As a content creator and specifically creator of the written word, I often wonder what the future of printed material will be. As a sexually active queer male, porn is still a part of my life and I think back to how porn magazines were an influential part of my developement. Well that and videos.

The question that is forefront is, Are Porn Magazines Still Relevant in our modern world?

How to get your horny hands on them

In the not so distant past, access to adult related material was limited. You could hope to have a magazine that had order forms in the back so you could obtain new magazines or videos. The problem with this method was that at one point in our history, the United States Postal Service would keep a list of people who purchased/received adult related material through the mail. This information could then be turned over to the government, if they chose to ask for it. 

From there, the only way to get your spank bank material required you to head down to the local porn store and peruse the items they had. This event offered its own unique form of challenges. People could see you parking at this shop or walking into it. Then you had to see other people that were also there and worry if you were being judge for picking up the most recent issue of “Boner” or “Freshman.”

Thanks to the invention of Vinton Cerf and Bob Kahn, finding the kind of porn we want to see is as easy as typing the word “horny” in our search bar. In case you are wondering, Vinton Cerf and Bob Kahn are the ones credited with developing the current set of internet protocols we use to navigate the World Wide Web. Those two combined with Tim Berners-Lee gave rise to the ability to easily search for and consume porn from the safety of our homes. 

Is gay media still relevant?

Let’s face it, gay is becoming more mainstream by the day. The more that this happens the more the question of “do we still need our own media” becomes a bigger question. 

As mentioned above, the digital age has disrupted old median distribution models. Blogging platforms, social media, and new cam hosting sites only seem to push the decline of printed median and videos to the sidelines. 

Many feel that as the digital landscape increases, printed media or physical videos will disappear completely. A funny side to this argument is that a host of new zines and niche publications seem to pop and flourish. Maybe this points to a less of a focus on major pron companies and instead switching to a more grassroots or smaller publications that fit the needs of a few that may not be represented in other areas. 

With places like chaturbate, Twitter, and a host of blogging platforms, anyone can publish sexual material cheaply and share it to the masses in seconds. 

How to keep gay media relevant

How many people have you heard use a phrase similar to “I only read Playboy for the articles?” While that does seem to be a distraction for the real reason for purchasing that magazine, there is no denying that it is also a vehicle for content you may not be able to get in other places. Once can argue that this is a great reason to continue the long held tradition of LGBTQ adult magazines. 

Growing up, there were not a lot of places that I could turn to for information on what gay sex would be like or how to interact with the gay community. Our world was and is dominated by a heterosexual view of how to interact. The only bastion we have to learn some of these things are from magazines, many of which are adult oriented. 

If you are showing up to look at naked bodies, adding quality content can force the reader to interact more than just reglossing the already glossy pages contained between the covers. 

These magazine can give us a way to discuss sensitive topics that we might otherwise feel we need to censure to get printed in other places. 

Should our media be integrated or left separate

We are at a point in history that is very different than many in the past but at the same time seems familiar to struggles we have gone through. We are watching as, again, LGBTQ people are becoming more accepted out integrated into life on a larger scale. This begs the question, should our media become integrated into society as well or should it stay separate.

Charwick Moore, journalist and Editor-at-Large for Out and The Advocate, has his own views on this. “ The gay community is split right now between those taht want the heteronormative and to enter into conservative institutions like marriage and parenthood – and that’s all fine and well – and the other camp still wants to push the boundaries of culture and revel in being outsiders.”

A problem with integration, where anyone can write about LGBTQ topic is the appreciation of the topic. A straight journalist may cover a Pride event but it will be from their perspective. It could miss the subtle nuances that an LGBTQ reporter may see. They could pick up on the tones and feelings of the crowd. Speak to the impact of the issues discussed and what it means for queer culture everywhere. The straight journalist may only see the impact of the parade on the city and talk about the socio-economic sides of the event. The same story but it would resonate differently .

There is no denying that there is a need for gay press, unfortunately it seems that it has went on a walk about to find itself and how it fits into this world. 

