With the Presidential election looming — and looking terrifying — we thought it would be fun to celebrate some of the positives about America. And so, welcome to our first “All-American” issue. I am thrilled we have yet another exclusive — American footballer Michael Sam. He, like many of us, does not believe his sexuality is a big, newsworthy deal. Why should it be? But there are many people in the world for whom gayness is still a big deal, as was shown when he kissed his boyfriend on TV and America went nuts with even some moderate commentators asking if it was “too much”. This in itself shows there is still further to go. That being said, it’s an incredibly positive thing that he’s out, as he says, and hopefully soon he’ll be followed by more American sports stars, and, in their own time, some British footballers, too. I am delighted to have him on our cover. Elsewhere, we look at America’s gay history, its darker times, the writers and activists who have expressed themselves, the performers we love and lots more to boot. We also have an exclusive extract from a book by a new US writer which is being described as the great gay classic novel of our time: What Belongs To You, by Garth Greenwell.
This month we also have a special 60-page travel supplement ‘Attitude Loves Thailand’ in association with our chums at Centara Hotels & Resorts, available with our iPad and Phone App edition or as a separate download. Check it out.