The Gay TIME
Written: Mar 06 '01
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Interesting stories, not just about gay topics
Cons: A bit slim for the price...
The Bottom Line: The Advocate is the best source for news on the gay community, and developments in Washington. All it needs now is a better sense of responsibility.
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| Paneless's Full Review: The Advocate |
Before I was out, The Advocate was more of a guilty pleasure, something to flip through nonchalantly, to see the "cute gay women." But now it's become something totally different, the homosexual version of TIME.
With provacative cover stories and informational articles, The Advocate is more or less the closest thing to the aforementioned, venerable newsmagazine. With opinionated columnists and interesting cover stories, The Advocate manages to reach all of the tastes of its readers, both gay and straight.
Within the gay community there are a variety of viewpoints on how things should be done, or how they are, and the magazine's eclectic selection of writers and cover story topics manages to cover all the bases--no easy feat.
However, there are some problems with the magazine. First, its size. While there are always thought-provoking pieces to read, the read itself is much too short for the subscription price. I'm aware that it's a bit harder for the magazine to reach its readers, and it isn't a traditional newsstand staple, but I feel that there should be more to see each issue.
Another big problem is that The Advocate is no different in its pandering for readership. Two recent examples are cover stories with Jonathan Taylor Thomas (Home Improvement) and Liz Smith, the popular gossip columnist. In the latter's case, the cover blurb made it seem as though Thomas was gay, but turning to the corresponding article, it was revealed on the third line that he is not, in fact, gay. In Smith's case, the issue promised to unleash steamy secrets about some of Smith's previous relationships with men and women. It was hardly worth the energy spent flipping to the article.
If The Advocate doesn't realize the intelligence of its audience, then maybe it shouldn't be making the magazine in the first place. Sneaky little attempts to reel us in from placing misleading promises on the cover is hardly a way to keep readers.
But other than those two qualms, The Advocate is a top-notch gay magazine, allowing us to keep abreast of developments in the global gay community.
The Advocate:B+
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
Paneless
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Member: Warren Dugan
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Reviews written: 266
Trusted by: 14 members
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