Debra Shigley, a candidate for Georgia Senate District 21 and a former journalist with Atlanta Magazine, expressed disappointment over reports that the publication’s leadership is reducing its progressive coverage. She made her statement on X.
“Woah, I had no idea it had come to this,” said Shigley. “Shocking and so disappointing. The magazine has always stood for real journalism and they can’t go backwards. It sounds very outdated, not to mention, not in line with a credible journalistic organization to not use folks’ preferred pronouns.”
In August 2023, The Washington Post reported that Sean McGinnis, publisher of Atlanta Magazine, indicated that the magazine’s coverage had become excessively progressive. McGinnis reportedly questioned the use of preferred pronouns and raised concerns about the optics of publishing a story on legislation restricting gender-affirming care for young Georgians, suggesting the coverage seemed to “favor one point of view.” The report also highlighted that the magazine had recently featured a drag queen brunch on its cover and established an advisory panel to engage more with non-White communities for diverse coverage.
Following The Washington Post’s report, Shigley took to X to express her disapproval of the editorial changes. In her post, she wrote: “Woah, I had no idea it had come to this. Shocking and so disappointing. The magazine has always stood for real journalism and they can’t go backwards!” According to her campaign’s verified account, she framed the shift as a betrayal of the magazine’s commitment to credible journalism.
Shigley also shared her reaction in a TikTok video, reiterating her concerns about McGinnis’s stance. In the video, she criticized his questioning of pronoun use: “It sounds very outdated, not to mention, not in line with a credible journalistic organization to not use folks’ preferred pronouns.” According to her TikTok and repost on X, she portrayed the shift as detrimental to the magazine’s reputation and inclusivity.
Shigley’s career includes work as a journalist and editor at Atlanta Magazine. According to the magazine’s contributor page, she authored numerous articles during her tenure there. This professional history underscores her personal connection to the outlet and provides context for her disappointment with its reported move away from progressive coverage.
Shigley is currently competing in Georgia Senate District 21’s special election against Republican Jason Dickerson in a runoff. This election follows former Sen. Brandon Beach’s appointment as U.S. Treasurer earlier in 2025. According to Georgia Secretary of State’s office information, early in-person voting began on September 15, 2025, with Election Day scheduled for September 23, 2025. Voters are advised to visit the official state website for polling locations for both early voting and Election Day participation.
