REVIEW: LOVE IS LOVE ANTHOLOGY, FROM IDW PUBLISHING

Posted on December 28, 2016 by Norwich Radical in Arts and tagged Adriano Lucas, Al Ewing, Ale Garza, Alejandra Gutierrez, Alvar Ortiz, Amancay Nahuelpan, Amanda Connor, Amanda Deibert, Andrei Bressan, Andrew Constant, Andrew Dalhouse, Andrew Griffith, Aneke Alejandro Arbona, anthology, Antonio Fabela, art, artist, artists, Arvind Ethan Davis, Ashely Victoria Robinson, Austin James, B. Alex Thompson, Barry Crain, batman, Ben Raab, Bill Morrison, Billy Tucci, Bo Bradshaw, book, Brad Meltzer, Brad Simpson, Brad Walker, Brandon Peterson, Brenna Davis, Brennan Wagner, Brent Peeples, Brian Buccellato, Brian Michael Bendis, Carla Speed McNeil, Carlos D’Anda, Carlos Manguel, Cat Staggs, Cecil Castellucci, Chris and Ruth Gage, Chris Eliopoulos, Chris Miskeiwicz, Chris Mowry, Chris Ryall, Chris Sotomayor, Christian Gossett, Christina Rossetti, Christina Strain, Christina Weir, Christopher Golden, Chuck Kim, comic book, comics, Corey Breen, Craig Hamilton, Cully Hamner, Damon Lindelof, Dan Beals, Dan DiDio, Dan Jurgens, Dan Parent, Dan Schkade, Dan Shadian, Dave Acosta, Dave Crossland, Dave Justus, Dave Lanphear, David Avallone, David Drake, David LaFuente, David Lopez, David Macho, David Mack, David Sexton, Dennis Calero, Deron Bennett, Devon T.W. Morales, Deyns Cowan Crank, Dmyko Sienty, Donna Barr, Douglas Holgate, Drew Droege, Ed Brisson, Ed Luce, Eddie Gorodetsky, Elayne and Robin Riggs, Elisa M. Coletti, Ellie Ann, Elmer Santos, Emily Smith, Emma Houxbois, Emma Vieceli, Equality Florida, Eric Denton, family, Fernando Blanco, Fialkov, Florida, Francis Manapul, Frank Tieri, G Willow Wilson, Gabriel Bautista, Gabriel Cassata, Gail Simone, Garry Erskine, George Perez, Gerry Duggan, Giulia Brusco, Grant Morrison, graphic novel, Greg Fox, Greg Pak, Guillermo Mogorron, Gulliem March, guns, Harry Saxon, Hi-Fi, Iain Laurie, Iain McCaig, IDW, Isaac Goodhart, Ivan Brandon, Ivan Reis, J.K. Rowling, J.R. Rand, James Asmus, James Robinson, James Tynion IV, Janice Chiang, Jared K. Fletcher, Jason Aaron, Jason Inman, Jason LaTour, Jason Shaw Alexander, Javier Grillo-Marxuach, Jay Edidin, Jeff Dixon, Jeff Jensen, Jeff King, Jeff Krell, Jeff McComsey, Jeff Parker, Jeffrey Burandt, Jennie Wood, Jesus Iglesias, Jesus Marino, Jesus Saiz, JG Roshell, Jill Thompson, Jim Calafiore, Jim Lee, Jim Zub, Jock, Joe Harris, Joe Kelly, John Lucas, John Ross Bowie, John Workman, Jon Sommariva, Jonathan Hickman, Jordan Boyd, Jose