Here’s what makes The Riviera Maya EDITION at Kanai a spellbinding and exciting hotel and why you should add it to your travel bucket list.

WORDS BY GAY TIMES

Picture the lush mangroves of the Riviera Maya, a 620-acre nature reserve which stretches toward the coast and meets a kilometer of pristine white-sand beachfront and crystal clear turquoise sea. An area that is practically untouched, abundant with rainforest plants, palms, cacti, tropical fruit trees and flowers; home to hundreds of species of birds, as well as sea turtles. 

Now imagine, tucked within, just noticeable through the lushness and the trees, is a stunning tranquil, luxury hotel. Well remarkably, deep inside Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, EDITION has managed to do just that. The result is a place of spellbinding tranquility like you’ve never seen before. 

The entrance itself is a nod to Mexico’s indigenous past – designed to resemble a cenote, the hotel’s grand entryway feels like a portal to another world. Once inside, every detail has been carefully curated to reflect the country’s deep-rooted and unique Yucatan culture. From the earthy textures to the fluid architectural lines that mimic the natural landscape, it’s hard to not feel like you’re somewhere completely timeless and natural – while of course enveloped in the luxury markings of an EDITION hotel. 

From the moment you step into your suite, the biggest detox of your life falls upon you.  The rooms demonstrate how much of modern luxury is in fact a return to basics, the desire to escape it all: neutral tones, natural textures, and floor-to-ceiling windows which open up to breathtaking views of the mangroves. You are at one with the elements, you are grounded. You are every zen meme you have ever encountered, and you will never want to see a screen again. 

Obviously, the furnishings and bedding are gorgeous. EDITION’s signature Le Labo bath products, along with the oversized soaking baths and rainfall shower only add to the calm you will feel. It’s a space designed for absolute relaxation, where you can wake up to the sounds of nature, wind down with perfectly dim lighting, and fall asleep under the glow of stars,

This sounds incredible, but is EDITION Riviera Maya queer-friendly? 

It is! The resort welcomes LGBTQ+ travellers with open arms, offering a space that feels sophisticated and warm. Whether you’re looking for a tranquil escape or a vibrant social scene, the hotel staff go above and beyond to ensure every guest feels at home. Mexico’s Riviera Maya has long been a favourite for queer travellers seeking sun-drenched serenity, and this EDITION property makes it all the more special.

Fabulous, so there’s a queer scene here to explore? 

Along with the stunning beaches and luxurious resorts you’d associate with Riviera Maya, there is in fact a growing LGBTQ+ scene. For those wanting to experience a queer-friendly escape beyond the hotel, the coastal town Playa del Carmen is a short drive away. Here you’ll find the lively Club 69, a favourite among the local LGBTQ+ community for its drag performances and energetic dance floor.

For a more relaxed evening, Bar 25, an intimate cocktail lounge known for its mezcal-infused drinks and stylish crowd is friendly to all. If you’re lucky, your visit might coincide with one of Playa’s underground queer pop-up events, which range from beachside full-moon parties to art-driven soirées in hidden jungle locations. Tulum, another town not too far away, offers LGBTQ+ travellers an alternative scene, with bohemian beach clubs and wellness retreats embracing the queer community. And when you wish to unwind in complete calm, there is, of course, the hotel you’ll forever call home. 

What else is at EDITION Riviera Maya? 

As well as impossible serenity and a truly special, near-sacred, atmosphere, this EDITION has all the glamour and chic comforts you associate with the brand globally. Two of Mexico’s most renowned young chefs pioneered the concept in their own restaurants on-site, KI’IS (which means ‘Zest’ in Maya) and SO’OL Beach Club. You can expect tasting menus that take you through the history and modernity of Mexican flavours, local ingredients elevated to art, varieties of vegetables you’ve never had before, and a tres leches cake that lingers in your memory long after the last bite.

Make sure to reserve at table at KI’IS during your stay. This isn’t any average hotel restaurant. The experience is top-notch. Leave decision making at the door and go for the tasting menu – you won’t be disappointed.

