“Whatever is unnamed, undepicted in images, whatever is omitted from biography, censored in collections of letters, whatever is misnamed as something else, made difficult-to-come-by, whatever is buried in the memory by the collapse of meaning under an inadequate or lying language – this will become, not merely unspoken, but unspeakable.” Adrienne Rich

 

February is LGBT+ History Month and this year’s theme is activism and social change. Here in the library, we are exploring this through the medium of zines. 

Zine [pronounced zeen] is short for magazine. These small, self-published works hold a special place in queer history. Free from the gatekeeping and censorship present in traditional mainstream publishing, people can tell their own stories in their own words.

The Origins of Queer Zines

Because of the underground nature of both zines and queer life, it can be difficult to pinpoint the ‘first’ queer zines. Some highlight the political pamphlets of the 19th century which focused on trade unionism and women’s suffrage—movements in which queer activists were heavily involved. Others point to ‘Fire!!’ as the first modern queer zine, created in 1926 during the Harlem Renaissance by queer African-American writers and artists Langston Hughes, Richard Bruce Nugent, Countee Cullen and Wallace Thurman. 

‘Fire!!’ possibly the first modern queer zine, created in 1926 
(source: available at POC Zine Project - Issuu)

Queer Zines in the 1980s and 90s

Queer zine-making flourished in the 1980s and 90s during the AIDS epidemic and introduction of Section 28. With the government response to AIDS being deliberately slow and deficient, the queer community themselves had to act. Zines became a vital tool to share information and awareness about  the virus, how it spread, and how to protect against transmission. Zines also gave people a place to share their collective rage and grief.

In the UK, Section 28 prohibited the ‘promotion’ of homosexuality in schools. This effectively banned teachers from being able to educate students about safe sex, take a stand against homophobic bullying, or make students aware about queer community resources or spaces. With no internet, zines became a way to get the message to queer youth that they were not alone.

21st Century Zines

In the 21st century, zines have remained important in queer communities, revolting against companies taking over queer culture and creativity for profit. While more rights and acceptance have been gained, this progress has mostly helped those who were already more privileged. Working-class people, non-gender-conforming individuals, and racialised communities were often left behind. Zines became a way for these voices to be heard and for the queer community to come together in solidarity. 

In the 2020s, we’ve seen a  backlash against the trans community. Rights have been rolled back, access to healthcare denied, and echoes of Section 28-style restrictions prohibiting the ‘promotion’ of trans inclusion in schools. In response, zines have been a vehicle for spreading survival strategies, offering guidance on navigating the complex NHS gender services, and sharing DIY transition resources. 

Today, queer zines share a lot in common with their 19th century ancestors. Encouraging solidarity across political and social justice causes, with queer anti-capitalist, anti-racist, and anti-genocide messages. 

To celebrate LGBT+ History Month, join us for a zine-making workshop. Open to LGBT+ students and staff, and allies. No booking required, just turn up on Tuesday 25th February at 1-3pm, on level 3 of the Library (all materials provided).