What are ZINES?
Short for magazine or fanzine, a zine is a self-publication, motivated by a desire for self-expression, not for profit. The following quote from Not Sorry, gives one explanation of what zines are, and why they're necessary.
"I'm not even trying to be dramatic, but to the world at large, I am a freak. My voice is downplayed, ignored and/or made into a joke in the mass of verbal and physical disapproval that bombards me every day when i leave the safety of my house or make the stupid decision to read a newspaper, magazine or turn the television on. When I am out of my element, I am told that my very existence is wrong or problematic becuase I am a fat, queer, mentally ill, politically radical woman with very little money and little to no regard for beauty standards and so on adn soforth. But you know what? I am so NOT fucking SORRY. As long as myself and others are disrespected, invalidated, unsafe adnignored by the masses, my experiences, ideas adn opinions need to be heard and I will keep on talking this shit and it isnot going to be pretty. Besides, how else are these stories going to be documented? With the exception of the gay rights movement, these stories will most likely not be found in and future history books, and if they are, they will most likely be totally inaccurate. Now I know that this zine will not go much beyond the zine reading community, but this is here I have chosen to start and it's something which is always better than nothing."
Jenny San Diego. Not Sorry, #3. April, 2005. Portland, Oregon.