Hernandez blogs his own post-Oscar layoff

Greg Hernandez, laid off by the Daily News earlier today after finishing his Oscars coverage, blogged about it tonight at Out in Hollywood. He said the site will live on as his own independent venture, and explains why the blog made no pretense about being objective in its praise and handling of gay people and subjects.

What was important to me when I came to work at the Daily News was that I be an openly gay man from day one. I had been a staff writer at the Los Angeles Times for 11 years and stayed closeted for most of that time. It was really eating me up inside. I left The Times to find myself personally and professionally and it turned out that the ugly newsroom in Woodland Hills with no windows was a new start for me. For about seven years, I spent what have been, so far, the happiest days of my professional life. At times, I felt like I was at Disneyland it could be so much fun.

I started this blogging adventure in the summer of 2006 as an online side project at the paper and it just seemed to click from day one. I wanted a gay person's voice and perspective and interests to be represented on a blog that maybe everyone else might enjoy reading too. Even though my print workload never lessened (violins, please), I found myself addicted to blogging and the instant nature of posting stories, photos and videos and getting immediate response.

Out In Hollywood grew and was one of the only gay-themed blogs at any mainstream news organization in the country. And during that time, I was given wide berth to be authentic, creative, and provocative.

Unclear still, at least to me, is what his exit means for entertainment coverage at the Daily News. After last week's cuts, Hernandez was described as the DN's last man standing on the beat.

Life after the Daily News: Julia Scott, whose shopping and spending tips blog that began at the DN continues as her own Bargain Babe.com, says she signed up more than 1,450 email subscriptions in a month.