Advocate-ing for Change in 2009

No doubt about it. Magazines and newspapers are having a very difficult time these days making ends meet. With the ever-increasing dependence upon the internet for more real-time reporting - resulting in a subsequent decrease in subscriptions to the paper versions - publications (such as The Advocate) are making drastic changes to meet the ever-changing demand in how the public wants to receive - and read - the news that is pertinent to their lives.

For instance,The Advocate is changing from a bi-weekly to a monthly format. In addition, some (but not all) of the "fluff" pieces are being dropped for more in-depth news analysis. The paper consistency will also be changing to a heavier stock. I'm not sure how that equates to cost savings or readership increase, but we'll have to wait and see on that one.

I actually just received the latest edition - the first of the new year, dated for February 2009 - with President-elect Obama on the cover. The paper consistency is, indeed, heavier than it's predecessor editions. Upon initial inspection, it's not that much different from the previous, save for more pages. However, I do find the articles to be of better writing, with the overall format being almost reminiscent of Time or Newsweek.

Given the fact that Regent Entertainment - the parent company of Here! TV - acquired The Advocate and Out magazines last year, there has been some concern that the new ownership would taint the overall quality that GLBT readers have come to know and resepect. Given that this is a new year, I'm willing to bide my time to see if that concern comes to fruition.

Having glanced at the February edition, I think it may be premature to write off the future of either magazine just yet. Click on the jump link to check some of the noteworthy articles to read in this edition:

• The Nation's First Out Governor - a discussion with Providence, RI mayor David Cicilline, who may be making a run for his state's governorship
• When A Nod's Not Enough - a report on Barack Obama as our next Commander-in-Chief and the potential impacts of his Presidency - both good and bad - that could be felt in the GLBT community
• The Revolution will be Digitized - a remarkable and thought-provoking 12-page pictoral on the Proposition 8 demonstrations that took place across the country
  
• Hail Mary - a heart-felt interview with Sigourney Weaver, on her portrayal of Mary Griffith in the Lifetime movie, Prayers for Bobby, based on the book of the same name (premieres Saturday, January 24th)
• Just Can't Get Enough - a review of Jamaica Plain author and journalist Benoit Denizet-Lewis' book, America Anonymous, which delves into his long battle with sexual addiction

Subscribers should be receiving the February edition of The Advocate and should be available in book stores within the next week or so. For up-to-the-minute coverage, please check out The Advocate website.