SoVologoBy Collin Kelley
Managing Editor

I arrived at the Atlanta INtown office this morning and learned that Southern Voice and David magazine, the city’s long-time gay and lesbian publications, had been closed over the weekend. It was a punch to the gut. I was raised on Southern Voice and David and was featured in their pages many times as they kindly helped promote my fledgling career as a poet and novelist. Laura Douglas-Brown, Dyana Bagby, Ryan Lee and the staff — both past and present — of both publications have been vital voices not only in the LGBT community, but to journalism in Atlanta.

Southern Voice’s coverage of the mayoral race and the police raid on the Atlanta Eagle bar — to name just two issues — was top notch, in depth and presented a balanced view that other dailies and weeklies could only hope to attain. David was the go-to-guide for entertainment, clubbing and laughing at columnists like Topher Payne and Michael Alvear. That both of these publications disappeared in one day in Atlanta is heartbreaking. And it’s an even greater loss because Window Media — which owns both Southern Voice and David — also shuttered other LGBT publications today, including The Washington Blade, which had been providing community coverage for 40 years.

My hope is that the talented and brilliant staff of Southern Voice and David will regroup and start anew. A thriving metropolis like Atlanta needs an LGBT publication of record. We at Atlanta INtown show our solidarity with our friends at SoVo and David today.

Collin Kelley has been the editor of Atlanta Intown for two decades and has been a journalist and freelance writer for 35 years. He’s also an award-winning poet and novelist.

8 replies on “In praise of Southern Voice and David”

  1. YES! Collin, I was so glad to see that you had already written about this. I was sick from the news that both of these publications went away and so quickly…their websites are already blank. I also agree that the staff should get together and find success on the LGBT publication path.
    Thanks!

  2. YES! Collin, I was so glad to see that you had already written about this. I was sick from the news that both of these publications went away and so quickly…their websites are already blank. I also agree that the staff should get together and find success on the LGBT publication path.
    Thanks!

  3. I was stunded to hear that Southern Voice and David Magazine are no more. I have done business with both and read them whenever I could get a copy. I know that the economy is in the toilet, but I didn’t know it was this bad. I want to wish all the writers, photographers, editors, and anyone else who worked on SOVO and David. To Topher… good thing you got married when you did. I hope all is well. If SOVO and David get back on their feet, call me to run some ads to help.
    Happy Holidays,
    Russ

  4. I was stunded to hear that Southern Voice and David Magazine are no more. I have done business with both and read them whenever I could get a copy. I know that the economy is in the toilet, but I didn’t know it was this bad. I want to wish all the writers, photographers, editors, and anyone else who worked on SOVO and David. To Topher… good thing you got married when you did. I hope all is well. If SOVO and David get back on their feet, call me to run some ads to help.
    Happy Holidays,
    Russ

  5. I am excited to post here that it appears the GaVoice will be launching in March, according to the advertising department.

    I received a call from Marshall Graham this afternoon to say that I had purchased the very first ad for the SoVo replacement: GaVoice. I’m thrilled to be the first supporter of the publication and to be a part of its grand launch. I would encourage anyone looking to support this very important launch to contact Marshall at: mgraham@thegavoice.com

    Chris Hough
    chris@houghhouses.com

  6. I am excited to post here that it appears the GaVoice will be launching in March, according to the advertising department.

    I received a call from Marshall Graham this afternoon to say that I had purchased the very first ad for the SoVo replacement: GaVoice. I’m thrilled to be the first supporter of the publication and to be a part of its grand launch. I would encourage anyone looking to support this very important launch to contact Marshall at: mgraham@thegavoice.com

    Chris Hough
    chris@houghhouses.com

Comments are closed.