the gay and lesbian press

This chapter documents the incredible transformations that took place in the gay and lesbian press, from its anonymous origins to its emergence into the mainstream.

In Western society, the terms 'gay' and 'lesbian' denote not just sexual orientation, but a unique identity that is confessional in nature (i.e. require one to 'come out'). The repression of this identity by society provided much of the impetus for the growth of the g/l press/movement over the years.

Notable journals:

In the post-WW II years, homosexuality was linked with communism. It was in this climate of fear that the first g/l journals began.

1) ONE (1953-) An outgrowth of the Mattachine Society. Included practical information for coping with McCarthy-era ideology (legal rights, etc.)

2) The Ladder (1954-1972) A journal for lesbians; more social than political.

3) Homophile Studies (1956-) From ONE; more scholarly journal.

These journals took a cautious stance about appropriate public behavior and the nature of being g/l. FBI began investigating the journals; journals were conveyed as 'cheap pornography' in court; Supreme Court in '58 disagreed and ruled that homosexuality is not, in and of itself, obscene. Would change the nature of 'coming out' in later generations.

As the movement expanded, self-definition and identity became a problem. What were the goals of the movement? Were they defining their uniqueness or fighting for inclusion?

4) The Gazette (1961-) started by Frank Kameny, who was expelled from the Army in 1957 for being gay. Put forth the idea that homosexuality was a preference and orientation rather than a pathology or sickness.

By the end of the 60's, the readership had vastly expanded, to about 55,000, evidence that the journals were appealing to a wider and wider portion of the population. That portion also became to be seen as a potential 'market', and the journals would soon begin to undergo changes that would reflect that perspective. By 1972, 150 gay journals had emerged. Gay liberation exploded after the 1969 Stonewall riots, setting the stage for the next generation of activists of the 70's.

5) The Advocate (1967-) What began in L.A. soon jumped to major U.S. cities. Advertising began to be incorporated. Shifted to a lifestyle magazine in 1974, when it was bought for $1 million by Wall Street banker David B. Goodstein. Political content largely dropped. Focus instead on fashion, cuisine, travel, etc. Began to enter the mainstream. Began turning a profit by end of 70's.

70's lesbian press:

6) The Furies (early 70's) Lesbian feminism formed its own identity, charging that lesbianism is a political choice, not a sexual preference or orientation per se. Thus, being a lesbian is different from being gay.

Lesbian papers soon grew quickly, to 50 by 1975. Increasingly radical views also grew.

Effect: Emergence of the idea that women's bodies belong to themselves; in their control. Learned to be independent from men.

7) Blacklight (end of 70's) First black g/l journal. Others followed. Often ignored in g/l histories.

80's: A mainstream institutional backlash against g/l began to emerge; helped solidfy g/l movement. The AIDS crisis also began. g/l press was pivotal in covering this and bringing the crisis into the mainstream (Larry Kramer's '1,112 and Counting' was pivotal in this...)

8) Bay Area Guardian (80's) Employed journalists to cover and produce news/events.

As the AIDS crisis grew, g/l journals focused on different aspects of the problem.

By the end of the 80's, circulation broke the one-million mark, with more than 800 journals in print.

90's: The era of the 'glossies'. As profits grew, corporations began to get in on the act. Consolidation of the g/l press soon followed (LPI and Window Media being the largest). Internet presence quickly expanded. Gays seen as ultimate DINKs (disposable income, no kids) by corporations/advertisers, a huge market ready to be tapped. Effect? A total shift from its origins to one where, as in so many areas of the market today, advertising essentially equals content. Result? g/l movements have achieved a high level of visibility in the mainstream media, but with the usual trade-offs that come with the shift. Some would claim it's a 'sell-out.'

Enter the dragon, the relationship between the market and identity that defines so much of what is political today. As the movement entered the mainstream more and more, this necessitated the forces of the market to make it possible. But what started out as a radical, alternative, risky, even illegal endeavor, became something entirely different as it entered the fray of the mainstream, as market forces began to change the nature of its content to fit the image of what things that exist in the mainstream must be.

So what happened to the 'alternative'? This is the pattern one sees over and over again in the s.m. press. It is there, on the sidelines of the mainstream, where it has, and where it will always, be. Desktop publishing now makes the creation of 'zines' easy, and provides a modern mode for alt journals to be created.

This also brings up the question of influence. What kind of press has more influence, the small alt types with radical points of view that push hard agendas, or the glossies that exist in the mainstream?