QLN’S

NEXT TOP QUEER ARTIST

A DESIGN CONTEST FOR THE GAYS & THEYS

QLN’s Next Top Queer Artist is a virtual design contest for the gays & theys that supports our work to empower queer creatives while amplifying the artwork of one queer artist for a full year.

Each November, we’ll put out an open call for queer-themed designs for QLN’s next year’s merch. Virtual voting will take place in the first half of December, with friends, family, followers, and total strangers voting for their favorite designs. $5 donation = 1 vote, and the design with the most votes & funds raised wins their spot as our Next Top Queer Artist.

The winning artist will receive a $500 creative microgrant to be used at their discretion, along with credit as QLN’s featured artist for the following year.

  • Contest Rules

    → Must identify as LGBTQIA2+

    → Must reside in the U.S.

    → One submission per artist

    → Design must center queerness/transness (whatever that means to you)

    → Design must fit on a shirt, postcard, and sticker

    → Design does not need to reference QLN. We have a logo we love and don't need another, so this design can just be queer expression!

    → Design should be new and not distributed for profit

    → No AI art under any circumstances

    → QLN believes in trans rights, reproductive rights, & a free Palestine. Please do not participate if you do not align with these values.

  • Submissions & Voting

    2026 Schedule:

    Design Submissions: November 1—30, 2026

    → Submit via the Google Form by 11:59 P.M. (PST) on 11/30/26!

    Voting Period: December 1—14, 2026

    → Get your followers, friends, family, & total strangers to vote for your design by 12/14/26 at 11:59 P.M. (PST)!

    Winner Announced: December 15, 2026

    → We'll announce the winning artist & design on 12/15/26!

DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO BE QLN’S NEXT TOP QUEER ARTIST?

We’re so grateful to all of our artists for participating, creating queer art, and being an all-around badass. Thanks for building community with us!

STAY TUNED FOR THE 2026 SUBMISSION FORM!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • → Nope! After the contest, we'll feature your design in a gallery with a watermark on our site & link it to your handle, but it's yours to use beyond that.

  • → All funds raised support our mission, including: Dorothy's Depot artist markets, our upcoming Queer Creatives Fund, free community events, and more.

  • While subject to slight alterations, we plan to accept submissions from November 1—30 each year, open voting from December 1—14, and announce the winner on December 15.

  • Please feel free to reach out directly at contact@queerliberationnetwork.org or via Instagram DM.