Frontiers (magazine)

For the scientific magazine published by the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council, see Frontiers (PPARC magazine). For the academic journal on women's studies, see Frontiers: A Journal of Women Studies.
Frontiers
Jeffree Star on the cover in April 2006.
CategoriesAmerican LGBT news and lifestyle magazine
FrequencyWeekly
Circulation270,000 monthly readers, mainly Southern California
PublisherMichael Turner
Founded1981
Final issueSeptember 2016
CompanyFrontiers Media
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Websitewww.frontiersweb.com
ISSN1526-1972

Frontiers was Southern California's oldest and largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) magazine.[1][2] 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]

  1. ^ "Gay L.A. History Walking Tour"[dead link]Fresno Pride; N.L. March 2007 #139 2 (Page 18).[dead link]
  2. ^ a b c d Dan Avery (September 28, 2016). "Frontiers, Next Magazine, Reportedly Cease Publication". NewNowNext. Retrieved December 7, 2016.
  3. ^ a b 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. ^ "Guide to the National Transgender Library collection". Archived from the original on 2020-04-14. Retrieved 2009-03-12.
  5. ^ Philip Zonkel, "Mark Hundahl, FrontiersLA co-owner and straight ally, dead at 61; celebration of life planned for Jan. 19" Archived 2014-02-22 at the Wayback Machine, Press-Telegram (blog), January 7, 2013.
  6. ^ "Frontiers LA Files For Bankruptcy", Wehoville.com, Mar 20, 2013.
  7. ^ Wehoville (September 28, 2016). "Frontiers' Parent Company Shuts Down, Leaving the Future of the 35-Year-Old LGBT Magazine in Doubt". WEHOVILLE. Retrieved September 28, 2016.