Drinks are just as exceptional, with a focus on Mexican spirits (particularly mezcal). These can be found at the restaurants of course, but also at the hotel’s bar, and poolside. Speaking of the pool – unlike the bright blue you might expect, EDITION’s swimming pool is a striking green, designed to mirror the surrounding sea and seamlessly blend with the environment. A small touch that goes a long way to making this place feel truly special. 

That attention to detail is everywhere. The staff don’t just meet expectations, they anticipate them. By the second day, they had our favourite cocktails memorised, greeting us with personalised drinks before we even had to ask. It’s that kind of warmth that transforms a hotel stay into something unforgettable.

In every EDITION, there is a grand interpretation of the Lobby Bar. If you are an EDITION fan like us, the one here is a cross between The London EDITION’s grandeur and The Madrid EDITION’s expanse – the result is a huge space, triple height ceiling that manages to – remarkably – feel intimate at the same time.

Responsibility… 

Creating such an extraordinary and isolated experience means balancing many, many elements. This oasis is in an untouched part of the world which is beautiful, but of course, means developing in that part of the world. The EDITION team were hyper-conscious of this when working with architects and designers, and ensured its commitment to preserving the natural state of the area was unwavering. 

Minimal construction and environmental footprint mean the walls are designed to look like the land, full of textures and ripples, this preserves the natural beauty of the area. They are crafted from local limestone and sustainably sourced bamboo, both of which blend into the area seamlessly. The EDITION team told us only 10% of the land within the mangroves has been developed, meaning the resort feels completely immersed in nature, because it truly is. 

Such an endeavour can only successfully be accomplished with respect, and The EDITION has done so – from its design to conservation efforts that protect and preserve local mangroves, lagoons, tropical beaches. We’re sure people who travel here will feel compelled to respect the land in the same way. 

Best for: 

The complete escape, unforgettable experiences, and unparalleled nature fused with impeccable luxury 

Book it: 

Rooms start from around $800 per night or redeem with Marriott Bonvoy points. Visit editionhotels.com/riviera-maya for more information.  

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Nearing the end of its 30th birthday year, how LGBTQ+ Cast Members and guests have long found solace in the ‘Happiest (European) Place on Earth.’ There’s more than meets the eye.

WORDS BY TAG WARNER

The problem for me as a closted queer kid in rural Britain, was that my parents weren’t Disney parents. Bragging rights at school always belonged to the kids with families who would fly to Orlando each year – bringing back gut-wrenching stories of riding Space Mountain, Big Thunder and Tower of Terror. Instead of fixating on jealousy, I turned my energy to convincing my parents to take us. When that didn’t work – I had to find a way to make my Disney holiday dream come true.

When I was 14, I managed to convince my mum and dad to let me go to Disneyland with my best friend. The conditions were set; I was to write a formal letter to Disney to ask their rules on unaccompanied teenagers. If we were allowed, I had to call home twice a day from City Hall and we were never to leave the resort. I remember the excitement when Disneyland Paris confirmed we could, indeed, come with our parents’ permission. The trip was booked with money saved up from my weekend job. I was going to Disney. 

The memories I made on that first trip will stay with me forever. It was the summer I came out. Disneyland, for me, represented a place free of fear and judgement. I didn’t quite know why, but there was something very reassuring about the place. 

On returning, however, those same jetsetting friends couldn’t help but tell me Disneyland Paris was the ‘less good’ version of Florida. It was Disney, sure, but it is Disney-lite. 

I remember quickly developing a fierce protection for the European Disney resort. I obsessed over videos from the 1992 opening. I wrote an email to one of the (then called) Euro Disney Imagineers from the park’s opening. He responded by sending me a book detailing the building of the Paris park, signed, which only brought me closer to feeling a part of it all. Although you can’t argue Disney’s foray into Europe was a rockier one in the 90’s, the place has a charm and level of detail unrivalled in the ‘Magic Kingdom’ parks globally.

