Here Media Lays Off Entire Out Magazine Editorial Staff

Oh no!

Out has consistently published some of the stupidest and most ridiculous bullshit I’ve ever had the misfortune of reading, but I take no joy in seeing people getting laid off. Or maybe I do, since these people are all going to be re-hired as Out magazine contractors and will no doubt continue to publish the same sort of stupid and ridiculous bullshit.

Capital reports:

[Out editor-in-chief] Aaron Hicklin said he will hire back an unspecified number of editors on a contract basis into a new company he is founding called Grand Editorial. It will operate the magazine as a contractor for Here Media, sister company of Regent Entertainment Inc., which acquired Out in 2008. Hicklin told Capital there will be no reduction in the frequency of the magazine or other major changes to the content.

“This was not a cost-cutting measure,” he said.

Ha. Right.

The idea of Out magazine or any publication acting as a “contractor” might sound kind of weird, but it actually makes sense considering parent company Here Media’s severe financial troubles and reputation for not paying freelancers. Oh, and there’s also that pending fraud lawsuit. With Out no longer an official part of Here Media, that’s one less asset Here Media’s creditors can come for and one less group of employees on Here Media’s health insurance and payroll.

Hicklin added, “Grand Editorial will include familiar faces and core talent from Out. It’s no secret that the media landscape is changing rapidly, and I think our talent will find this new approach both more flexible as well as empowering. I’m looking forward to producing some very special issues and digital initiatives for Out in the fall, while offering a unique blend of editorial consultancy and customized content to a wide range of new clients.”

Great. Maybe Here Media can solicit one of the contracted Out freelancers to write another article comparing Lady Gaga to Martin Luther King Jr. and then not pay him, ever.

[Capital]