I have sat silent, processing the events of June 12, 2016. Watched as politicians use death as a means to rally their side of the aisle. Held back tears watching family and friends of the victims speak of their loved ones.
I want to do something. We all want to do SOMETHING.
Our community is strongest when we work together. We are at war. Not just the LGBT community but all of American culture. And that is what sparked this idea. To quote RENT,“The opposite of war isn’t peace, it’s creation.”
That is want I want to do: I want to create a book containing 102 pieces of art, comics, stories, pin-ups, photos, and other art to honor the lives of each person who was injured or lost their life at Pulse in Orlando.
Here are the guidelines for submission. Please pass it on to all friends that may want to contribute!
STAY SAFE, STAY STRONG AND MAKE YOUR VOICES HEARD! Calling 102 cartoonists, artists and writers to respond to hatred and gun violence and to celebrate the strength of the LGBT community.
It is with a sad heart and a determined head that we send out this rally call to comic creators, artist and writers! As we are all aware, hatred and gun violence are out of control in this country. Too easy is it for people with disdain in their hearts to get hold of a weapon and use it to cause permanent damage to our community and others like us.
Gun Controlled (working title), is a zine responding to the tragic massacre that took place on June 12, 2016 at 2:00 AM in a gay nightclub in Orlando. We are looking for 102 comic creators, artists and writers to donate a one page piece of art, whether comic, cartoon, illustration, poem, or otherwise. Each page is a representation of a wounded individual or lost life tragically associated to this terrible massacre. We want art that deals with fighting gun laws, dealing with loss resulting from the use of guns, expressions of feelings about gun control and the American view of being controlled by the gun.
It is our hope to debut this book at Flame Con, NYC’s first queer comic con, August 20 and 2, 2016. All proceeds will be donated to the victims and family of the people effected by the tragic events at Pulse Bar.
Submission Process:
Submissions open June 12 and close on July 15 at 11:59 PM EST.
Submissions are open to anyone who is queer-identifying or an ally.
Send an email to johnjennisonart@gmail.com with the subject line GUN CONTROLLED.
Finished dpi must be 300 DPI and 8.5 inches high x 5.5 inches wide. Keep all text and important imagery within 8.25 inches high x 5.25 inches high.
Works must be black and white.
We are looking for completed comics, pin-ups and artwork.
One-page finished artwork, story, comic, etc. (1–2 pages maximum).
Include your name, Twitter handle and / or website at bottom of image.
Acceptance letters will go out on or before August 1, 2016.
All proceeds from the book with be donated to the victims and family of the June 12 attack in Orlando.
Please do not use copyrighted characters unless you own the rights.
Sign and scan the attached agreement to allow us use of your artwork for this project. Send to johnjennisonart@gmail.com with the subject CONTRACT along with a TIFF, JPG, or PSD of your artwork or story.
Send Questions to johnjennisonart@gmail.com with the subject QUESTIONS
John Jennison is a comic artist and illustrator working in NYC. He is an active board member of Geeks OUT and in 2015, edited their first print publication, POWER! an Anthology of Queer Creators, which was introduced at the first Flame Con. He has been in shows in NYC, Philadelphia, Boston and Portland. His work about battling cancer has been presented as part of the Graphic Medicine Convention in Baltimore and at Columbia University in NYC.
