Queer Stories Being Narrated Through Visual Manga and Media
Queer visual art has also manifested within manga, with several queer authors publishing stories about the LGBTQ experience, whether they may be autobiographical or otherwise. This medium not only allows these artists to tell their story it also let's them point out the intolerance within their own society.
(Left) Title: My Brother's Husband, Author: Gengoroh Tagame
Synopsis:"Yaichi is a work-at-home suburban dad in contemporary Tokyo; formerly married to Natsuki and father to their young daughter, Kana. Their lives suddenly change with the arrival at their doorstep of a hulking, affable Canadian named Mike Flanagan, who declares himself the widower of Yaichi’s estranged gay twin, Ryoji. Mike is on a quest to explore Ryoji’s past, and the family reluctantly but dutifully takes him in. What follows is an unprecedented and heartbreaking look at the state of a largely still-closeted Japanese gay culture: how it’s been affected by the West, and how the next generation can change the preconceptions about it and prejudices against it."(Penguin Random House publishing).
(Middle) Title: My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness, Author: Kabi Nagata
Synopsis: An autobiographical look at the author's experience with exploring her sexual identity, struggles with depression, and eventual calling which is drawing manga.
(Right) Title: The Bride was a Boy. Author: Chii (alias)
Synopsis: An auto-biography based on true events. Chii was a female assigned as male during birth and tells her story about their identity and becoming someone's wife.
Social Media as an Art Sharing Platform
Social media has enabled many artist to share queer art without the exclusivity of a gallery. Social media has not only enabled regular art to be shared with online but also enabled queer people to share fictional, autobiographical art, and even photography. Some artists: