tiny love stories originated from one of the many discussions about the lack of representation of queer love. Society is making progress (though dubiously) towards increased queer representation, but too often protagonists are cis, white, and conventionally attractive. Moreover, mainstream queer stories often revolve around the traumas of coming out, murder, violence, and isolation experienced by queer folks. These are all important topics that inform and shape the queer experience, but they don’t define queer existence.

Have you ever wanted to hold a girl’s hand but wondered excessively if it would be creepy to even make direct eye contact with her? Do you not know how to initiate, continue, or even have conversation with a cute theydie without passing out? Do you fall in love with every person you see? Don’t worry. If you’re looking to have the steamiest and the hottest complete absence of any romantic interaction, look no further!

If you haven’t felt it already, Mercury Retrograde affects communication, short-distance travel, and daily commutes. Mercury moved into Aquarius – arguably the best fixed sign – which means that the retrograde now mostly affects fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius). But you only have 1 more day of this retrograde. Just 1 more day of shit. Listen to us, and hopefully it won’t be as shitty.

Because homophobia and transphobia remain etched into the woodwork of society, it is no surprise that queer and trans people, especially those of color, are intimately familiar with trauma. Themes of trauma and mental illness have become running jokes within the LGBTQ community as our sexual and gender orientations often leave us vulnerable to stigma, rejection, discrimination, harassment, and more. Despite the prevalence of these issues, our bodies and stories are rarely represented in the media. This project shares the voices of queer and trans people who experience mental illness in hopes of both chipping away at the stigmas associated with our identities and providing physical representation of conditions normally deemed invisible.

It can feel like a breath of fresh air to step into an exhibition like Emboldened, Embodied, where every piece of art is made by a Bay Area woman of color. Upon walking in, Angela Hennesy’s installation, made mostly out of Black hair, including her own, stands regally and mysteriously before you. The surrounding art launches you into the dynamic, intergenerational conversation between QTPOC creatives.

There is little information available on the intersection of mixed race and LGBTQ+ identities. In this installment of Community Profiles, we highlight the diverse experiences of mixed-race LGBTQ+ community members at Berkeley.

In the distant future, space travel is easy, and androids and organic beings live side by side. KANO316 is an entertainer, performing for the wealthy elites and trying to get by under the Architects’ watchful eye. Su is a mechanic in the Chrome Shoppe, fixing machines and struggling androids alike outside the Hub. Each of them knows their place in the world, as cogs in the Architects’ machine. But what happens when the codes you live by break down? How do you move from that, and how much free will do you have when society is bent on stripping it from you? Follow KANO316 and Su as they navigate questions of identity, reclamation of power, nonnormative relationships, and more.

Alluvia Magazine is an up and coming publication and creative collective that centers environmental artists of color. Founded by Zahira Chaudry and Isaias Hernandez this past year, Alluvia has written on topics ranging from how instagramers are ruining public lands to why environmental artists of color should be paid for making their art. GIA MAG sat down for an intimate photoshoot and interview with co-founder Zahira Chaudry to discuss the intersection of art and environmental justice, white supremacy in how environmental movements, and why environmentalism is a queer movement.

VOICES is an ongoing interactive poem that collects the individual artistic voices of the QTPOC community; each stanza is written by a different member.

Where We Belong is a multi-part project meant to center the narratives, experiences, healing, and empowerment of Black Trans Women in our communities. This first installment includes data on violences experienced by Black trans folks and coverage of BlackQT’s event, Black Trans Lives Matter. In a world where Black trans women experience so much erasure and violence, a seat at the table is only the beginning.

Smashed Signs offers the chaotic horoscopes that you don’t want but probably need.
Fun fact: the writers generally get juiced before coming up with these in order to muster up the right amount of blunt nastiness, but Tatiana can write them sober.

From October 20-27, 2019, UC Berkeley’s Queer Alliance & Resource Center (QARC) and Gender Equity Resource Center (GenEq) celebrated Asexual Awareness Week, an international campaign that celebrates the asexual community and educates about the complexities and misconceptions about asexuality. Spearheading the seven-day celebration, UC Berkeley sophomore and proud asexual Michelle Lin organized a number of events available to the public, including an Ace 101 Workshop and an Ace Game Night.

tiny love stories originated from one of the many discussions about the lack of representation of queer love. Society is making progress (though dubiously) towards increased queer representation, but too often protagonists are cis, white, and conventionally attractive. Moreover, mainstream queer stories often revolve around the traumas of coming out, murder, violence, and isolation experienced by queer folks. These are all important topics that inform and shape the queer experience, but they don’t define queer existence.

Through Prevention, Advocacy, Training, and Healing, the PATH to Care works to create a campus culture at UC Berkeley that is free of sexual violence and sexual harassment. Since 2014, the PATH to Care’s confidential advocates have been one of the primary resources available to survivors seeking services and support. The PATH to Care is unique in its commitment to centering survivors and prioritizing their self determination. In addition to its healing services, the PATH to Care betters the whole UC Berkeley community by working to prevent violence in the first place.

Founded in 2017, the Queer Art and Fashion Show (QAFS) is an annual event that offers a safe space for queer and trans creatives to not only build community but also freely express and empower themselves through the arts.

GIAMAG’s second community profile is on Ramil Mercado– an Aquarius legend, recent UC Berkeley graduate, coffee shop enthusiast, and avid world traveler. Even after having touched down on 45 countries (yes, forty-five!), Ramil’s most significant journey has been the navigation of his own queer identity. Ramil’s perseverance and his parent’s love have made the process of self-acceptance a beautiful adventure.

A genre-bending playlist of tunes by queer artists you might not already know.

Visibility is crucial when it comes to the identities and narratives of those in the queer/trans community. We are unfortunately still subject to consistent invalidation and erasure on a daily basis; whether it be from society, or within the walls of our very own homes. With cultural, traditional,…

Although “Extragalactic: Drag Me To Your Leader” marked the 12th Annual Unity Drag Show, many might not know that Berkeley’s drag show has been going on for even longer. 12 years merely marked the first year the Berkeley Drag Show became attached to the UNITY Theme Program and…

To honor of the origins of our publication, the GIA MAG team sat down for an intimate photoshoot with our namesake, Juniperangelica “Gia” Cordova, and our founder, Teddy Lake. In the accompanying interview, we asked Gia to tell our readers about herself.