Letter from the editor-in-chief: Why Attitude’s new look is more than just a spring clean

At the time of writing: the sun is out, the blossoms are blossoming, and spring is in the air. In the spirit of the season, we felt Attitude was also due a little refresh… a spring clean, if you will. While we shall continue to serve you all the things that you love from the gay, bi and wider world of queer living, we’ve added some new elements into the mix.  

What do I refer to, dear readers? In your new-look Attitude, we focus on the home, select the best tech, and even serve up the latest updates from the world of food and drink. We have also recruited some new voices to the team! Of note is the fabulous (and rather ferocious) Miss Myra DuBois, who has joined Attitude’s ranks as an agony aunt, here to dispense sage advice to unsalvageable queers.  

Attitude has never shied away from putting our varied experiences under the magnifying glass

Aside from looking pretty and fresh-faced, Attitude will still deliver an uncompromising dive into gay lives. The magazine has never shied away from putting our varied experiences under the magnifying glass. From the question “Can you be queer and vote Reform UK?” to whether sex-positivity can go too far, via asking Megan Stalter whether God has charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent – all this and more is in this issue.  

That unflinching questioning begins with our cover story. When Blue Film was offered to the US film festival circuit last year, Sundance and SXSW rejected screening it. It eventually received its premiere at Edinburgh Film Festival, where critics admired its handling of highly sensitive subject matter.

A fresh issue, with a new look… but the same great taste you expect from the world’s greatest LGBTQ+ media brand

Trigger warning: with themes covering consent and child sexual abuse, it makes for a challenging watch. The film depicts an encounter between a sex worker, played by the brilliant Kieron Moore, and his former teacher – a sex offender – over the course of a night. As a survivor of sexual abuse (to clarify: not by a relative), I found Blue Film often uncomfortable viewing; I went back and forth endlessly on the question of whether Attitude should be platforming the topic. Ultimately, I have always believed that it is the purpose of the arts to shine a light on the subjects that we feel compelled to push into the shadows. I’m pleased that we have been bold enough to spotlight a delicate subject in a balanced and nuanced way. 

So, here we are. A fresh issue, with a new look… but the same great taste you expect from the world’s greatest LGBTQ+ media brand. Enjoy!