Background
2S/LGBTQIA+ young people are more vulnerable to experiencing dating violence and abuse in relationships than their cisgender/heterosexual counterparts. A lack of intersectional healthy relationship education or positive examples of queer relationships contributes to this increase in vulnerability. With formal sex education rarely including 2S/LGBTQIA+ perspectives, and an overall lack of positive queer relationships in media, 2S/LGBTQIA+ youth are unaware of safer sex practices and what healthy relationships look like or feel like, thus increasing their likelihood of both experiencing and perpetrating dating violence.
Participants of Do You Mind? Safer Dating for 2S/LGBTQIA+ Youth are addressing this issue by developing Queer Love as Revolution: A By-Youth-For-Youth Zine Showcasing Queer Relationships in Nova Scotia. This pocket-size booklet will highlight healthy relationship dynamics and offer information on resources that 2SLGBTQIA+ youth experiencing dating violence can access. The goal is to prevent youth dating violence in 2SLGBTQIA+ communities by celebrating healthy examples of queer relationships through artwork created and shared by peers.
Submission Guidelines
We are looking for short-form writing or art created by youth (18-29 years old) living in Nova Scotia that celebrates healthy queer relationships.
Submission Deadline: May 31 2026
We will feature a selection of submissions in the final zine printed in July 2026.
Artists whose work is selected to be in the zine will receive $300.
What do healthy queer relationships look like, feel like, sound like to you? What are some small moments that make dating as a young queer person joyful? Is there a story, reflection, advice, or knowledge about relationships you would like to share with other youth? How do you want queer relationships to be shown or celebrated?
- Short-form writing: poems, personal essays, reflections, short stories, etc. under 250 words. Typed or handwritten as long as it is clear and legible.
- Art: drawings, collages, comics, paintings, anything that can fit on 1 page.
Feel free to use these words as inspiration:
- Respect
- Safety
- Communication
- Independence
- Caring
- Fun
- Trust
The printed zine will be 7” x 8.5”.
We value authenticity in the art pieces. Submissions should be original art pieces, and not produced using AI.
Racist, homophobic, transphobic, ableist and/or homonationalist depictions/themes are strictly prohibited.
A Note on Explicit content:
Explicit sexual content is permitted as long as the content is in line with our theme. However, explicit content should not be the main focus of the art piece.
Graphic depictions of violence will not be accepted.
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to the Project Coordinator at abigail@hshc.ca