Elska #45 Glasgow

Elska is a bi-monthly photography and culture publication dedicated to sharing the bodies and voices of gay communities all over the world. Each issue is made in a different city where readers get to know to several local gay guys through honest photography and personal storytelling. One article described Elska as "part intellectual queer pin-up mag and part sexy anthropology journal", and another as "probably the nicest, most sincere magazine ever". We quite like that!

About Elska Glagsow (Scotland):

This issue, our 45th outing, was made in Glasgow, Scotland. It's our fourth UK city, now completing our goal of featuring a city in each of UK's four constituent countries, following Cardiff in Wales (issue 07), London in England (issue 19) and Belfast in Northern Ireland (issue 31). Were we saving the best for last? Perhaps!

Inside the issue you'll get our classic blend of honest photography and personal storytelling, revealing the real lives of a smattering of ordinary local men from Scotland's biggest LGBTQ community, and giving a taste of the real Glasgow. And as usual for Elska, prepare for surprises… You'll see these men photographed in the streets of this gorgeous city, often beset by dark clouds and rain, but with often peppered with pops of sunshine, and wildflowers everywhere. And you'll also see them in their homes, with their bodies alongside multiple cups of tea, more flowers, and maybe a kilt or two.

As for the texts, there's a lot of personality revealed here, and some of it so Scottish that the uninitiated may need a dictionary! The stories include Les S’s reflection on a turbulent adult life since leaving his native island and embracing that this turbulence is in his blood; Craig M’s realisation that this city known for its friendliness doesn’t mean it’s easy to actually make friends in Glasgow; Andrew M’s ode to nudity, and how discovering outlets for social nudity opened up a world of new friends, new love, and a new self; Nathan L’s story about growing up in a religious family and how he’s been able to move to a freer queer future yet still misses the life he had to give up in order to achieve this freedom. And everywhere there's so much love for Glasgow expressed.

‘Elska Glasgow’ features ten chapters, dedicated to the following local participants: Taner K, Malcolm Ryan B, Nathan L, Andrew M, David W, Santi G D, Les S, Craig M, Scott H, and Damian M.