L-MAG

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L-MAG
L Mag Logo.png
L-MAG November, December 2019 Issue Cover.png
November/December 2019 cover
Editor-in-chiefManuela Kay
Frequencybi-monthly
PublisherSpecial Media SDL
First issueSummer 2003
CountryGermany
Based inBerlin
LanguageGerman
Website http://www.l-mag.de/

L-MAG is a magazine that is aimed at a lesbian target audience. The German print magazine for lesbians appears bi-monthly and is available in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Luxemburg. Approximately 15.000 copies are printed with each edition. [1] L-MAG is available at over 2.000 outlets (e.g. train station newsagents, selected bookstores and community L-spots) and can also be purchased on subscription and as an e-publication. [2]

Contents

The magazine is published by Special Media SDL, which also publishes Berlin's biggest queer city magazine, Siegessäule. The co-founder and editor in chief since its inception is Manuela Kay. [3]

History

L-MAG originated as an idea of the now deceased publisher Reiner Jackwerth. In 2002, he asked the then-editor of the Siegessäule, Manuela Kay; "What do lesbians who live outside of Berlin actually read?" He then asked her, "Ms Kay, please think of something." [4] For the 2003 Gay Pride season, the first 40 000 copies, with the title "What Lesbians Really Want", were distributed at Pride in Hamburg, Berlin, Cologne, Munich, Frankfurt am Main and Stuttgart. On reflection, Manuela Kay, editor in chief, said, "And then in the summer of 2003, we made the extraordinary journey over six consecutive weekends to six CSD Prides from Hamburg to Munich. It was tough appealing to the somewhat sceptical lesbians who were reluctant CSD participants, who didn't really trust that we knew our way: a magazine for lesbians? That seemed far too new and trivial." [4] Prominent interviewees in the first edition included Ulrike Folkers, Katharina Franck, Tegan & Sara and porn star, Dolly Buster, in "Unexpected Interviews".

Initially, L-MAG magazine was published by Jackwerth Publishing as a free, quarterly A5 publication, in parallel with the then country-wide magazine Lespress, that unlike L-MAG, was not available in general newsagents and outlets. Furthermore, L-MAG was compiled by the Siegessäule team.

From January 2005, the L-MAG went on sale with a print run of 30 000 copies in pocket book format, with over 3 000 subscribers. [5]

At the beginning of 2008, the L-MAG was the first of the German media to interview the President of the DFB (German Football Association), Theo Zwanziger, on the theme of Homosexuality and Professional Football. Gudrun Fertig conducted the interview. [6]

In 2009, there was a complete design relaunch, with a new logo, that is still in use. [7]

After the liquidation of the Jackwerth publishing company, the result of the erstwhile publisher Reiner Jackwerth's retirement, the L-MAG was taken over in May 2012 by part of the media holdings, which were retained and absorbed into the newly established Special Media SDL. Manuela Kay, the editor in chief of L-MAG, as well as the editor in chief of the publishing company's online media, Gudrun Fertig took over as the co-directors of the newly founded publishing house. [8] [9]

Print

L-MAG is the first magazine for lesbians that has appeared regularly in newsagents since the time of National Socialism. L-MAG regards itself as a journalistically driven magazine in the tradition of the lesbian magazines of the 1920s in Germany, like Die Freundin (The Female Friend/The Girlfriend) and Garconne (Flapper). L-MAG is on a par with Curve in the USA and Diva in the United Kingdom.

L-MAG's focus in the printing field lies in the representation of the diverse lives of lesbian women and a self-evident and a self-confident handling of the theme of being a lesbian. In contrast to the practically invisible presence of lesbians in the mainstream media and society in general, L-MAG celebrates the visibility and participation of lesbian women in all aspects of life. In addition, L-MAG deliberately abstains from reporting on the clichéd themes so predominant in other women's magazines e.g. fashion and dieting. Instead, strong, successful lesbian women are portrayed and national and global lesbian culture is depicted.

The feelings of isolation and being more or less alone in the world, that are so familiar to many lesbians, are countered with multiple portraits, interviews, photos and news that portray the rich diversity and omnipresence of lesbians The desire for positive role models, ideals and pioneers are reflected in L-MAG in the form of portraits and interviews and numerous photo sets.

