History of Gay and Lesbian Life in Wisconsin - Media - Print

 
RAGG magazine

First Issue:
Last Issue:

  May 27, 1983
unknown
Target:

News (male and female)

Based in:

Milwaukee, Wis.

Format:

5.5"w x 8.5"h, "bar rag" magazine

Frequency:

Every 7 days/ once a week

 
       
 

Cover Galleries:
        Volumes 1 thru 2 (May 1983-??)

RAGG magazine was one of several "bar rag" format news-magazines issued during the late 1970's and early 1980's; the group also included Milwaukee Calendar, Gay Milwaukee, and In Step Magazine. All of these format magazines were black & white newsprint quality publications. They typically included a calendar of events and bar specials; a listings of bars and organizations; coverage and a few photos of special shows or sporting events; and might include some brief news articles or original stories. Distributed free (mostly picked up by patrons of bars and other LGBT businesses- thus the generic term "bar rags"), they were paid for by advertising (mostly from bars and LGBT supporting businesses).

Very little is known about any of these publications, and with the exception of In Step (which managed to exist for almost 20 years), all are extremely rare- no known libraries have copies, and single issues surface rarely in individual collections. Anyone who has any issue of any of these publications is encouraged to please contact the Webmaster so we can scan and return it to you.

    Disclaimer-- Any publications reproduced here are shown without release because we have been unable to locate the copyright holder, if any. Their reproduction is intended to document and honor those who made such early contributions to the community and with full desire to include proper credit, if known. We will remove any reproduction immediately upon notification of or from any valid copyright holder.

 


First issue, Volume 1- Number 1, May 25, 1983


Volume 1- Number 19, September 30, 1983

Credits: Web site concept, contents, design and arrangement by Don Schwamb;
Editions courtesy of the Jerry Johnson Collection,
held by UWM Special Collections Department.
Last updated: February-2023.

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