SINCE MOVING into its first physical office space in March of this year, gal-dem has been hard at work on its fourth print issue, which the team has described as its “best-ever”.
This issue, which is available to pre-order now, centres around the theme UN/REST and is split into two contrasting sections. The theme reflects the outlet’s collective identity as a platform for women and non-binary people of colour, who can be feeling more than a little world-weary in our increasingly fraught sociopolitical climate.
“We’re redefining what it means to be both restive and restful,” gal-dem said.
This issue will feature conversations with Little Simz, Tierra Whack, jeweller Ada Chen [2] and paralympic record-breaker Kadeena Cox and a group interview with the UN/REST literary cover stars – Candice Carty-Williams, Mariam Khan, Naomi Shimada, Yasmin Rahman, Victoria Princewill and Jay Bernard.
“I never thought I’d be on the cover of anything ever, let alone gal-dem zine, so you can imagine the crying I’m doing over here. Honoured to be gracing the front of gal-dem’s UN/REST issue,” Carty-Williams, author of Queenie tweeted.
The issue contains work from over 40 contributors, ranging from first-time writers to the UK media’s rising voices such as Ash Sarkar and Yomi Adegoke, whose contribution focuses on the relentless pressure of being a black woman in the spotlight.
The publication also features photography and illustrations from women and non-binary people colour from around the world, such as Rama Duwaji [3] and Anishka Khullar [4]. It was designed by the talented Rianna Osanwuta [5].
Hosted in a 750 person capacity venue, gal-dem’s fourth issue launch party on September 12 will be their biggest yet, almost double the size of its previous issue launch parties.
Tickets are £10 and can be bought via Eventbrite [6].
The latest issue is also available for pre-order via the gal-dem site [7].