Troy Masters, LGBTQ+ advocate and media trailblazer, dies suddenly at 63

Troy Masters, shown at a 2022 event in West Hollywood, has died at the age of 63. Troy Masters, the publisher of LGBTQ+ news outlet the Los Angeles Blade and a pillar of queer media, died unexpectedly on Wednesday at age 63. “Troy Masters is a pioneer who championed LGBTQ rights as well as best-in-class journalism for our community.” Masters said his passion for LGBTQ+ media was sparked by his experience living in New York City, and watching his friends die, at the height of the AIDs epidemic. “I am terribly saddened to hear of the passing of Troy Masters,” said LGBTQ+ advocate and state Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur, in a statement. “A pillar in the LGBTQ+ community in his many roles, he has covered life in our community and the challenges of our fight for civil rights and social justice.” L.A. County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath,, in a statement on X, said she would miss Masters’ humor, wit and huge heart and praised his relentless journalistic pursuits and dedication to uplifting the LGBTQ+ community.