Bored Panda reached out to Labelle again to learn more about her experiences and how her journey as an artist has influenced her work. We asked her about the impact she hopes her comics have on younger generations, particularly those questioning their gender identity.
"My work strives to provide empowerment and comfort to younger generations. We rarely get to choose how supportive our environment is, and I always consider the impact of my work on those of us who are the most vulnerable. Transphobia is pernicious and might pop up when we least expect it. I hope my comics help people build strength and resilience to keep going despite everything."
The artist shared that she has personally faced harassment, including being doxxed, being targeted by a neo-Nazi protest, being labeled as a threat by a British MP, and having her books banned in Texas, while also frequently receiving online death threats. So, we asked her how she manages self-care and maintains resilience in the face of such hostility.
"I spend a lot of time in nature. It really grounds me and makes the online hate seem like a distant dream. I've also been doing book tours and meeting readers and communities. It reminds me of the impact the kind of work I do can have and makes the hate more bearable."
As an artist who started creating comics at a young age, we asked Labelle for her advice to aspiring queer and trans artists looking to share their stories through art.
"I'd say that you need to get involved within your local community. Show up for other artists as you would like people to show up for you. We're all in this together. Every voice matters, and having your voice heard brings purpose, which is absolutely necessary when creating while queer or trans."
"Trans and gender non-conforming people’s rights are currently under attack in a multitude of countries, states, and provinces. Chances are that you have a local association or group in your town or city that desperately needs volunteers for all types of things. I encourage everyone to reach out to them and participate in any way they can. Getting involved is the best way to learn!"
