Ethan Says

Instinct Mag Presents Their Leading Men for 2009

Honoring men who are doing big things and making even bigger changes in our community is something Instinct Magazine tries to do with each and every issue—be it by pledging to feature openly gay men on their covers or highlighting the best in gay lifestyle, entertainment and travel. But once a year they devote an entire highly anticipated issue to their Leading Men, and the 2009 edition may just be their best yet!

When Instinct started to put together this year’s Leading Men, they noticed a common theme: activism. Charming, intelligent, passionate activists working on everything from preserving history to trying to change the course of it, creating welcoming spaces and enforcing equality law. It should come as no surprise, given all the news-worthy happenings in our community this past year, that 2009 has gotten the community fired up. And two men who have taken that passion to the public are November’s cover guys, Lt. Col. Victor Fehrenbach and Lt. Dan Choi.

Appearing together for the very first time in the press for Instinct's exclusive photo shoot, Victor and Dan epitomize the strength, character and determination it takes to be a leading man, as both are fighting not only for the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” but equality as a whole. The gentlemen sat down with Instinct for an in-depth look into their lives, their cases and their potential futures; inspiring features to kick off their Leading Men interviews.

Visit InstinctMagazine.com for a preview of the interview.

Instinct Magazine Covers Your Vacation Bases

What do you get when you have eight gorgeous men, one pair of pants and a handful of cool travel destinations? Aside from a dream vacation, you get Instinct Magazine’s October issue, featuring a super-sized Gay Travel News section.

Continuing their pledge to feature openly gay men on it's covers, Instinct looked to one of their favorite destinations — Vegas! That’s where October cover model Jonah Wilkins calls home, as he glides across the stage six nights a week as a dancer in Bally’s extravaganza, Jubilee! It’s been a lot of big breaks and and even bigger stages for this talented two stepper, who opens up to Instinct about nursing his craft from an early age and even coming out on the very first day of high school.

So, if popping over to Las Vegas to see Jonah in action isn’t enough reason to take a vacay, Instinct's also got a run down of the best shopping in Sin City, including a sneak peak at the huge names working the Strip this winter. If the hustle of Vegas seems too chaotic, maybe their look at the best spas in the southwest will make you want to hit the road? Of course, if you’re a traveler who likes to be on the go, then be sure to check out their take on the revitalization of Chicago, as seen through one of the city’s most famous and beloved characters—Ferris Bueller.

By now you’re probably thinking, what about those eight hot guys and one pair of pants? Well, we’re making packing really easy for any upcoming travel thanks to some suggestions from our sexy underwear fashion feature, The Casting Couch.

If you have any energy left after checking out those shots, be sure to also check out singer-songwriter and newest equality activist Rob Thomas on the Instinct Soapbox this month. Plus, the mag introduces you to one of their favorite new singer/songwriters, Anjulie, and gives you the Instinct review on Whitney’s new album and Kathy’s new book.

Be sure to pick up the October 09 issue of Instinct Magazine!

Kylie Minogue For Instinct Mag (Gay Press Exclusive)

This September, Instinct Magazine brings you one of its most star-studded issues yet: their Fall Entertainment and Fashion Issue kicks things into high gear with music and style icon—Kylie Minogue!

In a national gay press exclusive, Kylie speaks with Instinct about the excitement, stress and fear that comes with launching her first-ever U.S. tour this fall, or as she calls it, “My hot, sweaty bus tour across America!”

Kylie also opens up about how her life has changed since surviving breast cancer and how her career and fans—particularly her gays—mean so much to her, now more than ever.

“When I started out in music, going from acting to singing, that transition was very successful, but I also got flack for it. Many hurtful things were said. It wasn’t easy,” Kylie tells Instinct. “I was only 19 and I think the gay audience kinda picked up on that and decided to defend me and adopt me. They saw I was being criticized for being myself. While learning what does that mean, who am I? So I think all the attacks that were around at the time, took them to heart. And I love that. It means it was a totally organic coming together.” [ CONTINUED ]

Instinct Magazine Is Going to Make You Sweat

Trying to live your best life this year as Ms. O suggests? Instinct’s Health & Fitness Issue is on the shelves and ready to help this August, covering all the bases from gym-time tips and relationship insight to sex advice and life coaching. And, of course, since they’re going to be talking all things fit and fab, they need to offer up examples of athletic prowess at it’s best. For that, they have popular fitness model Trevor Adams.

