This issue, the forty-ninth in the Elska canon, was made in Salt Lake City, Utah. International headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, it’s a place with a reputation for conservatism and a history of anti-gay hate. This legacy was a primary reason why we wanted to come here, to find out what queer life is like in the city that Mormonism built.

Inside the issue you’ll meet ten local men who invite you to get to know them through a combination of intimate, honest photography and personal storytelling. As you will discover, religion plays a part in many gay histories, but there is life after the LDS Church. The stories the men chose to contribute for this issue reveal the role of Mormonism but so much more. Stories include Scott S’s story about learning how to embrace the sexual being within; Tyson C’s account of hooking up one night just to avoid ending a party, and then discovering love; Johnny H’s text on how expert he is at showing someone a good time in his hometown; and Daniel R’s tale of an incident in the woods involving bear spray and his grandma. -Publisher