IDAHOT 2013.

Musician Andi Fraggs writes about how his school failed to support him when he was mercilessly bullied, and cited Clause 28 as the reason..

“I developed more than a little interest in Madonna. In fact, her music and words would later literally help to save my life. She also helped me to realize from an early point that their was nothing wrong with me.”

IDAHOT 2013.

Jordan Diamant & Aubrey Diamant write about the hateful and terrifying transphobia and homophobia from their family.

“You can expect to be hurt by strangers that is usually a given, but when the act of violence, rage, and humiliation comes directly from a parent or sibling the pain is not comparable to anything I have ever felt before.”

IDAHOT 2013.

Eva Monkey writes a lyrical censure of the beer greased lads on a Saturday night, looking for anyone different to make them feel better about themselves.

“And here comes li’l old queerzy, just trying to get home through the sea of drunken malcontents that make up the jazzier parts of East London on a weekend.”

What would you do?

Christopher Bryant writes about how he reacted when the words ‘fucking poof’ were muttered by a passerby.

“It’s the centre of London, within a stone’s throw of the gay bars of Soho, so I didn’t think twice about putting my arms around him and kissing him goodbye. A pair of lads walked by and one of them muttered, ‘fucking poofs’.”

What would you do?

Bryon Fear writes about a homophobic confrontation, and how angry he was with himself when he turned away from it.

“I was suddenly reminded of my nine year old self who used to take mile long diversions home from school for fear of being met by the bullies who earlier had told me in the playground that they “would be waiting” for me after school..”

What would you do?

In a moving, and funny piece, cabaret performer Menno Kuijper writes about living in Brixton and standing up to the man who called him “batty boy” on far too regular a basis.

“I never really quite knew how to respond to it. I always wished I could do something that would scare the living daylights out of him, unleash some kind of monstrous strength or fantastic superpower, or at least find something clever to say. ‘Yes, I’m gay, well-spotted, you’ve just won a fridge!’.”

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.”

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.”