The acclaimed writer and publisher is thought to have died from a heart attack.
Born in London's Hackney in 1945, he began to write for gay travel guide Spartacus in the late 1960s while running a separate magazine from a guesthouse in Brighton.
In 1973, he began writing for the broadsheet title Gay News and, by 1976, he was acting as PA to the editor Denis Lemon and serving as the paper's literary editor.
The jury found in Whitehouse's favour; Lemon was fined and received a suspended prison sentence. Lemon later dubbed Peter the "Godfather of Gay Journalism", a term its recipient ultimately found flattering.
When Gay News closed in 1983, Peter became the literary and features editor of Gay Times, a position he held until 2003.
He was also the last publisher of the merged Millivres Books imprint, where he went out of his way to champion emerging and underrated voices. Peter wrote or contributed to some 30 books in total, including six anthologies, three of which were nominated for Lambda literary awards.
Chris Graham-Bell, Chief Executive of Millivres Prowler Group – owners of GT, DIVA and the Prowler stores – expressed his sympathy at the news of Burton's death. He told PinkPaper.com: "I am very sad to hear the news of the death of my old colleague Peter Burton. A delightful man and much loved person, who will be greatly missed.
"I knew Peter during his time with Gay News in the late 1970s and then he came to join Millivres Limited in 1984 where he eventually became one of the first Editors of Gay Times.
"I knew Peter during his time with Gay News in the late 1970s and then he came to join Millivres Limited in 1984 where he eventually became one of the first Editors of Gay Times.
"We were talking warmly of Peter at the GT400 party on Monday night and his contribution to the magazine over many years – I hope he could sense our thoughts.
He will be long remembered."
He will be long remembered."
Peter is survived by his sister Pamela. His partner Ian predeceased him.
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