Queer Kentucky’s Northern Kentucky Special Issue celebrates the queer people and places of the NKY region, from Covington and Newport to Boone County. Executive Director Missy Spears calls the region her sleeper pick in the state and frames the issue as a love letter to Northern Kentucky and an invitation to come see its river cities through local eyes.

Inside, Katie Eelman writes about finding radical joy after moving to Covington, Richie Goff goes inside The Carnegie’s queer-centered season, Evan Millward rounds up LGBTQ+-affirming businesses, and drag artists Penny Tration and Molly Mormen sit down at Rosie’s Tavern. Kelsey Ference, The Midwestern Lesbian, recaps Bourbon & Belonging, alongside Logan Oleson’s street art photos and art by Kara Henry, Jack Manion and Kyle Kaffman. The issue was curated and edited by Editor-in-Chief Spencer Jenkins and designed by Marcus Carson Design.