The publication of the “Just-Opposed” magazine comes after months of controversy, censorship concerns, and growing frustrations surrounding LGBTQ+ expression through student journalism at Pensacola State College. Despite PSC finally deciding to print the magazine thanks to the help of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (or FIRE) defending our first amendment rights, the college's print run is still only 100 copies, designed just for the student’s portfolio use as per the original agreement set by the collaboration of Graphic Design and Journalism students. We the students were told without any warning they were going to print after the college previously cut our stories, attempting to cite the STOP WOKE Act. We were not allowed to give consent on what is being printed, and are left without any clarification on what exactly is to be printed.

In the wake of administrative pushbacks reflected in recent local and national news coverage, PSC's rushed and unconsented use of students' work in their printing of the magazine, and our want to show the community of Pensacola the months of labor involved in this project's creation, our team chose not to stay silent. Instead, we are creating an independent publication centered on the stories and communities that were being sidelined.

This magazine is both a response and a celebration. A response to censorship targeting queer-centered student media, and a celebration of local art and cultures that deserve space to exist freely.

The issue itself is an independent magazine featuring about 40 pages of photography, poetry, personal storytelling, and local arts coverage. The publication highlights underground and overlooked restaurants, stores, activities, and communities throughout Pensacola:

• The history and culture surrounding the 309 punk house archives,
• The story of local drag performer Vixen Valentine,
• A feature on Open Day Bookmobile,
• Coverage of The Grid arcade,
• A street photography photo essay,
• A spotlight on a local record store,
• A feature on the Sapphic Strides walking group,
• Skateboarding culture at Blake Doyle skatepark,
• Coverage of poetry night at Craft Bakery,
• an article on Phantasma, a local antique store,

We are raising funds because while the college ultimately backed out of censoring the magazine, thanks to the work of FIRE and us pushing back against Florida’s Stop WOKE Act, our hard work deserves to be seen in the format was designed for. As a result, we are independently funding the production of the magazine ourselves.

Our goal is modest and transparent:

A minimum of $820 as originally intended will fully cover the minimum goal for 250 physical copies of the magazine, with an updated adjustable maximum goal of $1,650 to reach 500 copies.

The issue will be distributed free to the public to ensure accessibility and community reach. Our team plans to have the physical copies of “Just-Opposed” in the hands of the Pensacola community by June 30th.

We chose GoFundMe because this is intended to be a community-supported publication rather than a commercial project. This magazine is planned as a one-time publication for the print of a previous private college project within our conditions for the public.

All donors will receive a PDF copy of the completed magazine as a thank you for supporting independent student journalism and graphic design.

More than anything, we hope this magazine proves that even when institutions attempt to censor and warp free expression, communities can still come together to create something meaningful, visible, and lasting.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justopposedzine