Why is there a Q? The mission statement says it all really, but there's a bit more back story you might want to know. For years, Edmonton's GLBT community had a voice in the pages of Times.10 magazine, and I myself had a column there for years (My Monthly Neurosis, you can check them out in my Facebook notes). Then September of 2003, a couple good friends and I started up Fresh, a full-color glossy free monthly publication that lasted 13 months before we just couldn't afford to keep it running anymore. Shortly after that, Times.10 stopped printing as well, and Edmonton was left without its own distinct queer publication. GayCalgary.Com magazine did expand its coverage to include Edmonton, but earlier this year, they announced their inability to give Edmonton the focus I feel we deserve (no fault to them, I understand it can be a time-consuming and back-breaking job, especially for two already-overworked fellows from out of town). And so the time seemed right for Edmonton to once again have its own forum to express itself, in words, in art, however we can manage. Plus its always nice to have one spot where we can see what's going on in our community; already, I find myself absolutely amazed at the variety of social and sporting events that go on in this city. As word of Q gets out, I suspect that I will be equally amazed by the community groups and GLBTQ owned, operated, and friendly businesses that will fill up our directories.
But just like in the alphabet, Q needs U. My vision of the site was very communty-driven, so now that the basic framework of the site is here, I need YOU to fill it with the things you've been dying to say: opinion pieces, write-ups about events or organizations, thought-provoking articles about the state of affairs in this queer community, as well as your poems, short stories, drawings, comics, and reviews. Q wants it all so start writing!
If you share my love for Edmonton and for its GLBTQ community, then you'll want this site to be around for a long time. Let's make Q our corner of the Internet, a social and creative hub that will showcase Edmonton's dynamic diversity and talent.
Join the Q!
