Human Rights Defender Jason Jones is joining QueerAF as our Black History Month guest editor.
Together we're running a dedicated series of think pieces as part of the Queer Gaze - our landmark writing scheme - but focused on articles by black, queer emerging writers.
The opportunity
Is for four early talent, emerging, unpublished or marginalised Black LGBTQIA+ journalists who will:
- Write a short 400-500 word think pieces, using QueerAF's Queer Gaze format - paid at a rate of £75 each.
- Get one of QueerAF's unique 'retrospective' skills-based sub-editing sessions with each commission so you can understand the editing process, grow your journalistic craft and strategic communication skills.
- Recieve multiple portfolio-building opportunities with content published across QueerAF channels.
This scheme will best benefit those who want to join one of our unique training sessions to build their journalistic writing skills and early portfolio.
QueerAF's unique approach to journalism
What kind of pitches do we want?
This year's theme for Black History Month UK is Reclaiming Narratives. It's about "taking control of our stories, celebrating our heritage, and ensuring our voices are heard."
The opportunity is to write a short think-piece for us. These are some of the subjects guest editor Jason Jones is interested to hear intersectional pitches on:
- Transphobia
- Misogyny and patriarchy
- Decriminalisation of British colonies
- Racism on the queer scene
- Religion
- Access to healthcare and inequality
- Mental health
- Ageing
We're not looking for hot takes and clickbait opinions. We're looking for analysis, evidence-based thinking, and accessible expert opinion.
A think piece aims to be thought-provoking and speculative. It consists chiefly of background material, analysis and some expert opinion.
The details
- We're running a two-stage process to pick the four writers. The first deadline is September 15th, and the second is September 22nd. Get your pitch in by the first deadline to have the best chance.
- This scheme if aimed at Black queer people from any background. We're especially keen to hear from, Trans+, Women, Disabled, Low Income, Migrant and marginalised LGBTQIA+ identities.
- To pitch, you need a working headline, a few bullet points to explain what you'll write about, and some links that will back up your expert, evidenced-based opinion.
- All pitches will need to be delivered in accordance with QueerAF contributor guidelines and our IMPRESS regulation
Who is Jason Jones?
Jason Jones is a gay LGBTQIA+ activist from Trinidad and Tobago who successfully challenged the constitutionality of Sections 13 and 16 of the Sexual Offenses Act prohibiting consensual adult intercourse per anum and sexual acts between consenting same-sex adults. In a landmark judgment in the English-speaking Caribbean, Justice Devindra Rampersad ruled the clauses unconstitutional and null and void.
He'll be joining QueerAF as a guest editor for an edition of our newsletter at the start of this Black History Month and will join the panel that decide which pitched articles are commissioned.
What is QueerAF?
We help you understand the LGBTQIA+ world and support queer creatives to change the media. We're an award-winning independent platform launching the careers of emerging and underrepresented LGBTQIA+ creatives driven by people, not advertisers.
Ultimately, QueerAF is a platform where creators, journalists and producers can get paid and commissioned directly by the QueerAF community. This while we mentor you to build a career, work in the industry - and then change it.