Among others, L-MAG has interviewed and portrayed famous lesbian role models such as model and actor, Ruby Rose, rock star Melissa Etheridge, singer Kd lang, front woman of the band Skunk Anansie Skin, the performers and makers of the series The L Word, both actors who portrayed the character Lisbeth Salander i.e. Rooney Mara and Noomi Rapace, footballers e.g. Nadine Angerer, Nilla Fischer or Ramona Bachmann, TV presenters Bettina Böttinger and Dunja Hayali, feminist Laurie Penny, supermodel Jenny Shimizu, pop star Beth Ditto, actors Ulrike Folkerts and Maren Kroymann, diverse politicians or unexpected interviewees such as Dolly Buster, Wolfgang Petry or "Bond Girl" Lea Seydoux. [10] [11]

Regular columns in the magazine include international reporting about lesbians in all walks of life: politics, sex, gossip, horoscopes, music, sport, film, books. In addition, every publication deals with a focal theme e.g. family, social media, freedom, friendship, romance, Europe, art, bisexuality. [10]

Online

From its inception, L-MAG commanded an extensive online presence with news and additional lesbian-focussed services e.g. 'L-Dating', 'L-Events' and the permanent column 'K-Word' with lesbian gossip. In September 2009, the new L-MAG website with a lesbian online portal went live. Since June 2016, the website also offers a mobile version and currently enjoys over 120 000 page impressions per month. (122 164 November 2015, according to the IVW, the German Audit Bureau of Circulation). [12]

Actions and campaigns

Events

Awards

In 2010, the lead article "European Paradise?" of the May/June 2009 edition, about the European elections, was awarded the European Parliament's Prize for Journalism, in the category 'Print'. [38]

Social engagement

To mark its 10th anniversary in 2013, L-MAG initiated and organised the Dyke* March Berlin. [39] Marching under the motto "Lesbian Visibility and Lust for Life", on the eve of the Pride March, a bevy of lesbians took to the streets of Berlin. [40] By doing so, L-MAG sparked a new movement for lesbian visibility in Germany. Cologne (2015) and Hamburg (2016) soon followed suit with their own Dyke Marches. [41] [42]

Miscellaneous

An early edition of L-MAG, entitled "Counter-public/Underground" was printed to accompany the exhibition "Homosexualities*" (2015) in the DHM (Deutschen Historischen Museum), the German History Museum in Berlin. [43]

