Florida Lesbian Zine Fest
Themme Presents: A Celebration of Queer Physical Media!
Saturday, Jan. 9, 2027
2-7 PM at the Gainesville Fine Arts Association Gallery
1314 S. Main St. Gainesville, Florida
About Florida Lesbian Zine Fest
A Celebration of Queer Physical Media!
Saturday, Jan. 9, 2027
2-7 PM at the Gainesville Fine Arts Association Gallery
1314 S. Main St. Gainesville, Florida
What is it?
Florida Lesbian Zine Fest (FLZF) was created as an act of resistance against the fascist horrors of a digital surveillance state. In a world where artistic integrity is being compromised by AI, grassroots print culture is needed now more than ever.FLZF is a celebration of radical self-publishing and sapphic and trans creativity. This event is a love letter to DIY queer physical media for all to enjoy.Though all queer people and allies are welcome, this event is created by lesbians, for lesbians. We want FLZF to prioritize and highlight underrepresented voices in the queer community. Black lesbians, Indigenous lesbians, all lesbians of color, trans lesbians, disabled lesbians, and lesbians who hold multiple identities will be prioritized as vendors and artists.
What to expect
Florida-based queer zine creators (AKA zinesters) and artists
Workshops that cover the history of self-publishing
Creator's corner to make and share your own zines
Space to share art and ideas and connect with fellow queer zinesters
One-of-a-kind custom FLZF merch!
Plus, a pop-up art gallery and installation featuring Florida queer artists.
Apply to vend at the Florida Lesbian Zine Fest!
Applications open October 2
We're seeking zinesters and artists to distribute, share and sell their work at Florida Lesbian Zine Fest. We're also building a one-day only pop-up art gallery that explores themes of queer resistance in the south.This is a space for people to make and share physical media (like zines!), while celebrating lesbian artists. We will only accept original art: absolutely no use of generative AI will be allowed or accepted at this fest.Zines that cover topics like queer history and ways to support your community are especially encouraged, but we encourage you to get creative and let your curiosity flourish! Vendors are welcome to sell their zines and/or distribute them for free. There will also be space for everyone to trade zines!
Who should apply?
We want Florida Lesbian Zine Fest to prioritize and highlight underrepresented voices in the queer community. Though all queer people and allies are welcome, this event is created by lesbians, for lesbians. Black lesbians, Indigenous lesbians, all lesbians of color, trans lesbians, disabled lesbians, and lesbians who hold multiple identities will be prioritized as vendors and artists. Applications from cis men will not be considered.
Share your zines at FLZF!
We're curating a selection of zinesters who share a love of DIY publishing and want to connect outside of the digital realm.Apply by Sunday, Nov. 1 to be considered.
Vendors are also welcome to show art in the pop-up exhibit! Please complete both applications if interested.
Can't make it to FLZF but still want to submit your work? Fill out the application anyway and let us know.
Be part of our pop-up art exhibit at FLZF!
We're building a one-day only pop-up art gallery that explores themes of queer resistance in the south.Apply by Sunday, Nov. 15 to be considered.
Timeline
FLZF organizers will review applications as they come in throughout October
Oct. 9 - Three months until FLZF!
Nov. 15 - Zine vendors finalized
Nov. 23 - Art exhibit artists finalized
Accessibility Plan at FLZF
Getting there + parking
Florida Lesbian Zine Fest (FLZF) is hosted at Gainesville Fine Arts Association Gallery, located at 1314 S. Main St. in Gainesville, Florida.Coming soon...
More accessibility info (lighting and sound considerations)
Detailed parking guide, including a map!
Layout of FLZF, including measurements of major areas
Safer space agreement
We have the following safer space agreement in place. We require any person attending read and verbally agree to it before entering the space.We aim to be a safer space for the lesbians attending our events.
This is a trans-inclusive space! All lesbians, sapphics, and other queer people across the gender spectrum are welcomed! Allies are also welcome.
Absolutely no racism, transphobia, ableism, xenophobia, or overall bigotry / hatefulness is allowed.
Consent is mandatory. Always ask before physical interactions and get a definitive “yes.”
If you feel your safety has been compromised at any moment, please let an organizer dyke know.
Stay safe and don’t forget to drink water! Check in on each other.
Honor the space and the people. We take care of each other.
This safer space agreement is inspired by the work of Dyke Nite St. Pete and Day Peek, creator of Florida-founded The Sapphic Party.
Airborne virus safety
Florida Lesbian Zine Fest is a mask-required event. A KN95, N95 or equivalent is required to enter to space. Masks will be provided at the entrance if you do not have your own!
