#idahot

Comic about trans men in the health care system I made for magazine Ottar last autumn! Please note that it presents a Swedish perspective unless stated otherwise, as it is mostly based on Swedish studies. I would however argue that it has implications on the state of healthcare for trans people in other places as well. Thank you so much Hedvig for translating this!

“STOP CRUCIFYING QUEERS – OUTRAGE!,” OutRage protest, London, United Kingdom, c. 1996. Photo by Steve Mayes, c/o OutRage.
.
On May 17, 1990, twenty-seven years ago today, the World Health Organization announced its decision to remove homosexuality from the international listing of mental health disorders. In 2004, queer rights organizations from around the world—and specifically those focused on developing countries—sought international recognition of May 17 as a day to draw awareness to the ongoing impact of anti-queer violence, discrimination, and repression.
.
On May 17, 2005, twelve years ago today, organizations around the world marked the first International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO).
.
In 2009, in order to recognize the ongoing violence and discrimination faced by trans and gender nonconforming people worldwide, “Transphobia” was added to the name of the commemoration. And, increasingly, “Biphobia” is recognized as a threat of equal measure, as is violence against any member of the community.
.
In recognition of International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia, we offer the following reminder: to be queer is to be criminal in 72 countries; 13 countries provide the death penalty for same-sex sexual activity (though only 8 countries have implemented the penalty in recent years); in 14 countries, LGBTQIAs face life in prison if discovered; in 52 countries, the penalty can run up to 14 years in prison.
.
While 85 countries offer some protections, only 9 states offer constitutional guarantees to protect the queer community; in the vast majority of countries, our community is forced to seek protection from a patchwork system of statutes, case law, and custom. As too many know too well, these so-called protections can be fleeting.
.
In recent weeks, the threat of anti-queer discrimination has been made painfully clear through the reports of mass incarcerations, torture, and killing of queer men in Chechnya.
.
As Pride season approaches, we urge those fortunate enough to be protected by family, friends, custom, and law to remember: None of us is free until all of us are free. #lgbthistory #HavePrideInHistory #Resist #IDAHOT

Solidarity to my queer fam this IDAHOBIT | you’re not a phase, a mistake, a political football or anything to be ashamed of ~ you’re magnificent and deserve all the love in the world ️‍

FFFFFFF- never mind…
I realized it was the International day against homophobia, biphobia and transphobia and thought about finally posting a comic I’ve made about my experiences. But just reading the comic made me kind of upset. (heavy stuff incoming so cw!)

I’ve faced homophobia from people who might get really angry with me if they saw me talking about it-. it’s probably safer not to post about that in detail. There are also other queer people involved and I don’t want to talk on their behalf

When I’ve faced discrimination from people I know it sometimes makes me feel very quilty- Maybe if I had explained myself better or been more understading that person would have been nicer  and accepted me.

Logically I know that’s bs. it wasn’t my fault and I shouldn’t waste time thinking about individual shitty people when systematic oppression exists. also I’ve  got my own chosen family to take care of.

I really admire LGBTA+ people who talk about their experiences openly! I prefer to talk about those things in my fictional comics. That’s partly for the sake of my own safety and mental health too.
Stay strong fellow queer people! please consider donating to The Trevor Project TheTrevorProject.org  or to your local Pride event’s fund!