Pink ink : the golden era for gay and lesbian magazines

The tapping of typewriters first lifted the secrecy around homosexuality, and a vibrant array of voices was soon heard. The publishers of gay magazines and newspapers were a diverse and lively lot. Some wanted to publicise where the best parties were held; some to fight the political battle; and others to show new ways for lesbians and gay men to live their lives. The story of these magazines and newspapers is the story of society’s changing attitudes, and indeed, the changing gay world. This book traces the evolution of Australia’s gay and lesbian publications from smudgy porn sold in brown paper bags to glossy coffee-table magazines proudly on display; from gestetnered newsletters to an industry publishing millions of newspapers each year – that is, until the Internet changed it all. For nearly two decades, Bill Calder edited and published Australian gay newspapers and magazines, including Melbourne’s Brother Sister in the 1990s, and more recently Bnews. He previously worked as the senior news journalist at The Melbourne Times. This book is based on his recent PhD researching the history of gay and lesbian publications in Australia. Part One: Demanding Change. Chapter one. Starting the resistance ; Chapter two. Liberationist fight-back Part Two: Entertaining Sexual Desire. Chapter three. A magazine to amuse and entertain ; Chapter four. The obscenity wars Part Three: Building The Gay World. Chapter five. The American influence ; Chapter six. Oxford Street gay precinct ; Chapter seven. Dancing to the rhythm of drag ; Chapter eight. AIDS epidemic hits Part Four: Finding Lesbian Space. Chapter nine. Developing a new culture ; Chapter ten. Lesbian sex wars ; Chapter eleven. Business replaces collective Part Five: Reflecting A Diverse Community. Chapter twelve. Growth of institutions ; Chapter thirteen. The government makes law ; Chapter fourteen. Advertising fuels city-based newspapers Part Six: Flirting With Corporations. Chapter fifteen. Lucrative niche market with no kids Part Seven: The Internet Age. Chapter sixteen. New media for a new millennium. "The tapping of typewriters first lifted the secrecy around homosexuality, and a vibrant array of voices was soon heard. The publishers of gay magazines and newspapers were a diverse and lively lot. Some wanted to publicise where the best parties were held; some to fight the political battle; and others to show new ways for lesbians and gay men to live their lives. The story of these magazines and newspapers is the story of society's changing attitudes, and indeed, the changing gay world. This book traces the evolution of Australia's gay and lesbian publications from smudgy porn sold in brown paper bags to glossy coffee-table magazines proudly on display; from gestetnered newsletters to an industry publishing millions of newspapers each year--that is, until the Internet changed it all."--Back cover.