Queer stories animated for Pride Festival

A NEW animation series has been developed for members of Bendigo’s LGBTQIA+ community to share their unique stories of pride and diversity.

Created by Melbourne creator David Blumenstein, the Animated People series was produced by Bendigo Pride Festival with funding from the Victorian Department of Families, Fairness and Housing.

Transwoman Zara Jones the chance for her story to be animated was a “great, unique experience” and hopes to inspire strength in the local queer community.

“I have shared quite a few stories of my experiences throughout my transition and the producer of these animations thought that would be good to put those to one of those animations,” she said.

This Monday was International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia and Ms Jones wanted to share a negative experience she had of being humiliated in a supermarket.

“One of the experiences I had [was] where somebody thought that it would be their right to speak openly and within earshot to make judgments about me which of course made me feel pretty uncomfortable,” she said.

“It reaffirms to you that you are different, and they see your differences as something that is offensive to them.”

Ms Jones said while she has had her negative moments, overall being a transwoman in Bendigo has been a positive experience.

She said events like the Bendigo Pride Festival and IDAHOBIT Day help support less confident members of the queer community.

“The more events that happen in town and the more support we see for our community from our allies really gives that hope to our community for people who aren’t confident to come out,” she said.

Ms Jones launched Trans and Gender Diverse Bendigo and Beyond, a group for education and raising awareness that also strives to break down barriers for transgender people.

The group meets on the third Sunday of every month, and also holds clothing swaps, which Ms Jones said helps transgender people express themselves more freely, at minimal cost.

“[Fashion] is a really affirming way to show the world who you are and how you want to present yourself to the world,” she said.

“Often you don’t know what your style is so it takes a long time to explore that and that can be very expensive if you’re purchasing clothes.”