Longtime Utah gay activist Michael Aaron approached Steven Peterson in 2004 to publish what Aaron called a much-needed professional newspaper for Utah's LGBT community. Aaron had co-published the Community Reporter newspaper and Triangle Magazine in the 1980s and 90s. Peterson had published the Little Lavender Book business and organization directory. The first issue of Salt Lake Metro newspaper was published in 2004 by Metro Publishing Inc. with Aaron as publisher and Peterson as sales manager. The newspaper began publishing when an LGBT campaign against a proposed state constitutional amendment to prohibit same-sex marriage was developing. The focus on hard news and editorial content was intended to distinguish it from other local publications. Salt Lake Metro found quick success in attracting readers and web-site visitors, but the business partnership was wrought with disputes as advertising sales failed. Aaron was forced to scale back on writers, editors and syndicated content. By the end of 2005, Aaron was acting as publisher, editor and art director. In 2005, the newspaper created the "Metro Cares Foundation," a nonprofit organization to support LGBT groups in the state. Aaron left Metro Publishing Inc. in 2006 after a failed attempt to purchase it. The remaining writers and office staff went with him and QSaltLake newspaper was published two weeks later by Salt Lick Publishing LLC. The newspaper featured local and national news, opinion—both serious and camp, arts and entertainment, and sports. Cover stories ranged from the use of methamphetamine in the LGBT community to an interview with entertainer RuPaul. The newspaper created its annual readers' choice Fabby Awards ceremony in 2005. Salt Lick Publishing LLC created Pride365, a series of annual events which celebrated LGBT pride throughout the year in Salt Lake City and which culminated in the Utah Pride Festival. Pride365 ended its activities in 2007 when its director, Chad Keller, died. As QSaltLake owner and publisher, Aaron won the 2011 Utah Pride Festival "Dr. Kristen Ries Community Service Award." QSaltLake was redesigned as a magazine in 2012 when Salt Lick Publishing LLC. The corporation continued the management and publication of the magazine and its projects despite a financial-loan shortfall that year.
Michael Aaron, June 2006-February 2011, June 2013-present
Seth Bracken, February 2011-June 2013
Assistant Editor: JoSelle Vanderhooft, January 2007-February 2011
Arts Editor: Tony Hobday, March 2006-December 2020
QPages Directory
Salt Lick Publishing LLC also publishes an annual LGBT business and organization directory, QPages Directory, formerly named Gay Salt Lake Directory, Salt Lake PINQ Pages, TheQPages and QSaltLake Pages; and TheQMap, a map of Salt Lake LGBT-friendly businesses for tourists and business visitors.
QCares Foundation
Salt Lick Publishing LLC's nonprofit organization, QCares Foundation, raises funds for Utah LGBT charities, sponsors an anti-meth campaign, and a hepatitis-immunization awareness program for gay men. The organization is also an affiliate of the People With AIDS Coalition of Utah.
