Posts by Melinda Mattos

  • Blog Series

    “I remember desperately wanting to make a magazine for my teenage self”

    July 23rd, 2019     by Melinda Mattos     Comments

    For our fifteenth anniversary we’ve reached out to the Shameless community and asked what the magazine has meant to them. In our first post in the series, Shameless co-founder Melinda Mattos takes us back to the beginning. READ MORE

  • Blog Series

    Ten Years of Talking Back: Melinda Mattos

    October 1st, 2014     by Melinda Mattos     Comments

    Shameless co-founder and board member Melinda Mattos shares why Shameless is important and needs your support. READ MORE

  • Web Features

    The Last Word: Girl

    September 28th, 2008     by Melinda Mattos     Comments

    I think it’s about time I set the record straight on something: I’m not a girl. No, it’s not that I’m renouncing my gender or recovering from a sex-change operation. But, at 28 years of age, with a full-time job, my own apartment and a disposition as crotchety as that of your average octogenarian, it’s safe to say I’m no longer a girl. So why do people keep calling me that? And it’s not just me. On … READ MORE

  • In the Blog

    Cooterobics?

    July 3rd, 2008     by Melinda Mattos     Comments

    A former Shameless teen-collective member tipped me off to this article about a new niche-market women’s spa opening in New York. Here’s the gimmick: it’s a spa for your vagina. As Radar explains: Is your vagina lazy and out of shape? You’re in luck: The Times today reports that New York City’s first spa “wholly dedicated to strengthening and grooming a woman’s genital area” is slated to open this month! It’s called “Phit,” which is a made-up, medical-sounding … READ MORE

  • Web Features

    The last word: Douchebag

    March 17th, 2008     by Melinda Mattos     Comments

    A few weeks ago, I was crossing the road when a silver SUV came speeding around the corner, the driver too busy chatting on his cellphone to check for pedestrians. As I jumped back onto the curb, a shout escaped my lips: “Watch it, douchebag!” In the moment, it was a profoundly satisfying thing to yell. But like many profoundly satisfying moments, it was followed by a sense of shame. Should a feminist word nerd like … READ MORE

  • In the Blog

    Shameless Exclusive interview: Frida Kahlo of the Guerrilla Girls!

    March 6th, 2008     by Melinda Mattos     Comments

    If you’re looking for feminist superheroes, look no further than the Guerrilla Girls. These gorilla-masked feminist avengers – anonymous activists who work under the assumed names of dead female artists – tackle sexism and racism in the art world and beyond, through poster campaigns, billboards, books and presentations. Launched in 1985, the Guerrilla Girls’ first campaign was born out of frustration with the Museum of Modern Art’s exhibition “An International Survey of Painting and Sculpture,” which, … READ MORE

  • In the Blog

    December 6

    December 6th, 2007     by Melinda Mattos     Comments

    I wish I had the time and focus to write something eloquent and powerful about the Dec. 6, 1989 Montreal Massacre and the resulting National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, but to be honest, I’ve spent the past hour crying through a news program about violence against women and it left me feeling defeated. So this is just a quick note to remind you all that today marks a significant, sad day … READ MORE

  • In the Blog

    Jem and Le Tigre together at last

    November 29th, 2007     by Melinda Mattos     Comments

    As a child of the ’80s and a Kathleen Hanna fan, I was tickled pink to stumble onto this video a few minutes ago. It’s Le Tigre’s “Deceptacon” mashed up with images from the kid’s TV series Jem, and it’s actually quite well done. Showtime, Synergy! … READ MORE

  • In the Blog

    Can we call it Grrrl Lit?

    November 13th, 2007     by Melinda Mattos     Comments

    As we all wait in breathless anticipation of Shameless publisher Stacey May Fowles’ new book, Be Good (launching tomorrow, details in the post below this one), I though I’d tip you off about another kick-ass book I’ve been reading. Bottle Rocket Hearts, by Shameless contributor Zoe Whittall, was released in the spring, but it took autumn’s chill to remind me that it was time to start snuggling up with good books again. I just reviewed Zoe’s book … READ MORE

  • Web Features

    The Last Word: McJob

    August 1st, 2007     by Melinda Mattos     Comments

    If there’s one thing I’ve learned from bad horror movies and ill-fated trips to the circus, it’s this: don’t piss off the clown. This advice is particularly true when the clown in question is Ronald McDonald, with his multi-billion dollar burger empire of lawyers, marketing gurus and researchers. This time, the target of Ronald’s wrath is the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) and, in particular, the way it defines McJob as “an unstimulating, low-paid job with few prospects, … READ MORE

  • In the Blog

    June Callwood dies at 82

    April 14th, 2007     by Melinda Mattos     Comments

    First Doris Anderson, now June Callwood – it seems that ‘tis the season for saying goodbye to older Canadian feminists. I just read the Toronto Star’s obituary for Callwood and the quotes they have from her last public interview (with George Strombo, of all people) really resonated with me. On the afterlife: Theres nothing next, she said. Thats alright. What you get is a life. A baby is a miracle. You open a babys fist … READ MORE

  • In the Blog

    Shameless welcomes new editor at launch party!

