Ethan Says

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

BEHIND-THE-SCENES WITH CARLOS FIGUEROA

Here are a couple of behind-the-scenes photos of Carlos Figueroa, the winner of the 2008 Undergear Model Star Contest. Photographer Ryan Colford snapped these shots of Carlos during the Undergear shoot. Carlos is also the current cover model for Instinct magazine. Check two more photos after the JUMP.

WIN SOME SHINY TO COVER YOUR HINEY
Ethan's got his Heart On, and so sould you! M-hmm. Ethan Says and Ginch Gonch are giving away giggle-stick covers. For your chance to win, leave a comment at this post - and explain why you should win the Ginches to cover your inches.

CAZWELL SAW BEYONCE AT BURGER KING
She Ordered Two Cheese Burgers And Onion Rings! East Village rapper Cazwell chats about his hilariously infectious YouTube smash, "I Seen Beyoncé At Burger King," and the new album, "Watch My Mouth," out in April!

IT'S NATIONAL RUPAUL DAY, BITCHES
Well...it was. Two days late and a drag queen short, I missed National Rupaul Day! But in her honor, and at the intersection of Drag History Month and Black History Month, VGL declared the First Annual “National RuPaul Day!”

WATCH OUT FOR THE WATCH OUT SOUNDTRACK
The WATCH OUT soundtrack is now available! Sam Doumit of SUICIDE GIRLS RADIO says "Rob Kleiner is going to put Danny Elfman out of business!" You can get Rob's score from Amazon.

HAPPY NATIONAL CARROT DAY!
Do carrots really deserve their own holiday? Heck, yes, they do! Carrots are good for your health, your skin and your spirit, too. But don't believe us. These singing and dancing carrots will prove it to you.

MICHAEL BASTIAN'S GUYDE TO STYLE

Instinct's Fashion Director Sean Krebs interviews his favorite fashion designer - the "dashingly handsome and naturally charming" Michael Bastian in the latest "Style Guyde" column at InstinctMagazine.com.  Read what Bastian has to say about the 5 items every man should own, the biggest mistakes men make when getting dressed, what makes the"Bastian Man," and more!

And while you're there, don't forget about the FREE STUFF!  Instinct's Prize Patrol is giving away bottles of Zirh Ikon to 10 lucky winners.  Yes, you too can smell like David Gandy!

Pictured at left:  Thierry Pepin from Major from Michael Bastian's Spring/Summer '09 fashion show!!

BONUS:
Check out this photo Sean sent me...a little treat from last week's Calvin Klein presentation in NYC. Be sure to blow it up for a larger view!

SEAN KREBS HAS AN INSTINCT FOR STYLE

As the new Fashion Director for Instinct Magazine, Sean Krebs enjoys many perks...one being that he gets to hang out with half-naked models - like Kyle Ledeboer and George Serfes in "Black & White" for Instinct's October issue. But Sean's favorite perk (when not ogling hot boys in barely there briefs) is sharing his knowledge on great fashion, style and trend news - all of which you'll find in his monthly Style Guyde. (You don't wanna miss the monthly giveaways too!).

And speaking of giveaways...because Sean is so giving, he sent these exclusive "Black and White" outtakes of Kyle and George for me to share with Ethan Says readers. Not only that, he was kind enough to answer a few of my questions and provide some important fashion tips for the coming fall/winter months.

(But first, take a look at these non-published photos. Yowza! Looks like George has a baskit-full! You sure didn't see that in the printed photo! Blow it up for a better look! )  Now...on to Sean:

So, Sean...What was it like working with George & Kyle? There weren't any underwear mishaps, were there? (crosses fingers!)

"George and Kyle were both so great to work with!  Beyond being totally gorgeous to look at, they were super professional and genuinely nice guys.  There weren't any major underwear mishaps - but, let's just say, some major 'adjusting' was necessary when the boys were in the skimpier styles.  Plus some extra 'manscaping' too.  Of course, William Murphy, our groomer, didn't seem to mind!" (CONT'D)

KYLE LEDEBOER IS BLACK AND WHITE FOR INSTINCT

If you've received your copy of Instinct's October 2008 issue, then no doubt you've seen these smokin' shots of Major Model Kyle Ledeboer. Photo'd by Vincent Dilio and styled by Instincts new Fashion Director Sean Krebs, Kyle joins Red Model George Serfes (previous post) in this skivvy bonanza. Enjoy...because tighty whities will soon be replaced by sweaters and parkas (not that these guys would be any less sexy). More Kyle after the JUMP.

STILL TO COME: Instinct Fashion Director Sean Krebs chats with EthanSays and shares some exclusive behind-the-scenes "Black & White" photos of Kyle & George. STAY TUNED!