The rise of Donald Trump has inspired the writers and editors of Teen Vogue to elevate their publication beyond the usual realm of fashion tips and teen heartthrobs, treating their readers like the thoughtful, engaged, capable young citizens that they are. And, naturally, the Christian right has a problem with that. So Focus on the Family, the Colorado-based evangelical organization that opposes anti-bullying programs for fear they might “promote homosexuality,” is re-launching its own magazine for teenage girls free of such corrupting worldly influences as political coverage and acknowledging the fact that teenagers are overflowing with hormones.
That magazine is called Brio, and it originally ran from 1990 to 2009, sort of like Sassy in a shapeless ankle-length denim skirt. The magazine covered topics like makeup, clothes, and manicures—you know, appropriate pastimes for a young girl hoping to attract a husband to whom she would eternally submit as a helpmeet in Christ—as well as music, movies, and other pop culture, albeit with an eye on warning readers when a particular artist or show might be inappropriate for their literal virgin ears. (Boyz II Men’s “I’ll Make Love To You” was reportedly on the no-no list.) The magazine also offered abstinence-and-shame-based versions of the sex and dating advice columns featured in secular magazines, along with articles like “Judgement Day: Are You Ready?” and “8 Tips For Praying With Your Friends.”
The newly re-launched Brio features Sadie Robertson, granddaughter of Duck Dynasty patriarch and proud homophobe Phil Robertson, on its cover, and comes out next month. Of the magazine, Focus on the Family content development VP Bob DeMoss (because of course a man is in charge of all this nonsense) says the magazine will present a “biblical” worldview in regards to abortion, premarital sex, and LGBT people, and specifically cites Teen Vogue as ”a magazine that has lost its way“ and needs to be saved by the power of Christ and long sleeved turtlenecks.