Depicted in the piece above is a story I made up. Unfortunately, it is not at all fictional. Stories like this happen in real life, and they happen FAR too often. Statistically speaking, a transgendered person is murdered every month.
This piece is dedicated to the all transgendered people who have been murdered simply for trying to themselves. They are not trying to hurt anyone. They simply wish to pursue happiness for themselves; a right that ALL humans are entitled to. So, why does this keep happening? Why is Alicia's fictional story so heartrendingly real?
Today is the Transgender Day of Remembrance. I ask you to at least take a moment out of your day to just reflect on this... or if you know someone (besides me) who is transgendered, just give them a hug... or if you ARE transgendered, just be strong and don't be afraid of who you are.
(Also, I realize this is in no way related specifically to Rain's story, but obviously, it is kind of an extremely relevant theme. So I wanted to post this here too. Awareness doesn't come if people are quiet after all.)
As...as much as I want to go along with this comic, I just can't.
The only (probably more realistic for 'ethnic' situations) thought that goes through my mind is the parent(s) thinking "If only they didn't insist on trying to be a girl/boy, this wouldn't have happened." and then blame the victim.
I wish that wasn't how I felt...but it is.
...I might've been one of those statistics too, but for some damn reason I lived through 3 overdoses in 3 years like I was Keith Richards or something... >:(
*sigh* I'm sorry, I'm just venting or something.
I really appreciate that you're still plugging away at this, Jocelyn. Keep up the good work.
Years to late, but one thing I've learned, is it's okay to vent or rant. I hope you're still alive. Please, remember that you are loved. This goes for anyone else reading this. If you don't believe me, that's okay. But even though I don't know you, I'll love you, and that makes you loved. And now I'm ranting, but that's okay. If you need to talk, talk. Someone will be there for you.
You have chosen as hard a subject to present as Sky has in Simply Sarah. The fact that all people are not from the same mold, not the same set of DNA patterns, not the same desires. I fully understand and shudder when I hear or read some loudmouth from the "religious reich" sounding about marriage is a man and a woman, a family etc, etc, etc barf... Love transcends Race, Creed, Gender and knows no limitations. Please keep up the good work.
I'd like to add a copy of this to The Transgender Day of Remembrance Webcomic Archive. I think I've asked you on Deviant Art as well, but it's been a l-o-n-g day.
Holy fuck, this one needs a trigger warning attached to it. Love the comic so far, been blitzing through the archives, but I couldn't even finish reading the first sentence of this one.
Is it really that much different to read something like this which is based loosely on hundreds, possibly thousands of stories, than it is to read something that is a single true story?
This has happened. Jocelyn may not have personally heard of it, but, statistically speaking, I'm certain it's happened multiple times, at least if you don't care too much about the exact timing and the name. Because there's a lot of parents who reject their child when they come out, and there's a lot of transgender individuals who get killed. And it's my experience with parents that they're more likely to accept their child postmortem, regardless of what set them at odds.
Unfortunately, you're probably right. I'm glad my parents accept me, and I know I'm lucky, but it's hard, because other people don't really understand, do they?
I didn't notice the date when surfing up through the archive. But as a follower of Venus Envy when it got ME through hard times, I recognized it immediately. I've lost some friends along the way, and that is part of why I am where I am now. I have family, kids, my health. And balancing what sort of role is harder to 'play'. I totally appreciate 'Rain' ; it is a wonderful welcoming, and genuine space for many people. Myself, included, even if I didn't take the path I once felt compelled toward. Thank you for this site.
The only (probably more realistic for 'ethnic' situations) thought that goes through my mind is the parent(s) thinking "If only they didn't insist on trying to be a girl/boy, this wouldn't have happened." and then blame the victim.
I wish that wasn't how I felt...but it is.
...I might've been one of those statistics too, but for some damn reason I lived through 3 overdoses in 3 years like I was Keith Richards or something... >:(
*sigh* I'm sorry, I'm just venting or something.
I really appreciate that you're still plugging away at this, Jocelyn. Keep up the good work.
I was pretty lonely growing up too. I want to be there for anyone who feels that way, because I don't want anyone to feel the way I did.
Take care, Butterfly.
This is now a group hug
at this point it's a pileup :)
(Hey, 2019 readers - keep it going, okay?)
(although my personal rate of hugs is about 1 a decade I think. where i actually accept the hug/start it)
:-/
I've lost friends, too.
Though the fact it was so believable is sad...
This has happened. Jocelyn may not have personally heard of it, but, statistically speaking, I'm certain it's happened multiple times, at least if you don't care too much about the exact timing and the name. Because there's a lot of parents who reject their child when they come out, and there's a lot of transgender individuals who get killed. And it's my experience with parents that they're more likely to accept their child postmortem, regardless of what set them at odds.