THE EVER-FABULOUS QUEEN ZINE #1 - As stated on the cover page, this zine is a guide to fabulousness for boy queens and girl queens everywhere! Written in 1996 by 15-year-old San Francisco native, Craig, this zine is playful, serious, and nasty as hell (evidence of that not included). From advice on where and who to shop from on either coast, fashion tips, nail polish hacks, suggestive jokes, candy reviews, and Disneyland stories, to more serious reflections on acceptance, community, the sexualization of drag, and the risk that LGBTQ+ spaces are constantly faced with, Craig weaves through these topics so seamlessly. So much so, that I was amazed to read that he was 15 the first time I held this zine in my hands (but I guess that's what lack of short-form content does to you, huh). While it feels like you're laughing along through every topic, the importance of conversations like the ones that Craig is having don't go over your head and are still relevant today. Particularly, Craig covers the crackdown and closure of a Raleigh, NC space, Legends Nightclub. Legends was targeted by an anonymous complaint that donned the club an "adult establishment," for their drag performances- closing its doors for good. There are so many parallels in Queen Zine #1 to what we see all over Florida (and across the states) today. It seriously puts into perspective how long queer communities have persevered through adversity, carving new spaces and modes of expression for themselves along the way. Craig says, "A queen is a boy or girl who is so fabulous, everyone in the world around them can hardly take it. To be a queen you've got to believe you can do anything. You be a bitch!" #zines #lgbtqhistory #drag

A 1997 Tennessee split zine, featuring two issues of two different zines in one, where one issue is right side up and the other issue is upside down. One is titled Jasmine's Little Sister, and the other is titled Office Supply Youth. Issues 9 and 5 respectively. JASMINE'S LITTLE SISTER - Issue #9 of Jasmine's Little Sister is written by Kim- a DJ at Free Radio Memphis at the time. A wordy half full of Kim's controversial takes and journal-like entries. She discusses her dislike for the "institution of marriage," tells personal stories, reviews other zines, and more. She also features a diss from Ocean, the writer of Office Supply Youth. Kim says, "i used to do drugs, but i think i'm straightedge and in denial about it. there are just too many lame straightedgers. but i was at the dentist getting fillings, and alot of people my age would be happy that they were getting nitrous, but i was pissed off that all these foreign metals and substances were going into my body. maybe by the next issue i'll be listening to earth crisis and snapcase and flailing my x-covered fist in the air. no, don't count on it." OFFICE SUPPLY YOUTH - Issue #5 of Office Supply Youth is written by Ocean. In the OSY pages, Ocean includes a list of pet-peeves, write-ups about her childhood friends, journal-like entries, some of her favorite songs, a full spread of people's cats, and stories from her life and time working at the library. Ocean says, "A little known fact about me is that my eyes are the exact same color as kurt cobain's. Teehee. I was once an audience member of the kids' show Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? While dancing around @ the end of the show, I accidentally TOUCHED a member of that band, Rockapella!" In Jasmine's Little Sister, Ocean says, "i was 12, newly vegetarian. i was telling the class that, & the teacher was saying all this shit like 'animals were put here for man to eat,' and she was saying that god said that man was the 'most exalted being' or some shat, and then (in descending order) mammals, birds, fishies, insects, plants, minerals. i'd certainly rather have a spider plant or a rock teaching the class than her. :)" #zines

MY NEW GUN #6 - A 1998 zine by Muffie White, pen name for Donna Sue White. White writes in this zine while attending Reed College in Portland, OR, and experiencing her first seven months living in the U.S. on her own. She is 19 when she writes this issue, where she addresses the complex experience of living under the pressure of two perspectives- the world-class, independent daughter, and the girl she truly is and wants to be. In a lot of hand-written, and collaged pages she talks about her loneliness, self-hatred, insecurities, and her decision to start anti-depressants. Where she's from is not certain, but based on the text she is likely from the middle east. The writing is by Muffie. Much of the art is by someone named Amy Suzanne. White writes, "about me cos god this zine isn't about much else. i like lambies, squirrels, cats, ducks, dolphins, ladybugs, bear cubs, turtles. go animals." (Blame the binding on this zine for the bad scan job. It will not be like this once the website's up) #zines