🏳️‍🌈 Pitches & Pride 🏳️‍🌈

Folks, Happy Pride Month! The Ubyssey June print issue is a special one for Pride so I’ve cooked up some relevant pitches for all your journalism needs.

Get some sun, jot some words, ponder — I’m back with another newsletter in 2 weeks. 🙂 

P.S. I’m not overseeing creative non-fiction for this issue. If that’s something you’re interested in contributing to, hop over to our culture section’s newsletter for Elena’s ‘Poems and personal essays: Pride Month’ pitch.

Some things to keep in mind:

• To secure a pitch, respond to this email. I’m accepting writers on a first come first serve basis for all pieces, not including creative writing works.

• Are you a first-time writer? Please let me know in your email response.

• Once I confirm your pitch request, you can expect a follow-up email from me within 24 hours with more details on the piece.

• Consider conflict of interest implications when picking up a piece and ask me about this if you’re unsure.

• I LOVE COMMUNICATION! I will check in with you throughout the writing process but it’s also on YOU to tell ME if you’re feeling stressed about deadlines or unsure about how to proceed with anything. I gotcha <3

Our Campus: Janice Stewart 

Dr. Janice L. Stewart was recently appointed Deputy Provost. They are the Associate Dean in the Faculty of Arts, and a professor at the Institute for Gender, Race, Sexuality and Social Justice. Dr. Stewart conducts research on critical theory, gender theory and anti-racist work. They also received the Killam Teaching Prize in 2009/10. Talk to Dr. Stewart about their research, the importance of promoting inclusivity on campus at the faculty level, and their approach to strategic leadership and oversight for academic affairs. 

800-1000 words 

Due Wednesday, June 12 at 5pm 

Our Campus: Hope Salmonson

UBC Faculty of Music graduate student and composer Hope Salmonson queers her music through a cross-genre artistic voice by weaving accessible musical language and contemporary approaches to creating music. Salmonson has written for classical ensembles, street brass and beyond, but within any of her compositions, Salmonson's priority is making sure that every voice in the room is heard and valued. Talk to Salmonson to discuss her inclusive approach to composition, collaborating with underrepresented composers, and exploring identity through music.

800-1000 words 

Due Wednesday, June 12 at 5pm 

The history of Davie Street 

Davie Street has been the hub of the Queer community in Vancouver since the 1970s. With a diverse and outspoken history, the area is constantly changing. Talk to local historians, storytellers and the UBC student community to explore how the role of Davie Street in the Queer community has evolved over the decades. 

1000-1200 words 

Due Wednesday, June 12 at 5pm 

Closed gay bars morph into inclusive nightlife

UBC sociologist Dr. Amin Ghaziani's new book explains that QTBIPOC groups around the world are reclaiming nightlife to focus on intersectional queerness by redefining what clubbing looks like. The book looks at how the queer community is thriving through an approach to club nights as a sanctuary that offers an inclusive and intersectional environment with intention. Talk to Dr. Ghaziani about his research on this topic, as well as UBC students involved in these spaces. 

1000-1200 words 

Due Wednesday, June 12 at 5pm