A decade later, I became the CEO of GAY TIMES. A company with its own rich history in helping people explore and find their true inner-self. So – on the eve of our company’s 40th anniversary, a fair few years on Disneyland Paris, I decided to celebrate my 29th Birthday at the resort. I wasn’t sure what to expect by my return to my childhood home away from home but I was as excited as I was all those years ago.

Diehard Disney fans know the European parks have had a fascinating history behind the scenes. Under then CEO, Michael Eisner, Euro Disney opened in the middle of a continent-wide recession, with a corporate structure that appeared, at times, too complex – the holiday destination was unique in being publicly traded on the stock exchange, rather than solely controlled by The Walt Disney Company.

Since my last visit, the park was purchased back from private owners and brought back into the fold by The Walt Disney Company – a move widely applauded by fans. CEO, Bob Iger, orchestrated the change and immediately set about prioritising its future. The impact of this move was evident from the moment we stepped off the train at Marne-La-Vallée, the transport hub right outside the park.

The resort, compared to the one I visited 10 years ago, still has that same magic, but has undoubtedly seen more love and attention in recent years. The resort has just celebrated its 30th Birthday – only a year older than me. Every building looks flawless, every ride is open with every on-ride detail present and correct. Even that pesky popcorn lighting that trims the edges of buildings on Main Street is illuminated and shining brightly (seriously, we couldn’t see one bulb not working!)

For the workers who make Disney, Disney, called ‘Cast Members’ – it’s clear all this recent love and attention has allowed them to focus less on the politics of running a park, and more on the place and people they serve. It’s that sense of make-believe that allows guests to really immerse themselves into the magic, where the outside world becomes temporarily non-existent.

I’ve always maintained that Disney has long reflected on identity. The idea we can all become a better, truer version of ourselves. Watch any of the nighttime spectaculars or listen to any of the parade songs and you’ll often hear motivational phrasing about being who you are, aspiring to achieve your dreams and making memories with loved ones. It’s in this that the rare exception of encouraging the ‘outside’ world to come in has happened. 

Walking down Main Street to ‘Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant’ 10 years later, I notice hundreds of Cast Members proudly wearing LGBTQ+ badges (or ‘pins’ in Disney parlance). I couldn’t help but think, in the absence of visible pride ten years ago, I perhaps felt that overwhelming sense of belonging amongst LGBTQ+ working folk – not that I knew it.

This time, the display of their out and proud identities were right there on their lapels. Coming back to the park in the capacity of a leader at a world-known LGBTQ+ company meant conversations with Cast Members were frequent, and more often than not, very touching. Hearing the workers talk to me about their pride not only in their roles, but in being able to proudly share who they are at work (in the place of make believe, no less) clearly went beyond anything they could have imagined as their younger self.

We were very fortunate to have been organised a tour guide for our stay. Our guide, Sascha, reflected back much of what I was sensing with my own experience. He too visited Disneyland Paris as a kid. He too found it an important part of his experience in learning who he was. A multilingual french-born cast-member, he gained the most sought after and prestigious job in Disney Parks by not just a keen love for the park, but his keen understanding of why it meant so much to people.

In spending well over 10 hours together in the resort, we had much time to reflect on why Disney has long been a loved place for queer people, why the Cast Member population has long over-indexed on LGTBQ+ representation and why we, as people, felt so at home there. 

We arrived at a theory that Disney has long created a space where any possibility, any ambition or dream has felt achievable and real. The feeling of possibility is one that many queer folk have often felt robbed of in their upbringing or later life. (To note, in more obvious ways, Disneyland Paris was also the first Disney resort globally to officially recognised Pride.)

Meeting numerous Cast Members, seeing the park more beautiful and thriving than ever (keep in mind we even visited in so-called low season, in wintery February) – I couldn’t help but reflect on those kids at school telling me I was in love with the less impressive sibling. 

