The theme for this year is intersectionality! The team are excited to bring pieces based around this theme to publication, but we also have some recommendations to help you get in the mood.
But first: what is intersectionality?
Intersectionality is an analytical framework for understanding how individuals' various social and political identities result in unique combinations of discrimination and privilege.
So what works can you dive into to see intersectionality in action, while you wait for LUX? While we love everything on this list, please do be careful and check for the content and trigger warnings before you engage with them.
Books
Unspeakable: A Queer Gothic Anthology
Edited by Celine Frohn, this anthology contains 19 stories with a range of queer characters, all with a gothic tone. The stories are contemporary gothic fiction, and are perfect for any reading session, but especially the dreary winter days we're experiencing.
Girl, Woman, Other
Bernardine Evaristo's novel follows the lives of multiple people, with a focus on black women. It's a contemporary book that explores different people's lives in an almost short story collection style. It was nominated for numerous awards and won the 2019 Booker Prize.
Transplantation Gothic: Tissue Transfer in Literature, Film, and Medicine
Sara Wasson's work looks at texts from European, North American and Asian literature in an attempt to examine the cultural history of transplantation. If you have an interest in the gothic, science fiction or medical writing, this text is a great companion and text in its own right.
The Cemetary Boys
Aidan Thomas' young adult novel has paranormal themes as a transgender teenager summons a ghost who decides to stick around. This book is both a fun romance and a look into the complicated relationships that queer people can have with acceptance.
Gideon the Ninth
Tamsyn Muir's debut novel is the first in a brilliant science fiction series with a sapphic romance. Necromancy is a key element in this fantastical horror and dark themes lead to the protagonist wanting to escape the cultish civilisation.
Misfits: A Personal Manifesto
From the writer of Chewing Gum and I May Destroy You, this manifesto continues to discuss the themes of race, class and gender that Michaela Coel is known for, while helping readers to connect with themselves.
Mexican Gothic
This novel by Silvia Moreno-Garcia follows a young Mexican woman as she comes to realise that her cousin's new family is hiding something big. The novel is a dark horror for the modern age, with a touch of fantasy.
The Gospel According to Gamaliel Crucis
This novella by Michael Bishop was originally published in a science fiction magazine, was nominated for a Nebula award. If an alien born with the Holy Spirit sounds interesting, this is for you!
Films
Children of Men
This dystopian thriller directed by Alfonso Cuarón is based on a novel of the same name by P.D. James. After a long period of infertility in humanity, society begins to collapse. But when someone gets pregnant things begin to change.
Get Out
Jordan Peele's work is a psychological horror based around a man visiting his girlfriend's family, but things aren't what they seem. Racism is a central theme in this film, approached in a fresh way.
Midsommar
Following her boyfriend to a traditional midsummar festival, the protagonist of this film gets swept up by the progressively more violent and radical acts of the locals. This folk horror is pleasantly surprising.
Do The Right Thing
This comedy-drama was written and directed by Spike Lee. Racial tensions are the key theme in this film, set in a Brooklyn neighbourhood.
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Miles Morales becomes the main character in this Spider-Man film. With a diverse range of characters, a uniquely fun animation style, and a killer soundtrack this film is for for old or new fans of the character.
Moonlight
Barry Jenkins' coming of age shows the different stages of its protagonist's life. Dealing with themes of sexuality, identity and abuse, this film is a highly praised, award-winning piece.
Lady Bird
A teenage girl dealing with her family, friends and first loves as she finds her place in the world. It's a contemporary film with a focus on the relationship between a mother and daughter who don't always see eye-to-eye. Heartbreaking but worth it.
Mysterious Skin
This Gregg Araki adaptation of Scott Heim's novel of the same name is a coming of age drama. Two boys, each who have experienced abuse, least two different lives. One is alien obsessed while the other is a sec worker. The film has been praised for its realistic way of approaching the long-term effects of abuse.
The Watermelon Woman
This romantic comedy by Cheryl Dunye follows a documentarian who goes in search of a black actress who is only credited as 'The Watermelon Woman'. The film also features queer representation, including in the protagonist.
These are just a few recommendations, but there are thousands of pieces of media that fit our theme that we haven't covered here. Keep an eye on our socials accounts, or subscribe to updates from this blog, to see when Issue 8 is coming to you!