Putting together a magazine is a lot of hard work and dedication. You have to really believe in what you're putting out there and find content that resonates with people. Just a Bit Radical began as a blog that my partner inspired me to write, and it turned into something more with her encouragement.
Together, we found amazing people to interview and speak with, and we and set about making a magazine for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth (as well as their straight allies). We focused on highlighting bullying prevention, raising awareness of bullying, transgender issues, how educators can best serve their LGBT* students, and much much more.
How much more, you ask? We interviewed gothic folk singer and toy designer Voltaire; the wonderful group of U.K. women known as the L Project, whose charity single "It Gets Better" is amazing; a wonderful coming-out initiative known as Project: Out; Pink Triangle Theater of the United Kingdom; Fluid Ink, a cartoon studio for equality; Jeremiah's Hope for Kindness, a wonderful anti-bullying awareness campaign; and a down-to-earth, modern gay magazine known as The Everyday Gay; and we even had amazing stories from total strangers about their LGBT*-related stories. Author Susannah Bell told a wonderful love story of navigating the world as a deaf, queer woman in her aptly titled article, "I Didn't Hear Her Say She Loved Me, She Texted Me Instead." Another article told of a unrequited love that was unfortunately cut short by one half of the pair passing away at only 23. The magazine spans 46 full-color pages and is a sight to behold.
All of this took seven months to put together, involving hundreds of emails, phone calls, Skype meetings, and editing sessions. We truly believe in what we're doing and that our publication can help bring a voice to the voiceless. Just a Bit Radical seeks to unite the LGBT* youth community under one banner, focusing on what we have in common instead of our differences.
We hope our inaugural issue is met with success, and our second is shaping up to be even more wonderful.
For more information on our project, please visit: justabitradical.com.