Response to an idea
In this project we were asked to create a protest pack for a protest of our choice whether it was a personal protest or a widespread one.
What is a protest?
Before I started with any type of idea I wanted to research what is defined as a protest and what isnt so i could properly choose one to make a pack for. A protest is defined as a "public display of objection, disapproval or dissent to an idea", they're usually politically driven. There is also two types of protest; violent: disruption, harm or terrorism or non-violent: marches, sit ins, boycotts, speeches, music, art, poetry, symbols, signs or civil defiance. Some protests I looked at were:
Civil rights for Black Americans
Stonewall: civil rights LGBTQIA+ people
BLM: Fight against police brutality against people of colour
Anti-Lockdown: Protests against Covid-19 lockdown
Ukraine: Anti Russian invasion of Ukraine
Women's right to vote: The suffragettes
Woodstock: Protest against wars
Iran: Women protesting against the brutality of laws against women, Mahsa Amini
Anti transphobic laws: Protesting against anti transition laws (America)/the right to self ID (UK)
Anti Drag ban: against laws banning children observing drag performances in public
Abortion: Protesting against laws put in place to restrict abortion (America)
Palestine: Against the brutal occupation of Palestine by Israel
Yemen: Fight to raise awareness to global hunger
Junior strikes: Junior doctors, nurses and teachers striking for better pay for the workload they take on.
For this project I wanted to make a protest pack for one of any of these protests, they're a some of the fights I have been made aware of. I decided to choose one that is currently happening, one that's under represented in the media and one that has or could impact me in my own life.
Civil rights for Black Americans
Stonewall: civil rights LGBTQIA+ people
BLM: Fight against police brutality against people of colour
Anti-Lockdown: Protests against Covid-19 lockdown
Ukraine: Anti Russian invasion of Ukraine
Women's right to vote: The suffragettes
Woodstock: Protest against wars
Iran: Women protesting against the brutality of laws against women, Mahsa Amini
Anti transphobic laws: Protesting against anti transition laws (America)/the right to self ID (UK)
Anti Drag ban: against laws banning children observing drag performances in public
Abortion: Protesting against laws put in place to restrict abortion (America)
Palestine: Against the brutal occupation of Palestine by Israel
Yemen: Fight to raise awareness to global hunger
Junior strikes: Junior doctors, nurses and teachers striking for better pay for the workload they take on.
For this project I wanted to make a protest pack for one of any of these protests, they're a some of the fights I have been made aware of. I decided to choose one that is currently happening, one that's under represented in the media and one that has or could impact me in my own life.
Anti-Drag laws
The recent rise of anti-drag laws have most come from America, with places like Tennessee, Arizona, Kentucky and Oklahoma as well as 10 other states signing these into their legislations. These laws prohibit "adult cabaret performances" where minors could see them. These laws have come under fire in America as they are obvious deflection away from the lack of gun regulations that have been campaigned for. The "adult cabaret" these law makers are referring to is male or female impressionism. It means there is no understanding on what could be considered as an "impression" or someone living as a gender not assigned at birth. The bill aims to protect children from harm, however this same energy isnt given to school or mass shootings, paedophilia or to the abuse children face in the church. All issues within America, this bill is to mask Conservative Americans homophobia and transphobia as care for children.
The reason I though of this protest is because many of my friends and I wouldn't be able to safely visit over 10 states in America. The reason being none of us present in the gender or sex we were assigned at birth. Should we visit any of these states we would need to dress or present as cis. If not the laws could make us pay fine, go to court, face imprisonment or the wrath of "good" Christian American conservatives.
The reason I though of this protest is because many of my friends and I wouldn't be able to safely visit over 10 states in America. The reason being none of us present in the gender or sex we were assigned at birth. Should we visit any of these states we would need to dress or present as cis. If not the laws could make us pay fine, go to court, face imprisonment or the wrath of "good" Christian American conservatives.
