I thought I knew what I was doing up until I got fired from my associate editor job at a “luxury lifestyle” gay and lesbian magazine. My white lesbian power boss sat me outside in the green chairs, where she and her partner delivered bad news to employees, and told me I wasn’t meeting my job’s expectations; so they had to let me go. It was a bullshit answer, and I knew she didn’t like my “radical” politics. What’s so radical about wanting to include more queer people of color, trans people and young people in the magazine anyway? I was devastated because it was my first job out of college and I’d felt like I was “making it” with my starting salary and free PR dinners and happy hours at fancy restaurants. Now it was gone. I wasn’t sure what was going to come next.
I took this photo like a week before I got fired from my job at the fancy gay magazine. And then it was my first Autostraddle author picture. lol
I had been reading Autostraddle since 2010 and when I saw them post a job for an associate editor the summer I was laid off, I thought I should at least apply. I remember crying the entire time I wrote my cover letter by the pool on the 4th of July, and stuffing my face with hot dogs after I pressed send. Like a dumb Capricorn rising who was just fired from a job, I felt lost, worthless, and unsure of my abilities as a journalist. I was 22 years old! I want to go back in time and just slap some silly sense into myself and tell her you could literally do whatever you want!
It was to my great fucking surprise that Rachel replied to my application and set up an interview with the rest of the editors at the time: Riese, Laneia and Laura Wooley. I don’t remember much from the interview except that they asked if I had watched a cool new show with lots of lesbians called Orange Is The New Black yet. I had not.
I still got the job, though.
I was thrilled. I had a purpose again! I was gonna work for a publication I loved! I wrote in my cover letter that I wanted my voice to be heard, that I wanted to write about issues that represented me, a young queer Latina. I wanted a do-over from my first job to be more inclusive in my work and Autostraddle gifted me that second chance.
For more than five years now, I’ve been able to tell the stories that mean the most to me, the ones where I got to showcase queer and trans people of color, especially queer Latinxs and write about the issues important to us. This second chance has been greater than 22-year-old me could’ve even imagined. But now it’s time for me to give myself a chance to take a leap into the unknown.
I’m resigning from my position as senior editor at Autostraddle; my last day is November 16. I’m stepping down so I can sharpen my reporting skills and challenge myself in new ways. I’m applying to journalism grad school and reporting fellowships and taking some time to reevaluate my career goals. I hope to refine my skills and learn some new tricks so I can continue reporting on LGBTQ issues and serve my community even better. I just got married and cut off all my hair so I’m ushering in all these huge changes and hope it makes way for some exciting opportunities in my life.
But before I go, I wanted to take some time to reflect on my time here and to thank the incredible team and community I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know over the years.
When I first joined Autostraddle, I was a wee baby who knew some things about queer theory and the internet but it was here that I was thrown into the deep end of queer internet culture full of hot takes, feelings, and a highly engaged comment section. I’m not gonna lie, there were many times when I cried and felt defeated because the internet can be very loud and mean, but the conversations I’ve had as a result pushed me to grow and think more critically.
But most importantly, Autostraddle taught me how to harness my voice — one that’s uniquely mine — and gave me space to truly embrace it. I had the wonderful opportunity to immerse myself in the art of personal essays and culture writing and learn from some of the finest queer writers of our time. This environment led me to produce some amazing work that I’m extremely proud to have published including my Taco Tuesday series, this A+ personal essay about gay heartbreak, and this longform feature on how queer and trans women took care of each other in the wake of Hurricane Harvey.
A large portion of the work I did at Autostraddle was edit many compelling personal essays and longform feature journalism pieces that I’m proud to have helped midwife into the world including a Latinx essay series I curated called Our Pulse. Thank you to the writers who ripped out their hearts and put it on a page and trusted me to edit it.
Back before we had Slack, the Autostraddle team did everything over Skype and massive email chains and I was intimidated af at how fast everyone typed and how everyone was just so fucking cool??? Getting to know this group of weirdos through their writing and irl has taught me so much about myself and have made me feel less alone. Thank you, team. I’m super grateful I was indoctrinated into this loving, happy cult family.
To the senior editor team: y’all are fucking wild and I love you.
Riese, you’re a genius writer and visionary. Thank you for creating this website and a whole world where many of us can be our best selves. You’re one of the best editors I’ve ever had; thank you for pushing my writing to the next limit.
Laneia, your stylishly keen eye, knack for spot-on analogies, weird brain, and Airtable skills are treasures. You’ve pushed me to think outside of the box because you always do. Thank you for leading the way.
