How to Make a Zine For Marriage Equality! Easy Tutorial

How to make a zine for Marriage Equality Day: Easy step-by-step instructions & video

 

This year marks the 10 year anniversary of Obergefell v. Hodges – the Supreme Court decision that legalized same-sex marriage on June 26th, 2015. It’s an incredible milestone for love, dignity, and family! 

 

Here at AMM, we’re celebrating Marriage Equality Day all month long with virtual events for officiants, in-person gatherings, LGBTQIA+ focused articles and wedding ceremony scripts, conversation, creativity, community, and a lot of fun crafts. 

 

Want to join in the fun and share your support for marriage equality? Check out the easy zine tutorial below! 

 

What is a zine? Why make a zine for LGBTQ+ marriage rights?

 

Zines are a DIY approach to publishing that lets anyone – from any walk of life – share their thoughts and feelings in a creative way. Zines are inexpensive, accessible, and fun to make. And they have a long history of amplifying marginalized voices that aren’t always featured in the mainstream. Even better, zines don’t take any special art or writing skills to create. All you need is something to say, a pencil, and a piece of paper. 

 

 

• Zine Supplies 

 

You only need one sheet of paper, something to write with, and a pair of scissors to create this zine. (An 8.5x11” sheet of printer paper works!) Once your single sheet of paper is cut and folded, your DIY zine will have a front and back cover, and 6 interior pages to fill with whatever inspires you. (Plus an extra ‘hidden’ page inside the fold.) 

 

Other optional supplies include pens and markers, colored pencils, scrap paper, magazines and newspapers to collage with, glue, glitter, stickers, and any other 3d objects you can staple, stitch, or affix to the page! 

 

Want to make copies of your zine to share with friends? You can photocopy your finished zine to print as many additional copies as you wish, or scan it to share a digital version online. 

 

• What to Put in Your Zine for Marriage Equality 

 

Your zine can say anything you want it to, and include anything you want it to. Some zines are informational and educational. Some zines have mostly words, while other zines are mostly pictures. You can illustrate it yourself, or cut and paste images from magazines and books. Tell a personal story, share a historical timeline of same-sex marriage rights, add images of your favorite LGBTQ+ couples, report on current events, share poetry or fiction – or anything else that inspires you.

 

Have an idea? You’re ready to start making a zine!
 

 

Easy Zine Making Guide: One Page Zine Template

 

First, here's a quick zine making video for those who prefer to see it in action. Next, we've included step-by-step written instructions and images to help you get started. 

 

Watch Video: How to Fold a Zine 

 

 

 

Step by Step Directions: How to Fold a Zine 

 

1. Fold the sheet of paper in half hamburger style (aka: so that it’s chunky like a hamburger, not skinny like a hot dog) [See below.]

 

 

 

2. Open the sheet back up so that the crease is down the middle. 

 

3. Fold one side of the paper in so that it meets the middle crease. [See below.]

 

 

 

 

4. Repeat step 3: Fold the second side of the paper in so that it meets the middle crease. [See below.]

 

 

 

 

5. Unfold the paper. You now have 4 equal sections (give or take). You’re almost there!

 

6. Fold the paper in half hotdog style (aka: so that it’s skinny like a hot dog) [See below.]

 

 

 

 

7. Unfold the paper. You now have 8 equal sections. [See below.]

 

 

 

 

8. Grab your scissors for this step. It’s important to get this step right so that your zine folds correctly. With that in mind: Fold the paper in half again, hamburger style. Then, carefully cut halfway along the crease.  Only cut one section deep (as shown). [See below.]

 

 

 

 

9. Open your paper and fold it in half hotdog style. You will now have a small opening in the middle of your paper, and 8 equal sections (which will be your cover and pages). [See below.]

 

 

 

 

10. Push the sides of your paper together in the opposite direction of the opening to create a small booklet (as shown). [See below.]

 

 

 

 

 

11. Optional: In pencil, mark the front and back covers of your zine so that you don’t lose your place while you decorate. (We've marked in pen to make this step easier to see.) [See below.]

 

 

 

12. Start decorating! Add words, images, and inspiration. 

 

Once you’re finished creating your zine, you can unfold it and lay it flat to scan or photocopy. Then print as many copies you like! 

 

 

 

SHOW US YOUR ZINES!

Tag us on TikTok @theamm.org or Instagram @americanmarriageministries so that we can see what you create. 

 

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More Ways to Celebrate Marriage Equality

 

• Same-Sex Wedding Ceremony Script with Reflection on Marriage Equality
   
• Stop Doomscrolling & Start Celebrating Marriage Equality Day!
   
• When was same-sex marriage legalized in the U.S.? Is it legal in all 50 states?
   

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