The 1970s were a tumultuous yet transformative decade for the LGBTQ community, particularly in Florida, where the climate was shaped by both activism and adversity. In this setting, Alive! magazine emerged as a groundbreaking publication in 1977, offering a unique voice for Miami’s gay community and beyond.
The brainchild of Club Baths owner, Jack Campbell, Alive! started as an audacious venture born out of the ‘Christian art house movement and originally conceived as a platform to merge art and culture, it quickly became much more — a space where gay life and issues could take center stage unapologetically. Publications of the era, like In Touch, and Mandate, inspired Alive! while giving it room to carve out its niche in the burgeoning LGBT media landscape.
Bryan Harms, one of the later owners, recalled with me when he was passing through West Palm Beach several years ago the journey vividly. “It started with Jack’s vision, but about a year in, Christian Lange [Harm’s partner and activist at the time] and I took over. We wanted to expand its reach, and I think we succeeded,” Harms explained.
In a 1979 editorial, co-owner Christian Lange described it “Every now and then someone who takes issue with something that appears in Alive! will ask me, "how can you allow this writer to say…?” Fortunately for you, the reader, Alive! is not the product of one person's opinions and beliefs. About 20 of us work monthly to publish a magazine that airs the uncensored views of each writer. Every editor enjoys the freedom of knowing that if this publisher believes black he may write white (without losing his job with us). ‘So what's so great about that?’ Ethical journalism as opposed to an ad fag rag, that's what! If you want a legitimate gay press (just like the real magazines) you will have to accept that what you read may not be the sugar-coated, milk and toast, non-interesting mish-mash which you've come to expect from gay publications until recent years.”
Under their leadership, the magazine, which had a small studio at 7000 SW 62nd Ave in Miami, flourished, gaining recognition not just in Miami but also in places like Key West. Its name, Alive!, symbolized vibrancy and resilience — something that resonated deeply with its audience. A couple of far out-of-town features such as Provincetown, Puerto Rico and Guatemala were also highlighted.
Alive! didn’t stay confined to Miami. Harms and his team traveled extensively across the state, visiting cities like Jacksonville, Tampa, and Daytona Beach to document and celebrate Florida’s diverse gay communities and what there was to see and do of rate LGBTQ community. These explorations brought visibility to pockets of queer life that often felt isolated and disconnected. “It wasn’t just about Miami,” Harms said. “We wanted to show that there was a thriving gay culture throughout Florida.”
These journeys also informed travel pieces that highlighted LGBTQ-friendly spaces, nightlife, and safe havens for readers across the state.
Alive! sought to appeal to a diverse but discerning audience. “Our goal,” Harms shared, “was for it to be the kind of magazine a gay man could leave on his coffee table without feeling embarrassed.” This ethos of blending sophistication with accessibility shaped both the content and the design.
The magazine’s content reflected the multifaceted lives of its readers, tackling both lighthearted and deeply serious issues. Articles on tattoos, erotic massages, and bodybuilding offered light, entertaining fare, while darker topics such as suicide and mental health provided vital resources to a community in need.
One of its most impactful articles tackled the subject of gays in the military, a topic rarely explored at the time. Written by Jesse Monteagudo, the article featured an interview with Jay Johnston, a non-commissioned officer in the armed forces. Johnston shared detailed and eye-opening accounts of the prevalence of homosexuality within the U.S. Navy — whether or not servicemen identified as gay. His candid insights challenged stereotypes and shed light on the complex dynamics of military life.
The magazine frequently addressed pressing social and political issues, including Anita Bryant’s infamous “Save Our Children” campaign. In fact its very first issued mocked Anita on its cover. “It was surreal being in the middle of it,” Harms admitted. The magazine urged readers to fight back, publishing articles on boycotts and the financial clout of the gay community. Companies like local department stores Burdines, Jordan Marsh, Coca-Cola, and, most infamously, Florida Orange Juice, were targeted to send a message that the community’s dollars mattered.
One of Alive!’s most memorable features came in July 1977, when it published an intimate interview with G. Michael McKay, a DJ on Love 94 FM who had made headlines by coming out as gay on WTVJ during an interview on June 2 of that year. McKay’s decision to publicly declare his sexuality was groundbreaking, particularly for a mainstream media personality in Miami at the time.
His coming out had been initially detailed in The Miami News, but his interview with Alive! offered a far deeper glimpse into his life, motivations, and thoughts on the support he received. McKay praised WTVJ (then on Channel 4) and The Miami News for the thoughtful way they publicized his story, saying their coverage had been overwhelmingly positive and respectful. McKay’s public declaration made him an unintentional leader in Miami’s gay rights movement. His charm and eloquence, honed over years behind a microphone, became powerful tools for advocacy. He spoke at rallies, debated opponents, and lent his voice to a cause that was deeply personal.
Another striking aspect of Alive! was its inclusion of tasteful nude photo spreads, a hallmark of many gay publications of the era, particularly those in Florida. “It was common in magazines like David back then,” Harms recalled. “Our goal wasn’t just to titillate — it was about celebrating beauty and confidence. Finding models was a mix of networking and word of mouth, and the photos were always done with respect and artistry.”
Many of the striking visuals were personally photographed by Bryan Harms himself. These sessions often took place in his own home or in the residences of friends scattered throughout Miami-Dade County. “We worked with what we had,” Harms said. “There was something intimate and authentic about shooting in familiar spaces. It wasn’t about creating artificial settings but showcasing real people in real environments.”
Brian McNaught also had column where he provided commentary titled “Disturbed Peace.”
This visual storytelling aligned with Alive!’s broader mission: to promote self-confidence and normalize conversations about gay identity and expression.
One of the most cherished features of Alive! was its advice column, Sage at Large. Written anonymously by Bryan Harms himself, the column became a touchstone for readers across Florida. Letters poured in, covering a wide range of topics, from navigating relationship challenges to caring for aging parents to creative holiday gift ideas as well as what to read. “It was a way to connect directly with our readers,” Harms said. “It showed that our community wasn’t just looking for entertainment — they wanted guidance and connection.”
On the magazine’s third anniversary in June 1980, Miami artist Martin Kreloff created a custom illustrated version of the two owners, Bryan Harms and Christian Lange, in his signature bold and vibrant style. This portrait graced the cover of the June issue, becoming one of Alive!’s most iconic covers. The original artwork is now owned by Christian Lange.
Alive! ceased publication in 1980 just before the onset of the AIDS epidemic, which would forever change the landscape of LGBT media and activism. Yet its brief run remains significant. “It captured a moment in time,” Harms said. “It was bold, creative, and unafraid to speak to its audience in a way few others were.”
Today, Alive! is remembered not just as a magazine but as a cultural artifact — a testament to the resilience and creativity of Florida’s LGBTQ community during a pivotal era just before the onset of the AIDS crisis. Its legacy lives on, not only in the stories it told but also in the communities it helped connect across the Sunshine State. An eye into LGBT life in the disco era.
For those interested, the Stonewall Library & Archives in Fort Lauderdale does have a complete run of the magazine that you can browse for your own enjoyment.
