A word from DIVA editor-in-chief, Carrie Lyell
BY CARRIE LYELL
Hello! It’s me. I was wondering if after all these years you’d like to meet…
Jokes aside, you’re a sight for sore eyes, you are. The last seven months have been incredibly challenging for many of us, and the DIVA team is no exception.
Back in April, due to a loss of revenue from advertising and events, we were forced to make some very tough decisions and as part of that, most of us were furloughed. The decision to pause publication wasn’t taken lightly – we’ve been a constant in the lives of lesbians and bi women for the last 26 years – but it was a necessary step to ensure the long term future of DIVA, a magazine that means so much to so many. More than a magazine, in fact. A lifeline.
Furlough was tough, in many ways. I missed you all terribly. But it did give me an invaluable opportunity to reflect on my life, on what’s important, and gave me pause to consider the importance of solidarity and how, together, DIVA might grow and flourish from the ashes of 2020. If this year has taught us anything, it’s just how necessary and essential community is.
Meanwhile, behind the scenes, other members of our small but mighty team were working day and night on various projects and a plan to bring DIVA back to the shelves once again. And so, thanks to their hard work, we’re back, refreshed and raring to go.
On a personal level, I’m so happy to be sitting in the editor’s chair once again (even if it is in my spare room these days) doing what I love most in the world: amplifying the voices of LGBTQI womxn. And I’m absolutely thrilled that this indispensable and irreplaceable resource for our community lives to fight another day.
Your support, understanding and kindness these last few months has been overwhelming, and on behalf of the whole team, I’d like to thank you from the bottom of my queer heart for taking out a subscription, joining the DIVA Community on Facebook, and donating to our fundraiser earlier this year.
Most of all, thank you for your patience and for sticking with us as we try to navigate this new normal. We’ve got some great stuff up our sleeves for you in the coming months, not least two issues before the end of the year, the first of which will be landing on your doormat next month. Make sure you sign up to the DIVA newsletter to be the first to find out who we’ve got on the cover. Want a clue? Ask nicely over at @DIVAmagazine and I’ll see what I can do…
If you’re a subscriber, rest assured you’ll get all the content you paid for. We’re adding five months on to the end of your subscription period to make up for issues missed while we suspended publication. You don’t need to do anything – just sit back and enjoy the mags when they arrive. I really hope our next issue will be worth the wait. I’m a little biased, but I think it is.
Until then, stay safe, stay well and stay wonderful.
Carrie and Team DIVA x
Brilliant news! So pleased that Diva has been able to survive. I’ve missed you! X
Missed Diva so much, it really is a lifeline for those of us in rural communities. Do repeat subscribers need to do anything to get our 5 months added subscription or will you bill us 5 months later than usual?