As in any family, some kids are the childhood prodigy. Some command high-school and some flourish at university. However, sometimes the path to prosperity is a little rockier through those formative years. For some of us, and for many in the LGBTQ+ community, life feels a little more complicated when our peers are popular on the sports team or seemingly easily able to make friendships or relationships.

It’s not uncommon for queer folk to only find a sense of personal understanding, acceptance and belonging later in life. Serendipitous – perhaps – but whether it was my full-circle-moment re-entering my childhood dream in the vastly different feet I now step in, whether seeing the out and proud cast members across the parks since then, or whether seeing this coming of age first hand, personified in our tour guide, Sascha – it’s clear Disneyland Paris is entering a new era. An era where it knows who it is, it knows its own power and it knows its winning. 

At the end of our trip, we sat next to an American family at lunch. Judging by the numerous pins and mickey ears, they were true Disney fans. “This is our favourite Disney resort we’ve ever visited” they proudly told me. “It’s not as big as Orlando, it’s not the original in California…but…there’s just something about it” 

That ‘something’ – for me – all stems from its unique history. It’s history as the Disney park that had to persevere through numerous challenges, the park that had to often convince sceptics, the park that had to live up to its radiant older siblings. It’s a maturity, a self-knowingness and confidence that reflects its uniquely European setting and its love among queer guests and staff alike.

It may not be the biggest, it may not be the most-visited, but for me – it always has been the best. Now it’s time to share that with the world, as for Disneyland Paris, life truly has begun at 30.

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I believe part of our collective journey to ending systemic racial prejudice is white people taking the time to own, understand and take action to rectify the wrongdoings of our past and present. 

For the white LGBTQ+ community, it is no different.

In an industry where 94% of British journalists are white, I realised quickly that this vast inequality and misrepresentation does not discriminate when it comes to LGBTQ+ media. When I took on the role of CEO of GAY TIMES, I also found myself in an overwhelmingly white workforce. 

Although our organisation made major steps in profiling the stories of Black LGBTQ+ People and Queer People of Colour, we knew these needed to be told by more Black LGBTQ+ People and Queer People of Colour.

Although we made steps in hiring more project-based LGBTQ+ Black and QPOC creatives, we knew the make-up of our core, long-term workforce needed to diversify further. Recent events immediately highlight the need for transparency in this journey.

Today – I want to affirm our commitment to better represent the diverse nature of our global audience in our staff and nurture the future generation of diverse queer talent. This is something both I, and all GAY TIMES employees are fiercely passionate about.

Our global audience is truly diverse – LGBTQ+ people across 180 different countries enjoy, learn from and share our media. Although we started this journey many months ago, today, we are renewing our commitment to accurately reflect the make-up of our audience across our teams. We will do this by continuing to both commission and directly employ more Black LGBTQ+ people and Queer People of Colour.

I am also making a commitment today to publish our own impact in editorial diversity – focussing on our content, production and editorial make-up and diversity in commissions – no later than the end of 2020. A first for the LGBTQ+ media industry – this will continually update our audience on the steps GAY TIMES is actively taking in our commissioning, hiring and development processes.

Beyond our core staff, I also want to take this opportunity to address the lack of opportunity for younger diverse talent to develop their media careers because of the over-reliance on low or non-paid interns in our industry. A system that undoubtedly favours white, cis-gendered privileges.

Today, I am also announcing a separate, multi-year internship program, where we will invest over £100,000 into future queer talent specifically for Trans & Non-Binary youth and Queer youth of Colour. 

GAY TIMES: FUTURE NOW is a rolling internship programme designed to nurture talent with London-Living-Wage pay and travel subsidies. It launches today for new interns starting July 2020.

To the existing people in our company, I want to thank you for your relentless dedication to this mission and for shaping a new future standard for LGBTQ+ media.

At GAY TIMES, our mission has been, and always will be, to educate, inform and inspire LGBTQ+ people to live to their truest, highest self. A mission we know will help our diverse community change the world for the better.