GCR: the right to self identification bill
The GRC or Gender Recognition Certificate is a certificate that trans people in the UK must be able to obtain to legally be able to change their gender or sex on forms of identification, even their birth certificates. Currently the law around obtaining GRCs mandates a person live as their chosen gender for two years before being able to get a psychiatric diagnosis of gender dysphoria, a phenomenon in which a persons biological sex and gender identity not matching causes distress. The Scottish Government under Nicola Sturgeon wanted to reform this bill for Scottish citizens. Under this new bill the requirements would change from two years to 3months and 6 months for people under 18. The age requirement would also drop from 18 to 16, the process to getting a GRC would be less invasive, traumatic and also quicker. The bill passed 86 votes (in favour) to 39 votes (against). However in December/ January the English government blocked this bill from going into legislation. Using a section of law called section 35 of the Scotland act. This section hasnt been used in over 40 years.
I chose to research this protest further for many reasons, as a non-binary person (a person who neither feels male or female) as well as the friend and supporter of trans people this ban has a clear message. The UK governments own GRC bill was discarded years ago, the governments reasoning being "lack of interest". Historically as Trans people we have been a chess piece to deflect any negative attention the government receive. At the time the information of the government not following lockdown rules was coming to light. Once again the government have used the LGBTQIA community to protect its failings. This block comes as a clear message of Transphobia from the government, its lack of understanding, care or consideration of its transgender population is disgraceful. "Trans rights and women's rights should not be used as an excuse for SNP-Tory attrition warfare"- Shadow secretary, Ian Murray.
I chose to research this protest further for many reasons, as a non-binary person (a person who neither feels male or female) as well as the friend and supporter of trans people this ban has a clear message. The UK governments own GRC bill was discarded years ago, the governments reasoning being "lack of interest". Historically as Trans people we have been a chess piece to deflect any negative attention the government receive. At the time the information of the government not following lockdown rules was coming to light. Once again the government have used the LGBTQIA community to protect its failings. This block comes as a clear message of Transphobia from the government, its lack of understanding, care or consideration of its transgender population is disgraceful. "Trans rights and women's rights should not be used as an excuse for SNP-Tory attrition warfare"- Shadow secretary, Ian Murray.
What is the GRC?
To better explain this protest I mind mapped out my knowledge on the subject, it helped making decisions clearer. Its clear from my research this bill blocking was derived by transphobia in parliament, a block used to drive focus away from their many failings.
Placard pins/stickers
Protest placards are the strongest way of getting your individual opinion or emotions out there, these are often emotive, short and simple. This idea would be to take these placards and digitally make them into pins or stickers.
Some of the protest placards I referenced.
Trans deities
This idea would be to paint contemporary trans celebrities, such as Kim Patras, Amanda Lepore and Elliot Page as Christian religious icons. Given that most transphobic ideology has stemmed from Christianity.
These are the images I looked at while thumbnailing. Kim Petras as Jesus, Amanda Lepore as Mary mother of god and Elliot page as Joseph.
Geraldine the ghost
This idea was to make a "how to" zine or booklet on different aspects of talking to trans people, an educational and simple way to talk to people.
A parody on the "for dummies" informational books
Education
Societal change happens when people become aware of issues, when they're educated they gain a new perspective different to their own.
With some peer review it was helpful to move forward, I got some ideas on who i could gear this to. I want to make this something an older person (parent, grandparent or aunts/uncles) could be given by their trans relative to make coming out easier.
Zine ideas: Geraldine explains
Pronouns
One zine idea I had was on the theme of Pronouns, many have a misconception that these are new or a trans exclusive thing. However they are used for everybody and have been for centuries. This idea would depict the different pronouns and the diverse groups of people who might use them.
Gender Recognition Certificate
This idea was to show the process of applying for a GRC under the current law and its impact on the trans person.
Trans Timeline
This idea is to explain that being transgender isnt a new identity, a common misunderstanding from older people in society.
Supportive parent
This was a more emotive idea, the zine depicting a parent and child discussing the child's transgender identity. Geraldine being there to explain to the parent how to tale to their child.
