[URBAN NOTE] On the closing of Fab magazine

[rfmcdonald]

This morning I was saddened to discover, via Towleroad then blogTO, that biweekly GLBT magazine Fab is set to cease publication. Editor Phil Villeneuve described what happened for the magazine's readers.

It’s with a very heavy, but hopeful, heart that I announce Fab magazine will cease publication this spring. Our final issue will be released April 24 and will be in boxes until May 7.

The first issue of Toronto’s little gay-party-animal diary came out Pride weekend 1994, and it has been a relentless pop-culture beast ever since. Aimed knowingly and directly at a gay male audience, Fab has been on the streets of this fine city for 19 years, covering everything from politics, to social issues, to underwear trends, to fascinating new lube flavours. It's overseen the evolution of Toronto gay men and covered every type of party, play and festival.

Always with its glittering finger on the pulse, Fab has been guided by a juicy handful of editors and supported by a talented army of columnists, freelance writers, photographers and designers — each and every one committed to having a good time and letting boys across the city, and for a time across the country, know how great it is to be gay.

The realities of the print publication world have finally taken their toll on our free glossy. Pink Triangle Press has had to make some difficult decisions over the years, including closing The Body Politic back in the day. Today, the press simply can't afford to keep the magazine running. Despite the contributors, content and the amazing people that fill its pages, it's time to say farewell.

But don't think we're going out with a whisper. Fab is a unique publication and an iconic one for our community. We plan to celebrate it with a final goodbye issue, as well as a great big party. So stay tuned for details, because we'll want to see you all there — and be sure to get your hands on that final issue, 'cause those bitches will be collectors' items by Pride.

Here's hoping that the new website dailyxtra.com, which will apparently incorporate a lot of content from Fab, will do well.