Finally, I want to call on the predominantly white LGBTQ+ magazines, media organisations, Pride committees and boards to join us and make a commitment to change. 

This is my published commitment as the leader of a recognised media organisation – and a statement that I have always been, and will continue to be held accountable to.

Tag Warner
CEO, GAY TIMES

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Only a few months ago, we could not have imagined the impact that Coronavirus would be having on our lives today. At this time, we are aware and thoughtful of our LGBTQ+ and queer friends around the world. Many of us continue to live through daily challenges and uncertainty surrounding our identity. This global crisis only adds to that pressure.

We have been hard at work in response to the outbreak. Here are three areas where myself and the GAYTIMES team have responded quickly to ensure we continue to support LGBTQ+ people everywhere we can. It is our continued mission to bring you the latest updates, as well as offer an opportunity to temporarily escape some of the anxiety.

Many of us, including myself, live with mental health diversity and continue to face difficulties every day. I know how hard this can be. Our community has a strong history of working together to overcome unique challenges. Stay strong and reach out to your friends. Think about members of the community who might be particularly at risk. We will all emerge stronger together.

Amplifund 

GAYTIMES Amplifund was founded to support LGBTQ+ media and activist organisations in challenging global environments. In the coming weeks, along with our underlying charity partner, GiveOut, we will be distributing resources to fund multiple LGBTQ+ organisations and projects in Western Asia, the Arabian Peninsula and the Caribbean.

For their own safety and security, we are not able to identify all of these organisations or projects. The Amplifund team is working quickly to get funding to these organisations so that they can continue their vital work – especially during a time of heightened uncertainty in their communities. 

Our media 

We are pleased to let you know that Gay Times Magazine will be shipped on time to 80+ countries around the world.  While millions of us interact with GAYTIMES online and via social media every week, many thousands in our community continue to enjoy Gay Times Magazine. This includes countries where our digital media is blocked, so we recognise how important this publication is.

Our next issue (506) is currently being printed here in the UK and I want to thank everyone who has worked so hard to ensure the Coronavirus crisis has not impacted our continued publishing cycle.

The next chapter 

We are well prepared to remain ‘business as usual’ for the coming challenging weeks. We have a brilliant team in place and continue to ensure we safeguard our staff’s mental and physical wellbeing throughout this time. We had planned many exciting announcements in the coming weeks, some of which we will postpone in respect of the global climate. 

We would like to assure you that we remain committed to bringing queer media and stories of hope to you, now more than ever. We will be pushing ahead with some of our exciting plans to keep us empowered, educated and uplifted during such a difficult time. We look forward to sharing these with you all soon.

Tag Warner

Please refer to the following resources for latest updates: 
– US: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
– UK: Department of Health and Social Care 
– Canada: Public Health Agency of Canada 

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“As you might imagine, planning the 500th issue of Europe’s longest-running LGBTQ publication wasn’t without a great deal of responsibility.

It’s important to let you in and tell you that, for quite some time, many of us safely assumed we would look back to the iconic moments from our past for 500. It’s what many magazines would do on this momentous occasion – an “icons” issue perhaps – or heroes from the magazine’s archive. However, as the months passed by and the numbers on the spine of each issue climbed higher, it became clear 500 was not so much about the pressure of our past, but a unique opportunity to do what we set out to do in every part of our work, continuing to be a leader in amplifying queer voices.

I often speak about how GAY TIMES is a unique platform for our community. A space, whether more simply in the pages of a magazine or the far-reaching world of the different media we create, where queer voices, stories, and experiences are created and shared. It felt important for that to remain true across our four inspirational cover stars; Rickey Thompson, Blair Imani, Aaron Phillip, and Chella Man. Four individuals, astonishing and inspirational in their way, in their teens and twenties, who are uniquely lending their voice to different corners of our community. Not dwelling on the rigidity or binaries of our collective past, but pushing the boundaries for the next era of our queer history.

