- Gai pied
"Gai pied" or "Gai pied hebdo" was a monthly French
gay magazine, founded byJean Le Bitoux . Its name, which literally means "Gay foot", is a homophone of "guêpier", which means a hornet's nest or, figuratively, a trap or pitfall — a reference to the magazine's determination to torment the status-quo.History
The magazine's name was suggested by
Michel Foucault , who wrote an article for the first issue and continued to contribute material to the magazine throughout its existence.The first issue was sold at two thousand kiosks throughout France on the first of April, 1979. It was published by Pink Triangle publications and printed by the Revolutionary Communist League.
Among the magazine's collaborators were
Yves Navarre ,Tony Duvert ,Gianni De Martino ,Guy Hocquenghem ,Renaud Camus ,Alain Pacadis , Copi,Hugo Marsan , and others. The magazine enjoyed great success among French gays, and increased their visibility. Apart from its articles, the magazine published personal ads and erotic photographs.In 1980,
Jean-Paul Sartre agreed to an interview with the magazine, as did artistsDavid Hockney and Barbara and politiciansPierre Bérégovoy andGaston Defferre , showing their support for the magazine's cause.In 1987, minister of the interior
Charles Pasqua attempted to ban the publication of "Gai pied". A demonstration onMarch 19 , along with statements of support from many public figures including minister of cultureFrançois Léotard , prevented the ban.Between 1987 and 1990, the magazine controlled
FG DJ Radio .Despite early success, the magazine struggled to respond to the menace of
AIDS , and was dealt a financial blow by the success ofMinitel . After losing much of its readership, the magazine ended publication in 1992.ee also
*"
Illico "
*"Têtu "
*"Magazine"External links
* [http://www.france.qrd.org/media/gai%20pied/ The authentic history of "Gai Pied"] by Jean Le Bitoux
* [http://www.humanite.presse.fr/journal/1992-10-30/1992-10-30-663374 "The pink flag at half mast"] , an article on the magazine's discontinuation
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