Changing Room

It’s not particularly uncommon knowledge at this point that I’ve entered a period of change in my life.

While I’ve never posted on anything approaching a regular schedule, of late I’ve avoided writing anything for this blog because there were a number of things I just wasn’t ready to write about yet. And my reluctance to write about those things precluded me from writing about other things, either because they were connected or because I’m so insanely solipsistic that I can’t get out of my own feedback loop of cause and effect. You choose.

So, yes, I’ve decided to step down as editor in chief of Metro Weekly, a job that I’ve held for the past seven years. It’s not a decision that I came to easily. While I may have only been a full-time employee since 2000, I’ve been intimately involved with the magazine since the first issue way back in 1994. Not only was I a columnist at the time, I even helped design the first issue of Metro Weekly while sitting at Randy Shulman’s dining table. Luckily for both readers and general aesthetic principles, the magazine did well enough to hire actual professionals over the years to take Metro Weekly to new design heights (Tony Frye being the first I worked closely with when I became editor, and more recently Todd Franson, another long-time Metro Weekly regular who took the plunge to join us full-time).

I had a number of goals when I took over as editor back in 2000. Most of those I eventually discarded in favor of new, more-realistic goals that fit the magazine and the GLBT community it serves. Oddly enough, the best thing that ever happened to me as an editor was the purchase of the Washington Blade by Window Media: It lit a fire under my ass (okay, stop snickering) that never went out. I often have people tell me how much better the magazine is now than back in the days when it was just “a bar rag.” Naturally, people never realize what a backhanded compliment they’re giving, nor do they realize the fact that they’re basically wrong. If you look back at the early issues of Metro Weekly, you’ll see original interviews with and photography of Ian McKellen, Greg Louganis, Camille Paglia, and a host of others.

Backhanded compliments or not, Metro Weekly has changed a lot over the past few years. We’ve always been more than simply an “entertainment” magazine, but I think I’ve helped create a publication that can proudly call itself a news magazine that serves the Washington-area GLBT community. And that’s what I’m most proud of as I look back over the past seven years.

Doubtless this sounds like a prolonged farewell letter, but for those who may have been wishing for that, it’s not actually the case. While I’m stepping down as editor in chief -- allowing Randy to take that position, and the eminently qualified Will O’Bryan to take on the role of managing editor -- I will be staying on as a co-publisher. Without getting into the tiresome nuts and bolts, I’m not going to be working with the day-to-day magazine operations, but I will be contributing to the overall growth of the magazine and our other editorial projects.

As for why I’m leaving my full-time position, rest assured that I’m not leaving under a cloud and decamping to Brazil. After about 16 years in GLBT and HIV/AIDS activism and employment, I need to do something different with my life. If you’re interested, you can find more details here. When I was considering this change, I talked with my mother about it, and she told me that it’s a good idea to make this kind of change while I’m still young enough not to be afraid to do it.

That was one of the best pieces of advice I’ve gotten in years.

And while my life is about to expand to include copious amounts of strawberries and coconuts, I’m never going to walk away from Metro Weekly. At the risk of getting maudlin, Randy Shulman is one of the very few people in this town who have ever handed me an honest-to-god break, and it’s one that I’ll never forget. I’ve seen lots of lists of gay and lesbian community heroes over the years -- they are all incomplete if they don’t include Randy. Whether it’s giving away ad space to struggling non-profits, providing editorial coverage of even the smallest of GLBT organizations, or giving his staff a raise before he would ever give himself one, he’s a real unsung hero.

And he has some pretty good taste in movies and video games, even if I can totally kick his ass in Guitar Hero.

So, now that I’ve gotten this big career shift off my chest, I hope I can get back to somewhat regular blogging. Of course, I’ll also have a new column debuting in Metro Weekly -- I still haven’t decide on a name for it. Let me know if you think I should relaunch “Bugged Out,” go with “Buggery,” or pick something totally different. I hope to get back to reviewing some cars as well. Long and short of it: You’re not rid of me yet -- I have plenty more to say.

Comments

[jimbo]

Will you make those cute asparagus rods with bacon wrapped around them? Mmm...

I think you should post a shirtless pic of yourself hefting your big career shift off your chest. You need to illustrate some of the points you make on the blog.

Our rugby coach from New Zeland often says, "BUGGER!" But I agree with Sterling that 'Buggery' might work best.

[Sterling Washington]

Congratulations on starting your own catering company, Sean. What an exciting endeavor! I can't wait to sample some of the products.

I vote for "Buggery" as the title of your new column.

Sterling

[Kenneth Hill]

I look forward to dinner invitations. :-)