Rachel, your writing will always K I L L me. You’ve been a calming, reassuring force since day one. I’m grateful for your companionship while writing depressing news fixes and staying up late to make sure the next day’s articles are scheduled. Thank you for your constant encouragement and sharp editing skills on like 98% of my pieces (probably including this one.)
Heather, I admire your dedication, loyalty, and expert time-management skills. I’ve learned how to be a better manger and human because of your Hufflepuff self. Thank you for saving the day multiple times.
Sarah, it’s been an honor collaborating with you for the past couple of years. Your ability to connect the reader to the words through art is a gift. Thank you for brightening up my day many times.
Last but not least, I would like to thank you, the Autostraddle community, for making my five years here such an amazing and worthwhile experience. You’re the reason I’m here! To write stories for us! I’ve met some of my best friends and some strangers who are now my Instagram friends through Autostraddle because they read my work here first and felt connected to it. The Autostraddle community is incredibly special and I’m grateful for your gracious benefit-of-the-doubts, your praises, and your all-star hilarious comments. I’ve met some of you at A-Camp and you’re as delightful in person as you are online. Thank you for your support. I literally couldn’t do what I do without you.
Autostraddle’s future is so bright and I’m excited for what’s to come for the site. I’m pleased to announce that taking my place beginning November 16th is Carmen Phillips!
Carmen looking happy to be here
Carmen has been ride-or-die for Autostraddle from day one and started off as a reader and commenter known as CP. Heather Hogan recognized her insight and wit and brought her on to write about queer TV where she has excelled and then some. In addition to recapping Black Lightning and Vida, she has written some of your favorite posts including this masterpiece investigation of Janelle Monáe and Tessa Thompson’s relationship and this list of movies about friendship and misandry. Carmen has proven to be an invaluable team member and has kicked ass here, all while earning her PhD in American Studies from New York University. Carmen will introduce herself further at a later date. For now, I’m so excited for Carmen and I wish her all the best! Carmen, you’re a star!
I wish I had better words to close this whole thing with but all I can think of is the goodbye song from The Sound of Music??? Anyways, I think I’ll just leave it at: Autostraddle has changed my life. Thank you for being part of this journey. I love y’all. Bye for now.
Yvonne, I love you. I have learned so much from you, about being brave and about trusting my gut and about Glen fucking Bell who I will kick right in the shins if I ever see his ghosy! And I know in my truest, deepest heart that you are going to keep changing the world and making it better and brighter, in bigger and bigger ways. I’m excited to see what you do next, and you can count on me cheering you on wherever that may be.
Yvonne I wouldn’t be the person I am today without working with you and building a friendship with you, and I know AS as a magazine and a community has been formed so deeply by your thoughts, input, experience, values and philosophy. I’m so grateful to know you and have learned from you, and am so excited to love and support you always!
Yvonne, your presence will be greatly missed. I have enjoyed reading everything you have put out and had the absolute pleasure of getting to have you as a cabin leader at my first A-Camp. Can’t wait to see what you do next!
“I’ve met some of my best friends and some strangers who are now my Instagram friends through Autostraddle”–Yvonne, voice of the people
Your haircut looks fucking great!!
yvonne, you have an amazing eye for narrative and for tone, and you’re one of the best editors i’ve ever had. more like a lifeguard. you lifeguarded me through a really hard essay, very kindly and thoughtfully. you’ll do great things wherever you go, and your haircut is rad.
Love you Yvonne, thank you
Best of luck in your future adventures! You are a fantastic writer! Thank you for your words
You will be missed, Yvonne. Thank you for everything (and for introducing me and my family to One Day At A Time).
Thanks for all the great writing over the years Yvonne. Good luck for whatever comes next!
Good luck on whatever comes next, Yvonne! I’m sure it will be fantastic.
And congrats, Carmen!
You’ll be missed here for sure and I hope to see your byline somewhere exciting soon!
I have loved reading your perspectives and have enjoyed following your adventures and journeys on AS. I wish you all the best with your new goals, and I have every confidence you will achieve them. Whoever employs you next will be very lucky.
I can’t wait to see what you do next, Yvonne. I know it’s going to be epic!
Thank you for being a welcoming face at my first and only A-Camp and for all the heart you put into your writing. Taco Tuesday and La Boda Jota are some of my favorite series I’ve read on AS ever.
Your hair looks SO good!
Yvonne, thank you for bringing your heart and soul to AS. Thank you for not compromising, for caring, for trusting that you know what matters, and doing your damn best to follow it.
