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Excerpted from “Dear Readers”, a letter in the first issue of the publication that introduces “Diversity: The Lesbian Rag”

“The women of the Diversity collective first came together in December, 1987, in response to one woman’s advertisement. Most of us had never met until the idea of starting a Lesbian paper drew us together. We are each very different from one another, and our common ground is that we are Lesbians. The Diversity collective is not connected to any other group, and our purpose is to make The Rag possible.

In the five months since our first meeting, we have advanced from a dream to the reality of the paper you hold in your hand. We want The Rag to be open and available to all Lesbians. We believe that our individual diversities as members and volunteers will help us support the wider Lesbian diversity that The Rag celebrates. We hope this first issue is proof of our commitment.

In this issue, you will find a wide-ranging collection of wonderful work. Our intent for the future is to expand that range, and to include as many stories and styles as there are Lesbians. The Rag is a home for true stories, and a launching pad for imagination. We hope to enter into active conversation with our readers through Dyke Road, our letters column; and to encourage humour and strong feeling.”