After just celebrating their 25th anniversary, multiple sources indicate that Portland’s only GLBT print publication, Just Out, is in dire financial trouble. Some speculate they won’t even survive six more months.

From numerous anti-gay ballot measures to victorious wins for equality, Just Out has seen it all over the past 25 years–and has been there to report it.

Sadly, our sources are reporting that many employees are behind in payroll by roughly three weeks with no light visible at the end of the tunnel. Sources also state there may be even bigger problems looming on the horizon for Just Out’s owner/editor Marty Davis. Numerous, yet unconfirmed reports from insiders suggest that payroll taxes are not being paid–and in fact are behind. Though again, that cannot be confirmed.

After the Sam Adams scandal, and the negative reaction from a large portion of Portand’s gay community to Just Out’s imprudent call for his resignation, Just Out’s editor decided to increase the size of the next issue to make it seem ‘beefier’ and give the illusion that the paper is “as strong as ever”.

One has to wonder and truly question why such a poor decision would be made in the midst of rumors that employees not even getting paychecks. It leaves little doubt in my mind that Just Out is being run with a complete absence of reality. It’s irresponsible and in my humble opinion, quite reckless.

Just Out’s effort to get an editorial out the door leads to many other questions and speculation from those who know editor and owner Marty Davis. It’s been said that Davis has quite the aversion to the concept of men having sex, sources have called her “sexist”, “judgmental” and “out of touch with the community”. One source called the rash editorial decision “a combo of prudery and wanting to move papers.”

Just Out has been an important staple in the community and I’d personally be very sad to lose it. Hopefully they can pull through for the sake of their employees, especially considering the economic climate we’re currently facing.