Queerty

Queerty is an online news and entertainment magazine that focuses on content relevant to the LGBTQ+ community, including daily news, pop culture, lifestyle features, and interviews with entertainers.^[1] Founded in 2005 by David Hauslaib, the platform operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Q.Digital, Inc., an employee-owned media company based in San Francisco that produces multiple LGBTQ+-oriented publications.^[2][1] Queerty's editorial approach emphasizes community advocacy, often employing loaded phrasing in political reporting that aligns with left-leaning perspectives, such as characterizing conservative figures with derogatory descriptors.^[3] Among its notable initiatives, Queerty organizes the annual Queerties Awards, which recognize accomplishments in LGBTQ+ entertainment and culture and garnered over 2.5 million public votes in 2025.^[4] With two decades of operation as of 2025, Queerty has cultivated a substantial digital audience, reporting millions of monthly visits, while committing to corrections for inaccuracies and transparent sponsored content labeling.^[1][5]

History

Founding and Early Years (2005–2010)

Queerty was founded in 2005 by David Hauslaib as a digital blog targeting gay-oriented news, entertainment, pop culture, and lifestyle topics.^[6] The platform emerged in the mid-2000s online media landscape, where LGBTQ+-focused content was often niche or print-based, with Hauslaib aiming to create accessible coverage that appealed beyond exclusively queer audiences while explicitly avoiding pornography.^[7] Bradford Shellhammer served as the inaugural editor, helping shape its initial voice amid a growing wave of independent blogs.^[8] Early content centered on timely scandals, celebrity gossip, and advocacy-related events, reflecting the era's blend of tabloid-style intrigue and community interests. For instance, the site covered high-profile incidents like U.S. Senator Larry Craig's 2007 arrest for attempting lewd conduct in a Minneapolis airport restroom, highlighting tensions around public figures and anti-LGBTQ+ stances.^[6] Posts often drew from broader pop culture beats, such as fashion collaborations and entertainment news, positioning Queerty as a daily aggregator in a pre-social media dominance period.^[9] By 2010, Queerty had transitioned from rudimentary blog entries to a more formalized online magazine structure, incorporating images, links, and emerging multimedia to enhance engagement.^[6] This evolution occurred alongside rising internet accessibility, allowing the site to build a dedicated readership focused on unfiltered LGBTQ+ perspectives without institutional gatekeeping.^[7]

Expansion and Key Milestones (2011–2025)

In 2012, Queerty launched its annual Queerties Awards, initially focused on reader-voted recognitions of standout figures and works in LGBTQ+ media and culture, with the first winners—including Ben Cohen for promoting sports equality and Darren Criss as "Straight Crush of the Year"—announced on November 27.^[10] This initiative marked an expansion into formalized celebration of queer achievements, evolving into a major live event by the 2020s that drew over 2.5 million votes in 2025.^[4] Throughout the 2010s, Queerty intensified its political coverage amid pivotal LGBTQ+ rights developments, including reactions to California's Proposition 8 aftermath and the national push for marriage equality, with detailed retrospectives on the factors leading to the U.S. Supreme Court's Obergefell v. Hodges decision on June 26, 2015, which legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.^[11] The site's reporting shifted toward broader LGBTQ+ topics beyond entertainment, incorporating advocacy on issues like queer representation in Hollywood and responses to anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, aligning with its self-described focus on news, pop culture, and "the gay agenda."^[6] In June 2018, Queerty introduced the Pride50 list, an annual feature spotlighting 50 influential LGBTQ+ personalities driving progress in areas such as activism, entertainment, and politics, timed to coincide with Pride Month celebrations.^[12] This series expanded the platform's role in highlighting contemporary queer trailblazers, with subsequent editions in 2022 and beyond incorporating in-person events in New York City.^[13] By 2024, Queerty integrated new content channels, including a partnership with Native Son announced on June 18 to launch a dedicated section and newsletter amplifying Black queer excellence and disruptors.^[14] The site's growth reflected its position within Q.Digital's portfolio, which by then encompassed multiple LGBTQ+ outlets and ranked as the top-reaching collective per ComScore metrics.^[15] Queerty commemorated its 20th anniversary in 2025 with a retrospective published on October 20, reflecting on two decades of digital evolution alongside platforms like YouTube and Twitter, while emphasizing sustained coverage of cultural milestones from marriage equality to rising queer visibility.^[6] Celebrations included limited-edition merchandise launches in August, such as retro tees and mugs, underscoring the site's enduring role as a hub for unfiltered LGBTQ+ discourse.^[16]

