Wikipedia

Gay Times

For other uses, see Gaytime (disambiguation).

Gay Times (stylized in all caps), also known as GAY TIMES Magazine and as GT, is a UK-based LGBTQ+ media brand established in 1984[2] by Chris Graham-Bell, who wanted to create a safe space for gay and bisexual men in London.[3] While the original magazine audience was gay and bisexual men, the company now includes content for the LGBTQ+ community across a number of outlets, including a monthly digital magazine,[4] a website updated daily with news and culture content, and a number of social-media platforms.[5]

GAY TIMES
Cover of the December 2021 issue, featuring Bimini Bon-Boulash
CategoriesLGBTQ+
FrequencyOnline[1]
FormatDigital and social
Founded1984 (1984)
CompanyGay Times Ltd
CountryUnited Kingdom
Based inLondon, England
LanguageEnglish
Websitewww.gaytimes.com
ISSN0950-6101

Publication and content

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Gay Times Magazine is published digitally each month in the United Kingdom and distributed globally,[6] and includes interviews, fashion, news, features, music, film, style and travel. Gay Times also features an online site[7] as well as social promotion channels[8] under the brand name.

The magazine is published by GAY TIMES Ltd. The current CEO of GAY TIMES Ltd. is Tag Warner,[9] who was appointed in January 2019.[10] Warner established Gay Times Group, also known as GT Group, which expanded Gay Times from 200,000 to 4 million monthly visitors.[11] The magazine ceased print publication in September 2021 and now releases a digital issue each month via the Gay Times app, Apple News+, Readly and other popular digital publication providers.[1] In the same month, Gay Times became the first LGBTQ+ publication to pass a million followers on Instagram.[12] The current editorial director of Gay Times is Megan Wallace, who was appointed in August 2023.[13] Former editorial director, Lewis Corner, was appointed Senior Vice President, Global Content in the same month.[14]

Gay Times Magazine includes features on community and cultural conversations that align with the LGBTQ+ community. It has been in continuous publication for more than 530 issues, having spotlighted stories within the community throughout five decades. Gay Times cover stars across the years include Dusty Springfield, Sir Ian McKellen, Paul O'Grady, Graham Norton, Lizzo, Lady Gaga, Justin Fashanu, Laverne Cox, Elliot Page, Trixie Mattel, Bronski Beat, Billy Porter, Julia Fox, Boy George, Joey Graceffa, Kylie Minogue and more.

Amplify by Gay Times is a monthly digital cover story which focuses on emerging talent and community conversations.[15] It was created in January 2019.

ELEVATE by Gay Times and Apple Music is a collaboration between the companies with the aim to support and platform emerging LGBTQ+ music talent.[16] Previous ELEVATE artists include Arlo Parks, Rina Sawayama, Victoria Monét and Hope Tala.

Gay Times has had a large impact on the LGBTQ+ community since it was founded, by covering issues such as the AIDS crisis and the fight for same sex marriage.[17]

Gay Times Honours

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The organisation hosts Gay Times Honours, an annual awards show celebrating figures in and beyond the LGBTQ+ community for their contributions,[18] which first began in 2017.[19] The goal of Gay Times Honours is to bring the LGBTQ+ community together to celebrate innovators and trailblazers from previous years who have had a positive impact on their community.[20]

Previous winners include the cast of Heartstopper, Bella Ramsey, Jonathan Bailey, Edward Enninful, Sir Ian McKellen, Pabllo Vittar, Honey Dijon, Kylie Minogue, Tom Daley and akt.[21]

Gay Times Honours also features live performances by international stars. Previous performers include RAYE, Tove Lo, Rina Sawayama and Cat Burns.

Amplifund

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Amplifund is a philanthropic initiative founded by Gay Times in partnership with GiveOut.[22] It launched in June 2019 as a response to an increase in transphobia in global media,[23] and raises money for global LGBTQ+ communities in various countries where LGBTQ+ people face daily challenges. Amplifund has supported LGBTQ+ people in Jamaica, Iraq, and Armenia, Nigeria, among other territories by collecting donations from individuals and organizations to GiveOut.[22] Additionally, Gay Times has partnered with LGBTQ+ groups within these countries, such as Bisi Alimi Foundation (BAF) and The Queer Muslim Project (TQMP).[24]

wax talent

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In April 2024, during its 40th anniversary year, GAY TIMES Group expanded into the talent management space, launching the dedicated LGBTQ+ talent agency ‘wax’. wax offers full-service cross-sector commercial talent management to a selection LGBTQ+ of talent and influencers, specialising in talent brand partnerships and broadcast. As well as an international casting division with a large network of talent in the LGBTQ+ sector and beyond.

