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Now Published by a Straight Male? |
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Compiled By GayToday
Van Nuys, California--In a letter addressed to readers, subscribers
and writers for Alternative Family, the former founder,
art director and Editor-in-Chief, Kelly P. Taylor, has announced she has
departed the venerable magazine, one which reached homes where
gay males and lesbians reared children.
The magazine, according to her statement, is now being edited by a straight male, Paul Obis, who has a wife and six children. Ms Taylor's account of her reasons for departing, she said, might give rise to rumors. Nevertheless, she spoke forthrightly about what had caused her to quit a job she very much valued. She wrote: "Dear friends, "Please accept my sincere apologies for not being able to contact each of you personally, and as I write this, I am filled with a great sense of loss.
"Mr. Obis approached me with an interest in pursuing the necessary financial backing to help the magazine move forward. I was very moved by his enthusiasm and his experience with the Vegetarian Times, which he founded 25 years ago and has since sold. And, as strange as it may sound, I was also intrigued by the fact that a straight man, with a wife and six kids, showed such great interest in the cause. "Along with his subscription fulfillment duties, he insisted that he take the role as the managing member of the company in an effort to protect the interest of those who offered investment capital. Out of desperation and lack of funds to hire an attorney, I agreed and offered to step down as publisher. I placed the future of Alternative Family magazine in his hands and truly trusted him. "At this time, Mr. Obis feels that it would be easier to have the company function in its entirety out of his Illinois home office and has said that he will do the editorial work himself. Unfortunately, because of my partner' s work in the entertainment industry, we are not able to move to Oak Park, Illinois and his decision is out of my control. "Please know that I tried desperately to get my 'baby' back, however Mr. Obis' price was unreachable and varied greatly throughout my search for investment capital. This, of course, made it impossible for me to gain the interest of potential investors. "My hope and desire is that Alternative Family magazine will continue on as a successful resource and educational tool specific to the interests of GLBT parents, their families and others who wish to understand our families. "I know that situations like this commonly generate an enormous amount misinformation, should you wish to contact me directly (and I do hope that you will stay in touch) or need any further clarification on this matter, you can do so by sending an e-mail to me at kptaylor@pacbell.net "In his most recent e-mail to me, Mr. Obis quoted the Bible and told me to remember 3 Ecclesiastes: "For everything there is a season and a time for every purpose: a time to be born and a time to die." "While I feel this great sense of personal loss and try my best to refrain from any kind of bitterness, I do look forward to taking some time off from working 12 hours per day and on weekends. Cameron is now a 2-year-old and is growing fast. It is now time for me to focus on my family (no pun intended) and look forward to the future opportunities that lay ahead. "I am deeply grateful for the support you have all shown, and for all the friends that I have come to know. It has been an honor getting to know each and every one of you. I love you all. "From my family to yours,"
Kelly P. Taylor |