Villarrubia, Jose Villarubia, Joseph Michael Linsner, Josh Trujillo, Joshua Cozine, Joshua Dysart, Joshua Hale, Joshua Yehl, Judd Winick, Julian Lopez, Justin Hall, Justin Zimmerman, K. Michael Russell, Kaare Andrews, Karl Kesel, Karl Moline, Karl Slominski, Kelly Fitzpatrick, Kelsey Shannon, Kevin Mellon, Kevin Richardson, Kieron Dwyer, Kieron Gillen, Kike Infame, Kurtis Weibe, Latinx, Laura Allred, Lee Garbett, Leinil Yu, Leonardo Ito, lgbtQ+, Liam Sharpe, Livio Ramondelli, love is love, Lovern Kindzierski, Marc Andreyko, Marc Bernardin, Marc Guggenheim, Marcial Toledano, Marguerite Bennet, Marguerite Bennett, Mark Badger, Mark Buckingham, Mark Englert, Mark Millar, Mary Jo Smith, Matt Bomer, Matt Clark, Matt Wagner, Matthew Rosenberg, Matthew Sturges, Max Vento, Michael Garland, Michael Heisler, Michael Hoeweler, Michael Wiggam, Mike Atiyeh, mike carey, Mike Carlin, Mike Dowling, Mike Huddleston, Mike McKone, Mike Oeming, Ming Doyle, Mirka Andolfo, Mitch Gerads, Molly Knox Ostertag, Morgan Spurlock, Neal Bailey, Nick Robles, Nunzio DeFilippis, Nyambi Nyambi, Olivier Coipel, Orlando, P. Craig Russell, Paige Braddock, Patrick Zircher, Patton Oswalt, Patty Jenkins, Paul Azaceta, Paul Dini, Paul Jenkins, Paul Mounts, Paul Reinwald, Pedro Rodriguez, Pedro Villora, Pete Woods, Peter Bergting, Phil Jimenez, Phil Noto, Philip Tan, Piotr Kowalski, pride, Priscilla Tramontano, Pulse, Rachel Rickey, Rafael Albuquerque, Rags Morales, rainbow, Rantz Hoseley, read, response, Richard Ortiz, Rob Williams, Robbi Rodriguez, Robert Hack, Robert Stanley, Robert Vendetti, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, Ross Fisher, Russ Wooton, Ryan Ferrier, Sagar Fornies, Saida Temofonte, Sal Cipriano, Sarah Gordon, Scott Lope, Scott Morse, Scott Shaw, Scott Snyder, Sean Von Gorman, Shannon, Shawn Lee, Shawn Martinbrough, shooting, Simon Fraser, Sina Grace, Sophia Foster-Dimino, Stephanie Roux, Stephen Byrne, Sterling Gates, Steve Cook, Steve Foxe, Steve Orlando, Steve Pugh, Steve Sadowski, Steve Wands, Supergirl, T. Chick McClure, Taki Soma, Tamra Bonvillian, Taran Killam, Taylor Esposito, Teddy Tenenbaum, Tee Franklin, terrorism, Tim Seeley, Todd Klein, Tom Feister, Tom King, Tom Taylor, Tony Bedard, Travis Lanham, Travis Moore, Tristan Jones, Troy Nixey, Tyler Boss, US, Van Jensen, Victor Santos, Vince Locke, Vincente Cifuentes, visual art, Vito Delsante, Vivian Ng, Wilfredo Torres, Willie Schubert, words, writing, Yel Zamor, Yildray Cinar, Zeb Wells.

