exists.

    G3

    Part Square Peg Media group, g3 was a lesbian and bi women’s magazine. It was launched in 2001 by Lisa Knight and Sarah Garrett but ceased trading in 2013.

    Out In The City

    Another of Square Peg Media’s products which was created in 2007, but ceased to print in mid-2014. While the website is still online it has not been updated in quite some time.

    SoSoGay

    SoSoGay was a website that launched in 2009 and was a culture review heavy. It took a “hiatus” in the latter part of the 2010 and never really came back. It was seemingly spun off on to a website called Gayist, but that no longer exists either. It may still return – and when it does the LGBT+ reviews category will have gained a valuable resource.

    Into

    Into was the world’s largest, by hits, LGBT+ news brand, owned by the dating app, Grindr. It was closed abruptly in early 2019 – without notice. Grindr bosses say they wanted Into to become a “video-first” digital property.

    Polari Magazine

    PolariMagazine.com is still online, but it hasn’t been updated since 2014 when the site ceased to upload any new articles on its sixth birthday. As a way of explaining the site’s founder, Christopher Bryant wrote, “the way that we use the internet has changed, and the way that people obtain information from it has evolved. The idea of a magazine website is not the same as it was even 3 years ago”.

    I’m Playing Out

    I’mPlayingOut.com was a small but informative gay website which was around for a few years in the early to mid-2010s.

    AfterElton.com

    AfterElton was an American website aimed at gay and bi men, which launched in 2005. It was in 2013 that the site changed its name to The Back Lot. TheBackLot didn’t last too long as it was taken over by NewNowNext.com in 2015, which is unavailable for readers in EU countries.

    TheBackLot.com

    Was a shortlived gay news website which was taken over by the Logo owned, NewNowNext.com in 2015.

    The Pink Paper

    Pink Paper was a printed and online news brand which finally closed in 2012. It was founded in the late 80s – but its printed edition closed in 2009. It was owned by the Milrves Prowler group, which also no longer exists.

    HisKind

    An LGBT+ news site and magazine that was set up by Dean Eastmond, who sadly passed away in 2017. Although his magazine continued for a while after his death, the site and related social medias haven’t been updated since June 2018

    Do you know of any more? Send us an update: newsdesk (@) thegayuk.com

  • This is how the Daily Mail wrote about “gay genes findings” in 1993

    This is how the Daily Mail wrote about “gay genes findings” in 1993

    A shocking article has unearthed how a national newspaper wrote about the discovery of a now-debunked “gay gene”.

    “Abortion Hope” reads the headline of a Daily Mail article after scientists in America thought they had made a definitive link between homosexuality and genetics.

    The article appeared in a July 1993 edition of the Daily Mail and so disgusted Communications Director Antony Tiernan, that he cut out the article to keep to remind him to be proud of who he is. Writing on Twitter he said, “The article repulsed me so much I cut it out and have kept it to this date. It reminds me to be proud about who I am!”

    In the article, journalist Jason Lewis wrote, “isolation of the genes means it could soon be possible to predict whether a baby will be gay and give the mother the option of an abortion”.

    Today it was revealed that there is no one single gay gene, but genetics do play a small part in somebody’s sexual orientation.

     

    The tweet has been retweeted nearly 1000 times and has attracted a huge volume of comments.

    THEGAYUK.com reached out to Jason Lewis for comment.

  • Interviewer asks Troye Sivan whether he’s a top or bottom and gets shut down

    Interviewer asks Troye Sivan whether he’s a top or bottom and gets shut down

    An interviewer’s job is to get into the nooks and crannies of their subject’s life, but how far to probe is too far?

    Asking a gay pop star whether they’re a top of a bottom might just be that line and Troye Sivan, was not here for the questioning – saying that he was “passing the question” and called the interviewer, Matt Fistonich, “wildly invasive, strange and innapropriate”

    Turns out the internet, well, Twitter wasn’t for the line of questioning either, with many on social media calling out the journalist who conducted the interview for his line of questioning.

