The DIY Issue: Queercore
First appearing in our DIY Issue, fashion story Queercore had its digital debut on VERO. Now, we’re publishing it on HUNGER Online alongside an interview with photographer Jordan Rossi, who delves into his inspirations and creative process. Keep reading for more…
Where did the idea for your Queercore fashion story come from?
It was born out of my love for queer culture; the rebellious attitude and giving zero fucks about the heterosexual agenda. Being queer means you’re different, why try and change this? You shouldn’t need the acceptance of anyone else in order to be who you are and live your truth. Queercore is a 1980s punk off-shoot that embodied this mentality. The movement really reacted against negative social attitudes towards the LGBTQIA+ community and I sort of fell in love with the unapologetic nature of the movement and the art of people like [filmmaker] Bruce LaBruce.
After you found your initial inspiration, where did you take it from there?
A lot has changed since the 1980s so I wanted to construct an editorial that embodied this rebellious spirit but updated for a modern audience, reflecting the changes that have taken place in the community since then. It was always the intention to put all the members of the community at the forefront of this piece and make the cast as diverse as possible in terms of ethnicity, gender, sexuality and identity. I also wanted to react against the recent news coming out of places like Chechnya and Poland and the continual dismissal of trans and intersex rights.
Not all of the individuals featured in the story are professional models. How did you approach casting?
I never wanted models in this story. The key to the cast was finding people who had something to say and who resonated with the concept. If we would have simply cast traditional models it never would have felt authentic and the message would have been lost. I wanted a true representation of our community on the page. Not a watered-down version of the issues facing our community today.
What are the most pressing issues facing the queer community today?
For me, one of the most obvious is the effect the pandemic is having. With the closures of events and venues (sometimes permanently), it means that the community is now lacking in places where we feel at home. I also think it would be remiss to ignore the issues facing us from within our own community; there is a huge amount of transphobia and racism within our own walls as well as lots of internalised homophobia as well. We have to protect each other. What has occurred, and is occurring, in Poland and Chechnya is abhorrent. With Chechnya it’s not just about the number of LGBTQIA+ people that have been killed, it’s the systematic way in which their human rights have been completely violated.
What are your hopes for the future?
This question is actually really tough. I guess I’d like to say something really straightforward like “world peace” but in reality I want people to shut the fuck up and stop debating people’s bodies, sexualities and gender identities. It would be great to see all human beings treating each other with mutual respect regardless of their sexuality or gender identity.
See the full editorial below. The DIY Issue is out now, get your own copy here.
