In her poem, “Intifada Incantation: Poem #8 for b.b.L.”, Harlem-based poet and activist, June Jordan writes, “I SAID I LOVED YOU AND I WANTED/ BOUNDARIES TO DISAPPEAR.”

With June Jordan’s voice behind us, we wonder, what is queer life like in the neighborhoods of New York’s uptown communities? What are the perceptions of queer life in forgotten districts? What are the disquieting stories of resilience? The ones that remind us of our autonomous power? And what of the untold stories of looking for love in a city that doesn’t love you back? What’s the story behind the bench you avoid at the park? Tell us about your craziest commute–all the trains you took to see your crush and the mess you witnessed on the way. Tell us about the party that made you feel like you finally belonged. When did you decide that you needed to choose yourself to survive?

Sinister Wisdom, a multicultural lesbian literary and arts journal, recognizes that wisdom comes from the left (sinister) and from places that are to some unexpected. Scarlet Gomez is editing an issue of stories from across New York’s uptown community, spanning from 110th in Harlem to Wakefield in the Bronx. Scarlet and Sinister Wisdom invite all queer, trans, nonbinary, genderqueer, genderfluid, gender non-conforming, two-spirit, intersex folks, and any woman who has ever loved another woman, to submit to our Archived As: I Said I Love You issue. Short stories, essays, letters, poems, interviews, photographs, and other creative expressions are welcome.

Some examples of what we are looking for: the love letters you never threw out, the stories you daydream about the one who got away, the tale of how you fell in love at first sight. We want journal entries about overcoming family trauma and your worst breakups; musings on discovering yourself at any age, but especially from late-bloomers, and all the table talk of the parties and protests you’ve met the most beautiful people at. Work about being in the closet, high school and church crushes, and work flings are also encouraged.

Please submit fiction, non-fiction, poetry, interviews, and genre-non-specific work, up to 5k words, and a short contributor biography, between 25 and 125 words through the Sinister Wisdom Submittable page.

We are also seeking illustration and photographs, (.jpg or .tif files only, print resolution size at least 300 ppi).

Please do not send previously published work.

Submission Deadline: January 31, 2026. The anticipated publication date for this issue is in 2027 or 2028.

About the Editor: Scarlet Gomez (she/they) is a queer Dominican Bronx-based poet, writer, zine-maker, and founder of Poetry House LLC. She's had several short stories and poems published in literary journals such as Philadelphia Stories, The A3 Review, and Femme Dyke Magazine. She’s a Hedgebrook alum. When she’s not writing poetry, she’s working on her debut novel, No World Without You, and when she’s not doing that, she’s building the future she wants to see.