As June melts into July and we trade fans for fireworks, it’s important to commemorate pride month by platforming the identities that make us us. No matter who or how we choose to love, we come together as a community in support of one another. We write for those who can’t advocate for themselves. We read to learn about perspectives outside of our own. We love unapologetically because joy is resistance.
For our 2025 Pride Month article, our writers articulate the queer experience through poetic illustrations of accepting identity. If you find yourself yearning for more LGBTQIA+ voices, feel free to listen to our Music department’s Pride Month Playlists. UCLA Radio is committed to advocating for a world where everyone can love anyone. Happy Pride!! 🏳️🌈
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the match won’t light ~ Chloe Gonzales
it was not clic-clic-clicking
this tick-tick-ticking of the clock
will be stuck by the same disease my grandmother had
at seventy-five i
cannot hear the sound of her voice only
the sound of her discernment, her frowning
trying to pi-pi-piece together the aftermath of my
spillage as i si-si-sit there by the phone trying to
mask the silence of her thinking for
something that won’t get to her the
dog will not heed to the
whistle and i d-d-don’t
know who is at fault i don’t know what to
do for s-s-something that i created in the depths of
myself only for the match to not
strike the match won’t
light
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Only The Bullfrogs Know I’m Here With You ~ Lily Stockton
The bullfrogs croak
from moonkissed puddles
as we stroll the neighborhood
in our pajamas.
My glasses fog
from the humid summer air
and my shirt clings
to beads of sweat
slowly trickling
down my back.
We roam the streets
aimlessly,
not knowing where
we’re headed or
how far we’ll go.
We wander
without a care in the world.
After crossing creeks and corners,
we settle on a curb.
The night grows still
and we are alone.
You inch closer to me.
Your hand reaches my way.
You slip off my glasses.
And wipe the fog with your shirt.
The bullfrogs croak.
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i feel,,,,,,pretty ?!? ~ Chloe Gonzales
&ifichangeitifitwistit&ifipercieveitwhatwillbecomeofit ?
iseethosearoundmetiptoeinwhathappenedtomylittle____whathappenedto___
ifeellikeascabnoifeellikeiamsittinginthesandboxallbymyselfthedeerheartstillbeatingpulsatingbloodyswollenahalfofafootinwhosethewolf ?
amitheperpretratoramithewitnesswhoisthevictim ?
isitinabodythatsthepointofcontentionabeingthatmakesoneuncomfortable
doyouknowwhatthatdoestoapsyche ?
doyouknowhowitfeelstobesittingatthedinnertablestaringatthosewhoaresupposedtoloveyoulovesomeonesomethingelse ?
disassociatedfromwhattheythinkyououghttobegoeatatthedinneryouhavebeenservedthebody youhavebeengivenmyheartisinmymouthimtellingyouimfeelingthumpingpoundingbeggingof arealitythatyouneedinconvenienttoothersdoyouseetheredthefleshthebloodimhereimhere
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Curated by Chloe Gonzales
