After going missing from its usual kiosks and failing to post its new issue online, the San Diego Gay & Lesbian Times appears to be dead: the entire staff has been laid off and the weekly’s doors have closed.
Amidst accusations of lying to advertisers about its circulation, SDG< went MIA without notice.
One staffer posted this message online:
I will make a statement on my behalf. My name is brent mekshes. I was laid off on Friday October 8th via e-mail at approximately 415pm. To my knowledge to remainder of staff has been laid off too. Nothing has been said about if this is temporary or permanent. No one on staff has spoke with Michael Portantino and I have been told he is hospitalized for a reason that hasn’t been disclosed. I have never been told that there is a potential buyer for the company or what the status is and for someone to post that leaves me to believe that is gossip. I was advised by another staff member my last paycheck was returned for non sufficient funds and I wasn’t given resolution. In addition I learned last week that our group health insurance policy has been cancelled for non payment. This plan was payroll deducted and and employees paid 100% of the premium as company match was ceased last year. In addition I question if taxes were paid out our last paycheck or if 401k deductions were deposited into employee plans. I learned of this while I was out of the state on paid time off. We are not eligible for cobra insurance because our plan was cancelled before we were laid off and not told until it was too late. My spouse was to have surgery last week and it was cancelled due to the hospital unwilling to operate without insurance. I am deeply saddened for the staff, community and all related parties. I do hope employees can be made whole. I have no ill will on the company or the ownership and if this company could be saved I would hope it could for the sake of the community and advertisers. I do hope the company makes a statement and contacts employees to let us know their intentions and that loose ends are tied up so we can move on with our lives. I will make no further statements due to the current situation and I hope this communication can stop untrue rumors from continuing. Please respect the wishes of the former staff as we heal from our losses. Thank you. Brent Mekshes, former senior account executive.
NuhTarian
i think who ever wrote this article should have done a bit more research. http://www.gaylesbiantimes.com/ is their website.
A lot of people in San Diego would have noticed, if there was one shred of truth to this story
Andi
Wow. This is really sad. NBC San Diego says it’s true (dated Mon. October 11, 2010) The staff has been laid off and the doors are shut: http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local-beat/One-of-San-Diegos-Oldest-Newspapers-Shuts-Down-104720314.html
Quote from that NBC piece:
“The Gay and Lesbian Times” has reportedly laid-off its staff and shut its doors. A former staffer said he received emails from his old co-workers telling him they had been laid off.
“I know for a fact that their staff was laid off,” said Mike Rosensteel, a former GLT sales representative. “Their doors are closed.”
The magazine did not show up at its normal distribution points on Thursday.
Another quote from that piece:
The GLT has reportedly been under investigation by the San Diego County District Attorney’s office. The San Diego Reader reports the DA’s office is investigating the paper for “overstating circulation figures and possible financial irregularities.”
A spokesperson from the DA’s office would not confirm if the allegations were true.
Source: One Less Voice for the Gay Community | NBC San Diego
maxpower
Who cares, print media is dead.
Watch dog
@NuhTarian: Don’t be stupid! Yes, the story is true. The company has not made an official statement yet however I have lots of friends that worked there and the whole thing is shut down. It is possible someone may come in and offer to buy or some way they could start up again but for now they have closed there doors and stopped printing.
Lamar in Dallas, TX
I used to work for the GLT. Just learned (14 months late) that the owner committed suicide in late 2010. Michael Portantino was a first class jerk. SD is better off without him!