ISSUE: DNA #268 – Playtime | Buy
Playtime. It seemed like exactly the right word to use on the cover of this issue, shot by Antony Kozz. There’s Steve Grand, thigh-high in water, wearing a tiny swim brief he designed himself, his nipples rock hard, and his smile saying, “Come on in, join me, let’s play.”
It’s been a long time since Steve was on our cover. The first time was back in 2010, shot by Tom Cullis. I loved that shoot and so did DNA readers – that issue is out of print. (You can still get the digital version, though.)
Since then, Steve has come a very long way. He independently launched his own music career, going viral with his debut track, All- American Boy. He’s released two albums and performed around the world. Music is still a huge part of his life, but he’s now branched out into fashion, launching his own men’s underwear and swimwear brand – as seen on the cover, and in the feature story starting on page 38.
It’s called Grand-Axis and, by the look of it, we predict it won’t be long before Steve’s fashion side hustle becomes his main game.
“There is nothing sexier than a good-looking man in well-fitted swimwear,” he told Marc Andrews in his interview. “It reveals him, but also maintains that sense of mystery… I’ve always liked seeing other guys in speedos and I like wearing them myself.”
Playtime suits a lot of the other stories this month, too. Take John John, for example. We’ve never had the same model appear in the first four pages of advertising in one issue before.
John features in the four pages of ThePack ads up-front and they are gorgeous so we thought it was time to find out more about him. See some stunning John John shots and read his interview starting on page 50.
Nick Stracener is definitely a man we’d file under “playtime”. He’s a DJ and an OnlyFans content creator – so he’s used to playing to a crowd and giving them what they want. Maybe that’s something he learned in his early days as a go-go dancer. “One of my favourite parts about being a go-go dancer, besides the flashy costumes, is how liberating it feels to let loose and move your hips and body to the music,” he tells us.
He also tells us that although he’s “a teddy bear” he enjoys wearing men’s lingerie. “You should be able to wear whatever the hell you want without labels being thrown on you. If you’re masculine cool, if you’re feminine, that’s also cool. It doesn’t make you any more of less of a person. Allow people to be themselves without casting judgment.”
Now, without doubt, one of the most funfilled shoots we’ve seen for a while is in this issue. It’s from the wonderful Stas Vokman and it features former DNA cover model and one of our all-time favourites, Konstantin.
We’ve called it Konstantin Vs The Aliens… and it’s simply silly! Of course if there was an alien invasion we’d send out our best male supermodels to defend Earth! And we’d make sure they were wearing tiny posing pouches – naturally! Snaps to Stas and Konstantin.
Elsewhere in this issue are some great reads. You may remember Olly Alexander from the TV series It’s A Sin. He played a London gay boy in the 1980s who was desperate to ignore the threat posed by the HIV virus at the start of the pandemic. Olly is also the singer (and, in fact, only member) of the band Years & Years.
He was scheduled to headline at the Summer Camp touring festival in Australia this month, but omicron shut it down. Meanwhile, enjoy our interview and photos starting on page 32.
The men in Medellin, Colombia are “shockingly handsome” reports Marc Andrews who, as the world cautiously begins to open up again post-pandemic, has resumed his role as our roving travel writer. With most of us desperate to get out and about into the world and take a holiday, this looks like an interesting option. Yes, there’s a certain amount of political unrest in that part of the world but it’s beautiful and the locals are very keen to start welcoming back visitor. Colombia is considered the most progressive country in Latin America for LGBTQIA+ rights, having decriminalized homosexuality in 1981, while gay marriage has been legal since 2016. Plus, the infamous Pablo Escobar and his drug cartel are long gone. Story starts on page 78.
We have a long and insightful chat with Sharon Gless about her days on Queer As Folk and Cagney And Lacey, and homophobia in Hollywood. On that subject, we take a deep dive into the film, Midnight Cowboy and suggest it’s time we claimed it as a queer classic.
Our Straight Mate this month, Tim Ross, whets our appetite and Maxi Shield has The Last Word. Plus, all our regular are in, too.
There’s plenty to enjoy! As always, stay safe, be kind and love yourself.
Andrew Creagh
Founding Editor
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