On Sept. 1, 2008, Project Q Atlanta promised a hyper-local “queer media diet” for Atlanta. The site set out to bring LGBTQ news, in-depth political coverage, culture and entertainment stories, community profiles, buzz-worthy topics and event photos.
After 14 years of highs, lows and headlines, we’re taking a break. Some 714 gay event calendars, four Atlanta mayors, a bar raid, a racial reckoning, countless in-person and virtual Pride events, hundreds of thousands of community photos and millions of words later, Project Q is going on hiatus.
They say the universe first whispers. If you don’t listen, it yells. Then it hits you with a brick. The pandemic came first, and we persevered through staff cuts and advertiser losses.
In summer 2021, Founder Matt Hennie accepted an Executive Editor position at a news outlet out of state. We pressed on. Co-publisher Mike Fleming also kept creating content and overseeing operations through 12 months (and counting) battling cancer and its treatments.
With Pride
Veteran journalists with 60+ years combined experience, the owners are proud of the Q family of publications we brought to life. Over the years, we got a lot right and made some missteps. But we always worked hard and in good faith to offer content that informed and inspired readers.
The same goes for the professional journalists, designers, photographers and freelance contributors who made the site and our magazines sing. Our publications set standards others still follow, and for that we owe a special debt of gratitude to former full-time employees Richard Cherskov, Patrick Saunders, Russ Bowen-Youngblood and John Nail.
Just as crucial to our success are a sea of advertisers who made reaching LGBTQ Atlanta readers their priority. Hats off too for Atlanta’s amazing non-profits, most of whom we have featured, sponsored and collaborated with since 2008.
Read Hennie’s thoughts on our best work through the years, as well as Fleming’s take on our place in a teetering local LGBTQ landscape. Written during the pandemic, those posts brought forth an outpouring of reader-supported funding in a tough time. The donors have our permanent appreciation.
When the time is right and circumstances change, you’ll see us again. During the hiatus, feel free to write [email protected].
