Statement Regarding Fourteen Hills absence from AWP 2020
In 2020, Fourteen Hills: The SFSU Review, will not attend the Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP) conference in San Antonio, Texas.
As a proud part of San Francisco State’s Creative Writing Department, Fourteen Hills relies on grant funding from the university for its expenses, including the purchase of the table at AWP and reimbursement for our editors’ travel expenses. However, we were unable to receive this funding because California law AB 1887 prohibits the use of public funds for travel to states with laws that discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
While it is disappointing that we will not be able to join our community of writers, publishers, students and teachers at this important conference, we fully support California’s intent to not spend money in states that discriminate. Currently, Texas has no legislation in place protecting LGBTQ people from discrimination in public schools or when applying for employment, housing or insurance. In fact, the Texas state legislature continues to attempt to pass laws that would protect the discriminators rather than those discriminated against. It is a disheartening reality for residents of Texas who wish to live in a free, tolerant and equitable society, and we stand with their fight for equality.
We will miss being at AWP. It is a vibrant event full of exciting ideas and books, old and soon-to-be new friends, and most importantly it is a thrilling reminder of why literature and writers, and the writing programs that support them, remain relevant today. As a journal that gives voice to marginalized communities, we will especially regret not being able to share our vision with the other conference attendees, although we know there will be journals and writers in attendance who share our values.
Of course, we hope to attend future AWP conferences. We also hope when AWP organizers are choosing upcoming locations they consider the discriminatory laws there affecting LGBTQ people as well as people of color, immigrants, or anyone whose rights are not fully recognized by their government.
In the meantime, Fourteen Hills issue no. 26, which includes a new story from Tommy Orange and a special translation feature, is due to be released in May 2020. For more information on the discriminatory laws mentioned above, and to discover opportunities to support the fight for equality in Texas, please visit https://www.equalitytexas.org/.
Thanks to all for your time and continued support.
-The Editors of Fourteen Hills
This piece provides a fresh and compelling take on the subject. I appreciate the depth of research and clarity in your writing. wheelie life
I believe communities and institutions should work toward creating spaces where everyone can participate without fear of unfair treatment. The discussion also reminds me that meaningful change often requires people to speak up and support those facing discrimination. I value opportunities to connect with others through shared interests, whether at a conference or while enjoying a game like EaglerCraft.
It’s striking that grant funding shapes whether a student-run journal can afford conference presence.
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If travel isn’t viable, a practical alternative could be a scheduled online reading or a shared table with other university publications, so contributors still get visibility without the full cost.
It’s striking that a journal tied to a university creative writing program still has to skip AWP when grant funding shifts.
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That makes me wonder how many small presses and reviews quietly lose visibility this way. Do you think virtual alternatives can replace what happens in those conference halls?
The choice to publish a statement rather than quietly skip the conference says a lot.
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It's striking how much a journal's presence at AWP depends on grant funding that can shift year to year, and that fragility rarely gets discussed openly.