Did AOL downsize
its popular LGBT site QueerSighted for political reasons
or simply business ones?
October 22 was a
curious day at QueerSighted, the LGBT Web site launched
by AOL with much fanfare last February. In addition to the
usual fun stuff regular visitors had come to expect --
viral video clips, “Aberzombie” hotness,
and gay personals -- there was an unexpected post on
the site’s blog by managing editor Kenneth Hill,
bidding his readers adieu.
“This will
be my final post on QueerSighted, so I want to say
farewell,” it read. “I’m not yet
sure where you can find me next, but meanwhile you can
keep up with me on my MySpace page. Until I have a new gig
to tell you about, I’ll use that to talk about
the new-new stuff I want friends (you) to know
about.”
Several days
later, another post, this time from the “AOL
community editorial team,” cryptically promised
“changes” at the site, and then on
November 1 regular blogger Susan Norfleet posted her own
goodbye. Five days later all QueerSighted freelancers,
including bloggers, had been notified that their
services were no longer needed. While all of this was
happening, the G-Sides gay music microsite was dropped from
AOL’s main site as well.
“They are
completely shutting down QueerSighted and all of their live
LGBT pages,” says Richard Rothstein, a New York
City–based writer and former contributor to the
site’s blog, who was let go with everyone else.
“There will be some static material remaining -- or
so they’ve told us -- but very minor.”
What was
happening at QueerSighted, which, according to one insider,
had been boasting 3 million page views a month?
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