Visual vs Mental Stimulus

It would be no shock if I said that 98.3% of gay men interviewed admitted to watching gay porn and that 98.5% of straight men admitted to watching straight porn. What about the flip? 55% of gay men polled admitted to watching opposite gender porn while only 21% of straight men admited to watching same-sex porn. Bi men watch gay porn at a rate of 96% in comparison to only 88.3% watching straight porn. 

With the ease of getting porn online, it seems to push for the more visually aroused people to have it easier. Reading porn seems to be pushed to the side due to how long it takes to consume. This is partly due to the fact that our society is changing more to an immediate gratification society. 

What is lost in this immediate gratification society is knowledge. There was a time that when these magazines were bought, you were treated with a host of information. This was the place you would give updates on what was relevant in the arts, culture,and gay scene. This was an important place to learn about safe sex and condoms, a primer for life as a gay man. Sure, there are a host of online places where you can get this information but having a one stop shop to show the beauty of the male form and educate young gay men at the same time has its appeal.

4 Smart and sexy gay magazines you should get

1. Hello Mr

With contributions from gay men the world over, Hello Mr.(https://hellomrmag.com/magazine/) spans a massively huge diversity in its opinions and perspectives. It’s content ranges from typical magazine articles, to fiction stories, poetry, and more. Since this magazine isnt tied down by limiting itself to typical formats, it seems more free and diverse. 

“Hello Mr is a community of men who date men starting new conversations about their interests, loves, hopes, and fears, We are free-thinking men with a keen sense of style, insight and humor.”

This publication is only printed twice a year and each issue reflects the everyday experiences of misters and their companions the world over. 

2. BUTT magazine

BUTT Magazine is considered an unabashedly queer magazine and revels in its faggotry. It is bold, expressive, and uses a retro style to convey its feeling. It also shows things that most have never seen before. All to often our world forces homo-culture to become HOMOgenized, this magazine celebrates the different sides of our sexuality. 

BUTT started in 2001, Gert Jonkers and Jop van Bennekom decided to create their pocket-sized magazine, for and about homosexual. Now in 2022, BUTT is still a place where gay s can speak candidly about their ideas, work, and sex lives.

BUTT launched their web presence the same time they pushed their magazines to the stands. In 2010, their website was totally revisioned to include new features that were gaining popularity to include blogs, an archive of their past issues, city guides, and a social networking feature called CLUB BUTT.

Be sure to check out BUTT magazine here.

3. Headmaster

Headmaster is a loosely themed magazine that works more off collaboration with artists based on a “homework” system. The operators of “Headmaster,” Jason Tranchida and Matthew Lawerence, provide broadly outlined assignments to mostly queer artists and writes who in turn create pieces to be featured in the pages of the magazine. 

Tranchida and Lawerence describe their magazine as “a little arty and a little dirty.” Their desire was to create a sexy magazine that weas more that just your go to for self pleasure. You can check out “Headmaster” here.

4. Elska

Elska got its start in 2015 where each issue is shot in a different city. They are dedicated to photo portfolios of men somewhere between clothed and unclothed, who respond to model call ads through social media and word of mouth. Each model is required to write a short piece about themselves and their city to be used in the magazine. 

This magazine is par for the current trend of offering something more than just a sexual release in a gay mag. It is more about creating a connection with the reader, model, and magazine than just empty releases. It is more like an intimate encounter with a new friend than just a feast for the eyes. Each edition will show men of all shapes and sizes, while not relying on the troupe of glossy porn mags of days of yore. 

Changing with the times

In our present world of immediate gratification, we are often hard pressed to find media that challenges both our physical and intellectual needs. The state of LGBTQ magazines are moving us to that direction as a means of ensuring the longevity of their publications. Are we ready for this or is the urge to log on and get off stronger and will ultimately force the death of our long lived and cherish gay mags? Let me know your feelings and comments below. Do you still purchase porn mags or are you solely limiting that to your online consumption? Maybe you dont use porn at all, let me know below.