Feature Story, February Issue
© 2013 Diversity Rules Magazine. All Rights Reserved.
www.diversityrulesmagazine.com
Diversity Rules Magazine is on the cusp of change. Beginning with the March issue, it will return as a print edition along with the digital edition currently available through I-Folds. After 2 years of being a digital publication only, the magazine will be lurching forward into the print arena again and will at some point in the near future take advantage of all the technology available now.
A brief history is in order… Diversity Rules Magazine began in May 2006 as a bi-monthly publication serving what was the Leatherstocking Region of New York, now known as Central New York. It initially was distributed to locations within Broome, Chenango, Madison, Montgomery, Oneida, Otsego and Schoharie Counties, as well as Delaware County. Its original mission was to focus on issues of sexual identity, gender, race relations, diversity and equality.
It began as a free publication, supported by advertisers and donations from those who supported the mission of the magazine.
Diversity Rules Magazine eventually grew and was distributed to locations beyond the counties mentioned above and eventually was being read throughout New York State and available in numerous distribution points.
When the economy soured in 2009, Diversity Rules was not unlike so many other publications, and suffered economically and eventually ceased publishing.
After a brief hiatus it returned in its current form in March of 2010, and has become a widely distributed digital publication, being read in points literally across the globe.
It is now the right time to come back to print and will be a monthly publication, available on a subscription only basis. The free model just didn’t work out too well!
In its flagship edition, May/June 2006, the front cover article was entitled, “Why Diversity Rules?” It is reprinted below. Its mission today has not changed much from that developed at its original inception.
“Throughout history great movements of social change have been premised on the dream of one individual or a collective of individuals. These dreams are passionate and alive in the hearts of those harboring visions of social change.
Diversity Rules is very much like the visions of the great men and women before us who affected change in our lives for the better. Diversity Rules attempts to facilitate changes in the way people perceive Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning (LGBTQ) community. It gives voice to to the LGBTQ community, its friends and supporters throughout the Central Leatherstocking Region of New York State and beyond.
While the primary focus of Diversity Rules is on the needs and concerns of the LGBTQ community, it will also address diversity beyond sexual identity, including gender, race relations, and equality for all. Diversity Rules is a broad based publication appealing to a wide range of interests that also provides an outlet of expression for those outside of the LGBTQ community.
This publication will also take seriously diversity among LGBTQ, not simply by understanding sexual identity as a form of diversity, but also recognizing that people who fall under LGBTQ are themselves diverse. The diversity of the LGBTQ community spans issues related to ethnicity, gender, class, nationality, citizenship status, race and regional differences. This diversity within LGBTQ often creates as much friction and unrest within as much as diversity generally in society at large.
Diversity Rules will recognize that there are people who have a strong affiliation with LGBTQ individuals, or who may in fact be LGBTQ and yet use “queer” strategically to be more inclusive and to signal that not only are sexual identities and sexual practices fluid, but that there are cross-generational differences regarding these identities and practices as well. Diversity Rules will be a vehicle for coalition building among a variety of people who fall outside of what is considered “normal” sexual identities, cultures and practices.
We hope you will find Diversity Rules informative, compelling and thought provoking. We are excited to offer this publication to the Central Leatherstocking Region and hope that its mission will effect some degree of change and understanding, and help to bridge the many diverse peoples in our community, nation and world together as one unified voice furthering the betterment of society.”
The original passion for equality and the respect for diversity has not ebbed since the magazine’s inception in 2006. Despite the economic trials and tribulations, the Editor of Diversity Rules has always maintained his focus and never lost sight of his vision for where Diversity Rules would progress. It’s demise was never an option.
What can you do to help move Diversity Rules Magazine forward? There are a number of options by which you can express your support for the magazine’s mission; subscribe, advertise or be a patron.
SUBSCRIBE
The subscription rate to receive 12 print issues of Diversity Rules is $14.95 per year. Payment via Pay Pal is now available at the Diversity Rules Magazine website. Click on the “subscription” tab.
Subscription requests can also be paid with check or money order and sent to the following address.
Diversity Rules Magazine
PO Box 72
Oneonta, NY 13820
There will also be a digital subscription rate of $4.95 per year through the I-folds flip book. This rate will gain subscribers access to all archived issues for one full year. Digital subscriptions will be taken as of March 1st. Until then, access to Diversity Rules via the I-Folds flip book will remain FREE.
If you wish to subscribe to both the print and digital copies, the subscription rate will be $16.95 per year.
ADVERTISE
There are numerous advertising opportunities in Diversity Rules Magazine.
DON’T WAIT! Contact us now in order to get your business in front of the tremendously powerful purchasing power of the queer community by advertising in the new DIVERSITY RULES MAGAZINE.
Contact Editor for the most current media kit or download it at the website
BECOME A PATRON
If you have enjoyed the digital issues of Diversity Rules Magazine, you’ll even enjoy having a printed copy even more to save for future reading! Support the mission of Diversity Rules by becoming a PATRON TODAY!
Go to the websie for patron support options.
OTHER WAYS TO HELP
There are other opportunities to help with the mission of Diversity Rules. You can submit material as a writer, help sell advertising on a commission basis or be a media relations person to set up public and other media events to promote each issue.
There is also a need to revamp the website. If you wish to submit a proposal for revising the website, please contact the editor and more information will be sent to you.
Also, there is always a need for graphic design assistance. The new Diversity Rules will have a new format and design. Any assistance in developing a new concept would be most welcome.
So join the team now and be part of the new Diversity Rules Magazine!