Cam and Andre kissing from Netflix's Freeridge
TV
Queer Identity and The Importance of Apologies in Netflix’s “Freeridge”

Netflix released the show “On My Block” nearly 5 years ago. The show follows an all-POC friend group (including characters of Black, Latinx, and Asian ethnicities) as they navigate high school, relationships, struggles at home, and a treasure hunt. While it had its fair share of cringy moments, the show was funny and interesting enough for me to watch the first three seasons, so when Netflix released a spin-off that included queer representation, I knew I had to watch it.

illustration of a lesbian holding a perfect lesbian trophy on top of a podium
Poetry
Straight Women Rules: A Guide to Being the Perfect Lesbian®

There’s a lot of wondering and a lot of waiting. I understand what you might be feeling. I know that you’re biting your tongue, and always waiting till you make them uncomfortable.

illustration of the outside of a church at night
Opinion
The Right To Discriminate?: Religious Exemption from Title IX Compliance

Illustrated by Paheli (She/Her) Content warning: homophobia, transphobia, religious language, mentions of depression and suicide Title IX protects against sex-based discrimination. Beginning with Bostock v. Clayton County, the Supreme Court ruled that Title IX’s protection extends to transgender and gay…

narrative photography depicting Jericho, an Asian person, emerging in a gold, radiant form from a dull, purple lotus flower
Community
The Feminine Man: Homophobia, Femininity, And The Cisheteropatriarchy

I experienced homophobia within my first two weeks at UCLA — a surprise considering Chancellor Gene Block deemed UCLA no place for discrimination in his new undergraduate student welcome speech.

simple illustration of a bully going to punch a queer person while thinking of kissing him
Opinion
Who’s To Blame?

Illustrated by Kelly Doherty (She/Her) Straight people can be homophobic. While this may not appear controversial at first glance, vetting media representation of homophobia illuminates the salience and necessity of this assertion. By perpetuating the trope that homophobic individuals are…

simple illustration of a young feminine figure having their chin held by a masculine older figure, their dark silhouettes behind them.
Community
Growing Together

My dad was, at best, very uncomfortable with queerness before I came out to him. For him, this discomfort stemmed from two prominent aspects of Latino culture:  Christianity and machismo. Today, 77% of Latinos in the United States identify as Christian, and traditionally, Christianity has rejected queer people (with some exceptions of more progressive Christian denominations; however, these branches are not predominant in Latino culture).

digital painting of two pairs of young children. one shows a boy and girl kissing while the other are two shy girls holding hands in secret
Opinion
There is Not Only Sex in Homosexuality

Illustrated by Cole Lopez (They/Them) I am going to start this piece with a declaration of what it is not: it is not a cry against sexuality and sex. The fight for equality in the queer community includes the fight…

Opinion
Violence in the Shadows of the Binary

Illustrated by Christopher Ikonomou (Xe/He) This article was originally published in our Winter 2022 Volume 2 print issue “Wanting: A Queer Beauty & Burden.“ **Content Warning: harrassment, violence, queerphobia** “Honestly, I just saw something in you that made me insecure…

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…

comic panel showing a closed closet door with a thought bubble reading "I can't even say slurs anymore!". it's titled The Hidden Homophobe and illustrated in the style of Keith Haring
Archives
The Hidden Homophobe: An Analysis of Sleeping With The Homophobe (Fall 2000)

Graphic by Christopher Ikonomou (Xe/He) *This article is a modern analysis of the themes and content of “Sleeping With The Homophobe“ (Fall 2000), the tenth installment of our From The Archive series.* So, really, how gay is California? Jordan, the author…

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