Continuing they're pledge to only feature openly gay men on the covers, Trevor actually comes out in this month’s issue, and for the first time talks about his difficult upbringing and the troubles that followed as he tried to accept his true self. “I know I’m not exactly the poster child for the magazine,” he says with a laugh. “My life is a little bit different than everybody else’s. It was the fear of the unknown. I was always afraid of the stereotype, of being a stereotype.” Trevor also opens up about some of the consequences he may face coming out in a such a homo-erotic industry that isn’t necessarily quick to embrace homosexuality, but his story proves inspiring to both those that may be facing similar professional set backs or those who were once in his shoes.

Aside from staying lean, Instinct helps keep your relationship healthy thanks to a clever piece on the dos and dont’s of compromise, plus some important insight and advice to those couples in serodiscordant (negative/positive) relationships. And, be sure to keep your soul fed with some life coaching on emotional wellness. Plus, everyone’s favorite high school jock (not to mention TV host, actor, author and dancer), Mario Lopez, is standing on the mag's Soapbox to give you a lesson in hunk.

Staying fit and healthy doesn’t have to be all hard work—it can be an adventure, too. This August, Instinct takes a look at adventure travel and heads down south to Iguazú, where you can zip, run, 4-wheel and hike your way through your vacation. And to be sure that you’re looking your best during all this fitness, they have a scorching fashion feature with sports wear worthy of a little sweat.

INSTINCT MAGAZINE GOES TO THE DOGS

It takes a lot to convince most gay men to open up their hearts and homes to someone new, but that perfect pet usually does the trick. So, the brand new issue of Instinct is devoted to those four-legged, feathered and otherwise non-human friends that make our lives a little more fabulous.

From the best pet-friendly hotels in North America and some must-have travel tips, to the ultimate guide to gaying up your pet, the July issue of Instinct has all your pet essentials—even a quiz to see if your companion is as gay as you!

And for all the joy our pets give us, it’s time to make sure we’re doing good by them. That’s why Instinct put renowned dog trainer—and loveable TV personality — Cesar Millan up on their Soapbox, teaching readers about the right and wrong way to keep your dog happy.

Continuing their pledge to only feature openly gay men on their covers, Instinct even managed to score a photo shoot and sit down with one of the country’s sexiest animal lovers — Tim Weaver. Tim took some time out of his busy schedule as a Las Vegas chef to run around the dog park for the mag's cameras for a day with one of his four dogs, Kylie.

Aside from the cute, eye-candy cover, readers may also notice Instinct's clean, sleek redesign, compliments of their senior graphic designer, Robert Tafoya. The bright new look fits perfectly with this month’s sexy, outdoor fashion feature, which may leave readers feeling a little obsessed.

Be sure to check out the behind-the-scenes cover shoot, via Instinct's Watercooler!

Cover guy photos: Bradford Rogne | Fashion photos: Vincent Dilio

INSTINCT SAYS "CHECK PLEASE"

As we near the end of the month, I thought I'd include the rest of Instinct's fashion spread from their current Pride issue, along with a few behind-the-scenes (before and after) pics as well. Vincent Dilio shot the spread with models Colby @ Major Model Management (lower left), David @ Re-Quest Model Management (lower right) & Govan @ VNY Model Management. You might recognize Govan (above) as one of the stars of D&G's Spring 2009 campaign (see here).

Thanks to friend and Instinct Fashion Director Sean Krebs (and his dog!) for the photos! MORE ON THE NEXT PAGE.

INSTINCT'S PRIDE FLAG FLIES HIGH

Instinct magazine goes global gay this June, covering all the elements of Pride. Things kick off on the cover with some home-grown boys, thanks to photographer Mike Downs and his crop of gorgeous All American Guys. Continuing their pledge to only feature openly gay men on it's covers, Mike talks to Instinct about going from working for the government to getting some of the hottest guys in the country to pose in front of his camera - all for your enjoyment!

