Jay Katari Resigned From Equalpride Board
The director stepped down following editorial staff pushback over his social media activity.
Updated on Sept. 20, 2026 in LGBTQand
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Jay Katari has resigned from the equalpride board of directors just weeks after his appointment. The decision followed a joint statement from editorial staff who raised concerns regarding Katari's social media activity.
Why it matters
Editorial staff expressed concerns that Katari’s past online behavior, including support for the MAGA movement, conflicted with the mission and credibility of the company’s LGBTQ-focused brands. The resignation highlights tensions between investors and staff regarding the oversight of media organizations.
Katari was initially appointed by an investor group in late August 2026 without management approval. The company oversees multiple publications, including The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, Plus, Pride.com, and Them.
The players
Jay Katari
He is a former member of the equalpride board of directors whose tenure ended following staff pressure.
Mark Berryhill
He serves as the CEO of equalpride and announced the board vacancy following internal staff objections.
Kevin Ortega-Rojas
He is a reporter who authored the coverage regarding Katari's social media activity.
equalpride
This is a media company that manages a portfolio of LGBTQ-focused publications including The Advocate and Out.
The details
Staff at the media company publicly challenged Katari's board role after reports detailed his social media posts, which included photos wearing a MAGA hat. CEO Mark Berryhill, who was recently granted authority over future board appointments by the lead investor group, confirmed the departure one day after the staff statement.
Timeline
Late August 2026: Jay Katari was appointed to the equalpride board.
August 31, 2026: CEO Mark Berryhill expressed confidence in Katari to employees.
September 14, 2026: Kevin Ortega-Rojas published a report about Katari's social media.
September 19, 2026: Editorial teams released a joint statement.
September 20, 2026: CEO Berryhill announced Katari's departure.
Culture Shift
This event reflects the broader tension between legacy LGBTQ media missions and the influence of new corporate ownership models. The shift underscores how staff advocacy can force changes in corporate governance when leadership decisions appear misaligned with brand identity.
The move settles internal uncertainty for readers of the company's brands by confirming the editorial staff's concerns were addressed. Customers can expect no changes to the daily operation or accessibility of the publications.
The takeaway
The rapid resignation demonstrates that editorial staff in niche media markets possess significant leverage when ownership decisions threaten a publication's core mission. Maintaining transparency between investors and staff remains a critical factor for long-term organizational stability.
Further reading
For more on media industry trends, visit the LGBTQand section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Metro Weekly.
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