CARIMAC Times 2016: The JREAM Edition Journalists Reviving Awareness of what Matters | Page 115

going about their business, wanting to work
and contribute to society, nobody wouldn’t do
it [discriminate]. And even if they did, people
would get consequences for it.”
Burton, Wanliss, and Carpenter all believe that
before policy can be enacted, attitudes must
be changed.
“When we recognise that these are our brothers,
our sisters, our children … we can stop pointing
fingers. As long as we deny our relationship to
persons who are in this situation, we’re going
to be able to say it has nothing to do with me.
It has everything to do with us, because if you
want justice and you’re only willing to fight for
the people in your group, you don’t actually
want justice.” Carpenter said.

“My mantra in life is share a story, save a life.
Continue to tell your story, because somebody
out there may be listening, maybe waiting on
that story. Someone might read an article and
say ‘I’m not gonna kill myself today, cause I
realise I’m not the only person. I’m not defective.
And even if I am, it’s okay, because there are a
million other defective people out there too.”
The author does not share a relationship with any
subject within this story.

Burton expressed this desire as well.
“I want people to learn that the same blood that
runs in my veins is the same that runs through
everyone’s vein. And people have rights. Sex
workers have rights. People with disabilities
have rights. Drug users have rights. They
have rights to health care. They have rights
to treatment. They have rights to every social
service, access to police officers; everything,”
she stressed.
Wanliss said he hopes more people raise
awareness of all LGBTQ issues and that more
people within the community will share their
own stories. He said there is a tendency for
many, especially trans men, to hide under the
radar to avoid discrimination. But he believes
the narrative may help others who are in a dark
state like he was.

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