Ethan Says

Johnny Weir Covers Next Magazine

Today's Next Magazine features Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir on the cover.

In "Cutting Edge" by Lawrence Ferber, Weir talks about his new husband, the new season of his TV show and being a pop sensation in Japan.

Weir on his new husband Victor: “He’s a masculine, macho guy who walks with a chest puffed out and nose up...Major talent in the bedroom as well…and he’s a good person, and that’s something I was afraid I wouldn’t find in the gay community.”

Also in this issue:

Martina Sorbara of Dragonette dishes on making music with her husband and partying it up in New York, while Bear City 2's Kathy Najimy speaks to her love of the hairy homo.

Rufus Wainwright - Night Moves in Next Magazine

Next Magazine interviews Rufus Wainwright in their May 4th issue. In an exclusive interview, the out musician talks to Next about his new album, the ways nightlife shaped his career and the ambitious support tour he has planned.

Wainwright on dressing up with Alexander McQueen in the Chelsea Hotel:
“Well, no, we weren’t putting stuff on, technically, more in, I should say.”

Wainwright on late-90's New York nightlife
“I always feel like a kind of harbinger of doom whenever I show up on the scene. It seems like whenever I arrive, the party will be over in about a week.”

Read all about it: Night Moves at Next Magazine.

Is Mayor Bloomberg Gay?

That’s the kinds of questions Next Magazine found themselves asking in their Gay Pride Issue 2011. What keeps the gay dream alive in New York when things like AIDS, 9/11, marriage inequality and, yes, mayors who campaign against our nightlife, our dancing, our sex lives and our freedoms, constantly seem to knock us down. TroyBoyDesign, one of many artists asked to visualize their dreams for gay New York in the issue, created this fun, sexy (and slightly disturbing) digital composite that imagines an alternate reality. How would life IN NYC be different for gay men if their mayor was gay?

Next Magazine’s Gay Pride Issue 2011 will be available on stands and at NextMagazine.com this Friday, June 17th.

Next Magazine - Sex Issue / NSFW Video Preview

Check out this NSFW behind the scenes video from Next Magazine's Sex Issue photo shoot. The issue, on stands this Friday, March 18, features five unique editorials from some of the mag's favorite contributing writers that explore the ins and outs of gay sex in 2011 and a complimentary photo spread from staff photographer Wilsonmodels. From erotic hypnotists to hook-up app addictions, Next Magazine's Sex Issue is sure to enthrall, arouse and enlighten.

Next Magazine: NYPD's Attempt to Shut Chi Chiz Racist?

Next Magazine's November 27th issue features "Mercy Street," an investigation by writer McCarton Ackerman into the recent troubles NY's Chi Chiz has had with the NYPD. What's a Christopher Street gay bar to do when those same "public enemies" are often homeless LGBT teens who need our help more than our punishment?!

Excerpt: "Some gay-rights advocates argue that the kids are not even the real source of illegal activity. “There’s one quick solution,” declares Mariah Lopez, a transgender woman and FIERCE founder. “Get the drug dealers instead of stigmatizing my community. We are not all criminals.”" [ MORE ]

Also in this issue: ANNE HATHAWAY

On being afraid of sex:
"She’s less nostalgic about other aspects of that era, though, like the misinformation and paranoia surrounding AIDS. “I was at that age where you’re just discovering your body and sex and stuff,” she recalls. “And I remember how deadly AIDS was seen as. I was so afraid of sex.”

On why she is active in fighting for gay rights:
"Hathaway has publicly chastised President Obama for inviting homophobic minister Rick Warren to give his inaugural blessing. “I don’t use the spotlight to talk about politics, but I have no problem talking about gay [causes] because they’re not political; they’re basic human rights,” Hathaway says sternly." [ MORE ]

Next Magazine: The State of Drag

Next Magazine's latest issue is online with their first ever “State of Drag” issue. In this issue we explore what drag looks like in the year 2010, featuring today's top drag talents, including: Sherry Vine, Hedda Lettuce, Brittney Houston, Jackie Beat, Mimi Imfurst, Bebe Zahara Benet, Gusty Winds, Bianca Leigh, Jessie Volt, Logan Hardcore and many, many more. Don't miss:

1) BIG SCREEN QUEENS: Staff Photographer Wilsonmodels helps the playful girls of New York’s iconic drag dining restaurant Lips embrace their glamorous side in our one-of-a-kind photoshoot.

2) A VIRAL VIRUS, by Andrew Belonsky: Online video has become the new catapult for drag superstardom. What does that mean for longtime queens of the stage?

3) UNDER RUG SWEPT, by Dustin Fitzharris: Drag Queens threw the first punches at Stonewall but some leaders still don’t think they should be the face of equality. Where does drag belong in our new, more mainstream gay community?

4) THE MEN BEHIND THE MEN UNDER THE WIGS, by Justin Lockwood: Wigbar’s Isaac Davidson and Matthew Doers have turned drag into a living from behind the scenes.

Next Magazine Features BearCity / True Blood Parody

Check out Next Magazine's October 22 cover with Gerald McCullouch, Joe Conti and Stephen Guarino of the new film BearCity reenacting this summer’s now iconic cover of Rolling Stone featuring the cast of True Blood.

Vist Next for Dan Avery's feature on BearCity. While you're there, check out their guide to New York's biggest gay dance parties this Halloween, and an exclusive interview with gay activist and actress Judith Light.

Next Magazine's All-American Gay Pride Guide

Working with a bevy of local New York personalities, Next Magazine rethought what it means to be a gay American. From the look of the red, white and blue in pop culture to the stories of the men who call this city home, Next's special issue is ready to stand up and claim this great nation in the name of the homosexual!

Be sure to check out a preview of Bradford Noble, Gino Tavernaro and Matthew LeBaron's reinterpretation of America's most iconic images featuring Robert Verdi, Amanda Lepore, Chris March, Rick Dinihanian and the girls of Shim Mamsir. Also, don't miss the celebrity op-editorials featuring Simon Doonan, Jack Mackenroth, Randy Jones, Colman Domingo, Jeffery Self & Cole Escola, and Jason Goldberg.

As always, Next Magazine's Pride Guide features extensive party listings and a special report on this year's biggest Pride parties. Plus, Taking Back Pride, Joey Stern, Chase and The Score on Front Runners New York's 30th Anniversary.

Next Magazine's Swimsuit Issue

Mr. Broadway 2010 and Broadway Bares XX's hot star Charlie Williams covers Next Magazine's Memorial Day issue. He and his other Bares will get you all steamy in the mag's steaming annual Summer Swimsuit Guide, shot by Wilsonmodels on the one-and-only Frying Pan lightship at Pier 66.

Also under the covers, a Fire Island Guide, which in addition to the mag's famous ferry schedules and new pull-out map & business directors, will also feature an exclusive illustrated look at the newest incarnation of the Pavilion, including structural changes, the revamped Pool Deck and new parties coming to the famed nightlife venue, as well as a Foolproof Guide: To Getting To Fire Island Without Getting Lost. This ridiculous flow-chart (next page) is both an informative guide from Penn Station to your homosexual island paradise and a funny-as-hell read. Plus, be sure to check out the Next's online Song of The Summer Battle Royal, the Newfest preview, Weimar New York's Big Pitch and David Toussaint on getting gay married.

DIVE IN to NEXT

For summer looks that are best for below the belt, Next's annual swimsuit issue's got you covered.  Shot on location on Fire Island by Gerardo Somoza, these 'hot bottoms' sizzle in suits that'll make you the life of the party.  More after the JUMP -->

---> NEXT: BOYS SIZZLE IN "MANHATTAN VICE"