Content and Editorial Approach

Scope of Coverage

Queerty primarily covers topics within the LGBTQ+ domain, encompassing entertainment, politics, lifestyle advice, and consumer goods tailored to gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer audiences. Its stated focus includes daily news relevant to the community, with an emphasis on spotlighting LGBTQ+ entertainers through interviews and features.^[1] The site's tagline, "free of an agenda, except for that gay one," underscores its niche orientation toward content that prioritizes queer perspectives on life, culture, and current events, distinguishing it from broader media outlets by centering issues like community-specific health concerns and pop culture phenomena.^[17] Regular content sections highlight celebrity interviews with figures in film, television, and music, often exploring their personal experiences and advocacy within the LGBTQ+ sphere. Coverage extends to reality television, including analyses of shows like Queer Eye and RuPaul's Drag Race, examining their cultural impact on queer representation and viewer engagement.^{[18] [19]} Additional areas include book reviews and literary discussions tied to queer themes, as well as health-related reporting on topics such as HIV awareness and STI prevention trends among men who have sex with men.^[20] Thematic emphasis often falls on pop culture events with queer resonance, such as Broadway productions and Tony Award controversies involving gender-fluid performances, or the influence of reality TV stars on public perceptions of LGBTQ+ identities. Lifestyle pieces provide advice on relationships, travel, and personal development, while goods-oriented content promotes products and services aimed at queer consumers, including fashion and wellness items. This scope maintains a consistent focus on empowering and informing the LGBTQ+ community through accessible, community-centric journalism.^[21][17]

Notable Series and Features

Queerty's Pride50 is an annual series that honors 50 LGBTQ+ individuals for their impactful contributions in areas such as activism, entertainment, and advocacy over the preceding year. Launched on May 10, 2019, the list has continued annually, with the 2025 edition celebrating figures who advanced queer visibility and progress amid ongoing cultural challenges.^[22][23] Each installment includes profiles, interviews, and a celebratory event, such as the June 2025 gathering at a New York City rooftop venue featuring honoree speeches on themes of authenticity and unity.^[24] The Queerties Awards, also known as the Queerty Awards, represent a reader-voted recognition of excellence in LGBTQ+ media, film, television, music, and literature, held annually in March. The program began in 2013, with the 13th edition occurring on March 11, 2025, at The Avalon in Hollywood, accommodating over 2.5 million votes cast that year across categories honoring creators and performances with lasting queer cultural resonance.^[25][4] The awards emphasize pop culture moments defining the community, presented via a live show format that has expanded in scale over time.^[26] Queerty has produced retrospective features marking significant milestones, including its 20th anniversary in 2025, which featured a dedicated series revisiting two decades of coverage from early blog-era events like political scandals to modern pop culture shifts. Published on October 20, 2025, this included video interviews with founding editors such as David Hauslaib and contributors like Japhy Grant, alongside examinations of pivotal LGBTQ+ media history.^[6] Complementary pieces, such as a October 24, 2025, ranking of the 20 most important LGBTQ+ films from the past two decades, highlight enduring narrative influences like Dee Rees's Pariah (2011).^[27]