by Gwen Taylor

How on Earth do I put these feelings into words? I’m sitting here just after finishing Love is Love and I have been utterly floored. 2016 has been an awful year all around, a year where hatred and intolerance appear to have won, and love has been firmly pushed into a corner. One of the most horrific events of the year took place in June at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando. One person took the lives of 49 others who were celebrating their individuality and love in what had always been regarded as a safe space.

Love is Love is an anthology of responses to the shooting published by IDW Publishing and supported by DCComics to raise money for Equality Florida. It contains 144 pages of beautiful stories designed to celebrate love following a tragic event. Each piece is 1-2 pages long and all are incredibly powerful; the sheer number of contributors demonstrates how this horrific event was felt by everyone.
Continue Reading

QUEER VISIBILITY – THE BLESSING AND THE CURSE

Posted on November 17, 2016 by Norwich Radical in Community, Perspectives and tagged biphobia, Community, homophobia, LGBT+, lgbt+ visibility, lgbt-phobia, lgbtQ+, LGBTQIA+, norfolk, norwich, Orlando, Orlando shooting, Perspectives, pulse nightclub, queer, queer visibility, self care, uk, visibility.

by Cherry Somersby

Content warning: mentions homophobia, homophobic violence

Anyone with a basic understanding of society will know that queer people encounter instances of homophobia on a daily basis. Seemingly removed from what many view as ‘real oppressions’, everyday instances of homophobia can be intensely draining, but ultimately the form they take is rarely an aggressive one. So why, then, does an act so apparently harmless as a prolonged stare or quiet whisper in the street, have the power to provoke so much fear? The answer is something I failed to realise until three days ago when I witnessed homophobic violence in my own city.Continue Reading

THE LOUD SILENCE OF WHITE ARTISTS ON #BLACKLIVESMATTER

Posted on July 10, 2016 by Norwich Radical in Arts and tagged #BlackLivesMatter, #WomeninMusic, activism, Alton Sterling, art, artivism, arts, Beyonce, BLM, Brexit, Dallas, DeRay Mckesson, Donald Trump, EUrefresults, far right, How Many, JayZ, Miguel, music, music industry, musicians, Novelist, omertà, Orlando, Philando Castile, police violence, popular culture, privilege, Pulse, racism, Serena Williams, silence, Stormzy, The Narrator, visibility, white artists.

by Mike Vinti

This week, racial tensions in America have been reignited by the fatal shootings of Alton Sterling, Philando Castle and five members of the Dallas police. The response from the the majority of people of all races has been one of shock and sadness, with many black musicians and artists using their platforms to voice their solidarity with the victims and their support for the BlackLivesMatter movement.

Beyoncé and husband Jay-Z both released statements following the attacks, with Jay-Z even releasing his first new song – Spiritual – in years to support the BLM movement. UK rappers Stormzy and Novelist, two increasingly political artists in their own right, have spoken out, highlighting the issue of police violence in the UK as well as the US. RnB icon Miguel has recorded a song listing the names of black Americans killed by police with plans to update it every week. These are just some of the interventions made by high profile musicians in the last week. Continue Reading

WE ARE ORLANDO, BUT PERHAPS WE ARE OMAR MATEEN TOO?

Posted on June 24, 2016 by Norwich Radical in Perspectives and tagged #weareorlando, Abu Nuwas, activism, diversity, faith, fetishisation, God, homophobia, identity, liberation, mental illness, Muslim, Omar Marteen, Orlando, pentecostal, people of colour, queer, racial diversity, racism, religion, sexuality, theodicy.

by Emmanuel Agu

Content warning: mass shooting, homophobia, mental health

In the wake of the Pulse nightclub shooting, myself members of queer societies and wider society are yet again pulled into self-reflection in this time of despair. The tragedy stands as a solid reminder that those who live queer lives are aberrant; there are those who can never accept us — our death is the only thing that can appease them. A solid reminder that when these atrocities strike our communities — those who are struck hardest will be the queer people of colour, our trans siblings and disabled siblings. It was a solid reminder of the extent of homophobia within our society leads to; whilst simultaneously exposing the exclusion of faith within our spaces of activism and self-organization. It is entirely uplifting to see people from across the world and many facets of society declare their solidarity following #weareorlando trend; I am filled with pride and affirmation that the life style myself and my kinfolk live are valid, we deserve recognition, we deserve to be able to celebrate our cultures — to simply exist, without fear of decimation and harm.

