| Abstract |
Exit newspaper has played a pivotal role in informing the LGBT community in South Africa since it was founded, originally as Link/Skakel, in 1982 by the Gay Association of South Africa (GASA). Thirty-three issues of Link/Skakel appeared from May 1982 to May 1985 with the publication of the first issue of Exit following a month later in July 1985. Exit continues to be published and distributed as a monthly newspaper throughout South Africa. In the early eighties, before the decriminalisation of homosexuality in the country, Exit became one of the few avenues through which members of the community were offered local and international LGBTI news. "For many in the closet, Exit was the only gateway to the community, especially for those living outside the major urban areas. The mere act of stepping up to the till to buy a copy at the local CNA (Central News Agency) was a brave "before coming out" rite of passage", writes Luiz DeBarros in an article to mark the 300th issue of Exit for Mamba Online in November 2015. To this day Exit continues to offer the latest local and international LGBTI news, including sport and entertainment, as well as letters, profiles, columns and travel and health features. "Any cultural historian wishing to trace key developments in LGBTIQ history in South Africa has to consult Exit." These words of Tim Trengove-Jones, quoted by DeBarros in the same article celebrating the 300th issue of Exit, are testament to the undisputed importance of Exit as a valuable archival resource. This is a complete set of the South African lesbian and gay publication, Exit, as well as its predecessor Link-Skakel. The Gay Library (Johannesburg) donated the bulk of the early newspapers and GALA has a subscription to keep the collection current. Link/Skakel was published from May 1982 to May 1985, it then changed its name to Exit, which began publishing in July 1985 and is an ongoing monthly publication (note: earlier editions were bi-monthly). |
