Queermo's Journey

[above tableau suggested by a reader, who should clearly be the one writing this]

Hey Queeps!

Q:  “Where are the updates?”

A:  I’ve been dealing with some health stuff that makes working at a desk or craning over difficult-- this makes comicking tricky. 

I’m currently working on reorganizing my workstation to enable drawing, but for now (RAAAGH) Q-Jo is on indefinite hiatus.

Q:  “You literally JUST HAD a hiatus.”

A:  I know and it’s the worst. I intend to take this time to migrate Q-Jo to an independent website (sorry, tumblr) and maybe set up some silly little zines. I will post links here to any new things.

Q:  “Ugh fine”

A:  NO U

No, you’re all lovely people, and thank you to everyone who’s reached out to make sure things are good. It makes me very sad to step away from what’s been a really important space for me, especially with plans brimming. None of these issues are life-threatening, just lifestyle-affecting, and I’m working on adjustments. You are all very wonderful and I so appreciate all the kind words and warmth you’ve extended.

Especially those of you who sent me this:

Be back with bells on,

whoops

(baby update! it’s been a busy few weeks.

EYYYYYY but you know what’s not funny

H.B. 2796 “The Civil Rights Uniformity Act of 2017″ [<-- ???!!]

This bill prohibits the word “sex” or “gender” from being interpreted to mean “gender identity,” and requires “man” or “woman” to be interpreted to refer exclusively to a person’s genetic sex, for purposes determining the meaning of federal civil rights laws or related federal administrative agency regulations or guidance. No federal civil rights law shall be interpreted to treat gender identity or transgender status as a protected class, unless it expressly designates “gender identity” or “transgender status” as a protected class. 

(Full text [link] )

(Congressional info, minus the text [link] )

(LegiScan breakdown [link] )

This is a real thing that is happening in the U.S., right now. I cannot overstate how destructive such an interpretation would be should it be enacted on a federal level.

Here is a succinct post with committee contact information. Please write; please call. I am terrified for the people I love, detest, and do not know, and will be doing both.

A little bit of buffer, then back to the storyline. Answers next week!

okay also here is a fact

tagging a post with “i love peeing” gets you followed by approximately nine million pornbots

so

#i love peeing #peeing’s my favorite

everything is terrible let’s make comics

oh hello. fancy meeting you here.

Turns out my new job is significantly more time-consuming than I’d anticipated. This is great, because money, and I love what I do! However, this leaves me with much less time for other exploits, which is upsetting because I ❤Q-Jo.

Thus, I have updated the update schedule to read updates on occasion, at least until I can figure out how time works again. This is hardly ideal, but life happens-- I’m grateful it’s a good “life happens” instead of a bad one.

"Wait, you bought condoms and fruit?"

"Well you know, in case you needed a demonstration."

"...Ces, these are apples and oranges."

"I AM TRYING TO BE A GOOD ALLY"

Sorry for the lack of updates recently! I'm in the process of switching jobs, and the barrage of snowstorms isn't helping productivity. Have been marooned in a rural neighborhood for the past week or so without all my little drawing doodads.

Stay safe and warm-- those of you not shoveling walks every day, count your blessings.

(also whoa what are these)

Cecily's a good friend. (Also, look who's on the cast page now)

I wanna talk back to the people Asking Questions, but can't answer anons without publishing them to the comic page! Thus, please welcome the Q-Jo Blog. All future asks will be directed there; I will also try to reblog CQS (Cool Queer Stuff) when I find it.

also look at the things people did, ohmygosh!!!1

Uh oh, THIS DUDE'S back. And so is the plot? ("Plot")

Friendly reminder that Q-Jo is sex and sex worker positive. Someone is just a bit histrionic.

(if I have not yet replied to your messages, I am sorting through my inbox. thanks!)

Dearest readers,

Suspending today's update until tomorrow.

The holidays are always hard around here. Coming home means hopping back in the closet, as much as I am able to at this point, and making it past Christmas and the new year means revisiting my father's death two years ago, on January 3rd (or 2nd-- I can't say with any certainty).

The holidays are hard.

Leelah had an art tag on her tumblr, and I love her Princess Boy. PB looks cute and innocent, and above all, optimistic-- I wish that part of Leelah had won out. She deserved the joy she dreamed about.

I've never liked the It Gets Better campaign because it implies that some kind of magic happiness fairy visits you on your eighteenth birthday and makes all your friends and colleagues respect you, that makes your family use the right pronouns and your healthcare start kicking in.

Changes can happen, but only if you are there to make them. 

I wish I could imbue everyone with the strength to make it to that point, especially those who are under circumstances as terrible as Leelah's.

Please know that you matter, and not only after you disappear.

Above all, please: You need not be a sacrifice. You are not a statistic. You are loved. You are cherished. You have power beyond your comprehension and allies waiting to meet you.

There is a you-sized hole in the universe that no one else can fill if you are gone.

My inbox is always open, and so is my email.

You are not alone.

You are exceptional in ways you do not yet know.

You are strong and you are brilliant and you are beautiful.

It is so hard; I know this-- please keep fighting and keep growing. 

Please live to see the you that is better.

Please live to the days that are better.

______________________________________

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (USA): 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Transgender Lifeline (USA): +187 756 588 60 and (877) 565-8860

Transgender Lifeline (CAN): (877) 330-6366

Samaritans (UK): 08457 90 90 90

Fact: Dysphoria hates baby ducks. (Click on panels to expand) (Part 1)

People have been cool enough to recommend Q-Jo, and I would be remiss if I didn't pose some similar recommendations:

What's Normal Anyway?—  A classic in trans comics; trans man coming-of-age story; includes French lesbians and a cat named Dr. Skateboard

Rooster Tails— Autobio comic featuring a trans man living la vie bohème with his partner; strikes the perfect balance between cute and cathartic; Bert and Ernie in New Zealand 

Manic Pixie Nightmare Girls— A trans woman's autobio comic; super snarky and clever; I am in love with the style!

Knights Errant— I AM JUST GETTING INTO THIS BUT I AM IN LOVE. KNIGHTS. NON-BINARY KNIGHTS.

Transgirl Next Door— Cute one-shots from a trans woman's everyday life; wins the Consistently Coherent and Hilarious Despite Having a Multi-Day Update Schedule Award

Eth's Skin— Mystical, mythical tale set in British Columbia. Non-binary characters and selkies. Sweet baby seals. Have you seriously not clicked this yet

Go Get A Roomie— (Occasionally NSFW; non-graphic sexytimes and boobs) Queer hippies in love; there is a bar and a Viking bartender with axes. Also cats

GQutie— Genderqueer shenanigans! (* quietly covets outfits and gradient skills*)

Girls With Slingshots— Talking cacti; queer ladies; positive portrayals of open relationships; disgruntled writer-type protagonist: A+

Also, Cucumber Quest just introduced a trans lady character and I am beyond excited to see where her legend is going.

Thanks for reading!

I feel a little ridiculous complaining about my body probs while Ferguson is happening.

Stay safe; stay strong. Don't forget.

(Click on panels to expand) (Part 2)

Ricky's jam (tw: shirtless glam rockers bathing in the first 15 seconds)* + the video in the last panel (tw: dysphoria talk)