To say I’ve needed a pick-me-up these past fifteen days is an understatement. I’m fluctuating in and out of Trump-induced panic and a whole lot of grief; I haven’t slept many (if any) full nights in the meantime. It’s helped to mostly stay off the internet and read books, go on a mini vacation with my girlfriend, show up at protests, and see friends who inspire me. This week, I’ve been looking for something to cut through the fog and get me to the part where I’m more ready to act, speak out, and fight.
Enter Bright Lite — the badass magazine for girls that, true to its name, will bring light to your world, a grin to your face, and much-needed hope to your heart.
Bright Lite is the brainchild of photographer Christa Renee and illustrator and writer Ami Komai. They started the magazine to create a community where preteen girls “don’t have to fight for their voice to be heard and no one questions whether they are equal or not.” It’s “born out of determination to show young girls the future is indeed bright.” Tearing up yet? Yeah, me too.
Issue 1 on Animals, Issue 2 on Museums, and the upcoming Issue 3 on Outer Space (via brightlitemag.com)
Each issue of Bright Lite (there are two out now and a third available for preorder) features articles, interviews, journals, recipes, crafts, and more all curated for and by preteen girls. That’s right — the editorial board is made up entirely of girls. So they’re not just the target readership; they’re creating the content and running the show. Best of all, Bright Lite is “inclusive to ALL girls — including trans, bi, gay, all of the above.” In the words of their Editorial Assistant, Rikki Johnson:
“One of the reasons Bright Lite is so important to me is because it’s something I know I wish I had as a queer youth. Being a girl can be tough, being gay can be tough. Bright Lite is a place where you can be you, whoever that is. A place where you can express yourself in any way that feels right, without judgment. It is a community of strong young women who inspire and support each other.”
via Kickstarter
Bright Lite comes out quarterly, but its website features new stuff all the time, and they’re always encouraging submissions through Instagram (so if you know or are an awesome girl, this is your moment!). And good news for us all: they’re raising funds on Kickstarter to keep more issues coming! They’ve already blown past their original goal, but more support means more Bright Lite and let’s be honest, that’s what the world needs right now. You’ve got three more days to contribute, so take care of it ASAP. The inclusive feminist tweens need you!
I’ve seen y’all at A-Camp, I know you want these rewards (via brightlitemag.com)
I can’t explain how much I wish Bright Lite had existed when I was growing up. If you want to make sure this one-of-a-kind resource continues to grow and thrive, chip in to the Kickstarter or check out their amazing shop (I’m definitely getting this shirt). They honestly say it best: “Now more than ever, it is imperative to give young girls the confidence and supportive community they deserve.”
I’ll take one hundred copies of everything, thanks.
Important Update: my mom just donated
COOL thanks so much for sharing this, I can’t wait to buy one (or a hundred) of everything for my baby cousin. I was obsessed with magazines as a kid and would’ve benefitted greatly from something more feminist than J14
Love this. I remember the magazines my sister and I read at that age, and this looks so much better (though Sassy will always have a special place in my heart). I backed it just now, and hope it’s still going when my niece is at that age.
So excited to get this for my daughter! Thank you for sharing <3
That’s great. Looking back I can’t believe the crap I was fed thru magazines as a tween and teen. There are so many studies that shows they contribute to really poor body image in young girls. I wish I had smthng like that growing up too. It’s really great for young girls to be able to read smthng that’s inclusive and feminist! Digging it
I wish i had something like this growing up, instead of the stupidity of “how to make boys like you” that were in the teen magazines that i was reading
I agree, when I’d be at the waiting room of my Doctors office I’d always sneak a look at teen magazines and wonder similar. Part of me still wants to read this(maybe it’s because I am trans and never had a more masculine childhood?).