Gay Times

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Gay Times (branded as 'GT')
Editor Tris Reid-Smith
Categories Gay & Bisexual
Frequency Monthly
First issue 1975
Company Millivres Prowler Group Ltd.
Country United Kingdom
Language English
Website www.gaytimes.co.uk
ISSN 0950-6101

Gay Times (branded as 'GT') is one of the United Kingdom's leading gay magazine[1][2] for gay and bisexual men.

Contents

[edit] Publication and content

The Gay Times (GT) magazine is run by Millivres Prowler Group Ltd. and has a sister paper, Diva, for lesbians. The first issue of the Gay Times appeared in 1984, when it was created as a spin-off from HIM magazine, which started in 1975. AXM magazine, Gay Times' younger brother and a rival to attitude is now published by the same company.

Gay Times features current events, interviews, satire, male art, an agony uncle section, personal ads and sections on music, film, literature, style, food and the internet. It also features lifestyle advertisements and a large directory section, including ads for escort services, counselling services and phone lines.

The current editor is Trish Reid-Smith.

[edit] Historic issues

1991
July 1991 issue; Justin Fashanu 
2004
September 2004 issue; used on the London Underground 

In July 1991 Justin Fashanu was interviewed for the cover story after suffering a significant career setback after coming out as gay in October 1990.

In September 2004 Gay Times had a controversial advertising campaign on the London Underground with pictures of their September issue front cover, that proved popular with Gay Times readers. It was the first advertising campaign to feature a gay kiss, attracting only one complaint that was later thrown out by the Advertising Standards Agency.

From March 2007, Gay Times has re-labeled itself GT, announcing: "The Future's Here: Are You Up For It? New Look. New Attitude. New Sections. New Writers. New Style. Gay Times becomes GT".

In the November 2008 issue a controversial advertising campaign was launched, entitled Homo Promo. This campaign was a reaction to right-wing evangelical groups claiming that gay people have an agenda to promote homosexuality. In response to these accusations GT asked advertising agencies to create campaigns that would sell 'Homosexuality' as an appealing choice and recruit for the cause.

[edit] As cultural icon

  • On Little Britain, Daffyd Thomas is outraged when his local news agent sells the copy of Gay Times to the local blacksmith, as she only gets "the one in for you", as he loudly and often proclaims that he's the only gay in the village. The news agent describes the issue as having Hazell Dean in it and a "very informative article on rimming."
  • In the film Beautiful Thing, Jamie's theft of a copy of Gay Times from a Newsagent for himself and Ste to find gay venues to go to is a key plot element.

[edit] References

  1. ^ "3% of Lesbians and Gay Men Intend to Adopt in Next 5 Years". WebWire and Out Now Diva and Gay Times Readers Surveys. 27 March 2007. http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=26520. 
  2. ^ "Outright 2006 Helps Brands Communicate Effectively with Gay Britain". GAY to Z and Out Now Diva and Gay Times Readers Surveys. 27 March 2007. http://www.gaytoz.com/bResearch.asp. 

[edit] See also

[edit] External links