Stories

Proof-Reading Love

By : Grace Hasson January 23, 2021 No Comment

“Why are there always so many spelling mistakes in those long quotes about love?” she asks, her nose scrunching up. “I guess it’s hard to type when you’re in love,” I say, and look up from my book into her dark eyes. I want to add that it’s hard to breathe when you’re in love. And hard to walk in a straight line and hard to have just one drink when you’re alone and in love. Because every time I’ve been in love I’ve been alone. “But proof-reading is really important,” she says, squirming in the mint green armchair by the window. “Maybe it’s better not to proof-read love,” I say, and she rolls her eyes. “You poets always say stuff like that.” She’s right. But what matters more is

Validation

By : Vanessa Tran January 18, 2021 No Comment

I feel like a common problem for our community is that many people invalidate our sexuality. When coming out to someone, it’s a natural response for them to ask me if I’ve ever dated a woman. “Have you ever dated a girl?” is an annoying reaction when I tell someone I’m pansexual because that’s not what pansexuality is. Although I understand many people don’t understand what pansexuality is, I’m also confused as to why they don’t just ask, rather than jumping to the conclusion that I also date women aside from men. After I have put some thought into this, it made me notice how many people want to hear someone’s dating history in order to validate that their sexuality. It’s completely unnecessary and invasive to be forced to tell

Gender-Affirming Clothing

By : C. W. B. January 16, 2021 No Comment

If you identify as non-binary or transgender and you are seeking to update your wardrobe, where do you shop? There are a variety of places to buy gender-affirming clothing online. Gender-fluid fashion is becoming increasingly popular, and there are many apparel companies to choose from. Several clothing businesses now cater directly to transgender, non-binary, and gender-fluid individuals. Here are a few great companies where you can buy gender-affirming clothing. Rebirth Garments If you are a fan of color, you will want to check out Rebirth Garments! The company designs and produces gender non-conforming clothes for non-binary, trans, and disabled queers. One notable product of 2020 is their clear mask, designed to improve communication for Deaf and Hard of Hearing folx during the pandemic. The items are designed by a nonbinary,

LGBTQ Books of 2020

By : C. W. B. January 16, 2021 No Comment

Like many others, you have probably spent a substantial amount of time indoors this year. The avid reader may have gotten their hands on a few great novels. Are you looking for some inspiration for what to read next? Find below a list of ten LGBTQ books that were released in 2020. Tomboyland by Melissa Faliveno Tomboyland is Melissa Faliveno’s debut essay collection. It features stories about her hometown of southwestern Wisconsin, and it also explores her sexual orientation and gender identity. In her novel she writes about grappling with gender identity and her gender expression growing up in the Midwest. A World Between by Emily Hashimoto Hashimoto’s debut novel, A World Between, explores the relationship of a queer biracial Asian Jewish college student with one of her classmates. Spending

Airport Pick-Up

By : Emily Maker January 14, 2021 No Comment

I’m exhausted. Traveling for work can be fun, but really… it’s just long hours and shitty sleep. My return flight is landing and I can already smell my lady’s perfume. I miss her. My body misses her. The goal is to get off this plane and into her arms as quickly as possible. I keep this in mind when packing, so I always pack light, even for this two-week trip. I wrap up all the cords and miscellaneous stuff I tend to accumulate on trips. The seatbelt sign goes off and my ache for her grows just a bit. I stay seated and touch up my lipstick, and smooth my wild curls into some sort of shape while my fellow passengers jostle for position. They file past me, I collect

Autumn

By : Grace Hasson January 9, 2021 Comments Off

I met her when her hair was dyed red. She wore a long brown coat and a black scarf. She was autumn in a person, and yet I wondered why she chilled me to my bones. Her kiss was soft but burnt. She tasted like ashes and danced like a blooming phoenix. I still remember her firestorm on the dance floor, and yet I wondered why I still find sparks on the back of my tongue at night. She wouldn’t have known love even if it pleaded with her as much as I did. She told me she dreamed of escape. Escaping her mother. Escaping her boyfriend. Escaping the natural brown of her hair and escaping the way the season in her head wouldn’t change. And yet I wondered why

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