It’s for that reason that I want to dedicate this historic issue to those of you who will be on a cover of GAY TIMES for our next 500 issues. We dedicate the spirit of Issue 500 to those of you who fearlessly fight for what you believe in, in spite of the lack of recognition you deserve; who call bullshit on the status quo, even when in the most vulnerable of hours; who believe in a world where we support and uplift all members of our community, not just those who find their way to the front. It is the same dedicated spirit that the four people who carry Issue 500 collectively embody, in spite of the beautiful differences between them.

These stories you’ll learn from and no-doubt be equally inspired by, in the pages of this momentous issue belong to the next chapter of our history. Earlier this month I addressed an audience to speak about how our future is one of shifting times with an ever-increasing rate of change. There’s something about being queer today that feels…fast. We are in the middle of an epidemic of violence towards the transgender community, an epidemic which is disproportionately affecting trans women of color. We are finally listening and hearing from the areas of our community that have been long marginalised in favour of default identities, and all the while we are perhaps entering a certain maturity as a global community that we didn’t expect this journey to be as close, as challenging, but also exciting and opportunity-filled as we thought. It’s why it feels inspiring to be so uniquely placed at the centre of much of it today.

The thing about GAY TIMES is, we are unique in that place. We continue to admire and respect other gay, LGBTQ and queer organisations that run news sites, publish magazines and create social media. However, whether taking queer fashion editorial to the edges of the what has previously been possible in a traditionalist world; finding far-flung stories and carrying the voices of those previously voiceless; searching for music talent and prowess and transforming the careers of tomorrow’s music stars; continuing to distribute vital queer media in 80+ countries around the world, many of which persecute our siblings; earning and sending invaluable resource to places many of us haven’t even set foot on; lobbying organisations and countries to continue the fight in total equality and acceptance; working alongside some of the world’s biggest and most influential brands to reflect back the community we call our community; no other organisation quite like us exists in that unique place. 

I want to finish by thanking the incredible people who work tirelessly each and every day to make this all happen. When asked how I go about achieving the multitude of responsibilities under my job title, every time I simply respond “my team. My team. My Team.” I’m proud to work with the inspiring individuals who make up our organisation, whether here in London or further afield. We all share a common goal and passion for our community. 

Finally, I wouldn’t be writing this letter without the unwavering support of James Frost, our chairman and publisher, who has consistently encouraged me in this remarkable position. I’d also like to thank William J Connolly, the Editor of Gay Times Magazine for asking me to write the opening thoughts to this milestone issue. 

For GAY TIMES, there hasn’t been a time quite like now and I’m so excited to step foot into tomorrow with more of you; a diverse, international and creative group that celebrates each and every intersection of the LGBTQ experience.”

The 500th Issue of Gay Times Magazine is available to purchase here.

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GAY TIMES is Europe’s longest-running LGBTQ publication, with our roots tracing back to 1972.

A lot has changed over nearly five decades, and although we’re proud of much of our past, we’re even prouder to celebrate our future, with the next generation of queer people championed by our four inspirational cover stars, to be revealed tomorrow.

I know we all felt a great deal of responsibility planning the 500th issue of Europe’s longest- running LGBTQ publication. Instead of reflecting on iconic moments from the last five decades of our history, we realised 500 was not so much about the pressure of the past, but rather a unique opportunity to showcase the future of the community and continue to be a leader in amplifying queer voices.

With the 500th issue of the magazine, we launch our three month celebration, GAY TIMES 500, an era of recognising the spirit of a community who fearlessly fight for what they believe in, call bullshit on the status quo, and believe in a world where we support and uplift all members of our community – not just those who find their way to the front.

To mark this celebration, we’ve we’re proud to launch a refreshed brand identity for GAY TIMES, as well as a commemorative 500 logo.

The GAY TIMES 500 custom lettering represents the fluidity and connectivity of the people we strive to give a voice to through our media, while the prominent flourishes on the numbers represent the dynamics of our company spanning out into new fields.

