DIVA DICTUM
As DIVA went to press, we heard that pop icon David Bowie had died. The great outpouring of love for him suggests that the world does indeed love a gender-fluid, rule-bending, flamboyant personality and yet the same world, for centuries, has made those of us who “deviate from the norm” feel like undesirable freaks. That is, unless you’re our cover star Skin (p56), who like Bowie, has the courage to play with gender, to strut, preen and mean it. Oh, and our new columnist Jack Monroe (p26), who writes exclusively for DIVA about their parenting experiences, and author Kate Bornstein (p54) – both of whom know a thing or two about breaking gender rules. We have plenty of other creative genii this month, including author Chinelo Okparanta (p30), singer Aneesa Chaudhry (p24), club promoter and DJ Claud Cunningham (p27) and Oscar-nominated Emma Donoghue, author of Room, now on general release as a fi lm (p38). With a nod to Valentine’s Day, we asked you to tell us why you love your partner (p64) and Rosie Wilby explains why she still treasures her exes (p48). February is, of course, LGBT history month and our time-sleuths have brought the past to light in features that examine the importance of historical fi ction for lady-lovers (p50) and the hidden presence of bi women (p52). Fans of Julianne Moore and Ellen Page should fl ick straight to p33 for information about DIVA’s free screening of Freeheld on 19 February. And fi nally, stuck for a Valentine’s gift idea? Why not buy the one(s) you love a DIVA subscription? With prices starting at £7.99 for 3 issues and a free e-card option for the lucky recipient, what are you waiting for? divasub.co.uk