The world has felt increasingly overwhelming for some time, but right now it feels more acute than ever.
People tell me all the time how they have actively begun avoiding news because it's too much to handle. That's because the rest of the news media isn't doing justice to your needs, well-being or sense of self - or simply isn’t covering the stories that matter.
Information is a tool for liberation, and you deserve to get it in a way that leaves you feeling energised for the fight ahead - buoyed by the joyful, positive and hopeful stories of our community's tireless work.
I know so many of you read this newsletter in bed, in your jammies with a coffee every Saturday, to get a more digestible version of the news written by people from the LGBTQIA+ community.
One that still unpacks the urgency of stories, without leaving you feeling as overwhelmed as the way the rest of the media delivers the news.
That's very intentional. It takes us a whole week to put together this newsletter so you can catch up on the queer world in just five minutes.
But we also spend a great deal of time writing this newsletter in a boundaried way so you can use the information to fuel your activism - instead of more news burnout.
It takes a lot of energy and resources from our team (not to mention the emotional weight it puts on us!) to present the news with a queer perspective on your behalf. We also go above and beyond to find good news and tell grassroots stories no one else does. We're committed to work - but we deliver it on a shoestring budget.
This week, we're just a handful of sign-ups from reaching 7000 readers. That's incredible. And it got me thinking: If everyone who is signed up gave just £1 today, we'd double the amazing crowdfunding we've done this month in an instant. With that collective power, we'd secure the future of our small but mighty publisher.
So I spoke to one of our very generous lifetime members, who agreed that in our final seven days of crowdfunding, they will double every donation (up to £1000) so we can hit our next stretch target.
That means, if you give a tenner today - QueerAF will get £20 in total. If you give us £50, we'll get £100. If you donate £250, QueerAF will get £500.
But we'll only get that extra cash if you donate. So whatever you can contribute - please, give today.
Help our community navigate this overwhelming world in a safe, boundaried way.
Understand the LGBTQIA+ headlines and keep track of the latest queer content and perspectives. The QueerAF newsletter is written by Jamie Wareham and a different queer creative each week. Thanks to Rowan Gavin for writing this week's quick news section.
💬 This week:
- Sam Nordquist: The murder of a trans man, announced last weekend, shocked the global LGBTQIA+ community. We explain why Police now say there is "no indication" it's a hate crime.
- Sandie Peggie: The employment tribunal we've been covering set the agenda for Scottish politics this week. We unpack the political interventions in it.
- Ballroom: This week, we're bringing you the lesson 'we can't be erased' from the 2025 Trans+ History Week workbook. Ella Osho shares the history of modern ballroom culture and its significance in Trans+ history.
Skip the doomscrolling and support queer creatives instead. We are QueerAF – and so are you.
"No indication" murder of trans man Sam Nordquist was a hate crime, say Police
TL;DR: Police say the murder and potentially months-long torture of a trans man in New York is not a hate crime, explaining that some of those charged for the crime are also LGBTQIA+. They've called on communities to avoid speculation in the search for justice for Sam Nordquist.
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