2012 Retrospective

The Editor looks back at the year 2012 in Polari and how it has explored the LGBT subculture. Part 4: Real People.

Homophobia appears in many guises.

David Watters writes about his experience of homophobia at work and in his personal life. To celebrate IDAHO 2012 Polari Magazine is publishing a series of stories from its writers about homophobic, transphobic and biphobic incidents.

“We all have our stories of bullying and, in sharing these, I hope that one message resounds – YOU have as much right to live and love as anyone else.”

There were worse things said at school than ‘gay’.

Little Bastard writes about the best friend that betrayed his trust. To celebrate IDAHO 2012 Polari Magazine is publishing a series of stories from its writers about homophobic, transphobic and biphobic incidents.

“When searching for a homophobic experience in my life to drag up, one that has shaped who I am and that still continues to do that to this day, this story was the only one I could think of.”

The myths are rarely about fact and mostly about prejudice.

Lyndsay Winegarden writes about the prejudices that come out when bisexuality is mentioned. To celebrate the International Day Against Homophobia/Biphobia and Transphobia Polari Magazine is publishing a series of stories about homophobic, transphobic and biphobic incidents.

“I still get told that I am not bisexual enough because I’ve not completed some list of “must do’s” in order to fit their definition of bisexuality.”

Are we living the dream or the nightmare?

Performer and cabaret artist Alp Haydar asks if there’s an epidemic of hate in our society. To celebrate the International Day Against Homophobia/Biphobia and Transphobia Polari Magazine is publishing a series of stories from its writers about homophobic, transphobic and biphobic incidents.

“In a city that Boris Johnson claims prides itself on it’s open-mindedness, anti-gay hate incidents have risen by 28 percent in the last four years and continue to do so.”

It’s there in that look of recognition.

Clayton Littlewood writes about the moment that his secret came out at school. To celebrate the International Day Against Homophobia/Biphobia and Transphobia Polari Magazine is publishing a series of stories from its writers about homophobic, transphobic and biphobic incidents.

“The genie was out the bottle and within minutes it was flying round the school. Literally. Everyone running in different directions, spreading the word. And by lunchtime the whole school knew. Dinner ladies too.”

Chasing the Homophobic Down.

Paul Baker writes about not letting homophobic abuse go unchallenged. To celebrate IDAHO 2012 Polari Magazine is publishing a series of stories from its writers about homophobic, transphobic and biphobic incidents.

“Acting on instinct, I chased him down the street and gave him a mouthful, right outside Waterstones. Nice old ladies stopped and watched in shock.”

What do you do when your GP treats you like a thing?

In this moving story, T Form’s Emma Bailey writes about a visit to the GP in which she was treated like a thing and not a person. To celebrate the International Day Against Homophobia/Biphobia and Transphobia Polari Magazine is publishing a series of stories from its writers about homophobic, transphobic and biphobic incidents.

“After fiddling about with paperwork for a short time, my doctor sat back in his chair and said “So, WHAT exactly are you then?”

How do we learn the art of disguise?

Uli Lenart from Gay’s the Word bookshop writes about hiding in the open for fear of being called different. To celebrate the International Day Against Homophobia/Biphobia and Transphobia Polari Magazine is publishing a series of stories from its writers about homophobic, transphobic and biphobic incidents.

“He turned and said, I would’t fuck you if you paid me’. It was as if time stood still.”

Not Standing Down To Jeers.

BJ Epstein writes about writes about men who leer at lesbians in an attempt to get back on top. To celebrate International Day Against Homophobia/Biphobia and Transphobia Polari Magazine is publishing a series of stories from its writers about homophobic, transphobic and biphobic incidents.

“I smiled at the men and said, ‘Yeah, and what of it?’ They looked taken aback, as though wondering how I dared to question their right to say whatever they wanted to me.”