Creative Writing

illustrated patchwork quilt with a different scene on each panel, including a sun tattoo, a map of california and texas, a pinky promise, a pitcher pouring out water, a paintbrush with red paint, and a skeleton with an exposed heart.
Poetry

patchwork

grow out the roots of your heart so that is becomes sturdy and resilient. keep yourself and those who you love inside, for it is your true home after all. deep orange background cover in illustrated luscious green leaves and roots being watered by a pink watering can
Art & Illustration

Roots

Art & Illustration

Henry and The Fox

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…

comic depicting two girls waiting by the phone for the other to call, the cords connected in a heart
Creative Writing
text me back!

Graphic by Steph Liu (She/Her) touch me like I’m not a friend. Don’t touch me on the shoulder; or Do, as long as you mean it like “i want you” and not like i told a joke and you’re just…

Creative Writing
Permission

Illustrated by Cole Lopez (They/Them) Called me by my name for the first time Today My name Given as a long-awaited gift Murmured under held breath A breath exhaled After decades of holding something sacred to a silent heart frightening…

Creative Writing
Resisting Norms, Redefining Identity

Illustrated by Steph Liu (She/Her) categories, categories, categories  boy or girlmale or femalegay or straight the world loves to categorize,put us in a boxabsolve us of who we arediminish our rainbow splattered paintinginto a blank, white canvas. rip out our individuality,…

Creative Writing
Holding On to Let Go

Photo by Zoë Collins (She/Her) She felt the presence approach her before she heard the sand shifting beside her head. “This isn’t like you.” She opened her eyes to a half squint. “What’s that supposed to mean?” she responded. “Come…

Welcome to OutWrite!

Established in 1979 at the University of California, Los Angeles, OutWrite Newsmagazine is the oldest queer college publication in the United States. OutWrite strives to build a growing educational platform through a multi-media approach that uplifts and empowers the often silenced voices of the incredibly diverse queer community. We aim to challenge dominant cisheteronormative narratives through an unapologetically anti-queerphobic, anti-racist, and progressive lens.