QueensSpeech is an online magazine/news aggregator specifically geared towards the gay and lesbian community. It´s got a sharp, DIY zine feel to it, with its bold lettering, and vivid color scheme. Article topics range from equality rights, to stories about gays in the army, and summer fashion trends. Each submitted article is placed in to one of five channels :Shine, On, Crush, Off and Me. As far as features run, QueensSpeech offers profile space for collecting and writing articles, and there´s also a rating system; the highest rated articles will make an appearance on the site´s homepage. Members can include pictures and links to interesting things they´ve spotted on the web within their profiles. However, there isn´t much in the way of means for navigating the site, and the profiles seriously lack in customization tools. Overall, the site´s appeal lies in its aesthetic which is something like a punkish tribute to pushing the envelope. It works well as an interactive magazine; however the social part is rather limited.
“Welcome to QueensSpeech. We hope you will use, explore, meet and enjoy. It"s a place designed for the unheard, the sometimes alternative voice of our amazing community. A fabulous voice that is sometimes not heard and given the platform it deserves. We want you to say what you feel, publish what you want and do what you believe in. Promote yourself, your work, your art and your music. QueensSpeech, a place for everyone to be heard.”
The site has a tenacity and rawness about it that´s bound to attract those interested in alternative sources of news and stories. It´s also opens itself to a large community which still hasn´t ample representation on the web.
This punk, diy, slapdash, interface typifies a sort of radicalism that perhaps the gay and lesbian community won´t appreciate; after all just because sexuality/orientation is a subject upon which many broach with a guarded attitude, doesn´t mean an in your face style is necessary. This approach may seem rather teenage to some; also the site would do well to add some more social functions to it.
Visit website:
http://www.queensspeech.com
