Masters era (2017-2024)
Following his departure from The Pride LA in 2017, [6] publisher Troy Masters launched the Los Angeles Blade as a biweekly newspaper to serve "the second largest market in the country, and one that was underserved by alternative media." [7] The newspaper began as a sister publication of the Washington Blade . [8] Production was hastened in response to the election of Donald Trump, with Kevin Naff, co-owner of Blade parent company Brown Naff Pitts Omnimedia Inc., remarking in 2017 that "A lot of cities, including L.A., are changing the tones of their parades, from a celebration to more of a protest. We wanted to be part of that, a kind of voice in that process." [9]
In 2018, the Los Angeles Blade announced plans to publish a weekly print edition, thereby becoming first weekly LGBT+ media product serving Los Angeles since the mid-1980s. The newspaper was also announced as a media partner of Los Angeles Pride. [10]
During the 2022 mpox outbreak in California, the Los Angeles Blade hosted two town hall meetings — one in West Hollywood and another in Monterey Park — to alert residents to the emerging threat. [11] [12]
Beginning with the January 5, 2024 issue, the Los Angeles Blade reverted to a bi-weekly schedule. [13] In August 2024, the newspaper, seeking to address the changing news needs resulting from historic demographic shifts in Southern California, announced a partnership with CALÓ News , a Latinx community-focused news outlet. [14] Soon thereafter, the newspaper announced Gisselle Palomera as the News Editor. [15] Following publisher Troy Masters' sudden death on December 11, 2024, the newspaper's management team announced that the organization would continue under the leadership of Gisselle Palomera. [16]
Rodriguez era (2025-present)
Following the reelection of Donald Trump, editor Gisselle Palomera stated "As we step into the next four years, we will continue to experience the onslaught of hateful rhetoric against LGBTQ+ people and we will continue to be used as pawns in the political chess game that has pushed us into the margins. We will have to double-down on our efforts to not only exist, but to thrive." [17] In February 2025, Alexander Rodriguez was appointed as the publisher of the newspaper. [18]
In April 2025, the newspaper launched a free community event series as an open forum to present the current political climate as it affects Southern California for the LGBT+ community and beyond. The inaugural event is a panel discussion held at The Abbey, featuring Chris Baldwin of NAACP's LGBTQ+ Committee, Nico Brancolini of Stonewall Democratic Club, West Hollywood mayor Chelsea Byers, former West Hollywood mayor Abbe Land, and Jorge Reyes Salinas of Equality California. [19] [20]
