Frontiers (magazine) explained

Frequency:Weekly
Circulation:270,000 monthly readers, mainly Southern California
Category:American LGBT news and lifestyle magazine
Company:Frontiers Media
Publisher:Michael Turner
Founded:1981
Finaldate:September 2016
Country:United States
Language:English
Issn:1526-1972

Frontiers was Southern California's oldest and largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) magazine.[1] Founded in 1981,[2] it was distributed freely at gay bars, clubs and businesses throughout Southern California. The biweekly publication focused on local, national and international news related to the LGBT community, entertainment, as well as coverage of HIV/AIDS-related topics and other important issues, in addition to its popular escort listings section, Frontiers4Men. As of February 2014, it had a staff of 19 and claimed a readership of 270,000.[3]

The publication documented and reported on news events including coming out stories of proximally close celebrities and is archived in many LGBT collections including National Transgender Library collection.[4]

The paper was purchased in 2007 by Mark Hundahl and David Stern. Hundahl died in December 2012.[5] The publication filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in March 2013. At the time it reported circulation of 30,000 copies on a semi-monthly basis.[6] In February 2014, businessman Michael Turner bought the paper and announced plans to expand its readership base, and to make efforts to attract larger local and national advertisers in lieu of the classified ads and advertising focused on escort services and similar sexual content.[3] The magazine began to be published on a weekly basis.[2]

On September 23, 2016, Frontier's parent, Multimedia Platforms Worldwide, suspended operations due to financial difficulties, effectively shutting Frontiers down.[2] [7]

Notes and References

  1. http://www.fresnorainbowpride.com/2007-03/Page18.pdf "Gay L.A. History Walking Tour"
  2. News: Dan Avery. Frontiers, Next Magazine, Reportedly Cease Publication. December 7, 2016. NewNowNext. September 28, 2016.
  3. Saba Hamedy, "New owner plans relaunch of LGBT magazine Frontiers: CEO Michael Turner, who bought the 32-year-old L.A.-based magazine this month, hopes to expand it from its traditional local base." Los Angeles Times, February 13, 2014.
  4. Web site: Guide to the National Transgender Library collection . 2009-03-12 . 2020-04-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200414083825/http://content.cdlib.org/view?docId=kt1s2024dd&doc.view=entire_text . dead .
  5. Philip Zonkel, "Mark Hundahl, FrontiersLA co-owner and straight ally, dead at 61; celebration of life planned for Jan. 19", Press-Telegram (blog), January 7, 2013.
  6. http://www.wehoville.com/2013/03/20/frontiers-la-files-for-bankruptcy/ "Frontiers LA Files For Bankruptcy"
  7. News: Wehoville. Frontiers' Parent Company Shuts Down, Leaving the Future of the 35-Year-Old LGBT Magazine in Doubt. September 28, 2016. WEHOVILLE. September 28, 2016.