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References

  1. ↑ Media data 2018 – L-MAG. Special Media SDL, p.3, retrieved 28 February 2018 (PDF). https://www.siegessaeule.de/uploads/img/Mediadaten/L_MAG_Mediadaten_2018-deutsch_WEB.pdf
  2. ↑ "Fighting Uphill: Uncovering Lesbians in Germany's Queer Community by Bill Blaustein, Janine Neumann | Humanity in Action". Humanity In Action. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  3. ↑ Crasshole, Walter (10 May 2019). "The Gay Berliner: 10 years of Queer". Exberliner. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  4. 1 2 Manuela, Kay. "10 Years of L-MAG". L-MAG. July/August 2013: 33 – via Special Media SDL, Berlin.
  5. ↑ "What happened so far…". L-MAG. July/August 2013: 36–37 – via Special Media SDL, Berlin.
  6. ↑ Fertig, Gurdrun. "I can't force anyone to have the courage of their convictions". L-MAG. January/February 2008: 24–25 – via Jackwerth Publishing.
  7. ↑ "What happened so far…". L-MAG. July/August 2013: 36–37 – via Special Media SDL, Berlin.
  8. ↑ "Queer in the City". Exberliner. 19 June 2015. Archived from the original on 1 July 2022. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  9. ↑ "Manuela Kay über Schwule gegen Lesben, Berliner Szene und lesbischen Selbsthass". Queerkram (in German). 7 November 2020. Archived from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  10. 1 2 Lesben, L-MAG – Das Magazin für. "L-MAG - Das Magazin für Lesben - Archiv". www.l-mag.de (in German). Retrieved 2 March 2018.
  11. ↑ "180 Interviewees in conversation with L-MAG on Politics, Music, Literature, Art and Sex". L-MAG – the Magazine for Lesbians. July/August 2013: Berlin. p.35 – via Special Media SDL.
  12. ↑ Bratfisch, Goldfish IT- und Medien-Service - Peter. "Online-Nutzungsdaten". ausweisung.ivw-online.de (in German). Retrieved 2 March 2018.
  13. 1 2 "What happened so far…". L-MAG. July/August 2013: 36 – via Special Media SDL Publishing, Berlin.
  14. ↑ dm. "Lesbian – Like the Way I Do". L-MAG – the Magazine for Lesbians. January/February 2016.: 11 – via Special Media SDL, Berlin.
  15. ↑ "Sexily Lesbian". L-MAG – the Magazine for Lesbians. September/October 2006: 9 – via Jackwerth Publishing, Berlin.
  16. ↑ "Lesbian Lip Service". L-MAG – the Magazine for Lesbians. July/August 2011: 9 – via Jackwerth Publishing, Berlin.
  17. ↑ "Electrically Lesbian". In: L-MAG – the Magazine for Lesbians. May/June 2009: 9 – via Jackwerth Publishing, Berlin.
  18. ↑ "Rockingly Lesbian". L-MAG – the Magazine for Lesbians. January/February 2013: 11 – via Special Media SDL, Berlin.
  19. ↑ "Philosophically Lesbian". L-MAG – the Magazine for Lesbians. September/October 2010: 9 – via Jackwerth Publishing, Berlin.
  20. ↑ "Sisterly Lesbian". L-MAG – the Magazine for Lesbians. July/August 2010: 9 – via Jackwerth Publishing, Berlin.
  21. ↑ "Rosily Lesbian". L-MAG – the Magazine for Lesbians. May/June 2006: 7 – via Jackwerth Publishing, Berlin.
  22. 1 2 "Gay Lesbian". L-MAG – the Magazine for Lesbians. January/February 2009: 9 – via Jackwerth Publishing, Berlin.
  23. ↑ "Lesbian Solidarity". L-MAG – the Magazine for Lesbians. March/April 2010: 7 – via Jackwerth Publishing, Berlin.
  24. ↑ "Cinematically Lesbian". L-MAG – the Magazine for Lesbians. January/February 2006: 7 – via Jackwerth Publishing, Berlin.
  25. ↑ "Iconically Lesbian". L-MAG – the Magazine for Lesbians. July/August 2014: 11 – via Special Media SDL, Berlin.
  26. ↑ "Incorruptible Lesbian". L-MAG – the Magazine for Lesbians. January/February 2017: 13 – via Special Media SDL, Berlin.
  27. ↑ "Super Cool Lesbian". L-MAG – the Magazine for Lesbians. September/October 2015: 11 – via Special Media SDL, Berlin.
  28. ↑ Kay, Manuela. "She's Coming!". L-MAG – the Magazine for Lesbian. September/October 2005: 22–23 – via Jackwerth Publishing, Berlin.
  29. ↑ "What happened so far…". L-MAG – the Magazine for Lesbians. July/August 2013.: 37 – via Special Media SDL Publishing, Berlin.
  30. ↑ Flotmann, Karin. "Pride versus Prejudice". L-MAG – the Magazine for Lesbians. November/December 2012: 36–37 – via Special Media SDL Publishing, Berlin.
  31. ↑ Kuhnen, Stephanie. "L-MAG Readers donate €1500 to FARUG". L-MAG – the Magazine for Lesbians. March–April 2013: 8 – via Special Media SDL Publishing, Berlin.
  32. ↑ "Arsch hoch! - UPDATE". Berliner Aids-Hilfe e.V (in German). 14 August 2013. Archived from the original on 19 September 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  33. ↑ "siegessäule - queer Berlin -Arsch Hoch". www.siegessaeule.de (in German). Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  34. ↑ "L-Film Night. Short Films, Long Nights". L-MAG – the Magazine for Lesbians. January/February 2006: 75 – via Jackwerth Publishing, Berlin.
  35. ↑ "L-Film Night Reloaded". L-MAG – the Magazine for Lesbians. September/October 2012: 82 – via Special Media SDL Publishing, Berlin.
  36. ↑ "Wo sind nur die Lesben hin? Podiumsdiskussion am 21.3. im SchwuZ". www.siegessaeule.de (in German). Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  37. ↑ "SIEGESSÄULE präsentiert: "Gute Lesbe – Böse Lesbe"". www.siegessaeule.de (in German). Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  38. ↑ "Our Star for Brussels – L-MAG". L-MAG – the Magazine for Lesbians. July/August 2010: 8 – via Jackwerth Publishing, Berlin.
  39. ↑ "Revved up". www.siegessaeule.de (in German). Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  40. ↑ "2013 – Wie alles anfing". 27. Juli 2018 (in German). 28 March 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  41. ↑ "DYKE* MARCH COLOGNE". DYKE* MARCH COLOGNE (in German). Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  42. ↑ "First Hamburger Dyke March - Intervention e.V." www.intervention-hamburg.de (in German). Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  43. ↑ "Deutsches Historisches Museum: Homosexuality_ies". www.dhm.de (in German). Retrieved 5 March 2018.
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