Cover image writeup
Fun story about the cover page, we had made a last-minute change (the previously proposed cover can be found on the last page of the issue) and this image was composited the day after the announcement. Speaking of the elephant in the room, the repeal was a slay but the reinforcement of conservative marriage values in the constitution, not so much. The change was a small ripple in a rain puddle as we are entering into times where bigotry had become more pronounced and hostile in real life and online spaces while conservative values remained unchallenged. And never has it been a better moment for us to reach out to our queer communities.
To start off, I'm really grateful for the opportunity to design an issue of a queer zine! As someone who had stayed rather closeted for most of my time on earth so far, it's huge that I am able to contribute to the queer community even in the most trivial ways. I hope you will like the designs; to the artists and writers, I hope I did your works justice.
In the same way I found a connection to the queer community through this zine, I hope you can find camaraderie and safety with The Rainbow Connection and queer communities around you too. Once again, big big thank you to the contributors and readers of this issue! Here's to us and being there for each other!
Jia Designer
Editor's Note
Editor-In-Chief
Which is precisely why it is crucial, for so many of us, to strengthen this queer community wherever we are. And thus, onto very exciting news for The Rainbow Connection! After doing our best to create a safe platform for queers of all backgrounds a mission that has, admittedly, seen its fair share of scrapes this round it seems our hard werk has really paid off. This issue, we sure have spread the gay agenda beyond NUS and the country with anonymous submissions, guest submissions, anonymous guest submissions (oh my!) pouring in. We also have a new designer on board this issue, and I hope you will enjoy Jia's work as much as I do.
MichaelNeo Founder
With the return of our “Pride”- Pink Dot after two long years, classes going fully offline (more chances of meeting other IRL queer folks, anyone?) and, of course, the historic repeal of 377A which had criminalised homosexuality under colonial British law there appears to be much to celebrate as queer students. But one cannot forget the hostility perpetuated against the queer community amidst these triumphs. The repeal very much applied to a law no longer enforced, and has also seen the re-amendment of the constitution's definition of marriage to heterosexual couples only in defence of the state's conservative values. Fearmongering about the queer community goes largely unpunished, from school assembly talks to pandemic crises, both locally and abroad, and hatecrimes at Pride all around the world are still rife.
On top of those mentions, I would like to thank all the artists and writers who made this issue possible. Reader or contributor, near or afar, I now implore you to go forth and find your queer community and solace, in your face-to-face classes, or between these pages.
Guest submission
Our heartland is full of life and danger, It is here we occasionally meet. You are the only one I feel safe with, As we traverse through the treacherous streets.
“Lilac December”
I think about our recent ancestors, Who gave their lives so that we now may roam. Their courage paved the road we walk upon, As well as my cowardice when with you.
byPhoebeDoyle
I wonder how others are not in awe, How they shine amidst your near raspy laugh. Silence remains, for I fear the coolness If I let the true warmth shine through my own.
Everything seems different when I’m with you, The sky more colourful, the moon brighter. Dodging the crowds as we go catch our breaths, As your dark eyes make me lose mine again.
Though I know that this will go no further, And for my own benefit, I let go. Thank you for unearthing this side of me. You, who I am so privileged to know.
This is merely for now as you must go, Back to the confines of the Armoury. I can’t sweep you off your feet like a knight, If your gaze, like dragon fire, stuns me.
Standing with the others, poised yet wistful, Auburn emerges in the soft glow, Shades only seen when Sappho overthrew Zeus to create you, near God, long ago.
My hand in yours And now the whole world Feels like mine (Golden, by Gabriel)
Lying next to me
Misty mornings, Dreamy landscapes And cuddly sweater weather
Like a golden retriever Basking in the sun, With daylight in your gaze
You smell of peace And home
I'm nothing to her by Anon
While I’m nothing but a child’s finger painting to her, She is the most complex tapestry making could ever make.
