From the Punked Out Files of the Queer Zine Archive Project: a Zine of hte 2014 Summer QZAP Zinesters-in-Residence Program

So many of my sweeties in one place! Milo and Chris of QZAP invited a selection of zine and minicomic queerdos to spend time at QZAP HQ this past summer, to do research and make zines. The participants also contributed to this delightful comp.

In Milo's intro, ze reflects on the residency program, what went well and what ze and Chris might consider for the next round. Next up are comics by UK zine lady Rachael House, in which she observes, "I'm not saying that queerzines are better than other zines, but so far I haven't come across any that are just as full of cutesy fucking illustrations of owls and cupcakes." Hard to argue with that.

Rachael's work is followed by that of one of my homies, Jude Vachon, who admits to having academic PTSD and goes on to annotate/footnote a Fleetwood Mac song. Ha! Love it!

When Jude visits NYC I divide hosting duties with Elvis B.. Their comics in the QZAP zine are among my favorites of their work. They compare zine queerness with how queer identity is explored in more mainstream publications, and determine that there's more to LGBTQIA life than coming out stories and marriage equality--stuff like "So what if my girlfriend has a dick?" and femme invisibility. I delight in Elvis's delight in the "furtive, coded sexuality" in 1950s and 60s men's physical fitness magazines.

Chris shares tips & tricks for Milwaukee visitors and the controversy of the $85,000 Bronze Fonz sculpture. (Appears to be worth it!)

One of my other dearests--and birthday twin--Kelly McElroy goes deeper into femme identity, responding to questions raised in Hard Femme Core Zine #1 by Elokin and Pamela.

There's so much good stuff in here. Get yourself a copy!