‘Elska Magazine’ issue showcases the lives, bodies, of queer Salt Lake men
Salt Lake City, a city best known worldwide as the heart of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, takes on a new role as the focus of the latest edition of the lifestyle magazine Elska. This special issue offers a candid look at the lives of everyday queer men in one of America’s most conservative states, revealing the city’s surprising queerness and complexity.
Elska is a bi-monthly photography and storytelling publication dedicated to sharing the bodies and voices of men from LGBTQ communities worldwide. Each issue showcases a different city where readers get to know a cross-section of everyday local guys through honest photography and personal stories. One article described Elska as “part intellectual queer pin-up mag and part sexy anthropology journal,” and another as “probably the nicest, most sincere magazine ever.”
“For years, I toyed with the idea of featuring Salt Lake City, but I struggled to balance the potential pros and cons,” shares Elska editor and chief photographer Liam Campbell. “It’s a fascinating opportunity to explore how gay Utahns navigate life in a place so deeply shaped by the LDS Church. At the same time, I worried about expectations for us to fetishize Mormon men, which isn’t what Elska is about.”
The magazine takes an honest approach, capturing the intersection of queer identity and Mormonism without pandering to stereotypes. “Mormonism played a significant role in this issue,” Campbell explains, noting that themes related to faith, identity, and community appear both in the personal stories and the photography. For instance, some subjects opted to include symbolic imagery, like donning their missionary uniforms in unconventional ways.
This edition introduces readers to 11 queer men from Salt Lake City, photographed both in the vibrant urban environment and among Utah’s iconic mountains and canyons. Their stories are as varied as their surroundings, delving into personal experiences ranging from self-discovery and love to humor and resilience. For the second consecutive issue, all participants embraced vulnerability by baring it all in their photoshoots—an unexpected twist for a Utah-focused edition.
Highlights include Scott S.’s account of embracing his sexuality with the help of his therapist, Johnny H.’s tale of lively nights out, Daniel R.’s dramatic encounter with a bear in the wilderness, and Tyson C.’s story of an unexpected romance sparked by an attempt to extend a party.
Alongside the main magazine, readers can explore the companion zine Elska Ekstra Salt Lake City, which features hundreds of additional photos, behind-the-scenes moments, and stories from two more Utah locals. Both the main issue and the companion zine are available in collectible print editions or as digital downloads through the Elska website, with select stockists carrying the magazine worldwide.
For a glimpse into the lives of queer Salt Lakers and to see how the city defies and embraces its reputation, visit www.elskamagazine.com.
