Silver linings are always accompanied by clouds, and this goes without saying upon the election of our 44th President of the
Understandably there is anger. Understandably we look for someone to blame. And we look to greater leadership in our country to combat these injustices. But the cold, hard truth is that we are the only ones who can change our circumstances. Prejudice and discrimination—attitudes—are rarely changed through legislation; instead it is through our daily contacts with others and the open, honest sharing of our stories and circumstances. That’s why I am proud to be a part of Gertrude Press, and equally proud of the hard work that our Board of Directors puts into the organization. And, as we present our “Lucky 13” issue, it’s worth celebrating that Gertrude Press has provided a forum for our writers and artists to tell their stories, and in small steps, change the world.
I am excited to report that Gertrude Press continues to grow as an organization. It has been a year of exciting news, not the least of which is learning that Issue 12 was required reading for a college course. We also sponsored our first juried art competition, an undertaking that underscores Gertrude’s dedication to producing an arts & literary journal. I’m certain that our readers will find the artists and their work in this issue to be among our greatest published.
Before signing off, I want to thank each of you for your continued support of alternative, small press. The fact that we are flourishing, even in an economic downtown, is testament that the work of the creative queer community is meaningful and worthy of support. That said, we still need your help. I hope that you will take a minute to renew your subscription, purchase one for a friend or family member, or simply donate to ensure our voice in history. After all, if we don’t tell our stories, who will?
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