#trans will graham

[desperatelyseekingcannibals]

Telling Hugh Dancy about trans masc Will and more...

As some of you already know by now, I went to Boston Fanexpo this past weekend for another stop on the unofficial Hannibal 2024 Reunion Tour.

I had planned to do autographs on the Friday before the Hannibal panel and had brought some gifts for Hugh which included a copy of Adapt. Evolve. Become: The Genderqueer Fandom of NBC's Hannibal, which I compiled and edited last year. I also got him to sign my own copy (above).

It all moved quite quickly, but I did have the chance to explain that it's a volume by and about trans, non-binary, and genderqueer Fannibals that includes art, fics, essays, and personal pieces. He seemed intrigued and I said I hope he'd have the chance to read it and that the art isn't explicit/sexual but some of the fics are - he laughed and said he appreciated the warning.

It was all quite the whirlwind, especially after coming all the way from the UK, so I was absolutely mortified when I remembered the next morning that I had talked with a few trans Fannibals who had specifically asked me to let him know that he/Will is a trans icon. So I went back up to see him again on the Saturday morning when it wasn't too busy (and get more stuff signed) and this is what happened:

[I wrote notes down right after so this is as close an account I can get without having filmed it!].

Me: I saw you yesterday Hugh: I remember (smiley-friendly) Me: I gave you a book Hugh: I remember (smiley-friendly) Me: well, I forgot to tell you. A few trans Fannibals reached out to me to tell you that Will is a trans icon to them and we all love you for it. Hugh was surprised (in a nice way) and I was pretty much going to walk away then - job done and feeling like time for me to stop bothering Hugh lol. But before I could walk away he sort of held out his hand to stop me and said something along the lines of - I don't mean this in a disrespectful way, don't take it the wrong way... I'm genuinely curious- I get that it can be about identity- but what is the connection to Will and being trans? Luckily - my essay in the book is exactly about how Will can be read as trans, so I sort of gave him a summary of that. I explained that (obviously) both Will and Hannibal can be read as queer, and that - especially as both characters have dominant masculine and feminine traits, it's also easy to read them both as trans or in some way genderqueer. He was nodding and agreeing, so I further explained that with Hannibal, he is fully formed - he's already whatever he is - which Hugh also agreed with. But that Will is still becoming, still transitioning and therefore can be more relatable to trans fans who see that journey in themselves. So although it's not necessarily the same journey - there is enough to it that it resonates with trans people. I said that in the show there is also the added bonus of Will being seen and accepted for who he is, just as trans people wish to be. He was nodding along and agreeing with me and then he thanked me for explaining that. It was pretty quiet previously but I'd been there a few minutes so the queue was building up a little but he was so focused on me - so genuinely intent on hearing what I had to say and learning more. SO I CARRIED ON. (lols) I explained to him that it goes further than the show, that we have found a community in the fandom and that many trans people have a catalyst in their life that sparks their journey - like Will had in his friendship with Hannibal. For us it might be a person, an event, or even a TV show. I explained how the fandom are so supportive of trans people - that we are SEEN. That I for one wouldn't have been able to afford top surgery without the kind donations of Fannibals back when I was not in a good place (mentally or financially). That we all help each other and for some of us that has been life-saving. He did the hand on heart thing and said "wow" and was clearly moved. I said to him that so much of this is in the book, that I completely understand if he doesn't want to read the fanfic, but I really hope that he will at least read each of the personal pieces - that each of the fics and art also have a little write up from their creator about what the show and/or fandom has meant to them and their gender journey - how important this has been in our lives. He repeated a couple of times that he would definitely read it. I thanked him and he held out his hand and gave me the most genuine hand shake I've had in my life.

I want to really stress here how much this was instigated by Hugh. That he really wanted to know more and understand and didn't even look at the slowly growing queue but was instead intently focused on knowing more about the trans Fannibals and about why this show and the characters mean so much to us.

I then went off and spoke with a few Fannibal friends in the queue before getting around the corner to another Fannibal friend and having a bit of an emotional moment/breakdown. I can't even explain how grateful I am that he gave me the opportunity to explain all this to him. And I was especially glad I got to tell that Will is a trans icon because I'd have felt terrible if I'd have not done that after people had asked!! Thank you for trusting me to pass that message on for you!

💖

I know for many of you Adapt. Evolve. Become: The Genderqueer Fandom of NBC's Hannibal might have gone a little under the radar. So here is some more about that >>

It was compiled last year for Trans Hanni Day, edited by Max Turner of (and in conjunction with) A Coup of Owls Press - and published under Max's ACoO imprint.

It features essays, personal pieces, fanart and fanfic by and about trans, non-binary, genderqueer and otherwise non-cis Fannibals.

