I’m still not sure I agree with the It Gets Better. The message comes across quite bleak as a statement about our community; it feels like it shifts the burden of homophobia/transphobia/queerphobia onto the backs of young people: “it’s gonna be shit for a while but it’ll be ok later on… probably”. Somehow I don’t get much solace from the message.

That, and if someone told me they were suicidal, the last response I’d want to give would be “Well, my life is great now. So you should just wait it out until things get better for you.” Surely we should be asking “What support do you need?”

I’ve talked with other people about it and they say it works best in conjunction with other causes… like this one, or this, or this, oh and also this.

And I think I agree. It’s great to give hope, and it’s great to visibilise communities, but it’s ALSO important to ask what support people need, to create said support, to advocate for change, to get angry, to get loud, and to create allegiances across communities (’cause homophobia/transphobia/queerphobia is all our problems – just like racism, sexism, ableism, religious bigotry, and all the rest).

But still, as one more voice amongst a myriad of others, and as one person who has a lot more to say than simply “It Gets Better”, here’s mine.

 

TRANSCRIPT:

Panel 1:

Sam: (A person wearing a pale blue, collared shirt and a blue vest with a yellow stripe across the chest, who is facing the viewer, but looking at Younger Sam. Eyebrows are raised and pushed together slightly, mouth is open, with downturned edges.) In High School I wasn’t out as gay, or trans, or queer in any way. I was incredibly shy & self-conscious. And I developed a super power: invisibility.

Younger Sam: (A translucent person wearing a pale blue polo, who has long, tied-up hair, and is facing the viewer, but looking at Sam. Eyebrows are lowered slightly and are pushed together, mouth is closed, with downturned edges. Shoulders are slumped, and arms are by sides.)

 

Panel 2:

First Younger Sam: (A translucent person who is looking directly at the viewer, with raised eyebrows and an open mouth, which has slightly downturned edges.) There were subtle, and not so subtle, things that made me feel like my power was necessary.

Person 1: (A person wearing a pale green t-shirt, who is facing the viewer, but looking at Younger Sam. One eyebrow is raised and the other lowered, mouth is open, with downturned edges, and arm is pointing towards Younger Sam’s feet.) Are you wearing man shoes?

Person 2: (A person wearing a pale brown hoodie and a green beanie, who is facing the viewer, but looking to the side. Eyebrows are lowered, mouth is open, with downturned edges, and arms are crossed over chest.) Fuckn’ Homos! They all need to be put on an island and hanged.

Second Younger Sam: (A translucent person who has closed eyes and a closed mouth, with downturned edges. Head is tilted forward, shoulders are slumped, and arms are by sides.)

 

Panel 3:

(There is a caption at the top of the panel, which reads:) Some people think losing your power is a bad thing. For me it’s been good; my invisibility has faded as I’ve stepped into myself more & more.

Younger Sam: (A translucent person who is looking directly at the viewer, with raised eyebrows and an open mouth.)

Less young Younger Sam: (A slightly less translucent person, wearing a red t-shirt, who has shorter hair, and is looking directly at the viewer. Eyebrows are raised, and mouth is open, with upturned edges. One arm is bent back slightly, and the other forward slightly.)

Even less young Younger Sam: (An even less translucent person, wearing a green hoodie, who has even shorter hair, and is looking directly at the viewer. Eyebrows are raised and mouth is open, with very upturned edges. One arm is bent back, and the other forward slightly.)

Sam: (A person who is looking directly at the viewer, with raised eyebrows and an open mouth, with extremely upturned edges. One arm is bent back, and the other forward.)

 

Panel 4:

(There is a caption at the top of the panel, which reads:) I found people who want to see me and value me for who I am.

Sam: (A person who is looking directly at the viewer, with raised eyebrows and an open mouth, which has very upturned edges.)

Joe: (A person wearing a medium blue, long-sleeved shirt and a red neckerchief, who is looking directly at the viewer. Eyebrows are raised and mouth is closed, with upturned edges. One arm is around Sam’s shoulders, the other by Joe’s side.)

(There are a number of people who are looking at Sam, all of whom have raised eyebrows and mouths with very upturned edges.)

 

Panel 5:

Sam: (A person who is facing the viewer, but looking down. Eyebrows are raised, mouth is open and one arm is bent up at the elbow, its palm facing up.) And I’m inspired, strengthened and challenged by the young people I work with*, who are all superheroes to me.

(Written below Sam’s speech bubble, are the words:) *info on the same-difference youth group is in the “links” section

 

Panel 6:

Sam 1: (A person who is looking directly at the viewer, with raised, pushed together eyebrows and an open mouth, which has slightly downturned edges. Sam’s head is bent forward slightly.) I still have days where it seems impossibly hard.

Sam 2: (A person who is looking directly at the viewer, with raised, pushed together eyebrows and an open mouth, which has slightly upturned edges. Sam’s head is bent forward slightly.) But I know it’s getting better.