{"id":1433672,"date":"2025-05-20T13:24:23","date_gmt":"2025-05-20T12:24:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gaytimes.com\/?p=1433672"},"modified":"2025-05-23T10:09:14","modified_gmt":"2025-05-23T09:09:14","slug":"gay-times-leadership-announces-significant-change-to-the-brands-future","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gaytimes.com\/statement\/gay-times-leadership-announces-significant-change-to-the-brands-future\/","title":{"rendered":"Gay Times is heading into its next era, here’s how you can help"},"content":{"rendered":"

In response to escalating global threats to LGBTQIA+ rights and a growing retreat from Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) commitments, Gay Times \u2013 the 40 year old LGBTQ+ media brand \u2013 has announced vital changes to the future of the company. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Gay Times has undergone significant growth in recent years. In 2021, Gay Times Magazine achieved a per-issue circulation of 161,000. Just three years later, following a <\/span>digital transformation<\/span><\/a>, the brand reached a global audience of more than 70 million.<\/span><\/p>\n

This transformation was in part powered by pioneering brand partnerships with progressive global brands. However, the landscape of advertising for LGBTQ+ aligned companies has rapidly changed in the last twelve months \u2013 with new research suggesting that over <\/span>40% of brands are ditching Pride<\/span><\/a> in 2025.<\/span><\/p>\n

In light of this, Gay Times\u2019 leadership announced today a significant change in their strategy and outlook for 2025 and beyond \u2013 focussing on hard-hitting journalism and increasing investment into themes such justice, politics and healthcare \u2013 honing in on a subscription-first business strategy that champions their audience.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This change in strategy also brings a change in ownership structure \u2013 with Gay Times CEO, Tag Warner, announcing a Community Investment initiative for the first time in the company’s history. This shift puts emphasis on audience-members themselves being the primary stakeholders in the future of the brand.<\/span><\/p>\n

In a world trying to erase LGBTQIA+ stories, we keep writing them. Join our mission as shareholders in Gay Times and help us fight for your rights. Find out more at\u00a0investors.gaytimes.com<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Tag Warner, CEO of Gay Times, commented:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI truly believe we\u2019re at a crossroads \u2014 not just as a company, but as a community. The rapid retreat from DEI commitments and the rise in anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation globally isn\u2019t just political noise; it\u2019s a direct threat to our future. That\u2019s why, at Gay Times, we\u2019re not waiting for the tide to turn. We\u2019re doubling down on independent journalism and building a way for queer people to own, shape, and sustain the media that represents them. In a moment when so many are pulling back, I\u2019m proud that Gay Times is choosing to go all in.\u201d<\/p>\n

The decision comes at a pivotal time for LGBTQIA+ media. In the UK, trans rights are being challenged at the highest levels of government. In the US, hundreds of anti-LGBTQIA+ bills have been introduced across multiple states. Around the world, queer communities are facing rising censorship, surveillance, and systemic erasure.<\/span><\/p>\n

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At the same time, corporations and institutions that once championed LGBTQIA+ inclusion are scaling back their support \u2013 quietly shelving DEI policies, pulling funding, or avoiding visibility altogether.<\/span><\/p>\n

In contrast, Gay Times today announced they are taking a public, proactive stance. Rather than retreat in the face of this cultural shift, the company is evolving into a subscription-first, community-owned platform rooted in accountability, independence, and long-term sustainability.<\/span><\/p>\n

The company announced that the investment will support the launch of several new initiatives, including:<\/span><\/p>\n