Mag Watch: Winq

Finally, a queer magazine after my own heart! A sleek pop culture publication with a gay twist. The idea itself is nothing new. But the execution and content of Winq was what made it a hit with me.

NAME: Winq

STRAP: 'Global queer culture'

COVER CHARGE: $AUD 9.95

GENRE: Gay & Lesbian

CYCLE: Quarterly

MADE IN: Amsterdam

PAGE COUNT: 148

PROS: Suave, glossy pop culture mag for the thinking gay man.

CONS: Just one fashion spread per issue?

What I like about Winq is that it's a pop culture magazine by nature - editorial, culture, lifestyle first. Then comes the icing on top: the publication's queer twist, positioning it closer to the gay male demographic (we're arguably the second largest consumer of pop culture magazines after heterosexual women).

Winq's is noticeably minimal on the meat-fest, which is a relief if you've flicked through some publications on the Gay & Lesbian stand. It can be described as the gay man's Detail.

Winq's Spring 2009 issue juggles everything from politics (Obama and same-sex marriage) to music (interview with androgynous singer, Antony Hegarty), health (a feature on fitness fads) to travel (Russia). Plus a James Bond-style fashion editorial tying in with their headlining feature on '25 Richest Eligible Gay Bachelors'. Ka-ching!

I cultivated a penchant for glossy pop culture magazines in the last semester during my magazine editing course. It's brilliant to see a variety of subject matters (everything from fashion to travel, music to design) come under one publication. Sharp, quirky designs and stimulating cover lines grab me. Eye candy illustrations and intelligent and observant cultural features gets an A+ from me.