I do not mean to detract from these displays of solidarity, but it is necessary to also ask one another to what extent are we responsible for the development of Omar Mateen?Continue Reading

LONE-WOLVES AND STATE WARRIORS

Posted on June 23, 2016 by Norwich Radical in Inter|national, Perspectives and tagged another angry voice, bicuriosity, Bill O'Reilly, britain first, church, daesh, drug abuse, equal marriage, gun, gun control, heterosexist, heterosexual, homelessness, homophobia, individualism, islamophobia, Jo Cox, left wing, LGBT+, liberal, lone wolf, lone wolves, marriage, media, mental health, monogamy, murdoch, Muslim, Orlando, Orlando shooting, Owen Jones, queer, race, religion, right wing, same sex, scapegoating, sex work, sexuality, state, suicide, xenophobia.

by Joshua Ekin

Content warning: mentions suicide, homophobia, Islamophobia, xenophobia, mass shooting, murder

A massacre in an LGBT+ space, by a Muslim, with a legal gun, and alleged connections to Daesh. It’s easy to see how contemporary American anxieties converge in the political aftermath of the Orlando shooting. The media response to this — the largest massacre in modern American history — exposes how truth is controlled by the present political regime.

For those who do not spend their days fretting about radical social discourse, homophobia can be difficult to define. Before Obama legalised same-sex marriage federally, it dominated the media conversation, establishing rights as the fulcrum of group empowerment. While the LGBT+ movement focused on this, statistics revealed that LGBT+ kids across the world were entering sex-work and committing suicide at an alarming rate. If such statistics were ever mentioned, it was to bolster marriage as the unequivocal endowment being denied to the LGBT+ community. The institution Australian Marriage Equality claims that the ‘higher rates of drug and alcohol abuse, homelessness, early school leaving, conflict with peers and parents and suicide ideation [are] all directly related to the discrimination.’ Marx might have called this ‘bridal false-consciousness.’Continue Reading

WE ARE WHAT WE VOTE

Posted on June 21, 2016 by Norwich Radical in Inter|national and tagged British society, Clinton, democracy, EU ref, EU referendum, Euros 2016, far right, french labour strikes, homophobic, ideology, Jo Cox, Mark Twain, nationalism, Orlando, personal opinion, racism, Russel Brand, Trump, US presidential election, vote, voting, voting system, Western, xenophobia, Zika.

by Gunnar Eigener

Content warning: mentions racism, xenophobia, homophobia, mass shooting, murder

Our world seems to be approaching a turning point. Donald Trump is now, essentially, a nominated US presidential candidate. The chances of the UK leaving the EU are realistic, potentially paving the way for German and French referendums. Resistance to antibiotics is climbing to dangerous levels just as the Zika virus furthers its reach. The damage to the environment continues unabated. A man walked into a nightclub and killed many innocent people, either in the name of religion or because he was, sadly, unable to connect with his sexual identity. There seems to be a sense of things unraveling across the globe.

While this might understandably seem like the end of days to some, the truth is slightly blander although maybe just as unpalatable. We have allowed ourselves to get to this point. Us. You and me. Certainly not always by choice but we have allowed a system to continue that relentlessly sabotages us over and over. Time after time we let in those we know deep down will do us no good. Certainly the system seems rigged and that we are, in essence, voting for the lesser of how ever many participating evils there are. But the lesser evil is still evil. It’s not hard to understand why Russell Brand pushed the notion of not voting.Continue Reading

WRITING OVER THE ACRONYM

Posted on June 15, 2016 by Norwich Radical in Arts and tagged creative writing, homophobia, lgbt, LGBT+, lgbtQ+, media, mental health, news, Orlando, Orlando shooting, own poetry, poem, poetry, Pulse, queer poetry, response, solidarity.

by Chris Jarvis

Content warning: mass shooting, homophobia.

In response.

At midnight they dance the devil’s dance
Gleeful in their deviance

As sun rises
Their hearts Pulse in the ecstasy
Community and camaraderie

Unprovoked and unannounced
Space safe no more

Oh hold your breath then count to ten
Then fall apart and start again

All the way to forty nine
Mommy I love you.

