Lisa Martinez

Lisa Martinez co-founded the Chicago-based queer inclusive site TheLStop.org. After years of showcasing Chicago's queer community, she has set her sights on a different approach with a new site. To get the site off the ground, she's asking for the community to help support with an IndieGogo campaign. To talk to her about the site and the campaign, site contributor Adam Guerino asked her a few questions.

AG: (Adam Guerino) Tell us about Quilt.

LM: (Lisa Martinez) Quilt is a new LGBTQ site that will be focused on all the underrepresented parts of the queer community. The goal of the website is to create a space where stories from a variety of underrepresented perspectives can be shared with a national audience. The content will include culture, news, entertainment, current events, interviews, lifestyle and education.

AG: What are some of your personal experiences that helped you decide to create the site?

LM: I'm always really excited about accomplishments being made in the LGBTQ community. We've made huge strides in marriage equality and we have more visibility in media, but at the same time, I'm completely aware of all the issues that get overlooked and I'm aware of the areas that are progressing slowly. So I wanted to create a space where we could talk about these issues and show as many different perspectives as possible. And living in Chicago, one of the most segregated cities in the country, has really made me aware of the importance of bring everyone together, regardless of our race, class, or sexual identity. So that's something that I hope to accomplish with this site.

AG: If someone donated to the Indiegogo campaign, what would their money go toward?

LM: The money raised from our Indiegogo campaign will go towards the final payment of our web development, it will also help cover the cost of copy writing our logo, and give us a small budget for marketing material.

AG: What are some things to look forward to from Quilt?

LM: Great content!! We'll be highlighting uber talented queer comics from across the country, we'll have a sex column from a trans and queer perspective, lots of great educational pieces, and a marketplace that features merchandise from queer artists.

Want to help Martinez get Quilt up and running? Here's a link to the Indiegogo campaign: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/quilt-magazine#home

Adam Guerino is a producer, writer and nationally touring standup comedian based in Chicago. He's been called a "comedian-producer-genius" by Chicago Reader and is also the creator of Stand Out: The National Queer Comedy Search which partnered with The Advocate Magazine to give queer comedians national exposure, Outloud Chicago which for over three years has brought queer inclusive entertainment to mainstream Chicago venues and The Rainbow Connection Queer Comedy Tour which combined gay, lesbian, bi and trans comedians for a cross-country tour. Check out www.adamguerino.com for more info.