zakeno:

I cannot count how many times people have disrespected, infantilized, or otherwise demeaned me professionally due to my gender identity, sexuality, or disabilities/mental illnesses. How many times I’ve been told to be ‘quiet’ about these issues that affect me. That talking about them makes me less hire-able.

But you know what? I’m damn proud of myself the way I am.

I give every project I touch 210%. I turn in everything at least a day early on every project I’ve been on. I know I’m not perfect, but I do know I do my very very best. I’ve been a writer, an art director, a director, a character designer, a background painter, a prop designer, a storyboard revisionist, a storyboard artist, a comic artist, a gif and social media artist, an animator, a colorist, a teacher, and an illustrator professionally- all before I even turned 23.

I know damn well what I’m doing, and I know I can improve, and strive to continue improving- but I’m GOOD at what I do. And I’m going to get even better with time as I hone my skills. The fact I’m trans? Agender? Mentally ill? Disabled? They DO NOT affect my professionalism. They do not make me any less respectable.

So start treating other LGBT/disabled/mentally ill folk well. RESPECT them.

Cuz we do kickass work, and I’m proud of us, and I’m never going to ‘shut up’ about my identity because it’ll make me more ‘hire-able’. Stop telling me I would get more offers if I stopped talking about issues that affect me. They AFFECT me. I will continue to talk about them, to the benefit of many others like me who don’t have the means to speak out.

I want to help the youth who desperately need support. To show them that it’s possible to reach their dreams, even if they’re trans, even if they’re disabled, even if they’re mentally ill, even if the world seems like it’s against them.

To my LGBT, POC, disabled, mentally ill, etc friends- you are valid, you are awesome, keep fighting that fight and don’t let anyone tell you to ‘quiet down’ about things that matter to you.