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Arts

Fab Magazine to cease publication after 19 years

Posted by Derek Flack / March 12, 2013

Fab MagazineFab Magazine, Toronto's first publication targeted specifically toward gay men, will cease publication this Spring on account of financial restructuring at publisher Pink Triangle Press. In a farewell note published earlier this afternoon, Editor Phil Villeneuve broke the news (which had already been circling on Twitter) and hinted that additional resources will be devoted to Xtra!, which is also published by Pink Triangle. At least some of that content will be similar to what's currently found in Fab.

"Later this year PTP will launch a new website called dailyxtra.com, which will replace xtra.ca," he explains. "Daily Xtra will incorporate much of Fab's online content and will have increased coverage of the queer travel market."

Nevertheless, it's not without some sadness that the magazine's staff and, no doubt, readers bid goodbye. It's an all too familiar story, and one that I'll let Villeneuve tell. In summing up the closure of the publication, he writes:

"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."

So long Fab — you'll be missed.

Discussion

15 Comments

Sorry, Folks / March 12, 2013 at 05:57 pm
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Sympathies to the staff. Media in Canada has been decimated.
The future replying to a comment from Sorry, Folks / March 12, 2013 at 07:17 pm
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It's not easy to see a publication cease, keeping around a free print magazine in an age of electronic publishing is becoming less a reality for more publishers everyday.
BallZack / March 12, 2013 at 09:31 pm
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Most of us are getting our news and doing most of our reading on out phones more then buying magazines or standing in a store reading it. I guess they don't have the right business development, I mean they don't have the right revenue model. I mean if your articles are good enough for a read, then build an app and push your stories to your app of followers plus layer on advertising opportunities...
Amy / March 12, 2013 at 10:17 pm
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This publication constantly had typos, incorrect stories, and was full of vindictive writing. The staff never fact checked, and when prompted for revision - they wouldn't ever revise their online content.

It always seemed to me as though this was an office full of wannabe journalists - and karma has finally hit them right where it counts. Sorry, I don't feel badly.. a fire needed to be lit underneath these fools.
me / March 12, 2013 at 11:59 pm
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YAAAYYYYYY!!!!!!!!! Great news! It's about time!
davif / March 13, 2013 at 01:51 am
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Whatever one may think of FAB as a publication, folding it into xtra significantly interferes with the latter's appeal to wider queer communities. Pink Triangle press is a non profit entity which derives significant revenue from http://www.pinktrianglepress.com/squirt ... why can't this keep FAB afloat, and more importantly, thus enable xtra to focus less on a gay male audience?
gregg / March 13, 2013 at 03:56 am
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That's what happens when your owners are far-left extremists.
Simon Tarses replying to a comment from BallZack / March 13, 2013 at 06:23 am
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How the frack do you know that they were 'left-wing extremists'?
Robert replying to a comment from Simon Tarses / March 13, 2013 at 07:43 am
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He doesn't, its called homophobia. I am sure until this story he has never heard of Fab magazine. he surely missed that the mag had a 20yr run a long run for free pub.
David L / March 13, 2013 at 12:54 pm
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I wouldn't argue the fact that Pink Triangle Press was owned by "left-wing extremists." The Body Politic, and later Xtra, were very militant publishers back in the day. In today's world though, as with everything else in the gay community, it's not really about the politics.

Interestingly enough, I worked at fab 19 years ago for a few months as their office manager. It didn't work out for me but they did have a few good years. I think they died when they switched formats from the half-sheet to legal.

Also. 19 years ago. Man I'm old.
the editer replying to a comment from Amy / March 13, 2013 at 06:37 pm
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Not unlike this site right here?
jeff g / March 13, 2013 at 07:03 pm
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Wow this has been up for a day and barely any comments. Guess either BlogTO readers don't really care about the loss of traditional print media or no-one really cared much about this magazine.
vps / March 14, 2013 at 11:11 am
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I really like this blog. You write about very interesting things. Thanks for all your tips and information.
J.S. / March 15, 2013 at 10:56 am
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Good riddance. It was an embarrassment to itself and to Pink Triangle Press. It will not be missed.
loadface / March 18, 2013 at 04:29 am
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I am not at all happy to see FAB go. When I was broke and couldn't buy kitty litter, Fab helped. The paper was perfect for my cat and I to take a huge, steamy dump on. You wull be missed by my bum.

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