Operations and Business Model

Ownership and Leadership

Queerty was founded in 2005 by David Hauslaib, a serial entrepreneur who established the site's initial editorial tone centered on gay-oriented news, gossip, and lifestyle coverage.^[3] Hauslaib, then in his early 20s, launched the platform as a blog-style outlet while at Syracuse University, drawing from his interest in celebrity and community topics to build an early online presence for LGBTQ+ audiences.^[28] Following a brief operational shutdown in 2011, Queerty was revived under new ownership associated with Q.Digital (formerly GayCities Inc.), marking a leadership transition that integrated it into a broader portfolio of LGBTQ+ media properties.^[29] Q.Digital, founded in 2008 by Scott Gatz, who serves as its CEO, consolidated Queerty alongside sites like GayCities by at least 2015, emphasizing operational continuity without major public disclosures of interim changes.^[30][31] As of 2025, Queerty operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Q.Digital, Inc., which is 100% employee-owned by its current and former staff, preserving its status as an independent, non-corporate digital magazine under Gatz's oversight.^[1] This structure has supported steady evolution in leadership without evident shifts in core direction, though detailed records of internal transitions remain limited in public sources.^[32]

Revenue Sources and Sustainability

Queerty's primary revenue derives from digital advertising, encompassing display ads, programmatic sales, and direct sponsorships tailored to its LGBTQ+ audience. As part of Q.Digital, Inc., the parent company generates most income through ads from sectors including automotive, entertainment, finance, pharmaceuticals, retail, and travel, leveraging targeted placements amid broader digital media trends.^[33] Sponsored content forms a key component, with branded series such as "Queerty's DRIVEN, presented by Nissan," which integrates advertiser messaging into editorial features on LGBTQ+ success stories to drive engagement and revenue.^[34] Q.Digital facilitates partnerships with brands and influencers, distributing content across platforms like YouTube and social media to amplify reach and ad opportunities.^[35] Affiliate marketing supplements these streams, with Queerty participating in programs like Amazon Services LLC Associates, earning fees from linked product promotions in lifestyle and merchandise articles, disclosed in terms of use and editorial notes.^[36] Examples include affiliate shares from queer-owned brand recommendations in shopping guides, supporting operational costs without subscriptions or paywalls.^[37] Sustainability reflects adaptations to online shifts, including video content via Queerty TV and social integration, sustaining operations since 2005 in a niche market prone to ad volatility.^[38] Sister properties under Q.Digital, such as Outsports, report over 50% revenue growth post-ownership changes through expanded ad sales and audience metrics, indicating scalable models amid digital challenges.^[39] No public reports of funding rounds or closures underscore self-reliant longevity via diversified, audience-aligned monetization.^[40]

Reception and Impact

Awards and Recognitions

Queerty has hosted the Queerties Awards annually since 2012, an internally organized event where readers vote on achievements in LGBTQ+ media, entertainment, and culture, with categories such as Film Performance, TV Performance, and Advocate of the Year.^[41] The awards culminate in a live ceremony, as seen in the 2025 edition held on March 11 in Los Angeles, which drew over 2.5 million votes and featured winners like Chappell Roan for Queer Anthem.^[4] Similarly, the 2024 event on March 12 also exceeded 2.5 million votes, highlighting popular categories in drag, podcasting, and music.^[41] In addition to the Queerties, Queerty initiated the Pride50 list in 2022 as a self-curated annual recognition of 50 LGBTQ+ individuals driving progress in areas like activism, entertainment, and business.^[42] The 2025 Pride50 honored figures for their recent impacts, accompanied by events such as a New York City celebration on June 16 featuring early Queerty staff stories and honoree chats.^[23] These recognitions, like Pride50, serve as platforms for Queerty to spotlight change-makers without external adjudication, often tied to promotional gatherings emphasizing queer joy and unity.^[43] No independent third-party awards or formal accolades bestowed upon Queerty as an organization were identified in available records, distinguishing its initiatives as primarily self-generated validations within the LGBTQ+ pop culture sphere.^[44]

