On January 20, as Trump was being sworn in to start his second time period of terror, I used to be targeted on one factor: Love.
As a substitute of watching the Inauguration, studying the information, doom-scrolling social media, or coddling my mind with new episodes of The Actual Housewives of Salt Lake Metropolis, I learn by tons of and tons of of affection notes submitted by Stranger readers to Stranger readers. At the beginning of the yr, we put out the decision for our free reader valentines, a practice that has been round for one thing like 25 years, and also you got here by in spades, sending candy messages to your companions, buddies, household, youngsters, and pets.
There have been notes to Potato, BUBBAROONI, and My IBS Babe, and from Cake Daddy, Noodle, and Panther. Some had been celebrating a long time of life collectively; others had been glowing with the newfound giddiness that comes with discovering if it’s love, lust, or one thing else fully. Goofy, certain, but it surely was heartwarming to get a glimpse into so lots of Seattle’s love tales.
And with that, for this yr’s Love & Intercourse situation—which kicks off our return to month-to-month distribution, by the best way—we packed these pages filled with blatant, unapologetic L-O-V-E. Not solely are there one thing like 15,000 phrases value of valentines (which go dwell on-line at midday on February 5), we even have greater than a dozen tales that study all of the methods during which love exists on this world.
Stranger contributor Kendall Turner and Hannah Murphy Winter share every part you have to know to assist get and abet an abortion, no matter which doddering goons or precise Nazis are in workplace as a result of, as Shout Your Abortion has stated, “everybody loves somebody who’s had an abortion.” There’s a robust characteristic from Vivian McCall, who spent weeks digging by Nineteen Eighties queer historical past to point out us how we will apply the activism seen through the early AIDS epidemic to the crises we face at this time.
There’s loads to be taught in how the LGBTQ+ neighborhood got here collectively to share data and set up solidarity to maintain their friends secure and cared for at a time when the nation’s leaders certain as hell weren’t gonna do it. And what’s on the core of their ‘zines, handmade fliers, and protests? You guessed it. Love. Radical, passionate, brave love.
And no, we’ve not forgotten in regards to the SEXY a part of the Love & Intercourse situation. Take a look at the outcomes of The Stranger’s 2025 Intercourse Survey, the place you possibly can be taught all of the steamy secrets and techniques about Seattleites’ intercourse lives—and possibly get a number of suggestions? On this piece, Professor Daudi Abe and Charles Mudede sit down with a few of their favourite songs to discover the historical past of affection, lust, and longing in hiphop, from Man Parrish to Doja Cat. Make your crush a mixtape! If cheese and/or medication are extra their pace, we’ve additionally bought skilled Valentine’s Day date-worthy restaurant and weed suggestions arising within the subsequent few days, in addition to a tour of Seattle’s sexiest bushes.
So get snug, flip off that offended and darkish exterior world, and dig in. Love is ready for you.
Megan Seling
Managing Editor, The Stranger

COVER ARTWORK
Picture by Brooke Fitts, brookefitts.picture
Styling by Tyler Hill
Modeling by Julia Spee
Inventive route by Corianton Hale