Face Equality Week � calling for respect
CW: ableism, death threats, suicide. Lifeline: 131114.
This Face Equality Week, I call for people with facial differences to be treated with equality, dignity, respect and safety.
I don’t want people with facial difference to be discriminated against, excluded, ridiculed, forced to reveal medical information or relive traumatic events to satisfy strangers� curiosity, or endure emotional or physical violence because of fear, pity and prejudice around facial difference.
I have a facial difference caused by a skin condition called Ichthyosis, and through my life I’ve: :
been asked to leave a storebeen refused taxi rides
been laughed at and ridiculed
been photographed by strangers
been stared at
encountered children and adults who a physically react because they’re scared
missed out on career progression because of implicit and explicit bias
been asked curious and intrusive questions
had my photo misused on Reddit and by the media
endured countless instances of online abuse including death threats and statements like I should be dead
been seated away from other diners at restaurants
been ignored in stores
been treated as though I’m contagious
read, seen and watched media and art that disrespects people with facial differences and skin conditions
had people tell me they’d kill themselves if they looked like me
been told it’s great someone like me gets out of the house, and isn’t locked away
seen people with facial differences and skin conditions physically and mentally tormented, feeling unsafe where they live.
Enough of this disrespect, discrimination and othering. I’d also like to see hate crime and hate speech laws extend to people with facial differences � protecting us and punishing perpetrators � with fines and community service.
I’m still here. We’re still here. We exist, and we deserve to be seen. I’ve tagged some amazing people with facial differences for you to follow on .
More information:
Image: a selfie of Carly, a woman with a red face and short dark curly hair, wearing a pink cardigan over a dress, & a blue flower brooch & red flower brooch. She’s smiling.
The post first appeared on .
