To all the characters I've loved before - Mabel Zhao
All about fan fiction and fictional crushes, and how safe feeling attraction to these characters is. After all, for most people engaging with this space, no real people are being crushed on, as it's not the actor but their character which hooks the audience. this article also touches on asexual engagement in fan fiction and how queer representation appears in the space.
Chiara's Confessions: I went on a blind date - Chiara Wallace
An anecdotal recount of a blind date, how funny it is to be thrust into a potentially romantic encounter with a total, or partial, stranger, and how the author go lucky with such a nice and polite date.
Dancing bare under the Blue light - Mikaila Kimball
The story of a local stripper at The Bad Bunny Club, how she enjoys her work, but it's not her long term career plan. She discusses how to manage romance while in this industry, and how best to build reliable clientele for consistent profit.
To swipe or not to swipe: The modern-day digital dilemma - Anna Jagga
On the topic of dating sites and how many people are trying to get away from them, given how they gamify and remove personal stakes from romantic pursuits. Making note of how the industry works as a gimmick, just another thing you can do one your phone now, and how for others it's a necessity,with the queer community specifically.
'If they wanted to, they would' is toxic - Paniz Vedavarz
Critiquing the TikTok famous dating advice for putting a expected type of romance on display, that is, if they don't do affection in the way you expect them to, then they don't care. Instead, this article argues it is forcing partners to judge each other based on actions rather than intent, and disregarding things like finances, time, and types of romance.
Kiss me thru the phone: Falling in love with AI - Arisia Qarri & Eshal Naqvi
Everyone want's connection, and with the priority on AI to be more human as to make people more comfortable engaging with it, it's no surprise people find it easy to grow deep connections with digital programs. In this current era of high loneliness, and the lack of third spaces for connecting with people, the computer becomes a safe place to find companionship, romantic or otherwise. With the current increase in AI and advancements in robotics to house said systems, the risk of becoming romantic with a computer ever grows, but the future is still yet to be seen.
How to break up with someone - Sophia Schiefler
A satirical series of ways to break up, all painfully cringe inducing and just awful to imagine.
Vanity reflects: The life of a London drag queen - Madeleine McColl
The largest single article in this issue, a retrospective on London Ontario's own Vanity Fair, a drag queen who's been preforming since 2019. Working to create more LGBTQ2S+ safe spaces in London since 2021, along side husband Bengelina Jolie, and working as a school nurse, She's doing an immense amount of good for the London community as a whole.
Who pays on queer dates? - Om Shanbhag
The answer changes based on the pair going out, but the common answer was whoever asked for the date. A through discussion of gender politics and expectations on dates, and how much of the decision comes down to vibes and case by case preferences.
So you got an STI - Angwara Nilanont
A much needed, direct article about where to find and how to access help for sexual health. Prioritizing safety, this article makes clear that checking in with health professionals and doing testing is nothing to be ashamed of, and that medical professionals who may assist you will be without judgement around your sexual proclivities. My personal favorite article from this issue, as even with our advancements in sexual education stigmas of shame will circulate, especially around contracting STD's & STI's.
Diving deep into the erotic reads at Weldon Library - Madeleine McColl
For record keeping and research, the most popular library on Western campus houses hundreds of erotic and kinky texts in various library sections. The Pride Library 'Kink collection' is not in circulation but provide contemporary and historical queer and kink related stories for educational purposes. The special collections house hundreds of Playboy magazines, stored in temperature controlled rooms for the integrity of the pages, most donated by a generous comic collector in London.
You shouldn't be friends with your ex - Editorial Board
A final piece of advice from the issue, recommending readers avoid staying friends with their ex's. Partially for the comfort of future potential partners, and partially for the difficulty of making romantic feelings fit into the tight box of friendship instead.
We organize entertainment (drag events) throughout Southwestern Ontario. We are based in London, ON. Queens include: Vanity Affair, Laissez
I’m planning to keep a reading journal next year and need some recommendations. I’ve got no idea what style of journal I’m looking for yet, so any recommendations for brands or styles you like would be greatly appreciated! 😊
