Gay Times
 March 2011 cover of Gay Times |
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| Categories | Gay & Bisexual |
|---|---|
| Frequency | Monthly |
| Circulation | 68,000[1] |
| 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 magazines[2][3] for gay and bisexual men.
Contents |
[edit] Publication and content
The Gay Times (GT) magazine is published 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 starred Lewis Mannion and was created as a spin-off from HIM magazine, which started in 1975. AXM magazine, Gay Times' younger brother and a rival to attitude was also published by the same company.
Gay Times includes features, celebrity interviews, news, satire, male art, an agony uncle section, personal ads and sections on music, film, literature, style, travel and the internet. It also features lifestyle advertisements and a large directory section, including ads for escort services, counselling services and phone lines.
[edit] Historic issues
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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 re-labeled itself as 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 (issue 200) from a newsagent for himself and Ste to find gay venues to go to is a key plot element.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Gay Times Review, Ciao
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
