Mandate (June 1991), Part One

By 1991, the AIDS epidemic had devastated the gay community for a decade and, although there was no cure, there were an array of treatments and ample amounts of information on how to stop its transmission. One of the main organizations assisting in the funding of education and research was the American Foundation for AIDS Research. Founded in 1985, the agency (now called The Foundation for AIDS Research) continues to raise funds to end the global AIDS epidemic, having awarded more than 3,500 grants to research teams and $617 million in programs. In this June 1991 issue of Mandate (which has been broken into three parts), an advertisement for the organization asks readers to subscribe to their AIDS/HIV Treatment Directory, which gave information about experimental treatments and helped raise funds for their cause. Contained in this first third are photospreads titled “Handy Man” and “Hungry for Love.” 

Advocate Men (June 1985), Part Two

In a 1996 article, “Maybe We Should Keep the ‘Porn’ in Pornography,” erotic author Perry Brass argues good pornographic writing, like good literature in general, should present realistic encounters with average individuals who live common lives weighed down with human desires and fears. It is this type of realism – showing unattractive characters struggling with financial concerns and fears of loneliness – which Brass contends makes good pornography truly intimate. Tim Barrus’ short story “Anywhere,” contained in this June 1985 issue of Advocate Men (which has been broken into two parts), exemplifies Brass’ claims, telling the story of a couple who struggle with one partner’s physical impairment after returning from the Vietnam War. Contained in the second half (see the first half here) is the photography of Paul Irish, spreads of models Luis Perdes and Joe Stevens, an excerpt from Anne Rice’s novel Beauty’s Release (penned under the pseudonym A.N. Roquelaure), and the short story “Class of ‘75” (where a high-school reunion culminates into passion between two former classmates).

Advocate Men (June 1985), Part One

In a 1996 article, “Maybe We Should Keep the ‘Porn’ in Pornography,” erotic author Perry Brass argues good pornographic writing, like good literature in general, should present realistic encounters with average individuals who live common lives weighed down with human desires and fears. It is this type of realism – showing unattractive characters struggling with financial concerns and fears of loneliness – which Brass contends makes good pornography truly intimate. Tim Barrus’ short story “Anywhere,” contained in this June 1985 issue of Advocate Men (which has been broken into two parts), exemplifies Brass’ claims, telling the story of a couple who struggle with one partner’s physical impairment after returning from the Vietnam War. Also contained in the first half is a Donelan cartoon, the artwork of Aries, spreads of models Rydar Hanson and Jim Steele, and the short story “Capital Cock” (where the narrator’s trip to the nation’s capital leads to a sexual encounter with a senator).