Media Layoffs Continue as Equalpride Axes Staffers at LGBTQ Standouts Out, Advocate and Pride.com

Equalpride, the parent company for Out Magazine, Advocate and Pride.com, recently laid off a number of staffers, including several of its editorial leaders.

via: THR

There’s a new chapter in the ongoing saga of media layoffs as Equalpride — parent company of standout LGBTQ brands like Out, The Advocate, Pride.com, Out Traveler, Health PLUS Wellness and Advocate Originals — has pink slipped staffers from both editorial and the corporate side including brand partnerships, per a source.

Layoffs came last Friday, the source indicated, and a slew of top editors and staffers confirmed the exits with official LinkedIn posts, including The Advocate editor-in-chief Alex Cooper, Pride.com editor-in-chief Rachel Shatto, brand partnerships manager Erin Manley, community editor Marie-Adélina de la Ferriére, Out magazine staff writer Moises Mendez, and more. Out staff writer Bernardo Sim confirmed on Instagram.

Cooper, who had been with the company in various roles since June 2021, shared that he was losing a “dream job,” adding, “Few people have had the privilege of leading this legendary LGBTQ+ news outlet, and I’m deeply honored to have been one of them. To my team: thank you for the last four years. You’ve been the best. For those also affected today, please let me know how I can support you.”

Per Shatto, who had been editor-in-chief of the site since June 2021, “It meant the world to me to be part of a publication that made joy its core ethos and told stories that uplifted as much as they informed and entertained. During my time at Pride, I put my heart and soul into connecting with and growing our audience — who, thankfully, responded in kind. I’m proud of the success we had expanding our reach and becoming a trusted voice in the media landscape.”

The Hollywood Reporter obtained a memo sent to staff by Mark Berryhill, CEO of Equalpride, who acknowledged the headwinds facing the media business at this time.

“This is an email no CEO ever wants to write: today, we made the difficult decision to further reduce our staff size. I want to be open and transparent with you about the uphill battle we’re facing. The advertising market remains in turmoil. Companies aren’t spending as much on marketing due to current economic concerns and challenges. In the last few months, we have had cancellations of major advertising campaigns, which have dramatically impacted our company.”

Berryhill outlined a plan to merge some departments and reassign remaining staffers to new positions to focus on “pursuing revenue projects that are not tied to advertising dollars,” a strategy that many media companies are leaning into amid a challenged economy and the looming threat of AI. Berryhill also noted that the company will be having a town hall meeting sometime this week.

“We can’t let the economic and political climate overshadow our calling to amplify the voices that need to be heard as our queer community fights for inclusion and faces daily setbacks in human rights,” he wrote.

The recent cuts come after six staffers were let go last October. The source indicated that not only is it a tough time for the media business but particularly for brands that cater to marginalized communities.

“We’re in a really in tough time. The anti-DEI policies of this administration are really brutal, and it trickles down so much that we’re seeing the impact of it,” the source explained. “LGBTQ+ media is essential, and it’s crucial to have brands dedicated to telling our stories. It’s part of why these brands have been rescued and have thrived for decades and decades. These brands mean a lot to people, and we need to be telling our stories now more than ever.”