    April 3rd, 2007     by Melinda Mattos     Comments

    Our spring issue is heading to the printer this week, meaning it’s time for another super-fun launch party! Please mark the afternoon of Saturday, April 21 on your calendar and join us for… Spring Fever! When: Saturday, April 21, 1-5 p.m. Where: NOW Lounge, 189 Church St. (between Dundas and Queen), Toronto What: Live music, DJs, dancing, magazines, toasts and fun. Details: $5, which includes a copy of the spring issue; all-ages; wheelchair accessible It’s been months since our last party … READ MORE

  • In the Blog

    Cold sores ‘n’ culture jamming

    February 27th, 2007     by Melinda Mattos     Comments

    I hate subway ads and love culture jamming. So imagine my delight when I stumbled onto the website Printable Cold Stores and Other Adventures in Geek Graffiti, which provides (what else?) printable cold sores to be applied to the smiling, Photoshopped, “perfect” faces that try to sell you everything from cosmetics to contact lenses to cars during your morning commute. As the site’s creator explains: Nowhere in advertising is the gap between natural beauty and manufactured perfection … READ MORE

  • In the Blog

    What does it mean to be shameless?

    February 18th, 2007     by Melinda Mattos     Comments

    Hey folks, I’m writing an article for the upcoming issue of Shameless and need YOUR help! So, if you’d be so kind, leave a comment answering the following question: What does it mean to be shameless? The question is open to all – bloggers, other contributors, regular readers, folks who have no idea how they stumbled onto this site, etc. Your answer may be quoted in the magazine! And even if it isn’t, I’d love to read it. Thanks! … READ MORE

  • In the Blog

    Fear not, Shameless friends!

    January 30th, 2007     by Melinda Mattos     Comments

    As those of you in Toronto may have noticed, three members of Team Shameless were pictured on the cover of Eye Weekly recently, as part of an article on the state of indie magazines in Toronto. While we liked the story and got a kick out of the uber-dramatic cover photo, the article left some readers confused about our future. See, the article mentions that the Spring 2007 issue will be the last that Nicole and … READ MORE

  • In the Blog

    Rock out for a good cause

    November 30th, 2006     by Melinda Mattos     Comments

    We just got word of a rockin’ all-ages fundraising show happening this weekend in Toronto. Check it out: Hosted by former MuchMusic VJ Hannah Sung, RADIO OPERA: A Benefit Concert for CARE Canada will feature Constantines, Jason Collett, comedian Sabrina Jalees [who was featured in Issue 1 of Shameless and has made you laugh at several of our launch parties] and DJ Rory Them Finest. Money raised will go towards CARE-led youth peace-building projects in East … READ MORE

  • In the Blog

    More girls in the ring!

    August 8th, 2006     by Melinda Mattos     Comments

    I just heard some exciting news that pertains to one of the boxing gyms mentioned in our current cover story: The Toronto Newsgirls Boxing Club will be taking over the famous Sully’s Boxing Gym as of September 2006… to become the first ALL WOMEN’S BOXING CLUB in Canada! We are expanding our current classes and boxing camps to include courses such as coaching, mentoring and fitness programs. The Newsgirls Club has proudly been serving the lgbtt … READ MORE

  • In the Blog

    It’s almost party time!

    July 12th, 2006     by Melinda Mattos     Comments

    Here’s our party flyer and a sneak peek at the cover of the new issue! … READ MORE

  • In the Blog

    Party: Friday, July 21!

    July 8th, 2006     by Melinda Mattos     Comments

    Hello Shameless friends, How’s your summer going? Hot enough for ya? Well, it’s about to get a lot hotter. Shameless is launching our fabulous summer issue – and celebrating our second birthday – in less than two weeks with an all-ages extravaganza of fun. Please strap on your party hat, climb into your dancing shoes, put on your reading glasses and join us as… SHAMELESS TURNS 2! WHEN: Friday, July 21, from 7:30pm to 11pm WHERE: Gibsone Jessop Gallery, … READ MORE

  • In the Blog

    Poets wanted!

    June 1st, 2006     by Melinda Mattos     Comments

    Hey poetry lovers! Toronto’s Scream Literary Program is seeking young poets to perform at their I Scream/Youth Scream event in July. They’ve also organized a creative writing workshop, hosted by the lovely and talented Angela Rawlings, for the same day. If you’d like to sign up for either the open-mic or the workshop, contact adele@thescream.ca. Here are the details: Sat. July 8th @ the Victory Cafe (581 Markham Street, near Bathurst Station) 2:30pm - Poetry Workshop with Angela Rawlings 4:00pm … READ MORE

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