So long time no chat!
I have been deep in thought about stories and writing for a looooong ass while, but haven’t actually posted anything.
But I guess since I actually want to make a go of this, ( and getting feedback is probably helpful— teamwork does make the dreamwork, am I right?) I should probably actually put some words out into the world.
So Hi welcome to my new forum for the process of writing my … book? Graphic novel? … let’s just go with story. That seems manageable right now.
So, inspired by SnowBaz and my own coming out as bisexual to my family at the ripe old age of 34, I decided why not channel all my thoughts and feelings ( and frustrations with the current systems of the world) into a very convoluted story.
Thus was born what I am calling Riso Jack.
The premise ( which at this point is far too longwinded) , if you can call it that is this:
Jack ( to be last named) is a new graduate of Emily Carr University of Art and Design. He and his long time girlfriend, Julia, are moving back to Grace’s hometown of Port Alberni, BC, a small city of around 18000 people.
They’re happy, excited to live together near Grace’s family and friends, ready to see what their future holds.
At first things are going well- Jack gets a job with the local college in their art department as a lab tech, meets some new friends and even a lands a spot as a bassist and singer for a new local queer band Ace of Spades.
Julia starts her job as a nurse at the local hospital, and settles into her life as it once was- same friends and similar routines. But she cannot stand Jack’s new band friends.
Jack, who has always been openly, but quietly, bisexual finds himself at odds with his identity as a queer man and how that fits within the happy narrative of his future life with Julia.
His new friend Claire, a part time student at the college begins showing him all the things he’s missed through his privileged life and suddenly he’s questioning everything he knows about the world.
That and there’s something spooky about the risograph printer he recently acquired.
Anyways that’s the main gist of it.
Basically there’s a bunch of vibes and plot points I have ideas about but am not sure if they should fit.
My main reason for writing this is that I wanted a place to explore my thoughts about activism in identity politics. I am queer- but am married to a man. People talk about bi erasure all the time- but I think you can also be apart of that yourself without even realizing it.
When our very loud and famous president from below ( I’m Canadian. If you know your geography you know who I’m talking about) started putting bans on saying “ gay” and changing historical monuments and websites distributing facts about certain historical events I was livid.
People around me were saying it’s not our problem, we don’t live there.
But Canada had Covid. We had protestors at hospitals picketing against vaccines and masks. We had the trucker convoy. We watched and joined the Black Lives Matter movement. We are blasted with American media much like the rest of the world, probably more. At least a quarter of our countries corporations are owned by American manufactures/billionaires ( probably more tbh, but don’t ask me math is not one of my core competencies). And the media influences the people and their ideals. And in turn their governing structure.
But Canada is Canada right? These things don’t affect Canada.
The thing is they do. Canada and the States? They’re the same. I mean they’re not literally the same. But they’re both first world western countries run by older white male.
And concept is the same- who you choose to vote for ( or who you idealize based on your beliefs and media influences/understanding of the world you live in which is directly influenced from the media you consume) decides what laws get passed and the issues that that politician favours are the things that are going to get pushed through to become bills and eventually public law.
I have many very religious friends. I am not hating on religion - although I do have some reservations about organized religion, I mostly am all for it.
I believe that people should be allowed to believe in whatever they want, and whatever they believe is important to them.
Everyone has that right.
However, I am a bit at war with this ideology upon seeing the world as it is now.
Why?
Because this logic actually can cause harm.
And I don’t mean psychological or emotional harm.
It has real world consequences.
People believe that abortion is/should be illegal - Roe vs Wade was overturned. Now abortion- which I should point out includes DNC’s in most states, is illegal. I can’t have any more children due to myself being at a 30% risk of death due to medical issues- if I got pregnant I most likely would have to have an abortion because of this.
In the states I wouldn’t be able to.
What happens to the folks like me?
What about the people who have kids and can’t take care of them?
The foster care system is already overloaded. The idea of life is precious etc. might bring you comfort but the reality of criminalizing abortion is harmful for everyone involved.
People think foreigners are hurting our workforce, or are all out to get us or whatever other nonsense the biased news outlets are touting and now ICE is taking over and going on basically unchecked.
I’m starting to rant so I’ll cut myself off here.
People’s votes matter. People’s beliefs shape those votes. Racism, predjudice, audism, ableism, homophobia are real and terrifying and the results are deadly. Pride is not just a party- it’s a call out. And I have many many thoughts about it.
My aim is to figure them out, voice them and see what the reaction is. I want to know Canada’s place in queer history, and it’s hard to find. So far, even with my meagre research it’s been fascinating.
So expect updates with my research notes and references. This has been a lot of words and I have lots of cleaning I’m currently avoiding so I’m gonna check in with you folks later.
Also apologies for the rant. I got carried away there. Hopefully it made sense- and probably I’ll get some more trolls but it’s nice to get your feels off your chest every once in a while. I recommend it!
