Read a F*cking Zine: 50 Zines by Queer People of Color

V. POC Zine Project recommends: Self-Care zines

A Self-Care zine usually covers and/or illustrates health-related issues ranging from mental to physical, personal to societal, and preventive to regenerative. As a recent zine exhibition in Chicago dedicated to self-care demonstrated, the purpose of the zine can often be for the creator/zinester to work through their own self-care journey and “to inspire the reader to be their own own advocate in self-improvement.”

In no particular order, here are just a few of the many self-care zines out there created by QTPOC.

41. The Radical Doula Guide (2012) by Miriam Zoila Pérez
Miriam Zoila Pérez is a writer and reproductive justice activist who identifies as queer and genderqueer. The guide is a political primer for full spectrum pregnancy and childbirth support.
PURCHASE NOW

Source: Miriam Zoila Pérez

Source: Miriam Zoila Pérez

42. Unsewing My Lips: A Do-For-Self Care and Defense Guide (2012) by atiah z
This is atiah’s first zine. It is also one of the few (for now!) zines created in London, UK, in the POC Zine Project archive.
READ NOW* (options to buy at same link)

Source: POC Zine Project

Source: POC Zine Project

43. Supporting a Survivor of Sexual Assault (2007) by MARC/UBUNTO

An incredible zine for folks who are supporting survivors! UBUNTU is a Durham, North Carolina based movement, led by women of color and survivors of sexual assault, dedicated to creating a world without sexual violence.
READ NOW*

Source: POC Zine Project

Source: POC Zine Project

UBUNTO also recommends NO! The Rape Documentary Study Guide (2007)
READ NOW*

Source: POC Zine Project

Source: POC Zine Project

44. The Swan The Vulture (2011) by Anna Vo
A zine created by POCZP touring member Anna on racialisation and consent and “wanting to be loved, but wanting to be loved in a respectful way. And feeling guilty for that. And where this fits into being a non-white ‘anarchist’ female.” This zine includes information on how to navigate abuse.
READ NOW*

Source: Anna Vo/POC Zine Project

Source: Anna Vo/POC Zine Project

45. QUARREL The Zine (2013) by Bay Area survivor led group QUARREL
READ NOW
Stories of survivor self determination, direct action, strategies for safer spaces and ripping patriarchy to shreds. A highlight for us was “insurrecto-eggers-esque” by Ralowe trinitrotoluene ampu (page 77).

Source: QUARREL/POC Zine Project

Source: QUARREL/POC Zine Project

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Daniela Capistrano

Daniela has written 1 article for us.

20 Comments

  1. Such a rad post! I’d like to recommend my friend Miyuki Baker’s zines for this list. She’s currently traveling the world on the Watson fellowship to seek out queer activists and artists and making zines about each country she visits (My work is featured in the Australia edition). The zines are available free online through issu. Check out her blog for info and links to the issu zines. http://heymiyuki.wordpress.com/

  2. Unf, Shotgun Seamstress. I am so mad I lost my old copies. Gotta buy new ones. Also, been collecting notes to make a perzine of my own. Also also, I have to read every single one of these. Fuck.

  3. This is so great, I literally discovered the POC Zine Project just last week when I was searching for QPOC zines for the radical bookshop I volunteer at. Thanks for listing some from Europe too as I’m always keen to get hold of ones a bit closer to where I live.

    Hopefully I’ll see some of the UK zinesters at the London Queer Zine Fest in December!

  4. Love this. I’ve got several issues of Fag School and Shotgun Seamstress in my collection. It’s always nice to hear about other zines.

  5. This is brilliant! I look forward to reading some of these.

    I wanted to also share that I run a small press that is actively seeking more POC representation. If you or someone you know writes chapbooks, poetry, experimental or hybrid/cross-genre stuff (and happen to be a POC), check us out: http://www.robocup-press.com/submissions.html

  6. I wanted to also share that I run a small press that is actively seeking more POC representation. If you or someone you know writes chapbooks, poetry, experimental or hybrid/cross-genre stuff (and happen to be a POC),

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