    In the interview, for Express Magazine in NZ, Matt asked a variety of questionings including, whether Troye’s boyfriend would give him a “hall pass” for his celebrity crush, Shawn Mendes and whether he likes Will And Grace – because, well you know, gay…

    Troye’s fans blasted the journalist calling on Matt to apologise for the questions and some even suggested that he should be fired from his job… because you know… Twitter.

    https://twitter.com/TROYESPRlDE/status/1166809274913370112

    Even Buzzfeed has got involved…. because you know, Buzzfeed…

    https://twitter.com/davidmackau/status/1166812229259485184

     

  • LGBT+ News brand GayStarNews to cease trading

    LGBT+ News brand GayStarNews to cease trading

    GayStarNews, which was created in 2012 will cease business today, leaving around 20 staff members without a job.

    GayStarNews, which enjoyed around a 23 per cent share of the LGBT+ news market is entering insolvency according to BBC LGBT+ correspondent, Ben Hunte.

    GayStarNews was the brainchild of Tris Reid-Smith and Scott Nunn. The brand was opened in 2012. According to SimilarWeb the website attracted around 1.5 to 2 million hits a month, (although the publishers claimed a readership of over 5 million) and was number 19 in the list of LGBT+ websites on the planet.

    It also created the world’s first Digital Pride.

    According to Hunte, around 20 staff members were told that the company was to cease trading through a series of meetings.

    Replaying the news, Hunte wrote on Twitter, “LGBT media group Gay Star News will cease trading tomorrow. It is entering insolvency resulting in ~20 job losses. Staff were reportedly told 48hrs before pay day via meetings”.

    GSN has yet to confirm the news, but the last piece of content published was yesterday afternoon and the last Tweet sent from its account was over 18 hours ago (from the publishing of this article).

    Founder of Pink News, Ben Cohen wished the staff of GSN “good luck” for the future, while Ally Camps, the co-chair of Pride In London wrote that it was “terrible news”.

    Darren Styles, who publishes Attitude Magazine, “That is a great shame, LGBTQ media is a small enough place as it is.”

    Tough world

    The entire media industry has had a tough few years with many reported closures and hundreds of journalists losing their jobs. As consumers move online to read their news, some newsgroups are finding it hard to adapt and find sustainable financial models.

    The online advertising market is incredibly challenging and news brands can find it hard to compete with both Google and Facebook, which swallow huge proportions of advertisers’ money.

  • Pink News apologises to MP and makes a donation to charity as compensation

    Pink News apologises to MP and makes a donation to charity as compensation

    One of the UK’s leading LGBT+ news outlets, PinkNews apologises after publishing a story about Joanna Cherry QC which was later found to be untrue.

    kconcha / Pixabay

    PinkNews has offered an “unreserved” apology to  Joanna Cherry QC the MP for Edinburgh South West after it published a story which was later found to be untrue.

    Taking to Twitter, Ms Cherry wrote, “Last week ⁦⁩ published a defamatory story about me. I’m pleased to have secured a full apology, a donation to a charity of my choice – – & full payment of my legal costs”.

    In a statement, PinkNews wrote,

    “The claim was untrue and we would like to apologise unreservedly to Ms Cherry.

    “It is well known that Ms Cherry is a human rights lawyer. She came out as a lesbian over 30 years ago and campaigned against section 28. She has spent a lifetime marching and campaigning for the rights of the LGBT+ community and as a politician regularly speaks up for their rights in parliament and beyond.

    “It was not our intention nor is it in our interest to alienate any member of the LGBT+ community and we are truly sorry for the harm caused.

    “We are happy also to confirm that we have made a donation to the Lesbian and Gay Immigration Group at Ms Cherry’s request in compensation for the damage done and we have paid Ms Cherry’s legal costs.

    In a statement published by Pink News, Ms Cherry wrote,

    “I am pleased that the PinkNews has withdrawn this damaging and hurtful allegation. I believe in equal rights for all. It is not acceptable for lesbians who speak up for women and girls’ rights and against hateful speech and abuse to be denigrated. I hope the LGBTI+ movement can resume its previous habit of respectful debate over differences of opinion within the community.”

    The amount donated to the UK Lesbian and Gay Immigration Group has not been disclosed nor have the legal costs involved.

     

  • Lord Cashman officially opens the UK’s Pride Media Centre

    Lord Cashman officially opens the UK’s Pride Media Centre

    A CELEBRATED LGBT+ campaigner has officially opened an innovative venture, which is set to transform lives and boost job prospects in the North East.

    Opening of the UK’s first LGBT+ Pride Business & Media Centre in Stonehills, Pelaw, Gateshead. Photo of Lord Michael Cashman.

