Contributors
Time to BeReal?
Dolls on the The Silencing
The Imaginary
The Ethics of
What Really Happens The Fat Lady
Letter Contributors BeReal? Or Not? the Rise
Silencing of Amber Heard Imaginary Audience of Children on TelevisionHappens Behind the Scenes?
Lady Siings/Exists for Herself
We are thrilled to present to you the latest issue of ALT Magazine, Scopic Satisfaction, which plays upon the theme of scopophilia and its impact on our community and beyond. Our team has put together an incredible issue that is both thought-provoking and visually stunning.
Scopic Satisfaction is a critical examination of the many ways in which women, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ individuals are transformed into social spectacles. Inspired by early 2000s paparazzi photography, this issue raises important questions about our society’s fascination with objectifying individual people and how it contributes to the marginalization of certain groups.
The articles in this issue cover a diverse range of topics connected by the overarching themes of power, representation, and the human experience. We have aimed to explore how power dynamics can shape public opinion and impact our perception of self, our relationships with others, and our understanding of social justice. At ALT Magazine, we are committed to amplifying diverse voices and perspectives. We believe that by doing so, we can contribute to a more inclusive and equitable society. Scopic Satisfaction is a powerful example of this commitment, showcasing the perspectives and experiences of our contributors.
We would like to express our gratitude to our team of contributors for their hard work and dedication in bringing this issue to life. We would also like to thank our readers for your continued support and engagement. We hope you enjoy reading Scopic Satisfaction and that it inspires you to engage in critical conversations about power, representation, and the human experience. Thank you for choosing ALT Magazine as your source of alternative fashion and culture.
Sincerely,
Panagioti Tsiamis (CEO) and Ginger Townsend (EIC)
Lucy Gillard
Van Tran
Bridget Flannery
Rishaan Kumar
FASHION
Reena Singhal
Grace McKinstry
Lily Mihelich
Olivia Mabbott
Jayda Bessel
Redet Dereje
MODELS
Parker Harmon
Sam Giguere
Megan Wu
Susan Farias
Carrie Chinsee
Elliot Jewell
in Chief Ginger Secretary Rachel
Director Sophia
Director Aishwarya Fashion Director Forrest
Director Charlene Huynh Photography Director Videography Director
Bridget
Panagioti Tsiamis
Ginger Townsend
Rachel Navasier
Sophia Egge
Aishwarya Gouthaman
Forrest Rivers
Huynh | Emily Hirsch
Director Kaelin Silas
Director Luke Canning
Sofia Irigoyen
Bridget Flannery
Rachel Neviaser
Macy Chen
Xaver Davey
Kaitlyn Tran
Anna Dirksmeyer
Emma Warne
Jillian Turner
Katja Fair
Honor Durham
Lincoln Miller
Leah Maitland
Sonakshi Garr
Maddy Hu
Sofia Irigoyen
Annika Carter
Ian Vailliencourt
Yifan Cui
In her podcast hihellohowrü, content creator Nykita Joy (known to her online fanbase as @neoitgirl) released an episode this past July titled, “The Invisible Man & Desirability Politics,” detailing the challenges trans women face in the 21st century dating scene. The episode revolves around a door in Nykita’s apartment that–at the instruction of her landlord–should never have its deadbolt locked. Having lost track of the key, the only way for the landlord (or anyone) to reopen the door would be to break the lock entirely. At that moment, Nykita, with bated breath, shares that at the time of recording, she has locked the deadbolt.
Every Trans Day of Visibility, infographics about the rates of suicide and domestic violence among trans people are plastered on Instagram stories with calls for change–yet, very rarely are the voices who have survived such statistics elevated to share their experiences, and thus the cycle continues. Nykita’s dissection of datingwhile-trans gives us a glimpse into a dynamic that many trans women find themselves in, ensnared in the affection of what Nykita coins as ‘the invisible man.’ Such a figure wishes to laud their doll with luxury gifts and cheap motel orgasms, but never wants to be seen with them in public, keeping their relationship entirely invisible. Nykita expounds on this fact and the psychological damage, accompanied by threats of physical harm if their partners are ever exposed, that many trans women endure as a result. This leads many trans women to view themselves as nothing more than vessels for cisgender, heterosexual men to release their ‘dark’ desires into and withdraw when finished, rather than people deserving of adoration and romance.
“The power these women derive from their visibility has allowed them to free themselves from the shadowed grasp
Such a perception of trans mystique has roots in some historical tropes and have been reintroduced to a new generation across media today. In the HBO hit-series Euphoria, Jules, a trans woman played by Hunter Schafer, enters into a concerningly exploitative relationship with her own invisible man. Their relationship and Hunter’s representation in a widely consumed show has become a point of reference of trans representation for a young audience to come into their own understanding of the queer community. Schafer, in addition to many other trans women in film & TV, have leveraged depictions of ‘the invisible man’ in dramas like Euphoria to gain notoriety and draw attention to their sisterhood’s struggles. After decades of being gawked at by an uneducated public, trans creatives have captivated American audiences with their compelling life stories and fierce talent.
Now, more than ever, trans women are becoming major sources of influence in our mediascape. Look no further than Ethel Cain or Dominique Jackson to see that transgender artists are here, they’re on the rise, and they are not going anywhere. Dolls are dominating the runway, the silver screen, and the recording studio, making them a verified spectacle for anyone who’s paying an inkling of attention to American culture in 2023. The power these women derive from their visibility has allowed them to free themselves from the shadowed grasp of the invisible man, setting an example for queer people around the world. For the first time, rather than barricading it shut, the rise of trans women is breaking down the door from within the room itself.
Feeling invisible? Your talents and labor exploited yet simultaneously overlooked and undervalued?
Try PRIVILEGE today! Unlock new opportunities and being treated like a person. . .
