Creative Writing

illustrated sour candy scattered across a white background

photo of a black haired woman standing under a rainbow umbrella as it rains

photo of a small brown and white speckled bird sitting in a tree

photo of a Brown nonbinary person with shoulder-length black hair, glasses, a yellow sweater over a white button down, a black face mask, and black pants. they stand in the UCLA botanical gardens on their phone with a flower tucked behind their ear.

Creative Writing

Fragile Dandelions

Photo by Zoë Collins This piece was originally published in our Winter 2022 Volume 2 print issue “Wanting: A Queer Beauty & Burden.“ I love you. The first time I said it, my hands shook, my heart beating as fast…

a digital illustration of Jackson, a white man with long, brown hair staring off to right wearing purple jacket with a flower pattern and white collar, a white scarf, and a white cowboy hat with an upside down pink triangle stitched in the middle. From left to right, the background fades from dark blue, light blue, purple, red, and dark purple

Creative Writing

Archaic

Illustrated by Christopher Ikonomou (Xe/He) This poem was originally published in our Winter 2022 Volume 1 zine “Queer Rage, Resistance, & Renaissance.“ assembled in the literal and reaching out to touchsuits and ties and evil eyes on years and years…

Creative Writing

To Be Ugly

Created by Christopher Ikonomou (Xe/He) This project was originally published in our Winter 2022 Volume 1 zine “Queer Rage, Resistance, & Renaissance.“ I will never be pretty. Most people’s view on “growing up ugly” consists of a nerdy brunette taking…

photo of a brown nonbinary person looking.off camera in front of green foliage. they. have glasses, shouldere length black hair, and. a blue and pink striped shirt and matching necklace

Creative Writing

I Don’t Get To Choose Who I Love: An Essay on Bisexuality

Photo by Zoë Colliins (she/her) I used to wonder if there was something wrong with me. I had an affinity for all genders but was often told that it was impossible because, eventually, I’d have to “choose” my future lover…

painterly digital artwork depicting a pair of amber eyes with subtle pink eye makeup. their skin is light and their eyebrows are dark brown.

Creative Writing

Aliveness

Artwork by Cole Lopez (They/Them) The morning my grandfather died I slept. An ocean away I dreamt that an angel leaned to kiss his cheek And I tried to push it away but instead I screamed My hands passing through…

illustration of a person with long hair and a black dress looking into a tri-fold mirror. one side of their reflection shows a woman with styled long hair, jewelry, and a strapless black dress. the other side shows a masculine figure with a baseball cap, sweatshirt, and jeans

Creative Writing

Dressing Room

Graphic by Kelly (She/Her) I’m in a department store trying on clothes and they all fit in the technical sense, not too tight and in colors that make my eyes pop and my mother tells me I look beautiful, so…

illustration of an old script lying on a wooden table with a cordless landline phone and a pencil. the cover reads "the american dream. written by those who came before us. based on a true story.

Creative Writing

sangre, stranger

Graphic by Christopher Ikonomou (Xe/He) Hola, mija. The tinny speakerphone rings through our shoebox apartment; I look up at the sound and see that a work week’s worth of tension has melted from my mother’s shoulders now that she’s heard…

black and white photo of handwritten letter lit by two candles

Creative Writing

a letter to my love

Photo by Zoë Collins (she/her) Accompanied by Seethers’ Careless Whisper – Listen Now i want to meet you in a different universe.i’m not sure if i’m ready to meet you in this one. i’m not sure if i will ever…

Creative Writing

If Walls Could Talk…

Photo by Zoë Collins (she/her) My hand drifted up against the wallFeeling each subtle groove and bumpInteract with my fingerprints,As if the wall was telling me a story,And I listened and told a story back. The wall said it knew…

Creative Writing

a queer friend in need

Graphic by Chrys Marr (She/They) sometimes you just need a queer friend in your life. a queer friend that is always by your side. someone that checks on you to see if you’re okay. someone that is always there to listen…