PIHM: Closing Message & Thank You

It’s the last day of Pride, but that doesn’t mean Pride needs to end. Although we’ll be gently closing the door specifically on Pride in Horror Month, we’re not taking down the flags and banners, and it’s not quite time to put away the signs. I try to stress this as much as possible - our door is always open. If you like what you’ve seen here over the last month, and would like to take part, we are always open to guest submissions. We’re also open to regular contributors joining our small, majority queer team (and you can read more about our fantastic team contributors here).

I would like to say a huge diolch yn fawr (thank you very much) to everyone who submitted content for us to highlight this month. We’ve had such a great range, from our usual reviews, to poetry and a graphic novel and a tattoo artist spotlight! Thank you as ever to the DHR Contributors, extra thanks to those who contributed for Pride - this is a team I am so incredibly proud to work with, and without them, the site, quite honestly, wouldn’t exist. And lastly, thank you to you, our readers, whether you’ve read every piece this month, dipped in and out, or joined us to check out just one thing - we really hope you’ve enjoyed what you’ve seen this month, and maybe you’ll make this site a regular place to visit, or maybe you’ll close the window and come back for next year’s Pride in Horror, or our Queer Your eReader event. However you engage with DHR, we are thrilled to have you here.

I keep telling people to correct me if I’m wrong, but as far as I’m aware, the queerest horror site out there, and as stated above, Pride doesn’t end at midnight, 30th June. There is so much going on in the world right now, and among all the darkness, it’s important to keep a light. We hope, in some small way, this month has shown you the importance of joy in the midst of the struggles. It’s something that can be easily forgotten, but the fact is, joy is at the core of everything we’re fighting for - the joy in the freedom to live our lives. This doesn’t just apply to queer people, but everyone, really. So don’t feel guilty for finding some slice of joy, wherever you are and whatever you’re doing. We can’t let our guard down just yet, but that doesn’t mean we don’t deserve to smile at times, too.

I’m always overwhelmed (in the best way) by the submissions we get during Pride in Horror Month. There is so much incredible talent in the queer community, and if we’ve inspired you this month to seek out a new writer or artist, to pick up a book, or watch a film, etc, then we’re incredibly happy if you found your way to something that made you smile via us. And please, if you have any feedback for us, we always want to hear it!

We will be back from Wednesday with our regular content, but in the meantime, if you want to keep up with what’s going on here, please consider signing up to our Substack where we post regular, weekly roundups of our content.

Finally, I would especially like to point people towards Friday’s post, if you haven’t seen it. The admin team behind DHR put this together, but we will be making it a page on the site (and therefore a permanent, ever changing resource), so if you have a charity close to your heart you would like to be included - from anywhere in the world, and as small or big as you like - please do let us know!

Thanks, as always, for your support, and we hope to see you back here soon!

Elle
DHR Site Admin