There’s always something new with Snowflake! For this second issue in our second volume, we’re looking for prompts around the theme of ACTIVISM. Are you an activist? Are you fighting for your rights, sending a message, engaging in a dialogue? Is it your politics, your community, your body, your choices, your existence that you are fighting for? We are looking for submissions that respect our guidelines and bring to us fun, skill, inspiration and originality. 

For the safety and sanity of our editors, submissions without clear trigger warnings may be rejected outright.

If you’re stuck for ideas or just want some food for thought, check out the prompts below!

• When was the last time you attended a protest, whether virtual or in person? What was it for? How did you feel?

• Existing as a queer person in public is often treated as a political statement (holding hands and public displays of affection, presenting yourself or dressing in a gender-nonconforming way, using gender segregated bathrooms as a trans/non-binary person, etc). What has your experience been with this? How does it feel to have a facet of yourself be seen as inherently political or controversial?

• There have been some landmark legal changes over the last few years that show amazing progress (Several countries have made gender fully self-determined, more and more are legalising or removing barriers to gay/lesbian marriage and adoption, polyamorous relationships recognised in Massachusetts, etc). What strides in progress have been made where you live? Who was part of the activism that led to these changes? How have they affected you?

• Queer lives and identities are often under attack and activism is part of how we fight back. Have you ever attended a counter-protest, memorial or vigil, or similar event? 

• Activism doesn’t have to be grand political change, it can be as small as exposing one person to new ideas and convincing them to be an ally to the queer community or showing your support for a friend or family member who is standing up for themselves. What do you consider to be personal activism and how does it present itself in your life?

• What small, easily accessible ways do you think all of us could be more rebellious and make meaningful contributions to the world around us?

• What was your first entry to activism? Who welcomed you and showed you the ropes?

• How has your activism changed over the course of your life? 

• Where does your activism live? This can be physical or metaphysical! Where have you found “home” in activism?

• Intersectional activism - how does this work for you, how would you like it to work better, what changes for the positive have you seen in this respect?

• Have your political views thrown you into conflict with individuals or organisations you previously supported? How did you deal with this/how has it altered how you approach activism?

• Activism is part of queer history, are there sections of queer history you want to make work on? Aids crisis? Marriage Equality? Pride March?

• How does activism among the queer community intersect with other issues? LGSM? Black Lives Matter?

• What is your experience of activism? What have you seen or heard? This could be anything from overhearing conversations to participating in a protest.

• How do you feel activist groups have included or excluded other groups of people? 

• Would you consider yourself to be an activist? Why or why not? How do you feel about the term activism and what does it mean to you?