    The Pride Media Centre, at Stonehills, Pelaw, is the UK’s first LGBT+ business and media hub.

    And, the complex, which is designed to support LGBT+ entrepreneurs through training, facilities and advice, was officially opened by Lord Michael Cashman CBE on Friday (31 May).

    A variety of businesses and organisations have made a home in the centre, including the not for profit organisation, Pride Community Network and multi-channel broadcaster Pride World Media, which includes Pride Radio 89.2fm and Pride World Radio, which broadcasts online to around 125 countries.

    One of the founders of national charity, Stonewall, and a former actor, Lord Cashman made history with the first gay male kiss on mainstream British television when he appeared as Colin in EastEnders.

    He has since become a leading campaigner and equality activist and in his speech to the 100 strong audience, he said: “When we set up Stonewall 30 years ago, I never thought we’d achieve equality in my lifetime and I certainly never thought I would be here in Gateshead opening the Pride Media Centre.

    “What we have got here is people who have got the guts to stand up not only for themselves but for others.”

    Opening of the UK’s first LGBT+ Pride Business & Media Centre in Stonehills, Pelaw, Gateshead. Lord Michael Cashman talks with Peter Darrent on Pride Radio

    The hub has been supported by Gateshead Council and Lord Cashman said: “I know it is ideas that change the world and I congratulate Gateshead Council for the idea and the support, which sends the signal that it’s not all about the bigger cities, it is about innovation and courage to put yourself at the front.”

    The hub is also the home of newly launched online television station, Out and Proud TV, and it will provide a range of support and opportunities to the LGBT+ community and their allies, including outreach programmes designed to reach isolated members of the LGBT+ community.

    “I am very proud that Gateshead has the first LGBT+ business and media centre in the UK and this is the place where we will start something big that will have repercussions all over the UK,” said Peter Darrant, CEO of Pride World Media.

    “In this strange world we live in, where we think we have all the rights, it is still very important to fly the LGBT+ flag outside.

    “There is an urgency to have something like this building and we have been waiting 50 years for it, so while we officially open the centre for the first time today, this is just the beginning.”

  • Grindr’s IntoMore magazine looses millions of visits

    Grindr’s IntoMore magazine looses millions of visits

    After the effective disbanding of its editorial team, Grindr’s online magazine, Into has lost millions of visitors.

    Into was the world’s most read LGBT+ news site, topping over 7,500,000 hits per month according to SimilarWeb, however after it was announced that the site’s editorial team had been let go, the site has lost over 7,000,000 monthly visitors.

    In the month before the effective closure of the editorial team, IntoMore.com recieved over 7.3 million hits, in April 2019 that had fallen to 360,000 hits.

    It is now one of the smallest players in the American LGBT+ news market.

    Grindr‘s digital magazine, Into, which was launched in 2017, the Chinese-owned dating app company says it was looking to focus on other areas, including “video”.

     

  • Piers Morgan’s “trans slender” Tweet was GMB’s most popular post

    Piers Morgan’s “trans slender” Tweet was GMB’s most popular post

    ITV digital bosses admitted that Piers Morgan identifying as skinny was its most successful post in April, with over 1.6 million engagements.

    (ITV)Piers

    Back in April Piers Morgan said that he identified as skinny and apparently the accompanying social media post on Twitter sent users into a “frenzy” according to ITV’s digital team for Good Morning Britain, which sent an all staffer email to highlight the digital engagement.

    Piers posted a Tweet in which he called himself “trans slender”, whilst announcing during a live broadcast, on Good Morning Britain saying that he was identifying as a skinny person.

    GMB tweeted the news, highlighting it as an “exclusive announcement”.

    According to the email, over 1.6 million people engaged with the post generating over 10,000 comments, shares and retweets. Digital bosses highlighted the engagement in bold red, to show off how significant the digital reach was for the programme.

    Piers celebrated the news by tweeting “Trans-slender power”.

    At the time, Piers was criticised for saying that he identified as skinny, with TV’s Doctor Ranj calling him out saying that the jokes said by Piers could be harmful to vulnerable people. The Strictly Come Dancing star implored Piers, as a medical professional to stop doing it – a request that didn’t go down too well with the ever outspoken Piers.