The single block colour tones of the various Pride flags could be seen to oversimplify the continually changing dynamics of the community and people, stories and experiences we strive to represent. So our new brand gradients demonstrate the ever-changing nature of our community, with deep complex colours and light flourishes, referencing the far ranging nature of our individual queer experiences. With every colour from the spectrum at our disposal, here are just six that we love!

For GAY TIMES, there hasn’t been a time quite like now and we’re so excited to step into tomorrow with more of you than ever before.

The post Welcome to GAY TIMES 500 appeared first on GAY TIMES.

#GenerationGayTimes

As we begin the year, it’s hard to not question the position of media as a whole today. The leader of the free world brands us ‘the enemy of the people.’ However, we also know ‘the media’ has been responsible for breaking stories and lifting voices to prominence in the last 12 months that have changed our world.

The media industry as a whole, and publishing within it, has experienced a seismic shift in the last ten years. As I write this, I am surrounded by a great deal of legacy, which includes back issues of Gay Times Magazine that stretch four decades. It’s interesting, considering that enormous shift, that some issues only ten years old reflect a world that even I don’t recognise.

In the backdrop of political chaos, in the rising discontent of social media and falsehoods in user generated news – I believe, more than ever, in the relevancy and need of media to take voices of people, from all walks of life, and to raise them. That’s why our newfound mission at Gay Times is to Amplify Queer Voices. We work hard to find those untold stories, to find the people you’ve never heard of and to provide a platform for the people in our community that so often are overlooked.

You will know well – if you follow the work we do – that Gay Times repositioned in early 2018 to feature truly diverse LGBTQ talent and voices while introducing new brand offerings. Our magazine covers last year are a photographic showcase of that commitment and we’re very happy to say these changes led to a far more diverse readership and audience, whilst still retaining our varied global reach.

We also remember that while many of us enjoy the privileges afforded to us by the acceptance and celebration from those around us – more of us around the world are still fighting the fight for equality. That’s why, in maintaining a commitment to printing our flagship magazine around the world, where online or social material is often censored, it is still reaching countries where being part of our community still leads to persecution or societal outcasting.

All of which brings us to now.

I suppose, that’s where I come in. My appointment to CEO of one of the world’s most recognised and historic titles comes with a great deal of responsibility, but also opportunity to create the next chapter for Gay Times and LGBTQ media in our global landscape. My purpose is to connect LGTBQ people and our allies from around the world with stories, with experiences and with each other. I believe our community, now perhaps more than ever, need greater platforms to raise and amplify our voices – which brings us to Generation Gay Times.

Taking on one of the world’s most recognised and farthest reaching queer media brands is truly an honour. To be able to do this with a new energy and outlook, I hope sends a strong message to people in our community that a new generation of media leadership is here. One that will serve a generation that challenges the status quo, rises up against discrimination, and enjoys being a part of a truly diverse and authentic community.

Over the next few months – against the decade-long trend of many publications cutting back on content and quality, we’ll be working harder than ever to create a Gay Times Magazine that you are proud to leave out on your table – as one of the world’s oldest LGBTQ titles.

We’re proud to be one of the most-read online LGBTQ platforms, having the world’s biggest social reach for a brand like us, which allows us to start conversations throughout the year you can enjoy, interact with, contribute to and feel part of.

Generation Gay Times is a global exploration into an era where over 57% of young people don’t identify exclusively as ‘straight’. Over the next three months, we will be leading conversations around queer identity, the changing spirit of the global LGBTQ community, and the future of our growing community.

And in the spirit of our globally connected brand, we’ll be exploring this across the world of Gay Times.

So expect the best issues of Gay Times Magazine yet, new original online content every week, social takeovers, some world-first brand tie-ups and inspiring events – and a few surprise launches along the way.

Join us as we step into #GenerationGayTimes.

Tag Warner is the newly appointed CEO of GAY TIMES, the media brand that publishes Gay Times Magazine.

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