Out Front’s 2015 Student Writing Contest

For more than 39 years, Out Front Magazine has been Denver’s premier LGBTQ publication. Out Front Magazine has been bringing news, current events, pop culture, and more to the forefront of community consciousness. All college students, but especially college English, Event Planning, Communications, and Journalism students, are invited to participate in the 2015 Out Front Student Writing Contest. Winners will receive publication in Out Front Magazine or the 2015 Out Front Wedding Guide. Additionally, the top 5 submissions will receive gift cards to local ally restaurants, businesses, and other amazing prizes, valued at $150.00!

2014 was a landmark year for LGBTQ rights. For the first time ever, LGBTQ people are now able to marry in dozens of states! You are tasked with writing a 400 – 600 word article on one, or more, of the themes below:

• -My Big Gay Wedding
• -HOW TO: Plan Your Wedding
• -How NOT to Plan Your Wedding
• -The Perfect LGBTQ Bachelor/ette party
• -Wedding Fashion (Past or Present)
• -After Dating, Marriage?
• -The Little Things
• -Venue Choice
• -HOW TO: Keep Your Marriage Fresh
• -Down to the Mattress: Finding Compromise in Your Marriage
• -Wedding Traditions
• -HOW TO: Make Your Wedding Memorable and Personal
• -Destination Weddings (pros/cons)
• -Best Wedding Tunes
• -LGBTQ Wedding Do’s & Dont’s
• -LGBTQ Wedding History
• -Weddings are legal: what’s next for LGBTQ people?
• -Do you have an exciting, fresh idea for wedding-related subject matter? You’re the expert! Give it your best shot.

Rules

• -All submissions are due by noon on Friday, January 30th, 2015.
• -All submissions must be accompanied by a signed media release form (attached to this document).
• -Multiple submissions must be accompanied by multiple media release forms.
• -Writers are limited to three (3) submissions.
• -All submissions must be between 400 and 600 words including author information.
• -All submissions must bear the full legal name of the contestant, including telephone number and mailing address.
• -All submissions must be the original work of the author, and not recycled from other contests.
• -Submissions which are plagiarized or unoriginal will be automatically disqualified.

Additionally, the appropriate institution of the author’s home school will be notified.

• -All submissions must be written in Associated Press (AP) style, with special attention to clarity and precision of language.
• -All submissions will be judged on clarity of content, journalistic intention, voice, style, and word-count.
• -All submissions must be submitted electronically.
• -All submissions will be edited for precision, clarity, and spelling.
• -Submissions which violate your Academic Code of Ethics, the publication standards of Out Front Magazine, or which are unacceptable for publication will not be considered.

Entries must illustrate respect for all people regardless of gender, race or creed, and must not contain any nudity, profanity, or unnecessary and excessive violence as well as content that would be considered by the general community as offensive or in poor taste.

Additionally, the appropriate institution of the author’s home school will be notified if the submission is in violation of these standards..

To submit your work for consideration:

Please email topher@outfrontonline.com no later than noon on Friday, January 30th, 2015.

Winners

Twenty winners will be chosen for publication on or before Monday, February 9th at noon. All chosen submissions will be edited for style and content at the sole discretion of the editor and judging panel. Five grand prize winners will win a prize package valued at more than $150.00! No prize substitutions, assignments or transfers. No cash equivalents. If prize cannot be claimed by June 1st, 2015, winnings will be forfeited.