With all the recent changes and news in U.S. GLBT rights, Instinct decided to look at the current 'state of gay' around the globe; the result is a diverse collection of contributions examining everything from Internet dating in Lebanon to Turkish baths. Plus, longtime contributor Joel Perry asks if theres still a closet to come out of in 2009, and finds some surprising answers. [MORE IMAGES AND INFO]

INSTINCT MAG KEEPS YOU ENTERTAINED

Instinct mag keeps you busy with the best of movies, music and more featured in their Summer Entertainment Preview Issue, out for May. They’ll tell you what to see and what to skip, in that smart and sassy way that only Instinct can. And in the quest to find their readers the best, they even went international this issue with an exclusive photo shoot in Tel Aviv to find one of the hottest artists coming to America...Yehonathan Gatro.

Talented (and easy on the eyes) Yehonathan Gatro makes his U.S. media debut on Instinct’s May cover — continuing their pledge to only feature openly gay men on the magazine's covers. There’s much more Yehonathan inside Instinct (including this EXTRA PIC) where they have a revealing sit down with the Israeli pop star, discussing his time as a teenage heartthrob, how coming out has changed his artistic vision and why he’s bringing his music — and sexy videos — to the States.

Instinct also looks at the changing face of queer music in America and why more and more artists are getting in the business as out as they can be — and succeeding — introducing readers to three up-and-coming gay musicians who are making music on their own terms this summer.

And as if all that music/movies talk wasn’t enough, Instinct also offers up some "Sand & Surf" fashion (above), and invites the multi-talented Kristin Chenoweth and her perky little self onto their Soapbox, giving us a preview of her new book, A Little Bit Wicked, and explaining how Grandma taught her all about the virtues of love and acceptance for all.

For more, go to instinctmagazine.com.

INSTINCT MAG GOES GREEN

Instinct magazine is going green this spring and is showing you how easy it is to be eco-friendly from head-to-toe with tips on everything from driving to styling green! They also snagged an exclusive sit down with Mother Earth and got her sassy two cents on how the gay community can help keep her looking young and beautiful.

With their gorgeous cover model, fitness and nutrition expert Bernardo Coppola, Instinct continues its pledge to feature only openly gay men on their covers.

Watch above as Instinct takes a hike in the Hollywood Hills for their green-inspired photo spread, and check inside the April issue for cover guy Bernardo's secrets for staying in-shape, as well as his personal story about going from an Argentinean rugby team to the runways of Gucci and soon, your living room.

Also inside, a fashion spread that denim dreams are made of (SEE NEXT PAGE), a Q&A with soulful out singer Matt Alber...plus Instinct introduces you to some loveable boozing nuns.

More at InstinctMagazine.com.

INSTINCT: ANNUAL SPRING FASHION ISSUE

Jam packed with fresh and fun photo spreads, Instinct's annual Spring Fashion Issue brightens your closet with this season's must-have colors, best buys, and rockin' runway looks for real men on any budget.

Continuing their pledge to only feature openly gay men on their covers, this issue’s stunner is Billy Steeves, a model by day and a registered nurse by night. His smile may break a few hearts, but Billy’s all about mending them as a chemotherapy nurse, while also giving his time to advocate in his mother’s memory for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

“I wish she was still here so that I could tell her about this article in Instinct,” he says. “She would have been so proud and excited. She was a huge supporter of the gay community and especially adored gay men. She always told people how much she loved her gay son.”

Looking good isn’t just about the threads, which is why Instinct's staff scoured the world to try more face creams, after shaves and hair products than even the most coifed gay man should ever own. The result is Instinct’s Annual Grooming Awards with the best products in categories across the board to keep you looking refreshed, refined and your best!

To provide a little mentoring in this trendy world, style guru Tim Gunn steps up on Instinct's Soapbox, sharing his two-part formula for successful shopping and being fashion forward on a budget.  Plus, Instinct Fashion Director Sean Krebs delivers his nine other style tips for spring and directs the fashion story "At Ease" (above).

More in the March issue if INSTINCT.

Cover photo + two unpublished photos of Billy Steeves above: Frank Louis

Fashion Story: Vincent Dilio