About the Zine

Established in 1980, Usenet connected users to a distributed system of discussion groups through a network of interconnected computers, marking a pivotal moment in the digital age before the World Wide Web.

Among these groups, soc.motss emerged as one of the world’s first online queer communities. As a safe space for LGBTQ+ individuals, Motssers openly discussed their lives, engaged in flame wars, and explored sexual orientation, pop culture, technology, and more. The unique culture of soc.motss thrived due to its diverse readership, intricate language usage, and codified systems of self-expression—creating a vibrant hub of shared experiences and perspectives.

Archives of soc.motss articles still exist today, serving as a lasting tribute to this trailblazing LGBTQ+ space. This zine explores those archives and the articles shared on soc.motss from its inception in 1983 until the end of 1999, capturing the essence of this pre-Y2K digital community, and highlighting how users harnessed this network to create a well-defined yet diverse space for sharing thoughts from profound to mundane, political to personal.