Awards

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Gay Times has won numerous awards for its LGBTQ+ content and industry-leading team.

In 2022, Gay Times won 'Brand of the Year (Consumer Media)' at The Drum Online Media Awards 2022.[25] In the same year, Gay Times won 'Brand of the Year (Consumer Media)' and 'Editorial Team of the Year (Consumer Media)' at the British Media Awards 2022.[26] Tag Warner was listed on the Forbes '30 Under 30' list in 2022 in his role as CEO of GAY TIMES.[27]

Gay Times won the coveted 'Cover of the Year' at the PPA Awards 2022 for its cover story featuring Little Mix star Jade Thirlwall.[28]

Lewis Corner was named 'Editor of the Year (Consumer Media)' at the PPA Awards 2023.[29] Gay Times won 'Editorial Team of the Year (Consumer Media)' at The Drum Online Media Awards 2023.[30] Hollie Wong received a PPA Next Gen Award 2023 in their role as Head of Social at Gay Times.[31]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Maurice, Emma Powys (17 September 2021). "Gay Times ends print magazine after nearly 50 years". Pink News. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  2. ^ "gay Times Mission Statement". Linkedin. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
  3. ^ Hanwell, Robert (2020-08-14). "Founder of GAY TIMES Magazine, Chris Graham-Bell, passes away". GAY TIMES. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
  4. ^ "Welcome to the all-new GAYTIMES.co.uk". Gay Times. 16 July 2020. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  5. ^ "Outright 2006 Helps Brands Communicate Effectively with Gay Britain". GAY to Z and Out Now Diva and Gay Times Readers Surveys. 27 March 2007.
  6. ^ Stephen Brewer (18 June 2007). The Unofficial Guide to England. John Wiley & Sons. p. 37. ISBN 978-0-470-05225-9. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  7. ^ "Gay Times". Gay Times. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  8. ^ "Gay Times (@gaytimes)". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  9. ^ Simon Gwynn (10 January 2019). "Gay Times appoints 24-year-old Tag Warner as new CEO". www.campaignlive.co.uk. Retrieved 5 April 2019.
  10. ^ Rachel Deeley (10 January 2019). "Power Moves | Gay Times Announces CEO, Sephora Americas Names CEO". The Business of Fashion. Retrieved 5 April 2019.
  11. ^ "Tag Warner Profile". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
  12. ^ "GAY TIMES (@gaytimes)".
  13. ^ Wilson, Amy (31 August 2023). "Megan Wallace named editorial director at GAY TIMES". Response Source.
  14. ^ "Gay Times announces team updates". DIARYdirectory. 24 August 2023.
  15. ^ "Amplify by GAY TIMES". GAY TIMES.
  16. ^ "Gay Times launches 'Elevate' programme for emerging LGBTQ artists". Musically. 7 October 2019.
  17. ^ "Five Gay Times covers that "balance visual impact with meaningful representation"". Dezeen. 2024-07-02. Retrieved 2024-11-18.
  18. ^ "Honours Category". Gay Times. Retrieved 2020-06-12.
  19. ^ "GAY TIMES HONOURS 500 | Pocketmags.com". pocketmags.com. Retrieved 2020-06-12.
  20. ^ "Gay Times Honours 500 - GAY TIMES". Everand. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
  21. ^ "GAY TIMES Honours 500 winners". 21 November 2019.
  22. ^ a b "Supporting LGBQI media activism worldwide". June 2019.
  23. ^ Douglas, Fayola (November 30, 2021). "Gay Times launches campaign in response to increase in transphobia". www.campaignlive.com. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
  24. ^ Times, Gay (2023-10-23). "What is Amplifund?". GAY TIMES. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
  25. ^ McCarthy, John (29 April 2022). "Revealed: winners of the The[sic] Drum Awards for Online Media 2022". The Drum.
  26. ^ McKinlay, Rob (17 May 2022). "British Media Awards 2022: winners revealed". Campaign.
  27. ^ "Tag Warner". Forbes.
  28. ^ "PPA Awards 2022 – winners announced". InPublishing. 23 June 2022.
  29. ^ "2023 Winners". PPA. 28 June 2023.
  30. ^ O'Neill, Thomas (16 June 2023). "Revealed: The Drum Awards for Online Media winners 2023". The Drum.
  31. ^ "PPA Next Gen Awards - 2023 winners". PPA Next Gen. 5 September 2023.
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