Editor’s Note: 21st April is observed as the Day of Silence. It is the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network’s (GLSEN) annual day of action to spread awareness about the effects of the bullying and harassment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) students. This year too Gaysi will share stories/content on bullying of Queer kids and youth in India. Hoping to create better awareness resulting in effective sensitisation. If you have a story to share, please email us: gaysifamily[at]gmail[dot]com. Your words can make a difference.
Name of artist: Jasjyot Singh Hans
Bio: Jasjyot Singh Hans is an illustrator who is unendingly inspired by the confluence of music, fashion and pop culture. His personal work chronicles around themes of body image, beauty and sexuality. This comic is an excerpt from one of his personal narrative comic ‘To Babes, With Love’, where he unpacks masculinity and his relationship with parents. The book is a recipient of a silver MoCCA award of Excellence 2017, presented by the Society of Illustrators, New York.
Comic info: Through creating personal narrative comics around my own queer experiences, I wish to speak about issues that a the queer community is affected by. Having been bullied in school, I really wished I knew I wasn’t alone, or that speaking to other people would not make me come across as weak.Through these comics/ zines, I wish to generate meaningful dialogue and contribute to a collective queer voice of India.