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Serbia | 2023 | Comics
Breaking the silence
The association XY Spektrum uses comic books to address a taboo subject in the Balkans: intersexuality.
Breaking the silence
Invisible intersex people
According to a UN report from 2017, 1.7% of people are intersex. Millions of people around the world have sexual characteristics that do not fit binary definitions of male or female bodies. Yet, this issue is only now emerging in discussions on human rights. Too often, the fundamental rights of intersex people are not respected, and the topic remains taboo. In Serbia, intersex people feel they cannot talk about their condition or their feelings with a loved one or even a doctor. Invisible, their condition remains largely unknown, and intersex people continue to face discrimination.
Artist
Kristijan Randjelovic, Pavle Zelic, Nikola Vrzic, Stripo-Tetke Collective
Kristijan Randjelovic, Pavle Zelic, Nikola Vrzic, Stripo-Tetke Collective
Partners
XY Spektrum, French Institute of Serbia, Faculty of Communication of Belgrade, KommunikArt
XY Spektrum, French Institute of Serbia, Faculty of Communication of Belgrade, KommunikArt
Participants
Intersex people, members of the XY Spectrum association
Intersex people, members of the XY Spectrum association
Agency
AFD Western Balkans Office
AFD Western Balkans Office
Breaking the silence
1,7%
of people worldwide are intersex
1000
A comic book published in 1,000 copies
3
A tour through 3 cities in Serbia
Through Metis, discussions are held between members of the XY Spectrum association, which fights for intersex rights, students from the Faculty of Communication in Belgrade, and artists. Kristijan Randjelovic is an intersex activist and writer. Alongside Pavle Zelic, he writes the script for a comic book based on these discussions, depicting the journey, challenges, and aspirations of an intersex person. Based on this script, illustrators from the Stripo-Tetke collective collectively create a 48-page comic book, printed in 1,000 copies and available in digital format.
The writers and illustrators, accompanied by mediators, promote the initiative in three cities in Serbia: Belgrade, Nis, and Novi Sad. They give lectures on intersexuality and organize fun workshops aimed at children, addressing respect for differences.
The comic book is widely distributed during one of Europe’s major literary events, the Belgrade Book Fair.
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