ZINES & QUEERNESS

Zines, short for fanzine, are self-published, small-batch, non-commercial, and often handmade booklets that share art and often embrace counterculture ideals. Zines can include a wide array of creative expressions, including music, art, politics, social issues, poetry, and interviews. Zines are often produced by people within marginalized groups, who use zines to spread ideas that have been historically suppressed.

Zines create a space for community and connection within marginalized groups.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF ZINES IN SUBCULTURE

Independent and revolutionary writing has its roots far before the term ‘zine’ was coined in the 1930s. Since the invention of the printing press in the early 15th century, physical media has been an effective way of spreading information en masse. The American Revolution relied on newspapers and pamphlets to spread the message of resistance, such as Common Sense by Thomas Paine. Social movements in 19th century America, including women’s suffrage and abolition, also circulated their own media to spread their message. The modern iteration of zines arose in the science fiction communities of the 1930s, who were dissatisfied with recent poorly written comics and decided to publish their own fanzines with theories about their favorite writings as well as independent stories.

Zines began to skyrocket in popularity in tandem with rock n roll, the newest counterculture movement for the youth beginning in the 1950s. The Beat Generation used zines to share their poetry and ruminations on the war that dominated their lives only a decade prior. Zines remained popular through the 1960s but had an explosion of popularity as a part of the punk scene starting in the 1970s.

Edythe Eyde published the first queer zine, Vice Versa, in 1947 under the pen name Lisa Ben (which is an anagram for lesbian). Vice Versa was subtitled as “America’s Gayest Magazine” and included essays, poems, and letters sent in from readers.

ZINES AS A FORM OF RESISTANCE

A large aspect of the punk movement was DIY, or do-it-yourself, which encouraged self expression through handmade clothing and jewelry (think of punk jackets with different pins, patches, and safety pins decorating it). Zines fit in perfectly with punk DIY culture, with the content of the zines including lyrical analysis, social commentary, ads for local punk shows, and fashion inspiration.

The 1990s saw another zine renaissance with the riot grrrl movement. These zines served as an antithesis to mainstream magazines, which promoted unrealistic and constrictive beauty standards for women. Riot grrrl zines rejected traditional gender norms and ideals of beauty and instead encouraged young women to embrace their own sense of sexuality and self, without the need to conform to the male gaze. Riot grrrl zines also tackled womens issues that were often ignored, such as domestic violence, eating disorders, and sexual abuse.

The return to physical, handmade zines highlights the importance of local connections and community building.

ELEVATING QUEER VOICES

Grapevine exists for anyone who wants to read it, but it mainly serves as a creative space for women and queer people, groups whose ideas have historically been ignored in traditional media. Each contributor to zine brings forth unique life experiences, identity, and perspectives that Grapevine will highlight.

A zine can be whatever you want it to be: a chance to learn history, discover new artists, find inspiration, listen to female and queer voices, and be a part of a community that embraces every part of who you are.