Shelby Criswell
About this week’s letters
Editors’ note: We typically require printed letters to include the first and last name of the writers of social media posts, but this week we are including handles from Instagram to give print readers a flavor of that discourse. We loved last week’s cover by Shelby Criswell and we stand by our artists and writers.
Cover, Feb. 10: “Love and Sex”
Downfall
This is the downfall of western civilization...the end of the empire.. I do not want to see porno on the cover of our local CIA owned and operated Rag Sheet.. Discusting!!! (sic)
Via instagram @nancySophia144
Sense of decency
Wow, Santa Fe Reporter I can’t believe this, it’s an absolute disgrace and mockery of tasteful art and design, this paper was something that used to be great and I absolutely can’t believe my eyes. How did you ever imagine it would be in any way appropriate to release something like this when it’s so abundantly clear that those of us who have any sense of decency would have gone with a sky blue backdrop rather than this vile shade of green?
Really appreciate the representation and effort to step outside of cis-heteronormative depictions of love, though.
Via instagram @chardfarg
In this country
You are what’s wrong in this country! This is disgusting and you should be ashamed but you clearly have no morals! If I see any of these I will gladly throw them in the dumpster where they belong.
Via instagram @ash.ly.e
Avoid them
I am a mother of two young impressionable boys. I cringe at the thought of having to explain to them what’s happening on the cover of the 2023 Love and Sex issue if (I’ll do my best to avoid them this week) we happen to see it at the many many places we frequent in Santa Fe that have your free newsstands!!! A boy with a “Furry” masked man?!? Two naked sexually embracing tongue kissing people? The woman with no panties on and a BDSM mask???
I just saw the picture on IG and FB and I’m disgusted and appalled that someone thought this was OK for children all over Santa Fe and surrounding areas to have access to and be able to look at!!! Children don’t understand sex like adults do (I can’t believe I’m even having to say that). I’m of the opinion that whoever gave the OK for this is liable for child abuse!!
Amber Gurule, Santa Fe
Another mother
I’m a mother in Santa Fe, I grew up here and was lucky enough to know people of many different orientations from a young age. I think this is a beautiful and joyful depiction of many different kinds of love. I don’t see anything nefarious or dangerous here. Those of you that do, maybe ask why your mind goes there? Why do you assume that? Just because people are different from you doesn’t mean they’re doing something wrong. It’s human to fear what you don’t know but that doesn’t mean your fears are grounded. This cover is simply celebrating love in all its different manifestation. We don’t need to be threatened by love.
Stella Maria Baer, via Instagram @stellamariabaer
Loud and proud
Thank you for making the queer/poly/BDSM communities feel seen and accepted. De-stigmatizing love in all of its forms is so important, and based on many of the comments on this post, is work that needs to be done loudly and frequently. Thanks for helping me feel safe to be my whole self in Santa Fe.
via Instagram @_aries_jo
Diverting our attention
At risk of feeding the trolls. The outrage being expressed in the comments about kids seeing this cover or the idea that the person in a onesie is a child (at age 33, I happen to look very much like that person) all comes from the common trope associating the trans and queer community with sexual violence against children. This trope is incredibly dangerous, driving violence against the trans and queer community, leading children growing up to believe that they are dangerous, and diverting our attention from the things that do drive sexual violence.
If you truly want to protect kids, call your state senators and ask them to support HB 43, the affirmative consent bill. In the meantime, if your kid sees this cover and asks about it, and you don’t feel your child is ready to discuss sexuality, tell them it is art depicting ways that some people express themselves, experience joy and find connection. Believe me when I say that your child will be much more likely to remember it if you quickly usher them away, say the images are gross, or shame them for asking questions. And, I hope you take the time to read and learn more about furries, about BDSM, and about the ways that so many people engage in healthy relationships and sexuality.
Vic Farm Wiener, via Facebook
OTT
This is definitely over the top and not appropriate for a cover of something that’s gonna be printed and distributed to the public.
Justine Zimmerly, via Instagram @justine.zimmerly
Where was outrage?
Guessing none of the commenters expressed outrage at cis-heteronormative anorexic beauty standards as epitomized by almost every model ever over the last few decades. Nobody cared to chat about grooming of our kids then.
Joanna Kaufman, bia Instagram @joannagoesbananas
Since when?
Doesn’t the Santa Fe Reporter do like deep dives into municipal financial crimes and stuff? When has this paper ever been for children? Are children reading their coverage of the Rust prosecution? Lol, like genuinely confused when has this paper targeted anyone but adults?
Jimmy Himes, via Instagram @ hoorayJImmy
Go beyond
Awww. Thank you for depicting queer love and joy!! I really appreciate it not only for the visibility (those of you having a meltdown are homophobic and transphobic and need to check yourselves immediately) but for being something beyond the tired hearts and roses we always see around this time.
Lauren Stutzman via Facebook
CORRECTION
In a food story in our Feb. 1 edition, “Bites from the Big Apple,” SFR incorrectly identified the owners of New York on Catron. The Vanderhider family own the restaurant.
