Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Meet Ben Melzer: The First Trans Man to Cover a European Fitness Mag

He will be gracing the cover of a special Collector's Edition of Men's Health Germany.

melzer
Photo via Instagram
James McDonald
James McDonald Feb 11, 2016
James McDonald
See Full Bio

Trans fitness model Ben Melzer will make history next month, when his Men's Health Germany cover hits stands. It will mark the first time that a European fitness magazine features a trans man on its cover--in this case, for the special Collector's Edition.

Like OUT100 honoree Aydian Dowling, Melzer entered the magazine's cover model contest. While Dowling was a runner-up--itself a massive achievement and an incredible moment for trans visibility in the United States--Melzer won. Of the experience, he says, "If there is one person out there I can help, I will succeed."

Watch him talk a bit about his journey below:

Trans Model Graces Cover Of 'Men's Health'

Meet the transgender fitness model who's about to be a Men's Health cover star

Posted by NowThis on Friday, 5 February 2016

FROM OUR SPONSORS

The Latest

Kennedy Center
Opinion

Straight Nonsense: The Trump-Kennedy Center would make sense—if I were a nitwit

Opinion: President Trump forces himself on top of someone who didn't consent — again.

Justin Bieber arrives at the Premiere Of YouTube Originals' "Justin Bieber: Seasons"
Celebrities

Justin Bieber hits the studio in sexy shirtless selfie & fans are cheering

The pop prince is giving the ultimate tease in his latest post.

Carol and Zosia in 'Pluribus.'​
Entertainment

This steamy kiss in 'Pluribus' has lesbians melting down

The sexual chemistry in this sapphic kiss is out of this world.

Mya Taylor and Kitana Kiki Rodriguez star in 'Tangerine' | Kristen Stewart and Mackenzie Davis star in 'Happiest Season'
Film

Naughty List: 9 messy queer Christmas movies

These hoilday movies put the "ho ho ho" in the holidays!

More For You

Why Halloween is a vital day in gay history

Upstairs Lounge Fire New Orleans

The UpStairs Lounge in New Orleans, known for its deadly blaze, first opened its doors on Halloween 55 years ago.

Bettmann Archive/Getty Images
Halloween is the one time of year when everyone and anyone can dress up like, well, everyone and anyone with nearly no recourse (costume depending). Historically speaking, when homosexuality and cross-dressing was still very not-legal, Halloween gave the queens and queers alike permission to dress to express – corseted, contoured, and blended in with everybody else. And that has never changed. Keep Reading →

This Russian gay couple deserves U.S. refuge, not persecution

Filipp Danil

Filipp and Danil, a married gay couple, were split apart while seeking asylum in the U.S.

Courtesy
Filipp and Danil fled Russia together, hand in hand. They escaped the same police who raided queer gatherings, the same mobs who outed and hunted gay men for sport. They thought America would mean safety — the kind of safety you build a future around. Instead, the United States split them apart. Keep Reading →

Why I created National PrEP Day

Tristan Schukraft National PrEP Day

Tristan Schukraft pens an oped for National PrEP Day.

Courtesy
October 10 marks the first National PrEP Day, a holiday I created to celebrate something simple and powerful: Prevention works when people can access it. We have the science, the medicine, and the technology to end all new HIV transmissions in the United States. Keep Reading →

​The 'dark days' return: Over 200 arrested at NYC gay cruising site

A bathroom stall door is broken
Over 200 arrested at NYC gay cruising site
NavigatorIX/Shutterstock
A gay elected official is sounding the alarm that a string of arrests at a New York City cruising site revives "the dark days" of queer entrapment. Keep Reading →

Go Ask Alex: I hate hot gay men. No one notices me! What do I do?

Hot guy

A reader seeks out advice for overcoming jealousy of hot gay men.

Shutterstock / Krakenimages.com
I'm gay, and recently I've started to feel very resentful or hateful towards other guys, the better-looking ones. I'm a bear in the community, probably not very attractive. They seem to have such an easy time getting dates or sex. My choices are slim unless I go to the city (I live in a small town). Even then, I don't get much notice. Keep Reading →

Straight Nonsense: Quit Charlie Kirk doomscrolling and log off for your own sanity

Straight Nonsense: Everyone needs to take some court-ordered time away from social media

Charlie Kirk

Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
In the column Straight Nonsense, columnist Moises Mendez II takes a queer eye to the insanity of straight culture. Keep Reading →

Malcolm Gladwell turns on trans athletes, says he was 'cowed' into support

Malcolm Gladwell appears on the Real Science Sports Podcast

Malcolm Gladwell seemed to reverse course of trans participation in sports during a Tuesday appearance on 'The Real Science of Sports' podcast.

