Just days after the nation’s oldest gay, lesbian, bi and trans newspaper, the Washington Blade, was forced to fold due to Window Media’s financial collapse, the paper’s former staffers have forged a new publication, D.C. Agenda.

The staff is currently working on a 16-page edition, and hopes to be back to newsprint by December 4th.

They got zero severance pay after Window Media abruptly closed the Blade and gay publications in Atlanta and Miami last week. Donations are keeping them going.

Editor Kevin Naff spent Friday delivering the new publication to news stands.

Publisher Lynne Brown is reorganizing the newspaper, possibly as an employee-owned company, with free help from lawyers. They hope to reclaim the Blade archives in bankruptcy court.

More on this story as it develops. Go here to check out the new Web site and mission statement.