Jun 1

Jun 1 [Pride 2020] This Is Not The Article I Wanted To Write

dreadful, Gayly, Gayly dreadful, LGBTQ, Movies, feature, Pride 2020, Gayly Helpful

This is not the article I wanted to write today. This is not how I wanted to start Pride 2020.

A few weeks ago, right when all the hubbub was going on, if you know what I mean...and I think you do, I received an anonymous submission. It was a Friday, after spending two days embroiled in one of the worst social media events I’ve ever been a part of. When the article came in, I started to cry...which was not conducive to the podcast episode I was about to record. It was about how Anonymous wanted to disappear from horror social media and how alone they felt. It broke my heart.

The first post of #GaylyHelpful2020 was going to be that article.

But after I reached out to them to make sure they were okay and taking care of themselves, they responded and asked me not to publish the article. That as a non-hetero/non-white member of the horror community, they’d prefer to just disappear and not leave a trace. When that email came in, I found myself crying. Again. Because no one should disappear from a community they love.

So then this article was going to be about that and the horror community’s need to be better. To make space for people who aren’t straight or aren’t white or aren’t cis-male. Our community is beautiful and filled with diverse thoughts, perspectives and experiences. And we must celebrate that, 365 days a year. It was telling and frustrating that the article came in on the tail end of my attempt to bring to light some of the ways the community silences--whether knowingly or not--marginalized voices.

And then last week happened...and continues into today.

Stories continue to roll in about police brutality. Of peaceful protests interrupted with violence and tear gas. Of a community of people who are rightfully angry at the unjust behavior our society enforces. I see friends struggling. Protesting. Signal boosting. Donating. I see others choosing to remain silent. Not wanting to engage and I’m sure it’s for a variety of reasons.

But if there’s one thing we can’t do, it’s be silent.

Whether it’s about drama in the horror community that can have a stifling effect on marginalized communities or whether it’s members of our community, like Anonymous, who feel ignored or whether it’s the real world horror happening before our very eyes, we cannot be complicit.

I had thought about cancelling the fundraiser I had planned for Pride Month because I didn’t want to take away from the importance of places like the Minnesota Freedom Fund and Black Visions Collective and Act Blue’s Black Lives Matter fundraising and a myriad of other organizations that are on the ground, providing relief to those who need it.

I still feel conflicted, but I also know the sobering statistics:

Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among young people ages 10 to 24.

LGB youth seriously contemplate suicide at almost three times the rate of heterosexual youth.
LGB youth are almost five times as likely to have attempted suicide compared to heterosexual youth.
Of all the suicide attempts made by youth, LGB youth suicide attempts were almost five times as likely to require medical treatment than those of heterosexual youth.
Suicide attempts by LGB youth and questioning youth are 4 to 6 times more likely to result in injury, poisoning, or overdose that requires treatment from a doctor or nurse, compared to their straight peers.
In a national study, 40% of transgender adults reported having made a suicide attempt. 92% of these individuals reported having attempted suicide before the age of 25.
LGB youth who come from highly rejecting families are 8.4 times as likely to have attempted suicide as LGB peers who reported no or low levels of family rejection.
1 out of 6 students nationwide (grades 9–12) seriously considered suicide in the past year.
Each episode of LGBT victimization, such as physical or verbal harassment or abuse, increases the likelihood of self-harming behavior by 2.5 times on average

I know those statistics. I posted about them last year.

But I went a little deeper this time and in a Research Brief on non-white LGBTQ+ members and, in particular, non-white trans youth, the statistics are even more chilling.

Source: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/2019/11/26/research-brief-suicide-attempts-among-lgbtq-youth-of-color/

This data weighs on me.

What worries me more is the climate we find ourselves in and the potentially disastrous effect on those numbers. COVID-19 puts marginalized communities even more at risk, whether financially or socially. And that’s before the rising violence against marginalized communities we’re currently seeing this week. It’s heart-breaking.

So while I feel incredibly conflicted, I have to go with my gut and try to raise more funds for at risk LGBTQ+ youths. Because there’s a subset of LGBTQ+ people protesting and standing up right now that are struggling and might not have someone to turn to.

Which brings me back to Anonymous and their article.

This month is for them. It’s for Anonymous. It’s for people of color and women who are afraid right now. It’s for those who can’t speak out. For those who don’t know how to. It’s for the people on the front lines, fighting for equality. It’s for that scared trans youth, trying to figure themselves out during a time of unrest, who might not have anyone to turn to. That scared gay kid who finds comfort in horror the same way we have but doesn't know that our community exists.

I hope this series of articles can bring some comfort. That it might show you there are LGBTQ+ voices out there and that we are strong. And hopefully you’ll find members of the community you can interact with. We’re here and we’re as diverse and colorful as the rainbow flag suggests.

The first article goes live at 11:00 AM Central today.

Every day in June, you’ll get at least one new article. We have over 40 contributors covering a diverse range of personal articles, interviews, fiction and film analysis. From It Chapter 2 to Hellraiser to Jennifer’s Body to Buffy. There’s probably something for you. As I’ve gone over the contributions, I’m continually in awe of the talent, intelligence and the powerful and insightful voices brought to the table.

Editors of horror sites and magazines and blogs, I challenge you, in particular, to read through our contributors and understand the sea of talent hiding just below the status quo. I challenge you to reach out to someone who’s contributed this month and give them a chance. An opportunity. Be the ally I know you are.

And horror companies who talk the talk, I hope you help set the example for your LGBTQ+fans and writers. Help us smash our goals and walk the walk

I hope everyone who can will donate to the #GaylyDreadful2020 Trevor Project fundraiser. Because there’s no going back. We can do better.

We must do better.