Homocore: "Seminal to the Queercore Movement"

Cover of Issue #1 of Homocore, September 1988

Homocore was the first of its kind, created by Tom Jennings and Deke Nihilson, this zine was to influence the queercore movement. Here is the link to the zine: Homocore.

Queercore, as defined on Wikipedia, is a "cultural and social movement that began in the mid-1980s as an offshoot of Punk.

So Homocore is a zine and I  wanted to look at the zine because of its “underground” counter-cultural aspect. A zine is usally defined as including content unsuitable for “mainstream” topics and having a circulation of 5000 or less. The first example of a zine is said to be Thomas Payne's “Common Sense”. Zines are essentially DIY and usually printed and/or handwritten.

 Homocore is of particular interest because of its intersection between sexuality, music, and lifestyle associated with the music. Putting Homocore in context, the “punk scene" was in full force. Admittedly, I lack familiarity with punk but from my knowledge of hip hop, it has similar ties in that it includes “rebellious” elements or more along the lines of elements that give insight into the youth culture. 

Issue #1 of Homocore, p. 6, advertising graffiti

What I want to emphasize, which may be the obvious, but how (ironically) this culture of Punk is a haven of counterculture, but as the author writing at this time points out there is much homophobia and fear of difference that was very much part of the punk scene. Interestingly, the author uses Punk's essential element of "screwing" rules and conventionalism as a vehicle and explanation as to why it makes sense to create this zine; he does this in celebration of what he understands Punk to be about, and simultaneously, criticizing those part of the movement who hold homophobic and sexist ideals.

If you read through Homocore, just some side notes:

-Note how it offers to be mailed in a disclosed envelope as not to put a subscriber in jeopardy.

-Also how the author uses “the language” of punk scene to make his points, the same language that is often used to put homosexuals and others down; he uses it to transform understanding. Arguably, this can be seen as detrimental more so than helpful, but the use of it is what’s to be noted.

-Maximumrockandroll which turned a well known, influencial on punk and from the beginning included pieces or letters about being guy and a punk rocker

-Larry Livermore who is an American music producer and he was a contributer regularly