Audience Reach and Cultural Influence

Queerty's audience expanded significantly in its early years, reaching approximately 1 million monthly visitors by 2011, as reported prior to a brief operational pause.^[45] This growth reflected its positioning as a key online destination for LGBTQ+ news and entertainment amid rising internet adoption for niche media. By 2021, Comscore data indicated Queerty.com continued to draw roughly 1 million unique visitors per month, underscoring sustained relevance in the digital landscape.^[33] As the flagship site of Q.Digital, Queerty contributes to the network's broader reach of 8 million unduplicated unique visitors monthly as of October 2024, per Comscore rankings, with Queerty ranking third globally in the LGBTQ+ category on SimilarWeb metrics for September 2025.^[15][46] Queerty has exerted cultural influence through its coverage of pivotal LGBTQ+ milestones, such as the 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges decision legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide, which amplified public awareness and debate via timely reporting and analysis shared across social platforms. Its focus on celebrity stories and pop culture has driven viral engagement, with content frequently cited in broader media discussions on queer representation. The site's annual Queerties awards further demonstrate this impact, garnering 1.9 million votes in 2023 and 2.5 million in 2024, thereby spotlighting influential figures and narratives that shape community perceptions and mainstream visibility.^[47][48] These metrics highlight Queerty's role in fostering discourse, though its influence remains concentrated within LGBTQ+-centric audiences rather than achieving widespread crossover metrics comparable to general news outlets.

Controversies and Criticisms

Allegations of Internal Misconduct

In September 2017, former Queerty contributor Dawn Ennis published a Medium post alleging that Queerty leadership misled staff about the site's commitment to original, high-quality content. Ennis claimed that despite public and internal emphasis from editor-in-chief Scott Gatz (referred to as "the Captain") on producing original journalism, writers were routinely pressured to rewrite articles from other outlets rather than create new reporting.^[49] Ennis further alleged inconsistencies in company direction during a period of budget constraints, asserting that Queerty selectively terminated contracts for transgender writers while maintaining expenditures on non-essential items, such as a Mexico retreat costing over $45,000. She described low compensation rates of approximately $20 per story and instances of unpaid opinion pieces, which she portrayed as contradictory to assurances of sustainable operations and ethical treatment of contributors. Additionally, Ennis reported being offered a $2,000 settlement to remain silent about her experiences and claimed misclassification of freelancers as independent contractors to avoid providing unemployment benefits.^[49] These claims highlighted purported ethical lapses in editorial oversight and workforce management, including a lack of diversity in staffing predominantly composed of white gay men. No public responses or verified resolutions from Queerty leadership to these specific allegations have been documented in available records.^[49]

Claims of Political Bias and Editorial Slant

Media Bias/Fact Check classifies Queerty as left-biased, attributing this to its consistent selection of stories that advance progressive LGBTQ+ narratives and editorial positions employing loaded language to criticize conservative viewpoints.^[3] For example, a 2021 article described a Republican Senate candidate as a "Jewish Republican who hates gay people and takes money from Nazi enthusiasts," exemplifying hyperbolic framing of political opponents.^[3][50] Similarly, coverage of Donald Trump has included pieces compiling memes to deride his self-description as a "stable genius," prioritizing ridicule over substantive policy analysis.^[3][51] This editorial slant extends to portrayals of conservative LGBTQ+ individuals, such as a 2020 article citing a Williams Institute study to label gay Republicans as more likely to exhibit self-loathing, reinforcing a narrative that equates right-leaning politics with internalized homophobia.^[52] Critics argue this approach elevates identity politics, often favoring advocacy for expansive progressive policies on issues like transgender rights over empirical scrutiny of outcomes, such as health disparities or policy efficacy.^[3] Despite these tendencies, Queerty demonstrates high factual reporting, with articles typically sourced from reputable outlets and no recorded failed fact checks in the past five years as of the latest assessments.^[3] Independent evaluators like Ground News also categorize it as left-leaning, underscoring its alignment with liberal-leaning media ecosystems focused on LGBTQ+ advocacy.^[53] Conservative observers contend that this bias, while factually restrained, contributes to a broader media pattern of selective emphasis that marginalizes causal analyses of social challenges within LGBTQ+ communities, such as behavioral contributors to elevated STI rates, in favor of structural attributions.^[3]