Gym, Vol. 1, No. 12, Nov. 1960

Item ID....M04072

Photo Gallery

Billed as "the magazine for males."

Feature on Ralph Blumenthal, a wrestler "large in bone and muscle." The gallery of art features some ass shots and a photo of guy with the shorts obviously painted over his private parts. Other features include: the mystery man of the month, specialty exercises, and how to get a perfect shave. Tom Underwood is the all-American coverman, and Hal Mason (get a load out of his basket beneath his tightie-whities) graces the inside front cover.

The editorial expresses concern that many view the contents of Gym as obscene and appealing to "sexual psychopaths." Definitely, in hindsight, a foreshadowing, as this outfit and its operators in Oak Park, Illinois got slammed about this time by the post office for its mailing and especially for its Adonis Pen Pal Club.  In response, the editor offers an eight-part mission statement/manifesto advocating cooperation with the National Organization of Decent Literature and tying in its physical culture emphasis with the nationwide push for a healthy, physically fit youth.

Of course, again, in hindsight, we know that Gym was definitely a homoerotic magazine, really a mgazine for not just males, but "homosexual males," appealing to gays, at that time, sadly, lumped with "sexual psychopaths" as harmful to the social structure.

Our two copies in good condition for their ages; copy 2 has some staining on front cover; otherwise clean and tight.

Contributors

Ralph Blumenthal, Dave Teason, Tom Underwood, Hal Mason, and others

Key Words

Vintage Gay Magazine | Bodybuilder/Muscle | Jockstrap/Underwear

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