This issue, the forty-ninth in the Elska canon, was made in Salt Lake City, Utah. International headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, it's a place with a reputation for conservatism and a history of anti-gay movements. This legacy was why we wanted to come here, to find out what queer life is like in the city that Mormonism built.

Inside the issue you'll meet a variety of ordinary local men from the city's LGBTQ community. They invite you to get to know them through a combination of intimate, honest photography and personal storytelling. As you will discover, religion plays a part in many gay histories, but there is life after the LDS Church. The stories the men chose to contribute for this issue reveal the role of Mormonism but so much more. Texts here include Scott S's story about following his therapist's advice to have more sex as a way to embrace his sexuality; Jay E's recount of the earliest signs of gayness, letting him know from a young age who he was and giving time to accept it; Tyson C's account of hooking up one night just to avoid ending a party, and then discovering love; Johnny H's text on how expert he is at showing someone a good time in his hometown; and Daniel R's tale of an incident in the woods involving bear spray and his grandma.

Photographically, Elska Salt Lake City is one of our most surprising and even scandalous issues. You'll see a lot of nudity, even of a rather frisky fashion, and you'll find a fair bit of blasphemy as well. None of this was our intention or expectation when we came to Utah, but the men we met here proved that whatever conservative values they grew up with, they are beyond ready to move beyond them. And we're so happy they used us to prove it!

‘Elska Salt Lake City’ features nine chapters, dedicated to the following local participants: Jay E, Jaydee B, Tyson C, Daniel R, Johnny H, Kaz I, Goldin F, Scott S, and John A.