New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

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Online journal raises awareness for social justice, LBGTQ issues

Profiles, essays and narratives dedicated to women’s and gay rights issues fill the pages of “A New Queer Agenda,” the latest issue of “The Scholar & Feminist Online.”

The online journal, created by the Barnard Center for Research on Women, publishes three times a year and presents women’s issues through writing, criticism, activism and technology. The latest issue was co-sponsored by The Center for Gender and Sexuality at NYU. “A New Queer Agenda” debuted Thursday, Sept. 20 with a launch party preceding it on Sept. 19 at the Center for Social and Cultural Analysis.

The new issue of the publication covers a vast range of issues plaguing the LGBTQ community; leaving few areas uncovered. The list includes subjects about being transgendered and homeless, health coverage, immigration laws for travelers and sex workers and conservative states’ queer agendas. The goal of the web journal is to view overlapping — often overlooked — social justice topics through a queer prism and to address them in a manner to effect change.

“It’s really about looking beyond the views of marriage to a broader vision of social justice,” said Catherine Sameh, an editor for “S&F Online” and associate director of the Barnard Center for Research on Women. “While same-sex marriage is a victory for the movement, it does not fully address economic equality and racial equality.”

Among the many contributors to the agenda are Áine Duggan, vice president of research, policy and education for the Food Bank of New York City; Nancy Ordover, program director for Funders for LGBTQ Issues; and Laura Redman, senior attorney at National Center for Law and Economic Justice.

Through statistics and personal accounts, these contributors attempt to alter the conversation concerning what social justice means for the queer movement. For most, it is going far beyond the issue of gay marriage and issues that only affect the LGBTQ community.

“[It’s about] trying to forge a bond between the LGBTQ movement and the economic justice and poverty movement,” Redman said.

“There’s a high visibility for the mainstream organizations…but the sort of on the ground, grassroots, everyday work that organizers and activists do…isn’t as visible,” said Lisa Duggan, an editor for “S&F Online” and professor of Social and Cultural Analysis at NYU.

Jay Toole, director of the Shelter Project at Queers for Economic Justice, is transgendered and used to be homeless. Toole, who is featured in an article by Duggan in “A New Queer Agenda,” spoke frankly about Queers for Economic Justice’s efforts and the lack of attention these issues receive.

“There are thousands of us in the shelters, and no one really knows, the community doesn’t really know, and people need help.” Toole said.

View “A New Queer Agenda” online at http://sfonline.barnard.edu/a-new-queer-agenda.

Maegan Vazquez is a contributing writer. Email her at [email protected].

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