Editor in Chief ’s Letter

T he inaugural Sex & Sexuality edition was

attitude Loves

SONOS ROAM Good things often come in small

The Rules …for ruining a hook-up

SEDUCE HIM (WITH LIES). Go ahead, advertise “well

DANGEROUS LIAISONS

The wellbeing of sex workers has been pushed even further into the shadows during the COVID pandemic, says Del Campbell, health promotion specialist

big in a  wig

Juno Birch Drag and sculpting queen Juno Birch

BMW 420D M Sport

A timely reminder of just how well BMW does premium in volume – despite all the fuss about getting up in your grille

ART/PORN/STAR

Cliff Joannou meets François Sagat, arguably the most famous male porn star ever, and one of the few to effortlessly cross between art, fashion and sex

Golden Boy

As one of OnlyFans’ highest earners, star Reno Gold has the Midas touch — but money is not his only motivation. For this poster boy, performing for and nurturing bonds with his followers is a labour of love…

Piss and Cocoa Butter

Ajamu has been photographing Black queer lives for more than three decades. Novelist Paul Mendez meets the celebrated artist and activist 

SEX IN THE CITY

The faint-hearted should turn away now. David McGillivray is about to unearth the secret history of London’s gay sex clubs 

MAKING A SCENE

Shocksploitation or important cultural document? The film Cruising, directed by William Friedkin and starring Al Pacino, was released more than 40 years ago, amid a storm of controversy. After all these years, it still has the power to unsettle and divide its audience

Life of RYAN

Rewriting the script,  Special creator and star  Ryan O’Connell gets real about representation in Hollywood, bringing gay sex to the small screen and sobriety

HEALING PROCESS

As part of the Ban Conversion Therapy campaign — applying pressure on the UK government to act on its 2018 pledge to stamp out the insidious practice — Amir*, a medical student from London, shares his story of visiting a Harley Street psychiatrist who claimed he could change his sexuality with medicine

GAME CHANGER

Button-pushing game developer Robert Yang on his battle with censorship in his bid to explore and embrace sex and sexuality in gayming

The ‘A’ Word

In conversation with asexual activist Yasmin Benoit and fellow aces Daniel Walker and Richard Ng, as they open up about wanting to be seen and heard

Deacon of light

On his heavenly new album, Deacon, serpentwithfeet takes us to church — proverbially speaking — with his tribute to Black gay love

Samuel Douek

Founder of Howl

Favourite Things

Bob the Drag Queen 

Up your street

San Francisco’s Folsom  Street Fair is synonymous with the gay leather scene, but its origins are firmly community-based. As it nears its 40th anniversary, the fair could not be more inclusive of the whole LGBTQ+ kink spectrum. The organisation’s president Vicente Montoya and executive director Angel Adeyoha share how their dedication has helped keep the spark alive nearly four decades on

RIPPING IT UP

Terry Miller, America’s first Tom of Finland ambassador, explains how he went from a slim, stay-at-home dad to leather daddy icon

THE POWER OF THE PAST

Fashion designer, artist and activist Alejandra Muñoz, 26, on learning to embrace her transness, the power of femininity and reclaiming the past

Scars of sexuality

Psychotherapist Owen O’ Kane on overcoming prejudice and embracing your sexuality

A PROBLEM SHARED

Got a problem? Dr Ranj Singh is here to offer his advice

DAN SAVAGE

My motto in life is “Suck the dick,”

Books

Order books online at gaystheword.co.uk BOOK OF THE

SOUND OF SUMMER

Shea Diamond As my lockdown coping strategy was

PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN

4/5 Carey Mulligan, Bo Burnham, Alison Brie, Adam

Trip of a lifetime

Frances McDormand plays a widow who, after becoming

Natural wonders

This season, fragrances are taking a walk on the wild side. Invigorate the senses and immerse yourself in the aromas of the forest, or be swept away by the ocean…

Fashionlista

Embrace the femme by adding some standout pieces to your wardrobe

intimates

From lingerie to leather and bikini briefs to boxers, fashion designer and photographer Ashish Gupta explores the sensual pleasure of underwear