It’s hard to believe that this is the 60th edition of ELSKA, our fav queer photo zine that we have followed since day one.  We have always loved Creator/Editor Liam Campbell‘s concept in each month’s issue of featuring the local gay men from towns and cuties dotted all around the globe!  Campbell now lives in CROESOSWALLT, a small town in Wales (with some unpronounceable name!), and we have only just discovered that he’s a long way from Chicago, his birthplace, which is the subject of this latest ELSKA.

Queerguru asked why it took him so long to return home; figuratively speaking, he told us  This is a city I lived in as a child, and I didn’t feel ready to face some of the bad memories of that time. But when it came time to plan the sixtieth issue, which really felt like a landmark number, I knew I had to do something special. It was time to face my fears and let the men I met tell the city’s story.”  Leaving our childhood homes is nothing new for gay men (and women) when they want to lead authentic lives, and our own Editor is now some 4500 miles from his birthplace   

Campball added  “when it came time to plan the sixtieth issue, which really felt like a landmark number, I knew I had to do something special. It was time to face my fears and let the men I met tell the city’s story”

We are so pleased he told us this backstory, especially as we read all the stories of these gay men loving the lives they have carved out in the Windy City   Like Mark talking of finally finding community here, or Noe’s story of resilience in the face of attacks on the Latinx community etc.  Campbell told us Everyone I met spoke with such affection about Chicago that my own feelings began to change. Personally, this may be the most meaningful Elska issue I’ve made, but I think it’ll resonate with anyone who’s ever searched for a place to belong.”