Gayming Manual
Gayming Manual is a print-only zine celebrating physical games, collectibles, and the queer geek culture built around them.
The launch comes at a moment when queer creators and publications are finding their work increasingly shadow-banned, demonetized, or removed outright by the same platforms they depend on to reach an audience. Gayming Manual sidesteps that entirely by providing a physical product that can be held, read, and enjoyed, free from censorship and restriction.
Gayming Manual publishes bi-monthly, six issues a year. 40 pages, full color, and made entirely by LGBTQ+ creatives (no generative AI), plus each issue features original, collectible cover art by different LGBTQ+ artists.
There are two ways to enjoy the Gayming Manual – one is purchasing each issue individually which will be sent directly to you in the mail, the other is to become a Gayming Manual Patron which is a monthly subscription that not only gets you each issue but also includes a range of exclusive benefits.
Also, be sure to check out our Merch Store which features unique products created using each issue’s artwork.
Issue 1 Pre-Order
Pre-orders for Issue 1 are now open! Head to our newsstand using the button below to purchase for $12 plus shipping. US-only right now until we figure out international shipping options.
Inside Issue 1
Issue One contents:
- Voice actor Samantha Bowling writes about why representation means giving Native creators room to grow, not just succeed
- A Holiday Gift List of queer-made physical media and merch to buy for your nerdy loved ones
- A retro review of the Sonic the Hedgehog 35th Anniversary Legacy Cartridge from iam8bit & SEGA, marking 35 years of Sonic
- An interview with actor, comedian and filmmaker Brandon Rogers
- Canadian beauty and gaming content creator and trans advocate Stef Sanjati takes on our 20 Questions challenge
- Tales from the Tabletop, a column by advocate and streamer Tanya DePass
- Gayming Lore history column with a look back at Dragon Age II
- Comic Strip by Kayla Shaggy
- Cosplay Corner showing off the wearable creations of Gayming Mag’s real-life fans
- A competition for one lucky reader to win a Sonic the Hedgehog 35th Anniversary Legacy Cartridge Collection, featuring Sonic the Hedgehog & Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Issue One’s wraparound collectible cover art is by queer video game illustrator Isa Happyfield, a Japanese concept artist and art director based in London, UK, who has worked on numerous video games and produces his own queer superhero manga and roleplaying game, QUEERZ!. See more of his work at linktr.ee/isa_happyfield.
Gayming Manual Patron
If you want to support independent queer geek media, why not become a Patron through the new Gayming Manual Patreon for just $14.50 a month.
Patrons not only get every issue of Gayming Manual as soon as it’s off the press, but also an exciting range of benefits including:
- Free shipping of each issue (physical zine shipping only to US Patrons*)
- Exclusive content in the ‘off-months’, including extended interviews, additional bonus content and more
- Discounts/benefits from partners
- Your name in print – list of Patrons printed in every issue
- $1 per month donation to the Gayming Foundation
- Exclusive 20% discount off all Gayming merch
- PDF version of each issue
*Please note: printed copies ship to US patrons only; all patrons will get a digital copy of each issue so no one’s excluded by shipping costs, while the printed zine stays the core, physical experience.