Here We go Backwards again, Silly Mainstream Metroline

This short but not so sweet article is addressed to the editor and publisher of The Metroline, New England’s oldest Gay and Lesbian  Publication. (Trans and Bi’s missing in action)  This article is also addressed to our Queer readers as food for thought.

For the oldest gay and lesbian publication in New England to begin to move backwards in these times,( we have been there before) gives me a hardy laugh. Is it really returning to a bar rag? A rag that appeals only to those who inhabit those establishments and to those who think that we are just a gay movement made up of half naked cute boys. I am surprised, a bit pissed off, and just plain sad that an editor that I had expected much of could fall into such crap. The Metroline made a public apology to its readers, over what they claim was great confusion, regarding their early December issue. The Editor explaining the cover photo “which had nothing to do with an article appearing inside about a HIV positive man” that had caused the confusion said ”We found a cute, half-naked boy who we thought would be fun to put on the cover  of our Christmas issue.” Okay, why not a half naked lesbian, or a half naked Trannie, or a half naked Bi or a half naked Grannie? And why a cute boy? Why not a handsome older man or woman? Why not a not so handsome woman or man? Or why not a lovely middle class lesbian couple with their 2 kids and dog? Or do only cute half naked boys celebrate the christian holiday of Christmas? Why Christmas at all? Why not the winter solstice or Hanukkah? The winter solstice has more to do with our people than a made up holiday by a thieving, murderous band of Christians. You have lost me on that one. Why would readers even associate a cute half naked boy with a story about an HIV positive man? That is some food for thought! Now to loose me further to quote the editor about the future plans, “Many readers have requested that Metroline feature more male-related front cover images. We are doing our best to address these requests.” You sure have with your late December issue, which featured another half naked cute boy. Oh, maybe I get it. December is the month for half-naked boys who look silly posed in their half-nakedness. When I look around that is not all I see in this movement. Perhaps you should review not only your non-matching cover images and stories but also if you really see the TBLG movement as only made up of cute naked boys. Another thing you may want to consider, is the oldest Gay and Lesbian publication in New England once again returning to being a bar rag full of ads, silly bar pictures and fluffy stuff. No real thoughtful articles, no thought provoking articles, no articles that makes the TBLG community jump up off their chairs. But then again maybe the thinking community doesn’t even look at the Metroline seriously any more. For everyone’s sake get some writers! HO HUM should be the new name of this mag-rag and its action is “going down hill fast.” These Metroline covers are  going where its been before. John Crowley should know better by now. Most of the time I don’t even wait with baited breath for the next issue to come out. If I stumble upon it all well and good, I will take a look. But then all I can really say is “You bore me and I dismiss you, after I have had a good laugh.”       

1. Vol. 33 early December Metroline Issue 23

2. Vol. 34 late December Metroline Issue 24