Where are All the Voices? Texas LGBT News
Date
2012-05
Authors
Araiza, Jose
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Abstract
<p>An important medium for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people is extinct in Texas: LGBT newspapers. One LGBT news institution continues publishing, but, as this research documented, the publisher of the Dallas Voice (Voice) has transformed his publication from a weekly newspaper to a weekly news magazine. Through in-depth interviews and a content analysis, I documented how this publication evolved as economic and technological pressures affected the entire publishing world.</p>
<p>Previous research has documented the importance of LGBT media; it helps individuals cultivate their identities and gain an understanding of themselves and the social-political landscape around them. LGBT publications also facilitate these individuals to speak to each other and the mainstream society around them.</p>
<p>Voice's history mirrors a documented transformation among many of the country’s notable LGBT publications: a move away from functioning as an “alternative” medium to operating as a “niche” publication. Such a change means the Voice had to revamp their content in order to attract mainstream advertisers and stay in touch with a changing audience. The difference between operating as an “alternative” versus “niche” publication is important to understand because it means the difference between functioning as a “public service” versus a business.</p>
<p>My research also details how the Voice’s publisher and senior news editor envision their publication in the 21st century. They also discuss how Voice must continue to evolve and adapt to a readership that is also undergoing enormous transformations.</p>
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Keywords
LGBT, Gay, Lesbian, Media, Transgender, Bisexual, Dallas Voice, Texas
Citation
Araiza, J. A. (2012). Where are all the voices? Texas LGBT news (Unpublished thesis). Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas.