The editorial staff of the former Washington Blade have indeed achieved the launch of DC Agenda, the capital’s newest LGBT newspaper.

Here’s an excerpt from the inaugural letter from the editor by Kevin Naff:

Don’t judge us too harshly — the edition of DC Agenda you’re holding is a modest, early iteration of what we hope to achieve in the wake of Washington Blade’s sudden closing this week.

The news that parent company Window Media was shuttering and liquidating its newspapers came as a shock to the staff, some of whom devoted their careers to the paper that became an institution. We were ushered out the doors of our offices with no severance, canceled paychecks and more questions than answers about why this was allowed to happen.

The former staff of the Washington Blade remains united and DC Agenda represents our effort at continuing the important mission and work of the Blade.

Click here to check out the DC Agenda website.

Congratulations to all involved and good luck!