MALA LECHE x Sound Justice Lab: Our Bodies, Our Futures

Artwork featured above by Gabrielle Cash

“Issues like this one highlight exactly why MALA LECHE exists—to create a container for expression. Some readers may experience catharsis in seeing their own experiences reflected back to them, others may be shocked at what people have to go through to be treated like human beings. We hope that this issue of MALA LECHE inspires you to question present realities and fight for the autonomy of yourself and your fellow body-havers.”

Bad Milk Press and Sound Justice Lab is proud to present Our Bodies, Our Futures, special edition issue of MALA LECHE, a radical art and writing zine featuring the work of women, non-binary, trans* and gender-expansive artists and writers from Central Virginia. This issue features the work of 15 artists and writers from the Central Virginia area, exploring the ways we process political uncertainty and affirm our own identities, reclaiming both our bodies and our futures.

The issue includes work of:

Bad Poetry
Gabrielle Cash (@ogjacksoncash)
Dana Espinosa (@ishtarsreturn)
I.F. Gonzales (@ifpistemology)
Megan Hillary (@our.lady.of.situations)
Kathleen King (@kathleeenking)
Sri Kodakalla (@dystopian_conditionals)
Ramona Martinez (@byramonamartinez)

Hadley Perona (@hadleyhair)
Kori Price (@koripricephotography)
Zoe Ray
Kailey Reid
Paige Roeschenthaler (@paigeroesch)
Nicole Starr (@fleshgolem)
Julia Travers (@jtravers_wordspics)

You can read the issue online below or find a copy in print at the physical locations while copies last, starting Friday, April 4. Learn more about MALA LECHE HERE.

READ THE ISSUE ONLINE:

I WANT A PHYSICAL COPY. WHERE DO I GET ONE?

MALA LECHE is made for print; physical copies are limited edition and will be distributed quarterly while copies last. Starting April 4, 2025, you can snag a print copy of our Our Bodies, Our Futures at the following locations:

  • The Beautiful Idea (411 E Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22902)

  • New Dominion Bookshop (404 E Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22902)

  • Studio IX / JBird Coffee Supply (969 2nd St SE, Charlottesville, VA 22902) — on the t-shirt counter and in the gallery!

  • Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar (414 E Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22902) — in the twisty tree!

  • UVA LGBTQ Center (3rd Floor Newcomb Hall - 180 McCormick Rd, Charlottesville, VA 22903) — on the freebie table!

  • UVA Multicultural Student Center (2nd Floor Newcomb Hall - 180 McCormick Rd, Charlottesville, VA 22903)

  • Visible Records / F12 Infoshop (1740 Broadway St, Charlottesville, VA 22902) — on the F12 bookcase!

  • WTJU (2244 Ivy Road, Charlottesville, VA 22903) — by the front door!

Later in April 2025, expect print copies to be available at these locations. We’ll update the list above as more locations are added!

  • Baine’s Books & Coffee (485 Valley St, Scottsville, VA 24590)

  • Crucible Coffee (300 Church St Suite 201, Staunton, VA 24401)

  • Mudhouse Coffee in Crozet (5793 The Square, Crozet, VA 22932)

  • PVCC Main Lobby (501 College Dr, Charlottesville, VA 22902)

  • Rockfish Valley Community Center / Trager Brothers Coffee 2.0 (190 Rockfish School Ln, Afton, VA 22920)

  • Rapunzel’s Coffee & Books (924 Front St, Lovingston, VA 22949)

  • Staunton LGBTQ Center (3 W Beverley St Fifth Floor, Staunton, VA 24401)