Playboy just named its first openly gay editor-in-chief. He wants to change the brand's pornographic reputation amid a 'sex recession'

"Queer rights don't exist without women's rights. These things are connected, and Playboy has always been very engaged with that. What does it mean for a queer man to take the helm of a stereotypically straight institution? It's not as antithetical as it first sounds, considering how far Playboy has come from its primarily pornographic roots."

"Per its website, the brand's mission is to create a culture where all people can pursue pleasure via core values of equality, freedom of expression and the idea that pleasure is a fundamental human right. Picardi is a media veteran with more than a decade of experience shaping the magazine industry."

Playboy magazine has undergone a substantial editorial transformation under new leadership. Since November, the brand relaunched its print edition after a 2020 hiatus, launched a Substack newsletter combining archival and original content, and introduced new Playmates. Phillip Picardi, appointed chief brand officer and editor-in-chief in March, becomes the first openly gay man to lead the brand. Picardi brings extensive media experience, having doubled Teen Vogue's online viewership, founded Condé Nast's queer-focused outlet them, and served as editor-in-chief of Out Magazine. Playboy's mission now emphasizes creating a culture where all people can pursue pleasure through core values of equality, freedom of expression, and the recognition that pleasure is a fundamental human right.

Read at Fast Company