Renaming Deviance - Reader Poll

Last month, The Skinny turned ten. We threw a sparkly shindig with a Skinny cake and a gulf of gin, all in celebration of the papery delights we’ve placed under your loyal eyeballs over the last ten years. But that’s not where it ended. A few of the magazine's section editors also got glittery-eyed as they reminisced over the histories of their respective sections. From Theatre to Film, there are many yarns to be spun for each... But perhaps none more than the luscious, pink-fonted arena of debate that is Deviance.

I got in touch with the very first Deviance editor – Nine – and we had a chinwag about the section. We dished all the Deviance dirt back in October, but to catch you up, let’s just say it hasn’t always been smooth sailing - especially when it came to what the hell we should be calling this section. During the interview, it transpired that Nine was still unkeen on ‘Deviance’. That, among countless other things, left us all wondering whether it is, indeed, time for change.

Yep. We’re proposing that we rename Deviance.

But, wait - don’t lose your shit just yet! Yes, change is ruddy uncomfortable at the best of times. Also, the task of finding a name for this section which is accurate, appropriate, striking and non-offensive is a harder balance to strike than cracking a Mary Berry florentine recipe. But we’re not doing this without you, our readers. You refuse to let shitty things happen, or, if they’ve already happened, you refuse to let them continue. We trust you. So pick well.

Option 1: Intersections

Conceptually, Intersectionality means acknowledging that, in short, it’s difficult to be a woman in a patriarchal world, but it’s even harder to be a woman of colour, or a less able woman, or a trans woman, or a woman with a low income (the list continues). Deviance is committed to that ideology; but the section’s intentions extend beyond than that. Nine puts it pretty well: “Gender and sexuality aren’t just issues for those from the margins...One of the main goals should be to amplify marginalised voices. But at the same time, people whose identities carry more privilege are also affected by gender and sexuality issues that aren’t talked about enough...It’s good to have a space where all of that can potentially be tackled.” It also refers nicely to the intersections at which people stand when making the sorts of life decisions we discuss in ‘Deviance’.

Option 2: FLESH

A bit of a wildcard, perhaps. It’s in capitals because it’s an acronym for a bunch of the things we regularly cover in Deviance - Feminism; Love and LGBTQIA* issues; Equality; Sexuality and Spectrums; Human rights. Deviance is dedicated to the things that affect human beings, universally and individually – and flesh is the human common denominator. It’s got a good ring out-loud too: “The FLESH section”.

Option 3: Deviance

Deciding to keep the name ‘Deviance’ is as much of a statement as changing it, hence it is one of our four options. It was originally chosen in order to reclaim a term used often used as a weapon against those who don’t conform. Out of context, it perhaps comes across as a little offensive or reductive – but it’s also name held close to the hearts to a number of Skinny writers and readers.

Option 4: I’ve Got A Better Idea, and It’s "_______"

Don’t fancy any of the above? Come on then, hit us up with your best idea, and maybe you’ll wind up being responsible for our brand new name. Wouldn’t that be exciting?