''Quim: for dykes of all sexual persuasions'' was a

sex positive The sex-positive movement is a social movement, social and philosophical movement that seeks to change cultural attitudes and norms around sexuality, promoting the recognition of sexuality (in the countless forms of expression) as a natural and he ...

lesbian A lesbian is a Homosexuality, homosexual woman.Zimmerman, p. 453. The word is also used for women in relation to their sexual identity or sexual behavior, regardless of sexual orientation, or as an adjective to characterize or associate n ...

magazine published between 1989 and 1994 with a further issue published in 2001. The magazine was edited by Sophie Moorcock and Lulu Belliveau, who had previously worked as a photo editor at ''

On Our Backs ''On Our Backs'' was the first women-run erotica magazine and the first magazine to feature lesbian erotica for a lesbian audience in the United States. It ran from 1984 to 2006. Origin The magazine was first published in 1984 by Debi Sundahl ...

'', the first US magazine of women's erotica. Influences included ''Shocking Pink'' a young women's zine produced in London between 1979–1992, Chain Reaction a lesbian S/M club that opened in Vauxhall in 1987, and

Sheila McLaughlin Sheila McLaughlin (born 1950) is an American lesbian feminist director, producer, screenwriter, actor, and photographer. She wrote and directed the controversial film, ''She Must Be Seeing Things'' (1987). Her debut feature film, '' Committed'' (1 ...

's 1987 film '' She Must Be Seeing Things''. The magazine had an irregular publication cycle that depended on when funding and content were available.

Content and contributors

The editorial stance of ''Quim'' was anti-censorship and pro-sex, and there was little censorship of content, most of which was submitted by volunteer contributors. ''Quim'' featured articles, creative writing, art and photography covering topics including fantasies, orgasm, masturbation, safe sex, sex toys and sadomasochism. In 1991, "Quim Notebooks" were circulated in gay and lesbian bars and bookshops to encourage contributors to submit stories and ideas to the magazine. The first edition included an interview with Susie Bright, editor of ''

''. Issue five centred on the experiences of black lesbians. The sixth and final edition focused on the eviction of a lesbian house and hub for direct action at Bird in Bush Road. The magazine published fiction by authors including

Pat Califia Patrick Califia (born 1954; formerly also known as Pat Califia and by the last name Califia-Rice) is an American writer of non-fiction essays about sexuality and of erotic fiction and poetry. Califia is a bisexual trans man. Prior to transiti ...

, Jane Solanas, Jo Fisk and Leonora Rogers Wright, and photography by Della Grace and

Lola Flash Lola Flash (born 1959) is an American photographer whose work has often focused on social, LGBT and feminist issues. An active participant in ACT UP during the time of the AIDS epidemic in New York City, Flash was notably featured in the 1989 "Ki ...

Reception and legacy

The first issue of the magazine received a hostile response, and it was two years before the second issue was published. Owing to the explicit and sadomasochistic nature of the content, a number of lesbian and gay bookshops, including Sisterwise and Gay's the Word, refused to carry the magazine. The magazine remained controversial and continued to receive unfavourable reviews in the gay press. ''Quim'' was later credited, along with ''On Our Backs'', with laying the foundations for later women's erotica including the Australian magazine '' Slit'' and

Madonna Madonna Louise Ciccone (; ; born August 16, 1958) is an American singer-songwriter and actress. Widely dubbed the " Queen of Pop", Madonna has been noted for her continual reinvention and versatility in music production, songwriting, a ...

's ''Sex'' book.

References

{{Reflist

External links

Quim Magazine
on tumblr. 1990s LGBT literature BDSM literature Defunct magazines published in the United Kingdom Erotica magazines published in the United Kingdom Lesbian culture in the United Kingdom Lesbian BDSM Lesbian erotica Lesbian pornographic magazines Lesbian-related magazines LGBT erotica Magazines established in 1989 Magazines disestablished in 2001 Sex positivism Women's erotica and pornography