Call for Pitches: Geez 49 Masculinity and Postbinary Gender Performance

by Aiden Enns | Published 2nd March 2018 in Ways of Seeing

seven thirty bourke street Credit: Jes (full credit at bottom)

Deadline for pitches:
March 14, 2018 (may be extended)

The next issue of Geez magazine will explore a re-envisioning of the performance of gender.

We welcome pitches on the topics of toxic masculinity, misogyny, countering problematic stereotypes when raising boys and girls (are those binary categories still helpful? tell us why or why not), stories of androgyny and gender non-conformity, and antidotes and practical responses to patriarchy.

Additional questions to inspire pitches:

Have we entered a gender-fluid, postbinary era in which males and females need not be one or the other – masculine or feminine?

The categories of male and female are showing their limits. What are liberating alternatives, how do these tie into other lines of oppression and resistance?

Do you struggle with “society’s expectation” of what it means to be a real woman or act like a man? Share your insights with readers.

What characters in movies or on television provide gender performances (soft men, strong women)?

What are your religious/theological/spiritual reflections on gender relations or sexual difference? What authors or resources do you find helpful?

You may have well-developed feminist views, have left your conservative Christian roots, but are tongue-tied when a loved one advocates “male headship,” Bible-inspired patriarchy, or heteronormativity: how do you respond?

Can you give practical advice for victims and bystanders of sexual abuse/harassment in the school, workplace, home or leisure space?

With this next issue, let’s give Geez readers some stories with helpful guidance, sober warnings, and tales of caution and delight. Can you write something on this topic? Send us your pitch.

Notes about submissions
We want long-form journalism, personal stories of transformation, short bursts of feelings, nuggets of insight, and inspiration. Pick your aspect of the topic and expand with personal experience, researched wisdom, or spiritual insight.

In a great pitch, you describe the story, explain how it’s a perfect fit for Geez, list the sources you’ll consult, and state why you’re the best person to write it (see contact info and deadline below).

 1. Longer non-fiction pieces, length: 650 or 1300 words:  
We’re looking for creative non-fiction essays, investigative articles or research-based pieces on the topic above. While a reference to your personal experience is welcome, readers need wisdom from other sources as well (interviews, books, articles, theologians, social-justice activists, academics, and moms and dads). Pitches should be one page, touch on the wider context of your topic and name at least one other source you will be consulting. Here’s a request: Please think of yourself as a Geez contributing editor. Ask yourself, What would readers who are social-justice oriented and at the fringes of faith want to read on this topic? If your pitch is accepted you’ll usually have three to four weeks to complete the piece.

2. Flash non-fiction, length: 50-350 words: 
These are short, personal experiences or insights. Your piece should capture a moment that illuminates a larger issue or convey a feeling familiar to us all. This is a chance to bring hope, insight, emotion, and connection to readers. Think of it as a snapshot with words.

3. Photos/illustrations:  
Consider the topic above and send original photographs (i.e. you took the photo) or illustrations that provoke or pacify, animate or incite. Or, if you know of a photographer or illustrator who can deliver an awesome photo essay or series of drawings and is willing to get big play in a premium little magazine for a modest honorarium, please pass this pitch along.

Tips for pitches:  
The Geez project is a discussion among people of faith seeking social justice. Our readers and writers express this through art, activism (a creative critique of those in power and the structures that keep them there, the promotion of alternative practices that subvert such powers), contemplation and a “more-grounded, interconnected” approach to living.

Additional info  
Before pitching, please read our guidelines for writers.  Ideally we would like to respond personally to every piece of correspondence we receive. But given the number of submissions we receive – and having tried to respond to all – we realize it is just not possible. If you do not hear back from us within six weeks assume that we were unable to use your submission.

First Deadline for pitches: March 14, 2014 (may be extended)

We look forward to seeing what you send!

Sincerely,

Aiden Enns, Editor

Send pitches, manuscripts and images to
  Geez Editors,
email: stories [at] geezmagazine [dot] org
 mail:  Geez magazine,  400 Edmonton Street , Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 2M2  Canada

PS: If you wish to unsusbcribe from the writers list, please send an email to unsubscribe [at] geezmagazine [dot] org with “unsubscribe writers list” in the subject line and we’ll take care of it.