’s most recent cohort’s project focused on how queer publications were historically censored and how photocopying, a new technology at the time, allowed for the cheap creation and sharing of information relevant to various queer interests via “zines.” Zines (shortened from “magazines”) are a popular way of sharing information in the DIY (do-it-yourself) community, and they have been used by various subcultures, from sci-fi nerds to punk musicians. For the queer community, they served as a cheap way to share important information and organize politically as well as to come together over shared interests.
Prior to the development of photocopying, printed material needed to be typeset, which required specialized (and expensive!) machinery as well as individuals trained to use and repair them. Due to bans on “obscene” material through laws such as the , early gay and lesbian journals and magazines struggled to stay in print as any discussion of queerness was at risk of being deemed “obscene.” This resulted in frequent surveillance of these publications and their subscribers through the mail, as well as many lawsuits. These challenges along with the cost of publication meant that producing queer media came with a clear risk. However, once photocopying became commercially available, printing became extremely cheap, which significantly reduced the upfront costs for making print media and meant no maintenance was required. All you needed was an original that you wanted to make copies from, and a few cents a copy. Advances in printing technology gave queer groups a way to respond to the censorship that they faced.
With that in mind, the 2021 cohort developed their own zines. With the help of local artist, , the students learned not just about their history, but also about how to use the simple and cheap technology of the zine to share information that they care about. After developing their own zines, the cohort came together to produce a collaborative zine on queer inspirations in STEM (). As a part of this project, we also learned about the challenges that queer content producers face today in getting word out about queer issues. We learned about machine learning and how it’s been employed to automate content moderation in social media sites. These approaches make simple assumptions about items like what constitutes “obscenity” or “sexuality” in a way that makes it difficult for queer Youtubers, for example, to discuss their experiences without risking demonetization.
If you are an LGBTQIA+ Philadelphia high school student interested in learning about careers in STEM and queer history in an inclusive, safe space, we’re accepting applications for the 2022-23 cohort of the Out4STEM program. For information on the program and how to apply, . .