Therapy #6

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THERAPY ZINE: issue six, April 2020 Created/Edited/Curated & Cover Art by Frankie Francesco

CONTACT: Website: Issuu.com/formugs Email: TherapyZineLV@gmail.com Insta, Twitter & FB: @TherapyZine Youtube: Youtube.com/channel/UCx9C6rnPgKTXnfHpQVD9i2g Support Us: Patreon.com/TherapyZine & KickStarter Published by The Therapy Zine Group, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States ©Copyright 2020 Frankie Francesco/Therapy Zine, All Rights Reserved to featured creators.

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CREATORS Frankie Francesco

Jaycie Weeks

Tiko Hemsley

@formugs

@jayy_double_u

@zaugustia

Savannah Francesco

Solar

Victoria Prevost

@savannah_smiles727

@pup_solar

@the.unconventional.one

Acid Rain - Lorne Sway - Moodie Black Cherry - Chromatics splendid evening - pluko Gravel To Tempo - Haley Kiyoko Happy Together - The Turtles Run - Joji Sat By A Tree - Dan Deacon BWU - Tegan and Sara Whatever Hour You Woke - Daniel Hart Jay Garuda

Robert Brock

Jay Foxx

@theylive702

@wertpol

@_djaybird

Benjamin Davila

Jovan Sotelo

Tyler Winsatt

@fishy12233

@jovy.y

@tbucket94

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letter from editor It’s been super hard to stay focused lately, it’s taken me longer than it should have to write this. How do I stay on track of my goals when our lives are pretty much “on hold?” I’ve found comfort in adapting, something I’ve had to do many times before. Life is full of obstacles, overcoming those obstacles might mean taking a different creative approach. Take these trials as a chance to learn, look at them as a blessing in disguise. This world will only break your heart if you let it.

You have been given a rare opportunity to see yourself in a different light. This may be a scary thing to do, but don’t let fear overtake you. Let it motivate you.

Once I stopped setting limitations for myself, I realized I could be anything. As long as I stayed true to myself. Keeping myself as top priority, which is why my life has been really strange lately. Something unexpected has been given to me, a gift in the form of a man. I was so afraid when he came along, receiving a kind of love I didn’t even know could exist. I didn’t want this, I fought myself so hard not to feel the way I do.

Denying what it was, making excuses in my head to not pursue this instinct.

My love for him is primal, so natural I couldn’t resist, something I’m good at. His actions speak volumes, louder than his infectious laugh. A constant bass booming in my chest, he feels right. Making things I never understood make sense.

Transcending definition there are no words for what he means to me. How he has made me feel, he sees me, he sees all of me… and he loves me. Don’t let your love for yourself stop you from accepting another type of love. A love that is worthy of competing with that of your own. (@formugs) 4

Contents

INTRO & CREATORS....

LETTER FROM EDITOR & TOC....

JAY GARUDA....

JOVAN SOTELLO....

TIKO HEMSLEY....

TYLER WINSATT....

SOLAR....

PUZZLES....

JAY FOXX....

BENJAMIN DAVILA....

VICTORIA PREVOST....

JAYCIE WEEKS....

SAVANNAH FRANCESCO....

FRANKIE FRANCESCO....

RESOURCES/SUPPORTERS....

2-3 4-5 6-7 8-9 10 11-13 14-16 17 18-19 22-23 24 25-27 25-27 28-30 31

Disclaimer: views, thoughts, images, writings & opinions expressed in the following zine belong solely to that creator, & not necessarily to every artist involved in Therapy Zine, etc.

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Jay Garuda (@theylive702)

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Jovan Sotelo (@jovy.y)

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Nothing

Tiko Hemsley (@Zaugustia)

Nothing is making me Happy anymore Or at least not for right now I’m sure that’s normal I’m sure I wasn’t always Meant to be happy Happiness was always a bliss I’ll meet bliss someday Even if I have to fashion A few frowns Just to feel the luxury Of a smile That’s okay If I have to cry rainstorms Yet those very rainstorms will soon Add to the growth of A rainforest that is in An abundance of Bliss and Happiness I will cherish that forest Even if it requires pain to Rejuvenate it

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Tyler Winsatt (@tbucket94)

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Solar (@pup_solar)

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Fire is a man I now love

by Solar

When he stares at me there is a fire where his eyes used to be.

With our first kiss suspended within a horned amber, The endless passion of my desires of him now warm my every waking days.

A flame, motionless and of a delicate orange, illuminates even the danger and shame I have long wished to forget.

He looks upon me, in a way I have never seen eyes do, and the dysphoria of manhood burns away.

He loves me by setting me on fire in early spring.

