In the centre of the photo is an old-fashioned alarm clock set to the time 10:10. On the left side of the photo is a bright floral pot in a matching dish. On the right side is an ornate bronze/red lamp base. (Photo from Unsplash).

Content notes: mental health and intersectional issues

I was mortified to read a call for zine submissions that acknowledged that QTIBIPOC do respond but LATER than non-QTIBIPOC. I cringed because it didn't say WHY.

I knew it was true for me but I think people reading could have felt more validated by there being at least one reason why!

Pop art style, black and white love heart graphic reads “WHY” in bright pink. (Picture from Unsplash).

This list is a personal response to that post. I want white organisers to understand why we’re late otherwise we get landed with this characteristic and there are intersectional reasons - some of which I attempt to break down below.

I’m curious to see if any of this resonates with any queer, trans, intersex, Black, Indigenous and people of colour. This could be a working document.

These 10 statements explore why one might be interested in a call for entries but delay getting involved (if at all).

Brightly coloured specks and shapes on a turquoise background. (Unsplash).

1. I’m interested, but I have intense commitments. Oh and the deadline is tomorrow…

A glass tumbler of copper coins with a seedling plant growing out of it. A blurry blue painted background. (Unsplash).

2. Earning money to pay rent and other bills and for food is very energy-consuming.

A close up of a wall of flat, stacked pebbles, mostly pale blue-white with some pale orange-pink ones. (Unsplash).

3. It would be nice to get involved with something but I don't know/trust the organiser yet.

Bright orange block letters read “TIRED” in an empty bar with dark wood furniture and brightly coloured glass windows. (Unsplash).

4. Dealing with family/other people in my life is energy-consuming.

A ripped and disintegrating triangular warning sticker with a single exclamation mark in black on white. The background is mustard yellow. (Unsplash).

5. I have experiences where my work was rejected and a repeat would be painful.

A leaf-cutter ant carried a small section of leaf. The background is ominous and shadowy. (Unsplash).

6. Am I going to be the only QTIBIPOC in the room again? Is it safe to talk about the intersectional experiences such as bi-phobia, racism, misogny, fat-phobia, ableism, financial hardship, white privilege? Moreover, will my views be welcomed?

A stack of various sizes of white envelopes (mail) and brightly coloured papers piled with the edges sticking out. (Unsplash).

7. This looks cool but I have difficulties with things like mental health / physical health / executive function. (What is executive functioning?)

A white card on top of a brown envelope on a white desk. 3 stems of grass surround the stationery. (Unsplash).

8. I am quite interested but I have a complaint about your organisation which demotivates me. I have been gas-lit before so I won't bother saying anything.

Green grass and trees are beyond a white picket fence. Small purple flowers are next to the fence. (Unsplash).

9. I am interested but there are practical barriers to my participation such as affording the registration fee or physically or digitally accessing the event.

A river animal (beaver?) poking their head out from behind a small log. They have been swimming and look suspicious. (Unsplash).

10. It's safer to keep my ideas to myself as I have experiences of not being accepted.

The reasons above are also reasons why QTIBIPOC and other marginalised people don’t respond to calls for entry at all.

Perhaps we need more support.

How can organisations show support?

Support can be shown various ways. Below are some of my personal ideas. This list is not exhaustive.

5 ways organisations show support to QTIBIPOC

Photo: A round, pink and cream wall clock with Roman numerals on a wall covered with pink floral paper. (Unsplash).

1. Place calls for entry with plenty of notice for applications.

Photo: Sun rays (setting or rising) beam down on a sprawling green hilly, country side. A winding road with a yellow central line cuts through the field. (Unsplash).

2. Appoint or hire suitable QTIBIPOC to a paid level of decision-making within your organisation.

Photo: Corridor lit with multicoloured lights. (Unsplash).

3. Follow and take an interest in our work. (We accept that this does not mean that our work will be accepted, but it is encouraging that you are engaging with our ideas).

Photo: Yellow ruled papers surrounded a green paper background, forming a heart. (Unsplash).

4. Follow up on conversations where work was offered.

It is not always easy or possible to follow up. I have lost track of several conversations over the years, but I have definitely benefitted from recent follow-ups which I viewed as very encouraging, even though I am aware it involved extra effort for organisers. Aspects of inclusivity and accessibility can be built into one’s work practice, where possible.

Hand holding white phone. Brightly coloured circles of light float across the phone screen and behind it. (Unsplash).

5. Share and uplift QTIBIPOC artists and history, and relevant campaigns against racism, transphobia, etc. (especially those not spotlighted in the mainstream news).

I hope that readers might gain a little insight and resonate with some of these ideas.

Thank you for reading. If you enjoyed this, feel free to share!

Despite being a queer, trans person of colour with possible neurodivergence, I am in the position of having managed to go for a lot of things and stick to deadlines. Lockdown and the pandemic has definitely shut down a lot of my capacity.

It took me a while to realise that my history of sign-up and completion points to my workaholism, PTSD and also privilege.

During the coronavirus pandemic, I experienced asking for extensions, opting not to take part, and opted out of things. This gives me more insight, and I am interested in sharing this, and seeing what others think!

I recommend reading Written in Shadows’ blog post about how zine fairs are inaccessible to QTIBIPOC and other folks such as “women & femmes .. disabled people and people who wear religious dress”.

If for some reason the link doesn’t work, please go to https://writteninshadows.wordpress.com and search “zine fairs”.

Thanks to Written in Shadows for insight into Statements 1, 6 and 9 (above) and for their support and encouragement. Check out their brilliant blog, zines and donate to them! (Check the content notes before the posts).

Like the other articles in my blog, this has been written in my spare time. These notes are based on my experiences and chats over the years but it is not extensive or exhaustive.

There is no “single QTIBIPOC experience”.

Mental health resources that might be helpful

THERAPY

BAATN - The Black, African and Asian therapy network (UK)

Pink Therapy - Gender and Sexual Diversity Therapy in the UK

HELPLINES

Mind Infoline: 0300 123 3393 (UK)

Samaritans Call 116 123 (for free in the UK)

If you are not UK based, please search for a support line that you can use where you are.

Searching for mental health resources on the internet may give you something useful, whether it’s information, validation or a distraction.

Home

10 reasons why QTIBIPOC might be late for entry calls (and possible ideas to support us)

These 10 statements explore why one might be interested in a call for entries but delay getting involved (if at all).

5 ways organisations show support to QTIBIPOC

Mental health resources that might be helpful