Problematizing…
“…Therein lies the problem of publishing both Out and The Advocate: While Aaron Hicklin has overseen a resurgence with Out — it’s thicker, better designed, and more readable than ever — he’s also cut out the gay lifestyle market from its own sister pub, The Advocate. And while The Advocate was never supposed to be about lifestyle — it’s a news rag — it doesn’t have much of a chance to evolve given that Out has snagged the logical “next step” territory.” [Jossip]
Well, that and the fact hat no one subscribes to it or advertises in it. I hear its a loony bin over there these days.
It’s absurd to state that Out has usurped The Advocate’s potential content and readership. What about investigative news, poltiical profiles, think pieces and such? I hope the The Advocate can succeed as a more news-ish version of Out.
Plus, let’s face it, Out is for the boys (boys who are social and trend-conscious at that). The Advocate could be much more for the whole community.
The Avocado mag and Out (of Ideas) have long been bland interpretations of gay life more in keeping with conservative advertisers and their perception of who the Gay Market is. No one I know has them as coffee table mags and they are never in a Gay Doctor’s Office. Go read a British Gay Mag and then start over again.
With Queerty and a hundred other similar sites to choose from who actually needs either the Advocate or Out Magazine?
I’m cancelling my Advocate subscription ASAP.
I never liked OUT.
I’ve actually been surprised by how much I’ve gotten to like Out in the last year – the recent Manhunt story showed that a lifestyle mag can tackle big subjects, whether you agreed with the writer’s position or not. As for British gay mags – what ever happened to Attitude? it used to rock. Now it’s lame. Give me Out any day.