Overview
- Jay Katari stepped down from equalpride's board after his resignation was announced by CEO Mark Berryhill, and his bio was removed from the company site.
- Independent reporting by Kevin Ortega-Rojas documented social posts showing Katari wearing MAGA-branded items and following pro-Trump accounts, which triggered editorial alarm.
- Editors at The Advocate, Out, Them, PRIDE.com, Out Traveler and Plus publicly demanded answers and said Katari had begun taking a more active, visible role with management.
- Berryhill halted Katari’s planned meetings with editorial staff, said Katari would not have an editorial role, and disclosed that Katari had been placed on the board under an investor-appointed seat.
- The episode highlights deeper staff worry about investor influence after equalpride’s recent acquisitions and layoffs and raises questions about future transparency, editorial independence and how the company will vet board appointees.