LGBT

Regent Media Completes Acquisition of PlanetOut Publishing

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on August 26, 2008 - 8:32am.

Los Angeles - Regent Media, the owner of gay-focused cable network here! Networks, announced that it has completed its acquisition of gay media firm PlanetOut's (NASD: LGBT) publishing properties, including Out and The Advocate magazines.

Gay Media Firm PlanetOut Faces Delisting From Nasdaq

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on August 12, 2008 - 8:37am.

San Francisco - PlanetOut (NASD: LGBT), a media and entertainment firm focused on the gay and lesbian market, said on Tuesday that it has received notice from the Nasdaq that its not maintained a minimum market value of $5 million for the past 30 days -- a requirement for continued listing on the exchange.

Habbo to Host Teen Talks with Matthew Shepard Foundation

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on July 1, 2008 - 11:18am.

Los Angeles - Habbo, a virtual community for teens that recently surpassed 100 million avatars created by its users, has announced a partnership with the non-profit Matthew Shepard Foundation, which was founded by the mother of 21-year-old murdered in an anti-gay hate crime in 1998. The foundation will host an ongoing series of conversations within the virtual world, on topics including "how to deal with bullying, discrimination and hate experienced on and offline and how to encourage respect among peers."

"Stonewall Brawl" Game Commemorates Gay Rights Milestone

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on June 13, 2008 - 10:11am.

Los Angeles - Gay cartoonist Eric Orner and Jay Laird, a developer with Metaversal Studios, have teamed to create an online Flash game based on the historic 1969 Stonewall riots -- which are often cited as the origin of the gay rights movement in the U.S., GayGamer.net reported. "Stonewall Brawl" is slated to launch on Metaversal's BurningVillage.com website on June 22, to coincide with Gay Pride celebrations in New York City and San Francisco.

PlanetOut Sells Publishing Unit to Here Networks for $6 Million

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on April 10, 2008 - 8:52am.

San Francisco - Gay media firm PlanetOut (NASD: LGBT) announced on Thursday that it will sell its publishing business -- which includes the magazines Out and The Advocate -- to fellow gay media firm here Networks for $6 million.

iTunes Store Canada Removes Anti-Gay Songs from Catalog

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on April 8, 2008 - 11:54am.

Los Angeles - Apple's (NASD: AAPL) iTunes Store in Canada has removed several songs by Jamaican dancehall artists from its catalog, after complaints about lyrics that advocate the killing of gay people were raised by LGBT groups Egale Canada and Stop Murder Music, Xtra.ca reported.

Gay Media Firm PlanetOut to Explore Sale of Company

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on January 15, 2008 - 9:44am.

San Francisco - PlanetOut (NASD: LGBT), the publisher of gay magazines The Advocate and Out and operator of websites including Gay.com, announced on Tuesday that it has retained Allen & Company to assist in the exploration of strategic alternatives, including a possible sale of the company.

"The L Word" Creator to Launch Online Social Network for Lesbians

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on December 18, 2006 - 9:11am.

New York - The creator and executive producer of Showtime Networks' "The L Word" series, Ilene Chaiken, announced on Monday that she has partnered with a group of women from the entertainment and technology industries to launch an online social network for lesbians and their friends.

"Bully" Game Features Two Boys Kissing; Florida Lawyer Attacks

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 30, 2006 - 2:55pm.
Los Angeles - Video game publisher Take-Two Interactive, which has generated controversy and lawsuits with its violent "Grand Theft Auto" franchise, is "courting new controversy" with a feature in its new "Bully" schoolyard game that allows boy characters to kiss one another, Reuters reported.

PlanetOut Debuts Digital Versions of The Advocate, Out Magazines

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 10, 2006 - 3:35pm.
San Francisco - Gay magazine publisher PlanetOut, whose publications include The Advocate and Out, on Tuesday announced the launch of a new digital delivery system that will give subscribers the additional option of receiving magazine issues electronically. The company did not name a distribution partner, but said the digital versions are identical to the print editions and are viewable with a free player.

Here Taps Maven Networks for Gay Broadband Video Channel

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on September 27, 2006 - 5:14am.
New York - Here Networks, a premium gay television network, announced on Wednesday that it has partnered with Maven Networks to launch a new broadband video channel. The Internet TV channel will offer clips of recent and upcoming Here programming; independent short films; exclusive original online programming; and exclusive sponsored content.

Vivendi's Blizzard Takes Flak Over LGBT Guilds in "World of Warcraft"

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on January 30, 2006 - 7:29am.
Los Angeles - Vivendi Universal's Blizzard Entertainment game publishing studio has come under fire for allegedly preventing users from setting up player guilds based on sexual orientation within its popular "World of Warcraft" online game, GamesIndustry.biz reported. WOW subscriber Sara Andrews said she plans to cancel her account after being denied the ability to set up a "GLBT-friendly" guild. "Topics related to sensitive real-world subjects -- such as religious, sexual, or political preference, for example -- have had a tendency to result in communication between players that often breaks down into harassment," Blizzard told GamesIndustry.biz. "It seems to be okay for general chat to be flooded with [these terms], yet advertising for a GLBT friendly environment where we don't have to deal with such language is deemed inappropriate," Andrews replied. Blizzard said it plans to change language in the game's policies to "help avoid such confusion in the future."

LGBT Internet Network PlanetOut Files For $75 Million IPO

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on April 30, 2004 - 3:11am.
San Francisco, Calif. -- PlanetOut Inc., an Internet media company focused on the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered community, has filed registration papers to raise $75 million through an initial public offering (IPO) of its stock. The company said it has a community of 3.3 million active members. It operates a network of websites, including Gay.com, PlanetOut.com, Kleptomaniac.com and Out and About travel.
tags: Internet | VC | IPO | PlanetOut | LGBT |