By Nicole Holman

News Assistant

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The LGBTQA Pride Center at CSUSM recently held a release party for its very first edition of a new publication entitled The Queery, a magazine that intends to reach out to the LGBTQA community.

The Queery, which was officially released on Wednesday, April 8, is a zine-like publication written and developed by students on campus, and provides insight into the stories and experiences of the LGBTQA community.

During the event, contributors shared personal coming-out stories, film recommendations and support for those who exist in the LGBTQA community. A couple of brave writers volunteered to read their articles aloud to those in attendance and, after uproarious applause, many people asked those who contributed to The Queery to sign their copies of the publication.

The Queery, although a collaboration between students and the CSUSM Pride Center, is ultimately the brainchild of student, Alex Maravillas.

When asked how he came up with the idea for the new magazine, Maravillas said, “The Queery stemmed from my personal stories as an young adolescent gay youth who suffered oppression growing up. The magazine’s goal is to reach out to audiences who identify as queer.”

Maravillas worked with other students and members of the LGBTQA Center to create the publication’s magazine-inspired layout.

The purpose of The Queery is to provide information for those both in the LGBTQA community as well as Allies. It also serves as a creative platform for those who wish to express themselves through writing, art and prose.

“I feel that The Queery is important to CSUSM because members of the LGBTQA community usually don’t get to be heard. It gives priority to marginalized students so they can have a voice, too,” CSUSM student, Kayla Salgado, said.

In an effort to create a safe environment where all students can be heard, publications like The Queery allows experiences to be shared that may not have otherwise been heard.

Maravillas also discussed plans for the next issue, saying, “I want the magazine to innovate to different endeavors, perhaps photo stories or collages. I want next issue to be more creative in terms of layout.”

If you are interested in submitting a story or art piece for the next issue of The Queery, please contact the CSUSM Pride Center for more information.