It was not sold on the market stand but could be obtained from listed sources and underground merchants. The first gay magazine, Der Eigene, was published in Germany in 1896. It was not until the 20th Century, with the advent of cheap printing technology, that magazine publishing became a more commercial affair, with its main source of income from the advertiser and not the reader. The formula for a magazine included lengthy pieces of fiction as well as articles known as ‘improving material.’ By the 19th Century, the target audience changed: middle-class women were the new readers of titles like the Englishwomans’ Domestic Magazine and Charles Dickens’ Household Works. Other magazines followed in the eighteenth century, coinciding with the rise of literacy – The Lady’s magazine and The Lady’s Monthly Museum were however only affordable to a small section of elite female British society. Although periodicals had been published before, it was first used to describe a publication in 1731 with advent of the Gentlemen’s Magazine. The word magazine is an Arabic term for storehouse. Playgirl, ISSN 0273-6918, U.S.An historical timeline of gay magazines, from 1897 to 2008.Men (Specialty Media, U.S., monthly, October 1997–November 2009), began as Advocate Men in June 1984.Mandate (Mavety Media Group, U.S., monthly April 1975–October 2009).Blueboy (Global Media Group, U.S.: 1975 - 3 issues July/August 1975–August/September 1977 - bimonthly November 1977–2007 - monthly).
Vulcan (UK), made famous in a High Court test case by serial killer Dennis Nilsen (out of print).The following is a list of gay pornographic magazines, with country of publication and approximate period of publication, where available: From the late 1980s, a number of gay magazines and newspapers featured homoerotic nude or partially clothed male models but were not classified as pornography, for example Gay Times and QX Magazine. Non-pornographic " beefcake magazines" were widely available, and were generally purchased by gay men. Prior to the 1970s, gay pornography was not widely distributed due to censorship laws. Some magazines are very general in their variety of illustrations, while others may be more specific and focus on particular activities or fetishes. These magazines primarily serve to stimulate sexual thoughts and emotions. Such publications provide photographs or other illustrations of nudity and sexual activities, including oral sex, anal sex, and other various forms of such activities. These magazines are targeted to gay and bisexual men, although they may also have some female readers, and may include male-male and occasionally male-male-female content and/or male-female content. Gay pornographic magazines, sometimes known as adult magazines or gay sex magazines, contain content of a sexual nature, typically regarded as pornography, that relates to men having sex with men. Zoo Weekly - Emap East ISSN 1740-8512 (UK, Australia, South Africa).
Main article: List of men's magazines § Lads' mags Private (1965–present) (Swedish, Spanish).Aktuell Rapport (Norwegian, 1976–present), (Swedish, 1978–present).Score (1992 Miami, Florida, focuses on large-breasted women).Barely Legal - Hustler Magazine, launch 1974.Whitehouse (1974–2008 David Sullivan, later Gold Star Publishing).Razzle (1983 British focuses on amateur style pornography).Penthouse (1965–present) and Penthouse Variations.Men's World (Paul Raymond Publications, UK).Men Only (Paul Raymond Publications, UK).Mayfair (Paul Raymond Publications, UK).Escort (Paul Raymond Publications, UK, 1980–present).Club International (1971 British sister of Club).Asian Babes (Remnant Media, ISSN 1367-7284, UK, launch 1983).These magazines may include female-male, female-female-male and/or female-female content.