We’re going to miss you. So much. But I know that those horizons you’re broadening are ones that you’re going to make brighter for all of us. You’re stellar, Yvonne, shine on ⭐⭐⭐
Also just looked wowwwww your hair!!!
My mother always said if you don’t get fired at least once in your life, you’re not standing up for your beliefs. Best wishes in your future endeavors, Yvonne!
You are an excellent writer and I am excited to see what you do next. Best of luck!
Yvonne, your particular brand of warmth combined with level-headedness has been such a great asset to this site, and also you’re simply one of the most kind and genuine people who helped me feel welcome at A-Camp. You will be greatly missed, but I’m excited for your future projects and wish you all the very best!
i’m crying. i love you so much yvonne. <3
Yvonne, I’ll miss you so much! I’ve enjoyed your writing heaps over the years. I’m sure you’ll be amazing at whatever you do next: thank you for being part of Autostraddle for so long.
And Carmen, so excited to see your new work here! Congratulations!
Your Taco Tuesday series had an impact on my existence allergies turned my life upside down first with a strict elimination diet then by having to relearn how to cook as a member of the Cajun holy trinity was excommunicated from my kitchen.
Breakfast tacos that keep me sane while the list of things I could it was tiny compared what I couldn’t, homemade or left overs from the beloved Lebanese place tacos al pastor when it turned out an additive is in nearly all commercially made bread products, and sometimes like tonight(a tuesday) a taco dinner with strips of marinated meat and a pot of black beans.
There’s poblano peppers in my jambalaya.
Merci beaucoup Yvonne, au revoir et bon voyage.
YVonne you will be missed! I don’t live in Dallas anymore but reading your posts always felt like coming home. All the best to you!
Yvonne!
It speaks volumes that the very thing you were let go from the evil gay magazine for was exactly why you were embraced at Autostraddle. I really feel like you brought palpable change around here and I loved the personal pieces you have shared with us – thank you so much. I am so glad I got to meet you at camp, and really excited to see what you go on to do!
Also, saw that haircut, immediately followed on Instagram and I don’t even do Instagram.
Also, the A+ perks list should be updated with “getting to say goodbye to Yvonne twice.”
Bon voyage — I look forward to reading your future work! Your haircut is fabulous!
Thanks for everything you’ve done for AS, Yvonne! I look forward to reading your work wherever it may appear in the future and wish you the best with grad school, your marriage and everything you put your mind to.
La Boda Jota was a my favorite series and, as most of your pieces here, it reminded me that while I will always feel connected and able to see myself reflected in queer women experiences and works, I’ll be able to see a sharper and more colorful reflection of myself in queer Latina stories. Thank you for repping that wonderful and complex intersection.
we have been so lucky to have you share your voice here you have created and helped share so much amazing work and also thanks for this because now i’m crying before work cause I GOT TO MEET YOU AND IT REQUIRES ALL CAPS BECAUSE IT WAS A JOYOUS EVENT AND NOTHING COULDVE PREPARED ME FOR HOW WONDERFUL YOU ARE and im so sad youre leaving but so glad that youre going to do even more and i hope wherever you go treats you with the most respect and kindness and love possible because you are deserving of all of that and more. thank you a million times over for being you and for being here, blessings on you and yours always.
Yvonne, thanks for everything you’ve brought here, both the things we readers can see and those we can’t. I’ve loved reading your reporting and essays, and feel like I learned something every time. I also think about your hand in guiding so many other great writers.
Thanks again, congratulations on your new marriage, and very best of luck on all future endeavors!
Yvonne, I will miss your work so much! Not only your brilliant writing, but the many significant ways in which you take care of this community, including editing, collaborating, and making sure all my A+ priority questions are answered. I wish you nothing but happiness in your new endeavors!
I’ll miss you, Yvonne! Best of luck for the future, which I’m sure will be bright given your talent
Thank you, Yvonne <3
Gracias for todo that you brought to the Autostraddle community and I look forward to reading about all the amazing things to come in your future. Also felicitaciones on the wedding (la jota wedding series was a joy).
You’ll be so missed around here Yvonne! Best of luck with all of your new adventures and your awesome new haircut <333
Thank you Yvonne! I loved your writing and will miss it.
Best wishes!!!
Bravo, Yvonne! You deserve all the flowers.
Yvonne!
I’m so freaking grateful that I got to meet you.
Congratulations on grad school! I’m already in love with your writing, and I’m excited to see everything you will do!
Your voice at AS has been important, and healing for me – and I’m sure a lot of people- you have a wide ass world out there, waiting for you to write it.
Thank you.