There will be several air purifiers with HEPA filters on throughout the entire venue.
No eating or drinking inside the venue. Please step outside to do so :) There will be designated spaces outdoors for guests to unmask.
No LGBTQIA+ event is truly accessible without COVID mitigations. We honor our queer elders, especially those who are no longer with us, when we protect and care for each other. We honor them by taking precautions against a harmful disease. We honor each other when we refuse to leave anyone behind, especially our disabled dykes.We are lovingly calling you in. We need each other. Our solidarity, our community is powerful. It is transformative, liberating, and revolutionary. Lesbian spaces are getting more and more scarce. It’s important for us to keep curating these spaces where we can see each other and connect. It’s important for these spaces to be as inclusive and accessible as possible.
Coming soon... FLZF full schedule of events
Florida Lesbian Zine Fest will be from 2-7 PM on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2027. We'll share our vendors, workshops, and artists when they are finalized by mid-November.
What to expect
Florida-based queer zine creators (AKA zinesters) and artists
Workshops that cover the history of self-publishing
Creator's corner to make and share your own zines
Space to share art and ideas and connect with fellow queer zinesters
One-of-a-kind custom FLZF merch!
Plus, a pop-up art exhibit and installation featuring Florida queer artists
Questions about FLZF? We tried to answer a few!
What is the Florida Lesbian Zine Fest?
Florida Lesbian Zine Fest (FLZF) was created as an act of resistance against the fascist horrors of a digital surveillance state. In a world where artistic integrity is being compromised by AI, grassroots print culture is needed now more than ever. Themme’s FLZF is a celebration of radical self-publishing and sapphic and trans creativity. This event is a love letter to DIY queer physical media for all queer people and allies to enjoy.We want Florida Lesbian Zine Fest to prioritize and highlight underrepresented voices in the queer community. Though all queer people and allies are welcome, this event is created by lesbians, for lesbians. Black lesbians, Indigenous lesbians, all lesbians of color, trans lesbians, disabled lesbians, and lesbians who hold multiple identities will be prioritized as vendors and artists.Not sapphic? FLZF is a free event, but consider making a small donation or purchasing some merch to help our organizer dykes recover the costs for planning this event.
Who can attend the FLZF?
We invite people of all ages and experiences with zines to come to FLZF! Whether you're an experienced zinester or this is your first time hearing about zines, FLZF is a space for you to immerse yourself in the joys of self-publishing. We hope you come to learn and leave inspired to create.This is a space designed by and for lesbians and sapphics, and we ask anyone who attends that does not identify as such respectfully navigate.We want FLZF to prioritize and highlight underrepresented voices in the queer community. Black lesbians, Indigenous lesbians, all lesbians of color, trans lesbians, disabled lesbians, and lesbians who hold multiple identities will be prioritized as vendors and artists.
Who planned this event?
Organizers of Themme are planning FLZF! Themme started out of a desire to have more dyke-centered/sapphic spaces in our area, especially those that center BIPOC. Themme is a collaboration between Beyond the Binary and The Handkerchief organizers.
Beyond The Binary is a queer, radical, Black-led initiative aiming to create more Black, Brown, queer, and trans-inclusive spaces in Gainesville.
The Handkerchief is a DIY, COVID-safer space for our queer community in Gainesville.
Why are you hosting this?
Lesbian and sapphic spaces are getting more and more scarce. Florida Lesbian Zine Fest is a space for people to make and share physical media (like zines!), while celebrating lesbian and trans artists. We're curating a selection of zinesters who share a love of DIY publishing and want to connect outside of the digital realm.It’s important for us to keep curating these spaces where we can see each other and connect. We must care for each other as fascism continues to fester.No one is free until all of us are free. We must do all we can to further the liberation of all people. We must care for one another, protect one another, and celebrate our existence.When dykes get together, there is no limit to what we can do.do.
What accessibility measures are you taking?
Our accessibility plan will be updated to the site as we develop it more! FLZF is a mask required event. A KN95, N95 or equivalent is required to enter to space. Masks will be provided at the entrance if you do not have your own! There will be several air purifiers with HEPA filters on throughout the entire venue. The space will be set up so that people with mobility aids may easier navigate. If you have any specific access needs or questions, please contact us!
Contact us if...
You have any access needs so that we can make FLZF better for you!
You have questions about applying to FLZF
You want to support or spread the word about FLZF
Reach us at:
[themmegnv @ proton .me]