*Continue Reading

THEPEWPEWLIFE AND WHY I’M HOPELESSLY ANGRY

Posted on June 14, 2016 by Norwich Radical in Inter|national and tagged #thePewPewLife, America, Boston Marathon, Colion Noir, daesh, FBI, firearms, Florida, G4S, gay bar, gun, gun law, gun sales, gunners, guns, homophobia, islamophobia, Julia Hartley-Brewer, Latinx, LGBT+, lgbtQ+, Mark Longhurst, mass shooting, massacre, Mateen, non-binary, NRA, Orlando, Orlando shooting, Owen Jones, POC, police, Rick Scott, Sky News, Smith and Wesson and Ruger, US.

by Zoe Harding

Content warning: mentions mass shooting, homophobia, Islamophobia.

As you know, on Sunday a homophobic mass-murderer killed 49 people and seriously wounded 53 others in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida. He used a handgun and a semi-automatic rifle, took hostages and was only finally killed when the Orlando police rammed the wall of the club with an armoured vehicle and forced him to come out, before gunning him down.

News media and political statements have been full of Islamophobic vitriol and scaremongering. Owen Jones walked off Sky News after deciding he was sick of listening to Mark Longhurst and Julia Hartley-Brewer trying to downplay the homophobic aspects of shooting up a gay club in favour of a more anti-Daesh approach — despite the attack not yet being confirmed either way if in any way connected to Daesh. As Julian Canlas commented for The Norwich Radical, ‘It is not just an ‘Orlando nightclub massacre’. It is an Orlando lgbtQ+ Latinx nightclub massacre.’ Florida governor Rick Scott suggested that the best thing one could do to aid victims of the shooting was pray, and dodged questions about what could be done to stop further shootings— the NRA logo practically glistening behind his eyes. Continue Reading

WE’RE HERE. WE’RE QUEER. AND WE MATTER: THE HIDDEN FACE OF THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY

Posted on June 14, 2016 by Norwich Radical in Inter|national and tagged anti-Muslim, Bathroom Bill, cisgender, colourblind, disabled, equality, erasure, gay nightclub, genderblind, hate crime, hate crimes, heterosexual, homophobia, identity, intersectionality, Islam, Latinx, lgbt, lgbtQ+, media, mental health, Muslim, National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs, NCAVP, New Orleans, non-binary, oppression, Orlando, Orlando shooting, Owen Jones, people of colour, POC, privilege, Pulse, queer, racism, religion, Sky News, suicide, terrorism, tolerance, Upstairs Lounge, US, US congress, western society, women.

by Julian Ignacio Canlas

Content warning: mentions racism, homophobia, suicide, arson, massacre, mental health

On June 12^th 2016, a mass shooting happened at Pulse, gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, USA. 49 people were killed and 52 injured, mostly of Latinx descent. Across the world, lgbtQ+ communities and allies have been organising vigils and other events to express support and condolences.

‘Look, you don’t understand this because you’re not gay,’ Owen Jones said, before storming out of a Sky News debate on the massacre, after the two presenters refused to see the incident in a lgbtQ+ context.Continue Reading

Orlando

REVIEW: LOVE IS LOVE ANTHOLOGY, FROM IDW PUBLISHING

QUEER VISIBILITY – THE BLESSING AND THE CURSE

THE LOUD SILENCE OF WHITE ARTISTS ON #BLACKLIVESMATTER

WE ARE ORLANDO, BUT PERHAPS WE ARE OMAR MATEEN TOO?

LONE-WOLVES AND STATE WARRIORS

WE ARE WHAT WE VOTE

WRITING OVER THE ACRONYM

THEPEWPEWLIFE AND WHY I’M HOPELESSLY ANGRY

WE’RE HERE. WE’RE QUEER. AND WE MATTER: THE HIDDEN FACE OF THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY

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