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Why it took Liam Campbell, Elska’s Editor-in-Chief so long to dedicate an issue of his photo-zine to one of Queerguru’s favorite UK cities, is a mystery to us. Edinburgh may technically be the capital city of Scotland, but its heart is Glasgow. This vibrant, passionate city has such a warm embracing culture that doesn’t feel as serious (and dare we say ‘grown up’ ) as the capital which is home to the Scottish Government and High Courts etc.
Campbell says he quickly realized how Glasgow was such a perfect fit for Elska style “they seemed more daring, more carefree, and also a bit scruffy, quite like how I’d describe my Elska project. Plus with the repeated attitude to get on with things and look for the bright side. ‘Elska Glasgow’ is an edition with so much contrast — of disappointment and humor, of bleakness and beauty.”
Inside ‘Elska Glasgow’ and the companion zine ‘Elska Ekstra Glasgow’ twelve local men are introduced. Each was photographed in the streets of their city and in their homes, revealing their style, their mood, and their bodies. Each also wrote a personal story to make the experience even more revealing, both about themselves and about gay life, and life in general, in Scotland’s largest city. Some of the stories include Les S’s reflection on a turbulent adult life since leaving his native island and embracing that this turbulence is in his blood; Craig M’s realization that this city known for its friendliness doesn’t mean it’s easy to actually make friends in Glasgow; Andrew M’s ode to nudity, and how discovering outlets for social nudity opened up a world of new friends, new love, and a new self; Nathan L’s story about growing up in a religious family and how he’s been able to move to a freer queer present yet still misses the life he had to give up in order to achieve his own freedom.
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‘Elska Glasgow’ is 180 pages and is available from a select group of shops around the world as well as for order
online from the Elska website. In addition, the comparison zine ‘Elska Ekstra Glasgow’ is available, including
additional Glasgow men and their stories, as well as hundreds of pages of outtakes and behind the scenes tales
from the making of our Scottish series. The list of stockists and details of the subscription service
can also be found on the Elska website: www.elskamagazine.com. Labels: 2024, Elska Magazine, Glasgow, Liam Campbell, photo zine
