The rumors are true: Lambda Publications, publishers of Outlines newspaper since 1987, has purchased Windy City Times, Chicago's oldest gay newsweekly.
That means the issue of Outlines you are now reading is the last edition of Outlines weekly newspaper.
Outlines and Windy City Times will now be published under the banner Windy City Times, starting next Wed., Sept. 20, and available at nearly 500 distribution outlets. Outlines will become a features section within WCT.
This is both a sad and exciting time for Lambda Publications staff and contributors. I am very sad to see the last stand-alone edition of Outlines. It's hard to think about the impact of such a drastic change after more than 13 years of publishing as Outlines. It has been a challenge emotionally, physically and financially, but all of the 13+ years have been worth it. The long-term friendships and support from the community have made all of the hard work pay off in rewards not measured by money, but rather by happiness and satisfaction.
Now, it is the next chapter for Windy City Times, and for those who know the tumultuous history of gay newspapers in Chicago, you know this turn of events is rather ironic. You see, I helped start WCT in Jeffrey McCourt's basement, along with his partner Bob Bearden, Drew Badanish, Angie Schmidt, Toni Armstrong Jr., Jorjet Harper, Yvonne Zipter and so many others. Those working day-to-day starting in September 1985, 15 years ago this month, gave their heart and soul to the start-up of the fledgling WCT.
Eighteen months later, after Bearden passed away, some staff and I decided to take a new publishing direction, and we parted ways with Windy City Times to form Outlines.
This has been a very hearty battle for 13 years, with WCT getting mainstream advertising both locally and nationally, and with Outlines and our sister publications ( BLACKlines, Nightlines, En La Vida, CLOUT! and OUT! ) receiving much community recognition through awards and honors. Personally, I have also felt very honored by the gay, lesbian, mainstream business and journalism communities.
The vision of Lambda Publications will remain the same, but we will have additional resources to accomplish our goals. We hope to use the "best of both worlds," making one of the strongest gay, lesbian, bi and trans newsweeklies in the nation.
I will remain publisher and managing editor of all Lambda publications. Long-time activist Mona Noriega will become Assistant Publisher, and GLSEN activist and writer David Guarino will be Business Manager. D. Jean Albright will be Director of New Media and Circulation, and our sales force will include senior account managers Terri Klinsky ( who has been with Lambda for five years ) and Marco Fernandez ( formerly of WCT ) , along with Israel Wright and Sherri Jackson. Our office staff includes Office Manager John Pennycuff and our newest staff member, Salom Collo-Julin.
Writers will include all of your favorites from Outlines ( Sukie de la Croix, Gregg Shapiro, Marie Kuda, Robert Schultz, Bob Roehr, Rex Wockner, Steve Warren, Alix Dobkin, Andrew Davis, Raven Rodriguez, Susie Day, Lee Lynch and more ) plus several from Windy City Times, including Jonathan Abarbanel, Tony Peregrin and Karen Hawkins, plus many more to be added later.
The wonderful new re-design of Windy City Times is being done by Dawn Hancock of Someoddpilot. Dawn volunteers for numerous community groups around town, and her energy and commitment to the community is amazing to see.
Lambda Publications will remain committed to being the best we can be for our readers and advertisers. We welcome your input as we take on this new challenge.
The roller coaster takes off next Wed., Sept. 20. We invite you all along for the ride.