IT IS FREE TO DOWNLOAD, however we ask that if you do that, please consider donating to one of the linked trans orgs if you can afford to (or a similar organisation/charity of your choice).

It can be purchased on Amazon, however, as the proceeds go to charity, and Amazon only gives royalties, more is earned/given if bought directly via Max's shop.

Dearest trans Fannibals, please know that YOU ARE SEEN!

[skraldehund]

Cowboy Willy G 🏔️

[g1xtchedartist]

they’re MY favorite characters, and i WILL be pretending they’re transgender

[ganemouchie]

Stealing your bfs ipad (which you made fun of him for possessing) to watch River Monsters or something

-Entry for the Trans Hannibal hcs event - day 1; Will Graham <3

[cow-boy-toy]

Hannibal Lecter was an original forcemascer. He made Will Graham from the ground up, transforming what was already beautiful potential into his true becoming.

[starlesscastellation]

found in a local craft shop. do. do I even need to say it?

[kingredking]

[feralforestgoblinn]

Back on my T4T Hannigram shenanigans

Full version on Patreon <3

[strangerinalostworld]

chiyoh: how do you know hannibal

will: *pulls up shirt, revealing top surgery scars* one could argue.. intimately

[dyke-will-graham]

Being non-binary is like I’m feeling dysphoric time to read trans HC of my fav characters!!! SAVE ME TRANS DEAN SAVE ME TRANS WILL!!!

[clowningcrows]

is this anything?? idk but will graham to fear by current joys ₊˚✧ .⋆°｡

[transhanniday]

Adapt. Evolve. Become.: The Genderqueer Fandom of NBC's Hannibal - SECOND EDITION!

In 2023 we released a fan-led volume of fanworks by and about trans non-binary, genderqueer and otherwise non-cis Fannibals.

We were thrilled to donate the profits from that fiscal year to The Okra Project, and we're already on track for a similar donation to this year's nominated charity - Gendered Intelligence.

You may have seen that Hugh Dancy was gifted a copy and had a very thoughtful conversation about the interpretation of Will Graham as a trans man.

Well, we're back by popular demand, to create a second edition and YOU can be involved!

NBC's Hannibal has resonated with many queer fans, and we know that being in the Hannibal, Hannigram and Hannibal Extended Universe fandom, and the support of Fannibals, has been part of many people's gender identity journeys. We want to capture that in a fandom led volume of non-fiction, featuring essays, creative nonfiction, personal accounts and art.

IF YOU WISH TO SUBMIT WE URGE YOU TO READ THE EXISTING EDITION FIRST! You can read or download free here!

For submission information jump under the cut!

WHO should submit: Please ONLY SUBMIT IF:

you are aged 18 or over. For the sake of legalities, we are only accepting submissions from those legally considered adults in the region of publication - UK.

you are transgender, non-binary, genderqueer or otherwise non-cis. 

OR you have a close relationship (sibling, partner etc) with someone who is transgender, non-binary, genderqueer or otherwise non-cis.

NB: The reason for the edition of cis creators is as a result of the feedback on the first edition regarding how much it spoke to people who had trans relatives or a trans partner and how it resonated with them and their (often) non-fandom partner/relative. We wanted to give them a chance to voice the impact of the show and fandom on their lives as people with close relationships with trans people.

WHAT submissions we will accept:

Fanfiction (100 to 5000 words)

Fanart (including comics)

Personal piece / statement / testimony (pref. under 3000 words)

Creative non-fiction (up to 5000 words)

Essay (up to 5000 words)

Cosplay (photos of yourself in cosplay and/or instructions/tips on how to make trans friendly cosplay)

Other (any form of art, photography or writing not covered here)

Theme:  Via one of the above mediums, we want you to share with us in as much or little detail as you’d like, your journey as a non-cis Fannibal in the Hannibal fandom, and/or the impact NBCs Hannibal has had on your gender journey. 

A few points for consideration you may wish to explore: 

Has the show and/or being part of the fandom helped you explore your gender, or made you feel more confident in expressing it - even if only online. 

Has the fandom helped you with your transition and/or medical needs, such as donating for trans-clothing or surgeries? 

Do you want to write an essay exploring the connection between NBCs Hannibal and non-cis fans? Or explore the trans-coding of Francis Dolarhyde?

Do you want to submit fic or art of Hannibal, Will or another character that expresses how you feel about your own gender identity?

PLEASE NOTE: if your submission is successful you are welcome to use your real name or an online handle for authorship, but you will have the option to publish anonymously or under a pseudonym if you would prefer. 

WHERE to submit:

In order to ensure we are not overwhelmed with more of one submission type over another, we are asking those who wish to be involved to complete our:

SIGN UP FORM to tell us about what you would like to submit - your proposal.

