Although abortion has very recently been decriminalised in Northern Ireland, I found this Dazed article very inspiring, and the sort of message/editorial I want to write about in my zine.
I love that Dazed doesn’t try to be impartial, and is at times very opinionated as I think it makes for more interesting and exciting reading. I want to model my zine around magazines such as these that are yes, fashion mags, but also use their platform to educate and motivate. I plan to have exciting, fun and fashion-forward photography, which will encourage the reader to pick up the zine in the first place, alongside some informative but also entertaining editorial writing.
Examples of strong biased and motivational writing that may be controversial (which again relates back to tactics used by Punks):
“Unlike the rest of the UK, where the 1967 Abortion Act is in place, Northern Ireland abides by archaic, outdated laws (the 1861 Offences Against the Person Act) that prohibit terminations in most circumstances. It makes for grim figures – only 12 legal abortions were carried out last year in NI.“
“This week, DUP leader and former first minister Arlene Foster picked up the Female Politician of the Year award – a disgrace really to award any accolade to the leader of an anti-choice, anti-LGBTQ, hateful partythat has sent the government into a record-breaking shutdown and opposes any change to laws around reproductive rights.“
“If you’re able to, get out on the streets. Women’s Strikes are taking place across the world today, and over the course of the weekend. Bring a sign – ‘you’re not a vessel’! ‘Our bodies, our lives, our right to decide’! ‘#NowforNI’! – and go to a demonstration.“
“Right now, Northern Ireland has been without a functioning government for over two years – a pretty horrendous world record. It’s affecting the passage of any new laws – including a domestic violence bill, policy on gender pay gap reporting, and mental health-related strategy – and creates a barrier for any change via a stagnating Stormont (NI’s parliament) for change to laws around abortion access.“
Source:
time to change 