YouTube / The Real Science of Sports
Malcolm Gladwell now says "trans women have no place" competing in women's sports — an apparent reversal from his previous support of their inclusion. Keep Reading →

Forget the 'stunts'—what happened to Lil Nas X is terrifying

Lil Nas X 36th Annual GLAAD Media Awards 2025
Forget the 'stunts'—what happened to Lil Nas X is terrifying
Amy Sussman/WireImage
On Thursday, TMZ released a video it had obtained of Grammy-winning pop star Lil Nas X, real name Montero Hill, walking down a Los Angeles street in the early morning wearing nothing but cowboy boots and underwear. Keep Reading →

Anger at male cheerleaders reveals what conservatives really think about women

Blaize Sheik and Louie Conn of the Minnesota Vikings

Blaize Shiek and Louie Conn are male cheerleaders with the Minnesota Vikings — and a source of right-wing ire.

footage stills via instagram @blaize_shiek
Conservatives are once again triggered by something completely normal that has existed for years. This week's target: male cheerleaders. Keep Reading →

Go Ask Alex: My partner lost his sex drive after we committed. Now what?

gay men bed romantic impasse

A couple that lost its libido after committing seeks help.

Shutterstock / Roman Chazov
You mentioned in a recent article that you have struggled with a lack of sex drive when you love someone (and mentioned avoidant attachment styles). Keep Reading →

Law Roach isn't being mean enough on 'Project Runway'

Law Roach Project Runway Judge

Project Runway Judge Law Roach

Freeform/Disney
Law Roach is a breath of fresh air on television. From Legendary to RuPaul's Drag Race, he brings helpful feedback and sartorial experience to every program on which he serves as a judge. However, it appears that not everyone is appreciative of his critical eye. Keep Reading →

Go Ask Alex: I'm pansexual and autistic. How do I date and have great sex?

thinking man wine dinner table

A pansexual and autistic man seeks out love advice.

Shutterstock / Sanja_85
Hi, I am William, and I wanted to email you for advice and help on being a pansexual male. I am 28 years old, and I read your website from time to time, and I have had good and bad experiences with guys, and the fact that I have autism. If you have any tips or advice for me, that would be helpful and useful. If so, thank you so much. Keep Reading →

Pete Buttigieg's betrayal of trans people will cost the Democratic Party

Pete Buttigieg and CNN moderator Anderson Cooper on stage while protester unveils Transgender flag says We Are Dying at Human Rights Campaign 2019 presidential town hall

Pete Buttigieg (L) and CNN moderator Anderson Cooper on stage while a protester unveils a transgender pride flag that says 'We Are Dying' at the Human Rights Campaign presidential town hall, October 2019

Mario Tama/Getty Images
Former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg is one of the Democratic Party's leading potential candidates for a presidential run in 2028. Sadly, like other Democrats, it seems like one of his first moves to try to appeal to a broader voting base is to abandon trans people. Keep Reading →

Go Ask Alex: I'm 36, disabled, and ignored on gay apps. How do I find guys?

​Sad man white skin hair studio dressed t-shirt isolated white background

An Aussie asks how to find love as a disabled man after gay app rejection.

Shutterstock @andreonegin
Hi Alexander! Keep Reading →

Go Ask Alex: Is my online dom/sub relationship healthy?

Man in a suit

Alexander Cheves has relationship advice for a reader.

alexkoral/Shutterstock
Hey Mr! I hope you are doing well (if those thick thighs are a reflection of how well you are doing, you are doing well indeed). You’re one of the only sensible voices in kink I know. Keep Reading →

Go Ask Alex: I'm older & heavy. Will a muscular escort still be into me?

heavy brown dog in front of door

A reader asks Out's sex columnist for advice on sex work and attraction

Shutterstock / Nach-Noth
Dear Alexander, Keep Reading →

No, Trump is not 'Daddy': a queer explainer

donald trump crying out and hugging flag CPAC 2020 alongside sexy silver bearded shirtless man on the beach

Donald Trump crying out and hugging the flag at CPAC 2020 alongside a sexy, bearded shirtless man on the beach.

Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images; Shutterstock Creative
Words have meaning. That's a phrase conservatives love to throw around when talking about sex and gender. So why, when it comes to stealing gay terms, do conservatives toss the real meaning out the window? Keep Reading →

Go Ask Alex: Straight guy here—how do I prep for pegging?

Straight man anxious pegging banana

How does a straight guy prepare for pegging?

Shutterstock / ShotPrime Studio
OK, so my best friend wants to peg me. Now, at first, it was all a joke, but now I’m actually down for her being my dom. I just want to know how to get ready for it mentally and physically. Keep Reading →
@2025 PUBLISHING INC
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED