 QSaltLake cover (October 16, 2007) | |
| Editor | Michael Aaron |
|---|---|
| Categories | News magazine |
| Frequency | Monthly |
| Circulation | 10,000 (approximate) |
| Publisher | Michael Aaron |
| First issue | April 29, 2004 |
| Company | Salt Lick Publishing, LLC |
| Country | USA |
| Based in | Salt Lake City, Utah |
| Website | qsaltlake |
QSaltLake is a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBTQ) news and entertainment magazine published monthly by Gay Salt Lake Inc. in Salt Lake City. The magazine is the feature publication for the corporation. Related publications, web sites and a nonprofit organization are among the corporate projects.
The magazine includes local, national and world news, an extensive opinion section, arts and entertainment, a bar guide and classifieds. The magazine moved in 2007 to new offices in the Sugar House neighborhood of Salt Lake City, and created a news-portal web site.
History
Longtime Utah gay activist Michael Aaron approached Steven Peterson in 2004 to publish what Aaron called a much-needed professional newspaper for Utah's LGBT community. Aaron had co-published the Community Reporter newspaper and Triangle Magazine in the 1980s and 90s. Peterson had published the Little Lavender Book business and organization directory.
The first issue of Salt Lake Metro newspaper was published in 2004 by Metro Publishing Inc. with Aaron as publisher and Peterson as sales manager. The newspaper began publishing when an LGBT campaign against a proposed state constitutional amendment to prohibit same-sex marriage was developing. The focus on hard news and editorial content was intended to distinguish it from other local publications.
Salt Lake Metro found quick success in attracting readers and web-site visitors, but the business partnership was wrought with disputes as advertising sales failed. Aaron was forced to scale back on writers, editors and syndicated content. By the end of 2005, Aaron was acting as publisher, editor and art director.
In 2005, the newspaper created the "Metro Cares Foundation," a nonprofit organization to support LGBT groups in the state.
Aaron left Metro Publishing Inc. in 2006 after a failed attempt to purchase it. The remaining writers and office staff went with him and QSaltLake newspaper was published two weeks later by Salt Lick Publishing LLC. The newspaper featured local and national news, opinion—both serious and camp, arts and entertainment, and sports. Cover stories ranged from the use of methamphetamine in the LGBT community to an interview with entertainer RuPaul. The newspaper created its annual readers' choice Fabby Awards ceremony in 2005.
Salt Lick Publishing LLC created Pride365, a series of annual events which celebrated LGBT pride throughout the year in Salt Lake City and which culminated in the Utah Pride Festival. Pride365 ended its activities in 2007 when its director, Chad Keller, died.
As QSaltLake owner and publisher, Aaron won the 2011 Utah Pride Festival "Dr. Kristen Ries Community Service Award."
QSaltLake was redesigned as a magazine in 2012 when Salt Lick Publishing LLC. The corporation continued the management and publication of the magazine and its projects despite a financial-loan shortfall that year.
Editors
- Brandon Burt, April–November 2004
- Jere Keys, November 2004–November 2005
- Michael Aaron, November 2005–February 2006
- Tony Hobday, March 2006
- Kenni Littlefield, March 2006–June 2006
- Michael Aaron, June 2006–February 2011, June 2013–present
- Seth Bracken, February 2011–June 2013
- Assistant Editor: JoSelle Vanderhooft, January 2007–February 2011
- Arts Editor: Tony Hobday, March 2006–December 2020
QPages Directory
Salt Lick Publishing LLC also publishes an annual LGBT business and organization directory, QPages Directory, formerly named Gay Salt Lake Directory, Salt Lake PINQ Pages, TheQPages and QSaltLake Pages; and TheQMap, a map of Salt Lake LGBT-friendly businesses for tourists and business visitors.
QCares Foundation
Salt Lick Publishing LLC's nonprofit organization, QCares Foundation, raises funds for Utah LGBT charities, sponsors an anti-meth campaign, and a hepatitis-immunization awareness program for gay men. The organization is also an affiliate of the People With AIDS Coalition of Utah.
See also
Notes
- "Biweekly newspaper QSaltLake relocates to Sugar House site". Deseret Morning News. Salt Lake City: Deseret News Publishing Co. 2007-11-21. pp. OL. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved 2013-02-23.
- "Metro Publishing Inc". Business Search. Utah Division of Corporations and Commercial Code. 2004. Retrieved 2013-02-24.
- Warchol, Glen (2004-05-01). "Newest Salt Lake City newspaper reaches out to gay readers". HighBeam Research. Chicago: Cengage Learning. pp. OL. Archived from the original on 2016-04-09. Retrieved 2013-02-23.
- Warchol, Glen (2004-07-31). "Salt Lake City publication targeting gay community carves a media niche". HighBeam Research. Chicago: Cengage Learning. pp. OL. Archived from the original on 2016-04-09. Retrieved 2013-02-23.
- "Salt Lick Publishing LLC". Business Search. Utah Division of Corporations and Commercial Code. 2006. Retrieved 2013-02-24.
- McDonough, Ted (2006-03-16). "Paper War: Is Salt Lake City gay enough for two biweekly gay newspapers?". Salt Lake City Weekly. Salt Lake City: Copperfield Publishing. pp. OL.
- ^ McEntee, Peg (2011-10-15). "McEntee: QSaltLake is working hard to keep serving LGBT community". The Salt Lake Tribune. Salt Lake City: MediaNews Group. pp. OL. Retrieved 2013-02-24.
- "Amazing food at QSaltLake Magazine's Fabby Awards". Dav.D Photography Blog. Dav.D Photography. 2010. Retrieved 2013-02-24.
- Winters, Rosemary (2011-08-01). "Mayor, Q Salt Lake owner among pride fest honorees". The Salt Lake Tribune. Salt Lake City: MediaNews Group. pp. OL. Retrieved 2013-02-26.
- Peterson, Eric S. (2011-09-21). "QSaltLake seeks support". Salt Lake City Weekly. Salt Lake City: Copperfield Publishing. pp. OL. Retrieved 2013-02-24.
- "Gay Salt Lake Inc". Business Search. Utah Division of Corporations and Commercial Code. 2012. Retrieved 2013-02-24.
- Means, Sean P. (2012-08-23). "Q Salt Lake asks for readers' help to pay off loan". The Salt Lake Tribune. Salt Lake City: MediaNews Group. pp. OL. Retrieved 2013-02-26.
- McQuade, Aaron (2012-08-31). "Utah LGBT pub QSaltLake needs your help!". GLAAD Blog. New York: Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. pp. OL. Retrieved 2013-02-26.