Your submission doesn't need to be complete at this stage and we urge you to complete as soon as possible if you are interested in order to allow any back and forth discussions that may take place.

Once you idea has been discussed with the editor you will be linked to a submission form in order to upload your submission and complete further information.

YOU CAN submit multiple ideas. We may publish up to two pieces from each person if they are different types, e.g. fanart AND an essay.

Timeline:

Proposal period: 1st November 2024 to 1st January 2025

Submission period: 1st November 2024 to 1st February 2025

Editing: 1st February to 31st March 2025

Final edited copies for proof by 31st May 2025

Publication: July 2025

Please note that the submission form will only be available until 1st February, therefore if you wait to complete your proposal until 1st January, you will only have one month to complete your submission. 

Compensation: As a fan-led project we do not have any funding and so cannot offer monetary compensation. All contributors will receive at the least an e-copy of the collection. If we are able to establish funding (potentially via Kickstarter) we may be able to send each contributor a print copy, but will not be able to confirm until further in the process and cannot guarantee this.

If funding is not available, we will be able to offer contributors reduced cost print copies by charging only cost price. However, given the quality of the art printing of the print copies, this will still be a significant cost.

Content Restrictions: 

Contributors must be transgender, non-binary, genderqueer or otherwise non-cis, OR in a close relationship with someone who is transgender, non-binary, genderqueer or otherwise non-cis.

Contributions must relate to NBCs Hannibal and/or the fandom

The contribution must be original. Previously published works may be considered, such as existing fanfic and fanart.

ABSOLUTELY NO GENERATIVE AI.

Explicit works welcome, but please give details in the sign up form, especially for any visual media.

It should go without saying, but we will not accept bigotry and hate speech: We may consider works that feature these things but do not glorify them. For example, we will consider works that discuss transphobia but not works that are transphobic.

FAQ

What is Trans Hannigram Day? Trans Hannigram Day or TransHanniDay is a day of celebration for trans* fanworks and creators in the Hannibal, Hannigram and Hannibal Extended Universe fandom. On this day, old and new fanworks are shared with the intention of filling the timeline with trans* love!

Originally this event was Transcendence Fest, first held in December 2020. The first TransHanniDay was held on 8th April in 2022 in reaction to the release of a certain movie on that day.

I completed the Expression of Interest form, do I need to complete the sign up form? No! If you completed the expression of interest form you should have received an email from Max. If you haven't then please reach out here or on twitter.

Will this collection only be focused on Hannigram? Technically the focus is on the fans, but we know the influence of NBCs Hannibal and the fandom itself goes beyond Hannigram. Both in written works and in art, other characters are accepted including those from NBCs Hannibal and those from other Mads and Hugh projects (Hannibal Extended Universe). 

For example, if Bedelia De Maurier or Adam Raki resonated with you as part of your gender journey, we’d love to hear about it. 

How can I prove I’m Trans*? We aren't expecting you to and in no way expect you to out yourself either online or in real life. We will take on trust that you are who and what you say you are, including if you are questioning, between labels or do not like to use labels. 

As noted above, those who would feel more comfortable doing so, can have their work published under a pseudonym or anonymously. 

Who is publishing this collection? This collection will be edited and published by Max Turner. Max is a gay transgender writer based in the UK, a Fannibal and the publisher of small indie press A Coup of Owls Press. This publication will not be associated with A Coup of Owls Press directly. 

[ganemouchie]

I believe in Will showing off his scars supremacy.

This is self-indulgent. I, however, invite you to indulge with me.

[kittycatxoxo1]

Will doesn't hide that he's trans but he also doesn't bring it up because it's no one's business.

The only time he ever brings something up is when he is on his period, him and Beverly will sometimes sync up and they'll complain about cramps and everything and I like the idea of the rest of the team just looking at them like "why is Will talking about periods?"

Freddie Louds definitely outted Will cause she wants that big scoop, Beverly and Hannibal are pissed! Will has to step in to keep them from killing her. Will isn't as bothered as everyone thinks he'd be, because he's confident in his gender so he doesn't care who knows and if someone is going to be an asshole to him they ain't worth his time.

Will likes to wear the trans flags colors during pride month but it's not really out there. He wants a wear shirt, blue shoes and has a pink bracelet on that he's had before he transitioned.

Will is also very bisexual so he's also got bi flag colors around his house lol

........

Free to use just credit me and DM me that you're gonna use it!

[graciereadshannigram]

i am so deep in the trans!will tag on ao3 and i am utterly shocked it took me this long to fall down this rabbit hole. in the absolute most respectful way, I NEED MORE.

[hootybal-lecter]

I feel like when I posted this before people didn't get that it was a parody of this: