Staff writer at DIVA Magazine and freelance journalist based in London, Danielle Mustarde is specialising in LGBTQI culture, travel, community-focused pieces, and lifestyle.
10 questions with Danielle Mustarde
1. Can you tell us a bit about your work at DIVA magazine?
I’m staff writer at DIVA magazine, which means that I do a little bit of everything… but in a nutshell? I write about queer stuff. I’m also unofficial “travel buff” which is dreamy. It’s a role that’s allowed me to meet LGBTQI folk all over the world.
2.The thing you love most about London?
The green spaces in-between.
3. .com or print? What do you read “for fun”?
Print. I’m signed up to Stack (stackmagazines.com), a small, London-based subscription service who post out a different print magazine each month. This month, it’s a magazine called Elementum which I’m hoping to pick up this week. Book-wise, I’ve just finished Haruki Murakami’s What I Talk About When I Talk About Running.
4. Top three places to absolutely visit in London.
Hampstead Heath, and if it’s summer – the women’s swimming pond there. Butch, Please! at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern: an inclusive, queer women’s night in an LGBTQI venue rich in herstory. And, if I have friends or family visiting, Regent’s Canal is always a good one to have in your back pocket. (It’s also a great spot for a run… if you can get there before the tourists).
5. Favorite L Word character?
Dana’s the one I’d have fallen for (after a fling with Carmen, pls).
6. Favorite queer London artist and why?
Self Esteem, aka Rebecca Lucy Taylor. Okay, so she’s technically from Sheffield (a lovely northern city) but she’s based between London and hip, queer hotspot, Margate. Why? I interviewed her at the end of last year and she was just wonderfully down to earth, open and honest. That and her album Compliments, Please is 💯.
7. Dream destination for Pride?
Montréal, now that you mention it…
8. The thing you hate most about London?
How difficult it can be to make new friends.
9. Favorite lesbian movie and why?
It’s not a movie, but Desiree Akhavan’s recent series, The Bisexual. It was really great to see an intelligent, multi-layered bisexual character at the centre of a comedy series on mainstream television and in a primetime slot.
10. What queer author would you rate as a perfect 10?
I’m not sure I’ve ever rated anything that wasn’t edible as a perfect 10.
@wordsbydanielle (Instagram)