13/12/2020
The Soho branch of legendary gay lifestyle shop CloneZone, which for some years also had a branch in Bristol, has tweeted that it will no longer be stocking another legend of the gay scene, the magazine Boyz. Although it was not immediately clear from the CloneZone tweet what the issue was, it became clear from the comments thread that the decision had been made over allegations that the Boyz magazine had taken editorial stance in favour of the LGB Alliance, an organisation which seeks to break the traditional bonds of solidarity between transgender people and lesbians, gay men and bisexuals. The LGB Alliance is believed to have little support within the community at large, particularly after its links with various politically conservative groups become widely publicised during the later part of 2019. The response to CloneZone's decision was largely one of support. Many gay men, who form the bulk of the shop's client base, said that they stood with trans people and that they did not feel that trans activism “erases” them, which is a claim made by the LGB Alliance. Some gay men did tweet that there should be negotiation on the issue. One said “Boyz has been an institution for thirty years, and this is perhaps their first lapse of judgement. Not bad in all that time”. Others accused CloneZone management of what they called “censorship”. Boyz magazine itself continues to publish. Indeed, their reports now include writing from a new trans community correspondent. David Bridle, representing the magazine, spoke to Pink News journalists and said that “We are simply saying lets hear what the LGB Alliance have to say, and not assume we already know.” But in the days that have followed, more gay businesses have joined CloneZone, including another popular chain, Prowler, the Royal Vauxhall Tavern and Molly and Tommy Brand have declared their intent to sever ties with the Boyz brand. Guardian journalist and out gay man, Owen Jones said After Boyz Magazine defended an anti-trans hate group, "the magazine should be removed from LGBTQ spaces and boycotted by advertisers. Several LGBTQ companies have already declared they won't work with them anymore. There's no LGBTQ community without the T."
The National AIDS Trust added “Trans people's rights and lives aren't an issue for 'debate'. When our community offers a platform for transphobia we legitimise it. We're disappointed”. On 3rd December, after some advertisers were reported to be considering withdrawing contracts with Boyz, the magazine appointed Rebecca Tallon de Haviland, who has experience working with the Terrence Higgins Trust. She was among the first people to undergo gender affirmation surgery in Ireland, in the same year that Boyz magazine started. She said “I want to be a part of the solution that brings us together, which I am delighted that is also what you want too. Also if I hadn’t been given a second chance some years back, I wouldn’t be here today!” Remarking on the furore and the appointment of Rebecca, David Bridle said “I hope Rebecca’s presence in the Boyz team will reassure all our readers and the transgender community that Boyz is changing. I am very sorry for the distress I have caused in the transgender community as a result of my actions and I hope with Rebecca’s help that I can rebuild those relationships with the trans community and our loyal Boyz readers and supporters.”
