I know we're already halfway through the month so I'm late to the party (per the norm), BUT in my defense this comic has like a million details and a ton of characters and wheelchairs are really hard to draw. 🙈
To all of you in the LGBTQ+ community with a chronic illness and/or disability, always remember that we need to hear your voices, too! You have unique stories and perspectives to share with the world, and they are valuable.
Images are a ten-panel comic. In the first panel, Potsie says, “It’s Pride Month! And I’m just your friendly neighborhood Potsie dropping by to remind you that there are...”
In the second panel is a girl in a wheelchair--above her are the words, “Bisexuals who use wheelchairs!”
In the third panel is a girl with a feeding tube--above her are the words, “Lesbians who are tube-fed!”
In the forth panel is a guy with an oxygen tank--above him are the words, “Transgender individuals with rare diseases!”
In the fifth panel is a girl with an invisible illness--above her are the words, “And asexuals with POTS!”
In the sixth panel, Potsie looks confused as she says, “Wait...you didn’t know that there are people with chronic illnesses and disabilities in the LGBTQ+ community?”
The seventh panel has the girl in the wheelchair sitting all by herself as everyone around her doesn’t notice her. Above her it says, “Well, that’s unfortunate, but...honestly not that surprising, since most awareness and advocacy campaigns still lack diversity--especially when it relates to chronically ill and disabled individuals.”
The eighth panel has a group of eight people in it and says, “This is a big problem because chronic illnesses and disabilities impact people of every religion, race, gender, and sexuality. In fact, statistics say that every 1 in 8 Americans has a disability!”
The ninth panel says, “But, unfortunately, the general public is still widely unaware that...” Then there’s a little picture of someone talking to our ace character from earlier. Above them it says, “Chronic illnesses exist!” and the guy is saying to the ace character, “You mean you’re not better yet?” Another little picture is off to the side--a woman shouting, “Faker!” at our lesbian character from earlier. Above them it says, “Not all disabilities are visible!” And at the bottom of the panel is our bisexual character in her wheelchair, glaring at a ramp precariously poised over a set of stairs. She says, “You have GOT to be kidding me...” and beside her are the words, “And ‘accessibility’ is a lot more complicated than sticking a ramp over a staircase.”
The tenth panel has all our LGBTQ+ characters smiling and talking to each other. Above them it says, “So as you celebrate this month, please be mindful of those in your community with chronic illnesses and disabilities. They have a lot to contribute, and they want to participate alongside you!”
I’ve watched a lot of movies recently, in large part because I recently spent a lot of time on airplanes, and when one is confronted with a screen and eighteen hours of sitting in a chair, it seems like as good a time as any to over-indulge in media consumption.
I’ve realized a few things about the way I watch things now; usually I start watching a show because it’s been recommended to me. I’ll…
