Rewriting the LGBTQ+ Narrative

Thanks to the funding from Books Council Wales' New Audience Development Fund, Material Queer has expanded its reach and influence as a platform dedicated to amplifying LGBTQ+ voices through long-form journalism, essays, and video content. This investment has been crucial in enabling us to commission high-quality work from queer writers, experiment with new storytelling formats, and build a more sustainable future for the platform.

Key Achievements

1. Elevating Queer Narratives

With financial backing, Material Queer successfully commissioned and published seven impactful long-form pieces, covering underrepresented aspects of LGBTQ+ life. These included:

  • “The Lonely 'I' in LGBTQIA+” – An exploration of intersex representation within queer spaces.

  • “Protest Under Pressure: The Future of LGBTQ+ Activism” – A deep dive into activism in today’s climate.

  • “Going Back to (Queer) High School” – A reflection on LGBTQ+ experiences in education.

  • “Our Revolution Has Always Been Queer and Homeless” – A historical examination of homelessness and queer activism.

  • “A Messy History of LGBTQ+ Dating Shows” – A critical look at the evolution of queer representation on reality TV.

  • “Shelf Love – How LGBTQ+ Bookshops are Changing the UK’s Literary Scene” – A celebration of the resurgence of queer bookstores.

  • “Why are so many Goths Queer?” – An exploration of the cultural crossover between Goth and LGBTQ+ communities.

These articles have resonated deeply with our audience, driving engagement and fostering meaningful conversations around queer identity and representation. You can find examples below or all of them on our Substack.

2. Expanding Digital Presence and Audience Engagement

  • Total site visits: 12,103

  • Social media impressions: 42,267

  • New Substack subscribers: +206

  • Number of Welsh/Wales-based creatives in paid employment: 8

The funding enabled us to enhance our digital reach through a targeted social media strategy, ensuring our content was accessible to new audiences across platforms.

3. Fair Pay and Industry Impact

A major challenge within LGBTQ+ media is the underpayment, or outright lack of payment, for queer writers. The support from Books Council Wales allowed us to challenge this by fairly compensating every commissioned writer. This funding ensured that Material Queer not only supported individual creatives but also contributed to broader industry change by proving that independent platforms can prioritize fair wages and high-quality content.