ISSUE ONE
Adventure, art school & anxiety
Welcome to the first-ever issue of Headless Friends - my brand new digital magazine exploring the intersections of creativity, mental health and queer cutlture.
This entire project is inspired by the insightful conversations I have with friends. For this debut issue, my good friend, Rosa Simonet, has stopped by for a chat about how to look after your mental health, among other topics. This conversation inspired a personal essay on the subject of mental health, too.
Why Birmingham? is a question I have been asked a lot since moving to Brum, so I’ve written my definitive answer in the form of an article. Many years ago, I moved to a very different city, Dundee in Scotland. To add a touch of nostalgia to this issue, I’ve dug out an article from when I lived there about my first day at art school.
With the launch of my new digital journal, I’m also starting a new series on a subject I have never written about before - movies. Queer Film Club looks at film from a queer perspective, starting with Conclave, a surprisingly-camp, soap-opera style romp around The Vatican.
And finally, The Headless Gift Guide contains a list of 40 independently-owned, creative businesses to help you shop small this festive season. Happy shopping, and happy reading!
Interview: Writer and activist, Rosa Simonet
My good friend Rosa Simonet joins me for a chat about the power of storytelling, the importance of queer friendship and how to look after your mental health while travelling. Read more
My first day at art school
We’re travelling back to the beginning of my time at art school. Even on my very first day, I could tell that the building I was in and the community I was surrounded by were going to become very special to me. Read more
You take the same brain with you wherever you go
Whether you relocate to a new city or jet off to the moon, you take the same mind - and ‘bad wolf’ - with you wherever you go. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing.. Read more
Queer film club: Conclave
Despite its almost entirely straight-male cast and famously straight-laced subject matter, this religious romp turned out to be a lot queerer than I expected it to be. Read more
Why Birmingham?
Many people have asked what made me want to live in Birmingham. Let me explain why I think this big, creative, friendly city is such a wonderful place to live. Read more
The headless gift guide
It’s the most wonderful time of year to support independent businesses! I have written a ‘nice list’ featuring 40 of my favourite small shops. Read more