Troy Masters, a gay man who was publisher of the Los Angeles Blade, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, December 11, according to a family member. He was 63.
The Los Angeles County coroner said the cause of death was suicide.
Mr. Masters was a well-respected and award-winning journalist and publisher with decades of experience, mostly in LGBTQ media. He founded Gay City News in New York City in 2002 and relocated to Los Angeles in 2015. In 2017, he became the founding publisher of the Los Angeles Blade, a sister publication of the Washington Blade, the nation's oldest LGBTQ newspaper.
His family released a statement to the Blade on Thursday.
"We are shocked and devastated by the loss of Troy," the statement read. "He was a tireless advocate for the LGBTQ community and leaves a tremendous legacy of fighting for social justice and equality. We ask for your prayers and for privacy as we mourn this unthinkable loss. We will announce details of a celebration of life in the near future."
The Blade management team released a statement on Thursday.
"All of us at the Los Angeles Blade and Washington Blade are heartbroken by the loss of our colleague," it read. "Troy Masters is a pioneer who championed LGBTQ rights as well as best-in-class journalism for our community. We will miss his passion and his tireless dedication to the Los Angeles queer community.
"We would like to thank the readers, advertisers, and supporters of the Los Angeles Blade, which will continue under the leadership of our local editor, Gisselle Palomera, the entire Blade family in D.C. and L.A., and eventually under a new publisher," the statement read.
Michael Yamashita, a gay man who is publisher of the Bay Area Reporter, stated he would miss his colleague.
"It was shocking to receive the sad news this morning," Yamashita wrote in a December 12 email. "I have known Troy as a fellow publisher and friend for over 20 years. He was smart and accomplished. More than a few times, he started gay publications — in New York City and Los Angeles. I will miss working with him."
The Blade newspapers are part of the News is Out collaboration, along with the B.A.R. and other legacy LGBTQ publications Dallas Voice, Philadelphia Gay News, Tagg magazine, and the Windy City Times.
Dana Piccoli, a lesbian who is News is Out's managing director, stated the organization was "devastated."
"The team at News is Out is devastated to learn of the passing of LGBTQ+ media legend, colleague and friend, Troy Masters," Piccoli wrote in an email.
"Troy was a fierce advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and pioneer in queer media," she added. "We were lucky to work with him as a member of News is Out and will forever be grateful for the barriers he broke down for the queer community. Our hearts are with our colleagues at the Los Angeles Blade and the Washington Blade."
Equality California, the statewide LGBTQ rights organization, issued a statement on Mr. Masters' passing.
"We at Equality California are heartbroken by the unexpected passing of Troy Masters, a trailblazing journalist, publisher, and tireless advocate for the LGBTQ+ community," stated Executive Director Tony Hoang, a gay man. "Troy's remarkable career spanned decades, during which he used his voice and platform to amplify the stories of our community and champion the fight for equality.
"His passion for storytelling and relentless pursuit of social justice left an indelible mark on the fight for LGBTQ+ rights," Hoang added. "Over many years, Equality California and the Los Angeles Blade have worked hand in hand to ensure LGBTQ+ stories are accurately represented and shared within the Los Angeles community and throughout California."
In a social media post, gay Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur (D-Hollywood), the former leader of EQCA, wrote that he was "terribly saddened" in hearing about the death of Mr. Masters.
"A pillar in the LGBTQ+ community in his many roles, he has covered life in our community & the challenges of our fight for civil rights & social justice. He will be missed. My thoughts are with his family & friends," wrote Zbur.
Mr. Masters joined the staff of OutWeek as the advertising account executive in November 1989. The groundbreaking New York City-based weekly changed the shape of LGBTQ journalism and publishing with provocative content and a pro-activist stance.
Former OutWeek editor-in-chief Gabriel Rotello recalled, "Troy was doing ad sales for PC Magazine and was miserable because he felt that he was unable to share the reality of his life in the AIDS epidemic with his homophobic colleagues. [Advertising Director] Kit Winter had placed an ad in the Village Voice seeking ad reps for an 'upstart gay weekly.' Troy showed up in a suit and tie, and the rest is history. He was a very successful ad representative, and he quickly became essential to the magazine. He also learned the business of gay publishing, which stood him in good stead for the rest of his life."
Shortly after OutWeek closed in June 1991, Mr. Masters spearheaded the publication of QW, another LGBTQ weekly that lasted from 1991 to 1992.
On his Facebook page in the About section, Mr. Masters recalled the publications he had started over the years.
"I'm proud of what I have done and am privileged to continue doing; and I am proud of the progress the community I love so much has made over the past few decades," he wrote.
Mr. Masters was born April 13, 1961. He is survived by his mother, Josie Kirkland; and his sister, Tammy Masters, along with many friends and colleagues across the country.
The Bay Area Reporter contributed reporting.
Updated, 12/12/24: This article has been updated with a statement from Equality California and gay Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur.
Updated, 12/13/24: This article has been updated to indicate the cause of death and to include Mr. Masters' time at OutWeek in New York City.
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