Joseph Varisco

H. Melt curates this collection of essays (mostly originally online), documenting a critical queer, nonfiction literary voice that is strongly rooted in Chicago. Themes include the need to talk more openly about race, class, and privilege, the power of community support, and the experience of living in Chicago. Builds on the work of Chicago-based queer publications like Chicago IRL, In Our Words, and others. (Adapted from Melt's introduction to the collection.)

Zine featuring contributions from local Chicago artists whose works explore issues related to queer culture and identity. The zine includes a variety of different artistic formats, including photography, poetry, short stories, cartoon strips, interviews, and other illustrations.

Chicago IRL (In Real Life) is an arts and literary digest cataloging contemporary queer creative culture in Chicago. We hope not only to document existing queer talent but also to inspire new collaborations and explorations. Although much of our coordination uses the internet to connect us with contributors, we desire to encourage new interactions in real life as well. Chicago IRL is a zine made by and for the disenchanted, hopeful, and unemployed revolutionaries, muppets, and magicians to capture the spirit of a new dawn, whatever that means. *

"Chicago IRL (In Real Life) is an arts and literary digest cataloging contemporary queer creative culture in Chicago. We hope not only to document existing queer talent but also to inspire new collaborations and explorations. Although much of our coordination uses the internet to connect us with contributors, we desire to encourage new interactions in real life as well. Chicago IRL is a zine made by and for the disenchanted, hopeful, and unemployed revolutionaries, muppets, and magicians to capture the spirit of a new dawn, whatever that means."