As the fragile insecurities I have forever held begin to burn away, I see only him in the clearing, Within a body I am still learning to love 16

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Jay Foxx (@ _djaybird_)

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Benjamin Davila (@fishy12233)

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Victoria Prevost (@the.unconventional.one)

5 Ways To Stay Positive:

by Jaycie Weeks

During these times, it may be hard to stay positive and focus on the lighter side of things.

And for those who suffer from mental illness, such as myself, the idea of social distancing and quarantining yourself can either be an absolute dream, or a total nightmare. When we are going through these measures, it is important to watch out for your loved ones and fellow humans, you also cannot neglect your own well-being! However, with all the negativity surrounding us lately, that can be challenging. So make sure you take the time and focus on some hobbies and things that will keep your mind refreshed — even if it’s just for a little!

1. Focus on your hobbies! I

am a person who needs to be productive. As a full-time teacher who is also a cosplayer, I often do not have the time to do many of my hobbies. Now that I have ample amounts of time, I spend it focusing on my hobbies that get neglected during the work week! Working on cosplays, grinding at video games that have been in waiting for me, or even just starting a new TV show I have been wanting to watch have really helped me fuel that need for productivity in my life.

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3. Clean, clean, clean! Alright, for anyone who knows me, knows that I am not the cleanest person. I’m not dirty, but I will put random things around my house, and they’ll stay there for months.

Cleaning and organizing is definitely not my forte.

However, I have been using cleaning as a distraction, while also feeling better about myself in the process.

2. Video chat with your friends and family!

My friends and family are everything to me, and I am as extroverted as they come.

While I am a homebody, I also crave human interaction.

Going out to see loved ones is a lot more challenging during this time. So use video chat to fill that social meter! It’s not the same, but does make a great substitute and helps curb the loneliness.

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photos by Savannah Francesco (@savannah_smiles727)

5. Take care of yourself and reach out if you need help!

I think it’s easy to forget to check on ourselves, especially in scary times like these. But, you still need to make sure you are taking care of yourself. Eat healthy, do home workouts, and make sure that if you are struggling in any way, you need to reach out to somebody. We all need to help each other out in times like these, and don’t feel like your struggles aren’t worth anything or don’t matter.

Your feelings are just as valid as they always were — even if they may not seem like it.

You’re the most important person in your life, and you need to keep that a priority!

4. Pick out a new project! I’m not the most Pinterest-worthy DIY person out there by far. So there’s totally no judgment if you aren’t, either. But, what better time to hone those skills. You can build that desk you’ve had in the box, make a cute little planter for flowers or vegetables, or maybe it’s working on some art or writing pieces. Whatever it may be, throw yourself into a project! Seeing the progress of spending hours on it will make your day, I promise.

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Frankie Francesco (@formugs

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Saving all my lucky cigarettes, for the day you realize you don’t need me.

For the moment you see me, the way I see me.

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I See All Of You a playlist by Frankie Francesco

If I Were You - Claud Delete Forever - Grimes Slow Dance - Adventure Time OST Kiss Me - Sixpence None The Richer Be My Baby* - HoneyWire When I Grow Up - Fever Ray That Home + To Build A Home - The Cinematic Orchestra All The Things She Said - t.A.T.u.

Wide Eyes - Local Natives Helena - My Chemical Romance Army Of Me - Bjork Mourning Sound - Grizzly Bear Puppy Dog Pals Main Theme - Puppy Dog Pals OST I Hate You But I Love You - Russian Red You Know What I Mean (Live) - Cults Colly Strings - Manchester Orchestra Flightless Bird, American Mouth - Iron & Wine Love Like You - Rebecca Sugar Soil, Soil - Tegan & Sara Sea Of Love - Cat Power

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We’d like to give a big thanks to the following people for giving their support. It means the world to us that you believe in Therapy Zine as much as we do:

Kyle Escobedo Carlota Francesco Victoria Prevost Vannessa Lamorte Jaycie Weeks Valerie Pietrasz Stephanie Debbie Sanchez Savannah Francesco Anyonka Virgon Amber Arnett UNLV Spectrum Miguel Gotoma FLEX Cocktail Lounge BODYWORK Spunk Lube Meow Wolf Adam & Eve National Suicide Prevention Hotline

1-800-273-8255

Trans Lifeline

1-877-565-8860 31

THERAPY issue six: If you haven’t read Therapy before we are a queer zine. Created by Frankie Francesco bringing together passionate, timid, experienced, & amateur creators of various talents. A place of growth & self-expression, absolutely free of judgment. Join The Therapy Group where you’re not only welcome, but you are celebrated. Find your voice with us as we find ours, submissions are always welcome.

FrankieFrancescoArt@gmail.com // @TherapyZine Copyright © 202032 Frankie Francesco