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Byron Beck, was laid off from the weekly newspaper Monday afternoon, “and he didn’t look very happy about it,” sources close to the paper say.
Just Out learned of the lay-off through a former advertising sales staff member who wished to remain anonymous. When contacted for comment, WW news editor Hank Stern did not deny the reports of Beck’s lay-off from the paper, and further pointed to rumors circulating on the blog “Oregon Media Insiders.” [UPDATE - 8:25 am, Tuesday Nov. 11: Stern responded again via e-mail and confirmed that Beck was laid off from the paper on Monday afternoon]
The dismissal of Beck from their editorial team – in addition to WW’s laying off transferring news reporter Corey Pein last week to a sister publication in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in a round of staff cuts – means the WW newsroom has been slashed from five to three full-time staff writers in the course of only a few weeks. Staff writers Beth Slovic, James Pitkin and Pulitzer-Prize winning reporter Nigel Jaquiss remain on staff at the newspaper.
Beck joined the paper in 2000, and began his much-lauded – and frequently controversial – “Queer Window” column shortly after. The near-weekly column, which focused on people and trends in the queer Portland community and beyond, veered from angry screeds against anti-gay interests to painfully personal reflections on the writer’s boozy gay 20’s. It attracted its share of fans as well as detractors, and racked up awards from the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies and the Society of Professional Journalists of Oregon & Southwest Washington. Beck was also the only current openly LGBT person on Willamette Week’s full-time editorial staff.
The paper, which has yet to officially announce the departure either of Beck or transferring of Pein, added no clues as to whether “Queer Window” might continue with a new voice, or how LGBT issues – which Beck covered as a reporter – might be handled in the paper going forward.
We salute Byron for being a strong and provocative voice for the LGBT community in the WW’s pages, and wish him well in whatever comes next.
(photo of Beck with partner Juan Martinez at last January’s Basic Rights Oregon vigil at the Q Center – photo by Marty Davis)
9 responses so far ↓
1 lynnette // Nov 11, 2008 at 11:00 am
What a loss. Byron was the best part of WW. I’m sure he’ll resurface in a better place. The cream always rises to the top!
2 stuart // Nov 11, 2008 at 11:21 am
Change is good. Maybe Mr. Beck will learn to play nice and treat others with respect.
3 Lee iacuzzi // Nov 11, 2008 at 4:43 pm
Byron was the only writer in the progressive city of Portland who wrote about Queers who are also practicing faith of Islam. He was threatened in his blog after the article. I think he was on to the theme of embracing minorities in the gay rights movement.
Not a good Queer
4 not so fast... // Nov 11, 2008 at 4:59 pm
uh “embracing minorities”? You must be new to the city. Beck has shown disdain for people with AIDS, drag queens and pretty much anyone else in the gay community here for nearly 15 years in print; the only gay issue (s) he concerns(ed) himself with revolve him. Likely his take on the Muslim issue, to be realistic, was to preview the film and please his editors who were looking for advertorial content (ah, the movie theaters advertise don’t they?) He was a repulsive attack dog for WW, and the city is better off without him in print. Bless Just Out for taking on issues other pub.s ignore, and for keeping its editorial slant fair and compassionate.
5 Bear Boy // Nov 11, 2008 at 5:10 pm
Why doesn’t Marty offer him a job? He’d really add some “sass” to Just Out. Imagine the duelin’ stories between him and Stephen. Nothing like a HUGE dose of controversy to perk up readership! Hell…..just hire him and let us revel in the DRAMA!!!
6 marty davis // Nov 11, 2008 at 5:32 pm
Bear Boy,
We think Byron will be moving on to bigger and better places, and we wish him well.
Didn’t you used to be Bear Boi, for awhile?
Are you coming to our party? Do I know you? I think maybe…
7 Good Change // Nov 12, 2008 at 4:12 pm
I’ve been in the area and reading WW for about five years now. I was never too impressed with Beck and the “Queer Window” column. It seemed to be “feast or famine” for me. I’d have to say most of the time I just didn’t enjoy his articles or writing style. I’m hoping that WW will be introducing us to a new “Queer Window” author soon. i think it’s important to have a presence there, but I think WW and the LGBTQ community could benefit from a new voice and style behind the pen.
I wish Byron Beck all the best in what ever his new adventures are. Thank you for the work you did, and here’s hoping we’ll get a “new and improved” queer column at WW very soon.
8 Wacky Mommy // Nov 15, 2008 at 6:42 am
I’ve known Byron forever and have always appreciated his writing, his honesty, his take on all things political and social in PDX. I wish him and Juan nothing but the best.
9 It's about time! // Jan 21, 2009 at 9:59 pm
Just found out about this.
Maybe the queer community will finally have an emotionally mature voice at WW, rather than a fawning classist with a penchant for poop jokes.
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