Express Magazine claims to 'inform, support and strengthen the LGBT+ community New Zealand-wide' - it does not

Express Magazine claims it is 'held in very high regard by its target audience' - it is not.

On Wednesday July 19 it published an attack article, written by Sarah Murphy at the behest of publisher Richard Todd, on community stalwart Paul Heard, under the guise of news. It features unsubstantiated claims over a private employee matter involving Paul and his former employer, the New Zealand AIDS Foundation. 

This follows a similar smear article published by Todd when Paul's bar Urge closed in 2015. If Todd has a personal grievance against Paul he should not be using the GLBT 'community' newspaper as his mouthpiece.

Paul has given selflessly over the years to the GLBT community, raising tens of thousands of dollars for the community. A glance at comments on this 'article' on Facebook will show you the high regard for Paul.

I, the undersigned, ask Express to make a formal apology.