VIDEO: The First Queer Issue

The Link ‘s first Queer Issue in 1982 ignited a storm of controversy, and has become a yearly tradition ever since.

Thirty-one years ago, The Link decided to publish its first-ever “Gay Issue” on Valentine’s Day.

Following publication, angry students removed 5,000 copies from the stands, and editors and staff writers were threatened with violence and rape.

Despite the reaction, it set a precedent for The Link —for 31 years, the paper’s editors have annually dedicated a special issue to covering LGBTQ-related topics.

We interviewed Karen Herland, who wrote for the issue, about the atmosphere at the time and what she thinks about the situation today.

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