We've just received word that the entire sales team have been unceremoniously fired, save one leading employee. That's right: HX Media - publishers The New York Blade and HX Magazine - just hemorrhaged a gaggle of homos into the cruel, harsh world. One sources claims five fagalas got the ax, while another insists it's only four. Regardless, it's not the best way to start the New Year...

We have no conclusive evidence as to what prompted the blood-letting, but we've been hearing rumors of sagging numbers. Our sources also tell us that publisher Gary Lacinski and founder Matthew Bank were in the process of changing the pay structure: rather than paying the staffers a salary plus commission, they intended on just paying commission. Sneaky...

Upon hearing of the plan yesterday, one now-former employee apparently threatened a lawsuit. Needless to say, this didn't sit well, especially considering Bank and his cronies are already fighting another legal battle.

The same source also wondered if the company will be relying solely on Rivendell Media: the so-called leader in gay media ad placement. They two companies have long worked together. By using Rivendell's employees, Bank stands to save thousands of dollars on salary...

Another source speculates that the company's stretched itself too thin, what with last year's NY Blade buy, their new film festival, the founding of HX Philadephia and November's consumption of Boston's Innews Weekly. Is it possible that major shareholder Window Media and their gobs of money can't keep the company afloat?

We don't know, but we definitely intend to find out.