While I’m nothing but a strand of a feather to her, She is the most magnificent peacock, with a massive plumage that takes my breath away.
While I’m nothing but a sentence to her, She is the sole subject of the books in the library in my mind.
While I’m nothing but a raindrop to her, She is the thunderstorm that floods my heart.
Artist's note:
"There is a common stereotype I encounter in conversations with straight people. They believe gay relationships must be harmonious because people of the same gender or of similar genders “are so much alike”. I’d say that I felt a profound sense of unity and shared experience in my previous sapphic relationships but I wouldn’t attribute that feeling to both of us being feminine. " (cont. on next page)
Alike?
Alike? Alike?
Alike?
by Vasya
Guest Submission
"-Instead I think alikeness in gay relationships comes from twin experiences of shame, grief, secrets, hidden knowledge, perseverance, subculture. Being automatically connected on such an intimate level does feel like heavenly bliss in loving relationships sometimes."
CONTENT WARNING Mentions of 1) Trauma 2) Queer festishization next page
Pinata
by M. Butterfly
Eatingwithyoureyes Wasn'tenough yousmeltsome-thingfruity,soyou Hadtoripmeup Beatmeopentoseewhat Candywouldfallout Ifyoucouldgetyour Pryinghandsonsomethingsweet Gorgeyourselfonmy Destructionitdid NotmatterIlayinshards Onyourpartyfloor Ihopemyinsides AremadeofpoisonIhope Youchokeonmyname.
The worst architect in the world
The tower that I built with sticks and mud And human hubris
I drew my life up in a plan But I never planned To meet you You, who love the stars, The sun, and the moon And I love Deluding myself in June Attaching meaning to your words Crushes were not supposed to hurt Or at least they didn’t, until I liked you You, who love all things misunderstood And there it stood
I learnt this in a lecture when the structure is unsound Karma catches up to me should God strike it down (This poem is about a crush, and as crushes do, things fall apart, and I thought that it would be funny to relate to my major haha)
byDane
scan for more detaiils
Acrylic on
2022
LezbeFoolsinLOVE,
Rainbow Connection Issue 3. Acquired from Michael, 2022. 420.69
MichaelNeo(b 2000)
canvas
Replay by Anon
[Alt text]
Westartedtalking88daysago, Everyday. Ourconversations,inmymind Theywouldreplay. Andeveninmoments, Wherewewouldhavenothingtosay, Yourvoice,inmymind, Theywouldreplay Iwouldalwayswish, Youweregay, Butnow,ourdefunctmessages,inmymind, Theywillreplay
Gab has not a lot going on at the moment
Hello various assortment of queer people reading this mag I’m Phoebe, a wee lesbian from the Republic of Ireland! I was an English student for my undergrad and I’m trying to get back into poetry a little bit more. Hopefully you’ll find my first proper contribution to the medium in over five years interesting!
Phoebe Doyle (she/her)
Gabriel (he/him)
M. Butterfly (she/he)
Hi im jia and ure watching disney chan (giant stack of copyright papers drop on me squashing me instantly)
Wants to clarify that their name is not spe ‘Micheal’, as they are leaving the honour o being Irish to someone else in this issue.
Dane is a sleep-deprived architecture student who is honestly not much of a poet but thought it would be funny to write a poem combining the two things they dislike the most - 1)catching feelings for people 2) their major
Jia (they/them)
alter ego, wannabe drag queen, nightmare dressed like a daydream.
Dane (they/them)
Vasya (she/he/they)
Tired entity who draws to destress. Art dump insta is @ eggs basket
Michael (they/them)
Thank you for reading!
LilacDecember 71href=https://www.pngmart.com/image/2688<aTheroad-ma174312408270/lilacs-part-7-west-mountain-https://rabbitinthemeadow.tumblr.com/post/-worstarchitectintheworld-target="_blank">BlueprintPNGFile</a>
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The Rainbow Connection @queernus rainbowconnection.zine@gmail.com
