CHICAGO (MarketWatch) -- Ad revenue at gay and lesbian publications continues to grow faster than in the mainstream press -- expanding at almost three times the mainstream rate over the last decade -- according to a new report.

Total ad spending in gay- and lesbian-oriented publications hit a record $223.3 million last year, up 5.2% from 2005 and better than triple the 1996 figure, according to the Gay Press Report, an annual survey produced by ad agency Prime Access Inc. and gay media representative firm Rivendell Media.

Over the past 10 years, ad revenue for all consumer magazines grew at a compound annual rate of 4% versus an 11.8% pace for gay-targeted media.