Elska is an independent publication with a unique niche: highlighting the experiences and sexuality of queer men around the world through personal stories and intimate photography. Each edition focuses on a new location, and for their 60th edition, Elska has come to Chicago.

The decision to focus on Chicago was a significant one, as Founder Liam Campbell explains, “This is a city I lived in as a child, and I didn’t feel ready to face some of the bad memories of that time. But when it came time to plan the sixtieth issue, which really felt like a landmark number, I knew I had to do something special. It was time to face my fears and let the men I met tell the city’s story.”

For each individual featured, there are two photos which capture their public and private self: one of them in the streets of Chicago, the other showing them partially clothed in their home. Furthermore, the magazine also gives a view into the everyday scenery of the city.

Campbell provides some insight into the diverse stories readers can expect from the edition. He shares, “Reading Mark M’s account of finally finding community here, or Noe’s story of resilience in the face of attacks on the Latinx community, reminded me that a city isn’t defined by one person’s memories.”

Alongside the 60th, there are two connected publications that are now available.

The first is a companion piece called Ekstra Chicago that reveals the behind-the-scenes creative process and some outtake photography. The second, Ekstra Dylan, is a limited-edition print-zine which focuses on one of the men featured in the edition, delving into an analogue film shoot he participated in, and his experience with confronting prejudice.

Elska Chicago, as well as the companion projects, can be purchased on the Elska website.