I first witnessed a transgender character misgendered by her own author in “The Man Who Thought Himself a Woman,” a short story published anonymously in 1857. The text was assigned for a queer short stories course at UCLA, and while I wasn’t surprised that a transgender character was misgendered by a writer in 1857, I was surprised that a professor of queer studies in 2023 would as well.
Meet the New LGBTQ+ Center Director!
After one week as director, Vanessa González-Siegel sat down with OutWrite so we could get to know more about her personal life, what brought her to Los Angeles, and what she hopes to accomplish in her new role.
Stronger Together: The Importance of Community Post-2024 Election
With the results of the 2024 election casting the future of queer rights and safety into further uncertainty and turmoil, it is completely natural to feel afraid. It is important that we allow ourselves time to process and grieve. However, one thing remains clear: now, more than ever, community will be essential in the fight for our rights.
My Own Modern Prometheus
Late one Friday night, long after my mother had tucked me into bed, my eldest brother Ricky came home. Hoping he would not wake me, he quietly crept into the living room and turned on the TV. With the volume low, he perused the channels, finally settling upon a black-and-white movie. Unbeknownst to him, I peeked out from beneath the covers and was introduced to the 1931 horror classic “Frankenstein.”
Michael Drake’s Mask Ban Endangers More Than Just Protesters
Neither Drake’s statement nor UCLA’s policy mention the marginalized students harmed by the decree against masks, or the harms historically perpetrated by disproportionate police violence against these communities.
Writing Helped Me Find My Queerness — Here’s How It Can Help You Find Yours: UCLA’s Queer Creative Writing Space
Whatever creative practice(s) you choose to incorporate into your life, I hope you find safety, joy, and queer liberation in them. That’s where queer liberation and liberation of the world lies — the stories we tell and the art we create.
Cringe Compilation #42: The Psychology of Cringe Culture
If you’re queer, someone else in the world cringes at your identity in the same way you do at furries; you could just as easily end up on “LGBTQ+ Cringe Compilation #32” as soon as someone decides your identity is cringeworthy, so why wait? Pick up that hobby you thought was embarrassing, and show it to your friends.
The Hard Choice
Being my authentic self was never the hard choice; it never was a choice at all. It was just me.
Pride Admit Weekend: What It Is and What It Gives
From informative presentations to a self-defense workshop to a Drag King performance, this year’s annual Pride Admit Weekend (PAW) left its impact on new admits!
