If a teen is comfortable showing skin and intimacy, and a parent signs the release (implying a solid family situation), there is nothing wrong with appearing in XY. XY was anything but skeevy since the photos, while erotic, were also not overly explicit. I was 19 when I fully recognized my true nature, but many or most gay people discover their identities in the mid teens or earlier. At that time an openly gay themed photo-centric magazine was not a common thing to see.
I discovered XY Magazine in the bookstores in the 90s. Donston, I strongly disagree with your first paragraph, but I agree with the remainder of your post.