Issue #4 - Pride,
Autumn 2021
Our 4th issue of incl. celebrates “Pride” and unpicks the history and current legislation and highlights future leaders of inclusivity and diversity. Pride is not only a celebration for LGBTQ+ people and groups, but a means by which to teach about tolerance, education, discrimination and body positivity, health and love. Through a collection of articles and stories, incl. brings together a group of people to illustrate the incredible work practitioners are doing and demonstrate what has been achieved so far and what they are doing to push to achieve equality in society.
Articles
Removing Binaries
Marcela Baltarete
Marcela works with poetic and instinctive 3D rendered animations as well as stills which are informed by their own experiences of gender dysphoria, depression and chronic illness. By using digital re-embodiment and re-worlding, they can take a safe distance from their real body while having complete control over their digital one, allowing them to explore their identity free from physical, mental or societal constraints. MARCEL/A - A journey of digital introspection and relief creates multiple variations of themself as an enhanced and evolved digital being, while portraying the idea of rejection and acceptance through the animated extrusions that signify the body’s discomfort.
Never Stop Being You
Ross Funnell
Someone once told Ross that his unapologetic attitude to living his most true life was the most inspiring thing they had ever seen and showed them that being young and queer and happy in yourself is possible. This year, he is spreading the message that you should never doubt who you should be; to put on that colourful t-shirt, cut your hair that crazy style, put on that lip gloss and be your most radiant self. Embrace and love yourself, and show that to others, no one will ever take that away from you!
Faith and LGBTQ+
Zak Borini
Zak poses the ongoing question, will faith and LGBTQ+ ever get along? He discusses his personal experience about his chosen LGBTQ+ family, the challenges that we face growing up today and the leaders in religious groups that should often be responsible for achieving social cohesion. How do we use the term 'tolerance' in society? Why should we settle for just being tolerated? Every LGBTQ+ person should have the same opportunity to flourish and embrace their faith if they choose to do so.
Around Pride in 5 Countries
Jouv Darl
In this comic, Jouv's drawing style may remind the viewer of receiving a sneaky note from their best friend behind the teacher's back. Realistic and crafty, these drawings are often jotted down on the scene. Historically, Pride festivals have always been complex, yearning for the best in humanity while failing to quite manage to encompass everyone. No matter how corporate, bacchanalian or dangerous they become, Pride festivals remain innately what they are: forms of dissent.
LGBTQ+ Mental Health
Dominic Arnall
When Pride season is upon us, it’s often a time for reflection and, sometimes, a moment where we might assume that everything has improved for LGBT+ young people. While so much has changed in terms of marriage and parental rights for adults, sadly growing up LGBTQ+ is still unacceptably tough. Dominic shares why LGBTQ+ inclusive education is great for all young people!
Importance of Pride
May Jones
Pride has always been a big part of May's life, even growing up in Brighton, her mum would take her and her sister to the Pride parade. May talks about how the queer community is such a normal and welcome part of life in Brighton and how that was important while growing; noticing how normalised queer culture and queer people were. She discusses about her coming out experience, having accepting families and inclusive workplaces and educational settings to combat feelings of shame and experiences.
Interviews
Queer Aesthetics
Adam Nathaniel Furman
Designer and artist Adam sits down with our Inclusive Features Editor and talks about growing up and experiencing the gay and queer scene in London in the 90's and his journey of self-discovery and his love of colour. His practice investigates how cuteness, colour and the question of queerness can work through queer aesthetics and design and shares his upbringing and influence of aesthetic ornamentation in the city and at home.
Turning the Tides
Commodore Duncan Lustig-Prean
Starting his career in the Navy, Duncan worked his way up quickly through the ranks ending up as a Senior Officer serving in destroyers and frigates in the early 90's. Sadly, due to the law being unkind to LGBTQ+ people at the time, when it was discovered that he was gay he was discharged. He discusses the unfairness and inequality for gays and lesbians working in the Armed Forces and talks about how his involvement in legislative change, by going all the way to the European Court of Human Rights, has set the standards across the world for today's LGTBQ+ people serving in the military.
The True Self
Max Hovey
As a content creator, Max has had his fair share of the ups and downs of social media. He takes us through his journey of self discovery, finding his true self and what led him to use his large social media following to discuss issues linked to body positivity, mental health and loving who you are. He is also the creator of the online community Happy Smiley Blog which encourages guest writers and interviewees to discuss about self-love, self-acceptance, mental health acceptance and queer awareness.
Playfulness and Tenderness
Scotty Gillespie
Illustrator and ceramicist Scotty talks about his experience of Pride growing up and what led them to designing such uplifting, bright and optimistic work. Their works reflect on their personality, and Scotty talks about how this work often gets automatically coded as queer or gay which is great as it's their work, but often comes back to themes of tenderness and playfulness while representing characters that are accessible and gender neutral.