Times are tough for the newspaper industry, and that is especially true of smaller papers. Utah’s QSaltLake is having problems financially, and have asked for assistance. For many papers, money is a huge problem, and many small papers have folded or undergone huge reorganizations. Here is QSaltLake explaining what is going on:

Utah’s gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and ally newspaper is asking the community for help to stay alive. Advertising revenue has declined over the past several years, putting QSaltLake at risk for closure. After making its financial woes public last August, the media source trimmed costs, focused on new revenue streams and restructured from a bi-weekly newspaper to a monthly magazine format. While maintaining payroll and print costs are still a challenge, the magazine has been able to continue publishing.

However, a loan taken out to start the venture is coming due on September 1. With no cash on hand and a scarred credit record, the remaining $40,000 due to the bank is out of reach.

The publisher, Michael Aaron, created an IndieGoGo campaign at http://indiegogo.com/save-qsaltlake and a web site at http://saveq.org and is hoping the community will rally to its aid to keep the magazine publishing.

The efforts have raised a combined $11,000 so far, leaving $29,000 still to be raised in less than 23 days.

“We have been honored to serve the community for the last eight years,” said publisher Michael Aaron. “We hope to be around for many more years to come. Our work is important. Utah’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and ally community is at the epicenter of the fight for our rights. We have always known the importance of an informed community. Our work is not done.”