Gal-dem is a British online and print magazine produced by women and non-binary people of colour. The magazine was founded by Liv Little in 2015 and it produces one printed issue a year, as well as appearing in its online format, addressing inequality and misrepresentation in the industry through platforming the creative and editorial work of their community across essays, opinion, news, arts, music, politics and lifestyle content.
The current journalistic landscape is 94% white and 55% male and Gal-dem is actively trying to redress this imbalance in media more broadly through both their editorial and commercial work. Because of a combination of racism, sexism, transphobia, nepotism, class-related prejudice, education outcomes and cultural norms, women of colour and non-binary people of colour can struggle to break into the industry, meanwhile the mainstream media still regularly publishes racist and sexist content.
Because of this, they believe that taking control of the way they are portrayed in the media is essential, but their end goal is not simply representation but journalism and creative work which shapes debates, shift discussions, create new ways of thinking and contribute to social movements in a whitewashed media environment.
COUNTERSPACE 