    Embed from Getty Images

    Embed from Getty Images

    In his response to Dr Ranj, Piers wrote, “Hi Ranj, I am getting a little tired of humourless ‘woke’ berks like you telling me what gender-related jokes I can & can’t make on TV for entertainment… I implore you: PLEASE don’t do it.”

  • Grindr is getting sold back to the Americans

    Grindr is getting sold back to the Americans

    The US has demanded that Grindr be sold back to a US firm amid security concerns.

    CREDIT: Ryazan / BIGSTOCK

    Grindr is to be sold back to a US firm.

    In 2018 a majority stake in the world’s most popular gay hookup app was sold to a Chinese gaming firm in a deal that was worth nearly $100 million. However, the firm that sought to buy the firm, Kunlun Tech is going to auction off its stake by mid-2020.

    The Committee on Foreign Investment in the US ruled that the treasure trove of data held by Grindr would be a concern for the national security of the United States and is effectively forcing the sale of the company back to a US company. The ruling from the Committee on Foreign Investment also ordered that the firm cannot share any data harvested from the app.

    If no buyer is found the company will be forced to give over the app to a trustee.

    Last year Grindr came under fire after it was revealed that the new CEO, Scott Chen was a heterosexual man, who seemingly took an anti-gay marriage stance.

    Scott Chen, wrote, in a deleted (but later reinstated) social media message that it was his belief that marriage should be between and man and a woman.

    He said, “There are people who believe that marriage is a holy matrimony between a man and a woman. I agree but that’s none of our business. There are also people who believe that the purpose of marriage is to create children that carry their DNA. That’s also none of our business. There are people that are simply different from you, who desperately want to get married. They have their own reasons.”

    Earlier this year Grindr closed its online magazine, Into, which at the time was the world’s most read LGBT+ media brand. It went, according to SimliarWeb, from over 7.5 million unique readers in December 2018 to just over 300,000 last month.

  • Transport for London removes Brunei adverts

    Transport for London has removed adverts from Brunei across its network.

    Adverts which called Brunei an “Abode of Peace” have been removed from across the Transport for London network. The removal comes after numerous people complained about the advert’s messaging following on from Brunei’s decision to enact a law which introduces the death penalty for sex between men.

    Numerous travellers on the network implored TfL to removed the posters, with many saying that the slogan “an abode for peace” was not accurate, particularly for LGBT+ people in the region.

    A statement from TfL said that the advert when reviewed against their policy it is clear that “this is an issue of great public sensitively and controversy” and said that the poster would be removed from the network.

    It also said any future adverts would be “reviewed against the advertising policy, and information that has recently come to light would be considered in any decision”.

     

    Travel boycotts

    ©-anterovium-Depositphotos

    Set featured image

    At least one major travel firm has said it would no longer offer flights on the government-owned airline, Royal Brunei Airlines. STA Travel said, “We’re proud of our open and diverse culture and we expect our partners to demonstrate the same. We do not support in any way the laws being introduced in Brunei (including on Brunei-registered aircraft and vessels). Because of this, we have stopped selling Royal Brunei Airlines flights”.

  • AfterEllen.com acquired by new owners

    AfterEllen.com acquired by new owners

    The site AllenEllen.com for lesbian and bisexual women has been acquired by new owners

    AllenEllen.com has been acquired by a company called Lesbian Nation, a limited liability company, privately owned by Memoree Joelle and Gaye Chapman. Speaking about the acquisition Joelle wrote, “We purchased AfterEllen because we wanted to ensure that the site is around for many years to come. There is nothing else like AfterEllen out there, as we see it as the only media site that caters content specifically for lesbian and bi women.

    “To that end, we are proud to represent lesbians, being lesbians ourselves, who we feel are a very underrepresented minority today”.

    The amount the duo paid for the company has not been made public. At the time of sale, AfterEllen has 123,000 followers on Twitter, 112,000 followers on Facebook. According to SimilarWeb, it is the most read website for lesbian and bisexual women.

    Joelle continued,

    “So will there be changes? Well, yes and no. I have served as Editor in Chief since 2016, and that will stay the same, so the content of the site won’t be changing much. What will be different is that, as a new business that is independently owned, we will be focusing on quality over quantity of content in our early days. Our business intention is to grow slowly, so it may be a few more months until we expand with videos and increase our celebrity interviews…but those are definitely coming! In fact, many exciting things are in store, and we have YOU to thank for reading the site, commenting, and sharing articles.