Two longtime LGBT publishers have announced they are relaunching their national magazines.
One, XY, aimed at gay men, is available online (http://www.xymag.org) and in bookstores. After a six-year hiatus, the new fall issue, called "Wonderland," focuses on the future of America. It's nearly 170 pages, and retails for $9.99, according to publisher Peter Ian Cummings. There is no advertising.
The other publication, GO, a glossy lesbian-focused magazine with entertainment listings for New York City and feature articles about women across the country, will be relaunched in early December, said publisher Amy Lesser, who founded the company 14 years ago. GO is distributed free, largely in bookstores, cafes, and clubs. Plans are to publish the magazine six times a year, according to Lesser.
XY, known for its photographs of scantily clad young men, was published from 1996-2008, when it ran into financial problems during the recession, said Cummings, a 55-year-old gay man. Investors liquidated the business and sold the xy.com name to a Chinese game developer, he said. Cummings later purchased the assets through bankruptcy court and assembled a team to begin publishing again, he explained.
The current issue was named "current events magazine of the week" by Barnes and Noble earlier this month and is displayed in every store worldwide, Cummings said in a news release.
Cummings, a former international editor of the Advocate , launched the magazine in San Francisco in 1996. Its name is a reference to the male XY chromosome pair.
Editorials in the magazine often criticized corporations for not advertising in the gay press and also criticized the LGBT movement for being "too assimilationist" and not supporting "sexual liberation," according to Cummings.
While those positions made the publication controversial, Cummings noted that the magazine had "the highest newsstand sale of any LGBT magazine" from 1997-2005.
Now headquartered in West Hollywood, the new team includes Denise Penn, the former editor of Lesbian News, who is serving as articles editor. Photographer Steven Underhill, a contributor to the Bay Area Reporter, has written a story about San Francisco for the fall issue.
In a telephone interview with the B.A.R. , Cummings said that it would be necessary to sell at least half of the current press run of 30,000 for it to be profitable.
Cummings said he pays freelancers as much as $1,000 for articles.
On the Go
Lesser, a 55-year-old lesbian, launched GO 15 years ago, "inspired by the failure of LGBT media to give a damn about the 'L' word," she said in a phone interview with the B.A.R.
Previously published 10 times a year, Lesser said that beginning in December, the magazine would come out every other month. About three-fourths of the press run is distributed in New York City, with the remainder distributed nationally to 10 cities around the country, Lesser said. Distribution locations are listed on the website, http://www.gomag.com.
While Lesser will remain publisher, she has hired Trish Bendix, former editor-in-chief of http://www.AfterEllen.com, to take over that same job at GO. Lesser previously served as editor.
In addition to the entertainment listings, which are focused on New York City, the magazine's editorial content includes "women we love, captivating couples, gay-friendly travel destinations, celebrity interviews, and entrepreneurs," Lesser said.
Over the years, hundreds of freelance writers have contributed to GO, she said.
Like most publications, Lesser said it has been "challenging" to draw enough advertising to the magazine.
"Women within our community are apparently not considered as valuable a demographic as gay men," Lesser explained. "But we are a brand-loyal demographic and when reached properly, do respond to print and online ads.
"This is a philanthropic effort," Lesser added. "Through the generosity of friends and family, I've been able to carry any shortfalls" in revenue over the years.
"Our goal is and has always been to provide an excellent product and break even," she said.
She said she was happy about hiring Bendix.
"We think Trish Bendix will bring the talent and expertise to enable us to publish an exciting and timely magazine," Lesser said.