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# Beyond the Scroll: Why queer print still plays a crucial role
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/why-queer-print-still-plays-a-crucial-role/
- Published: 2026-10-12T12:10:19.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-12T12:10:19.000Z
- Author: Liran Notik
- Tags: LIVE

Brighton celebrated the colourful world of LGBTQ+ print and independent publishing as **Cover Story Brighton** brought its special pop-up to 'Bearly Awake' café, marking a first-of-its-kind celebration of queer magazines and the people behind them.

The event brought together a curated selection of LGBTQ+ magazines and independent publications, from established titles to exciting new voices in queer publishing, creating a space for visitors to browse, discover, connect and celebrate the power of print. The evening also marked the Brighton launch of ***BOYS! BOYS! BOYS!***, the independent gay magazine, giving visitors the opportunity to meet the team behind the publication and explore the stories that bring it to life.

### Watch our full interview with Leah Bancroft

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/3:53 

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Our reporter[ ****Liran Notik**](https://www.instagram.com/liran%5Fnotik?ref=scenemag.co.uk), chatting with founder ****Leah Bancroft**

I met with **Leah Bancroft** of **Cover Story Brighton**, whose passion for independent magazines inspired her to bring this unique concept to the city.

> “I've always been really obsessed with independent magazines” 

Leah told me during our conversation. After looking around Brighton and speaking to friends, she recognised a clear demand for a space dedicated to independent print - something she felt the city was missing.

Her response? If nobody else was going to bring it to Brighton, why not do it herself?

Leah's journey has involved visiting magazine shops across the UK, discovering different publications and carefully selecting titles that appeal to her own interests while considering what Brighton's diverse community might enjoy. The result is a vibrant collection that invites visitors to discover publications they might never have encountered otherwise.

But **Cover Story** is about much more than selling magazines.

Speaking with Leah, it quickly became clear that the heart of the project lies in bringing people together through a shared passion. In a world where so much of our reading happens online, the pop-up offers something refreshingly tangible: the opportunity to hold a magazine, turn its pages, appreciate its photography and design, and connect with others who share the same curiosity.

As Leah put it, the project's core mission is:

> “To bring people together through their passion of magazines.” 

It's a particularly meaningful idea within the LGBTQ+ community, where independent publications have long offered space for representation, creativity and stories that deserve to be seen.

That sense of community was reflected throughout the event at Bearly Awake. Visitors could browse the selection, discover new titles and enjoy an evening celebrating queer creativity and independent voices. The ***BOYS! BOYS! BOYS!* Brighton launch** added another highlight, offering an opportunity to explore how an independent magazine is made and to meet some of the people responsible for bringing it to readers.

### Watch our interview with Alastair James, 'BOYS! BOYS! BOYS!'

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/2:23 

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****Liran Notik**, chatting with ****Alastair James**, Gallery Manager of BOYS! BOYS! BOYS!

For me, covering the event for Scene Magazine was a reminder of why spaces like these play such a crucial part. Beyond the publications themselves, there is something special about creating opportunities for people to meet, exchange ideas and discover stories that connect us. **Cover Story Brighton** is helping bring that experience to the city. 

Through Leah's enthusiasm and determination, an idea born from a personal love of print is becoming a meeting point for independent publishing and Brighton's LGBTQ+ community.

Perhaps that's the real story behind Leah's project. What if the purpose of those gorgeous magazines sitting on the shelves is to bring people together, creating space for conversation and connection?

In an increasingly digital world, queer print is still very much alive and kicking - and Brighton just got another reason to celebrate it. So, put down your phone, pick up a magazine, and discover inspiring stories!

Don't forget to follow them on instagram:  
[Bearly Awake](https://www.instagram.com/bearlyawakebrighton/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)***,*** [Cover Story Brighton](https://www.instagram.com/coverstorybrighton/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)***,*** [*BOYS! BOYS! BOYS!*](https://www.instagram.com/boysgallerycafelondon/?ref=scenemag.co.uk)