This issue reports on the case of the NYPD cops who had been making their own pornographic film – unbeknown to their superiors – in a vain attempt to infiltrate the mob operating in Times Square. You can read more about the story in on The Rialto Report. Live sex impresario (and future partner of Wendy O’Williams) Rod Swenson was profiled, with photographs of his ‘Sex Fantasy Theater’ which was playing at New York’s Show World Center. It was described as “the best of old-world burlesque – theatrical, well-executed, and naked – and the coarsest of our mental images.” Swenson also provided photographs for another feature , a nude profile of model Tammy Ward. The pictures show crowds of happy revelers – at odds with the fate of Drost who was later charged with procuring a minor by false inducement for lewd acts, exhibiting pornography to a minor, false imprisonment, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, immoral conduct in the presence of a minor, procurement by fraudulent inducement for prostitution, pandering and two counts of child endangerment.

These magazines are targeted at gay and bisexual men, although they may also have some female readers, and may include male-male and occasionally male-male-female content and/or male-female content. Such publications include photographs or other illustrations of nudity and sexual activities, including oral sex, anal sex, and other forms of sexual activity. These magazines primarily serve to stimulate sexual thoughts and emotions. Some magazines are very general in their variety of illustrations, while others may be more specific and focus on particular activities or fetishes.Cheri interviewed Liz Renay on the set of John Waters’ film ‘Desperate Living’ (1977) (“I’m not a lesbian,” she murmured reflectively, “but then, I’m not a murderess either.”) Regular reporter Annie Sprinkle weighs in with an interview and photos about the joys of fisting. Fanne Foxe was given a month off from her travels and allowed to recreate scenes from U.S. cities in the comfort of a New York photo studio. The issue is also notable for the fact that it listed a new publisher – Andrea Ambers, the 21 year old who had been introduced as Managing Editor in January. (The erstwhile head honcho, Peter Wolff, was now merely listed on the masthead as ‘Editor.’ Also promoted was a new figure on the scene, Carmine Bellucci – a.k.a. C.B. Lucci – a 30 year old well-dressed charmer who was still learning the ropes, but who would play an out-sized role in the magazine’s future.) Fanne Foxe’s monthly trip was to New Orleans, and as usual she headed there with Andrea Ambers, C.B. Lucci, and photographer Peter Hurd to report from the various sex clubs and brothels on Bourbon Street.

Wolff obtained nude pictures of Elizabeth Ray, taken before the scandal broke, and published them under the heading, “Meet The Beaver That Blew Washington’s Cool.”Drum (U.S., 1964–1967), December 1965 issue was the first U.S. magazine to show male frontal nudity My next update is an "On Set" article from Club International 2001/05 (May) covering the making of the movie "100% Silvia": Cheri’s first issue of 1977 continued the magazine’s unique vision created by chief editor Peter Wolff. Wolff differed from porn publisher magnates like Hugh Hefner and Bob Guccione in that he had little time for the fantasy world of beautiful people. He was fascinated by the sexual interests of common men – and their wives. He wanted to democratize content and involve his readers directly in the magazines he produced. The first issue of Cheri came out in August 1976 – with a typically over-the-top announcement by Peter Wolff that mirrored a similarly hyperbolic introduction he had written when he launched High Society just three months earlier: Keaton Reynolds wakes up, in wolf form, and finds himself with a mate. He's instantly attracted, but not so thrilled to find out the man is straight. Having been in a relationship once before where his partner professed to be "Not gay" left a bad taste in his mouth. Keaton wants to make a break for it and pretend he never set eyes on Chay—but Chay is not ready to let him go.

Various journalistic reports raise the tone of the issue, including a detailed account of the various perversities on offer at Times Square peepshows (“Porn’s Farthest-Out Frontier – Whatever movies, magazines, or stage shows are doing, the peep parlors are always a year ahead. This year it is animals, kids, blood, and bisexuality.”) It is strange and sobering to think of these topics being considered (im)moral equivalents today.Also included is a report from one of the social highlights of the year, the Midwest Sexual Lifestyles Convention. One of the biggest differences between the early days of Cheri compared to it’s local competitor, High Society, was the stability of the editorial team. Whereas Carl Ruderman, publisher of High Society, seemingly hired and fired his senior team on a monthly basis, Peter Wolff wanted continuity. He surrounded himself by friends, who worked hard, and partied hard – and they helped him make his unique vision for a magazine a reality. As if Mary Mendum isn’t enough, the inside cover displays Jeanne Silver who is also interviewed and featured in a pictorial and centerfold. She describes running away from her native Arizona, and hooking on the streets of New York. She is also in a Cheri subscription advertisement.

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The Birth of Cheri magazine: 1976

This month’s porn star interview featured Marlene Willoughby, and was accompanied by a series of photos of Marlene dressed up as a maid, a dominatrix, and Fidel Castro (seriously…). She described appearing in the off Broadway play, Che, having sex with John Holmes, and her relationships with men. Another article is by guest-writer Rod Swenson who describes his Show World sex show extravaganza featuring Monica Kennedy (“the most incredible burlesque act in America.”) Chayton Winston is a veterinarian. He is also a werewolf. Much to his Native American parents chagrin, he has always dreamed of a fair-haired, Caucasian mate. However, he never imagined his mate would be male. As a heterosexual man, he's not quite sure what to do with a male mate, but more than willing to find out. In the first few months, the photo spreads were often generic picture sets acquired from agencies, but photographer Peter Hurd contributed a pictorial of Annie Sprinkle accompanied by an interview of the adult film star conducted by Wolff.