Queer history
These informational videos are helpful
https://www.instagram.com/reel/ClY0Pgqjr04/?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
https://www.instagram.com/reel/Clyu8Z5jgul/?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cl3lM1PDD1m/?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CmOkCGkjD6f/?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cmelf40gxr5/?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CoaEjI8AzKP/?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
https://www.instagram.com/reel/Co695Q3gD8e/?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CpLHBhNgEoM/?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CpfzEmYAEd_/?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CpkhjIojtsa/?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
https://www.instagram.com/reel/ClY0Pgqjr04/?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
https://www.instagram.com/reel/Clyu8Z5jgul/?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cl3lM1PDD1m/?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CmOkCGkjD6f/?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cmelf40gxr5/?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CoaEjI8AzKP/?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
https://www.instagram.com/reel/Co695Q3gD8e/?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CpLHBhNgEoM/?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CpfzEmYAEd_/?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CpkhjIojtsa/?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
supportive parent
After feedback it was apparent to me that pushing forward with a more emotive and familial response with my zine made more sense. I decided that illustrating how a child might get anxiety around coming out might be elevated by their parent supporting them. By using the parent and child dynamic it would pull more on the potential parents emotions as they read and felt the same emotions their child does.
I took the zine concept into a prototype using dip pen and ink to see how it might've looked. At this point the design was more modern leaning in the background and character appearance.
Some images I referenced, I wanted to use more of an indie look to this version of the zine hence a more earthy colour palette with hints of blue, pink and white (trans pride flag). The sheet ghost idea comes from the want to have little icons. I thought it might help the reader have something they can place themselves as.
Key audience
It was here that I had a rethink, while I still wanted to present something that was in support of the trans community. The GRC bill felt like a big and broad topic, something I felt I couldnt properly present in the best manner. I decided to change my theme to being against transphobia, a protest to include trans education. In this I also identified my audience, Boomers. While this generation lived in the time to see many social minorities gain social respect it is still very uneducated and outdated in its beliefs. From peer review I was able to focus this piece a little more.
Instead of something set in modern day this zine would be illustrated in a late 60s early 70s aesthetic. Helping ground this pieces style choice, while helping make the potential reader feel more comfortable in what they're seeing.
Instead of something set in modern day this zine would be illustrated in a late 60s early 70s aesthetic. Helping ground this pieces style choice, while helping make the potential reader feel more comfortable in what they're seeing.
Getting Groovy
Finding this aesthetical change was extremely helpful, it meant i was able to give the characters and setting a revamp as well as the colour palette.
This time period I was referencing is referred to as "retro modern". This style was prompted by impressionistic sculptures and painting. It was a defiance against the classic style of decades past. Popular colours were green (pea and drab), pinks, yellows and oranges, this explosion of colour came when paint was being made again after the war. Wanting to breathe new life, into the world. Patterns were also the rage, usually psychedelic. I wanted to reference this essence of freedom in colour, using bold colours in that retro manner we no longer do.
This time period I was referencing is referred to as "retro modern". This style was prompted by impressionistic sculptures and painting. It was a defiance against the classic style of decades past. Popular colours were green (pea and drab), pinks, yellows and oranges, this explosion of colour came when paint was being made again after the war. Wanting to breathe new life, into the world. Patterns were also the rage, usually psychedelic. I wanted to reference this essence of freedom in colour, using bold colours in that retro manner we no longer do.
Retro modern was all about using bold colours, patterns and shape in organic ways. protesting the rigidness of conventional interior design.
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Experiments in using one point perspective to draw a bedroom.
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Geraldine in the 60s
Much like in the world of interior design and architecture, fashion of the time was bolder, chunkier, patterned and bright. It was a statement to be different.
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60s glam
Inspired by my research I came up with five design choices each following a key design from the 60s. Mini skirts/dresses, Mod dresses, Baby doll dresses, Maxi skirts and flares. For Geraldine I gave her the chess print, white and pink mod dress. It was the most popular when I asked for feedback. For the mother ghost I went for the maxi skirt as it felt the most mature, for the child ghost I went with the flares as these are more unisex and could would for a trans character. For the colour palettes I used mostly pink and a hint of blue for Geraldine, as an ally ghost I thought this flag reference made sense. Mother ghost is in yellow, symbolically a happy colour. To reference her joy in her child. The child wears the trans flag as flares.
Thus far
My idea is for these to be printed out as digital illustrations on a layout so the user can make a zine, this zine will be A5 in size.
Digital zine pages
I made the final illustrations a digital file, I thought this would look more presentable as a final piece. I used watercolour brushes and a dip pen brush for this.
Zine Template |
As an extra piece for these zines I made an "introduction" sheet that could be written on by whoever would use this. I thought this might help some people with the news as a simple way to explain.
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This is the downloadable template, follow below on how to construct this zine